Natebishop3
Don't tread on me!
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Somebody on Blazers Edge came up with an almost plausible scenario where we essentially swapped RoLo and Batum for DeMarre Carroll and Tyson Chandler. I think that would be pretty much treading water, except that it would be a big disruption on continuity, and the Spurs, Clippers, Grizzlies and especially Warriors have demonstrated the value of persevering with your core.
PLUS: Chandler is old as dirt, especially in NBA years. Remember, the Bull traded then rookie of the year Elton Brand to get him in the first place. ALSO: Carroll is flavor of the month, and a nice player - especially as Everybody Loves Draymond, and he's a cheap knockoff, but will he allow Lillard and CJ to play off the ball the way Batum can? In other words, does he allow our stars to be star-like in the way that Batum can, because of his court vision? I don't think it's any accident that Lillard named Batum when he was asked for a league-wide underrated player, because Damian knows how important Batum is to his game.
FINALLY: let's remember, (a) it was never the Blazers' starters that have been the problem these past two years, and (b) we were top 5 in offense AND defense early in the year, before injuries took their toll. By all means dump peripheral players and beef up the bench, but only dump Batum if it becomes clear we're losing Aldridge and/or Wesley.
How are the Warriors an example of preserving your core? They made some pretty massive changes two years ago by bringing in Iggy, and they fired their coach last year. If by "preserve their core" you mean they held onto Steph and Klay, then yes, they did do that.


