MY New Main Concern....

[Draco]

Still looking at the long term.

I do think we might refrain from a very minor short term downgrade for a minor long term upgrade. Something like Hendo for a future second round pick. We probably would have taken that if the team was bad but now may keep Hendo unless we get a first round pick. We are also probably a tad less interested in acquiring salary that screws up our roster and players bonus than before. So I suppose it makes us more likely to "let it bake". Neil still is going to do a long term upgrade if its available. I don't see us doing any short term upgrades.

 

[BBert]

If they trade for a player who can actually contribute, working him into the rotation might disrupt chemistry and cost games. So if they do I'd view it as a move for next season not this one.

 

[riverman]

I'd hate to trade Will Barton for Aaron Afflalo again..

 

[Draco]

And thats my fear. we make a trade for a needle mover and we are giving up at least 2 key players including possible CJ, depending on the player. But if not him, then certainly a combo if Crabbe, Hendo, AMinu, Harkless, Leonard, etc... and honestly, I dont want any of them gone until we have a bigger picture of thier long term future growth.

Yeah I don't see Neil trading away one of our top players like CJ for a few month rental of a veteran who can walk; the end game won't be a title this year anyways. Neil is thinking about the long term. He already lost a free agent for nothing he's not going to give up assets he's worked so hard to get to have that same press conference again this July.

 

[Draco]

It's not horrible if we got a star back. But I still like having two PG quality ball handlers on the floor during crunch time. I believe it helps Dame from being trapped. Doesn't it seem like teams tried trapping Dame more often the previous two years compared to this year?

Yeah its really helped Dame. Another thing thats helped is Plumlee and Meyers passing. They get in a spot to start a 4on3 when Dame is trapped. Having CJ also be our backup PG has been a game changer. Him and Lillard are really only playing about 18 minutes a game together; the other 30 minutes one of them is the sole PG with a bunch of athletic wings and its really benefited our bench. Now when Lillard goes out I'm excited to see CJ excel with the ball instead of having dreadful fear over the team not setting up an offense.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Rockets and Grizzlies aren't playoff teams this year.

How do you figure?
Houston was when we beat them. We knocked them OUT of the playoff spot with the second victory and Memphis is currently the 5th seed.

 

[PDXFonz]

Tough choice between cake baking and so crazy that I have no idea.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

I'm guessing we run with what we have. See who elevates in playoffs and who disappears. Im sure Paul and Neil will make one or 2 off the wall trades no one saw coming during the draft. I think we are thinking long term but trying to do a 2 year rebuild instead of a 4-5 year. Why waste lillards prime?

I see us as a possible first round upset team this year especially if we can get above 8th.

Next year 4-5th wcf maybe

Following year is when we go for the gold

 

[Strenuus]

How do you figure?
Houston was when we beat them. We knocked them OUT of the playoff spot with the second victory and Memphis is currently the 5th seed.

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I'm talking at the end of the year. I don't consider anyone in the playoffs until the end of the year. (Or, they have clinched the spot) That's my perspective.

 

[BonesJones]

How sweet would climbing up to 5 and beating the Clippers in the 1st round be?

 

[Stevenson]

Woj recently did an hour podcast interview with Olshey. I listened to the whole thing. Very interesting. My main takeaway is that this is one very smart guy who is always thinking long-term.

 

[BigGameDamian]

No moves at the deadline, imho.

Every year it's the same old shit. Trade deadline rolls around and someone creates a thread to discuss if the team needs a trade or not. Seems like every year the team gets hot around this time and so everyone pussys out and falls in love with the team. Then by the time the playoffs roll around the damn team goes cold. If we do make the playoffs it's likely the Blazers get bounced. So let's keep the same fucking strategy and let the cake bake!

 

[Strenuus]

Every year it's the same old shit. Trade deadline rolls around and someone creates a thread to discuss if the team needs a trade or not. Seems like every year the team gets hot around this time and so everyone pussys out and falls in love with the team. Then by the time the playoffs roll around the damn team goes cold. If we do make the playoffs it's likely the Blazers get bounced. So let's keep the same fucking strategy and let the cake bake!

Arent you the person always asking for a trade, or making trades... why would you of ALL people be mad that people are talking about trades?

 

[BrianFromWA]

Rockets and Grizzlies aren't playoff teams this year.

One of them kind of HAS to be. The Grizz are the 5th spot, the Rockets 9. Even if we are in, no scenario outside of a SAC, DEN or NO making up 10 games on MEM in 28 games has them both missing the playoffs, and HOU can, by playing only slightly better, beat out one of us, UTH and DAL. It's an order of magnitude more likely that both make the playoffs than neither.

 

[BrianFromWA]

How sweet would climbing up to 5 and beating the Clippers in the 1st round be?

not as sweet as staying at 7 and beating SAS.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Arent you the person always asking for a trade, or making trades... why would you of ALL people be mad that people are talking about trades?

I'm not mad at people talking about trades, usually that's all that it is. Seems like this team is always young and the cake is always baking at about 350 degrees.

 

[BigGameDamian]

When is the cake going to bake in the playoffs?

 

[BrianFromWA]

Every year it's the same old shit. Trade deadline rolls around and someone creates a thread to discuss if the team needs a trade or not. Seems like every year the team gets hot around this time and so everyone pussys out and falls in love with the team. Then by the time the playoffs roll around the damn team goes cold. If we do make the playoffs it's likely the Blazers get bounced. So let's keep the same fucking strategy and let the cake bake!

You are absolutely correct on one thing: if we do make the playoffs it's likely we get bounced, since 15 of the 16 teams that get in don't win. Then again, you can't win if you don't play (brought to you by Spirit Mountain Casino!).

But I'm confused about which strategy you think we do the same every year.
Last year: Afflalo and Gee for Barton and our 1st. 51-31, lost to MEM 4-1
2013-14: 54-28, #5 seed, The Shot to win 4-2 vs. HOU, lost to SAS 4-1
2012-13: Picked up Eric Maynor by dumping Ronnie Price. 33-49, no playoffs.
2011-12: Camby for Thabeet, Flynn and a 2nd. Crash for the Dame Lotto pick. 28-38, no playoffs
2010-11: Dante, Joel and Marks for Crash Wallace. 48-24, lost to DAL 4-2
2009-10: Camby for Blanky and Outlaw, 50-32, #6 seed, lost 4-2 to PHX
2008-09: Diogu for Ruffin. 54–28, #4 seed, lost to HOU 4-2
2007-08: Taurean Green to get Von Wafer. Ended up 41-41, no playoffs.

So we've a) Let it Bake (relatively) and made the playoffs in 2008-09, 2013-14. We've b) "Gone for It!!" and made the playoffs in 2009-10 and 2010-11 and last year. We've c) Let it Bake and missed the playoffs in 2007-08 and 2012-13. We've d) Sold Off Veterans for Picks and missed the playoffs in 2011-12.

Which ones are you pissed about, or think are our go-to at Trade Deadline Day? I could see us doing any of the 4 this year and it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[BrianFromWA]

It's tough, also, since I haven't seen this team play. But if I were GM, I would be very careful about trading away even role players from this team (aside from Kaman). Here's why:

Just about everyone bought into Dame's "All in Together!" thing, starting with the summer trip. Everyone seems to be knowing their roles and growing into them. The results have been good since before Christmas. Now, will they peter out like the 13-game streak team in 2007-08? Maybe. But we have a good mix of young players playing hard, and will have max cap space this summer. We haven't signed our young guys to extensions (aside from Dame, obvs) , so there are no poison pills. If someone makes a sweetheart offer for CJ (or Meyers?) this summer NO can decide then. I just think that you ride out this season the best you can, give everyone warm fuzzies all year long about "team" and "togetherness" and "culture"

 

[Blazers Roy]

I remember very vividly Olshey talking about how they had a decent team with Elton Brand's Clippers and how they constantly tried to patch that team so they could make a magical jump to contender and how that was a big mistake that he won't make again.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I'm talking at the end of the year. I don't consider anyone in the playoffs until the end of the year. (Or, they have clinched the spot) That's my perspective.

Mehh.. Semantics man. For that matter then GS isnt a playoff team. HAHAHA. Come on bro, I know your more level headed than that.

One of them kind of HAS to be. The Grizz are the 5th spot, the Rockets 9. Even if we are in, no scenario outside of a SAC, DEN or NO making up 10 games on MEM in 28 games has them both missing the playoffs, and HOU can, by playing only slightly better, beat out one of us, UTH and DAL. It's an order of magnitude more likely that both make the playoffs than neither.

Exactly!!!

 

[BBert]

How sweet would climbing up to 5 and beating the Clippers in the 1st round be?

Pretty damn sweet. I don't fear the Flop Show or the Blunder or The Grizz. Bring 'em on!

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

We're trading for five of the guys that you hate most in the NBA.

Dwight Howard
Kobe Bryant
James Harden
Kim Kardashian
Kanye West

I'll tell you what, that Kim Kardashian could clear some space in the paint. The NBA hasn't seen a rebounding ass like that since Wes Unseld.

 

[Strenuus]

I'm not mad at people talking about trades, usually that's all that it is. Seems like this team is always young and the cake is always baking at about 350 degrees.

So you just said what I said you were angry about. Nothing out of the norm for you, not getting it. It's fine.

 

[Strenuus]

Mehh.. Semantics man. For that matter then GS isnt a playoff team. HAHAHA. Come on bro, I know your more level headed than that.



Exactly!!!

You just semanticed my semantics. It's why I put the caveat in parentheses. Unless they are GS, SA, or anyone that has a 99% chance or higher...

 

[Orion Bailey]

You just semanticed my semantics. It's why I put the caveat in parentheses. Unless they are GS, SA, or anyone that has a 99% chance or higher...

Mmmmm, not really though. You said clinched a spot. not 99% chance. Neither GS or SA have clinched a spot.

Memphis will make the playoffs. Count on it.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

What are people's definition of "Letting the Cake Bake." It seems to me that it means not disrupting chemistry by making trades for a substantial period of time - like 2 years.

IMHO, we can't possibly be "Letting it Bake" because we just flipped over half our roster 9 months ago. Let's not complain about Baking until we have the same starters for at a very minimum of 2 years - but it should really be 3. We've had the same starters for TWO games

Every year it's the same old shit. Trade deadline rolls around and someone creates a thread to discuss if the team needs a trade or not. Seems like every year the team gets hot around this time and so everyone pussys out and falls in love with the team. Then by the time the playoffs roll around the damn team goes cold. If we do make the playoffs it's likely the Blazers get bounced. So let's keep the same fucking strategy and let the cake bake!

What are people's definition of "Letting the Cake Bake." It seems to me that it means not disrupting chemistry by making trades for a substantial period of time - like 2 years.

IMHO, we can't possibly be "Letting it Bake" because we just flipped over half our roster 9 months ago. Let's not complain about Baking until we have the same starters for at a very minimum of 2 years - but it should really be 3. We've had the same starters for TWO games, assuming Harkless has now supplanted Vonleh.

Not making a move at the deadline is NOT equal to "Letting the Cake Bake."

 

[KeepOnRollin]

So if this is your "new" main concern then what was your "old" main concern?

 

[Strenuus]

Mmmmm, not really though. You said clinched a spot. not 99% chance. Neither GS or SA have clinched a spot.

Memphis will make the playoffs. Count on it.

Common sense. *sigh* Do I really need to account for common sense?

 

[Orion Bailey]

So if this is your "new" main concern then what was your "old" main concern?

That I was wrong about this team and they really suck like many thought.