Exclusive Playoffs or Lottery?

[Minstrel]

I think we'd miss CJ more than people think. One thing you can say about us this year is that we haven't had trouble scoring. That would change if CJ left.

Theoretically, we'd get a player back in return. That's how this works, right?

I agree that cutting McCollum would be pretty bad.

 

[TBpup]

I think the best way CJ can help this franchise long term is in what he can bring here that can compliment Dame in a better way. He is an incredible offensive player but that is not the issue here. Would our offense dip if he were gone? Sure it would....but I think that would be made up by the better balance or defensive addition that would take place elsewhere.

CJ needs his own team.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I think the best way CJ can help this franchise long term is in what he can bring here that can compliment Dame in a better way. He is an incredible offensive player but that is not the issue here. Would our offense dip if he were gone? Sure it would....but I think that would be made up by the better balance or defensive addition that would take place elsewhere.

CJ needs his own team.

I think CJ can actually become a decent leader for a team, but he will always be in Dame's shadow here. It might be the best thing for both of their careers, as sad as it is for me to say...

 

[Strenuus]

Those last two bookmarks are gold, TB.

 

[KingSpeed]

CJ is a great player in some matchups...others..not so much....I keep him if he becomes our Jamal Crawford

CJ is better than Crawford has ever been. And the Clippers have never been to WCF with him. (In fact, the franchise never has.)

I agree...but he creates a mismatch on the otherside of the court that is glaringly hurting

Really? How often is he outscored by his man. I'd think hardly ever.

 

[riverman]

CJ is better than Crawford has ever been. And the Clippers have never been to WCF with him. (In fact, the franchise never has.)



Really? How often is he outscored by his man. I'd think hardly ever.

I'm glad you like him so much but I see another aspect to him...watch him against the Warriors and he was badly outscored by his man...CJ is a defensive liability at the 2 guard to me and if he scores 25 pts...that doesn't change what he gives up ....it's not really different and I like Jamal's game...Jamal isn't known for defense but he's better than CJ at it...I've made no secret that I want CJ to be our version of Jamal....he'll never defend Harden like Wes did

 

[riverman]

Bottom line is this roster we have has some serious ground to cover to be a playoff team as stands...it could happen but I'm not seeing a quick fix

 

[Hobbesarable]

Bottom line is this roster we have has some serious ground to cover to be a playoff team as stands...it could happen but I'm not seeing a quick fix

Somehow trade CJ for Jimmy Butler, then trade anyone not named Dame for Noel.

It won't happen, but you may as well shoot for the moon, baby!

 

[Orion Bailey]

Somehow trade CJ for Jimmy Butler, then trade anyone not named Dame for Noel.

It won't happen, but you may as well shoot for the moon, baby!

How about trading CJ in a way that gets us a top 3 pick to land us Jackson out of the draft? Looks to be the future Jimmy Butler, but would be on a rookie contract and allow us alot more long term flexibility. Then we still go after Noel.

 

[TBpup]

Blazers are now just percentage points from being the #10 team in the Western Conference. For having the 2nd highest payroll in the entire league, that is a horrible return on investment.

 

[Sarni]

How about trading CJ in a way that gets us a top 3 pick to land us Jackson out of the draft? Looks to be the future Jimmy Butler, but would be on a rookie contract and allow us alot more long term flexibility. Then we still go after Noel.

CJ for a pick is a bad move. You are trading a proven star for an unknown quality. The amount of dross that moved in top 5 of draft in the last 5 years for example is huge.

I won't mind having a lotto pick but don't want us to deliberately tank. Obviously Warriors will destroy us in the first round and we won't be anything but 8th seed so it's inevitable if we make it there, but playoffs is still good experience. We will land 15th pick if that happens which is still decent.

 

[illmatic99]

Still plenty of games left

 

[BBert]

Blazers are now just percentage points from being the #10 team in the Western Conference. For having the 2nd highest payroll in the entire league, that is a horrible return on investment.

Last year Olshey and his ginormous ego were miffed he wasn't GM of the year.

This year he's on milk cartons.

 

[Hobbesarable]

Last year Olshey and his ginormous ego were miffed he wasn't GM of the year.

This year he's on milk cartons.

Olshey, Stotts, and company need to call an emergency meeting if they haven't already done so. Several things need to change in order for our team to even think about reaching the playoffs.

 

[BBert]

I don't even care about the playoffs anymore this season. I care about making trades to make us better next season.

Whatcha got, Olshey?

 

[TBpup]

I don't even care about the playoffs anymore this season. I care about making trades to make us better next season.

Whatcha got, Olshey?

For now, Boogie is probably off the table as the Kings are in the Playoffs (for now) for the first time in years.

 

[Hobbesarable]

For now, Boogie is probably off the table as the Kings are in the Playoffs (for now) for the first time in years.

That, or they would try to drive up the price for him as we are in a desperate situation while they are gaining traction.

 

[TBpup]

I was hoping more would be done to develop the youngsters to built their trade value. It's mostly just been, 'see how many points Dame/CJ can score'.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Lottery teams should have a playoff for the first pick in the draft.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Lottery teams should have a playoff for the first pick in the draft.

It's ideas like this is why I make the big bucks around here.

 

[Blazinaway]

IFrankly the energy level we have be

I'm glad you like him so much but I see another aspect to him...watch him against the Warriors and he was badly outscored by his man...CJ is a defensive liability at the 2 guard to me and if he scores 25 pts...that doesn't change what he gives up ....it's not really different and I like Jamal's game...Jamal isn't known for defense but he's better than CJ at it...I've made no secret that I want CJ to be our version of Jamal....he'll never defend Harden like Wes did

Agree with most but CJ just can't come off the bench, you don't pay a guy 25 mil per to come off the bench, I think he should be traded as this guard combo just won't work long term IMO if you want a winner with a decent chance in the playoffs

 

[rotary111]

Lottery teams should have a playoff for the first pick in the draft.

The loser get's the pick??

Can you imagine watching two teams try and lose for the first pick?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

The loser get's the pick??

Can you imagine watching two teams try and lose for the first pick?

Nah, the first pick in the draft should be earned, not a reward for incompetence.

 

[riverman]

you don't pay a guy 25 mil per to come off the bench

I disagree about this from the start...doesn't matter whether he starts or not...he can still play the same minutes...but it will help shore up our ability to play for 4 qtrs. and max out the touches of our two best shooters....HOF player Kevin McHale made an allstar career out of being a 6 man

 

[Minstrel]

Lottery teams should have a playoff for the first pick in the draft.

That would certainly end the practice of tanking.

 

[Minstrel]

I disagree about this from the start...doesn't matter whether he starts or not...he can still play the same minutes...but it will help shore up our ability to play for 4 qtrs. and max out the touches of our two best shooters....HOF player Kevin McHale made an allstar career out of being a 6 man

If you intend to play McCollum the same minutes, then it doesn't matter if he starts. Just stagger his and Lillard's minutes so one of them is always on the court. I've never really liked the concept of a "first unit" and a "second unit," like the second unit should all be on the floor together. Starters should always be on the floor, with reserves shuttling in and out to give different starters rest, in my opinion.

 

[riverman]

If you intend to play McCollum the same minutes, then it doesn't matter if he starts. Just stagger his and Lillard's minutes so one of them is always on the court. I've never really liked the concept of a "first unit" and a "second unit," like the second unit should all be on the floor together. Starters should always be on the floor, with reserves shuttling in and out to give different starters rest, in my opinion.

I just think we have two guys who need the ball to be effective...just not paired up as such...I think we'll get much more out of our best shooters that way

 

[Minstrel]

I just think we have two guys who need the ball to be effective...just not paired up as such...I think we'll get much more out of our best shooters that way

I agree with you, so long as they're both on the team..........

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Last year I leaned towards going for the draft pick. Olshey liked the draft; we risked losing our pick (which we did) and that was the last year of low paid draft picks. Also would have preferred that we put more attention into defensive fundamentals than into winning. (that's actually what Popovich did the first year he had the Spurs)

This year I am more in favor of playoffs. This team is seeming to be a little weak mentally (even Dame seems to have lost some of his confidence); I don't think it would be good for them to go backwards. I think there will be some trades out there that could make us a better team by the time we get to the playoffs.

 

[HailBlazers]

Last year I leaned towards going for the draft pick. Olshey liked the draft; we risked losing our pick (which we did) and that was the last year of low paid draft picks. Also would have preferred that we put more attention into defensive fundamentals than into winning. (that's actually what Popovich did the first year he had the Spurs)

This year I am more in favor of playoffs. This team is seeming to be a little weak mentally (even Dame seems to have lost some of his confidence); I don't think it would be good for them to go backwards. I think there will be some trades out there that could make us a better team by the time we get to the playoffs.

Agreed, we have to keep our playoff streak alive. Basketball is all about confidence. Once you fall out the top it's helluva lot harder rise up to contention.

Certainly don't want to trade CJ, he's only gonna get better. Afflalo and Henderson were trade wash, I like Turner he's a poor man's B-Roy with a weak 3PT shot. Our offense is semi set all we need is some paint protection and a perimeter defensive specialist. Do that and you jump from 8th this year to 4th next. Most importantly, a quiver more experience playing the Superteam DUBS, we certainly gonna need it.