(Quick) When enemies are friends: Trail Blazers-Raptors matchup has ties that bond (1 Viewer)

[SlyPokerDog]

Raptors’ All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan has strong ties to Blazers big man Ed Davis and Portland star Damian Lillard.

Davis became friends with DeRozan during their high school careers in the AAU circuit, and later when they played together in Toronto. He is the godfather to DeRozan’s two-year-old daughter, Diar.


“It’s beyond basketball; always will be,’’ Davis said. “It’s like family. I wouldn’t say we are friends anymore; it’s like we’re family.’’

...

Lillard befriended DeRozan in the summer of 2012 before he was drafted sixth overall by the Blazers. They shared the same agents – Aaron and Eric Goodwin – and the agents introduced DeRozan – then a third-year pro – to the aspiring lottery pick.

They worked out together – DeRozan flying to Lillard’s hometown of Oakland, and later Lillard to DeRozan’s hometown of Los Angeles -- and soon, they discovered they had more than basketball in common.

“There’s a lot I never really speak on,’’ DeRozan said about his relationship with Lillard. “But we are definitely close.’’

...

http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/when-enemies-are-friends-trail-blazers-raptors-matchup-has-ties-bond

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Interesting article, if you have the time you should read all of it.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Can he play at SF and succeed?

 

[Orion Bailey]

Can he play at SF and succeed?

If so, we should gfo after him in the off season and put Aminu on the bench. I think this is something that wouldnt mess with the team chemistry at all.

 

[Draco]

Wow Ed Davis is DeRozens daughters godfather.

 

[Draco]

Great article.

Still think DeRozen sticks in Toronto. I bet all these free agents different teams target cash in that fifth year with their current team. Horford, Batum, Parsons, DeRozen, Ryan Anderson. But if Toronto has an epic collapse and lose in the first round again maybe he looks around. Seems like we'd be at the top of his list. Definitely would help any concerns of who gets shots if they're such good friends.

 

[Natebishop3]

Hmmmm...... DeRozan to Portland? Could a lineup of Dame/CJ/DeRozan/Vonleh/Plumlee work?

I think at that point a trade would be necessary. Consolidate some dudes for a power forward. I'm actually very happy with our center rotation.

 

[Scalma]

Didn't know derozan was that close to davis and Lillard
http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/when-enemies-are-friends-trail-blazers-raptors-matchup-has-ties-bond

If he hits FA, we have to pursue him, right? He could easily play SF in today's NBA.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

See: http://www.sportstwo.com/threads/qu...rs-raptors-matchup-has-ties-that-bond.296833/

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I think at that point a trade would be necessary. Consolidate some dudes for a power forward.

Meyers would make a great Canadian Mountie!

 

[Scalma]

Please move this to the other thread. Missed it. I'm an idiot.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I do like that DeRozan attacks the rim a fair amount. That lets him also get to the line. When you get that in his head he is good. Other times he just chucks away from 3 though and to me that isn't his game. So Stotts might not be the coach for him as he would be fine with him shooting a lot from deep. I am sure Dame would get in his face if he took contested ones at least. So mixed bag which you hope not to get from a max guy.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Please move this to the other thread. Missed it. I'm an idiot.

1. No big deal, threads are merged.

2. No personal insults allowed!

 

[blue9]

Could a lineup of Dame/CJ/DeRozan/Vonleh/Plumlee work?

It'd be way better than what we're running now! Trade Aminu/Vonleh for Ibaka and we're done!

 

[Scalma]

If you're derozan, do you think you have a better shot at a ring playing with Lowry, or do you have a better shot playing with Dame and CJ?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

It'd be way better than what we're running now! Trade Aminu/Vonleh for Ibaka and we're done!

Fuck Ibaka, I think Vonleh has a ton of potential and Aminu would be amazing off the bench.

And if we've learned one thing this season is that chemistry matters. DeRozan would be a quality addition but this roster is really growing on me.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Ibaka has dropped off this year. Maybe only a 1 year thing? Not sure but it could be him on the downslide slowly. I would take the chance that Vonleh is 110% him someday and settle for him only being 90% (if it comes down to it).

 

[Scalma]

If derozan hits FA, he's a clear needle mover that Olshey has to pursue. He checks every box pretty much. Portland is a contender the minute they sign him.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

If you're derozan, do you think you have a better shot at a ring playing with Lowry, or do you have a better shot playing with Dame and CJ?

It's a toss up but the scales tip towards the Blazers because of Olshey. The better the GM the better of a chance you have to get the roster you need to win.

 

[e_blazer]

Meyers would make a great Canadian Mountie!

Dudley Do-Wrong?

 

[Natebishop3]

It'd be way better than what we're running now! Trade Aminu/Vonleh for Ibaka and we're done!

I think a trade like that makes a lot of sense. We desperately need a big who can score. Right now Leonard is the only big that can score for us. That's frightening.

I would look to move a couple pieces to acquire a power forward who can score. Whether that's someone like Ryan Anderson, or maybe a vet like Zach, but I really think we need someone who can score at the four spot. Neil seems to love Monroe. That might be the piece that he pursues.

Dame
CJ
DeRozan
Monroe
Plumlee

 

[blue9]

Ibaka has dropped off this year. Maybe only a 1 year thing? Not sure but it could be him on the downslide slowly. i would take the chance that Vonleh is 110% him someday and settle for him only being 90% (if it comes down to it).

I haven't paid attention to Ibaka this season - but in past seasons he's looked like the perfect PF. And he's not old. Honestly, OKC just doesn't seem long for this world, and if there's been a slip in Ibaka's performance I'd blame it on the team.
I'd LOVE for Vonleh to be 80% of Ibaka. While his improvement from where he was early in the season has been encouraging, he's still a long way from being on Ibaka's level. I am more inclined to think he'll become a good PF in the next two years, but as they say - a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

 

[Scalma]

I think a trade like that makes a lot of sense. We desperately need a big who can score. Right now Leonard is the only big that can score for us. That's frightening.

I would look to move a couple pieces to acquire a power forward who can score. Whether that's someone like Ryan Anderson, or maybe a vet like Zach, but I really think we need someone who can score at the four spot. Neil seems to love Monroe. That might be the piece that he pursues.

Dame
CJ
DeRozan
Monroe
Plumlee

Too many scorers, not enough defense

Dame
CJ
DeRozan
Vonleh/Aminu
Plumlee

Mmmm yes

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Dame and DeRozan are also managed by the same agency (along with Harrison Barnes) as mentioned in the article I think their brand manager is that Nate Jones guy. DeRozan is also taken care at Adidas by that JP Duperriere guy who lives in Portland as well.

 

[BigGameDamian]

What if Neil wants to get crazy and has plans to bring in Derozan, move C.J for a big name PF in a multi player trade? Will Blake Griffin for C.J come up again? I do predict that CP3 will get moved to Cleavland this summer.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I do predict that CP3 will get moved to Cleavland this summer.

I would love to take you up on that bet.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I would love to take you up on that bet.

Because he's a free agent the following summer?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Because he's a free agent the following summer?

Huh?

 

[Natebishop3]

Too many scorers, not enough defense

Dame
CJ
DeRozan
Vonleh/Aminu
Plumlee

Mmmm yes

We need a consistent scorer at either the 4 or the 5. Currently Vonleh/Plumlee are not a threat on offense. The combo of Leonard/Davis is better because Leonard can stretch the floor, but we need that with the starting unit. Vonleh isn't ready yet. He's just not confident enough in his shot.

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

I read about the relationship between Davis and Derozan and between Damian and Derozan a couple weeks ago.

I've been wondering if the blazers made a trade for Monroe or even Blake Griffin at the draft if would they still have enough to sign a max player like Derozan?