Report: Blazers will have the worst starting 5 in the Western Conference

[Nhawz]

It's weird even trying to imagine what the new look Blazers will be like this season. It's like your favorite show was cancelled and you try to watch whatever they replaced it with.

It's Tru Detective to a T.

 

[oldmangrouch]

The league has changed bro. It's not about the market, it's about winning. Players are making bank now, so endorsements aren't as important to them, and a superstar gets most their endorsements on national sponsors anyway (look at Durant, Dame and Westbriok for examples).

The ship hasn't even sunk, we just started building a solid one. Go ahead and jump off and find a team like Minny, Sacramento or Philly that have all lived in the lottery years. Works great for them.

I get what you are saying - I really do. Where I disagree, is that I would rather risk human error (bad trades and draft picks) than a process inherently biased against small market teams. (free agency) Look at how one draft (LMA/Roy) turned our fortunes around - even when they totally blew the next draft. The funny thing is - the LMA/Roy draft was supposed to be historically bad, and the Oden draft really, really good.

 

[BrianFromWA]

The Oden draft was pretty good...assuming we didn't pick Oden, there was also Durant, Horford, Noah and Gasol as All-Stars/MVPs, Conley right there...then the next tier of Splitter/Hawes/Thaddeus Young/Green/Brewer/B. Wright/Stuckey/Bellinelli/Chandler/Afflalo/Rudy/Swaggy P/Big Baby/McBob/Sessions....there was a lot of talent/useful NBA skill in that draft.

Contrast that to 2006...they were right. We actually pulled 4 of the maybe 10 or so useful NBA players in Roy, #12, Sergio and Freeland

 

[Ricky]

I get what you are saying - I really do. Where I disagree, is that I would rather risk human error (bad trades and draft picks) than a process inherently biased against small market teams. (free agency) Look at how one draft (LMA/Roy) turned our fortunes around - even when they totally blew the next draft. The funny thing is - the LMA/Roy draft was supposed to be historically bad, and the Oden draft really, really good.

I get what you are saying - I really do. Where I disagree, is that I would rather risk human error (bad trades and draft picks) than a process inherently biased against small market teams. (free agency) Look at how one draft (LMA/Roy) turned our fortunes around - even when they totally blew the next draft. The funny thing is - the LMA/Roy draft was supposed to be historically bad, and the Oden draft really, really good.

It is very interesting how we all can determine just how good or bad we will be. The proof will be in the play and just how the team plays together. If they play as a team and not individuals with frail egos they might surprise a lot of people. If they don't play as a team and let individual concerns get in the way then they will probably be very bad. I can only hope our coaches can instill in the players the need for teamwork.

 

[barfo]

What pick was the greatest Blazer in history picked at?

43rd pick of the 2002 draft.

barfo

 

[Nikolokolus]

It is very interesting how we all can determine just how good or bad we will be. The proof will be in the play and just how the team plays together. If they play as a team and not individuals with frail egos they might surprise a lot of people. If they don't play as a team and let individual concerns get in the way then they will probably be very bad. I can only hope our coaches can instill in the players the need for teamwork.

The biggest problem I see with the group of guys we have is twofold. 1. They have a real dearth of scorers and no shooting to speak of and in the modern NBA that doesn't bode well for success unless you have a really dominant defense . . . which brings me to my 2. This team is really, really young. Teams this young take time to develop chemistry, particularly at the defensive end because it takes a lot of coordinated effort (built through experience) to be good at it.

So, despite their best intentions and best effort, chances are this team is going to be pretty bad this year. Is that an ironclad prediction? No. But if you think like a bettor in Vegas, that's probably the way to make your wager.

 

[e_blazer]

I get what you are saying - I really do. Where I disagree, is that I would rather risk human error (bad trades and draft picks) than a process inherently biased against small market teams. (free agency) Look at how one draft (LMA/Roy) turned our fortunes around - even when they totally blew the next draft. The funny thing is - the LMA/Roy draft was supposed to be historically bad, and the Oden draft really, really good.

At some point around here we need to get past this notion that free agency is inherently biased against small markets. The reality simply doesn't support that commonly believed notion. This year, the two biggest market teams, the Knicks and Lakers got bupkiss in free agency. Meanwhile, Milwaukee and Cleveland, small market cities in snow land, did just fine. San Antonio, a small market city, scored the top FA. Crappy teams, no matter where they're located, get no love from FA's. Good teams with good prospects, if they have cap space, get free agents.

For a lot of years, when the Blazers were solid, they had no cap space. This year, they have plenty of money, but every agent in the league knew things were getting blown up and the Blazers were going young. You don't get free agents in either of these situations. In a couple of years, if Dame takes a step up to superstar status and a couple of other players step up their games as well, Portland will be attractive to free agents. Success breeds success.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Yes teams with winning cultures and stocked rosters can be appealing to free agents, but with all things being equal, the advantage goes to the larger market, the city with the better weather, better night-life and lower state taxes. It's always going to be an uphill battle to attract elite talent to Portland because of that, so not impossible, but nothing I would want to bank on.

 

[e_blazer]

Yes teams with winning cultures and stocked rosters can be appealing to free agents, but with all things being equal, the advantage goes to the larger market, the city with the better weather, better night-life and lower state taxes. It's always going to be an uphill battle to attract elite talent to Portland because of that, so not impossible, but nothing I would want to bank on.

All things are never equal. I'll grant you that a major market team has the inside track if it and a small market city both can offer similar chances for success. But there's always multiple good FA'S available every year. If the Blazers look to be going in a positive direction and retain their cap room, they can be players in a coupleof years. That said, getting a blue chip rookie in this year's draft would certainly be a step in making the Blazers attractive.

 

[ripcityboy]

I honestly believe this team will be better than will give it credit for. It may take a while but I think they will be more than the sum of their parts. However, if any of you are thinking they are going to make a run at a playoff spot, you need a straight jacket.

 

[BrianFromWA]

well, I think we can at least disabuse ourselves of the notion that "that extra year/30M" or whatever is ironclad.

 

[BBert]

What pick was the greatest Blazer in history picked at?

Bill Walton No. 1

He didn't have the longest career, but he was the best player we've ever had.

Clyde Drexler No. 14

Flawed but somewhat dominant. Got by on natural talent alone.

Soon to be Damian Lillard (We hope) No. 6

 

[blue9]

Dirk and LMA aren't the same type of player? that is true. LMA is black and Dirk idolizes Franz Beckenbauer. Other than that they could finish each others sentences on the court.

Not really. Dirk could face up and dribble. Dirk could pass the ball quite well. Dirk was a great shooter.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Not really. Dirk could face up and dribble. Dirk could pass the ball quite well. Dirk was a great shooter.

I would take Dirk over LMA on any team anywhere.

 

[ripcityboy]

Not really. Dirk could face up and dribble. Dirk could pass the ball quite well. Dirk was a great shooter.

He still couldn't pass like Franz Beckenbauer. Wacca Wacca Wacca!

 

[blue9]

...they are talent poor when it comes to guys with true star potential ...

The good thing is that the entire league is talent-poor when it comes to guys with true start potential.

 

[ripcityboy]

The good thing is that the entire league is talent-poor when it comes to guys with true start potential.

And NCAA basketball is starved for fully developed talent. There may be a connection here.

 

[Trail Blazers]

I dont think we have the worst starting 5
I think we have a better starting 5 than Lakers Denver and Utah
And I think were going to do better than most of the NBA thinks
I predict we are going to be #11 in the standings and make the playoffs in the 2016-17 season

 

[ripcityboy]

I dont think we have the worst starting 5
I think we have a better starting 5 than Lakers Denver and Utah
And I think were going to do better than most of the NBA thinks
I predict we are going to be #11 in the standings and make the playoffs in the 2016-17 season

Hey dude. Did you know Pro Wrestling is real? I'm serious!

 

[TT of J]

I honestly believe this team will be better than will give it credit for. It may take a while but I think they will be more than the sum of their parts. However, if any of you are thinking they are going to make a run at a playoff spot, you need a straight jacket.

I agree with this...
I think the big plus to this year, that is a real intangible, is that these guys are gonna play hungry.
I think they really feel like they've got something to prove to the league and will put forth a lot more effort than is expected into developing into a machine that WORKS TOGETHER.
I think there'll be a real 'team' mentality....hopefully with ego being minimized all around.
If we can stay healthy I think we will raise a lot of eyebrows this year and I think the fans are going to have a lot more fun falling in love with this team than they expect.

 

[ant]

43rd pick of the 2002 draft.

barfo

Barfo, I just thought your purple pirate looked familiar because I've seen you on these boards forever...then today it hit me that you have the ECU pirate (Eastern Carolina University for all you Blazer fans that don't live in NC).

 

[BonesJones]

Bill Walton No. 1

He didn't have the longest career, but he was the best player we've ever had.

Clyde Drexler No. 14

Flawed but somewhat dominant. Got by on natural talent alone.

Soon to be Damian Lillard (We hope) No. 6

#6 has been good to us with Roy and Lillard.. I'm hoping we land 6th because we either make the top 3 or likely get 6th again.

 

[Mediocre Man]

#6 has been gpod to us with Roy and Lillard.. I'm hoping we land 6th because we either make the top 3 or likely get 6th again.

Roy played 4ish seasons and set this franchise back with his decision to unretire. How was that good to us?

 

[Orion Bailey]

Roy played 4ish seasons and set this franchise back with his decision to unretire. How was that good to us?

Because neither were busts and were all stars. Injuries may be considered a bust, but I don't. I think a bust is someone who is rated as being much better than they turn out specifically due to lack of BBIQ or physicality or mindset.

Both Roy and Dame took the game over and became all stars.

Im with ya Bones, if we don't win as many games as I think we will, nothing like having another #6!

 

[barfo]

Barfo, I just thought your purple pirate looked familiar because I've seen you on these boards forever...then today it hit me that you have the ECU pirate (Eastern Carolina University for all you Blazer fans that don't live in NC).

That is true. I have no affiliation with ECU, in fact I've never been to North Carolina. I just picked this out from the available built-in avatars on some prior board.

barfo

 

[Mediocre Man]

Because neither were busts and were all stars. Injuries may be considered a bust, but I don't. I think a bust is someone who is rated as being much better than they turn out specifically due to lack of BBIQ or physicality or mindset.

Both Roy and Dame took the game over and became all stars.

Im with ya Bones, if we don't win as many games as I think we will, nothing like having another #6!

I agree with your definition of bust.

 

[BonesJones]

Roy played 4ish seasons and set this franchise back with his decision to unretire. How was that good to us?

would you have rather had 5 great years of Brandon Roy or Randy Foye? Or Adam Morrison? Or Tyrus Thomas? Or Andrea Barngani? I'd take B Roy every time. Whatever that dudes name that got drafted 2nd by Chicago was the only other solid player

 

[Mediocre Man]

would you have rather had 5 great years of Brandon Roy or Randy Foye? Or Adam Morrison? Or Tyrus Thomas? Or Andrea Barngani? I'd take B Roy every time. Whatever that dudes name that got drafted 2nd by Chicago was the only other solid player

Financially probably the other guys. Wah was easily the better player though

 

[BonesJones]

Financially probably the other guys. Wah was easily the better player though

you would take these guy's over Roy so that Paul Allen shouldn't have to spend as much pocket change? Cmon..

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

Roy played 4ish seasons and set this franchise back with his decision to unretire. How was that good to us?

I agree with your definition of bust.

Financially probably the other guys. Wah was easily the better player though

Wow, you really ARE Mr. Positive aren't you??? Your avatar is absolutely perfect.....Ever consider moving out from under that cloud that's parked over your head.....?