Ride the tank

[Nikolokolus]

For everybody whinging about "intentional losing" remember that nobody blew out Wesley's Achilles on purpose and you cannot just replace an all-NBA caliber player on the fly (no matter LaMarcus' deficiencies as a centerpiece, he was the keystone).

All we're witnessing right now is the consequences of a mass exodus of talent. So suck it up and try to look at the bright side: a possibility of drafting a real stud in this next draft).

 

[riverman]

For everybody whinging about "intentional losing" remember that nobody blew out Wesley's Achilles on purpose and you cannot just replace an all-NBA caliber player on the fly (no matter LaMarcus' deficiencies as a centerpiece, he was the keystone).

All we're witnessing right now is the consequences of a mass exodus of talent. So suck it up and try to look at the bright side: a possibility of drafting a real stud in this next draft).

I agree with this, but to disagree with intentionally tanking, which several folks are lobbying for, is a valid discussion. It comes down to being good enough to attract a free agent needle mover or a question mark rookie. I've never been one to celebrate losses because of ping pong balls. I really think playoff experience is a difference maker for young players. I respect whatever approach to building a contender any fan focuses on but that door swings both ways...to want to win now is also a worthy approach.

 

[Natebishop3]

I can accept my team isnt championship bound this year.

I cant accept not giving your best and sucking on purpose to weasel a better pick.

A winning culture starts with work ethic and dedication. You dont build those things throwing games.

You play your best and if it's not good enough then help is on the way. I believe that's how our leader lillard is approaching this season and thats why I respect him and know we are in good hands.

Rooting to tank is no better than lebron ditching his home town to ring seek. Its cheap and unimpressive.

You can spin that both ways....thinking that intentionally losing is good for the future is ignoring the 9 year old kid who just saved up for his Lillard jersey too...that's also the future of Blazer basketball. Thinking that a magical draft pick is more valuable than getting young players some playoff experience is also debateable...if you are supporting tanking...expect a large segment of fans to disagree...If I root for the playoffs...fans who want a high draft pick will probably let me know..I can handle it

Where are you guys getting this "intentionally losing" stuff? We're talking about us, as fans, being okay with losses right now because we know that they could bring us closer to a higher pick and possibly a better team next year. This has nothing to do with moves by the team or the coaching staff.

I don't think the team is intentionally losing. I think they're trying to win every game. That's fine. I'm not pissed when we win. I don't think anyone on here is pissed when we win. We're just okay when we lose.

 

[Orion Bailey]

People who judge fans for accepting and rooting for tanking need to wake up. It's no better or worse than fans who are still rooting for the playoffs. They're still fans. They're still supporting the future of the team. They're still watching the games and rooting for the team. They just have a different outlook than you. The fans that completely check out on the team when they're losing are the fans that suck. They buy up the tickets when the team is successful. They make excuses for why they come and go. They flooded the market with playoff tickets after we got down 0-2 to the Spurs.

Its not about waking up. I have not been a fan of the tank but I'm not telling those of you to wake up. I just don't agree. I think this is a bit harsh. Second, those of us who are hoping for a .500 or playoffs(doubtful) have been called delusional, and a countless other names... It goes both ways. If you cant take the heat stay out of the kitchen.

It comes down to this.... some people want the team to tank. some others are disgusted by that. Some people think the team is better than they are. Some people are offended(?) by that. It goes both way. Some people think that those that want to tank need to wake up too.

Actively Losing does not create a winning culture. Just ask Phily. Minni, ETC.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Where are you guys getting this "intentionally losing" stuff? We're talking about us, as fans, being okay with losses right now because we know that they could bring us closer to a higher pick and possibly a better team next year. This has nothing to do with moves by the team or the coaching staff.

I don't think the team is intentionally losing. I think they're trying to win every game. That's fine. I'm not pissed when we win. I don't think anyone on here is pissed when we win. We're just okay when we lose.

As a fan I have read many comments about other fans wanting us to lose. Intentional or unintentional, its disgusting in my opinion. And Im entitled to it, just like your entitled to think we should tank.

 

[blue9]

Nobody is intentionally losing. Nobody is rooting for us to intentionally lose. Straw. Man.

It seems some people still don't seem to get it, so I'm forced to quote myself. Although honestly, I don't know how anyone could not understand Nate's posts.

 

[Orion Bailey]

It seems some people still don't seem to get it, so I'm forced to quote myself. Although honestly, I don't know how anyone could not understand Nate's posts.

This is not true though. YOU may not want them to intentionally lose, but it has been mentioned and suggested several, if not, many times.

 

[blue9]

This is not true though. YOU may not want them to intentionally lose, but it has been mentioned and suggested several, if not, many times.

Seriously suggested? I don't recall seeing a single, serious post about wanting the team to intentionally lose games. I've seen lots of posts saying that losses are good, but none about throwing games.

Personally, I like seeing losses pile up because it paints a brighter future in my mind's eye - but what's better is seeing teams that are worse than us win. And while watching any given game I want to WIN. But after the final buzzer sounds I don't mind if we've lost, and see the potential silver lining in every loss. I think this can be said for nearly every (if not every) fan that doesn't think we can make the POs.

 

[Natebishop3]

This is not true though. YOU may not want them to intentionally lose, but it has been mentioned and suggested several, if not, many times.

The issue is, there are varying levels of intentionally losing. We're playing all our young guys. This is a type of intentionally losing. Are we playing Kaman? Would he help us win? Sometimes there are moves that the team can make that won't result in wins, but will result in long term benefits. Playing guys like Vonleh, Meyers, Harkless, and Crabbe will only help develop them and give us a better idea of what we have on the roster. It won't give us as many wins, but it will help us build towards a better team. That could be construed as tanking.

 

[BBert]

Why punish the team that is playing by the rules? If a coach doesnt want to be a part of it then that player needs to either be taught how to shoot better FT's or be [pulled from the end of the games.

I am not a fan of the hackawhoever either, but I absolutely dont want to make it easier on a team if they cant hit thier free throws. If they suck at the line, thats on them. and alls fair in love and war!

No kidding. BGD's idea would be the first step toward a designated free throw shooter. That would blow.

 

[BlazerWookee]

You know, blue, I must admit it was your post that set me off. I went back to read it again, and realize I had misread it.

You wrote: "Nice to see SAC pull out a win!"

I read: "Nice to see LAC pull out a win!"

I retract my "disgusting."

 

[Nikolokolus]

I agree with this, but to disagree with intentionally tanking, which several folks are lobbying for, is a valid discussion. It comes down to being good enough to attract a free agent needle mover or a question mark rookie. I've never been one to celebrate losses because of ping pong balls. I really think playoff experience is a difference maker for young players. I respect whatever approach to building a contender any fan focuses on but that door swings both ways...to want to win now is also a worthy approach.

How the fuck is getting swept in four by the Warriors or Spurs going to help this team attract a free agent and/or provide "experience?" Even when Portland was good it's never been a free agent destination aside from the occasional second and third tier free agents.

 

[riverman]

How the fuck is getting swept in four by the Warriors or Spurs going to help this team attract a free agent and/or provide "experience?" Even when Portland was good it's never been a free agent destination aside from the occasional second and third tier free agents.

Because maybe you don't get swept in four?

 

[Orion Bailey]

The issue is, there are varying levels of intentionally losing. We're playing all our young guys. This is a type of intentionally losing. Are we playing Kaman? Would he help us win? Sometimes there are moves that the team can make that won't result in wins, but will result in long term benefits. Playing guys like Vonleh, Meyers, Harkless, and Crabbe will only help develop them and give us a better idea of what we have on the roster. It won't give us as many wins, but it will help us build towards a better team. That could be construed as tanking.

Yep. Its all about personal definition. I don't see playing the youngs as tanking. I see it as providing experience for the future.
I am just not on the bandwagon of happy loses. I dont care what it nets us long term. The more losses, the less talent we have, which means a high lotto pick isnt the answer, or the only answer. I think that if we get close or make the PO's, then that says alot more about the future of our young guys than losing all but 10 games and getting one lotto pick.
I would rather have one solid star in Dame with a a bunch of potential stars, than one star in Dame, another potential in a lotto pick and a bunch of scrubs. which will be what we have if we lose too much. Id much rather see a full roster of upside, than just two guys. I think this is the main point of conflict for those of us not wanting to tank. We see the upside of winning for the future as being as bright as a lotto pick would make it.

 

[Orion Bailey]

You know, blue, I must admit it was your post that set me off. I went back to read it again, and realize I had misread it.

You wrote: "Nice to see SAC pull out a win!"

I read: "Nice to see LAC pull out a win!"

I retract my "disgusting."

Jesus. I made the same mistake, thinking you were referencing last night Blue9!!! sorry.

 

[blue9]

The more losses, the less talent we have...

Nah - the talent that we have is the same regardless of whether they win or lose. Winning doesn't make them better and losing doesn't make them worse.

 

[riverman]

How the fuck is getting swept in four by the Warriors or Spurs going to help this team attract a free agent and/or provide "experience?" Even when Portland was good it's never been a free agent destination aside from the occasional second and third tier free agents.

Free agent attraction here has changed from the past...one asset is playing time, another is a point guard like Lillard...comraderie..and finally..money. We beat the Warriors in preseason and they played their starters big minutes...we play the Spurs pretty well. Neil Olshey is better connected than some may think. I think Plumlee, Davis, CJ, Leonard, Crabbe..etc..will reap benefits from playoff competition. I understand how much of an underdog we are as much as anybody. Doesn't make me lose hope or throw them under the bus after November of the season though.

 

[ant]

So can we cheer on all the other lottery-bound teams to more wins to help our lotto odds? That's not technically wanting us to lose (although I don't mind losing this season, as long as we lose in style!).

 

[riverman]

I don't expect to make the playoffs this season but I don't expect to get the #1 pick either. The league will find a way to get Kobe's replacement in LA

 

[BBert]

So can we cheer on all the other lottery-bound teams to more wins to help our lotto odds? That's not technically wanting us to lose (although I don't mind losing this season, as long as we lose in style!).

So long as it doesn't include rooting for the Lakers, that's exactly what we should do.

 

[blue9]

So long as it doesn't include rooting for the Lakers, that's exactly what we should do.

I'll cheer LAL when they play OKC, SAS, LAC, and HOU - I wish they could sweep the season series with each of those teams.

 

[BlazerWookee]

I'll cheer LAL when they play OKC, SAS, LAC, and HOU - I wish they could sweep the season series with each of those teams.

Cheer LAL? Disgusting...










Neener.

 

[blue9]

Cheer LAL? Disgusting...










Neener.

They're so irrelevant that I can't muster any sort of opinion or emotion about them. That's probably a worse slight than actively rooting against them.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I'll never understand how fans root for losing over winning in any case. I think it's ridiculous. It goes hand in hand with the "contend for a championship or bust" mentality, which I also think is ridiculous. I want as many wins as possible, every year. Even if that means we are the 8th seed or we just barely miss out on the playoffs. It's much better than being one of the 5 worst teams in the league, which is what so many people here are actively rooting for.

 

[Strenuus]

I'll never understand how fans root for losing over winning in any case. I think it's ridiculous. It goes hand in hand with the "contend for a championship or bust" mentality, which I also think is ridiculous. I want as many wins as possible, every year. Even if that means we are the 8th seed or we just barely miss out on the playoffs. It's much better than being one of the 5 worst teams in the league, which is what so many people here are actively rooting for.

I don't think having a "Well damn, we lost. It's a rebuild year anyway, it doesn't hurt." along with a "Yay! We won! At least we get to enjoy it." is all that unhealthy... and I'd venture to say deep down that's how most people feel.

 

[Natebishop3]

Cheer LAL? Disgusting...










Neener.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

I don't think having a "Well damn, we lost. It's a rebuild year anyway, it doesn't hurt." along with a "Yay! We won! At least we get to enjoy it." is all that unhealthy... and I'd venture to say deep down that's how most people feel.

I didn't say it was unhealthy, I said it was ridiculous.

 

[Strenuus]

I didn't say it was unhealthy, I said it was ridiculous.

And what I'm saying is I think deep down people would like a win, but are clear in thinking that a loss isn't the worst thing in the world.

It's all about persepctive and an open mind. A loss isn't the worst thing -this year-. I'd like a win, but I realize that a loss isn't going to put us down in Philly Purgatory... we're better than that.

 

[Orion Bailey]

And what I'm saying is I think deep down people would like a win, but are clear in thinking that a loss isn't the worst thing in the world.

It's all about persepctive and an open mind. A loss isn't the worst thing -this year-. I'd like a win, but I realize that a loss isn't going to put us down in Philly Purgatory... we're better than that.

So where is this open mind when others are talking about the upside of these guys if they show signs of continual improvement and win 40 games? How come no one is saying, well that wouldn't be so bad either? I don't think the mind is as open as many who want to tank think it is.

 

[riverman]

This season is win-win either way but I think we are translating the term tank a bit differently...to play inexperienced players and develop them while knowing you are not going to contend for a championship and may miss out on the playoffs is to plant the seeds of growth for the future...to tank is to take a dive....as in boxing...a thread that encourages riding the tank is in my view saying...take a dive.