Should we Simonize?

[blazerkor]

I probably lack imagination but I only see Ant as three possible things while Dame is still here (which I hope is for like 7 more years). Ant will be CJ 2.0, a guy starting next to Dame who is incredibly talented but brings Dame and team cohesiveness down because he has the same strengths and weaknesses as Dame or Ant will be a very overpaid backup to a guy that logs some of the most minutes in the league and a backup that for the previously mentioned reasons shouldn't play much if at all with the starter he's backing up or Ant will be trade capital.

The Ant dilemma should not be too hard for any of us to figure out. It is the same stupid fucking thing this team has been unwilling to address correctly for 6 years. This is the same thing as Dame/CJ. If we don't handle it the right way then it will be the Dame/Ant situation and almost everyone will hate it.

 

[Hoopguru]

I probably lack imagination but I only see Ant as three possible things while Dame is still here (which I hope is for like 7 more years). Ant will be CJ 2.0, a guy starting next to Dame who is incredibly talented but brings Dame and team cohesiveness down because he has the same strengths and weaknesses as Dame or Ant will be a very overpaid backup to a guy that logs some of the most minutes in the league and a backup that for the previously mentioned reasons shouldn't play much if at all with the starter he's backing up or Ant will be trade capital.

The Ant dilemma should not be too hard for any of us to figure out. It is the same stupid fucking thing this team has been unwilling to address correctly for 6 years. This is the same thing as Dame/CJ. If we don't handle it the right way then it will be the Dame/Ant situation and almost everyone will hate it.

I think you have to add Ant or Naz to a trade involving CJ if you want an impact player in return.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Using Simons to get a modern PF like John Collins, or Jaren Jackson, or Lauri Markannen or Bojan Bogdonovich or Chrisian Wood or Bobby Portis doesn't look so bad, does it? Now, obviously those level of players may be out of reach...but they may not, we don't know.

I wouldn't trade Ant for any of these guys. Perhaps CJ or Powell, but not Ant. Makes no sense for what we are as a team this season.

 

[boredinsalem]

The Ant dilemma should not be too hard for any of us to figure out. It is the same stupid fucking thing this team has been unwilling to address correctly for 6 years. This is the same thing as Dame/CJ. If we don't handle it the right way then it will be the Dame/Ant situation and almost everyone will hate it.

I think it's pretty different actually. 1) Ant and Dame are on very different career arcs, 2) Ant is taller than CJ, 3) Ant is much more athletic than CJ. Ant can play 30 mpg as a 6th man without the respect bullshit with CJ because he's still young for a couple of years (if he's open to it), put up 20 ppg (and put on muscle), and we evaluate as we go.

 

[glazeduck]

I think you stop short of what really has to happen. You shop everyone. I love Ant and Nas but their value has to be really high right now, of course you only trade those guys or more likely make them part of a trade package if you're getting back a huge return but they have to be shopped. You also missed Norm. I know Norm is on a team friendly contract and that he's really solid on both ends of the court but he isn't the defensive stopper that we need next to Dame and he (just like Dame, CJ and Ant) is at his best when creating his own shot with the ball in his hands.

Yes to norm, for sure. The larger point being make everything but Dame, kitchen sink included available. Obviously yes, for the younger more promising guys you need an absolute haul in return, but new coach, new GM, eventually new owner, no need to play favorites and its entirely possible that Nas and Ant are reaching their peak. You don't have to accept offers for them that don't work, but I'm not hanging up on GMs who ask, is all I'm saying...

 

[TBpup]

What major differences would Dame/Ant be vs Dame/CJ? Love Dame and Ant, but just don't see enough of a difference from what we have been dealing with for years. Ant gets to the basket better and may shoot a few more FT's, doesn't have the mid-range game, looks like a more willing passer.....but the big similarity, is neither one of them has much size and both are poor defenders.

Same song, just a different verse, no matter how much I might like Ant and his potential. Besides, he is showing this potential at PG and as soon as Dame comes back, that is just not that valuable on this roster.

 

[wizenheimer]

I wouldn't trade Ant for any of these guys. Perhaps CJ or Powell, but not Ant. Makes no sense for what we are as a team this season.

I'd trade Ant for Collins, Wood, and maybe Portis. Bogdanovich is pretty old; he's a really good shooter though. Jaren Jackson is actually younger than Ant but he's never regained his shooting touch after his injury

this season doesn't matter so making decisions based upon this season doesn't make much sense to me

 

[Mediocre Man]

Simons reminds me of the Jermaine O’Neal situation. Sources and players alike said Jermaine DOMINATED practices, but dealt him for an aging all star who was never great with us

 

[illmatic99]

Simons reminds me of the Jermaine O’Neal situation. Sources and players alike said Jermaine DOMINATED practices, but dealt him for an aging all star who was never great with us

Let's hope we learned our lesson

 

[MadeFromDust]

I say ride the Simons train as far as it goes. Best case is he becomes an all-star and if we stifle him then we will never know. Dame's surgery came at the right time. We just need to keep CJ away as long as possible.

 

[TBpup]

Ant looks very good as a #1 running a team. How does that fit with Dame when he gets back though?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I’m gladly eating crow — his playmaking went from unnoticeable to elite.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Ant looks very good as a #1 running a team. How does that fit with Dame when he gets back though?

I think Dame will do a better job fitting with Ant than the other way around.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

I'd trade Ant for Collins, Wood, and maybe Portis. Bogdanovich is pretty old; he's a really good shooter though. Jaren Jackson is actually younger than Ant but he's never regained his shooting touch after his injury

this season doesn't matter so making decisions based upon this season doesn't make much sense to me

CJ might not get you John Collins…don’t imagine Ant would.

Nah, i love Dame but it’s time to move him. Ant and Nas need to be starting for the rest of the season. CJ, RoCo and Nurkic must go and Norm Powell only helps us if he’s traded too.

what would it take to land Ayton? PHX didn’t extend him and from what I’ve read are not enamored - but with Ant / Simmons / Nas / Nance / Ayton - that’s a young and talented group

 

[Predator]

Hate to say it - but If you decide to keep Ant - Dame and CJ gotta go.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

I’m gladly eating crow — his playmaking went from unnoticeable to elite.

Same. I never thought he was a PG. I was so impressed with his poise. Despite the hot half, he could have forced it in the second and he didn't. He just played the game the way it was supposed to be played. He has a Chris Paul-like floater/tear drop. I'd love to see him get in the paint a bit more. He played great.

 

[Scalma]

Morey on his couch convincing himself that Ant is actually not the right guy for the Sixers rn that’s so funny

 

[Hoopguru]

Morey on his couch convincing himself that Ant is actually not the right guy for the Sixers rn that’s so funny

His guards are playing well he doesnt need CJ or Ant.

 

[Scalma]

So Ant is getting maxed, huh? Makes the CJ decision even easier.

 

[Predator]

His guards are playing well he doesnt need CJ or Ant.

Ant and CJ are both better than Maxey, not even close really.

 

[illmatic99]

yes

 

[wizenheimer]

I don't think going from a failed Dame/CJ back court to a Dame/Ant back court solves any of the issues that have held the Blazers back. But if Portland is only going to keep one of CJ-Powell-Ant, it makes some sense if it's Ant. He'll likely have the best trade value over the next few season.

Blazers have to abandon the Powell-at-SF experiment. That's a failure too. If Ant gets a contract similar to Powell, Portland would be committed to 90M/year (more than 75% of the salary cap)for three guards. Three short guards who play bad defense while dominating the ball, usage, and shots. That just doesn't make sense to me...at all. But it would be so like Portland to try and thread a needle almost impossible to thread

 

[GDiama]

Ant and CJ are both better than Maxey, not even close really.

Well it's pretty close with Simons and I would take Maxey personally. And this is just basketball wise because Maxey is not as good of a shooter but is a better slasher and defender. As for their trade value Maxey should be the winner there by a wide margin since he is only in his second year so he is locked for dirt cheap for 2 more and he has been proven as a fine starter already. For a second year player he is already too good.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't think going from a failed Dame/CJ back court to a Dame/Ant back court solves any of the issues that have held the Blazers back. But if Portland is only going to keep one of CJ-Powell-Ant, it makes some sense if it's Ant. He'll likely have the best trade value over the next few season.

Blazers have to abandon the Powell-at-SF experiment. That's a failure too. If Ant gets a contract similar to Powell, Portland would be committed to 90M/year (more than 75% of the salary cap)for three guards. Three short guards who play bad defense while dominating the ball, usage, and shots. That just doesn't make sense to me...at all. But it would be so like Portland to try and thread a needle almost impossible to thread

We are staring at an opportunity to start over and build around Ant and Nas. We could pull in a lot of young talent if we trade Dame and CJ.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

We are staring at an opportunity to start over and build around Ant and Nas. We could pull in a lot of young talent if we trade Dame and CJ.

That is the nicest thing you've said about Neil Olshey in a while.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Ant, Nas, Simmons, Dame, Nurk would be a very interesting go young, but win now, too team.

 

[B-Roy]

What happens if Ant gets a max offer?

 

[SlyPokerCat]

What happens if Ant gets a max offer?

That's what I have been saying but people refuse to believe he will be offered more than like 17 million a year.

Pistons. Magic. Spurs.

Magic have lots of guards already but idk. If simons keeps playing like this i feel like someone will offer him a lot knowing we have so much money wrapped up in three guards already.

 

[Hoopguru]

Ant and CJ are both better than Maxey, not even close really.

Isn't this Maxey second year. Its Ant 4th year and CJ going on a decade. My post said Philly guards are playing well meaning Curry, Thybull?, Kork & Shake. You think adding Ant or CJ gets them a championship? if so why the hell trade em?
Those 4 guards of theirs give them offense, defense & Depth. Why would you trade Ben for Ant or CJ?

 

[TBpup]

Hate to say it - but If you decide to keep Ant - Dame and CJ gotta go.

It's unbelievable how many short, ball dominant guards Neil thought would be a good idea on the same roster. It's not that they aren't good/very good players. It just reeks of poor roster construction and cap management.