Skip Bayless says Dame isn't a star

[oldmangrouch]

I actually don't like the connotations of the word "star."

This ain't Hollywood and we ain't the Lakers. Dame is a "high impact player." Dame is a "game changer." Dame is a "needle mover." He is not, and hopefully never will be, a "star."

 

[Orion Bailey]

I personally don't think PG as a whole is a position to build a team around in 2016. The NBA is such a wing dominated league right now that someone like Dame is a piece you definitely want to have, unlike guys like Harden or Melo, who really aren't team players. If you look at the league as a whole though, and the best teams in the league, their best players are wing guys. Lebron, Durant, Leonard (the good one). Sure you have Steph, but look what the Warriors are doing with Thompson and Green.

Dame is really, really good, and that's ok.

Totally Agree.

Dame has the foot speed and lateral quickness to stay in front of guys. If he was "trying", as you say, he'd be better than he is. Defense is effort, and Dame is a guy who just doesn't give all out effort on that end of the floor as much as he maybe could

Totally disagree. Hard to keep up when you get caught by tons of illegal screens.

Mediocre, nice to have you back!!! Stay healthy!

 

[Strenuus]

I actually don't like the connotations of the word "star."

This ain't Hollywood and we ain't the Lakers. Dame is a "high impact player." Dame is a "game changer." Dame is a "needle mover." He is not, and hopefully never will be, a "star."

Well put.

 

[e_blazer]

But we already have Moe Harkless.

Well, if Moe wants to put on about 30 lbs. of muscle, improve his shooting percentage from the perimeter, and develop a motor that has him going full blast 35 minutes a game, I'd be happy with that too.

 

[Strenuus]

Well, if Moe wants to put on about 30 lbs. of muscle, improve his shooting percentage from the perimeter, and develop a motor that has him going full blast 35 minutes a game, I'd be happy with that too.

Moe, lets us know you saw this.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

I've been saying it all playoffs...

There are two Lillard's:

Regular season superstar
Playoff incarnation of Mo Williams

From game one of the Clipper series to now Dame is invisible for three quarters and has a big (usually) fourth quarter, when the game is out of reach. His slow starts that usually lasts three quarters is killing this team. Had CP3 not gotten injured, which they had the series in complete control - winning by more than twenty in game 1&2, this team wouldn't sniff the second round. This squad clearly isn't ready to rumble with the big boys.

He's on the Carmelo Anthony tier of stars - volume score who's now turning into an ISO machine.

 

[Natebishop3]

I've been saying it all playoffs...

There are two Lillard's:

Regular season superstar
Playoff incarnation of Mo Williams

From game one of the Clipper series to now Dame is invisible for three quarters and has a big (usually) fourth quarter, when the game is out of reach. His slow starts that usually lasts three quarters is killing this team. Had CP3 not gotten injured, which they had the series in complete control - winning by more than twenty in game 1&2, this team wouldn't sniff the second round. This squad clearly isn't ready to rumble with the big boys.

He's on the Carmelo Anthony tier of stars - volume score who's now turning into an ISO machine.

Found another one!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I think there are 8 Lillards, and all of them are fucking awesome!

 

[Strenuus]

I've been saying it all playoffs...

There are two Lillard's:

Regular season superstar
Playoff incarnation of Mo Williams

From game one of the Clipper series to now Dame is invisible for three quarters and has a big (usually) fourth quarter, when the game is out of reach. His slow starts that usually lasts three quarters is killing this team. Had CP3 not gotten injured, which they had the series in complete control - winning by more than twenty in game 1&2, this team wouldn't sniff the second round. This squad clearly isn't ready to rumble with the big boys.

He's on the Carmelo Anthony tier of stars - volume score who's now turning into an ISO machine.

Copy and paste with a couple additions huh?

ISO machine but keeps upping his assist totals every year.

25/7

He sucks at ISOING

When you're wrong, you're wrong. But, you've been ignoring everyone's opinions on it, so I can tell you don't like knowing you're wrong.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Copy and paste with a couple additions huh?

ISO machine but keeps upping his assist totals every year.

25/7

He sucks at ISOING

When you're wrong, you're wrong. But, you've been ignoring everyone's opinions on it, so I can tell you don't like knowing you're wrong.

He's easy to defend in the playoffs. His regular season stats are irrelevant here. He's putting up 23ppg on 20fga with an absurd 29usg%.

Skip is wrong here - Dame is a star ....during the regular season.

Playoffs not so much.

 

[Strenuus]

He's easy to defend in the playoffs. His regular season stats are irrelevant here. He's putting up 23ppg on 20fga with an absurd 29usg%.

Skip is wrong here - Dame is a star ....in the regular season.

Playoffs not so much.

lol. It was a valiant try. Kudos on the effort.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

lol. It was a valiant try. Kudos on the effort.

Ditto.

 

[Strenuus]

Ditto.

 

[Natebishop3]

Copy and paste with a couple additions huh?

ISO machine but keeps upping his assist totals every year.

25/7

He sucks at ISOING

When you're wrong, you're wrong. But, you've been ignoring everyone's opinions on it, so I can tell you don't like knowing you're wrong.

Easy to defend..... gee I wonder why?

 

[jlprk]

Because he's a shrimp.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Fuck Skip Bayless.

I know this is almost two months old, but back in March, ESPN had Lillard ranked 7th in their NBA Player Power Rankings, ahead of Harden, Anthony Davis, Paul George, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, etc.

Here's what they said about Dame:


7. Damian Lillard

Portland Trail Blazers
RPM: 2.27 (No. 50)
MVP odds: 150-1
Previous rank: No. 7

"It was a tough week for the Blazers, who dropped the last three games of a six-game road trip, but that was not because of Lillard. He put 50 points on Toronto's Kyle Lowry, one of the league's grittiest defensive point guards, and then 41 points and 11 assists on John Wall, as he went for 30 or more points for the eighth time in 11 games since All-Star Weekend.

Think about this: Wall hasn't been able to lead Washington to a playoff spot in the East. Without Durant for much of the past season, Westbrook failed to get OKC to the postseason. But Lillard has the post-LaMarcus Aldridge Blazers -- with guys named Vonleh, Aminu and Plumlee starting -- still firmly in the Western Conference playoffs, even with their recent skid."

Pay close attention to that last paragraph. If Lillard isn't a star, please explain to me how this roster captured the 5th seed in the West. Wall can't get WAS to the playoffs in the East. Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins can't do it in the West. So, look at our roster and ask yourself how many other players in the league could get this team to the 5th seed in the West. Other than the obvious ones like Steph, LeBron, Durant, etc., there aren't a lot. Westbrook can't do it without Durant, but then, according to Mark Cuban, Westbrook isn't a superstar.

Bayless is an idiot.

BNM

 

[KingSpeed]

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...ns_skip_bayless_disappointed_with_damian.html



I'm sure there's some people on this board who agree with him.

Dame's last three games -

Game six against Clips - 28 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds,

Game one against GSW - 30 points, 5 assists, 4 steals

Game two against GSW - 25 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals

I mean...... come the fuck on.

And he scored 16 points in the 4th quarter vs the Clippers in the pivotal Game 5 on the road. Bayless is an idiot.

 

[Sinobas]

He's on the Carmelo Anthony tier of stars - volume score who's now turning into an ISO machine.

I think he really wants to get his teammates involved though, whereas Carmelo really wants his shots.

 

[KingSpeed]

Game 1 against GS he was 8-26 and got to 30 points when the game was over.

Game 3 he was a no show for most of the game until the 3rd when he had his feast moment then went back to no show in the 4th

Honestly these playoffs Dame other than game 3 against the clips where he was pretty much a star from start of that game to the finish of that game, has been underwhelming. I get hes the focus for the defense but so is all the best players of each team in the league.

And all of those best players have bad games. Jesus, Durant shot 7/33 in Game 2 vs Mavs.

 

[H.C.]

I've been saying it all playoffs...

There are two Lillard's:

Regular season superstar
Playoff incarnation of Mo Williams

From game one of the Clipper series to now Dame is invisible for three quarters and has a big (usually) fourth quarter, when the game is out of reach. His slow starts that usually lasts three quarters is killing this team. Had CP3 not gotten injured, which they had the series in complete control - winning by more than twenty in game 1&2, this team wouldn't sniff the second round. This squad clearly isn't ready to rumble with the big boys.

He's on the Carmelo Anthony tier of stars - volume score who's now turning into an ISO machine.

Now I don't think the Blazers would have got past the Clippers in game 5 or 6.
But are you actually denying that the Blazers looked to be in control of games 3-4?
Like it wasn't a blowout... But it certainly looked from the pace of games 3/4 that the Clippers had no chance of winning those games.
CP3 and Griffin didn't get injured until halfway through the 3rd quarter...
Certainly looked like they had no answer for what the Blazers were doing and were ready for game 5 back in LA to come.
I wouldn't say going back to LA tied 2-2 is complete control

 

[julius]

Yep. and Melo. Harden brings it a bit more consistently on offense, IMO. Maybe that's just size or whatever though

its the size a little, but also the benefit of the refs whistle.

 

[STOMP]

everyone has an opinion. The stuff Skip says isn't actually his opinion on what is, but rather what will generate a reaction... it's as real as pro wraslin'. The fans who like to be perpetually annoyed give him & the Canzano's/Screamin' A's of the world a platform to serve up this garbage because they like having their chain yanked. Those fans get all self righteous and say "what an idiot' ignoring that they're getting played. It all strikes me as a funny little cycle that goes on and on.

whatever...

STOMP

 

[Dom McBlazer]

As a Cowboys fan it has taught me to never give any credence to anything that comes out of that egotistical, toad-like, sorry excuse for an actual sports reporter/personality

As a Ravens fan (you can tell by the color of the pinstripes), he taught me that when he starts hating on my boy Flacco, we tend to prosper. I hope he continues this pattern.

 

[Denny Crane]

Do fans of other teams pay to see Lillard? I don't know, but I saw the Warriors at the Knicks a year ago January, and it looked like the place was almost full.

Obviously some opponents get a premium for ticket res ales.

I am thrilled with Dame. He is the star of this team.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Do fans of other teams pay to see Lillard? I don't know, but I saw the Warriors at the Knicks a year ago January, and it looked like the place was almost full.

Obviously some opponents get a premium for ticket res ales.

I am thrilled with Dame. He is the star of this team.

How many games have you gone to see him play?

 

[Denny Crane]

None yet. I've seen him on tv 150 times, if not more.

 

[Tunchi]

Want me to bring up Lowry's stats and show you as the hypocrite you are, Tunchi? It's easy, just say when.

Thought so. You'll either ignore this or say something wrong. That's the only two options you ever do.

Ok fine their the same player. Dame is the better leader but nothing in the realm of 1st team stars..

 

[Tunchi]

I think Dame is a star. However, I don't think he's a superstar. I think his lack of interest on the defensive end, and his inconsistency throughout many games is something keeping him from that next tier

BINGO

"...his inconsistency throughout many games.."

I couldn't have said it any better. Again his leadership skills is superstar level and worth keeping forever but let's not be blind and think this guy is with the Chris Pauls, Steph Curry, etc

 

[Tunchi]

I've been saying it all playoffs...

There are two Lillard's:

Regular season superstar
Playoff incarnation of Mo Williams

From game one of the Clipper series to now Dame is invisible for three quarters and has a big (usually) fourth quarter, when the game is out of reach. His slow starts that usually lasts three quarters is killing this team. Had CP3 not gotten injured, which they had the series in complete control - winning by more than twenty in game 1&2, this team wouldn't sniff the second round. This squad clearly isn't ready to rumble with the big boys.

He's on the Carmelo Anthony tier of stars - volume score who's now turning into an ISO machine.

Nailed it. I been telling these guys all year. Granted I don't personally think he's a regular season superstar, more like great player to have or a notch under "superstar". I even called him a high level Mo Williams but what saves this guy is his tremendous leadership and great personality. That alone to me is worth keeping.


He's been incredibly underwhelming in these playoffs this year. Literally he's had one great game from START TO FINISH with consistency and that was game 3. He was nice that game. The rest is exactly what you said in how he's invisible for three quarters and has a big (usually) fourth quarter, when the game is out of reach. Last game it was the 3rd quarter, but you get the point.

 

[BBert]

One thing I've never understood is how strongly some people focus on what isn't. In this case, on what a player isn't. The constant harping on what Batum isn't; on what Meyers isn't; on what Dame isn't. And the beat goes on. Every player isn't something or other. And some people will just obsess over that thing the player isn't, for no real benefit that I can understand.

Knowing a players limitations is important, sure, but focusing on what a player isn't doesn't do much to help achieve success. For that you can only work with what is. You can only play with the team you have, with the players you have, with what they CAN do, not what they CAN'T. Coaches don't game plan or go into the huddle talking about what their players can't do. That would be pointless.