Skip Bayless says Dame isn't a star

[Orion Bailey]

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

Your leader doesnt have to be the best player on the team.

I think Dame is mature enough to know that he can use as good as, if not a better player than him NEXT to him and he would be totally cool with that.

Lets not get on Dame because he doesn't have that option so he forces more than he should.
He is fine, We are fine, We are going to flourish over the next 5 years. Watch

 

[Chris Craig]

Skip Blayless isn't a sports columnist

 

[BBert]

So what is the point of Skip Bayless calling Dame "not a star"? Is he going to start doing pieces on every player in the NBA who isn't, in his opinion, a "star"? Next up: Shawn Livingston isn't a star. Tomorrow: Mason Plumlee isn't a star. Next week: Why Harrison Fuckin Barnes isn't a star. What's really the point?

News flash for Mr. Bayless: Skip Bayless isn't a star. And never will be.

 

[Natebishop3]

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.

What I don't understand is what the expectations are.

Dame scored 17 points in the third quarter of game 2. That wasn't enough? Is he supposed to carry the team for 48 minutes or he isn't a star? I don't know any player that is unstoppable for 48 minutes. They go on runs. I imagine it takes a lot out of them when they explode for 17 points in 12 minutes, and Dame is sick to boot. How could anyone sustain that kind of tempo for even a half in a playoff game against one of the best defenses in the league?

Dame isn't physically imposing like a LeBron or a Westbrook. He isn't as quick as a Chris Paul. He relies on his quick release to get his shot off. He relies on his teammates to make shots and take some of the heat off him. I imagine if you put Steph Curry on this Blazer team, he would struggle, just as Dame has.

 

[oldmangrouch]

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.

What you are saying is 100% right for a coach, but not for a GM. Different - but equally valid POVs.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

You guys are giving Skip Clueless the attention he wanted as a result from his statement. Same shit Crapzano pulls.

 

[H.C.]

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.

My big thing with you is you don't hold CJ to the same standard as Lillard. Maybe I've missed it, but I doubt it. Most I've seen you say on the subject is. "CJ is more consistent than Lillard". But he's not... He doesn't even face the same defense as Lillard does.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

Skip who???

 

[MARIS61]

Skip Blayless isn't a sports columnist

He's nobody.

 

[Haakzilla]

...ole Skipper says a lot of asinine shit, luckily nobody cares (that's why he is downgrading to Fox Sports)!

 

[Spud147]

...ole Skipper says a lot of asinine shit, luckily nobody cares (that's why he is downgrading to Fox Sports)!

And his former co-workers at ESPN are roasting him now that they can! They think he's an idiot too.

 

[Tunchi]

My big thing with you is you don't hold CJ to the same standard as Lillard. Maybe I've missed it, but I doubt it. Most I've seen you say on the subject is. "CJ is more consistent than Lillard". But he's not... He doesn't even face the same defense as Lillard does.

This is Cj first year essentially. If you look what he's done when he's next to the best player on the team, it's more impressive than what Dame did when he was next to a star that was better than him (LMA)

 

[Natebishop3]

This is Cj first year essentially. If you look what he's done when he's next to the best player on the team, it's more impressive than what Dame did when he was next to a star that was better than him (LMA)

Really? That's interesting. Of course, Dame has done things that nobody has done since Petrie. You think Aldridge was better than Dame?

Your ridiculous expectations aren't even based on reality, because you constantly overlook Lillard's accomplishments.

 

[BlazerWookee]

Really? That's interesting. Of course, Dame has done things that nobody has done since Petrie. You think Aldridge was better than Dame?

Your ridiculous expectations aren't even based on reality, because you constantly overlook Lillard's accomplishments.

Wait. You think Dame was better than Aldridge? Jesus.

 

[B-Roy]

 

[H.C.]

This is Cj first year essentially. If you look what he's done when he's next to the best player on the team, it's more impressive than what Dame did when he was next to a star that was better than him (LMA)

How can I put this so you'll understand and it won't allow people to freak out on the point I'm making here.
CJ in very few games this year has faced the same level of defense Lillard does every night.
Getting trapped on the pick and roll, getting game planned against as the #1 option to stop... etc.
More often than not when CJ faces this kind of defense he turns the ball over...
Or
Dribbles for 20 seconds only to throw up a poor shot that leads to a run-out for the other team.
As good as CJ has been this year for the Blazers. He has also had times when he's been extremely poor and single handed cost the Blazers games.
The one that immediately stands out is the last GSW game. As soon as Lillard went out, CJ took his place and turned it over 4 straight times because he couldn't handle an aggressive double like Lillard was. Went from being a close game, to a 10+point lead for the Warriors who never looked back after.

You and others don't hold CJ to the same standard as Lillard.
Yet he at facing the same defense as Lillard does night in and night out. He's performed worse than Lillard by far.
And I mean.. over two games against the GSW. CJ hasn't been that much better than Lillard.
Infact CJ has done a lot of standing around... He's also 1 of 9 from three after shooting 40%+ during the season.
He's barely over 30% from deep in the playoffs. He's also turning it over more in the playoffs than he did in the regular season.
Hell he's turning it over more than he did in the Memphis series when he had Tony Allen on him.
But you've and others have mentioned none of this. There is no "shot selection thread for CJ I see".
It's the playoffs, he proved against Memphis he deserves to be held to a higher standard and not get a pass.
This is my problem with the people who criticize Lillard and ignore CJ's mistakes.
Double Standard.

 

[Natebishop3]

Wait. You think Dame was better than Aldridge? Jesus.

Do I think Dame was better this season than Aldridge during Dame's first three years? Yes.

 

[Natebishop3]

Tunchi is saying that what CJ has done this year, next to Dame, is more impressive than what Dame did next to Aldridge.

I say that Dame was better this season than Aldridge ever was with Dame, so that's a major flaw in the argument.

 

[The Professional Fan]

Skip is a star. And Skip is moving to Fox because they're paying him more, and I'm betting he's going to get even more free reign to be a complete fuck stick. He's not leaving ESPN because he's being "down graded." First Take is the highest rated show (non SportsCenter) ESPN has. They want Skip. Believe me. The 7 pages of this thread prove why.

As for Dame, I'll just say this - I find myself waiting and saying "time to warm up dame" more often than I would for a super star but that doesn't mean Dame isn't a star. He has his moments.

 

[Natebishop3]

Skip is a star. And Skip is moving to Fox because they're paying him more, and I'm betting he's going to get even more free reign to be a complete fuck stick. He's not leaving ESPN because he's being "down graded." First Take is the highest rated show (non SportsCenter) ESPN has. They want Skip. Believe me. The 7 pages of this thread prove why.

As for Dame, I'll just say this - I find myself waiting and saying "time to warm up dame" more often than I would for a super star but that doesn't mean Dame isn't a star. He has his moments.

I mean, there's probably 5-10 superstars in the league. Dame isn't on that list. Maybe one day, but he's not there yet, and most of the guys on that list have been in the league for a while. Dame is just finishing his 4th season.

LeBron
Durant
Curry
Westbrook
Paul

In my mind, those are the five best players in the league.

Next step down would be

George
Leonard
Davis
Boogie
Harden

I put Dame in the next tier, with guys like Klay, Draymond, Drummond, Melo, Wade, etc. He's a star, for sure, but he's not the best at his position, and he's not even the second or third best at his position. Dame is arguably the 4th or 5th best point guard in the NBA. That exclues him from any talk of being a superstar. He's firmly in the All-Star discussion every year though.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Wait. You think Dame was better than Aldridge? Jesus.

Dame would never give up on a team like labitch did.

Yes, dame is better than aldridge.

 

[Natebishop3]

Dame would never give up on a team like labitch did.

Yes, dame is better than aldridge.

Well, I'm sure Wookie thought that I meant Dame was better than Aldridge when LMA was here.

Really, my point is that Dame is a better player right now, and a better teammate than Aldridge. CJ has thrived because Dame has encouraged him and shared the spotlight with him. They play well with each other. I don't think Aldridge did anything specific to make Dame's life easier.

 

[BlazerWookee]

Well, I'm sure Wookie thought that I meant Dame was better than Aldridge when LMA was here.

Really, my point is that Dame is a better player right now, and a better teammate than Aldridge. CJ has thrived because Dame has encouraged him and shared the spotlight with him. They play well with each other. I don't think Aldridge did anything specific to make Dame's life easier.

I did, thanks for clarifying. I still disagree, but to a much, MUCH lesser degree. One argument I would make that LaMarcus made Dame's life a LOT easier by being the focus of the defense.

 

[Natebishop3]

I did, thanks for clarifying. I still disagree, but to a much, MUCH lesser degree. One argument I would make that LaMarcus made Dame's life a LOT easier by being the focus of the defense.

But Dame is the focus on every defense as well. How is that different? If anything, Dame had the advantage of Wes, Nic, and Rolo in the starting lineup, which CJ does not.

 

[BlazerWookee]

But Dame is the focus on every defense as well. How is that different? If anything, Dame had the advantage of Wes, Nic, and Rolo in the starting lineup, which CJ does not.

Okay, you lost me again. I'm saying that LaMarcus made Dame's life a LOT easier because he was the focus of the defense, and his outside shooting touch opened the lanes for Dame and the other guards to penetrate and/or pass.

 

[Natebishop3]

Okay, you lost me again. I'm saying that LaMarcus made Dame's life a LOT easier because he was the focus of the defense, and his outside shooting touch opened the lanes for Dame and the other guards to penetrate and/or pass.

But why do you think that this doesn't also apply to Dame/CJ?

 

[BlazerWookee]

But why do you think that this doesn't also apply to Dame/CJ?

I don't, necessarily. I'm specifically responding to the sentence "I don't think Aldridge did anything specific to make Dame's life easier."

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't, necessarily. I'm specifically responding to the sentence "I don't think Aldridge did anything specific to make Dame's life easier."

You left out the part where I said "CJ has thrived because Dame has encouraged him and shared the spotlight with him. They play well with each other. I don't think Aldridge did anything specific to make Dame's life easier."

My point was that I don't think LaMarcus went out of his way to make Dame's life easier. Sure, his existence on the court helped Dame, but I'm saying that Dame goes out of his way to be a good teammate and a good friend to CJ. A mentor.

 

[Natebishop3]

Definitely NOT a star....

 

[Natebishop3]