So: are we going to be TOO good?

[Rastapopoulos]

What I really mean is, are we going to be not bad enough?

There have been encouraging signs in the preseason (but this should be tempered by the fact that we don't look half as good as... The Knicks, Nuggets and Hornets) and certainly, if nothing else, our team is going to hustle (or "scrap"). But you would have to be pretty much insane to think that, barring extreme injuries to several other teams, we can make the playoffs. So we'll be just good enough to miss out on the really good players in the draft. But, not to worry - there's always free agency, right?

 

[HailBlazers]

Que @PtldPlatypus

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Que @PtldPlatypus

(Kool-Aid man comes busting through the wall) Ohhhhh, yeahhhhh!!

And in answer to this question, that's exactly what I think will happen. We'll be too good to get a top 5 pick, but not good enough to make the playoffs. Another 10-13 pick, I'm guessing. But with all this developing youth, I'm perfectly OK with that.

 

[Sinobas]

If Damian gets hurt, I think we'll get a top 5 pick, but if we stay relatively healthy, i think we'll get close to .500, but that's still a lotto pick in the West. We already have so many young lotto picks on the roster. You have to get super lucky to be the worst team at a time when a super star is coming around.

 

[Natebishop3]

Someone tell Dame he needs to take a year off to work on his rap album.

 

[BlazerWookee]

What I really mean is, are we going to be not bad enough?

There have been encouraging signs in the preseason (but this should be tempered by the fact that we don't look half as good as... The Knicks, Nuggets and Hornets) and certainly, if nothing else, our team is going to hustle (or "scrap"). But you would have to be pretty much insane to think that, barring extreme injuries to several other teams, we can make the playoffs. So we'll be just good enough to miss out on the really good players in the draft. But, not to worry - there's always free agency, right?

I sure fucking hope so.

 

[Natebishop3]

I sure fucking hope so.

You hope we're too good to get a top 5 pick, but not good enough to make the playoffs?

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

(Kool-Aid man comes busting through the wall) Ohhhhh, yeahhhhh!!

And in answer to this question, that's exactly what I think will happen. We'll be too good to get a top 5 pick, but not good enough to make the playoffs. Another 10-13 pick, I'm guessing. But with all this developing youth, I'm perfectly OK with that.

This.

If we're 10-13 with this youthful roster, I'd have to think we're in a great spot overall. Think back to 2012-13 team (Dame's rookie year). We'd be in a similar position, but with a deeper roster of young talent.

 

[Nikolokolus]

While there's no guarantee you're going to get a stud if you draft in the top 7, the chances are a helluva lot better there than they are at 14-ish, so it'd be pretty disappointing to see this team get stuck in the muddle middle and miss out on a chance at a player who could (hopefully) give us that second star we're going to need if this team is ever going to do anything besides be Miss Congeniality.

Who knows, maybe a lot of guys will have mysterious ailments come March? But I still believe this team has the ability to suck properly without having to "cheat."

 

[BlazerWookee]

You hope we're too good to get a top 5 pick, but not good enough to make the playoffs?

I hope we win as many games as possible. Winning culture > ping pong balls.

 

[B-Roy]

Personally, I think building a winning culture and being well coached is more important than tanking for a top 5 pick. There's a tradeoff there too, you can get a top 5 pick but you're unlikely to lure any free agents or be a destination target for superstar trades. Which is more important? Not sure, there's too much luck involved in both, but I tend to think karma favors the teams that don't try to suck a lot versus the ones that are obviously dropping their games. See: Rockets, Houston for the former and 76ers, Philadelphia for the latter.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

You hope we're too good to get a top 5 pick, but not good enough to make the playoffs?

I hope we're good enough to make the playoffs. If we're not, I hope we're not so bad that we get a top 5 pick. To me, if our team is so terrible that we win 25 or fewer games, then that means most of our youngsters will have had mostly worthless seasons.

I'll continue saying until I'm blue in the face: I'd rather add a 13th pick to a roster full of young talent than add a top 5 pick to a pile of crap.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

While there's no guarantee you're going to get a stud if you draft in the top 7, the chances are a helluva lot better there than they are at 14-ish, so it'd be pretty disappointing to see this team get stuck in the muddle middle and miss out on a chance at a player who could (hopefully) give us that second star we're going to need if this team is ever going to do anything besides be Miss Congeniality.

Who knows, maybe a lot of guys will have mysterious ailments come March? But I still believe this team has the ability to suck properly without having to "cheat."

The notion that just missing the playoffs necessarily equates to being "stuck in the muddle middle" is overly simplistic. Our current roster has to much room for growth to be "stuck" anywhere. By its current construction, next year is almost guaranteed to be better than this one, regardless of our slot in the standings this April.

 

[Orion Bailey]

(Kool-Aid man comes busting through the wall) Ohhhhh, yeahhhhh!!

And in answer to this question, that's exactly what I think will happen. We'll be too good to get a top 5 pick, but not good enough to make the playoffs. Another 10-13 pick, I'm guessing. But with all this developing youth, I'm perfectly OK with that.

This!!

I hope we're good enough to make the playoffs. If we're not, I hope we're not so bad that we get a top 5 pick. To me, if our team is so terrible that we win 25 or fewer games, then that means most of our youngsters will have had mostly worthless seasons.

I'll continue saying until I'm blue in the face: I'd rather add a 13th pick to a roster full of young talent than add a top 5 pick to a pile of crap.

And this....

I asked in another thread, conveniently know one had a good answer.

What is one more lottery pick going to do to help this team, other than be a potential trade offering in the offseason?
I mean with how many we already have, what is one more really going to do? Especially when he will more than likely be a few years younger than the core we are trying to build around Dame?

Why aren't people embracing the guys we have and wanting them to develop? Another lotto pick means another guy to develop, taking coaching time away from who we already have.

If we make the lottery then this means our team is a lot worse than we/I thought and most of our new acquisitions have not panned out and our other guys didn't take the next step we were hoping for. If we miss the lottery and are in contention for the 8th spot, NORMALLY that's a dead zone, but with this young roster full of upside? Id much rather just miss the playoffs this year, than be a lotto pick. Im pretty sure anyone with long term thoughts on this team will see the reasoning behind my opinion... I hope.

 

[Natebishop3]

I hope we're good enough to make the playoffs. If we're not, I hope we're not so bad that we get a top 5 pick. To me, if our team is so terrible that we win 25 or fewer games, then that means most of our youngsters will have had mostly worthless seasons.

I'll continue saying until I'm blue in the face: I'd rather add a 13th pick to a roster full of young talent than add a top 5 pick to a pile of crap.

I don't necessarily think 25 wins would say that most of our guys had a worthless season. We have a very inexperienced team. Very talented, very athletic, but very inexperienced. So unless we're blowing people out, it's going to be a struggle to stay consistent and close teams out. Dame is going to have to really step up, especially in the 4th quarter.

 

[Nikolokolus]

The notion that just missing the playoffs necessarily equates to being "stuck in the muddle middle" is overly simplistic. Our current roster has to much room for growth to be "stuck" anywhere. By its current construction, next year is almost guaranteed to be better than this one, regardless of our slot in the standings this April.

Too much room for growth? Who are the guys that you see turning into All-star or All-NBA caliber players on this team (aside from Damian?) If the team plans to compete for a title it needs to find a stud in the draft, because I'd say the odds are kind of low that there's anybody on the roster (maybe Vonleh?) who has the potential to be one of those top-20 players that serious title contenders need - and if history is any guide that guy isn't coming via free agency and probably isn't going to force a trade to Portland.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Injuries can not be emphasised enough.

For really good teams a key injury or two will knock them from contention, but not necessarily the playoffs.

For low end playoff teams it knocks them into the bottom of the lottery.

And for struggling teams.....it puts them into contention for a top 5 pick.

And it happens every year. It's not really if it will happen, but rather ...which teams will it happen to. So although it is fun to speculate where we will finish, it is inevitable that things are going to drastically change for a lot of teams. We could make the playoffs (7-8th spot) or we could get the #1 pick.

But if no one got hurt........ for any team, I would say we are outside of the bottom 10.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I don't necessarily think 25 wins would say that most of our guys had a worthless season. We have a very inexperienced team. Very talented, very athletic, but very inexperienced. So unless we're blowing people out, it's going to be a struggle to stay consistent and close teams out. Dame is going to have to really step up, especially in the 4th quarter.

We'll see how the season goes. I guess it's possible that our guys show indication that they're quality players with the ability to contribute to a contender, but somehow they just aren't able to string together enough stretches of effective team ball to win many games, but I think that's even more unlikely than them making the playoffs. I firmly believe that if we see a decent amount of individual growth and development this season, we will see "too many wins" to make the tankers happy.

 

[BlazerWookee]

I hope we're good enough to make the playoffs. If we're not, I hope we're not so bad that we get a top 5 pick. To me, if our team is so terrible that we win 25 or fewer games, then that means most of our youngsters will have had mostly worthless seasons.

I'll continue saying until I'm blue in the face: I'd rather add a 13th pick to a roster full of young talent than add a top 5 pick to a pile of crap.

a.k.a. "Fuck the lottery!"

 

[B-Roy]

Too much room for growth? Who are the guys that you see turning into All-star or All-NBA caliber players on this team (aside from Damian?) If the team plans to compete for a title it needs to find a stud in the draft, because I'd say the odds are kind of low that there's anybody on the roster (maybe Vonleh?) who has the potential to be one of those top-20 players that serious title contenders need - and if history is any guide that guy isn't coming via free agency and probably isn't going to force a trade to Portland.

Rockets lost McGrady and Yao to injuries, flirted with .500 for a few years before trading for Harden. Then managed to get Dwight the next year. They did this with smart, calculated trades and good drafting without having top 10 picks. There is a pretty good example for you right there.

Blazers are already ahead of the curve in the sense that they already have an all-star/potential super star in Damian. It's about finding the right guys that fit along side him.

 

[Natebishop3]

We'll see how the season goes. I guess it's possible that our guys show indication that they're quality players with the ability to contribute to a contender, but somehow they just aren't able to string together enough stretches of effective team ball to win many games, but I think that's even more unlikely than them making the playoffs. I firmly believe that if we see a decent amount of individual growth and development this season, we will see "too many wins" to make the tankers happy.

All I care about is seeing our guys develop. It's really going to dictate what Neil does going forward. If Meyers averages 16 and 8, if CJ puts up 15 off the bench, if Aminu or Harkless prove to be solid contributors, that's going to help Neil identify holes that need to be filled and figure out the best way to fill that need.

 

[B-Roy]

All I care about is seeing our guys develop. It's really going to dictate what Neil does going forward. If Meyers averages 16 and 8, if CJ puts up 15 off the bench, if Aminu or Harkless prove to be solid contributors, that's going to help Neil identify holes that need to be filled and figure out the best way to fill that need.

Great so if that happens and we end up winning more games because of it, are you going to be angry we end up picking 14th?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Too much room for growth? Who are the guys that you see turning into All-star or All-NBA caliber players on this team (aside from Damian?) If the team plans to compete for a title it needs to find a stud in the draft, because I'd say the odds are kind of low that there's anybody on the roster (maybe Vonleh?) who has the potential to be one of those top-20 players that serious title contenders need - and if history is any guide that guy isn't coming via free agency and probably isn't going to force a trade to Portland.

How many did Golden State have this year? Do you really see Thompson or Green in that vein?

In answer, I do believe that both Vonleh and Leonard have potential to be top 20 players, but more significantly, I believe that we have enough young talent throughout the roster to potentially develop a contender in a different mold than what we've seen in recent history. I don't subscribe to the theory that a team must necessarily be built in the same model as a previous champion.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Rockets lost McGrady and Yao to injuries, flirted with .500 for a few years before trading for Harden. Then managed to get Dwight the next year. They did this with smart, calculated trades and good drafting without having top 10 picks. There is a pretty good example for you right there.

Blazers are already ahead of the curve in the sense that they already have an all-star/potential super star in Damian. It's about finding the right guys that fit along side him.

Is that the exception or the rule?

I'm not saying it's impossible, but even with all of that smart drafting and Morey's "Moneyball" approach, it still took a major free agent picking Houston to put them into the conversation as a top 4 team in the west. not to disparage Portland, but it isn't (and never will be) a free agent destination for those highly coveted All-Star/All-NBA types.

 

[B-Roy]

How many did Golden State have this year? Do you really see Thompson or Green in that vein?

In answer, I do believe that both Vonleh and Leonard have potential to be top 20 players, but more significantly, I believe that we have enough young talent throughout the roster to potentially develop a contender in a different mold than what we've seen in recent history. I don't subscribe to the theory that a team must necessarily be built in the same model as a previous champion.

This, AND there's no guarantee a top 5 pick turns out to anything more than a decent player. How many top picks did Minnesota flirt with before they managed to be respectable? Wesley Johnson? Ricky Rubio? Jonny Flynn? Derrick Williams?

The notion of wasting 2-3 years of Damian's prime hunting that elusive second star in the draft (who likely won't even become a star until a few years in) is pretty un-enthusiastic to me.

 

[Nikolokolus]

How many did Golden State have this year? Do you really see Thompson or Green in that vein?

In answer, I do believe that both Vonleh and Leonard have potential to be top 20 players, but more significantly, I believe that we have enough young talent throughout the roster to potentially develop a contender in a different mold than what we've seen in recent history. I don't subscribe to the theory that a team must necessarily be built in the same model as a previous champion.

Here's the thing. I don't think Damian is good enough. He's a definite notch below Curry and while I think he's "very good" he's not "great" (and probably never will be).

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Is that the exception or the rule?

I'm not saying it's impossible, but even with all of that smart drafting and Morey's "Moneyball" approach, it still took a major free agent picking Houston to put them into the conversation as a top 4 team in the west. not to disparage Portland, but it isn't (and never will be) a free agent destination for those highly coveted All-Star/All-NBA types.

Every championship team is an exception. If a champion is ever built in Portland, it will be an exception too.

 

[B-Roy]

Is that the exception or the rule?

I'm not saying it's impossible, but even with all of that smart drafting and Morey's "Moneyball" approach, it still took a major free agent picking Houston to put them into the conversation as a top 4 team in the west. not to disparage Portland, but it isn't (and never will be) a free agent destination for those highly coveted All-Star/All-NBA types.

Since when was Houston a destination city? It wasn't until Harden became a super-star.

I tend to agree that Portland is never going to sign a superstar, but I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to sign a really good player. Hell, Greg Monroe almost picked us this past off-season but instead chose Milwaukee who is ironically in a very similar position as the Blazers - just further along in the process.

 

[Orion Bailey]

This!!



And this....

I asked in another thread, conveniently know one had a good answer.

What is one more lottery pick going to do to help this team, other than be a potential trade offering in the offseason?
I mean with how many we already have, what is one more really going to do? Especially when he will more than likely be a few years younger than the core we are trying to build around Dame?

Why aren't people embracing the guys we have and wanting them to develop? Another lotto pick means another guy to develop, taking coaching time away from who we already have.

If we make the lottery then this means our team is a lot worse than we/I thought and most of our new acquisitions have not panned out and our other guys didn't take the next step we were hoping for. If we miss the lottery and are in contention for the 8th spot, NORMALLY that's a dead zone, but with this young roster full of upside? Id much rather just miss the playoffs this year, than be a lotto pick. Im pretty sure anyone with long term thoughts on this team will see the reasoning behind my opinion... I hope.

Is that the exception or the rule?

I'm not saying it's impossible, but even with all of that smart drafting and Morey's "Moneyball" approach, it still took a major free agent picking Houston to put them into the conversation as a top 4 team in the west. not to disparage Portland, but it isn't (and never will be) a free agent destination for those highly coveted All-Star/All-NBA types.

Here's the thing. I don't think Damian is good enough. He's a definite notch below Curry and while I think he's "very good" he's not "great" (and probably never will be).

Blah... Meh... Answer the question please. Substantiate your opinion. Validate yours and debunk mine please...

 

[Natebishop3]

Great so if that happens and we end up winning more games because of it, are you going to be angry we end up picking 14th?

I'm in rebuilding mode, wins and losses don't mean much to me. I usually base success on how I see our guys developing. If we win games and our guys look great, all the better. If we lose and our guys are showing encouraging signs of growth, that's fine too. I'm not going to be "angry" either way.