Tank for Wembanyama

[e_blazer]

I'm a little puzzsled by those wanting to get into the playoffs and believing that will be a new season and anything can happen. I believe that even if Grant and Simons and Nurkic were all healthy by the playoff time, this is not a team that can go far in the playoffs. They would need a fortunate matchup to win even one series. This team is not ready yet. They need a strong addition. Cronin understands that; that's why he is doing nothing to make them stronger right now. Getting a lottery pick could help them get someone to pair with Lillard.
I'm rooting for a lottery pick.

Based on everything Cronin has said about going all-in this summer, I think the plan is to use multiple picks and players to trade for someone like Siakam or Towns. An established, All-Star level player is what is needed to compete in Dame’s window, not someone who may be ready to make a difference in three years. I don’t have any illusions about being anything but a one and done in the playoffs, but making the postseason means Chicago gets the Blazers’ first rounder, clearing the way for trading the Knick’s pick and multiple future firsts to get the player we need.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

Based on everything Cronin has said about going all-in this summer, I think the plan is to use multiple picks and players to trade for someone like Siakam or Towns. An established, All-Star level player is what is needed to compete in Dame’s window, not someone who may be ready to make a difference in three years. I don’t have any illusions about being anything but a one and done in the playoffs, but making the postseason means Chicago gets the Blazers’ first rounder, clearing the way for trading the Knick’s pick and multiple future firsts to get the player we need.

Im sure im late to the game on this, but thanks for that. The lightbulb just went on. We need to make the playoffs to take that big swing.
Tanking is fully off the table for me.

 

[LayneStaley]

Who said Wemby is soft? Can block shots and defend on perimeter.



Anything can happen, let’s get after it. We’re right there. Then he scored 71 in 39 minutes. Maybe anything can happen?

I just assumed he was soft from the fact he got bull rushed and dunked on by some 250 lb no name euro. That and the fact his limbs look like they are about to snap off like twigs.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Love can be irrational, my friend. Not saying others don't love the team, but the love of the excitement of a win inside the moda outweighs the common sense of a higher draft pick becoming an asset.
I am not sure if this holds true for other game attendees, but its a large part of it for me.
I also have a long commute and when it starts to become, “lets drive to the moda and fight that hell traffic to witness another loss”, it becomes easier to lose interest and i don't want that.
I also disagree with your assessment of a fully healthy squad. Do i think they are true contenders? No. Do i think they are good enough to take advantage of some luck and get to the conf. Finals? I do. And to me, thats worth it.
This team has had very few games together healthy. Dame is on a complete terror aNd i think the other players are buying into the ‘Dame time’ wave thats splashing over the country right now. Its gonna motivate them to play their best. Ant looks like he will be back for the playoffs, giving us three 20ppg players. We have weapons. When healthy, we should be able to play good defense with the recent moves.
Lets play hard and see what the next ten games give us. If we go less than 6-4, i might see a different light.

I understand what you are saying but i think back to when i was a kid and the Cleveland Indians finished last every year, but every Spring I would look at the roster and think if these two guys could just have career years and thes young guys improve some and so and imagine how they could win the pennant. Hope definitely springs eternal.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Based on everything Cronin has said about going all-in this summer, I think the plan is to use multiple picks and players to trade for someone like Siakam or Towns. An established, All-Star level player is what is needed to compete in Dame’s window, not someone who may be ready to make a difference in three years. I don’t have any illusions about being anything but a one and done in the playoffs, but making the postseason means Chicago gets the Blazers’ first rounder, clearing the way for trading the Knick’s pick and multiple future firsts to get the player we need.

That makes sense but I think a lottery pick and New York pick and some of our players should be enough. And the value of a lottery pick right now should be worth more than a couple future FRP's. And I just can't imagine it would be that difficult to get the condition off that pick if more was necessary.

 

[e_blazer]

That makes sense but I think a lottery pick and New York pick and some of our players should be enough. And the value of a lottery pick right now should be worth more than a couple future FRP's. And I just can't imagine it would be that difficult to get the condition off that pick if more was necessary.

Yeah, I’m not saying what I laid out is the only route, but I think it’s the plan given that Dame is healthy, playing otherworldly basketball, and wants to make the playoffs. I also think that when Nurk, Simons and Winslow get healthy, the Blazers can be pretty darn good.

 

[Chris Craig]

Yeah, I’m not saying what I laid out is the only route, but I think it’s the plan given that Dame is healthy, playing otherworldly basketball, and wants to make the playoffs. I also think that when Nurk, Simons and Winslow get healthy, the Blazers can be pretty darn good.

By then it will be too late.

 

[Haakzilla]

 

[AngryFan]

Based on everything Cronin has said about going all-in this summer, I think the plan is to use multiple picks and players to trade for someone like Siakam or Towns. An established, All-Star level player is what is needed to compete in Dame’s window, not someone who may be ready to make a difference in three years. I don’t have any illusions about being anything but a one and done in the playoffs, but making the postseason means Chicago gets the Blazers’ first rounder, clearing the way for trading the Knick’s pick and multiple future firsts to get the player we need.

Please, please, please Blazers do not do this. You could add either of those guys to the existing team and they still wouldn’t be close to contending.

I don’t think you realize how dangerous that would be. You trade our future like that and we still aren’t contenders and you risk losing a good portion of the fan base.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Based on everything Cronin has said about going all-in this summer, I think the plan is to use multiple picks and players to trade for someone like Siakam or Towns. An established, All-Star level player is what is needed to compete in Dame’s window, not someone who may be ready to make a difference in three years. I don’t have any illusions about being anything but a one and done in the playoffs, but making the postseason means Chicago gets the Blazers’ first rounder, clearing the way for trading the Knick’s pick and multiple future firsts to get the player we need.

Towns is my great fear. If we trade for him I swear I'll give up on NBA basketball.

 

[Terkish]

Having our pick tied up in Chicago is really hurting our chances of trading for an all star to pair with Dame. Look at the recent player movement. 4 1sts for Gobert. 4 for Durant (PLUS Bridges and Johnson).
Right now our picks would be 10 & 23 for this year's draft. That's not gonna do it.
Hoping we get extremely lucky in the draft AND New York drops just enough to barely make the playoffs seems like a much bigger risk than getting into the playoffs and lose in the first round so our future picks are freed up.

 

[STOMP]

Yeah, I’m not saying what I laid out is the only route, but I think it’s the plan given that Dame is healthy, playing otherworldly basketball, and wants to make the playoffs. I also think that when Nurk, Simons and Winslow get healthy, the Blazers can be pretty darn good.

Why? The Blazers were very average when those guys were healthy earlier this year. Thybulle & Reddish are an upgrade over Hart & a compromised GPII, but I don't see them rising above the mediocre malaise if they were whole. Hell, they were just blown out at home by a mediocre W's team which was missing 2 All Stars... going into that game they were 6-23 on the road this year.

STOMP

 

[AngryFan]

Having our pick tied up in Chicago is really hurting our chances of trading for an all star to pair with Dame. Look at the recent player movement. 4 1sts for Gobert. 4 for Durant (PLUS Bridges and Johnson).
Right now our picks would be 10 & 23 for this year's draft. That's not gonna do it.
Hoping we get extremely lucky in the draft AND New York drops just enough to barely make the playoffs seems like a much bigger risk than getting into the playoffs and lose in the first round so our future picks are freed up.

I don't get this infatuation with going all in. Is it just to be able to say that you did?

So you trade everything for Towns, Siakam or Butler... then what? You would have 2 all-stars surrounded by the worst supporting cast in NBA history. And you would have no way to fill out the roster and change that.

The Celtics have 2 stars and Brogdon off the bench. The Bucks have Middleton coming off the bench. The Warriors just slapped us around without Curry or Wiggins. What is the point of gutting our future when you have no path to assembling a roster that can compete with these?

 

[UKBlazer]

I don't get this infatuation with going all in. Is it just to be able to say that you did?

So you trade everything for Towns, Siakam or Butler... then what? You would have 2 all-stars surrounded by the worst supporting cast in NBA history. And you would have no way to fill out the roster and change that.

The Celtics have 2 stars and Brogdon off the bench. The Bucks have Middleton coming off the bench. The Warriors just slapped us around without Curry or Wiggins. What is the point of gutting our future when you have no path to assembling a roster that can compete with these?

You know the answer, it's to satisfy Dame's ever shrinking win-now window. So they can look back and say they tried.

For what it's worth though, I agree with you. Towns, Siakam and Butler wouldn't move the needle significantly enough with our current roster, let alone gutting it completely in order to get them.

The 'all-in' move only makes sense if it's an Embiid, Jokic or Giannis, which are all unrealistic.

To me, the sensible play is to build on what we have with clever drafting and trades. Easier said than done.

Perhaps then Dame can win a ring with Portland as a vet. He can still play way into his 30s.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

Im a bit confused. It seems some of the same people who are upset we don't have enough assets also say there is no way to swing big here and need to draft our studs.
Arent assets for trades?
Meaning if e only option is to draft a winning team, then why care about assets to swing big?

 

[AngryFan]

Im a bit confused. It seems some of the same people who are upset we don't have enough assets also say there is no way to swing big here and need to draft our studs.
Arent assets for trades?
Meaning if e only option is to draft a winning team, then why care about assets to swing big?

What are you talking about? We have nothing of value to trade for this 2nd all-star except Shaedon and picks. People don't want to trade Shaedon or the picks when they know it is a dead end.

If you want to trade the rest go for it. You won't be getting a star back but sure trade them all.

 

[e_blazer]

Why? The Blazers were very average when those guys were healthy earlier this year. Thybulle & Reddish are an upgrade over Hart & a compromised GPII, but I don't see them rising above the mediocre malaise if they were whole. Hell, they were just blown out at home by a mediocre W's team which was missing 2 All Stars... going into that game they were 6-23 on the road this year.

STOMP

Last night’s game doesn’t really say anything about how a healthy Blazers team will do:

A. It was on the road, not at home.

B. The Blazers we’re missing two starters and a prime reserve.

C. The Blazers had no backup PG at all. Keon was a total disaster and the Warriors made their run with Dame on the bench.

The Blazers really haven’t been healthy since the first 20 games or so of the season. The bench has constantly been shorthanded as better bench players were pulled into the starting lineup. As a result, the Blazers have been at the tail end of bench production all year. I’m looking forward to how the longer new guys improve that situation once Simons, Nurk and Winslow are available. If they don’t come back soon, it won’t make any difference in the Blazers being able to claw their way back into the playoffs, but it will be instructive for Cronin’s plans next summer.

 

[STOMP]

Last night’s game doesn’t really say anything about how a healthy Blazers team will do:

A. It was on the road, not at home.

B. The Blazers we’re missing two starters and a prime reserve.

C. The Blazers had no backup PG at all. Keon was a total disaster and the Warriors made their run with Dame on the bench.

Sorry about my home/away mixup... being a Bay Area resident, my access through the pass was blocked last night. Nonetheless, Portland missing Nurk, Simons & Winslow pales in comparison to what the very mediocre Warriors were missing (Curry, Wiggins, Payton). Whining about the Blazers having no backup PG is rich when the W's had none either. I don't know how you're turning a blind eye to that. That game is just another example on top of the mountain of evidence that the 2022-3 Trailblazers are not good no matter how healthy the roster is.

STOMP

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

What are you talking about? We have nothing of value to trade for this 2nd all-star except Shaedon and picks. People don't want to trade Shaedon or the picks when they know it is a dead end.

If you want to trade the rest go for it. You won't be getting a star back but sure trade them all.

Im talking aBout exactly what I'm talking about.
For those angry we never take chances, the only way to take a chance is to make the playoffs to free up our future firsts for a big trade.
So for those who want to try to land a difference maker with say, Ants salary and a bunch of future firsts, we need to win now.

It seems some who complain about not swinging big are also the ones who want to tank, preventing us from attempting a big swing.

 

[AngryFan]

Im talking aBout exactly what I'm talking about.
For those angry we never take chances, the only way to take a chance is to make the playoffs to free up our future firsts for a big trade.
So for those who want to try to land a difference maker with say, Ants salary and a bunch of future firsts, we need to win now.

It seems some who complain about not swinging big are also the ones who want to tank, preventing us from attempting a big swing.

Well then you are completely misreading the room. The people wanting to tank are not the ones that want to trade the future away.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

Well then you are completely misreading the room. The people wanting to tank are not the ones that want to trade the future away.

How long you been around here? Im not speaking of the last weeks worth of posts. This perception stretches over a few years now.

 

[e_blazer]

Sorry about my home/away mixup... being a Bay Area resident, my access through the pass was blocked last night. Nonetheless, Portland missing Nurk, Simons & Winslow pales in comparison to what the very mediocre Warriors were missing (Curry, Wiggins, Payton). Whining about the Blazers having no backup PG is rich when the W's had none either. I don't know how you're turning a blind eye to that. That game is just another example on top of the mountain of evidence that the 2022-3 Trailblazers are not good no matter how healthy the roster is.

STOMP

Good grief, man. Where did I say that a healthy Blazers team is better than a healthy Warriors squad? Healthy, the Warriors are a threat to make the WCF. Healthy, the Blazers could win a play-in and get bounced in the first round. Your comment about the Warriors not having a backup PG seems a bit bizarre to me when both Poole and Green are fully capable of running the point. Keon isn’t fully capable of dribbling.

I guess I have a higher expectation for the Blazers than you do, but I’m hardly under any illusion that they are contenders. I’m just saying that I think the roster, when healthy, is a pretty good one given how middling most of the West teams are this season. Seeing what the length of Reddish and the defense of Thybulle would add to the mix is interesting to me. Your mileage appears to differ and I’m not going to try to convince you otherwise.

 

[STOMP]

Good grief, man. Where did I say that a healthy Blazers team is better than a healthy Warriors squad?

The Warriors have been mediocre all year. When they’ve been healthy, they’ve been mediocre too. They're 500 with and without Curry. I’ve no idea where you’re pulling this optimism about PDX’s roster being "pretty darned good" from as it seems groundless compared to the well established mediocre rut they’ve established.

As for the W's PG situation... Green is the primary guy running the Point for them. Steph is their 2nd option. Since 20 games in or so (when healthy) they always keep one of those two guys on the court after accepting that Poole is a 2 (Kerr has spoken at length about this). Poole may not be as terrible at it as Keon, but he’s a pretty piss poor option for running an offense.

STOMP

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Tonight's game against Pelicans was important. They had lost four straight and were threatening to overtake us in the race to the bottom. Good job,blazers!

 

[STOMP]

Lets go Victor!

STOMP

 

[TBpup]

Blazers up to #9 and only 4 games out of the #5 spot with a lengthy road trip coming up.

This team needs talent. All Dame's points don't translate to enough wins. They need talent.....and toughness. There is precious little of both.

 

[Samuel]

As we get closer to the end of the season the ‘games back’ metric starts to mean a lot less given how many teams are in the way…

 

[AngryFan]

I was wearing my tinfoil hat and realized the conspiracy that is playing out in front of our eyes. The NBA is going to gift us Wembanyama to make the Blazers worth top dollar in the upcoming sale.

It all makes sense. The reason we're so short is because Cronin knows that Wemby is coming.

 

[Chris Craig]

If the Blazers somehow get Wemby, which I don't believe is going to happen, I hope his knees don't implode into black holes as soon as he puts on a Blazers jersey.

 

[Natebishop3]

If the Blazers somehow get Wemby, which I don't believe is going to happen, I hope his knees don't implode into black holes as soon as he puts on a Blazers jersey.

Oh they will. I think they will anyway.