Tank for Wembanyama

[Hoopguru]

I think he's saying "don't get projects". But it makes for a much more sexy headline to imply otherwise.

Yep, and thats exactly what he should say.
Wer have enough assets to acquire 1 or two really good players and then fill with seasoned vets like other contenders do.

 

[Hoopguru]

We're in a position where we care about the team's well-being after he retires. He doesn't have to give a shit about the team after he retires. Our priorities are very different. In this case I would tell Dame to try and understand that the franchise can't destroy itself for him (any more than it already has)

I think he will give a shit after he retires. How would you now what in Dames mind or heart? This is exactly what pisses him off, when people/fans think for him.

 

[Everything Beagle]

The last time the Blazers were one or two pieces away was spring 1989.

 

[Everything Beagle]

I think he will give a shit after he retires. How would you now what in Dames mind or heart? This is exactly what pisses him off, when people/fans think for him.

I said he doesn't have to, not that he definitely won't. I am not disparaging Dame. I love him. I want him to retire both a Blazer and a champion. But I also love the Blazers, and don't see the benefit of trading our future away for a chance to maybe see if a bunch of veterans gel with Dame.

 

[BankTeller]

I think he will give a shit after he retires. How would you now what in Dames mind or heart? This is exactly what pisses him off, when people/fans think for him.

He might give a shit, but he doesn’t have to give a shit.

No one is actually thinking for him. A lot of us just think making an all-in move right now isn’t a smart decision.

 

[42N8Bounce]

Walker or Whitmore?

C. Taylor Hendricks

Even if the Blazers don't move up, and draft between 5-8, I think some quality players will still be there.

My guess in the top 5 (no particular order):
- Victor Wembanyama
- Scoot Henderson
- Brandon Miller
- Amen Thompson
- Ausar Thompson

I think there's a good group of wings available in the next tier:
- Taylor Hendricks
- Jarace Walker
- Cam Whitmore
- Gradey Dick

There's a lot of potential 'sleepers' in this draft. I like:
- Brandin Podziemski
- Noah Clowney
- Kyle Filipowski
- Trayce Jackson-Davis
- Zach Edey

The Blazers currently have 3 picks in this draft. My guess is they trade at least one to upgrade talent for the 'now'. My hope is they trade their late 1st rounder, and not the lottery 1st rounder.

 

[BankTeller]

C. Taylor Hendricks

Even if the Blazers don't move up, and draft between 5-8, I think some quality players will still be there.

My guess in the top 5 (no particular order):
- Victor Wembanyama
- Scoot Henderson
- Brandon Miller
- Amen Thompson
- Ausar Thompson

I think there's a good group of wings available in the next tier:
- Taylor Hendricks
- Jarace Walker
- Cam Whitmore
- Gradey Dick

There's a lot of potential 'sleepers' in this draft. I like:
- Brandin Podziemski
- Noah Clowney
- Kyle Filipowski
- Trayce Jackon-Davis
- Zach Edey

The Blazers currently have 3 picks in this draft. My guess is they trade at least one to upgrade talent for the 'now'. My hope is they trade their late 1st rounder, and not the lottery 1st rounder.

I would’ve said Hendricks as well if he was one of the options. I think the consensus is Whitmore and Walker are possible sneak-ins to the top 5 and that the talent dropoff happens after 7.

If we had #6 and it came to Whitmore or Walker, I’d probably try to trade down a couple spots and grab Hendricks. Hendricks would be my Plan B if the first 5 you have on your board are gone. Honestly, I’m not high on Gradey Dick for this team.

Hendricks, Whitmore, Walker in that order for me.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

We're not contending next year or the year after regardless; I don't know what Dame expects from the braintrust.

Plus he shouldn't push to hand out fat overpaid contacts to GP2, Nurk, Ant, even himself Blevins style then wonder why we have a lack of means to surround him with veteran talent.

I don't remember Duncan or Nowitzki doing that.

 

[TBpup]

If he truly feels like this it scares me about Sharpe, also if we land Wemby there’s no chance in hell we trade him and the organization/fans are gonna have to settle for a Wemby/Sharpe era.

Those two together are guaranteed to win at least as many Conference Finals games as any team since the Sabonis Blazers.

 

[Hoopguru]

He might give a shit, but he doesn’t have to give a shit.

No one is actually thinking for him. A lot of us just think making an all-in move right now isn’t a smart decision.

Thats cool, I respect your take on this.

 

[Hoopguru]

I said he doesn't have to, not that he definitely won't. I am not disparaging Dame. I love him. I want him to retire both a Blazer and a champion. But I also love the Blazers, and don't see the benefit of trading our future away for a chance to maybe see if a bunch of veterans gel with Dame.

But it's Dame Time, isnt it?

To me it's simple. If there's an opportunity to get an outstanding bonafide 2 way front line player that could help, trade whoever, except Dame.
We may or may not need to trade Shae?

 

[Bingo Bango]

A "rest" designation, though, is clearly hogwash. The NBA can act more easily on that designation and (hopefully) punish the Mavericks.

Huh? What kind of logic is that? You think Dallas should be punished for being more transparent about their tanking? Sounds like you’re playing the same silly game the NBA is by refusing to believe tanking is going on until someone points it out to them. If anything, Portland should be the team that gets punished, since the “injury” lie is farther from the truth than the “resting” lie, and since Portland has been tanking for two weeks rather than the one game that Dallas tanked.

 

[Chris Craig]

Huh? What kind of logic is that? You think Dallas should be punished for being more transparent about their tanking? Sounds like you’re playing the same silly game the NBA is by refusing to believe tanking is going on until someone points it out to them. If anything, Portland should be the team that gets punished, since the “injury” lie is farther from the truth than the “resting” lie.

I agree it's pretty stupid to punish teams for tanking when the NBA incentivizes teams to do it in the first place.

 

[Bingo Bango]

I agree it's pretty stupid to punish teams for tanking when the NBA incentivizes teams to do it in the first place.

How does the NBA incentivize tanking?

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Huh? What kind of logic is that? You think Dallas should be punished for being more transparent about their tanking? Sounds like you’re playing the same silly game the NBA is by refusing to believe tanking is going on until someone points it out to them. If anything, Portland should be the team that gets punished, since the “injury” lie is farther from the truth than the “resting” lie, and since Portland has been tanking for two weeks rather than the one game that Dallas tanked.

Ed O comment is based on facts of what will happen. Your comment is a bunch of your personal feelings of what you prefer.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

How does the NBA incentivize tanking?

By giving draft picks out by inverse of record.

 

[Everything Beagle]

But it's Dame Time, isnt it?

To me it's simple. If there's an opportunity to get an outstanding bonafide 2 way front line player that could help, trade whoever, except Dame.
We may or may not need to trade Shae?

I’m happy for you. It’s not that simple for me.

 

[illmatic99]

so fun fact.

i currently live approx 5 miles from where the lottery will take place at the NBA offices in Secaucus, NJ.

what can i do on May 16 to sway the Lottery Gods to help us out here?

 

[Hoopguru]

so fun fact.

i currently live approx 5 miles from where the lottery will take place at the NBA offices in Secaucus, NJ.

what can i do on May 16 to sway the Lottery Gods to help us out here?

Something to do with Bill Walton as he was a#1 and a Blazer World Champ!

 

[blazerkor]

Plus he shouldn't push to hand out fat overpaid contacts to GP2, Nurk, Ant, even himself Blevins style then wonder why we have a lack of means to surround him with veteran talent.

I don't remember Duncan or Nowitzki doing that.

Link?

 

[Loyalty4Life]

Dame has said he won't do a draft process twice now after taking a two year mega extension. If the right circumstances come along, you trade him if that's what it takes. He's basically saying he's not onboard to keep Victor if they land the first pick. That's not putting the team first.

And I'd rather trade him now at his peak value versus him saying he wouldn't mind being traded, which lowers his value.

 

[inconceivable]

Dame has said he won't do a draft process twice now after taking a two year mega extension. If the right circumstances come along, you trade him if that's what it takes. He's basically saying he's not onboard to keep Victor if they land the first pick. That's not putting the team first.

And I'd rather trade him now at his peak value versus him saying he wouldn't mind being traded, which lowers his value.

When we get first pick, we will probably explore if Giannis, Joel, or Joker could be had, if not, we draft and keep Wemby. Dame must understand that

 

[Natebishop3]

so fun fact.

i currently live approx 5 miles from where the lottery will take place at the NBA offices in Secaucus, NJ.

what can i do on May 16 to sway the Lottery Gods to help us out here?

You moved from bend to NJ?

 

[Chris Craig]

When we get first pick, we will probably explore if Giannis, Joel, or Joker could be had, if not, we draft and keep Wemby. Dame must understand that

Giannis and Joker can't be had. Joel can.

 

[illmatic99]

You moved from bend to NJ?

Yes.

 

[C_note]

Yes.

Lol

 

[Pinwheel1]

Giannis and Joker can't be had. Joel can.

Why is that? Isn't he the front-runner for MVP this year? Does he want to be moved?

 

[TBpup]

Why is that? Isn't he the front-runner for MVP this year? Does he want to be moved?

There are some rumblings in Philly that if Harden leaves via FA'cy, that Embiid will want out.

 

[Chris Craig]

Why is that? Isn't he the front-runner for MVP this year? Does he want to be moved?

He's the only one of three that might even want to be moved. Philly has been on a treadmill and when Harden inevitably leaves, I can see Joel wanting out. He likes Dame and I think is one of the guys that Dame has been talking about.

 

[THE HCP]

I’d like to see the Blazers try to beat Golden State … if Indy and Orlando win … which is looking okay at the half.
Scoreboard watching! Gotta be happy!

And in wierd news …
Mikal Bridges kept his streak alive for never missing a college or a pro game by checking in … immediately fouling … and checking out. 4 seconds. He gets a mulligan on this one as it is his 83rd game this year … and missing his 84th potential game wasn’t a miss as he was inactive, trade pending when he went to Brooklyn … so sayeth the NBA.
It all counts! Can’t make this stuff up.

The record books will never reflect it. I remember a couple AC Green games they did the same for him during his infamous streak.