Two different teams

[Rastapopoulos]

One Blazer team is more half-court and starts Ayton, Grant and Brogdon.
The other is fast-paced and exciting and features young'uns Shae, Camara, Walker and (finally showing signs he belongs) Scoot.

Seems like Ant fits better on the first team, with the old'uns, while comparatively old'uns Reath and Mattisse fit better on the run-and-gun other team.

Clearly the second team is the future, and having enjoyed watching it the past few games (apart from a few patches) I'm ready to shed the first team by the trade deadline. Arguably the most redundant is Ayton, which is awkward, because he'll be hardest to offload.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

If Mo can replicate what he's shown in the past couple of days (G-League then vs. Clippers) he's a keeper (finally). Rebounding like his namesake!

 

[BankTeller]

What in the blue hell is this thread? Why are we trying to offload DA already when SOO many people on here wanted him? Talking about being ready to shed Ant after just three games back from injury, then discrediting any rationale you could’ve had by saying Harkless is a “keeper” if he rebounds well in a few games in the GL. You’re really that excited about a future with Duop Reath as the starting C?

Stop.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

What in the blue hell is this thread? Why are we trying to offload DA already when SOO many people on here wanted him? Talking about being ready to shed Ant after just three games back from injury, then discrediting any rationale you could’ve had by saying Harkless is a “keeper” if he rebounds well in a few games in the GL. You’re really that excited about a future with Duop Reath as the starting C?

Stop.

Hilarious Mo confusion there.

 

[THE HCP]

If Mo can replicate what he's shown in the past couple of days (G-League then vs. Clippers) he's a keeper (finally). Rebounding like his namesake!

One of my favorites growing up!!!!

 

[Whyachi]

What in the blue hell is this thread? Why are we trying to offload DA already when SOO many people on here wanted him? Talking about being ready to shed Ant after just three games back from injury, then discrediting any rationale you could’ve had by saying Harkless is a “keeper” if he rebounds well in a few games in the GL. You’re really that excited about a future with Duop Reath as the starting C?

Stop.

Vulcan ownership approves all trade-a-Blazer activities. Finding ways to unload long term salary for draft picks needs one more go around by this trade deadline. With a former #1 pick on a moderate max salary... Deandre could be rescued by a contender for scrubs and picks. Jody Allen has no issues saying OK to whatever plans Joe Cronin has to save the team cash.

 

[BankTeller]

Vulcan ownership approves all trade-a-Blazer activities. Finding ways to unload long term salary for draft picks needs one more go around by this trade deadline. With a former #1 pick on a moderate max salary... Deandre could be rescued by a contender for scrubs and picks. Jody Allen has no issues saying OK to whatever plans Joe Cronin has to save the team cash.

I think his value is currently less than what it took to acquire him. I don’t think taking back scrubs and a late 1st or a bad future 1st is worth getting rid of his contract. Two years after this season is hardly considered long term salary, and we still have to hit a salary floor.

Not wanting to trade Brogdon because “he’s a good vet, he impacts winning” and then trading DA to start Reath for the rest of the season would just disregard that original sentiment.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Last ten games stats. Compare Ayton's +/- to Reath's. Yikes.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Today's last ten games stats. Again, the +/- scores are pretty schizophrenic

Obviously the solution to our problems is to give all Anfernee's minutes to Kris Murray, and all Ayton's minutes to Duop Reath.

 

[MarinerDNA]

Many of us thought Ayton "just needed to get away from Phoenix" and Monte. I was partly in that camp. I thought we'd see statistical increase across the board from him. At the very least, I thought he would at least be on the floor for 70 games, unlike Nurk. That in itself would be an upgrade. I don't know what would motivate him at this point.

 

[riverman]

Many of us thought Ayton "just needed to get away from Phoenix" and Monte. I was partly in that camp. I thought we'd see statistical increase across the board from him. At the very least, I thought he would at least be on the floor for 70 games, unlike Nurk. That in itself would be an upgrade. I don't know what would motivate him at this point.

I don't think Chauncey schemes to get him touches much at all. Our guards and wings seem to love the 3 ball even though we suck shooting it. Feed the big man for a change...get the old fashioned 3 pt play. Ayton is a good free throw shooter.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

I don't think Chauncey schemes to get him touches much at all. Our guards and wings seem to love the 3 ball even though we suck shooting it. Feed the big man for a change...get the old fashioned 3 pt play. Ayton is a good free throw shooter.

and one of the smoothest mid range jump shots I’ve ever seen from a center.

 

[HansenYang]

Many of us thought Ayton "just needed to get away from Phoenix" and Monte. I was partly in that camp. I thought we'd see statistical increase across the board from him. At the very least, I thought he would at least be on the floor for 70 games, unlike Nurk. That in itself would be an upgrade. I don't know what would motivate him at this point.

It's not that he's not 'motivated' or is coasting -> it's just who Ayton is.

He's passive. That's a different challenge/issue than motivation.

Ayton can be a very good player - he has a lot of skills. But he doesn't have the mindset to dominate.... it's not in his nature.

This is my primary concern with Sharpe as well. However, I've seen enough flashes to still have hope.

 

[B-Roy]

I don't think Chauncey schemes to get him touches much at all. Our guards and wings seem to love the 3 ball even though we suck shooting it. Feed the big man for a change...get the old fashioned 3 pt play. Ayton is a good free throw shooter.

I’m convinced people that say stuff like this aren’t watching the games.

 

[Strenuus]

It's not that he's not 'motivated' or is coasting -> it's just who Ayton is.

He's passive. That's a different challenge/issue than motivation.

Ayton can be a very good player - he has a lot of skills. But he doesn't have the mindset to dominate.... it's not in his nature.

This is my primary concern with Sharpe as well. However, I've seen enough flashes to still have hope.

The irony of "he doesn't have the mindset to dominate" lol considering his nickname (though I don't know if it was himself that coined it).

Because he most certainly is not dominating lol

 

[riverman]

I’m convinced people that say stuff like this aren’t watching the games.

Actually I listen to most games on the radio and watch highlights on youtube but if it makes you feel more accomplished as a fan, have fun with that. Better yet just offer your expert opinion and let them speak for themselves eh? I think Ayton is underused in the offense

 

[Stevenson]

Anyone who spends any time here knows that our pal @riverman is a great and knowledgeable fan. You don't have to denigrate his acumen just because you have a different take.

And anyway, I agree with him. Ayton is being underused.

 

[B-Roy]

Actually I listen to most games on the radio and watch highlights on youtube but if it makes you feel more accomplished as a fan, have fun with that. Better yet just offer your expert opinion and let them speak for themselves eh? I think Ayton is underused in the offense

Explains a ton why you would have this opinion.

Also, I’m not sure why you’re angry when you just validated my opinion?

 

[Samuel]

Explains a ton why you would have this opinion.

Also, I’m not sure why you’re angry when you just validated my opinion?

What if it was both?

what if ayton was passive, maybe in a bit of a funk for whatever reason (literally don’t care) and Chauncey didn’t scheme enough around him?

nah—couldn’t be!

 

[riverman]

Explains a ton why you would have this opinion.

Also, I’m not sure why you’re angry when you just validated my opinion?

dude I'm not at all angry....and watching youtube highlights or game recaps is actually watching games it's just not live....I've listened to games all my life on the radio. and like I said. whatever your fan experience is, you enjoy that. If I can watch a game I will do that but it's not the only way to enjoy the sport. It's all on the internet later to check out after the game is over. I haven't bought league pass since Stotts was fired.

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

Yeah, two different teams: One I enjoy watching and one I don't.

Ant & Grant seem to have a desire to take on the "Dame" mantel. They seem to play their version of hero ball. Both have skills but neither seems a great team player.

Yeah, the team struggled a lot while those two were out but they also seemed more of a "team" and more focused on playing nitty-gritty Billups-ball. They had a long way to go to be good, but they had effort and you could see potential hope down the road.

With Ant & Grant, I just envision many more years of, at best, mediocre semi-hero ball teams. They are probably our two best scorers but overall we just don't seem to gel as a team as well with them there. As someone else pointed out, they seem determined to "get theirs". I don't know if that is it or they don't trust the rest of the team or they just think they are "the man" or what, but I don't enjoy watching that "team" play.

 

[B-Roy]

dude I'm not at all angry....and watching youtube highlights or game recaps is actually watching games it's just not live....I've listened to games all my life on the radio. and like I said. whatever your fan experience is, you enjoy that. If I can watch a game I will do that but it's not the only way to enjoy the sport. It's all on the internet later to check out after the game is over. I haven't bought league pass since Stotts was fired.

Cool. If you have been watching the games you’d see how Aytons problems are mostly his own fault. You wouldn’t be able to see from highlights or radio calls.

 

[B-Roy]

What if it was both?

what if ayton was passive, maybe in a bit of a funk for whatever reason (literally don’t care) and Chauncey didn’t scheme enough around him?

nah—couldn’t be!

He has way more problems than being soft and passive.

 

[Samuel]

He has way more problems than being soft and passive.

Cool. That doesn’t mean Chauncey’s schemes prioritize Ayton enough.

yes, and yes.

 

[blazerkor]

Yeah, two different teams: One I enjoy watching and one I don't.

Ant & Grant seem to have a desire to take on the "Dame" mantel. They seem to play their version of hero ball. Both have skills but neither seems a great team player.

Yeah, the team struggled a lot while those two were out but they also seemed more of a "team" and more focused on playing nitty-gritty Billups-ball. They had a long way to go to be good, but they had effort and you could see potential hope down the road.

With Ant & Grant, I just envision many more years of, at best, mediocre semi-hero ball teams. They are probably our two best scorers but overall we just don't seem to gel as a team as well with them there. As someone else pointed out, they seem determined to "get theirs". I don't know if that is it or they don't trust the rest of the team or they just think they are "the man" or what, but I don't enjoy watching that "team" play.

I'm inclined to believe that Grant is being featured and will be traded before the deadline. Ant is a mystery to me. He is trying harder on defense but him playing outside the offense fucks up the type of player movement that translates on both ends. I would be thrilled if we were featuring him to be traded as well but I'm not holding my breath and I wouldn't want to take less than I think Ant is worth.

Grant will have several suitors and I think we'll get decent value for him but he's 30 and just a half step up from your typical 3 and D guy. Ant is a different story, he's 24 can score from anywhere on the floor, he's shown that he is effective on offense both with the ball and off of it. I think he has the athletic tools to be a decent defender too. He should have really high value with a team like Toronto where they have a play making big forward like Barnes who is Ant's age, they would be a wicked pairing for a long time. The problem is Masai wants to dominate every deal and I think they'd have to give up Dick and two unprotected FRPs for Ant for me to be happy. Ant still has all star potential but he's just not the right guy to play next to Shae and I think Shae has superstar potential.

 

[Hoopguru]

This is Ant's sixth season with us he's probably ready for a change in scenery.

 

[Tince]

This is Ant's sixth season with us he's probably ready for a change in scenery.

You think Ant wants out?

 

[blazerkor]

This is Ant's sixth season with us he's probably ready for a change in scenery.

That would be so cool but again only if we get the kind of value that makes sense.

 

[Blazinaway]

I'm inclined to believe that Grant is being featured and will be traded before the deadline. Ant is a mystery to me. He is trying harder on defense but him playing outside the offense fucks up the type of player movement that translates on both ends. I would be thrilled if we were featuring him to be traded as well but I'm not holding my breath and I wouldn't want to take less than I think Ant is worth.

Grant will have several suitors and I think we'll get decent value for him but he's 30 and just a half step up from your typical 3 and D guy. Ant is a different story, he's 24 can score from anywhere on the floor, he's shown that he is effective on offense both with the ball and off of it. I think he has the athletic tools to be a decent defender too. He should have really high value with a team like Toronto where they have a play making big forward like Barnes who is Ant's age, they would be a wicked pairing for a long time. The problem is Masai wants to dominate every deal and I think they'd have to give up Dick and two unprotected FRPs for Ant for me to be happy. Ant still has all star potential but he's just not the right guy to play next to Shae and I think Shae has superstar potential.

If you think ANT can bring back 2 unprotected 1st splease send we some of whatever it is your taking! Not a chance, frankly little chance for one unprotected first

 

[Blazinaway]

You think Ant wants out?

what was the "bench stare" thing he did about last game?