"unmitigated disaster if we make the playoffs"

[Boob-No-More]

I'm always one is on the fence on this subject. When NO has more assets he's able to do more. There's more than one way to win.

Outside of Dame and C.J., Olshey's two biggest assets are a boat load of cap space and a young team on the rise. The way the team outperformed expectations this year makes them much more attractive to potential free agents. LA is still LA, but I can't see a lot of free agents clamoring to join that dumpster fire - at least not anybody that gives a shit about wining and a positive experience.

When you listen to guys like Maurice Harkless, Ed Davis and Al-Farouq Aminu go on and on about how much they love to play here, about the great team chemistry and how much they appreciate the organization and the coach giving them opportunities to succeed, it's a great selling point to other potential free agents. Those guys were all cast aside by their previous teams and they are thriving, and winning, in Portland. Piece together a video of their pro-Portland comments and you have a great PR tool to show other free agents that are choosing between Portland and other destinations.

BNM

 

[SlyPokerDog]

These threads calling out specific posters need to stop. I don't know if it's just me but I cringe every time I see one. They don't accomplish anything besides generate hostility on both sides.

I agree, well said.

 

[Boob-No-More]

These threads calling out specific posters need to stop. I don't know if it's just me but I cringe every time I see one. They don't accomplish anything besides generate hostility on both sides.

Nik was a great poster and usually very level headed when supporting his opinions. It sucks that we lost a guy who provided some very insightful commentary just because people decided to rub salt on his face for not drinking the Kool-Aid.

Yep, like I said, we are all right sometimes and wrong others. No need to gloat when you're right (makes you look like an ass) or rub someone's face in it when they are wrong (makes you look like an even bigger ass). Call out threads that mention a specific poster by name go completely against the spirit of this forum. They are divisive and petty. Argue your points and counterpoints all you want in existing threads in direct response to opposing views you disagree with, but these call out threads need to stop. They serve no productive purpose.

BNM

 

[Orion Bailey]

Yep, like I said, we are all right sometimes and wrong others. No need to gloat when you're right (makes you look like an ass) or rub someone's face in it when they are wrong (makes you look like an even bigger ass). Call out threads that mention a specific poster by name go completely against the spirit of this forum. They are divisive and petty. Argue your points and counterpoints all you want in existing threads in direct response to opposing views you disagree with, but these call out threads need to stop. They serve no productive purpose.

BNM

I must have missed something? I didn't see a thread calling anyone specific out? OR am I just lost again? Not that I disagree. I agree, just didnt see it.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I must have missed something? I didn't see a thread calling anyone specific out? OR am I just lost again? Not that I disagree. I agree, just didnt see it.

Read the very first post in this thread. It called out a specific poster by name because he was wrong and disagreed with the OP. He also used that poster's exact words as the title of this thread. I'm disappointed the OP would resort to this tactic as he's been the target of this exact same style of call out thread in the past (and I defended him when he was on the receiving end of a call out thread).

BNM

 

[PtldPlatypus]

These threads calling out specific posters need to stop. I don't know if it's just me but I cringe every time I see one. They don't accomplish anything besides generate hostility on both sides.

Nik was a great poster and usually very level headed when supporting his opinions. It sucks that we lost a guy who provided some very insightful commentary just because people decided to rub salt on his face for not drinking the Kool-Aid.

As I recall, the last exchange he had prior to his desert sabbatical which preceded his eventual departure was with me, so I guess it actually was the kool-aid that chased him away.

Sorry about that guys.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Read the very first post in this thread. It called out a specific poster by name because he was wrong and disagreed with the OP. He also used that poster's exact words as the title of this thread. I'm disappointed the OP would resort to this tactic as he's been the target of this exact same style of call out thread in the past (and I defended him when he was on the receiving end of a call out thread).

BNM

I dont know how I missed that....

Again, Not that I disagree, but IT sure seems pretty tame. Didn't see any negativity. Seems he is simply asking if Nik's thoughts are still valid now, if he still thinks the same and if anyone else agrees?

I didn't see where he put Nik down or anything. If this was the straw that broke the camel's back in him leaving then the skin must be fairly thin. Just sayin. I've liked many of Nik's posts though, so I will miss him.

 

[Tunchi]

These threads calling out specific posters need to stop. I don't know if it's just me but I cringe every time I see one. They don't accomplish anything besides generate hostility on both sides.

Nik was a great poster and usually very level headed when supporting his opinions. It sucks that we lost a guy who provided some very insightful commentary just because people decided to rub salt on his face for not drinking the Kool-Aid.

Damn ppl are soft nowadays. Why couldnt he say, "damn i was wrong but glad we beat expectations" how hard is that lol

 

[B-Roy]

I dont know how I missed that....

Again, Not that I disagree, but IT sure seems pretty tame. Didn't see any negativity. Seems he is simply asking if Nik's thoughts are still valid now, if he still thinks the same and if anyone else agrees?

I didn't see where he put Nik down or anything. If this was the straw that broke the camel's back in him leaving then the skin must be fairly thin. Just sayin. I've liked many of Nik's posts though, so I will miss him.

All I know is whenever Nik posted about how obtaining a high draft pick or how Lillard wasn't a super-star (with both valid and well supported arguments) he would get absolutely piled on by everyone here.

IIRC, he even got blasted in a thread he created praising Stotts and the guys. My bet is that is what sent him over the edge. I doubt he ever read this thread.

 

[Tunchi]

Me, too. The 13th or 14th pick in this draft will not have an immediate impact on this team - if ever. Picks in that range are a crap shoot. Many never amount to anything, many eventually become a rotation player (usually after being passed around among multiple teams) and around 5% actually have an impact within their first two or three years. We already have a ton of young guys to develop and there are only so many minutes to go around. The only real value that pick holds is as a trading chip to combine with one of our other young players to bring back a proven vet - and I'm not sure Neil wants to go that route. I think he's more about "value" free agent signings than trading youth for experience.

But, playoff experience is invaluable for a young team on the rise. All young teams must learn to win. They start by beating the teams they should beat at home, progress to protecting home court against other top teams and beating the patsies on the road. To become elite, they must dominate at home, win the games they should win on the road and play .500 ball on the road against the other top teams. Post season experience is a big part of that learning curve.

Remember that 54-win 2008-09 Roy team? They had HCA against HOU and lost Game 1, in Portland by 27 points. The players were completely overwhelmed (collective deer-in-the-headlights stunned) by the whole playoff experience. They had the roster, but not the experience (or coach) to compete with HOU. They surrendered HCA, without a fight, in Game 1 and dug themselves a hole they couldn't climb out of. Even losing in the first round is good experience. Every young team needs to overcome those first time post season jitters.

Compare that team to the 54-win 2013-14 team that upset HOU in the first round. It was Lillard's first post season, but all of Aldridge, Matthews, Lopez and Batum had prior playoff experience, as did Mo Williams (finals with the Cavs) and Dorell Wright (championship with MIA). No deer-in-the-headlight shock and awe this time around.

So, ANY playoff experience is good for a young team, even getting swept in the first round. The post season is a totally different environment - way more intense, but you also need to get used to playing the same team 4 - 7 games in a row, making adjustments and counter adjustments, etc. Plus, at the 5 or 6 seed, I don't think the Blazers get swept. I think they'll win at least two games and get a taste of winning in the post season. Who knows, although they are younger and have less playoff experience than that 2013-14 team, Dame, C.J., Plumlee, Henderson and Aminu have all tasted the post season, so maybe they can pull off a first round upset. It's not out of the realm of possibility and that would be worth way more to this young team than the 13th or 14th pick in the draft.

BNM

Everybody on our team has playoff experience except the 12th-15th player on our roster. Dame, cj, aminu, hendo, ed davis, etc know what the playoffs are like

 

[Orion Bailey]

All I know is whenever Nik posted about how obtaining a high draft pick or how Lillard wasn't a super-star (with both valid and well supported arguments) he would get absolutely piled on by everyone here.

IIRC, he even got blasted in a thread he created praising Stotts and the guys. My bet is that is what sent him over the edge. I doubt he ever read this thread.

Well unfortunately that is on him. I've felt piled on at times and just chalked it up to being of the minority and hopefully I get proven right.l If not, then the majority who piled on me was right and I would acknowledge as much.
If he is willing to leave the whole forum and (assumption) some of those he likes here, because he isn't able to ignore those who he doesn't... then he needs a page from my book I wrote..."How to cool your hot head"...



Im with Tunchi *gasp!*...


With that said, I hope he makes it back.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Everybody on our team has playoff experience except the 12th-15th player on our roster. Dame, cj, aminu, hendo, ed davis, etc know what the playoffs are like

Being on a roster of a team that made the playoffs is not the same as playing extended minutes in playoff games. Don't compare apples to oranges.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

IIRC, he even got blasted in a thread he created praising Stotts and the guys. My bet is that is what sent him over the edge. I doubt he ever read this thread.

He didn't get "blasted" in that thread, and he wasn't praising Stotts in the post which precipitated the discussion that he got angry over. When others joined in the praise fest to wonder how much farther we might grow, he made sure to go back to his usual pessimism ("Without another all-NBA-caliber player, no farther than the second round"). And what really got him angry? When I asked him what was the likely method by which we would obtain an all-NBA-caliber player after he took pains to point out how unlikely it was that CJ would ever become one.

Yeah, I sure blasted him there.

Sorry--I know he was a long-time poster, and he provided an important counter-balance to the constant homerism (from myself included), but I'm not going to miss the condescension. It's not that difficult to disagree without being disagreeable.

 

[B-Roy]

He didn't get "blasted" in that thread, and he wasn't praising Stotts in the post which precipitated the discussion that he got angry over. When others joined in the praise fest to wonder how much farther we might grow, he made sure to go back to his usual pessimism. And what really got him angry? When I asked him what was the likely method by which we would obtain an all-NBA-caliber player after he took pains to point out how unlikely it was that CJ would become one.

Yeah, I sure blasted him there.

I don't remember the specifics and I don't care to go back and check. All I know is that we lost a very good poster. Part of that is his own fault, but ultimately I think the forum is better with more varied opinions, so I would rather have him back.

Just my two cents.

 

[B-Roy]

Sorry--I know he was a long-time poster, and he provided an important counter-balance to the constant homerism (from myself included), but I'm not going to miss the condescension. It's not that difficult to disagree without being disagreeable.

On a side note, when I mentioned "Kool-Aid" I had no idea you were the one who had that conversation with him. Totally un-intentional and yet so ironically correct.

 

[Sinobas]

That is what Nik said. Do you all agree?

Who is Nik?

 

[oldmangrouch]

Making the play-offs is not a disaster. Finishing 9th or 10th would have been a disaster.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

...
Sorry--I know he was a long-time poster, and he provided an important counter-balance to the constant homerism (from myself included), but I'm not going to miss the condescension. It's not that difficult to disagree without being disagreeable.

3 years ago, Nik was my favorite poster. He'd provide BNM/BrianfromWA levels of insight and analysis. Then, he went negative.

I guess it's a part of the message board culture - we're all trying to convince each other that we're really smart. Some do this with stats, some by piecing things together, some with jokes/witticisms.

Unfortunately, some have taken to being a naysayer. Somehow, if you predict too many wins or too much success for the team, and the team doesn't achieve it, you're an "idiot." However, if you say the team will suck, and the team does well you're OK. If the team sucks and you predict suckage, then you're "smart." Basically, there is no downside of being a "realist."

Like everyone else, I want people to think I'm smart. But I'd rather do it through ridiculous witticisms than being a downer. Nik went the other way. He got hammered this year because the downers were SOOOOOOOOOOOO wrong, not by just a little. People who regard themselves as "realists" were exposed. Once Nik was exposed, people didn't let it go. He was stuck with his wrong predictions. Hopefully, he'll come back in the offseason unburdened with his previous predictions - I would like that very much.

Wizard Mentor, the Witty Homer.

btw, obviously creating threads to call people out is, how should I say this, Not a good idea.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Everybody on our team has playoff experience except the 12th-15th player on our roster. Dame, cj, aminu, hendo, ed davis, etc know what the playoffs are like

Maurice Harkless, who is a starter has zero playoff experience, as does Noah Vonleh, the starter he replaced. That's two of our top seven players with zero playoff experience and two of the young guys our coaches have focused on developing this season. Playoff experience will only further accelerate their development.

BNM

 

[SlyPokerDog]

If this was the straw that broke the camel's back in him leaving then the skin must be fairly thin.

No, it wasn't the straw and he doesn't have thin skin.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Everybody on our team has playoff experience except the 12th-15th player on our roster. Dame, cj, aminu, hendo, ed davis, etc know what the playoffs are like

But with the exception of Ed Davis, they don't have experience in the playoffs in the roles they have now. I'm not talking positions, I'm talking roles.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Yep, like I said, we are all right sometimes and wrong others. No need to gloat when you're right (makes you look like an ass) or rub someone's face in it when they are wrong (makes you look like an even bigger ass). Call out threads that mention a specific poster by name go completely against the spirit of this forum. They are divisive and petty. Argue your points and counterpoints all you want in existing threads in direct response to opposing views you disagree with, but these call out threads need to stop. They serve no productive purpose.

BNM

I doubt Nik thinks he is "wrong". I expect he still thinks that making the playoffs is an unmitigated disaster. The guy is 100% pessimistic.

 

[Tunchi]

I don't remember the specifics and I don't care to go back and check. All I know is that we lost a very good poster. Part of that is his own fault, but ultimately I think the forum is better with more varied opinions, so I would rather have him back.

Just my two cents.

DONT WORRY I'll be the non-homer guy!

 

[oldmangrouch]

No, it wasn't the straw and he doesn't have think skin.

So tell him to get his straw-less, thick- skinned butt back here!

 

[Orion Bailey]

DONT WORRY I'll be the non-homer guy!

So when Stren says you disappear, I think he means in part like this. I contradicted your statement and then heard nothing from you.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I doubt Nik thinks he is "wrong". I expect he still thinks that making the playoffs is an unmitigated disaster. The guy is 100% pessimistic.

Doesn't really matter. Someone else called him out because THEY thought he was wrong. We're all entitled to our opinions, right and wrong. I'm a big fan of healthy debate. Not a big fan of call out threads that use a poster's own words to mock him in the thread title.

MM did it to Eric, now Eric has done it to Nik. The circle of mock is complete. Cue Elton John...

BNM

 

[Chris Craig]

Yes, I agree! It will be a disaster for anyone who comes up against us in the playoffs!

This

The Blazers are coming and hells coming with them

 

[Natebishop3]

Doesn't really matter. Someone else called him out because THEY thought he was wrong. We're all entitled to our opinions, right and wrong. I'm a big fan of healthy debate. Not a big fan of call out threads that use a poster's own words to mock him in the thread title.

MM did it to Eric, now Eric has done it to Nik. The circle of mock is complete. Cue Elton John...

BNM

I honestly don't even remember what people post. I don't understand why some people cling to this kidn of thing. Do they bookmark it?

 

[Boob-No-More]

I honestly don't even remember what people post. I don't understand why some people cling to this kidn of thing. Do they bookmark it?

Judicious use of the search function? I have no idea. I remember most of what I say and that's enough to keep my brain occupied. I do remember defending Eric when MM targeted him with a mocking, call out thread. That's why I was disappointed to see Eric do the same to Nik.

BNM

 

[riverman]

If someone leaves for whatever reason, I respect their choice....I have no problem with the guy even though we have different slants on the team more often than not. My issue has always been exclusive to game threads...other threads I can just ignore if they don't interest me but game threads are places I just can't enjoy if it's gloom and doom from tipoff...and I imagine the casual Blazer fan that clicks on the site would be turned away from a game chat filled with angst. I love the way Sly deals with the community here and thing he's well suited to his role. If game threads were designated cheering sections, it'd help me but that's just me..a lot of posters enjoy the critique during game threads..I get that. I couldn't really recommend to my grandchildren that it's a fun place to hang during games, that's for sure and in some ways I think the community here is extrememly isolated from certain demographics and age brackets