Exclusive Vote - If Dame is on the roster - where do you want him opening night?

[blazerkor]

I'd say Dame should stay home until he is willing to fully commit to the Blazers for the entire rest of the season. If he gets to that point then the team can work him into the starting lineup for the rest of the season.

If the team gets to December when most players in the league trade restrictions end and Dame's still here that would be the time to start those discussions. If the team and Dame feel a trade might happen soon then keep him at home. If not they could discuss bringing him back to the rotation.

If Dame commits to thr whole season at opening night yes I'm fine with starting him. I'd assume he won't be ready for that yet as it is probably way too soon from his trade request.

Yeah, I just really hope we have a resolution to this situation that is at least approaching a fair outcome for our team before training camp starts. I don't know how realistic that hope is but it's what I want.

 

[blazerfan11]

Everything to me depends on Dame's desire to play somewhere besides Miami.

What exactly has Dame told Cronin?

Did he tell him he only wants to go to Miami, and if it's not Miami, please don't trade me?

I am positive that Cronin would be fine with this request by Dame to not trade him somewhere else.
Of course it would mean both of them agreeing that Dame will fulfill his contract with the Trail Blazers if he doesn't go to Miami.

I don't understand the "Dame will stunt Scoot's
growth"argument.
The best complement to Scoot's game would be playing with a fantastic scorer, especially one with long-range 3-point shooting to make it even harder to defend Scoot when he attacks the hoop. Scoot is going to demand his share of having the ball in his hands, and he also has shown the ability to play off the ball just fine.
On offense, I can't see any downside for Scoot playing with Dame. And the same for Dame. Scoot's going to make the offense better for everyone.

 

[crandc]

If Dame is on the team and healthy, I expect him to start. It's his job.

 

[Tince]

How is it rational? What is the benefit of playing Dame?

• Would be a great person to show the youngsters the ropes.
• Would be a constant reminder to the other 29 teams exactly how good he is, potentially raising his trade value

 

[Tince]

A couple valid reasons I could think of are to not risk Dame getting injured. To not stunt Scoots growth. To not create potential synergy issues that could affect the mindset of the rest of the players like Grant.

Sorry. that was three.

If playing next to Dame might hurt Scoots development, then Scoot is a lost cause. Guys like Scoot should benefit from learning under a great like Dame. Scoot has stated he wants to play/learn from Dame, we should listen to him!

 

[Natebishop3]

• Would be a great person to show the youngsters the ropes.
• Would be a constant reminder to the other 29 teams exactly how good he is, potentially raising his trade value

I can agree with the first part. The second part though, does he really need to? Dude dropped 71 just a little bit ago.

 

[Natebishop3]

Gee gosh urrrrrrrrr, I don’t know… I think he’s purdy good at basketball.

What is the benefit of Dame staying home?

What is the point of Dame propping us up into the playin at this point?

 

[Tince]

I can agree with the first part. The second part though, does he really need to? Dude dropped 71 just a little bit ago.

Need to? No.

Could it help? Yes.

 

[Samuel]

Dame playing sends a signal that this thing can drag out as long as possible.

 

[barfo]

Play him at center? Have him check tickets at the door? Half-time entertainer?
There are so many things he can do.

barfo

 

[Propagandist]

As long as it takes. If Dame gets hurt, we're sunk. We can't get any value for him and we have his massive contract eating up our cap space. It's not worth the risk.

Exactly. If Dame is leaving, surround him in bubble wrap and sit him.

 

[RonBrewer]

Only one right answer.

Starting.

beginning to believe there are a lot of other fan bases on this site

 

[KingSpeed]

Of course, if they are close to trading him then you sit him. But that is a little bit different from what you said in the OP. All you said was "Where do you want Dame on opening night if he is still on the roster?" How long do you guys plan on telling him to sit at home? Do you think that if he is not traded by opening night he will be shortly afterwards? What happens if that does not happen? Are you going to tell him to sit at home until the trade deadline? Sure that will happen.

He doesn’t want to be in Portland and we have to move on with Scoot’s development.

 

[PDXFonz]

What is the point of Dame propping us up into the playin at this point?

You know, that’s a good argument. I think maybe we should trade our players and sign a bunch of overseas players instead. Tank for the lottery for the next 5 seasons, then rinse and repeat. What’s the point in trying to win anyways? We’d be much more successful if we were unsuccessful.

 

[blazerfan11]

He doesn’t want to be in Portland and we have to move on with Scoot’s development.

If he can't go to Miami, where does he want to be, besides Portland?

If you give me an answer that is something other than "nowhere" or "I don't know," then I will say you are pulling it out of your butt.

 

[Mediocre Man]

If Dame is on the team and healthy, I expect him to start. It's his job.

Completely disagree. The job should go to whoever helps the team more. Dame, while most certainly the better player, might not be the best fit for a team trying to rebuild around Scoot and Sharpe, while also trying to move on from Dame

If the team wants long term success, then that’s not starting future Heat player, Dame Lillard and accidentally winning a game and potentially costing us draft slots

 

[kjironman1]

What is the point of Dame propping us up into the playin at this point?

What if it's the 5th seed? Making the playoffs is not a bad thing. Only a bunch of losers want to lose for a third straight year.

 

[kjironman1]

Completely disagree. The job should go to whoever helps the team more. Dame, while most certainly the better player, might not be the best fit for a team trying to rebuild around Scoot and Sharpe, while also trying to move on from Dame

If the team wants long term success, then that’s not starting future Heat player, Dame Lillard and accidentally winning a game and potentially costing us draft slots

I would sure like to sit and listen to what Chauncey (Who has been strangely silent) has to say on this? Are they going to try and lose again for his third straight year? Is that what Billups was brought here for?

 

[Mediocre Man]

I would sure like to sit and listen to what Chauncey (Who has been strangely silent) has to say on this? Are they going to try and lose again for his third straight year? Is that what Billups was brought here for?

The key is playing the young guys with potential and trying to win. You won’t, but it will make a huge difference next year

 

[kjironman1]

The key is playing the young guys with potential and trying to win. You won’t, but it will make a huge difference next year

Thought that is what was happening the last two years? Now everyone wants to trade Simons?
Again. I would sure like to hear what Billups thinks about losing for his third straight year?

 

[PDXFonz]

I hereby submit my declaration that I believe Damian Lillard is a ring away from being undisputed as the greatest player in franchise history. I will always be a fan of the team, and will always stay optimistic for the future. But I cannot deny that landing Damian Lillard was really a turning point for the franchise back towards the level of competition we’d expect from the Trail Blazers.

Now…

I think sometimes emotions seem to be speaking louder than logic.

Do you think Scoot is going to be a better player than Damian Lillard? Do you really though? I really am an optimist, but I think you might need an optometrist if you feel that way right now.

Talent around him has held him back, he knows it, you know it, we all know it.

Where’s Allen Crabbe at today?
Even CJ hasn’t impressed like he did along with Dame.

I hope you pro tankers don’t talk any trash about hitting the lotto if/when we trade Dame. I don’t want to hear about how Scoot needs experience. I don’t want to know about the 7’2 dude out of Nairobi that is a steal with the 7th pick. I want to see us win a championship, and I’ll bet (3 of you) $20 that Dame will win one before we do if we trade him (wash if neither win before he retires).

You’d better be ready because if Miami lands Dame while retaining Butler and Adebayo, he might win more than LBJ in MIA, starting next season.

I don’t even know why anyone here would ever doubt the dude…

You gotta put yourself in other people’s
shoes man. And in this case that means being eliminated from the playoffs because of the guy.

Get out of here if you’re actually gonna throw that much shade like the dude
Might as well not even come around and try to help the guy you think can replace him out of the gate…

 

[HailBlazers]

Do I think Scoot will be better than Dame? No. Do I think he could becone a better team player? Yes.

 

[Natebishop3]

What if it's the 5th seed? Making the playoffs is not a bad thing. Only a bunch of losers want to lose for a third straight year.

There is no chance in hell that we have enough talent to be the 5th seed.

 

[BassPlaya]

I think sometimes emotions seem to be speaking louder than logic.

Do you think Scoot is going to be a better player than Damian Lillard? Do you really though? I really am an optimist, but I think you might need an optometrist if you feel that way right now.

No offense, but those two bolded statements can sound the same. That said, it's not apples to apples. Impossible to compare. One reality remains....Portland Blazers because of our location, amenities for star players, and viewership, is a franchise that needs outstanding drafting and great fortune to get to the top. Lillard has been that guy. N.O. did not get it done. Don't know whether that was possible. To me, it appears he missed it. There is not enough talent capitol now to buy the needed additions to get there.....or....stars are just not willing to come. It's sad, but that window is passed. No way to know if Scoot is the guy, but him....or another player like him....is the only way this team does get there.

Just my 50 cents.

 

[PDXFonz]

No offense, but those two bolded statements can sound the same. That said, it's not apples to apples. Impossible to compare. One reality remains....Portland Blazers because of our location, amenities for star players, and viewership, is a franchise that needs outstanding drafting and great fortune to get to the top. Lillard has been that guy. N.O. did not get it done. Don't know whether that was possible. To me, it appears he missed it. There is not enough talent capitol now to buy the needed additions to get there.....or....stars are just not willing to come. It's sad, but that window is passed. No way to know if Scoot is the guy, but him....or another player like him....is the only way this team does get there.

Just my 50 cents.

Fair enough

 

[kjironman1]

There is no chance in hell that we have enough talent to be the 5th seed.

One solid pickup with Dame, Grant, Nurk, Simons and Sharpe with Scoot plus Little, Thybule, Walker, Brown. makes a team that could compete for the playoffs.
The difference between a playin team and 5th seed would be health assuming the player that they picked up had some length.
Without Lillard yes I agree no way they play well enough to get the 5th seed.

 

[PDXFonz]

Can’t believe we might F up the best thing to happen to this team in my lifetime because the FO doesn’t understand the phrase “addition by subtraction”.

Get Ant out of here
Get Nurk out of here

Play Scoot and Dame together

If you can’t land Turner with Nurk and Ant then you’re not actually trying to do so. Yeah, I realize if you read what I post then I sound like I’m beating a broken drum…

Scoot
Dame
Sharpe
Grant
Turner

Forget the 5 seed @Natebishop3 that team should see HCA if all this talk of Scoot being an easy replacement has any credence.

 

[PDXFonz]

Whole thing is good, but 8:01 ….

 

[Natebishop3]

Can’t believe we might F up the best thing to happen to this team in my lifetime because the FO doesn’t understand the phrase “addition by subtraction”.

Get Ant out of here
Get Nurk out of here

Play Scoot and Dame together

If you can’t land Turner with Nurk and Ant then you’re not actually trying to do so. Yeah, I realize if you read what I post then I sound like I’m beating a broken drum…

Scoot
Dame
Sharpe
Grant
Turner

Forget the 5 seed @Natebishop3 that team should see HCA if all this talk of Scoot being an easy replacement has any credence.

We've got a fever, and the only answer is more tiny backcourts!

Dame and CJ didn’t work.
Dame and Simons didn’t work.
Dame and Scoot is gonna work dammit!

 

[Mediocre Man]

Can’t believe we might F up the best thing to happen to this team in my lifetime because the FO doesn’t understand the phrase “addition by subtraction”.

Get Ant out of here
Get Nurk out of here

Play Scoot and Dame together

If you can’t land Turner with Nurk and Ant then you’re not actually trying to do so. Yeah, I realize if you read what I post then I sound like I’m beating a broken drum…

Scoot
Dame
Sharpe
Grant
Turner

Forget the 5 seed @Natebishop3 that team should see HCA if all this talk of Scoot being an easy replacement has any credence.

That team is not close to a contender