I'll go with Neil Olshey. What's wrong with the team? To borrow a political chestnut from James Carville, "The roster, stupid." I've been following the NBA for more years than I care to admit to and I can't recall a Blazers team with a more messed up roster than what we have today. Sure, there are a lot of reasons for that, not the least of which is the Texas Traitor, but the fact remains that the roster two years later is a mess. The total lack of a starting caliber SF coupled with the grab bag of big men, none good enough, except maybe Nurkic, to warrant the clear identification as the starter is the prime problem. Tough to really saddle the coach or the guards as the main culprits (although many around here love to) when you don't have starters at the SF, PF, or C position that you can count on to hit a fricking shot when you toss them the ball in an open position. To me, picking Swanigan and Collins as your big off-season moves and then not making other trades to clear some of the lumber in front of them in the big man pecking order is mystifying and frustrating.
The Blazers pissing away home games and too many close games in the easiest part of their schedule has likely cost them any shot at anything but the 7th or 8th seed and another early exit from the playoffs. That's the best case. It's also cost Dame and CJ any consideration at being All-Stars (something that's needed in order to attract future free agents here).
The ball is firmly in Olshey's court. He's had more than a fourth of a season to evaluate the team. Given the Blazers' cap situation, the only way to improve the roster quickly is via trades. They're not likely to finish with a poor enough record to get any immediate help in next year's draft. So, Neil, finally there's a use for Taggart's stupid motto: Do Something!
If for some reason they even manage to win one of these games, while I will be happy with the win, will be just as frustrated with the roller coaster effort that would show what they can do if they put their minds to it.
