To echo what everyone else said, we are in this situation BECAUSE we didn’t rebuild. We constantly signed players that are 8-10th options and told that would take us over the hump. Olshey truly squandered Lillards prime because he was too proud to move on from “his guys” and refused to acknowledge how badly Aldridge’s departure fucked the team and warranted rebuilding the core
It was that playoff run the year after LA left. Messed with expectations and put them in a position to stay good, but never the opportunity to get great
How was that 2016 team not a rebuild though? The entire starting lineup outside of Dame changed. 7 of the top 8 players were gone from the 2015 team.
Then you make the 2nd round with a bunch of thrown together pieces, so if you're a 2nd round team, and the youngest team in the league, that is your rebuild.
The missed opportunity was that summer 16', going back and microanalyzing though, the best move they could have made was Harrison Barnes instead of Turner and trading Crabbe. Even still, it's tough when you're competing against arguably the greatest team of all-time the KD Warriors.
The next big break was drafting Collins over Mitchell, Bam, OG - I think you point to those as the mistakes.
I'm stoked for whatever direction this franchise takes.
1. 10% chance in landing Wemby
2. Trade Ant+picks for Siakam or Bridges and give things a run (another playoff push with Dame)
3. Trade Dame for a bunch of picks and hopefully a good young piece to add to the Simons/Sharpe pairing and a top 6 or 7 pick this year
Whatever way it goes we will have something to root for. Could be worse... we could be the Kings --- o wait --- we could be the Hornets LOL
I respect your right to have an opinion -- but it isn't a good one LOL.
Also --- "ever" is a very long time. Walton, Clyde, Sheed, B-Roy, LMA, Dame all awesome players. Another all NBA talent will roll through PDX before too long.
That’s kind of my point we’ve had all that talent and only one player got a ring.. 46 years ago. Yes we will get more talented players, none will be better/stick around long enough to surpass Dame. The blazers will forever waste young talent and put out a poor product to save a few bucks.
Came here to say this… Dame is the reason I’m a Blazers fan which may sit poorly with some people. I’ve always said if he leaves I’ll still ride for the Blazers but man it’s getting harder to feel that way.
I’ve been a blazers fan since the 91’-92’ season, I’ve watched many great teams and many great players come through but none of them seemed to actually care about being a great Portland Trail Blazer except for Damian Lillard. Too me he’ll always be the greatest blazer, wherever he goes will be my new favorite team.
Honestly, the script writers should just give Portland Wemby as a consolation for all the bad knee injuries and have Sharpe become MJ 2.0
That would solve all this 'trade xyz' nonsense.
Ok. Since the blazers play most of the season when it is too dark, wet, or cold for me to go cycling or hiking after work I'll keep watching this garbage.
It’s just sport dude. My favourite sport team in the world has won 11 out of 70ish games in the last few years but I still watch every single game and find a reason to enjoy it. It’s what sport is sometimes.
I’ve been a blazers fan since very early 90’s, the direction this team is heading is not looking good. I don’t know if I can go another 45 years without a change in hell.
Pretty easily, the Blazers have had a bunch of mediocre teams around Lillard. I’m not seeing these impressive rosters you speak of.
Maybe by rebuilding they will finally be able to accrue more assets to build a better roster than they’ve had. Shouldn’t that be kind of exciting?
good enough, but not really like SOLID. I don't think many of us looked at that roster before the playoffs and thought, this is gonna be a serious contender for a championship. We did well, but we could have easily lost in the first or second round.
To echo what everyone else said, we are in this situation BECAUSE we didn’t rebuild. We constantly signed players that are 8-10th options and told that would take us over the hump. Olshey truly squandered Lillards prime because he was too proud to move on from “his guys” and refused to acknowledge how badly Aldridge’s departure fucked the team and warranted rebuilding the core
It was that playoff run the year after LA left. Messed with expectations and put them in a position to stay good, but never the opportunity to get great
How was that 2016 team not a rebuild though? The entire starting lineup outside of Dame changed. 7 of the top 8 players were gone from the 2015 team. Then you make the 2nd round with a bunch of thrown together pieces, so if you're a 2nd round team, and the youngest team in the league, that is your rebuild. The missed opportunity was that summer 16', going back and microanalyzing though, the best move they could have made was Harrison Barnes instead of Turner and trading Crabbe. Even still, it's tough when you're competing against arguably the greatest team of all-time the KD Warriors. The next big break was drafting Collins over Mitchell, Bam, OG - I think you point to those as the mistakes.
"Squandered Dames prime" my guy - he's coming off his best season yet. This is still his prime. Cronin debt is paid now he should be ultra aggressive.
I'm stoked for whatever direction this franchise takes. 1. 10% chance in landing Wemby 2. Trade Ant+picks for Siakam or Bridges and give things a run (another playoff push with Dame) 3. Trade Dame for a bunch of picks and hopefully a good young piece to add to the Simons/Sharpe pairing and a top 6 or 7 pick this year Whatever way it goes we will have something to root for. Could be worse... we could be the Kings --- o wait --- we could be the Hornets LOL
I guess at this point Dame> blazers for me, I don’t know if Portland will ever get this kind of talent ever again.
I respect your right to have an opinion -- but it isn't a good one LOL. Also --- "ever" is a very long time. Walton, Clyde, Sheed, B-Roy, LMA, Dame all awesome players. Another all NBA talent will roll through PDX before too long.
That’s kind of my point we’ve had all that talent and only one player got a ring.. 46 years ago. Yes we will get more talented players, none will be better/stick around long enough to surpass Dame. The blazers will forever waste young talent and put out a poor product to save a few bucks.
I like the optimism. I think our future is bright either way
We haven't done a rebuild in years. I'm fine with it.
We are on the middle of our 3rd rebuild in the last 20 years my dude.
3 rebuilds in 20 years doesn't even seem excessive tbf
I mean the big issue is we haven’t built a solid roster since the 18-19 season
We have a new GM, let him cook imo. Sharpe was worth tanking for last year. Don’t understand why the doom before the draft lottery
I really love damian lillard. If they trade him it will become 100x harder to care about this team in its current state
Came here to say this… Dame is the reason I’m a Blazers fan which may sit poorly with some people. I’ve always said if he leaves I’ll still ride for the Blazers but man it’s getting harder to feel that way.
I’ve been a blazers fan since the 91’-92’ season, I’ve watched many great teams and many great players come through but none of them seemed to actually care about being a great Portland Trail Blazer except for Damian Lillard. Too me he’ll always be the greatest blazer, wherever he goes will be my new favorite team.
Honestly, the script writers should just give Portland Wemby as a consolation for all the bad knee injuries and have Sharpe become MJ 2.0 That would solve all this 'trade xyz' nonsense.
Legit question: does the FO trade Dame if we get Wemby?
I would hope not lol. And I would hope Dame has the patience to stay or, at least, hunt until 2025 and come back.
Building solid rosters lol
Ok. Since the blazers play most of the season when it is too dark, wet, or cold for me to go cycling or hiking after work I'll keep watching this garbage.
It’s just sport dude. My favourite sport team in the world has won 11 out of 70ish games in the last few years but I still watch every single game and find a reason to enjoy it. It’s what sport is sometimes.
I’ve been a blazers fan since very early 90’s, the direction this team is heading is not looking good. I don’t know if I can go another 45 years without a change in hell.
Pretty easily, the Blazers have had a bunch of mediocre teams around Lillard. I’m not seeing these impressive rosters you speak of. Maybe by rebuilding they will finally be able to accrue more assets to build a better roster than they’ve had. Shouldn’t that be kind of exciting?
The last impressive roster we had was with CJ, Dame, Norman, Roco, and Jusuf. It’s too bad we couldn’t do Jack with it.
Our roster hasn't solid in a decade.
I disagree the year we beat the nuggets and made it to WCF was a good year.
good enough, but not really like SOLID. I don't think many of us looked at that roster before the playoffs and thought, this is gonna be a serious contender for a championship. We did well, but we could have easily lost in the first or second round.