Game 77: Portland vs Toronto 4:30pm Chargetv and KUNP

[PDXKnight]

Shae looked so good on offense tonight, maybe his best game, forced very little

Hes had a good stretch no doubt. Really would be hard to not resign him if he can play like this consistently

[DusterBuster]

Philly ruled out Maxey for the rest of the season due to a finger issue. Surely we can rule a few players out for a hang nail or ingrown toe nail or something???

That ships sailed. This team’s in full on “let it ride” mode.

[Shem]

Read on Twitter

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

Always?

[Shem]

Read on Twitter

Always?

Well, I posted it to point out that he set a Canadian born player record for points as visiting player in Toronto history. Of course it's in a small font.

[Wizenheimer]

in the last 3 games the Blazers have played without Simons, Avdija has averaged 31.3 points (with a trpl-double) while Sharpe has averaged 30.7 points. Without Simons-Ayton-Grant, the Blazers play a more entertaining and better brand of basketball

and, Simons is almost magical: he's keeping Deni, Sharpe, and Scoot from all reaching their potential....that's defending!

[Blazinaway]

in the last 3 games the Blazers have played without Simons, Avdija has averaged 31.3 points (with a trpl-double) while Sharpe has averaged 30.7 points. Without Simons-Ayton-Grant, the Blazers play a more entertaining and better brand of basketball

and, Simons is almost magical: he's keeping Deni, Sharpe, and Scoot from all reaching their potential....that's defending!

agree, he's just a ball/offense stopper with horrible D

[Walton1one]

in the last 3 games the Blazers have played without Simons, Avdija has averaged 31.3 points (with a trpl-double) while Sharpe has averaged 30.7 points. Without Simons-Ayton-Grant, the Blazers play a more entertaining and better brand of basketball

and, Simons is almost magical: he's keeping Deni, Sharpe, and Scoot from all reaching their potential....that's defending!

agree, he's just a ball/offense stopper with horrible D

Does Cronin even notice though?

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

Always?

Well, I posted it to point out that he set a Canadian born player record for points as visiting player in Toronto history. Of course it's in a small font.

What is this, a font for ants!?

[DusterBuster]

in the last 3 games the Blazers have played without Simons, Avdija has averaged 31.3 points (with a trpl-double) while Sharpe has averaged 30.7 points. Without Simons-Ayton-Grant, the Blazers play a more entertaining and better brand of basketball

and, Simons is almost magical: he's keeping Deni, Sharpe, and Scoot from all reaching their potential....that's defending!

agree, he's just a ball/offense stopper with horrible D

Does Cronin even notice though?

I have a suspicion Simons might force the issue this summer with Cronin. If it's clear to fans the fit isn't here, it HAS to be clear to at least Ant that he doesn't work here anymore in this situation and it's time for both sides to move on.

Unfortunately the Blazers are stuck with a GM who seems incapable of being proactive about fixing things until being forced to do so.

[Walton1one]

Yeah I just don't get it with Cronin, if you keep Simons next year, you are basically having Scoot (most likely) coming off the bench in his 3rd year with the team, which is just stupid IMO, but then again, that is exactly what they had Shaedon do this year. Of course, where Thybulle or Grant fit into that equation is another whole mess, you can't start them all.

Are they going to bring Deni off the bench next year? Move Camara to the bench or move Shaedon back to the bench?

Clearly, I am not a fan of his approach and I do not like him as a GM. He is basically Olshey 2.0 IMO, just without the showy bravado and narcissism

[dckingsfan]

Yeah I just don't get it with Cronin, if you keep Simons next year, you are basically having Scoot (most likely) coming off the bench in his 3rd year with the team, which is just stupid IMO, but then again, that is exactly what they had Shaedon do this year. Of course, where Thybulle or Grant fit into that equation is another whole mess, you can't start them all.

Are they going to bring Deni off the bench next year? Move Camara to the bench or move Shaedon back to the bench?

Clearly, I am not a fan of his approach and I do not like him as a GM. He is basically Olshey 2.0 IMO, just without the showy bravado and narcissism

It is puzzling, it doesn't seem like they have a plan.

G: Simons, Sharpe, Scoot, Thybulle, Rupert
F: Grant, Avdija, Camara, Murray
C: Ayton, Clingan, Reath

Won't play: Williams
Decision needs to be made: Walker, Banton
What to do with the FRP??

And you have 7 expiring contracts that you have to deal with at the end of next year. It doesn't put you in a strong negotiating position with either your FAs or other FOs not to mention the playing time issues and player development issues.

Puzzling at best.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Yeah I just don't get it with Cronin, if you keep Simons next year, you are basically having Scoot (most likely) coming off the bench in his 3rd year with the team, which is just stupid IMO, but then again, that is exactly what they had Shaedon do this year. Of course, where Thybulle or Grant fit into that equation is another whole mess, you can't start them all.

Are they going to bring Deni off the bench next year? Move Camara to the bench or move Shaedon back to the bench?

Clearly, I am not a fan of his approach and I do not like him as a GM. He is basically Olshey 2.0 IMO, just without the showy bravado and narcissism

It is puzzling, it doesn't seem like they have a plan.

G: Simons, Sharpe, Scoot, Thybulle, Rupert
F: Grant, Avdija, Camara, Murray
C: Ayton, Clingan, Reath

Won't play: Williams
Decision needs to be made: Walker, Banton
What to do with the FRP??

And you have 7 expiring contracts that you have to deal with at the end of next year. It doesn't put you in a strong negotiating position with either your FAs or other FOs not to mention the playing time issues and player development issues.

Puzzling at best.

I'm shipping Simons to Orlando or Denver... PERIOD!!!

I'm finding a trade partner for Grant. If it's for an expiring, maybe add some trade incentive like the Boston pick.

I'm sending Williams III for the best deal available.

I'd hang on to Ayton because we need another center and he actually wasn't playing too bad before his injury. Worse case scenario, we trade him at the deadline or let him expire. Same with Thybulle. I've been pleasantly surprised since he returned and it adds another defensive option.

I'd resign Walker if it's a cheap deal and let Banton walk. I used to think he'd be a keeper as an offensive guy off the bench periodically, but his game has kinda sucked lately.

If I could do something with Sharpe and our pick to move up into the top 2, I'd seriously consider it. The guy seriously frustrates me with his inconsistent play, but mostly with his lack of defense.

I think that leaves 3-4 open roster spots if the Blazers keep Sharpe and their pick.

[dckingsfan]

Yeah I just don't get it with Cronin, if you keep Simons next year, you are basically having Scoot (most likely) coming off the bench in his 3rd year with the team, which is just stupid IMO, but then again, that is exactly what they had Shaedon do this year. Of course, where Thybulle or Grant fit into that equation is another whole mess, you can't start them all.

Are they going to bring Deni off the bench next year? Move Camara to the bench or move Shaedon back to the bench?

Clearly, I am not a fan of his approach and I do not like him as a GM. He is basically Olshey 2.0 IMO, just without the showy bravado and narcissism

It is puzzling, it doesn't seem like they have a plan.

G: Simons, Sharpe, Scoot, Thybulle, Rupert
F: Grant, Avdija, Camara, Murray
C: Ayton, Clingan, Reath

Won't play: Williams
Decision needs to be made: Walker, Banton
What to do with the FRP??

And you have 7 expiring contracts that you have to deal with at the end of next year. It doesn't put you in a strong negotiating position with either your FAs or other FOs not to mention the playing time issues and player development issues.

Puzzling at best.

I'm shipping Simons to Orlando or Denver... PERIOD!!!

I'm finding a trade partner for Grant. If it's for an expiring, maybe add some trade incentive like the Boston pick.

I'm sending Williams III for the best deal available.

I'd hang on to Ayton because we need another center and he actually wasn't playing too bad before his injury. Worse case scenario, we trade him at the deadline or let him expire. Same with Thybulle. I've been pleasantly surprised since he returned and it adds another defensive option.

I'd resign Walker if it's a cheap deal and let Banton walk. I used to think he'd be a keeper as an offensive guy off the bench periodically, but his game has kinda sucked lately.

If I could do something with Sharpe and our pick to move up into the top 2, I'd seriously consider it. The guy seriously frustrates me with his inconsistent play, but mostly with his lack of defense.

I think that leaves 3-4 open roster spots if the Blazers keep Sharpe and their pick.

Yes to all of this. But...

One of Orlando or Denver would need to agree. And I really don't think anyone is taking Williams - he is done as a bball player.

And someone has to be willing to take Sharpe as well.

[Dame Lizard]

Yeah I just don't get it with Cronin, if you keep Simons next year, you are basically having Scoot (most likely) coming off the bench in his 3rd year with the team, which is just stupid IMO, but then again, that is exactly what they had Shaedon do this year. Of course, where Thybulle or Grant fit into that equation is another whole mess, you can't start them all.

Are they going to bring Deni off the bench next year? Move Camara to the bench or move Shaedon back to the bench?

Clearly, I am not a fan of his approach and I do not like him as a GM. He is basically Olshey 2.0 IMO, just without the showy bravado and narcissism

It is puzzling, it doesn't seem like they have a plan.

G: Simons, Sharpe, Scoot, Thybulle, Rupert
F: Grant, Avdija, Camara, Murray
C: Ayton, Clingan, Reath

Won't play: Williams
Decision needs to be made: Walker, Banton
What to do with the FRP??

And you have 7 expiring contracts that you have to deal with at the end of next year. It doesn't put you in a strong negotiating position with either your FAs or other FOs not to mention the playing time issues and player development issues.

Puzzling at best.

I'm shipping Simons to Orlando or Denver... PERIOD!!!

I'm finding a trade partner for Grant. If it's for an expiring, maybe add some trade incentive like the Boston pick.

I'm sending Williams III for the best deal available.

I'd hang on to Ayton because we need another center and he actually wasn't playing too bad before his injury. Worse case scenario, we trade him at the deadline or let him expire. Same with Thybulle. I've been pleasantly surprised since he returned and it adds another defensive option.

I'd resign Walker if it's a cheap deal and let Banton walk. I used to think he'd be a keeper as an offensive guy off the bench periodically, but his game has kinda sucked lately.

If I could do something with Sharpe and our pick to move up into the top 2, I'd seriously consider it. The guy seriously frustrates me with his inconsistent play, but mostly with his lack of defense.

I think that leaves 3-4 open roster spots if the Blazers keep Sharpe and their pick.

I'm not wanting to give up value to dump Grant. He's coming off a horrendous season, so his value can't get much lower (outside of the fact that he has two really solid seasons the two before).

If we're magically looking like a contender, then absolutely I'd be happy to revisit this stance.

But for a young rebuilding team, giving up a first round draft pick to dump a bad contract, when you aren't contending, is an absolute waste of resource imo.

[DaVoiceMaster]

It is puzzling, it doesn't seem like they have a plan.

G: Simons, Sharpe, Scoot, Thybulle, Rupert
F: Grant, Avdija, Camara, Murray
C: Ayton, Clingan, Reath

Won't play: Williams
Decision needs to be made: Walker, Banton
What to do with the FRP??

And you have 7 expiring contracts that you have to deal with at the end of next year. It doesn't put you in a strong negotiating position with either your FAs or other FOs not to mention the playing time issues and player development issues.

Puzzling at best.

I'm shipping Simons to Orlando or Denver... PERIOD!!!

I'm finding a trade partner for Grant. If it's for an expiring, maybe add some trade incentive like the Boston pick.

I'm sending Williams III for the best deal available.

I'd hang on to Ayton because we need another center and he actually wasn't playing too bad before his injury. Worse case scenario, we trade him at the deadline or let him expire. Same with Thybulle. I've been pleasantly surprised since he returned and it adds another defensive option.

I'd resign Walker if it's a cheap deal and let Banton walk. I used to think he'd be a keeper as an offensive guy off the bench periodically, but his game has kinda sucked lately.

If I could do something with Sharpe and our pick to move up into the top 2, I'd seriously consider it. The guy seriously frustrates me with his inconsistent play, but mostly with his lack of defense.

I think that leaves 3-4 open roster spots if the Blazers keep Sharpe and their pick.

I'm not wanting to give up value to dump Grant. He's coming off a horrendous season, so his value can't get much lower (outside of the fact that he has two really solid seasons the two before).

If we're magically looking like a contender, then absolutely I'd be happy to revisit this stance.

But for a young rebuilding team, giving up a first round draft pick to dump a bad contract, when you aren't contending, is an absolute waste of resource imo.

I hear ya. I'm not inclined to give up much to dump a player, but I don't expect that Boston pick to be all that good. Maybe the Blazers get the Denver pick if they send Simons to Orlando. That likely won't be a good pick either. I don't mind sending out a #25 pick. Sure, something could happen (like Philly) and the pick is good, but I don't see that happening.