Game 62: Portland vs Atlanta 4:30pm Root+

[The Sebastian Express]

I maintain I think he'll play until the endish of March and see where we are then. Endish of March also helps to guarantee he'll make an All NBA Team (as he should).

I think if we have a rough March we won't see him play in April. April is a rough month in and of itself.

[The Sebastian Express]

Also who's idea was it at the NBA office to let us finish on like a four or five game road trip to end the season that culminates in us playing a road game on Saturday then playing at home against the Warriors the next damn day?

[DaVoiceMaster]

Lillard can try to win all he wants. The rest of the team is not good enough to help him win. They definitely need to do something this summer. I hope Grant does not get $25M this summer cuz he's not worth it. Collins sure didn't look like a $20+M player last night. I can see why Atlanta wants to move him.

[Norm2953]

5 cracks on Tankathon (lottery sim) led to Portland finishing with the top pick twice

[monopoman]

I actually think there's a significantly real chance we can get top 5 worst record. We can't catch Houston, Pistons, Spurs or Charlotte. But everyone else is within two or so games of each other. Our upcoming schedule, especially with our current injuries, is brutal. It is rough. Teams with better records, healthy teams, teams we've struggled with all year.

I'm guessing Dame gives it a go until the third week of March to see where we are - but this road trip has a chance to go horrible (or conversely, amazing for the stealth tank) and with Nurk still at least a week plus our it appears and Simons with his bum ankle..

I think where we are after this game: Fri, Mar 24 vs Chicago

will say a lot. I think there's a good chance we only win one game between now and then, which is the Detroit game. Orlando is maybe a tossup, but we lost at home versus them earlier. Franz Wagner is struggling offensively lately it feels like so maybe we have equal odds here, Carter Jr did well against us last time and I don't see that changing this time around. Or Paolo with our current defense.

I just don't see Dame ever not trying to win out there, now maybe the team is in such a rough state that Dame has to drop 50+ on great efficiency to beat even a moderately good team. If that's the case we might not be tanking really we just are not in a great state and might need roster changes along with coaching changes to win.

I disagree. Dame has mentioned in the past there had been times he could play but it wasn’t worth it, I think last season near the end. So I think he’s smart enough to know if the playoffs are out of the picture, it does no good for the team or to risk his health to play for nothing.

Well if we fall well out of the race maybe, but for now we are only a few games outside of a 8th seed or higher. I think Dame is focusing on that not the fact that if they lose a bunch they are well out of the playoff race. Sure if we end up with 1 win on this road trip or less that might make the thought of the playoffs well out of reach.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I just don't see Dame ever not trying to win out there, now maybe the team is in such a rough state that Dame has to drop 50+ on great efficiency to beat even a moderately good team. If that's the case we might not be tanking really we just are not in a great state and might need roster changes along with coaching changes to win.

I don't think tanking is ever on the players. They are not going to intentionally miss shots or play down. The coach and management decide to tank and adjust players and rotations to make it happen. The players may know about it, but they are going to play their game.
I disagree. Dame has mentioned in the past there had been times he could play but it wasn’t worth it, I think last season near the end. So I think he’s smart enough to know if the playoffs are out of the picture, it does no good for the team or to risk his health to play for nothing.

Well if we fall well out of the race maybe, but for now we are only a few games outside of a 8th seed or higher. I think Dame is focusing on that not the fact that if they lose a bunch they are well out of the playoff race. Sure if we end up with 1 win on this road trip or less that might make the thought of the playoffs well out of reach.