Is RIP CITY back? Blazers shoot for Play In ???

[PDXKnight]

8 of 11 were at moda as well so that will be interesting to see.

It's true, and, good teams are expected to win those games.

I am not suggesting that the Blazers current roster has magically changed from a frog to a prince. However, there is legit talent on this team.

Ayton was a #1 pick
Scoot was a #3
Clingan was #7
Shaedon was #7
Deni was #9
Jerami was #9

On top of that, Cronin spotted a diamond in the rough with Camara.

There is talent but it kind of feels like the island of misfit toys in some ways. And ayton/grant/ant seem like you never know what youll get. We will see if this team is jekyll or Hyde but it does feel like we are turning a corner. But it usually is never as good or as bad as it seems. I'd expect a coming down to earth of some sort but who knows we have closed a lot of space in the standings fast. 17-13 or 18-12 is the magic number I'd guess to make the play in which seems like a long shot especially with a deficit of road games played but next season may be a very good shot at the post season especially if we stop being stupid and move on past Chauncey

[Butter]

8 of 11 were at moda as well so that will be interesting to see.

It's true, and, good teams are expected to win those games.

I am not suggesting that the Blazers current roster has magically changed from a frog to a prince. However, there is legit talent on this team.

Ayton was a #1 pick
Scoot was a #3
Clingan was #7
Shaedon was #7
Deni was #9
Jerami was #9

On top of that, Cronin spotted a diamond in the rough with Camara.

There is talent but it kind of feels like the island of misfit toys in some ways. And ayton/grant/ant seem like you never know what youll get. We will see if this team is jekyll or Hyde but it does feel like we are turning a corner. But it usually is never as good or as bad as it seems. I'd expect a coming down to earth of some sort but who knows we have closed a lot of space in the standings fast. 17-13 or 18-12 is the magic number I'd guess to make the play in which seems like a long shot especially with a deficit of road games played but next season may be a very good shot at the post season especially if we stop being stupid and move on past Chauncey

I agree with all of this. This Blazers team definitely does not follow the current conventional wisdom of a "big three".

It is probably much closer the teams Billups played in in Detroit where it was more balanced and you never knew who would be the goto on any given night.

[PDXKnight]

It's true, and, good teams are expected to win those games.

I am not suggesting that the Blazers current roster has magically changed from a frog to a prince. However, there is legit talent on this team.

Ayton was a #1 pick
Scoot was a #3
Clingan was #7
Shaedon was #7
Deni was #9
Jerami was #9

On top of that, Cronin spotted a diamond in the rough with Camara.

There is talent but it kind of feels like the island of misfit toys in some ways. And ayton/grant/ant seem like you never know what youll get. We will see if this team is jekyll or Hyde but it does feel like we are turning a corner. But it usually is never as good or as bad as it seems. I'd expect a coming down to earth of some sort but who knows we have closed a lot of space in the standings fast. 17-13 or 18-12 is the magic number I'd guess to make the play in which seems like a long shot especially with a deficit of road games played but next season may be a very good shot at the post season especially if we stop being stupid and move on past Chauncey

I agree with all of this. This Blazers team definitely does not follow the current conventional wisdom of a "big three".

It is probably much closer the teams Billups played in in Detroit where it was more balanced and you never knew who would be the goto on any given night.

Yeah that's probably a good comparison although this is obviously a poor man's version at least currently.

I want to believe it can work but I'm 35 years old and I can count on one hand (maybe even a couple fingers) how many teams have won a title without a true number 1 or at least a number 2/3 playing like a number 1 for the duration of a post season run (Manu/Parker). Hopefully Scoot or somebody in the draft can fill that superstar role because otherwise it may be a really narrow path

[dckingsfan]

Interesting factoid from StatMuse:

The Trail Blazers have more wins vs .500 and above teams than the Grizzlies, Nuggets, Knicks, Pacers, Bucks, Heat, Pistons, Lakers, Clippers, Mavericks, Magic, Hawks, Bulls, Suns, Kings, Spurs, Jazz, Pelicans, 76ers, Nets, Raptors, Hornets, Wizards.

I just wonder if it wasn't for such a horrendous start to the season by Scoot and Deni and nagging injuries to Clingan and Williams if we wouldn't be solidly in the play-in group right now.

Then again, if you look at differential - not so much.

I guess that is a bit of If dog rabbit...

[JasonStern]

I'm loving the win streak. Fun to watch and timed perfectly, as the college football season ended.

The Blazers pick is top 14 protected. They can still make the play-in and not convey the pick to Chicago.

Sharpe's player comparison still remains Darius Miles. Freak athlete with the potential to be Vince Carter tier player, but only if his game continues to evolve.

Salary cap wise, the Blazers are fine if they can find a taker for Grant's contract. Ayton and Simons expire after next season. They can hopefully either be retained on reasonable deals, or the Blazers (less Grant) have a decent amount of cap space to figure out their long-term plans.

[dckingsfan]

I'm loving the win streak. Fun to watch and timed perfectly, as the college football season ended.

The Blazers pick is top 14 protected. They can still make the play-in and not convey the pick to Chicago.

Sharpe's player comparison still remains Darius Miles. Freak athlete with the potential to be Vince Carter tier player, but only if his game continues to evolve.

Salary cap wise, the Blazers are fine if they can find a taker for Grant's contract. Ayton and Simons expire after next season. They can hopefully either be retained on reasonable deals, or the Blazers (less Grant) have a decent amount of cap space to figure out their long-term plans.

This is a big, shmaybe, right?

If the Blazers get in, likely they would have a winning percentage of > .500 at the end of the season (assuming a game or two over .500). As of right now, that would put them at 15th, 16th or 17th.

So, there is that...

[Walton1one]

Forfeiting their pick in this draft to CHI would be a really bad look IMO.

[Butter]

I'm loving the win streak. Fun to watch and timed perfectly, as the college football season ended.

The Blazers pick is top 14 protected. They can still make the play-in and not convey the pick to Chicago.

Sharpe's player comparison still remains Darius Miles. Freak athlete with the potential to be Vince Carter tier player, but only if his game continues to evolve.

Salary cap wise, the Blazers are fine if they can find a taker for Grant's contract. Ayton and Simons expire after next season. They can hopefully either be retained on reasonable deals, or the Blazers (less Grant) have a decent amount of cap space to figure out their long-term plans.

I get the concept of what you're saying, but the Miles to Sharp comparison is a bit off. Miles career 3pt% was . 167%. He was always a slasher, who sometimes hit threes. Sharp can be streaky, but his. 338% is double Miles.

[dckingsfan]

Forfeiting their pick in this draft to CHI would be a really bad look IMO.

Interesting dichotomy, no?

1) On the other hand, you want your coach and players to compete and win as many games as possible.

2) On the other hand, you want your FO to manage the future.

1) ✓

2) Fail

[JasonStern]

The Blazers pick is top 14 protected. They can still make the play-in and not convey the pick to Chicago.

This is a big, shmaybe, right?

If the Blazers get in, likely they would have a winning percentage of > .500 at the end of the season (assuming a game or two over .500). As of right now, that would put them at 15th, 16th or 17th.

So, there is that...

It depends on if they actually win the play-in and make the playoffs. If they lose in the play-in, they miss the playoffs and would probably land the #13 or #14 pick, which is still protected. Non-playoff teams always occupy picks 1-14, and playoff teams 15-30. This is done to not punish non-playoff teams in either conference.

I get the concept of what you're saying, but the Miles to Sharp comparison is a bit off. Miles career 3pt% was . 167%. He was always a slasher, who sometimes hit threes. Sharp can be streaky, but his. 338% is double Miles.

Different era. There was a lot less 3 point shooting when Miles played versus Sharpe. If Miles played in this era, I'm sure his 3 point shot would be better than .167%.

But the point wasn't to compare their games exactly. Miles was a SF that could play PF, and Sharpe is a SG that can play SF. The point was more that Miles had all the physical talent to be great, but never put it fully together. Sharpe is young, and currently in that position. A lack of consistency. Sharpe looks like an absolute stud sometimes, putting up 27 points and highlight reel plays. Then, as you start to get excited, he puts up under 10 points the next game.

[Butter]

The Blazers pick is top 14 protected. They can still make the play-in and not convey the pick to Chicago.

This is a big, shmaybe, right?

If the Blazers get in, likely they would have a winning percentage of > .500 at the end of the season (assuming a game or two over .500). As of right now, that would put them at 15th, 16th or 17th.

So, there is that...

It depends on if they actually win the play-in and make the playoffs. If they lose in the play-in, they miss the playoffs and would probably land the #13 or #14 pick, which is still protected. Non-playoff teams always occupy picks 1-14, and playoff teams 15-30. This is done to not punish non-playoff teams in either conference.

I get the concept of what you're saying, but the Miles to Sharp comparison is a bit off. Miles career 3pt% was . 167%. He was always a slasher, who sometimes hit threes. Sharp can be streaky, but his. 338% is double Miles.

Different era. There was a lot less 3 point shooting when Miles played versus Sharpe. If Miles played in this era, I'm sure his 3 point shot would be better than .167%.

But the point wasn't to compare their games exactly. Miles was a SF that could play PF, and Sharpe is a SG that can play SF. The point was more that Miles had all the physical talent to be great, but never put it fully together. Sharpe is young, and currently in that position. A lack of consistency. Sharpe looks like an absolute stud sometimes, putting up 27 points and highlight reel plays. Then, as you start to get excited, he puts up under 10 points the next game.

I get it bro. And I agree with your point. Miles looked like he had the potential to be a generational talent at one point, with all the head bonking and stuff.

The Blazers conundrum is to decide if Sharp is Miles or Jermaine O'Neil level talent?

I've said this in other threads, but the Blazers could punt on it all, and package Sharp and their draft pick to trade up. It would delay paying the big contract extention.

[dckingsfan]

This is a big, shmaybe, right?

If the Blazers get in, likely they would have a winning percentage of > .500 at the end of the season (assuming a game or two over .500). As of right now, that would put them at 15th, 16th or 17th.

So, there is that...

It depends on if they actually win the play-in and make the playoffs. If they lose in the play-in, they miss the playoffs and would probably land the #13 or #14 pick, which is still protected. Non-playoff teams always occupy picks 1-14, and playoff teams 15-30. This is done to not punish non-playoff teams in either conference.

Agreed. It's a shmaybe...

[PDXKnight]

This is a big, shmaybe, right?

If the Blazers get in, likely they would have a winning percentage of > .500 at the end of the season (assuming a game or two over .500). As of right now, that would put them at 15th, 16th or 17th.

So, there is that...

It depends on if they actually win the play-in and make the playoffs. If they lose in the play-in, they miss the playoffs and would probably land the #13 or #14 pick, which is still protected. Non-playoff teams always occupy picks 1-14, and playoff teams 15-30. This is done to not punish non-playoff teams in either conference.

I get the concept of what you're saying, but the Miles to Sharp comparison is a bit off. Miles career 3pt% was . 167%. He was always a slasher, who sometimes hit threes. Sharp can be streaky, but his. 338% is double Miles.

Different era. There was a lot less 3 point shooting when Miles played versus Sharpe. If Miles played in this era, I'm sure his 3 point shot would be better than .167%.

But the point wasn't to compare their games exactly. Miles was a SF that could play PF, and Sharpe is a SG that can play SF. The point was more that Miles had all the physical talent to be great, but never put it fully together. Sharpe is young, and currently in that position. A lack of consistency. Sharpe looks like an absolute stud sometimes, putting up 27 points and highlight reel plays. Then, as you start to get excited, he puts up under 10 points the next game.

I get it bro. And I agree with your point. Miles looked like he had the potential to be a generational talent at one point, with all the head bonking and stuff.

The Blazers conundrum is to decide if Sharp is Miles or Jermaine O'Neil level talent?

I've said this in other threads, but the Blazers could punt on it all, and package Sharp and their draft pick to trade up. It would delay paying the big contract extention.

In this draft Sharpe + 10 for 3 could be a huge win. There is risk with any move but it certainly has some merit to it given the cap implications

I don't think I'd do the same deal with Scoot though unless it was for number 1. I maintain Scoot is our best shot at a true number 1 currently

[dckingsfan]

Ummmm - Cooper Flagg is probably worth the entire team - just saying.

[PDXKnight]

My hopes:

Head coach: Chauncey must go, those 10 games were a nice stretch but we crashed back into reality. Sure it's one game tonight but the big picture over 4 seasons has been ugly and I hope we don't (meaning Joe cronin Jody and Kolde) get so biased from a small sample size that we keep billups another year. In some ways I hope the finish to the year stinks bad enough for there to be change as I'm pretty sure even a halfway decent finish would leave us stuck with him another year

Roster: another aspect of the 10 game stretch is the vets played well. Once again when you zoom out on the bigger sample size we need to make some calls. We've needed to make decisions for years and it is pure incompetence and maybe even the murder of a franchise that we haven't moved on from at least Ant at this point. Grant needs to be moved as well. Ayton I'd like to let walk but he's probably the one of the 3 who makes the most sense to hold onto till he expires as at least he plays a position of need. The other two are becoming increasingly redundant. Jerami i guess we can hang onto until he's no longer negative value, but why did we ever sign a negative value contract? Rob can't stay healthy i would've traded him for any semblance of a first even lotto protected would be fine. I get keeping him for leadership if the return isn't great but resigning him scares me even if it's the same contract again

[PDXKnight]

Ummmm - Cooper Flagg is probably worth the entire team - just saying.

Oh I agree, I don't think any team does that trade. But I'd be much more inclined to deal Sharpe than Scoot for a pick in the 2-5 range