The NBENFANT Thread (NBA): 2023-2024 Edition!

[JasonStern]

https://babylonbee.com/news/hungover-mark-cuban-wakes-up-hoping-he-didnt-make-any-dumb-basketball-trades-last-night

[Norm2953]

Tonight I wish the Hornets/Lakers game would have been on NBA TV.

Interesting to see Williams play for the Hornets

[PDXKnight]

How pathetic would it look if we try to resign Chauncey and he says no thanks? I sort of feel like that has a chance of happening.

[JasonStern]

Read on Twitter

[JasonStern]

Obligatory "I don't hate people, because that negativity causes no good in this world. But holy **** do I seriously dislike Olshey/Cronin" post:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

[PDXKnight]

Obligatory "I don't hate people, because that negativity causes no good in this world. But holy **** do I seriously dislike Olshey/Cronin" post:

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

Wow that's irritating indeed especially the Aldridge situation. I'm not sure what SA would've wanted though maybe they would've asked for 5 picks as there was no obligation to deal him to pdx but you'd think bare minimum bring him back that final year and let him retire here

Speaking of SA not a single fan would say they're less positioned than Portland moving forward. And yet here they are better positioned in the draft. Gotta love our fo's incompetence not throwing in the towel and hanging onto a weird collection of veterans taking up 80 percent of our cap

[oldfishermen]

Not an Olshey fan, but....

Giving up assets a year after lamarsha ran away, would have been insane.

As far as taking lamarsha back at the end of his career, well..

By then, he was used up to the point the Spurs could not trade him for a srp, to dump his salary. The Spurs bought him out, and the Nets let him wave a towel for 1 1/2? seasons

[JasonStern]

Wow that's irritating indeed especially the Aldridge situation. I'm not sure what SA would've wanted though maybe they would've asked for 5 picks as there was no obligation to deal him to pdx but you'd think bare minimum bring him back that final year and let him retire here

Yeah. I can see the Spurs wanting something of value in return. Even if they didn't, the Blazers would still have had to match his salary. But, there's really no excuse for not letting him end his career in Portland. I have him as the 5th best Blazer of all-time, and his Nets tenure to end his career was completely forgettable. Was he washed? Sure. But still, 9 year career, 4x all-star, 4x all-NBA with Portland. The hate some fans have for him saddens me.

I also wish that we would have brought Carmelo back. Yes, he was washed. But, he helped stabilize the team during his stint. And he didn't want to leave. He was fine drinking wine with CJ. And, similar to Aldridge, his Laker stint was unremarkable. But no! Let's use that money on... Tony Snell! (Blazers go on to win 27 games)

And, now barring an ownership/management change, I have no faith in Dame playing a farewell season with us. Instead, he'll probably get some bobble-head night when attendance starts dipping from this unnecessarily prolonged rebuild.

[JasonStern]

Not an Olshey fan, but....

Giving up assets a year after lamarsha ran away, would have been insane.

Three 1st round picks for rentals of Robert Covington and Larry Nance Jr.
Trade Gary Trent Jr. for a Norm Powell rental.
Sure. Let's trust Olshey and not trade for a proven all-NBA all-star that actually wanted to play for us. That's totally the smart play and not coming across as a jilted ex. Best of all, let's waste a few years of Dame's prime doing so. That won't make him demand a trade!

[oldfishermen]

Not an Olshey fan, but....

Giving up assets a year after lamarsha ran away, would have been insane.

Three 1st round picks for rentals of Robert Covington and Larry Nance Jr.
Trade Gary Trent Jr. for a Norm Powell rental.
Sure. Let's trust Olshey and not trade for a proven all-NBA all-star that actually wanted to play for us. That's totally the smart play and not coming across as a jilted ex. Best of all, let's waste a few years of Dame's prime doing so. That won't make him demand a trade!

Olshey made many stupid moves. The only thing he cared about was his $600 haircuts. But.....

How do YOU know it was Olshey's call to not bring lamarsha back?

Paul Allen set policy. Word on the street was, he would consider bringing back players he traded away,,, Steve Blake comes to mind,, however....

If a player requested a trade, or, left as a fa, he would not consider bringing them back. That door was shut and locked.

BTW, because LA played so soft,, many fans called him lamarsha, before he betrayed us.

[PDXKnight]

Not an Olshey fan, but....

Giving up assets a year after lamarsha ran away, would have been insane.

Three 1st round picks for rentals of Robert Covington and Larry Nance Jr.
Trade Gary Trent Jr. for a Norm Powell rental.
Sure. Let's trust Olshey and not trade for a proven all-NBA all-star that actually wanted to play for us. That's totally the smart play and not coming across as a jilted ex. Best of all, let's waste a few years of Dame's prime doing so. That won't make him demand a trade!

Olshey made many stupid moves. The only thing he cared about was his $600 haircuts. But.....

How do YOU know it was Olshey's call to not bring lamarsha back?

Paul Allen set policy. Word on the street was, he would consider bringing back players he traded away,,, Steve Blake comes to mind,, however....

If a player requested a trade, or, left as a fa, he would not consider bringing them back. That door was shut and locked.

BTW, because LA played so soft,, many fans called him lamarsha, before he betrayed us.

600 bucks? Dang the douchey finance guy at the car dealer is an expensive look

[oldfishermen]

Three 1st round picks for rentals of Robert Covington and Larry Nance Jr.
Trade Gary Trent Jr. for a Norm Powell rental.
Sure. Let's trust Olshey and not trade for a proven all-NBA all-star that actually wanted to play for us. That's totally the smart play and not coming across as a jilted ex. Best of all, let's waste a few years of Dame's prime doing so. That won't make him demand a trade!

Olshey made many stupid moves. The only thing he cared about was his $600 haircuts. But.....

How do YOU know it was Olshey's call to not bring lamarsha back?

Paul Allen set policy. Word on the street was, he would consider bringing back players he traded away,,, Steve Blake comes to mind,, however....

If a player requested a trade, or, left as a fa, he would not consider bringing them back. That door was shut and locked.

BTW, because LA played so soft,, many fans called him lamarsha, before he betrayed us.

600 bucks? Dang the douchey finance guy at the car dealer is an expensive look

There were "rumors" Olshey did get at least one $600 haircut/styling. My theory/bs if you prefer is.

From his acting in tv soap opera days, he had contacts with high end hair stylists and makeup artists, who get paid very well. Given his high maintainance style, (Kim Kardashian level), he used their services. How often is unknown, if true at all. But I find the rumors to be believable.

[PDXKnight]

Olshey made many stupid moves. The only thing he cared about was his $600 haircuts. But.....

How do YOU know it was Olshey's call to not bring lamarsha back?

Paul Allen set policy. Word on the street was, he would consider bringing back players he traded away,,, Steve Blake comes to mind,, however....

If a player requested a trade, or, left as a fa, he would not consider bringing them back. That door was shut and locked.

BTW, because LA played so soft,, many fans called him lamarsha, before he betrayed us.

600 bucks? Dang the douchey finance guy at the car dealer is an expensive look

There were "rumors" Olshey did get at least one $600 haircut/styling. My theory/bs if you prefer is.

From his acting in tv soap opera days, he had contacts with high end hair stylists and makeup artists, who get paid very well. Given his high maintainance style, (Kim Kardashian level), he used their services. How often is unknown, if true at all. But I find the rumors to be believable.

Oh definitely believable

[DusterBuster]

I feel bad for Dame for asking out. He did what was the thing to do to get a ring back 10 years ago, but that is not where the league is anymore. He wanted the Blazers to give him another star… which was the way to do it for his era, but then he got to another star in an era where that’s not where the league is anymore and you need a full team and then some…

[JasonStern]

I feel bad for Dame for asking out. He did what was the thing to do to get a ring back 10 years ago, but that is not where the league is anymore. He wanted the Blazers to give him another star… which was the way to do it for his era, but then he got to another star in an era where that’s not where the league is anymore and you need a full team and then some…

Obligatory make everyone sad reminder that the Blazers could have had Jimmy Butler to pair with Dame in 2017 for CJ McCollum and 1 or 2 first round picks. And that Aldridge asked to come back on multiple occasions.

[DusterBuster]

I feel bad for Dame for asking out. He did what was the thing to do to get a ring back 10 years ago, but that is not where the league is anymore. He wanted the Blazers to give him another star… which was the way to do it for his era, but then he got to another star in an era where that’s not where the league is anymore and you need a full team and then some…

Obligatory make everyone sad reminder that the Blazers could have had Jimmy Butler to pair with Dame in 2017 for CJ McCollum and 1 or 2 first round picks. And that Aldridge asked to come back on multiple occasions.

Blazers could have gotten Jimmy even earlier than that if I remember correctly, there was quite a bit of buzz around a deal of Aldridge to the Bulls for Jimmy and a first round pick back in the day. Might have been pre-Dame... can't recall.

[zzaj]

Nah, not feeling it for Aldridge. That dude left because he wanted "a first-class organization, to win, and be close to his family". He made his choice.

From this fan's perspective I had grown tired of the turnaround 18 footers and 4 rebounds a night games.

AFA Lillard and that draft...that pretty much tracks with what we all thought. It's interesting to consider what might have happened if the Blazers got the 2nd pick, even though I'm not really a believer in Miller. Obviously, if the Blazers would have ended up with Wemby, Lillard would still be a Blazer.

[JasonStern]

I feel bad for Dame for asking out. He did what was the thing to do to get a ring back 10 years ago, but that is not where the league is anymore. He wanted the Blazers to give him another star… which was the way to do it for his era, but then he got to another star in an era where that’s not where the league is anymore and you need a full team and then some…

Obligatory make everyone sad reminder that the Blazers could have had Jimmy Butler to pair with Dame in 2017 for CJ McCollum and 1 or 2 first round picks. And that Aldridge asked to come back on multiple occasions.

Blazers could have gotten Jimmy even earlier than that if I remember correctly, there was quite a bit of buzz around a deal of Aldridge to the Bulls for Jimmy and a first round pick back in the day. Might have been pre-Dame... can't recall.

To the best of my recollection, and I am far too lazy and don't care enough in 2025 to fact check...
Chris Haynes - who is the only reason I give this rumor any credence, as he seems to be loved by the players - stated when Butler was playing for Chicago and demanded a trade, a then rookie contract McCollum and the picks that ended up being Zach Collins would have brought Butler to Portland. But Olshey was super high on the Dame/CJ back court, as it mimicked what Golden State was doing with Steph+Klay, so he declined. So, the Bulls went with a package built around an injury risk but high upside Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen. Depending on how the Bulls would have used the pick(s), smart move on their part in hindsight. Although, we know how this plays out...

Blazers were post-Aldridge at that point. Apparently, we could have got him back if the price was right. Prime Dame/Butler/Aldridge is pretty formidable. But, if the Blazers were willing to make moves (no offense, Covington/Nance/Turner/Robinson/etc.), there is a reasonable chance Aldridge doesn't walk. Just another one of those "Yeah, we could have done what the Lakers do and accumulate star players. But I like our Aminu/Harkless/Collins supporting cast" what ifs? Same with the Blazers acquiring Barkley during Clyde's prime.

To be fair, Butler has bounced around a lot. So, you would be betting on Dame and potentially Aldridge convincing him to actually buy into the team - or risk another trade. And he likely would have for a couple of years. Recent team decline, probably not. But the idea that players don't want to play for Portland (didn't say sign - said play) is kind of misleading. Throw an 8 or 9 figure contract at me, and I'm suddenly the biggest Shanghai Sharks fan this side of the Pacific.

But, Butler (hehehe, two butts in a row) would have been the best teammate Dame would have played with pre-Giannis. The important thing was that attendance was high during this time frame and the Blazers turned a profit.

[DusterBuster]

It sure looks like Budingholdzer is gonna be out the door in Phoenix this summer. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the Blazers let Billups walk to Phoenix.

[JasonStern]

It sure looks like Budingholdzer is gonna be out the door in Phoenix this summer. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the Blazers let Billups walk to Phoenix.

Payback for Ayton?