Shams: the ****? Simons to Boston for Holiday… real

[DusterBuster]

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Is Joe Freeman back on the Blazer beat? He was always one of my fav reporters for the team.

[DusterBuster]

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Nothing really super standout. Seems very Dame-esque in his demeanor and personality. He's a pros-pro which will go over amazing with the Portland fanbase. Seems to be legit desire by him to play with Dame and he made a point to bring out how appreciative he was to Cronin and Billups when he was originally traded here because of how big for his career it was for his time in Boston. Lot of talk about family too.

Reading between the lines, the Dame signing may have made the trade to Portland easier for Jrue. A good question about if it will be hard being on a team that's not likely going to the playoffs... he said "We'll see" which I took to mean 'we'll see if we aren't making the playoffs'. I get the sense that of course he would rather be on a clear cut playoff team, but there are things he also seems legitimately happy about here in Portland. The family stuff he made a big point about, specifically with Dame. He does seem to legit appreciate the organization and who's running it currently, calling out Billups multiple times and being excited to play for him.

This will be a pretty fascinating season with dual headed leaders in this lockerroom. There's zero advanced stats or anything to back up my statement, but this is very reminiscent of the Rockets style of team setup and I do firmly believe a good lockerroom leaders can get you 5 extra wins alone in a season.

As a side note, I felt the media questions hammered the "mentorship" thing a bit too hard.

I'm personally a lot more bullish on this team than it probably has any right to be, but I really think cracking 40 wins isn't out of the realm of possibility next season.

[Case2012]

The goal is clearly to save their jobs, which means winning. Bringing in Dame and Jrue means they want to get into the playoffs and with their defense they might be able to with consistent scoring from Deni, Shaedon, and Jeremi who is clearly going to try chucking his value up. Can't rule out Scoot, and even Camara to add 14-17 ppg themselves.

I think we'll get about 40-42 wins and retain our pick, hopefully get some SA and Dallas's "luck" and land in the top 4.

[Walton1one]

Repeating the same pattern they (Olshey) did before with Dame many years ago, just sheer idiocy, sacrificing the future to appease the limited upside (can you even call it that?) of the now.

Relying on Dame/Jrue to elevate this team to what exactly? Playoff pretender status for 1-2 years before their play falls further off the cliff? Such a short-sighted strategy, just wasting everyone's time, more years in purgatory wasted, but hey, at least those fans on the bandwagon can tell people they were there when Dame came back and he and Jrue lead this team to a 1st round exit in the playoffs (or playin), wonderful memories....

This is just not a serious organization at this point, it may not be with a new owner either, they are certainly seeming to pander to a specific type of owner, hopefully not but, at least a new owner might bring some semblance of hope to escape this cycle of irrelevance that is (will be?) the legacy of this front office.

[m0ng0]

You would think you would have moved on to a more "serious" organization by now.

[DaVoiceMaster]

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Nothing really super standout. Seems very Dame-esque in his demeanor and personality. He's a pros-pro which will go over amazing with the Portland fanbase. Seems to be legit desire by him to play with Dame and he made a point to bring out how appreciative he was to Cronin and Billups when he was originally traded here because of how big for his career it was for his time in Boston. Lot of talk about family too.

Reading between the lines, the Dame signing may have made the trade to Portland easier for Jrue. A good question about if it will be hard being on a team that's not likely going to the playoffs... he said "We'll see" which I took to mean 'we'll see if we aren't making the playoffs'. I get the sense that of course he would rather be on a clear cut playoff team, but there are things he also seems legitimately happy about here in Portland. The family stuff he made a big point about, specifically with Dame. He does seem to legit appreciate the organization and who's running it currently, calling out Billups multiple times and being excited to play for him.

This will be a pretty fascinating season with dual headed leaders in this lockerroom. There's zero advanced stats or anything to back up my statement, but this is very reminiscent of the Rockets style of team setup and I do firmly believe a good lockerroom leaders can get you 5 extra wins alone in a season.

As a side note, I felt the media questions hammered the "mentorship" thing a bit too hard.

I'm personally a lot more bullish on this team than it probably has any right to be, but I really think cracking 40 wins isn't out of the realm of possibility next season.

Thanksbforbpoating the video. How come Cronin and Chauncy weren't at the table with him? I think 40+ wins is doable.

[DusterBuster]

How come Cronin and Chauncy weren't at the table with him? I think 40+ wins is doable.

Think they just wanted to get it out of the way tbh and not have as big a thing out of it. Barely cracked 10min, informal at the PF and just something to get out of the way it felt like. Jrue seems busy with his fam and in his 16th season, probably was given the option of doing a big rollout with the jersey or not and he probably passed... been there done that kind of thing. So simply seemed like that's what everyone wanted and probably just get it out of the way to quiet some people (like myself) asking questions about why it hasn't happened and calm the rumors that he's unhappy in Portland or that they might be looking to flip him again this summer.

[Walton1one]

You would think you would have moved on to a more "serious" organization by now.

Yeah, not so easy unfortunately, wish I could, definitely could use a more serious fanbase though...

Enjoy the parade over making the playin...and feel free to stop replying to my posts, it is not like you have anything constructive or informative to say....

[m0ng0]

You would think you would have moved on to a more "serious" organization by now.

Yeah, not so easy unfortunately, wish I could, definitely could use a more serious fanbase though...

Enjoy the parade over making the playin...and feel free to stop replying to my posts, it is not like you have anything constructive or informative to say....

Ahh booo, its ok! it's about the growth, these things take time, small victories, we improve over time, and i understand you want things now but you gotta be patient and see how things shake out. It's ok man, I think your mind is rotten in that you expect a championship every year, you post all kinds of ideas but yet you never commit, you just bitch and bitch and bitch. That is the tiring part, you feel like you have all the solutions but yet you never commit, because if your wrong you look like a fool, so you choose to just complain and whine. Sorry bro I don't dislike you but your negative attitude is just tiring, Cronin sucks, the management sucks, EVERYTHING SUCKS but yet you offer no solutions to the current situation.

[dunlop212]

I don't see this as a big deal. He is coming off a bad year that was a combination of old age and injuries. The second-round picks adjustment indicates that injuries are still an issue. Spending dough to loading up with two damaged goods vets in order to build team chemistry is depressing; that's the job of the coaching staff. Probably not a trading chip, given the size of the contract. Maybe it was just a desperation move to get rid of Simons.

[DusterBuster]

I don't see this as a big deal. He is coming off a bad year that was a combination of old age and injuries. The second-round picks adjustment indicates that injuries are still an issue. Spending dough to loading up with two damaged goods vets in order to build team chemistry is depressing; that's the job of the coaching staff. Probably not a trading chip, given the size of the contract. Maybe it was just a desperation move to get rid of Simons.

That's not how the NBA works. There's very clear evidence from decades of NBA history that players can provide far more to team chemistry than a coaching staff can. Both play a part certainly, but coaches alone can get tuned out far more than players on the court with other players.

I don't agree that it was a desperation move at all. I think there was a clear direction and motivation for the move in the teams vision... I also think the move got a lot more "weird" (for lack of a better word) after they were able to resign Dame.

I think the Dame thing caught the team off guard just as much as it did the fans tbh. I actually think the team is pretty stoked on it to have both guys, but the motivation for Jrue probably wouldn't have been there had the Dame stuff happened a few weeks earlier. I think had Dame happened first, the team may have just decided to waive Simons like DA or take another type of deal for him.

So yeah, I go back to it just being kind of weird. The team probably isn't unhappy about how it turned out, but also they would probably recognize that it created some roster balance issues to a certain extent - but also should improve the teams overall talent - so they'd rather just try and figure that out. Kind of a "good problem to have" situation in their mind I think.

[Walton1one]

Yeah, my concern is that they are replaying the early Dame years all over again, pushing chips in, trying to push for playoffs\relevancey before they are ready.

Nor do I trust Billups at all as a coach, he favors vets to the detriment of younger guys, makes baffling substitutions (or doesn't) and genuinely seems to make a boneheaded coaching move more nights than not and this is 4th year? He has never had a winning or .500 record

[cucad8]

What chips are they pushing in? If they moved a 1st round pick for him, sure, I'd be annoyed as hell. But we dumped a guy almost EVERY single person in here wanted dumped, so he didn't take shots away from the young guys. Jrue isn't the type of guy to take shots away from anyone like that. He'll provide leadership and good defense.

[DusterBuster]

https://landonbuford.com/portland-trail-blazers-eye-beauchamp-following-knicks-bucks-decisions/

Not even sure if this was worth posting, but it's slow August time for the NBA.

Not sure who Landon Buford is or how accurate his sources are... I would assume not very. Claims to have some sourcing on this - but I have questions... One, I thought the Blazers were at 15 roster spots, maybe they still have some 2-way space for a guy like Beauchamp?

And two, why I posted this in this thread, some supposed reporting that the Blazers may flip Holiday again and this time to the Lakers. I'm wildly sus on this - to the point where it might not even be worth discussing/posting, but w/e.

Holiday, who is 35, is considered to be misaligned with the Blazers’ long-term timeline and is currently being traded to teams like the Los Angeles Lakers.

Holiday is believed to be in a strong position to be acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers if they decide to pursue him. The franchise has ample trade chips in the form of expiring contracts, including Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber, which together total over $40.7 million. Los Angeles can trade without sacrificing key pieces like Anthony Davis, LeBron James, or Austin Reaves because of this flexibility. Although the Lakers added Marcus Smart this off-season to fortify their perimeter defense, there remains room for an additional ballhandler and backcourt defender, especially one with postseason experience like Holiday. In the event of such a transaction, Portland would likely have a backcourt void that Beauchamp could fill.

Seems more like this guy maybe has contact with Beauchamp agent/rep and they're just trying to get some stories in the media to get him a deal somewhere.

[HoopsFanAZ]

https://landonbuford.com/portland-trail-blazers-eye-beauchamp-following-knicks-bucks-decisions/

Not even sure if this was worth posting, but it's slow August time for the NBA.
Not sure who Landon Buford is or how accurate his sources are... I would assume not very. Claims to have some sourcing on this - but I have questions... One, I thought the Blazers were at 15 roster spots, maybe they still have some 2-way space for a guy like Beauchamp?

And two, why I posted this in this thread, some supposed reporting that the Blazers may flip Holiday again and this time to the Lakers. I'm wildly sus on this - to the point where it might not even be worth discussing/posting, but w/e.

Holiday, who is 35, is considered to be misaligned with the Blazers’ long-term timeline and is currently being traded to teams like the Los Angeles Lakers.
Holiday is believed to be in a strong position to be acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers if they decide to pursue him. The franchise has ample trade chips in the form of expiring contracts, including Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber, which together total over $40.7 million. Los Angeles can trade without sacrificing key pieces like Anthony Davis, LeBron James, or Austin Reaves because of this flexibility. Although the Lakers added Marcus Smart this off-season to fortify their perimeter defense, there remains room for an additional ballhandler and backcourt defender, especially one with postseason experience like Holiday. In the event of such a transaction, Portland would likely have a backcourt void that Beauchamp could fill.

Seems more like this guy maybe has contact with Beauchamp agent/rep and they're just trying to get some stories in the media to get him a deal somewhere.

The only reason to trade Jrue to the Lakers is if they are serious about maximizing Lebron's final year(s) as a Laker. The expiring contract focus in the media doesn't hold much water as Simons WAS the EC being sent out by the Blazers. In a Lakers' trade, getting back a couple EC's is part of it BUT getting back a real player who fits the Lakers less well than Jrue -- Austin Reeves -- or the Lakers' 2031 unprotected 1st round pick is mandatory for the Blazers. Anything less is sheer Lakers' bias and entitlement.

For the Lakers: Reeves is not a plus defender. Jrue is. Both players fit at both guard spots alongside (and backing up) Luka.
Reeves wins out for the Blazers with comparative youth and fits beyond the upcoming Dame years.

Again, there is ZERO reason to make the Lakers better just for the privilege of getting back EC's when the Blazers had a cheaper one in the first place. Where's the sweetener (Reeves or an unprotected 1st) in the media trade proposals? A recent TP had a couple 2nd rounders for the Blazers' troubles. That writer can go kick rocks.

[Myth]

Semi-related/semi-unrelated: For the past couple of years, Blazers fans have clamored for Simons to be traded for picks, but ultimately, the team was willing to attach picks to upgrade Simons to Jrue. I wonder if this is also the reason why Portland has not traded Jerami Grant despite years of clamoring for him to be traded. Fans for a while wanted pick(s) for him, then eventually just wanted his contract gone, but I wonder if the team has instead been pushing for Grant+pick(s) for an upgrade, and just hasn't received the player they want. Just about the closest speculation I have seen to this is Grant+asset(s) for Lauri, though I'm mostly not a fan of that swap personally.

[DusterBuster]

https://landonbuford.com/portland-trail-blazers-eye-beauchamp-following-knicks-bucks-decisions/

Not even sure if this was worth posting, but it's slow August time for the NBA.
Not sure who Landon Buford is or how accurate his sources are... I would assume not very. Claims to have some sourcing on this - but I have questions... One, I thought the Blazers were at 15 roster spots, maybe they still have some 2-way space for a guy like Beauchamp?

And two, why I posted this in this thread, some supposed reporting that the Blazers may flip Holiday again and this time to the Lakers. I'm wildly sus on this - to the point where it might not even be worth discussing/posting, but w/e.

Holiday, who is 35, is considered to be misaligned with the Blazers’ long-term timeline and is currently being traded to teams like the Los Angeles Lakers.
Holiday is believed to be in a strong position to be acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers if they decide to pursue him. The franchise has ample trade chips in the form of expiring contracts, including Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Maxi Kleber, which together total over $40.7 million. Los Angeles can trade without sacrificing key pieces like Anthony Davis, LeBron James, or Austin Reaves because of this flexibility. Although the Lakers added Marcus Smart this off-season to fortify their perimeter defense, there remains room for an additional ballhandler and backcourt defender, especially one with postseason experience like Holiday. In the event of such a transaction, Portland would likely have a backcourt void that Beauchamp could fill.

Seems more like this guy maybe has contact with Beauchamp agent/rep and they're just trying to get some stories in the media to get him a deal somewhere.

The only reason to trade Jrue to the Lakers is if they are serious about maximizing Lebron's final year(s) as a Laker. The expiring contract focus in the media doesn't hold much water as Simons WAS the EC being sent out by the Blazers. In a Lakers' trade, getting back a couple EC's is part of it BUT getting back a real player who fits the Lakers less well than Jrue -- Austin Reeves -- or the Lakers' 2031 unprotected 1st round pick is mandatory for the Blazers. Anything less is sheer Lakers' bias and entitlement.

For the Lakers: Reeves is not a plus defender. Jrue is. Both players fit at both guard spots alongside (and backing up) Luka.
Reeves wins out for the Blazers with comparative youth and fits beyond the upcoming Dame years.

Again, there is ZERO reason to make the Lakers better just for the privilege of getting back EC's when the Blazers had a cheaper one in the first place. Where's the sweetener (Reeves or an unprotected 1st) in the media trade proposals? A recent TP had a couple 2nd rounders for the Blazers' troubles. That writer can go kick rocks.

I also just realized the writer mentioned Lakers key pieces and said Anthony Davis... this was an article posted today...

I bet this article was AI slop. Writer probably got word of Blazers being interested in Beauchamp from a source, than put that information and a few other prompts into an AI generator and hit publish.

[Pattycakes]

You would think you would have moved on to a more "serious" organization by now.

Yeah, not so easy unfortunately, wish I could, definitely could use a more serious fanbase though...

Enjoy the parade over making the playin...and feel free to stop replying to my posts, it is not like you have anything constructive or informative to say....

Ahh booo, its ok! it's about the growth, these things take time, small victories, we improve over time, and i understand you want things now but you gotta be patient and see how things shake out. It's ok man, I think your mind is rotten in that you expect a championship every year, you post all kinds of ideas but yet you never commit, you just bitch and bitch and bitch. That is the tiring part, you feel like you have all the solutions but yet you never commit, because if your wrong you look like a fool, so you choose to just complain and whine. Sorry bro I don't dislike you but your negative attitude is just tiring, Cronin sucks, the management sucks, EVERYTHING SUCKS but yet you offer no solutions to the current situation.

Ignore these negative Nancie’s. They’ve infected our fanbase and are hard to shed

[Wizenheimer]

Semi-related/semi-unrelated: For the past couple of years, Blazers fans have clamored for Simons to be traded for picks, but ultimately, the team was willing to attach picks to upgrade Simons to Jrue. I wonder if this is also the reason why Portland has not traded Jerami Grant despite years of clamoring for him to be traded. Fans for a while wanted pick(s) for him, then eventually just wanted his contract gone, but I wonder if the team has instead been pushing for Grant+pick(s) for an upgrade, and just hasn't received the player they want. Just about the closest speculation I have seen to this is Grant+asset(s) for Lauri, though I'm mostly not a fan of that swap personally.

there were a lot of reports from seemingly different sources that the Blazers were demanding two 1st's for Grant last summer; and holding to that price during the season. Either Cronin was wildly off in his asking price, the rumors were false, or he didn't really want to trade Grant in the first place

getting Grant was really Cronin's first big success as a trade when viewed as part of the CJ trade. And he was the GM who signed Grant to that big contract. It may very well be that Cronin views Grant's value a lot higher than most fans do

[dckingsfan]

Ahh booo, its ok! it's about the growth, these things take time, small victories, we improve over time, and i understand you want things now but you gotta be patient and see how things shake out. It's ok man, I think your mind is rotten in that you expect a championship every year, you post all kinds of ideas but yet you never commit, you just bitch and bitch and bitch. That is the tiring part, you feel like you have all the solutions but yet you never commit, because if your wrong you look like a fool, so you choose to just complain and whine. Sorry bro I don't dislike you but your negative attitude is just tiring, Cronin sucks, the management sucks, EVERYTHING SUCKS but yet you offer no solutions to the current situation.

Ignore these negative Nancie’s. They’ve infected our fanbase and are hard to shed

This wasn't targeted at me but... this is n-game theory and if you want to get close to winning, you need to be doing a better job than most or all of the other GMs.

If you are a fan that wants to win a championship, this current FO would be pretty disheartening.

If you are a fan that just wants a decent team, this FO isn't doing that badly. I mean, if this team was in the east, I would say they would be a lock for the play-in. But damn, the west GMs are tough.