Honestly shoutout to you Mike. You’ve turned this dry off season into an engaging, exciting time for us die hards! Your podcast is amazing and it’s only gotten better. Cheers & let’s go Blazers! 🍻 🔥🔥🔥
The Blazers will have 2 players in the starting lineup who only care about offense. JG & Ayton need to commit 100% to both ends and Coach Billups needs to put an address on it when they don't. You have the Best PODCAST on the Blazers hands down.
I always thought CJ and Dames lack of defense only needed a 2 centers solution. Now we got 4 badass centers. Ayton, Clingan, Duop Reath, and Robert Williams III. Play 2 centers and move Jeremy Grant and Jabari Walker to small forward and let Simons and Sharp run loose at guard. I see this as a 40+ win team with that formula.. But playing small will result in 20 win team...
I don't know that we trade anybody. We can tank another year, see how players like Scoot, Sharpe and Clingan do, and go for a top 4 pick, where the star power is predicted for the 2025 draft. We're a still young team that doesn't know exactly what it has, and Ayton, Grant and Simons are good players that could be part of a playoff push this year or next.
Mike I agree with your notion that Clingan should round out his center skills (O-Rebounding, general touch around the rim) before trying to become an outside “threat”, but I disagree with how you present it. If Clingan is at the top of the perimeter in transition, why not let the guy pull it? If he’s in the corner or at the top of the perimeter when Jerami, Ant, Shae, or Scoot drives, and he gets the ball, why not pull it? He’s going to be out along the perimeter or near it because of how much he will be screen setting, and the shooting would only add to the screening ability and it’d make a really unique wrinkle to the Blazers offense. Although Clingan’s 3 is not imperative, I’m cool with him trying to develop that shot
The occasional trail 3 is fine, potentially even good. I think a center that protects the rim and can stretch the floor on offense is a very valuable weapon ... but that's not what Clingan should be aiming to be early in his career. He should never be spacing to the deep corner, imo. Spacing at the dunker spot along the baseline has value for smart offenses, particularly if you're as big as DC. He should roll to the rim when he screens. Floating around the perimeter after setting a screen sounds like a nightmare for someone with his skillset to me. He can be a really good high post passing hub without launching threes. He can be useful on offense in a lot of other ways without launching deep jumpers. I am not saying he shouldn't ever shoot 3s, particularly if he's wide open and it's in the flow of the offense and later in the shot clock. I'm saying those shots should be very low on his priority list and the offensive system should be structured such that he isn't floating along the perimeter. He's gigantic. He should do gigantic guy stuff first, and add shooting later.
@@LockedOnBlazers I completely agree with that, I can only see Clingan getting corner 3’s is on side p’n’r actions where he pops instead, but even then I agree it’s not good offense. I think nightmare is a bit of a stretch in terms of offense, the Blazers offense is awful as is. But obviously I agree he NEEDS to be doing the traditional big man stuff first and foremost, and utilize/develop his passing as the 5. I think if he sets a pick at the top of the key, he needs to be rolling every time, but if there is a pop once in awhile, I’m not mad at it. I just think a 5 with any type of shooting touch is preferable, but you’re right that it should one of the last things on his list of priorities
Yes I think Ant starting, and getting him to have a GREAT first half of the season will maximize his value. And if Scoot doesn’t really improve, it could mean we Extend Simons. If Scoot gets great, and if Ant has a good first half, it paves the way for Scoot to take the reins
wont change his value. Teams know what he is and what he isnt and any perception of that value wont change until hes doing things on a team that matters is winning and built to win
@@grapeape1965 He was injured and barely played, there’s no way his value is as high as it could be. Also - players can get Better. He’s only 25, maybe he has more to show this season.
Yeah, better than being a team that'll be "lucky" to get the eighth seed for a couple more years until Dame just clearly isn't enough by himself anymore. Especially since other Western conference teams have gotten better too. This rebuild was going to start either then or waste a few years, watch Dame get disgruntled as he gets older that he's not getting any more help. I'm happy Dame and the Blazers rn. Also, Blazers still have "assets" from the Dame deals Ayton, Robert Williams, & one asset was just flipped in order to get Deni Avdija. I'd rather see young talent develop into a cohesive competitive team over the next few years. Rather than slowly watching the end of playoff hopes and any unrealistic title hopes... Warriors are now in a similar situation but they'll probably make Steph rot right there with them instead of just letting him go. There's no joy in seeing a great player struggle and not make the playoffs because their team overall just isn't very good compared to the rest of the league.
@@gamechanger114 I'm speaking about what y'all ultimately got from the transactions since trading Dame. Y'all gave up 2 firsts and 2 seconds for Deni and Ayton and Robert Williams are de-valuing assets each passing year now since their on-court play (or lack thereof in Rob Will's case) is nothing to really write home about. And is Shaedon Sharpe really as good as y'all say he is? He only appeared in 32 games last season and shot 41% FG and 33% from three in the increased volume before he got hurt. He's an outstanding athlete, but is he just that?
@one2many1030 In the Dame package Portland got Malcolm Brogdon, Ayton, Robert Williams, Toumani Camara, a "2029" Bucks unprotected 1st rd pick and 2 Bucks 1st rd pick swaps (2028 & 2030). Blazer got Deni Avdija for Malcolm Brogdon, the 2024 14th pick and a "2029" 1st rd pick (quotations are because Portland two 1st rd picks and will just keep the the best pick). So unless you really like Malcolm Brogdon and the 14th pick in this supposedly weak draft class, it was also a solid deal for Portland.
We didn't trade for Avdija to tank! It's winning time....the culture we wanr! Being 7th or 8th entering the lottery can still net you a top 4 pick...Odds are ok...it comes down to luck....just ask the Pistons from last lottery...worst record got #5!
Have you had the opportunity to watch this rookie with the last name Clarke? And she does this thing called passing the ball. After Blazers miss all the 3 pointers could they rebound all the misses?
0%. SAS has no interest in that. They almost certainly will only have 2 picks, theirs and Atlanta's. And none of those blazers guys have a market value worth either one of those and SAS has no interest in trading those in the first place outside of a star trade which none of these guys are even close to. If they did they'd want the player NOW, like the lauri trade timing when they were thinking about him, so that they would be better all year since making that move would mean they'd want to be good now, and having them all yr is an available trade option and it maximizes what they'd want in that scenario (being good) and allow them to win the most they could, and assure them their own pick (Which is the one they'd trade in that scenario) wouldn't be as good. SO zero likelihood, and a bad trade for san Antonio.
@grapeape1965 Thanks for writing all that out, haha I agree, Charlotte will definitely get their pick back, but there is a chance Chicago doesn't get that 1-10 pick, especially being in the east and them still having a mediocre team. That pick going 11-15 is possible next year. So then, with their team making a jump next season, I could see a world where their three picks go 7 (SA), 11 (ATL), 14 (CHI). Would they really want 3 players in the lower end of the lottery? Probably not. Simons has been mentioned in trades to them. I think there's a world where they trade Simons for one of those picks 🤷
@@rileymcphee9429 If I'm the Spurs I definitely want those picks. (And Simons has negative trade value, so you're not getting a pick as high as those for him anyway.)
@scottwickett1273 If the choice is between Simons and Trae Young, I'm trading for Simons. I don't think Simons has been in the right environment to shine tbh. The situation in SA I believe would unlock his potential and he could learn a few things from CP3 before he retires there, too.
@@LockedOnBlazers I agree on the consistency front on both ends of the floor but he’s gonna be the guy regardless of who else they draft let’s just hope they give him the opportunity to do it
Ayton isnt worth less when hes on an expiring deal, hes worth nothing now lol. No one wants him on this terrible expensive deal an the blazers literally got him FOR NOTHING after 2.5 yrs of the Suns trying to give him away and none of the league traded for him. His yr in Portland didnt change any of that. He doesnt have any positive trade value until hes expiring and then at least teams wanting to create cap space for the next summer might take him off the blazers books. He is not a positive trade asset with any demand now, or this year and thats been a fact for a while.
That's probably true, he may have some value around trade deadline if he plays well. The new TV deal makes his contract look a little better, like JGs money.
Honestly shoutout to you Mike. You’ve turned this dry off season into an engaging, exciting time for us die hards! Your podcast is amazing and it’s only gotten better. Cheers & let’s go Blazers! 🍻 🔥🔥🔥
Thanks, CarloBarlo69
Thanks for the pod. They mean a lot during the dog days of August.
Thanks, Mike!
Agree Mike you da best!
Thanks!
The Blazers will have 2 players in the starting lineup who only care about offense. JG & Ayton need to commit 100% to both ends and Coach Billups needs to put an address on it when they don't. You have the Best PODCAST on the Blazers hands down.
We have some 2s 3s and 4s on the roster. We are a cooper flag away from our build to the finals. Just shows how much luck you need in the nba.
I always thought CJ and Dames lack of defense only needed a 2 centers solution. Now we got 4 badass centers. Ayton, Clingan, Duop Reath, and Robert Williams III. Play 2 centers and move Jeremy Grant and Jabari Walker to small forward and let Simons and Sharp run loose at guard. I see this as a 40+ win team with that formula.. But playing small will result in 20 win team...
I don't know that we trade anybody. We can tank another year, see how players like Scoot, Sharpe and Clingan do, and go for a top 4 pick, where the star power is predicted for the 2025 draft. We're a still young team that doesn't know exactly what it has, and Ayton, Grant and Simons are good players that could be part of a playoff push this year or next.
Love your show Mike, thanks for what you do!! GRANT needs to go or go to rebounding school.
Suns wave Naz
Mike I agree with your notion that Clingan should round out his center skills (O-Rebounding, general touch around the rim) before trying to become an outside “threat”, but I disagree with how you present it. If Clingan is at the top of the perimeter in transition, why not let the guy pull it? If he’s in the corner or at the top of the perimeter when Jerami, Ant, Shae, or Scoot drives, and he gets the ball, why not pull it? He’s going to be out along the perimeter or near it because of how much he will be screen setting, and the shooting would only add to the screening ability and it’d make a really unique wrinkle to the Blazers offense. Although Clingan’s 3 is not imperative, I’m cool with him trying to develop that shot
The occasional trail 3 is fine, potentially even good. I think a center that protects the rim and can stretch the floor on offense is a very valuable weapon ... but that's not what Clingan should be aiming to be early in his career. He should never be spacing to the deep corner, imo. Spacing at the dunker spot along the baseline has value for smart offenses, particularly if you're as big as DC. He should roll to the rim when he screens. Floating around the perimeter after setting a screen sounds like a nightmare for someone with his skillset to me. He can be a really good high post passing hub without launching threes. He can be useful on offense in a lot of other ways without launching deep jumpers. I am not saying he shouldn't ever shoot 3s, particularly if he's wide open and it's in the flow of the offense and later in the shot clock. I'm saying those shots should be very low on his priority list and the offensive system should be structured such that he isn't floating along the perimeter. He's gigantic. He should do gigantic guy stuff first, and add shooting later.
@@LockedOnBlazers 💯💯💯💯
@@LockedOnBlazers I completely agree with that, I can only see Clingan getting corner 3’s is on side p’n’r actions where he pops instead, but even then I agree it’s not good offense. I think nightmare is a bit of a stretch in terms of offense, the Blazers offense is awful as is. But obviously I agree he NEEDS to be doing the traditional big man stuff first and foremost, and utilize/develop his passing as the 5. I think if he sets a pick at the top of the key, he needs to be rolling every time, but if there is a pop once in awhile, I’m not mad at it. I just think a 5 with any type of shooting touch is preferable, but you’re right that it should one of the last things on his list of priorities
He only made half of his FREE THROWS in college, it is very likely that he never shoots.
Three guards can't start, so who comes off the bench? Does letting Ant start the season help his trade value?
I think Scoot will be coming off the bench almost assuredly, at least to start the season. His level of play will determine how long he stays there.
Yes I think Ant starting, and getting him to have a GREAT first half of the season will maximize his value. And if Scoot doesn’t really improve, it could mean we Extend Simons. If Scoot gets great, and if Ant has a good first half, it paves the way for Scoot to take the reins
wont change his value. Teams know what he is and what he isnt and any perception of that value wont change until hes doing things on a team that matters is winning and built to win
@@grapeape1965 He was injured and barely played, there’s no way his value is as high as it could be. Also - players can get Better. He’s only 25, maybe he has more to show this season.
why did jgrant legs look so skinny this year and rest of body?
So after hindsight, y'all still happy with what y'all got from the Dame trade?? lol
Yeah, better than being a team that'll be "lucky" to get the eighth seed for a couple more years until Dame just clearly isn't enough by himself anymore. Especially since other Western conference teams have gotten better too. This rebuild was going to start either then or waste a few years, watch Dame get disgruntled as he gets older that he's not getting any more help. I'm happy Dame and the Blazers rn. Also, Blazers still have "assets" from the Dame deals Ayton, Robert Williams, & one asset was just flipped in order to get Deni Avdija. I'd rather see young talent develop into a cohesive competitive team over the next few years. Rather than slowly watching the end of playoff hopes and any unrealistic title hopes... Warriors are now in a similar situation but they'll probably make Steph rot right there with them instead of just letting him go. There's no joy in seeing a great player struggle and not make the playoffs because their team overall just isn't very good compared to the rest of the league.
@@gamechanger114 I'm speaking about what y'all ultimately got from the transactions since trading Dame. Y'all gave up 2 firsts and 2 seconds for Deni and Ayton and Robert Williams are de-valuing assets each passing year now since their on-court play (or lack thereof in Rob Will's case) is nothing to really write home about. And is Shaedon Sharpe really as good as y'all say he is? He only appeared in 32 games last season and shot 41% FG and 33% from three in the increased volume before he got hurt. He's an outstanding athlete, but is he just that?
@@one2many1030 Getting off of the Dame contract was also its own reward.
@one2many1030 In the Dame package Portland got Malcolm Brogdon, Ayton, Robert Williams, Toumani Camara, a "2029" Bucks unprotected 1st rd pick and 2 Bucks 1st rd pick swaps (2028 & 2030). Blazer got Deni Avdija for Malcolm Brogdon, the 2024 14th pick and a "2029" 1st rd pick (quotations are because Portland two 1st rd picks and will just keep the the best pick). So unless you really like Malcolm Brogdon and the 14th pick in this supposedly weak draft class, it was also a solid deal for Portland.
@@gamechanger114 Portland really not in a position to be giving away draft equity, they are not OKC or even Utah
We didn't trade for Avdija to tank! It's winning time....the culture we wanr! Being 7th or 8th entering the lottery can still net you a top 4 pick...Odds are ok...it comes down to luck....just ask the Pistons from last lottery...worst record got #5!
Who is going to assert themselves as the star player? When that happens, we'll have a more defined path forward with the roster.
Have you had the opportunity to watch this rookie with the last name Clarke? And she does this thing called passing the ball. After Blazers miss all the 3 pointers could they rebound all the misses?
What's the liklihood Blazers are holding onto one of these vets to trade to the Spurs for one of their 2025 picks?
0%. SAS has no interest in that. They almost certainly will only have 2 picks, theirs and Atlanta's. And none of those blazers guys have a market value worth either one of those and SAS has no interest in trading those in the first place outside of a star trade which none of these guys are even close to. If they did they'd want the player NOW, like the lauri trade timing when they were thinking about him, so that they would be better all year since making that move would mean they'd want to be good now, and having them all yr is an available trade option and it maximizes what they'd want in that scenario (being good) and allow them to win the most they could, and assure them their own pick (Which is the one they'd trade in that scenario) wouldn't be as good. SO zero likelihood, and a bad trade for san Antonio.
@grapeape1965 Thanks for writing all that out, haha
I agree, Charlotte will definitely get their pick back, but there is a chance Chicago doesn't get that 1-10 pick, especially being in the east and them still having a mediocre team. That pick going 11-15 is possible next year.
So then, with their team making a jump next season, I could see a world where their three picks go 7 (SA), 11 (ATL), 14 (CHI). Would they really want 3 players in the lower end of the lottery? Probably not.
Simons has been mentioned in trades to them. I think there's a world where they trade Simons for one of those picks 🤷
@@rileymcphee9429 If I'm the Spurs I definitely want those picks.
(And Simons has negative trade value, so you're not getting a pick as high as those for him anyway.)
@scottwickett1273 If the choice is between Simons and Trae Young, I'm trading for Simons.
I don't think Simons has been in the right environment to shine tbh. The situation in SA I believe would unlock his potential and he could learn a few things from CP3 before he retires there, too.
Shaedon Sharpe is vince carter when he could be MJ. We don't have a star cus no one wants to be a star
LMAO hes a million tiers away from vince carter. Vince carter was a star, and lmao at sharpe could be MJ... hell fucking no you homer lol
That is one of the most ridiculous things I've seen someone say. Vince was orders of magnitude better, sharp may get there but he isnt close yet.
Only thing simons can do better than sharpe is shoot lol you gotta stop w ts sharpe was contributing his rookie year
The idea of Shaedon Sharpe and the actual player Shaedon Sharpe has been on the court are pretty far apart it seems.
@@LockedOnBlazers I agree on the consistency front on both ends of the floor but he’s gonna be the guy regardless of who else they draft let’s just hope they give him the opportunity to do it
@@LockedOnBlazers you also wouldn’t have these concerns if they didn’t pamper scoot which is mainly the reason we haven’t seen “enough” from him yet
Ayton isnt worth less when hes on an expiring deal, hes worth nothing now lol. No one wants him on this terrible expensive deal an the blazers literally got him FOR NOTHING after 2.5 yrs of the Suns trying to give him away and none of the league traded for him. His yr in Portland didnt change any of that. He doesnt have any positive trade value until hes expiring and then at least teams wanting to create cap space for the next summer might take him off the blazers books. He is not a positive trade asset with any demand now, or this year and thats been a fact for a while.
That's probably true, he may have some value around trade deadline if he plays well. The new TV deal makes his contract look a little better, like JGs money.