Damian Lillard says he will handle the final 24 games of the Trail Blazers season with the determination he always has and try to push his team into the postseason. But standing in 12th place at the All-Star Break Lillard recognizes the franchise might have different goals at play during the stretch run of the season.
So what direction should they head? And what’s at stake for Portland in the short term in the longterm based on how they approach the games after the All-Star break.
Some fun to close the show: Remembering some off-the-beaten path special Damian Lillard games to close the show from my time on the Blazers beat.
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18 Comments
They should tank for a pick to trade for a big
There is no “direction” until trade season. They will finish @43-39 and finish in 10th place, then lose in the Play-In, acquiring the #12 First Round lottery slot and the Knick’s #19 FRP. They may trade up to (@#7?) with those two picks like they did to get Dame.
playoff push
not the push PLAYOFF they should push conf. final.. what a weak question that… So you thinking that GSW shouldnt push also… they needed to big center…
We all know trading Ant in the off-season is the best plan
In my opinion you can't tank purposely with Dame playing the way he is. Blazers should play hard and let the chips fall where they may
Hi mike thank you for update Buddy
Lets see what Nurks defense looks like when he doesnt have a guard barreling at him at full speed while having to cover for a lob threat. Having to only hide Dame will do wonders. This team is about to turn the corner and look competative…….cough cough sleepy simons
If they intend to make a splash this summer, they'll need to make the playoffs so that pick conveys. It's the most cost-effective way of getting control of their future picks again. Personally, I don't think they can make a big enough splash to make a big enough difference, so I'd prefer them to tank, but I get it if they don't intentionally go that route.
Did our hot start actually hurt us this season? I guess that’s the real question being asked – and to me it’s a resounding yes. I’m just tired of all the half-measures, are we gonna shoot our shot and make a swing or watch his prime just drift by? Cronin sounding a lot like his predecessor, and that worries me, that and his love of ant. Ant is great but he’s a DH in a two way game, and doesn’t fit with dame. It’s time to move ant and swing big this next 6 months.
The best option for The Blazers is:
1.) Tank and get 2 2023 first round picks
2.) Trade Nurk and Lillard in the summer. The value will never be higher.
3.) Build around Nassir, Anfrenee, Shandon, Matisse, and Reddish. That's a promising core.
Little and 2 2nds to Chicago for our 1st back. Ant, Nurk and 3 1st and 3 2nds for LeBron. Next year would be; Dame Thybulle Bron Grant and any big you want. Still have Sharpe and Watford maybe reddish also
This platform too big for your basketball knowledge
Nothing good comes from losing on purpose
PUSH.
Would love to see Dame get a scoring title regardless.
Simons needs to be traded in the off-season! I will say though that Shaedon Sharpe needs to be off the table because he's definitely going to be Dame's replacement IMO
There is no sure thing,competitor's compete and live with it. There is no shame in that.