[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 Portland are spending little, still under the minimum salary to spend number by more than $10million, and have a good chance of getting into the last playoff spot.  Possibly one reason is they added college seniors, and the roster is more mature than many would think as they do have young players.

With both starting guards, and also the starting center, having four years of college to refine their games and learn about the sport maybe they are ahead of many one and dones.  This might be a Portland draft, and trade, tactic or just a concidence.

Connaughton is another senior, there may be more.  Mainly it is the backcourt, who are like coaches on the floor for teams, that could be helping Portland the most.

If Portland do have a pick next draft, and it might depend on whether they make the playoffs as that could mean the pick is gone to Denver, it will be interesting to see if they pick another senior.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 I liked the Batum trade…. I realize Batum was the better player…. but I thought they really accepted they were losing Aldridge & just moved on before he even signed w/ San Antonio….. And the Batum trade signaled that….. I think their GM did a great job…..

Lillard is a star….. & McCollum is playing great but they have so many under the radar prospects….. Allen Crabbe, Maurice Harkless, Leonard, Plumlee, Aminu……Henderson who I like as a leader is really the only player over 25 in their entire rotation….. I still like Vonleh, he has a giant NBA body & he is only 20 still…..

I didn’t notice that they were seniors…. But if that’s true it’s a great point….. It’s amazing that the Trailblazers lost Batum & Aldridge but are still competing for the 8th seed in the West…… I really enjoy watching them play….. 

 

 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 I liked the Batum trade…. I realize Batum was the better player…. but I thought they really accepted they were losing Aldridge & just moved on before he even signed w/ San Antonio….. And the Batum trade signaled that….. I think their GM did a great job…..

Lillard is a star….. & McCollum is playing great but they have so many under the radar prospects….. Allen Crabbe, Maurice Harkless, Leonard, Plumlee, Aminu……Henderson who I like as a leader is really the only player over 25 in their entire rotation….. I still like Vonleh, he has a giant NBA body & he is only 20 still…..

I didn’t notice that they were seniors…. But if that’s true it’s a great point….. It’s amazing that the Trailblazers lost Batum & Aldridge but are still competing for the 8th seed in the West…… I really enjoy watching them play….. 

 

 

[r377Participant]

I like Portland because of their salary and roster. Yes, they have Lillard on max money but apart from that they have a lot of good “middle guys”. Rather than wasting all their money on a star with big contract, they signed middle salary guys and got good value out of them.

Aminu, Ed Davis, Plumlee, Harkless and Vonleh. These 5 guys would add up to around $20 mill per season. Now some team in the offseason is probably going to overpay Harrison Barnes around that sort of figure. Who would you rather have on your team ? These five or Harrison Barnes ? Not to mention if Barnes goes down injured. Also compare Wes Matthews. The Blazers could of re-signed Wes Matthews for $17-18 mill per season. A guy coming off Achilles injury. Who would you rather have, these five guys or Wes Matthews ?

The Celtics are similar. Except overpaying $12 mill on Amir Johnson and taking David Lees big salary, they have got good value out of middle salary guys….

You don’t always need superstars to make the playoffs…. Just smart moves and not overpaying for players.

[r377Participant]

I like Portland because of their salary and roster. Yes, they have Lillard on max money but apart from that they have a lot of good “middle guys”. Rather than wasting all their money on a star with big contract, they signed middle salary guys and got good value out of them.

Aminu, Ed Davis, Plumlee, Harkless and Vonleh. These 5 guys would add up to around $20 mill per season. Now some team in the offseason is probably going to overpay Harrison Barnes around that sort of figure. Who would you rather have on your team ? These five or Harrison Barnes ? Not to mention if Barnes goes down injured. Also compare Wes Matthews. The Blazers could of re-signed Wes Matthews for $17-18 mill per season. A guy coming off Achilles injury. Who would you rather have, these five guys or Wes Matthews ?

The Celtics are similar. Except overpaying $12 mill on Amir Johnson and taking David Lees big salary, they have got good value out of middle salary guys….

You don’t always need superstars to make the playoffs…. Just smart moves and not overpaying for players.

[r377Participant]

PS. I also like Juniors and Seniors. I am not keen on taking these young one and done guys based on “potential” or high school hype and rankings. Example Quincy Miller and Josh Shelby.

This is not including your no brainers like Durant, Davis, Wiggins etc who proved they could play at college….

[r377Participant]

PS. I also like Juniors and Seniors. I am not keen on taking these young one and done guys based on “potential” or high school hype and rankings. Example Quincy Miller and Josh Shelby.

This is not including your no brainers like Durant, Davis, Wiggins etc who proved they could play at college….

[Hype Machine]

 Theyve been avoiding players with questionable character since they were the Jail Blazers.

Cities with only 1 pro team rarely bottom out. The fanbase wont tolerate it. Thats why you see teams like Utah and Portland get poor lottery seeding even when theyre pretty poor. Instead of tanking…they fight for meaningless wins.

At least Philly residents can watch football until this bad dream is over.

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

 Theyve been avoiding players with questionable character since they were the Jail Blazers.

Cities with only 1 pro team rarely bottom out. The fanbase wont tolerate it. Thats why you see teams like Utah and Portland get poor lottery seeding even when theyre pretty poor. Instead of tanking…they fight for meaningless wins.

At least Philly residents can watch football until this bad dream is over.

 

 

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

If you go to college for 4 years, you can join the Blazers? Sounds awesome! Too bad I get winded just typing this. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

If you go to college for 4 years, you can join the Blazers? Sounds awesome! Too bad I get winded just typing this. 

[Author]

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