Series Thread: WCF: 1) Golden State Warriors vs 3) Portland Trail Blazers

[buckalis]

With Nurkic I saw the WCF as the absolute BEST Portland could do, and really I don't even think I'd guess them to be there had someone asked me 2 months ago if Portland would make it to the WCF. But now that they are here, I don't see them getting past GS with our without Nurk, so this was the best and furthest they could possibly make it.

I think with this run Portland needs to take a serious, serious look into how to actually make a legitimate step forward. They've proven they can get this far with this roster. Add a good 3 or 4 man and things could get interesting for Portland for the coming years because this IS the prime years of Lillard and you do not want to waste them.

Do whatever possible to try and keep Lillard, CJ and Nurk and add Anthony Davis? Davis or Nurk take the 4, the other the 5...Or who is out there in the 3 position that Portland can get, by trade or sign and still keep Lillard, CJ and Nurk?

With a 200+ players free agency coming up and the Blazers being among the "desired destinations", the question should rather be "how much is the F.O. willing to spend"... Are they prepared to go into the lux tax and if "yes" is the answer, then "how much above"?

Forget about AD and keep all you mention... The Pels can find much better than this...

 

[CitySushi]

I mean that is literally impossible. They won't have one of those guys making that trade and that guy would most likely be CJ.

Warriors offering Jordan Bell and Damian Jones for AD. Who says no?

 

[msgkings322]

Warriors offering Jordan Bell and Damian Jones for AD. Who says no?

Gotta throw in Iguodala and it's a deal

 

[CitySushi]

Gotta throw in Iguodala and it's a deal

Fine. But I don't love it. Kevon Looney being included is a deal breaker though.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Portland shock da WURRRRRRRRLLLL

 

[Shanemansj13]

Warriors offering Jordan Bell and Damian Jones for AD. Who says no?

I guess the Blazers can offer Evan Turner and Harkless lol...throw in another player and take back a contract if we want to pretend.

 

[Wamu]

Warriors offering Jordan Bell and Damian Jones for AD. Who says no?

I say no. He'd look damn good in Celtics Green. Kyrie, Guerschon Yabusele & 4 cases of Samuel Adams is a better deal.

 

[buckalis]

Well they will most likely be spending that money on Middleton.

I doubt they will... Unless of course if Khris will take a "team friendly" contract...

Two reasons:

1. The Bucks will pay no player in their roster more than what Giannis's salary is... it would be an insult on Giannis and could possibly cause him to look elsewhere for his next contract...

2. The Bucks have turned their floor tactics from "3 guards on the floor" to "3 towers on the floor"... With Brogdon being injured, they moved Mirotic playing the 3 in the starting line up and moved Middleton at 2... But... Now Brogdon is back and he is more effective than Middleton when both play SG...
-He drives more to the rim,
-Is (slightly) more effective shooter
-He is much better than Khris to "pick and roll" the ball with Giannis...

OTOH Mirotic, although he still hasn't fully adapted with his all new (than what he used to play in the NBA up to now) role with the team,
- He is as good as Khris is a shooter,
- He attracts an opponent's "big" to guard him and therefore takes "load off" Giannis
- He is a better defender and can guard even small - quick guards with his fast legs
- He is guarding periphery better with his length and size
- He collects more rebounds...

Therefore a Bledsoe, Brogdon, Mirotic, Giannis, Lopez starting line-up, will be better than the Bucks played all season and then. the Bucks are full of 2/3 combo guards (Middleton, Brown Snell, Connaughton), but have no other than Nikola "big" wing to play 3/4... OTOH. Middleton will be too expensive to have coming from bench... Best thing the have to do (IMO) then, is to "help" Khris and agree on a "sign and trade" deal (so that he gets his 5 year max)... This way all can be happy... Khris can have the destination and the contract he wants and the Backs can have back valuable return...

I believe the Bucks will target to either sign a big 3/4 as to back up Mirotic for next season, or they'll look to trade for Paul George and start him, or for Aaron Gordon if they can't get PG as to back up Mirotic.

I believe the Bucks will either

 

[buckalis]

I say no. He'd look damn good in Celtics Green. Kyrie, Guerschon Yabusele & 4 cases of Samuel Adams is a better deal.

View attachment 205013

Can the Celtics trade Kyrie? That's news to me!

How can one trade a free agent?

 

[Wamu]

Can the Celtics trade Kyrie? That's news to me!

How can one trade a free agent?

It was sarcasm. I'm a Celtics fan & wasn't happy when they traded for him in the first place.

 

[bksballer89]

KD likely out the first 2 games.

Portland got to take 1

Source: Durant (calf) to miss at least Game 1

 

[msgkings322]

KD likely out the first 2 games.

Portland got to take 1

Source: Durant (calf) to miss at least Game 1

Steph vs Seth!

 

[Wamu]

KD likely out the first 2 games.

Portland got to take 1

Source: Durant (calf) to miss at least Game 1

Think the Blazers will be able to steal a game w/ KD out?

 

[buckalis]

It was sarcasm. I'm a Celtics fan & wasn't happy when they traded for him in the first place.

In any case, I don't think it would be wise for the Celtics to trade any of their assets for AD as the situation is... IMO, what they should do is to build around Tatum, Brown and Rozier and try to move Hortford's and Hayward's contracts for next season... Take a breather, then move on!

 

[Wamu]

Steph vs Seth!

I'll got out on a limb & say Curry scores more points.

 

[bksballer89]

Think the Blazers will be able to steal a game w/ KD out?

Idk but more possible now. Chances of them winning a game in GSW with KD playing was probably at 15 or 20%. Without KD, I seriously think that goes up to about 40%

 

[Wamu]

In any case, I don't think it would be wise for the Celtics to trade any of their assets for AD as the situation is... IMO, what they should do is to build around Tatum, Brown and Rozier and try to move Hortford's and Hayward's contracts for next season... Take a breather, then move on!

Something needs to change in Boston. Strange the Celtics made it to game 7 of the ECF last year. And w/ a healthy Kyrie, well everyone saw what he did in those last 4 games of the series. He's no leader.

Not taking anything away from the Bucks. They played a helluva series & were the better team. The ECF should be a good series.

 

[Wamu]

Idk but more possible now. Chances of them winning a game in GSW with KD playing was probably at 15 or 20%. Without KD, I seriously think that goes up to about 40%

That sounds about right. I still think the Warriors win the series in 5 or 6. But if the series goes 4 or 7 can I take a page out of the Montalban Playbook & change my prediction?

 

[bksballer89]

That sounds about right. I still think the Warriors win the series in 5 or 6. But if the series goes 4 or 7 can I take a page out of the Montalban Playbook & change my prediction?

Formula for Portland to make this a long series is simple.

Win of the first 2 in GSW and somehow find a way to win a game or 2 at home.

Do that and we have at least a 6 game series on our hands.

Easier said than done for sure.

 

[Wamu]

Formula for Portland to make this a long series is simple.

Win of the first 2 in GSW and somehow find a way to win a game or 2 at home.

Do that and we have at least a 6 game series on our hands.

Easier said than done for sure.

I want the Blazers to win in 4. But that's not happening.