A bit OT but my pick for Gameday Guest Picker: PUDDLES! Lee's friend and a pointer pain in the neck to Desmond Howard.
LA guy's pick? I do not see this UCLA D on the road holding the Ducks to under 40+ points. If I had the schedule The Chipper has faced to date I too would be a happy camper.
I think Chip's in a great mood because after years of mediocrity, he's finally got his grips on a really good team. They're senior-heavy, system-smart, and experienced, too. These are grown men, not kids, so it's more enjoyable for any coach. I also believe he's leaving UCLA after the season. He's way past the coaching age of another rebuilding cycle, which is unavoidable, and there's even more pressure now with their move, more travel, and higher expectations. What's not to enjoy about a swan song as a top ten team? Chip Kelly in a good mood? Something's gotta be up...
I hope you're not serious! Give up this season for a 7'5" great player??? Have you remembered the Blazers record with tall players? I would give odds, and I don't usually bet, that Webanyama will have a season with a lingering and season ending injury. I don't even like the hype around this extraordinary talent. You're a team man, John, and here you and the other pundits are saying this one person will define a whole team if not a whole league. I'm just skeptical, that's all!!!
I'm wary of 7'4" players who want to be guards. I don't know much about this kid but I would prefer athletically gifted centers to be effective at the rim out to about 20 feet.
Until Jody or however you spell no clue sells the team it is going to suck. They get lucky and win 23 this year. Trade Lillard and hope they only win 10, at least Damian will get a change at a ring in LA or Boston.
Everyone who goes to a Blazer game should just chant “Please sell the team!!!!” All game.
The problem for the Blazers is that a healthy Damian Lillard can will them to 35 wins all by himself. I doubt he'd be in on the Wembanyama Plan, and they'll win too many games to have any realistic shot at the top two picks.
NBA games is like the le mans. It's about management for the time given. Just like using the right tire or taking the pit stop at the correct time teams can manage against a tall player with a great skillset. They can quicken the pace or be more physical. As a champion Victor Wembanyama is not a sure thing, the best center of his generation was Olajuwon and he was undersized at 6' 9". Dave Cowens was undersized and he beat Jabbar and Chamberlain.
Hey John - Blazers need to be sold. What do you feel like is the best way this happens? Pressure from Uncle Phil? Pressure from the NBA? More hit pieces from NY Post? Blazers being really bad this year and landing a top pick?
Wembanyama looks like another Chet Holmgren, who's injured and out for the season, I think? Needs to bulk up a lot to survive in the NBA. BTW, my guess is that Holmgren will be a bust.
What a column... really three columns in one! Agree with everything here except the drumbeat to sell the team. With a few exceptions, ion any sport, ownership - good bad or indifferent doesn't affect success or failure nearly as much as fans believe they do.
More great stuff. Thanks John.
A bit OT but my pick for Gameday Guest Picker: PUDDLES! Lee's friend and a pointer pain in the neck to Desmond Howard.
LA guy's pick? I do not see this UCLA D on the road holding the Ducks to under 40+ points. If I had the schedule The Chipper has faced to date I too would be a happy camper.
I think Chip's in a great mood because after years of mediocrity, he's finally got his grips on a really good team. They're senior-heavy, system-smart, and experienced, too. These are grown men, not kids, so it's more enjoyable for any coach. I also believe he's leaving UCLA after the season. He's way past the coaching age of another rebuilding cycle, which is unavoidable, and there's even more pressure now with their move, more travel, and higher expectations. What's not to enjoy about a swan song as a top ten team? Chip Kelly in a good mood? Something's gotta be up...
I hope you're not serious! Give up this season for a 7'5" great player??? Have you remembered the Blazers record with tall players? I would give odds, and I don't usually bet, that Webanyama will have a season with a lingering and season ending injury. I don't even like the hype around this extraordinary talent. You're a team man, John, and here you and the other pundits are saying this one person will define a whole team if not a whole league. I'm just skeptical, that's all!!!
I'm wary of 7'4" players who want to be guards. I don't know much about this kid but I would prefer athletically gifted centers to be effective at the rim out to about 20 feet.
JC, you're advocating for an 82 game tank job? Man, I just sprang for League Pass! Grr.
John, you know as well as I do that the Blazers won't do anything (positive) interesting while Jody holds the reigns.
Ducks win, don't cover. I can't do scores. What's the total OVER/UNDER?
Doesn't matter go with over.
Until Jody or however you spell no clue sells the team it is going to suck. They get lucky and win 23 this year. Trade Lillard and hope they only win 10, at least Damian will get a change at a ring in LA or Boston.
Everyone who goes to a Blazer game should just chant “Please sell the team!!!!” All game.
The problem for the Blazers is that a healthy Damian Lillard can will them to 35 wins all by himself. I doubt he'd be in on the Wembanyama Plan, and they'll win too many games to have any realistic shot at the top two picks.
Does Smolinsky hang with Phil while they wait Jody out? Or does he find a local partner in Phoenix? Phil won't be around forever.
NBA games is like the le mans. It's about management for the time given. Just like using the right tire or taking the pit stop at the correct time teams can manage against a tall player with a great skillset. They can quicken the pace or be more physical. As a champion Victor Wembanyama is not a sure thing, the best center of his generation was Olajuwon and he was undersized at 6' 9". Dave Cowens was undersized and he beat Jabbar and Chamberlain.
Yes, John. .Trade Dame to a contender, I'd love to see him get a ring.
Ducks.. Bruins.... UCLA CLOSE, QB / COACH Advantage
Hey John - Blazers need to be sold. What do you feel like is the best way this happens? Pressure from Uncle Phil? Pressure from the NBA? More hit pieces from NY Post? Blazers being really bad this year and landing a top pick?
I have a feeling that Game Day is going to break their viewership record this Saturday...
Wembanyama looks like another Chet Holmgren, who's injured and out for the season, I think? Needs to bulk up a lot to survive in the NBA. BTW, my guess is that Holmgren will be a bust.
What a column... really three columns in one! Agree with everything here except the drumbeat to sell the team. With a few exceptions, ion any sport, ownership - good bad or indifferent doesn't affect success or failure nearly as much as fans believe they do.
I wouldn’t want the top two picks for the blazers they would screw it up or the player they pick gets hurt and off the court for the year to rehab.