This is the only A-plus we’re awarding, and the Portland Trail Blazers get it for achieving success in such difficult circumstances. Lillard’s stated desire to play for only the Heat could have forced the Blazers to cave, but they instead held out and secured the best deal possible. Twice.
The trade that sent Dame to Milwaukee netted Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, an unprotected first-rounder and two swaps, and then Portland turned around and flipped Holiday for two more future firsts, Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon. That haul is far better than whatever Miami could have offered, and it gives the Blazers real assets to begin their next phase.
Speaking of which, Portland triggered this teardown by recognizing Scoot Henderson as a transformational prospect and keeping the pick that landed him. That deserves praise as well. The Blazers got a decade of elite play (and no Finals trips) from Lillard; Henderson could ensure the next 10 years are at least as successful.
Portland’s offseason was so shrewd and so opportunistic that we won’t even ding it for giving Jerami Grant (five years and $160 million) way too much money.
plantsarepowerful
Well I guess that settles it, we’re the best team in the NBA now
X_SkeletonCandy
Cronin cooked. Doubted him the whole time but he cooked. Keep him in the kitchen.
terrordactylz
An A+ for Portland and an F for Miami. You love to see it.
RipCity56
I love everything about this.
God damn I’m hyped!
BigPh1llyStyle
Just waiting for the “offseason grade champions” banner post from salty ass Heats fans
StudentLoanSlave1
Cronin changed everybody’s view of him this off-season. He knew how to keep a level head in negotiations and took his time to get the best deal. I’m very impressed with how patient he was and with the intricacy of the Dame Trade. Dude knew exactly what he was doing and executed. Hats off to him.
WKCLC
BR not realizing that grant, at some point is going to be a trade deadline darling for a contender
alandwarinasia_
not bad for a poverty franchise, eh?
PuzzleheadedWest0
Fucking Miami fans still saying they’re offer was better.
10 Comments
This is the only A-plus we’re awarding, and the Portland Trail Blazers get it for achieving success in such difficult circumstances. Lillard’s stated desire to play for only the Heat could have forced the Blazers to cave, but they instead held out and secured the best deal possible. Twice.
The trade that sent Dame to Milwaukee netted Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, an unprotected first-rounder and two swaps, and then Portland turned around and flipped Holiday for two more future firsts, Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon. That haul is far better than whatever Miami could have offered, and it gives the Blazers real assets to begin their next phase.
Speaking of which, Portland triggered this teardown by recognizing Scoot Henderson as a transformational prospect and keeping the pick that landed him. That deserves praise as well. The Blazers got a decade of elite play (and no Finals trips) from Lillard; Henderson could ensure the next 10 years are at least as successful.
Portland’s offseason was so shrewd and so opportunistic that we won’t even ding it for giving Jerami Grant (five years and $160 million) way too much money.
Well I guess that settles it, we’re the best team in the NBA now
Cronin cooked. Doubted him the whole time but he cooked. Keep him in the kitchen.
An A+ for Portland and an F for Miami. You love to see it.
I love everything about this.
God damn I’m hyped!
Just waiting for the “offseason grade champions” banner post from salty ass Heats fans
Cronin changed everybody’s view of him this off-season. He knew how to keep a level head in negotiations and took his time to get the best deal. I’m very impressed with how patient he was and with the intricacy of the Dame Trade. Dude knew exactly what he was doing and executed. Hats off to him.
BR not realizing that grant, at some point is going to be a trade deadline darling for a contender
not bad for a poverty franchise, eh?
Fucking Miami fans still saying they’re offer was better.