Mateo’s Hoops Diary: Portland Can’t do Anything Right

A few licks were hit on the Portland Trail Blazers in just six days.  The aftermath resulted in Tchaikovsky’s Chanson Triste echoing in the background of the wasteland Rip City created.  Portland’s latest maneuvers indicate that a rebuild of the roster is in effect.  Regrettably for them, management’s incompetence has royally screwed the team and fanbase.

Portland is fooling themselves if they think these transactions were a success.  The only positive is that it creates $50.5 million in cap space for Free Agency 2022, although they’ll have eight players on the books.  Even with all that spending money, it doesn’t mean anything if they can’t convince a difference maker to sign on.  Which could lead to a mammoth dilemma going forward.

What if Lillard asks out?  He’ll turn 32 on July 15, and I don’t believe he has the slightest inclination to start from scratch while he is still an elite player.  It could cost him individual recognition if the team performs poorly.  Voters are usually less willing to choose someone at the bottom of the conference to participate in the All-Star game or for a nod on the three All-NBA teams.  But most importantly, if Lillard sticks around, the hairs on his head might turn gray before he plays in another meaningful ball game in April-June.

Since #0 entered the NBA in 2012, he has been a role model and one the league’s best players. In his 10 years balling, he has ascended to the pantheon of great Trail Blazers with a spot next to Bill Walton and Clyde Drexler as the organization’s finest. And as recently as October, Lillard was voted into the NBA’s list of top 75 players ever.  

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Almost three years ago, Lillard said he’d rather keep trying in Portland and come up short than go somewhere for the opportunity.  It was bold and a reflection of Lillard’s character.  But sometimes people get to a point where they’ve had enough.  Those taken for granted, like Lillard, will not be denounced by my words when they have held up their part of the deal.  

It’s been widely reported that Lillard was unhappy with his team’s direction since before he participated in the Olympic games.  I would imagine he feels worse today because the execs handling the roster have fallen asleep at their desks.

I’m not a betting man, but if I were to indulge, I’d put my money on Lillard finishing his career in another uniform.  Perhaps he starts to worry about how his legacy stacks up in comparison to  his peers. Or maybe, he leaves because it’s not fun anymore.

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