I love that this Dame news is totally pushing Fournier’s whining out of the spotlight. No one even cares. And I don’t even think Fournier is being ridiculous or anything like that. Yeah, the situation sucks for him, but them’s the breaks when you sign guaranteed contracts, dude.

Assuming Dame wants to be there. All I’m saying is maybe a year from now he doesn’t.

The Lillard that I have rooted for for the past many years is one of the most professional players I’ve ever seen. He played alongside a lot of very weak players in Portland and didn’t complain.

In fact, here’s a fun list. See if you can guess what it is:

Wesley Matthews
Ed Davis
Mason Plumlee
Mo Harkless
Jusuf Nurkic
Hassan whiteside
CJ McCollum
Josh Hart
Drew Eubanks

If you answered “Blazers that had the 2nd highest BPMs each year that Lillard led the team” then YOU WIN!!!!

Seriously, if Steph Curry’s best teammates in Golden State were Drew Eubanks, Mo Harkless, and Mason Plumlee how many championship rings would he have today?

I suspect Lillard will be all-in in Wisconsin, sharing a court with easily his best teammate ever. His shoulders are going to be nice and rested all year not having to carry a team single-handedly.

As for why, this from The Athletic: “Good luck with that pick-and-roll coverage, Rest of Earth.”

I’m beginning to think this is, in fact, the best case scenario for us.

Thank you. I was beginning to think I’d lost my mind, considering the reaction here. This is great, people! The Bucks are awesome now and maybe another year. But Lopez and Middleton will certainly be cooked in 2 years if they aren’t already, and 35yo Dame isn’t gonna be enough to compensate. Giannis may enjoy another title or two, but sticking around after that? I don’t see it.

Meanwhile, at I said, Tor and Miami don’t get Dame. Miami isn’t gonna get Jrue either. Neither becomes a threat.

In 2 years it’s gonna be Boston, us, and Cleveland, and even that depends on KP staying healthy and Donovan sticking around. 50/50 on both, imo.

Are the Bucks better off? Of course they are. I am not buying any of Strat’s “but Jrue is close when you count defense” stuff. This is a home run for the Bucks.

But I am buying the possibility that one year from now Dame and Giannis want to leave. This is a forced marriage. I wouldn’t be surprised if each of them wants to pick their own bride next summer.

the Bucks will be better for this, not worse

Assuming Dame wants to be there. All I’m saying is maybe a year from now he doesn’t.

Lopez will be 36. Middleton is always hurt. Who knows what supporting pieces they can find.

I can see Dame & Giannis giving this a year, being great for a year, and then both wanting to move on.

Dame is one of the best offensive players of all time. That’s not going to happen to him.

100%

I fully understand why all the “experts” think this is a no brainer. They value offense over defense, Dame is incredible on offense, and Dame will provide more space to Giannis. But those same experts often can’t figure out why a team loaded with offensive talent that’s getting a little older can’t get over the hump.

Dame is a negative defender that will get targeted in the playoffs.

That means the Bucks are going from an elite defender that will occasionally disrupt the opposing team’s entire offense by neutralizing their best scoring/playmaking guard to a guy that will be targeted by that very same guy.

The Bucks are also getting older.

The Bucks were serious contenders either way but imo this trade is a lot closer than the “experts” think.

If they are a heavy favorite to win it all, I’ll be keying against them with my wagers. IMO they don’t deserve to be much lower in odds than a few other teams in both the east and west.

https://theathletic.com/4905243/2023/09/27/knicks-rotation-julius-randle-buddy-hield/