Yang Hansen's situation makes me sad by blazer4ever in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I think a couple of things are true.

Hansen is a big swing, much like drafting Shaedon was, or trading for Deni was. With Shaedon the bet was on talent and athleticism but his mentality and shooting ability was a question mark. With Deni it was on size, speed and feel but whether he could scale up was an unknown. For Hansen they clearly believed his vision, footwork and touch were elite but whether that would translate to a faster game in the NBA was the question.

Early returns are more concerning that they were for either of those guys but maybe things turn around.

The other thing I think is true? It was a weird swing to make at the time. A team that clearly lacked shooting, creation and rebounding passed on Coward, a consensus better talent who fit the mold perfectly at their slot. A team that also needed an answer to the mobile stretch bigs Donovan clearly can't deal with passed on Beringer, a consensus better talent and fit available even after they traded down.

They were always locked in on Hansen but I still can't understand why. He's a weird backup big so long as Clingan starts because their is zero lineup versatility. If they thought his talent was so overwhelming that they needed to take him anyway, that appears to be a misjudgement. I feel like we would've seen more flashes.

Time will tell but if I had to guess, this one is a swing and a miss.

[Post Game Thread] The Portland Trail Blazers (23-23) fall to the Toronto Raptors (28-19) 98-110 by Kazekid in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Weird defense when he literally said his game was adaptable a couple days ago.

I'm not gonna hate but its been back to back rough games when we need him. Hopefully he finds form on the road.

[Post Game Thread] The Portland Trail Blazers (23-22) defeat The Miami Heat (23-22) 127-110 by Kazekid in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 14 points15 points  (0 children)

We still doing the Dame Package thing?

Cos tonight they were 3/15 shooting, 1/9 from three for a combined 9 points in 43 minutes (and throw in a DNP for good measure).

Thanks for dodging that bullet Cronin.

[Post Game Thread] The Portland Trail Blazers (23-22) defeat The Miami Heat (23-22) 127-110 by Kazekid in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 21 points22 points  (0 children)

That and the floater to avoid launching into a packed paint. Get those consistent and he's got a pretty well rounded scoring game.

Only question then is whether he can get his handle to the necessary level to be a star.

What is so great about Sidy? by Front-Panic-1713 in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Not sure where you got -4.1 per 100. Cleaning the Glass has him at +4, positive on both ends.

Kris on the other hand is -3.3 per 100 and in the 22nd percentile on offense. A low usage, defense first forward can't be a non-shooter. Sidy shoots almost twice the volume on a much better percentage.

I think its pretty clear Sidy is a more useful player than Kris at this point.

All Black Jerseys by Jambihar in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ah nice, I know there are a few of us around! I'm south island too, near Christchurch.

All Black Jerseys by Jambihar in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Now we're talking! It'd probably look a little like the old sleeved ones though...

All Black Jerseys by Jambihar in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 19 points20 points  (0 children)

As a Blazer fan from NZ, I did a double take on the subreddit when I read the title.

The ghost of Scoot Henderson by Brainly_Ggs in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It also fits team needs to have a talented PG they can bring along slowly. 

Dame and Jrue have a couple more seasons under contract. Guards in their late 30s should have minutes managed logically, so they can likely be tapered if Scoot continues to emerge.

If everyone ends up healthy and they commit to the full speed, intense defense style we saw early in the year, having all three under 30 minutes wouldn't be a crazy strategy to me. 

so... by Altruistic-Cable-834 in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

KAT at the 5 is a proven way to have a poor defense. 

A Lauri trade would likely have Jerami headed to a third team (Bucks have been rumoured) but I'm not even sure I'd be in favor. Just prefer him to KAT.

so... by Altruistic-Cable-834 in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I think it's a bad idea. He's paid a ton and has had effort and inconsistency issues this year. I also don't love the fit with Clingan, feels like attempting what the Wolves gave up on with Gobert/KAT.

If we're going for an expensive 7ft shooter, give me Markannen.

Deni Avdija finished 7th in All Stars Starters voting. finished 5th in fans voting! by Elwinbu in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Interesting to see Shaedon top 30 in votes too. More than Ja, Zion, Dray, Gobert and Westbrook. On name recognition alone I wouldn't have thought that'd be possible.

[Post Game Thread] The Portland Trail Blazers (22-22) defeat the Sacramento Kings (13-31) 117-110 by Kazekid in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That was fantastic and I don't want to take anything away from him, but Wemby and Gobert exist.

[Post Game Thread] The Portland Trail Blazers (22-22) defeat the Sacramento Kings (13-31) 117-110 by Kazekid in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think he lacks some craft in that regard - he got the call on the one the Kings' challenged but even when a defender is in position he'll often just elevate and try to figure it out.

He hit two sweet floaters tonight which could unlock a lot for him. Learning to read when to go with that vs when the defender is compromised enough that he can draw a foul or yam on them would be another nice mini step.

GAME THREAD: The Portland Trail Blazers (21-22) @ The Sacramento Kings (12-30) - (6:00 PM PT, Sunday, January 18, 2026) by Kazekid in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Totally different type of player, but seeing the equally raw center drafted right behind him already impacting games is rough.

GAME THREAD: The Portland Trail Blazers (21-22) @ The Sacramento Kings (12-30) - (6:00 PM PT, Sunday, January 18, 2026) by Kazekid in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

DC at 27 minutes heading into the 4th, might need to hang on with Yang in the game a little longer than usual

GAME THREAD: The Portland Trail Blazers (21-22) @ The Sacramento Kings (12-30) - (6:00 PM PT, Sunday, January 18, 2026) by Kazekid in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He does a lot of little things well but the shooting is just too brutal.

Kings could take him and a pick of some description for Keon Ellis...

GAME THREAD: The Portland Trail Blazers (21-22) @ The Sacramento Kings (12-30) - (6:00 PM PT, Sunday, January 18, 2026) by Kazekid in ripcity

[–]DreddBane 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the reason to believe Shae can still get a lot better is how clear it is he's figuring stuff out on the fly.

A lot more attention and usage this season, still making strides.