Ja never know
Well, that's interesting. The Blazers have traded for Ja Morant.
Everyone in Portland will have an opinion. He's a controversial figure, that's for sure. I don't expect to see him kissing babies in a team promotion event at a Fred Meyer any time soon.
But will he be a bum and a lout and a menace? That remains to be seen. I wrote about his options three years ago, here. I think they're all still open to the guy, although he's getting a little old to be growing up.
On the one hand, Lillard is held-up across the league as a role model and just the kind of guy who can take Ja under his wing and mentor him.
ReplyDeleteOn the other, former Lillard teammate Ben McLemore's release date is November 1, 2033.
Some will compare his coming to that of Randolph and Miles. That was twenty years and another Portland ago. All the gentlemen's clubs those two knew have long since been knocked down or repurposed. The spots out by the airport are now dispensaries. On McLoughlin, one popular spot is now a car lot. Mary's Club did a hermit crab deal and moved into a space formerly occupied by a different club. And, the biggest harbinger of all, the mighty Acropolis closed its doors forever (for now) over the weekend.
Don't get me wrong, there's still plenty of opportunity to get in trouble here. But the city doesn't offer nearly the number of opportunities it once did.
I appreciate the tone of your post, he is still young & can get himself on-track with the right guidance (I don't follow sports, that would be my-take on any young person).
ReplyDeleteOram seems to have less hope for redemption, he's already screaming about going back to the Jail Blazer era, saying that Morant will 'drive a wedge between this franchise and its city'. I disagree, I think Portlanders have now identified what the problems are, and many would say that this one player shouldn't be blamed for what the new owner / City / State are doing to 'the franchise'.
I hope he finds a supportive community here.
Almost ten years younger than Dame and moved off of two guys that were going to be tough to move for different reasons. One of the best point guards in the league, which gives Dame someone else to run the plays and let him focus on shooting and defense (?). Will still be a bit of an odd fit, but looks like Scoot and Sharpe have had enough time to cook and their time may be up here. If they can pry Trey Murphy III from the Pelicans, they would have a very solid team. Plus weed is legal in Oregon, so he might decide to enjoy the game again and chill after.
ReplyDeleteAh…the bread and circuses continue
ReplyDeleteA Sunday school memory. Something about a leopard changing its spots.
ReplyDelete