The CSL

The TrailBlazers 2017 CSL season started with a bang as the front office traded their coveted #1 pick for DeMarcus Cousins to pair with superstar point guard and team leader, Damian Lillard. This duo was short lived, and frankly never saw fruition due to injuries sustained by both players throughout the first half of the season. These injury issues culminated with DeMarcus Cousins missing 60+ days with a broken leg and was immediately traded to Milwaukee for their 2016 1st and Klay Thompson.

The Milwaukee pick turned into the 2nd overall pick following the recent lottery - guaranteeing that the Blazers will be able to make the "comfort selection," taking the "left over" superstar from the big 2 of Cameron Payne and Stanley Johnson Jr.

The 2017 season had very few bright spots, but several young players on the roster took steps forward, including Jordan McRae, Giannis Antetokounmpo and James McAdoo.

Jordan McRae


Jordan McRae is considered to be the newest 3 and D phenom in the league. At the ripe age of 24 years old, he's already won a CSL title under the tutelage of legendary GM Jace aka Sun Scorched.

McRae averaged 9.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.6 APG, and 1.2 SPG. His shooting percentages took a substantial dip this past season, but that can clearly be attributed to the lack of an effective philosophy in Portland and frankly, a bad team all around. He will be the team's 2 guard going forward and will be kept as long as possible.

Giannis Antetokounmpo


Signed in the off-season to what was considered a "less than ideal" contract (5 years at more than 55 million), Antetokounmpo experienced career highs in multiple statistical categories - including an improved shooting stroke. Antetokounmpo averaged 11.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1 BPG, .5 SPG in 28 minutes. He improved his shooting to a much more manageable 38% - up from previous years that dipped to percentages as low as 30%. Giannis did this while averaging 28 minutes per game after moving to the 6th man mid way through the season.

Giannis is a do-it-all forward that plays lock down defense and provides the rare skill set of being a point-forward at 6 feet 10 inches. Unless blown away by a substantial trade offer, it is likely the trade addicted "AK" will refrain from moving an asset such as Giannis.

James McAdoo


James McAdoo emerged this season as a starter in this league and someone who can ultimately defend on the perimeter or in the post. James McAdoo averaged 10.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, .5 BPG, and .7 SPG. McAdoo proved to be a very efficient forward, shooting nearly 50% on the season, while playing starters minutes (31.4 MPG).

McAdoo has carved a role in this league as a low usage, high-energy big that can rebound, defend and shoot at a high clip. With the possibility of the Blazers drafting Stanley Johnson Jr, there is a chance that McAdoo will move to a 6th man role where he may truly thrive as he feasts upon the 2nd unit bigs in the league.

The Blazers have a long road ahead of them to return to a respectable status within the league after committing to a youth movement - something that should speak volumes of how badly last season's vision crashed and burned. Especially when you consider the fact that the Blazers were one Harrison Barnes sign and trade away from acquiring Paul George in this past-offseason, one can certainly contest that "AK" doesn't have the patience for a long-term youth movement. One thing is certain, the rest of the league can expect to see either Cameron Payne or Stanley Johnson Jr move into the role as the "face of the franchise" come draft night.

I am very impressed with your Cousins deal. Granted I basically turned him into Iguodala and Oladipo (eventually swapped for Faried) you got an awesome return. Giannis still isn't ideal, but he's coming along well. I love McRae as a prospect. His skillset is like Marble and I imagine he could fetch a hell of a return in a trade if you decided to do that. A lot of different things could be done this offseason.

Yes, it should be an interesting off-season for you.

You have a lot of talent/asset to play with :

- Thompson/Vucevic/Knight/Oden are well established starter
- McAdoo/McRae are on their way to become good players as well
- #2 pick is also gold

Just not sure about Giannis – Yes he improved but his contract his bad and he has been in the league for 4 years already, so really limited progression ahead.
I believe you should try to trade him in the short/mid-term

That trade with MIL will definitely help your team take a big leap forward with whoever you grab at #2. This team is budding with young talent and once it starts to click you will have a chance to make some noise. Aww who am I kidding? You're going to trade them all for a stud before they can develop haha!

Most overrated team/gm last season? just joshing

OneNole wrote:Most overrated team/gm last season? just joshing

You will find a way to screw up Dallas.

BizGilwalker wrote:I am very impressed with your Cousins deal. Granted I basically turned him into Iguodala and Oladipo (eventually swapped for Faried) you got an awesome return. Giannis still isn't ideal, but he's coming along well. I love McRae as a prospect. His skillset is like Marble and I imagine he could fetch a hell of a return in a trade if you decided to do that. A lot of different things could be done this offseason.

Giannis will continue to prove you wrong, lol

That DMC trade was probably the top trade in the league last season so hats off to you for that. I think you have a very solid young team that with a few more trades can finally start playing to their potential. Interested to see what moves you make this off-season.

All right so a bit of free time so let's review some articles!

I like Vuc and Knight but they are players who need a system to succeed. Vuc needs a defensive 4, and Knight needs to play at SG with a low usage PG who can shoot.. That's hard to accomplish in that league, specially, since those kinds of players are among the most rare in CSL.

Giannis is improving and more pref work might make him a 40%+ shooter next season. If he can reach 43%, given he can contribute in multiple ways, he'll be a positive contributor.

As for McRae, I like him a lot. Would be a player I'd trade for.

Johnson Jr playing the four means that new times are coming for Portland as you switch into a small ball style. I hope you keep him enough to see if he can turn into a superstar or another Kevin Love.

Marcos_Beck wrote:All right so a bit of free time so let's review some articles!

I like Vuc and Knight but they are players who need a system to succeed. Vuc needs a defensive 4, and Knight needs to play at SG with a low usage PG who can shoot.. That's hard to accomplish in that league, specially, since those kinds of players are among the most rare in CSL.

Giannis is improving and more pref work might make him a 40%+ shooter next season. If he can reach 43%, given he can contribute in multiple ways, he'll be a positive contributor.

As for McRae, I like him a lot. Would be a player I'd trade for.

Johnson Jr playing the four means that new times are coming for Portland as you switch into a small ball style. I hope you keep him enough to see if he can turn into a superstar or another Kevin Love.

Love isn't a superstar? I remember you were selling him a bit differently when he was still a Bulls

Not saying Love isn't a superstar. He's just very inefficient even though I did my best to fix his shooting.. Love is an elite rebounder and while Johnson is great at the boards as well I still don't see the elite rebounder thing on him.