Deandre Ayton’s Absence and the Portland Trail Blazers’ Dismal Season: A Critical Analysis

The Portland Trail Blazers’ lackluster performance this season has drawn criticism from fans and analysts alike. The team’s struggles have been compounded by the absence of starting center Deandre Ayton, who has missed the last 12 games due to tendinitis in his knee. Ayton’s latest absence, a missed game against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night due to icy conditions in Portland, prompted a scathing article from Sean Beckwith of Deadspin, who took aim at Ayton, the Blazers’ front office, and head coach Chauncey Billups.

Ayton’s Absence and the Team’s Lack of Accountability

Beckwith’s article begins by expressing disbelief that Ayton, a professional athlete with access to transportation and resources, could not find a way to get to the arena for the game. He suggests that Ayton’s absence was a result of laziness or indifference, and that the team’s management should have taken steps to ensure that he was able to make it to the game.

Beckwith’s criticism extends beyond Ayton’s individual actions. He argues that the entire Blazers organization has displayed a lack of accountability and professionalism. He points to the team’s poor performance, their lack of player development, and their questionable coaching decisions as evidence of a systemic problem within the organization.

Cronin’s Questionable Moves and the Team’s Lack of Direction

Beckwith specifically criticizes Blazers General Manager Joe Cronin for his handling of the team’s roster. He argues that Cronin’s off-season moves, such as trading away franchise superstar Damian Lillard, were short-sighted and have left the team in a worse position. He also criticizes Cronin for his apparent lack of commitment to winning, suggesting that he is more interested in acquiring draft assets than in fielding a competitive team.

Billups’ Ineffective Leadership and Lack of Development

Beckwith also takes aim at Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, arguing that he has failed to win games, develop talent, or maintain a positive relationship with his players. He suggests that Billups’ job is only secure because of his close relationship with Cronin, and that he is not the right person to lead the team forward.

Conclusion

Beckwith’s article is a scathing indictment of the Portland Trail Blazers organization. He argues that the team’s struggles are the result of a lack of accountability, professionalism, and leadership. He calls for changes at all levels of the organization, from the front office to the coaching staff to the players themselves.

Evaluation

Beckwith’s article is a well-written and thought-provoking piece that raises important questions about the Portland Trail Blazers’ current state of affairs. His criticisms of Ayton, Cronin, and Billups are valid and supported by evidence. However, it is important to note that Beckwith’s article is also highly opinionated and does not always present a balanced view of the situation.

It is true that Ayton’s absence from the team has been a major factor in their struggles. However, it is also important to consider the fact that Ayton is dealing with a serious injury. It is possible that he genuinely could not find a way to get to the arena on Wednesday night due to the icy conditions.

Similarly, Cronin’s off-season moves may have been questionable, but they were made with the intention of improving the team’s long-term prospects. It is too early to say whether these moves will ultimately be successful, but it is unfair to criticize Cronin for making them.

Finally, Billups has not been a successful coach in Portland, but it is important to remember that he is still a relatively inexperienced coach. He may need more time to develop his skills and build a winning team.

Overall, Beckwith’s article is a valuable contribution to the discussion about the Portland Trail Blazers’ current struggles. However, it is important to read the article with a critical eye and to consider all sides of the issue before forming an opinion.

Full Article by Sean Beckwith

Deandre Ayton, Blazers Have Reached Peak Embarrassment

The Portland Trail Blazers lost to the Brooklyn Nets 105-103 on Wednesday night, their fifth straight loss and 12th in their last 15 games. The loss dropped the Blazers to 24-34 on the season, 10th in the Western Conference and 4.5 games out of the final play-in spot.

The Blazers were without starting center Deandre Ayton for the 12th straight game. Eleven of those absences were due to ongoing tendinitis in the 7-footer’s knee. Ayton missed Wednesday’s game because he could not get to the arena due to icy conditions in the Portland area.

Now, there are some backwoods neighborhoods in the Rose City, the U.S. is in the middle of a deep freeze and Domin-Ayton is from the Bahamas. It could’ve been an honest mistake that is in no way correctable via a phone call to the team, asking for a ride from one of the dozens of employees who were able to make it to the Moda Center.

None of this is normal, and neither is Ayton taking a WFH day because he didn’t shovel his driveway and couldn’t walk to a location that an Uber can get to. Un-f*cking-real.

But that’s just the latest in a long line of embarrassments for the Blazers this season. The team has been ravaged by injuries, but that’s no excuse for their poor play. They’ve been outscored by an average of 6.4 points per game, and they rank 29th in the NBA in defensive rating.

The Blazers’ front office has also been a major disappointment. General Manager Joe Cronin made a number of questionable moves in the offseason, including trading away franchise superstar Damian Lillard for pennies on the dollar. Cronin also hired Chauncey Billups as head coach, a move that has backfired spectacularly.

Billups has been a disaster. He’s been unable to get his team to play hard, and he’s made a number of questionable coaching decisions. The Blazers have been one of the worst teams in the NBA since Billups took over, and there’s no reason to believe that things will improve anytime soon.

The Blazers are a mess. They have no direction, no leadership, and no hope. It’s time for a major overhaul, starting with the front office and coaching staff.

As long as Rip City is losing, GM Joe Cronin is happy. Player development, coaching, trying, even showing up — it’s all optional as long as it results in more draft assets and an indefinite reign over the front office. There’s not one player on the roster who isn’t performing like he’s ready to be dealt.

Billups isn’t winning or developing talent, and his relationship with Cronin appears to be the only thing keeping him employed. The GM doesn’t want to admit wrongdoing because that’s more evidence he’s a fraud who only got the job due to Neil Olshey’s cancellation.

The Blazers are a laughingstock, and it’s all thanks to the incompetence of Joe Cronin and Chauncey Billups.