They were both smirking because of the awkwardness of the situation -- a Portland reporter asking Dragic about wanting to come to the Blazers in the Rockets locker-room. Its a funny situation to be in regardless of whether Dragic is planning on staying or going.
I live in Portland and I can't stand Mike & Mike (Portland commentators). The Blazers have some very loyal fans and they're a fun team to watch (at times) but I am literally repulsed by Mike & Mike. It makes it hard to be a Blazer fan at times because of their blatant homerism. The reason why they're trying so hard to lure Dragic is a testament to how sorry Ray Felton is. Foreshadowing at its finest: This picture was taken at his first Blazer event. Fat kid does love him some cake.
Yeah, that could be it too. It just reminded me of other times i've seen players bust out laughing like that. It usually meant the player talking was lying. Nothing i said required expertise....it's common sense. I may still be wrong, but their expressions and body language are the basis of everyone's explanation, not just mine. Only they know why they laughed, but any theory expressed so far could turn out to be correct.
Even on the off chance Lowry asked Dragic if he's leaving, and Lowry convinced him he would get more money and a starting role somewhere else, Dragic is going to tell Lowry what he wants to hear. He's not going to say I will take a little less money to play in Houston because that means they will give me your spot. Kyle is paid like a 6th man, and I can see him getting 30 minutes off the bench playing alongside Dragic next season. Morey is ready to offer Batum a contract causing the Blazers to overpay for Batum if they try to overpay Dragic.
I've always felt that some players are actually in on each other's decisions and not trying to play each other. I think this is such a case. They both know Dragic is almost sure to leave because: a) Morey doesn't overpay (dragic would be an overpaid back up, if Lowry wins his spot back) b) Dragic wants to start, play big minutes, lead a team, etc... but there's no guarantee lowry won't get his spot back c) Players want to get paid. It's still a job to them and we all want the most money we can get and/or deserve. Dragic is not likely to accept a lower offer, especially since he's not a long time vet who's already made a lot of money. They're both civil and intelligent enough to discuss this and conclude the best situation, and most realistic, is for Lowry to stay and for Dragic to lead his own team.
2 things. 1. Mchale has been MORE than willing to play the guys at the same time so they are aware there is room for both of them in Houston. 2. They (Kyle and Goran) obviously like each other from every interaction I've seen with the 2 of them. My take is this. Goran is looking for a home. I think he found it here, IF the Rockets make the right offer. Why wouldn't he stay? The team is on the rise...he seems to like the city of Houston...he seems to like the coaching staff...and the team (to me at least) has developed some real chemistry. Its hard to leave all that behind if you get PAID.
Nobody is arguing your 2 points. The thing is how much we can pay him compared to how much more someone else is going to pay him.
Absolutely. I'm just saying all else equal (i.e. Money) he will stay. It might even buy us a bit of a discount. Either way... Git er done Morey!
I remember David Stern was a guest of Mike and Mike during one of the Blazer games (I was watching on League Pass) and called them out for being blatant homers who always whine about referees.
Yep it could go either way, that's why I try to balance the discussion. I also agree that Lowry and Dragic seem to be good buddies and would have smart, open and selfless discussions about this, but I disagree in how you state that he must be leaving for sure. I think they know there's a big chance of that happening but they also know anything can happen and thus remain as uncertain as all of us. And forget about Dragic staying without guarantees being made. We will need to show him the money and a starting spot. He is the same as Lowry in that regard,a guy who had being a starting pg pegged as such a high priority he willingly signed to play in a wasteland.
For the most part i've said goran leaving is just the more likely and realistic result of all this. I do agree there's still a chance he might stay, but it's small.
Well, hell, if it is possible, Stern should be busy right now charging Portland with tampering. We know what a high regard he has for the Houston Rockets. Right, folks? Do the Blazers pay those clowns? It was rediculous. They said things about Dragic coming to the Blazers during the game, and then in the ****ing Rockets locker room. What's up with that? Tampering! ;-D-
I don't know how you guys think it was a positive sign when you saw them laughing when asked about houston.......it would have been if the question was regarding the blazers. Some of you are homers to the max.
Agreed. I'm thinking if we can stay within 1-2 mil per season compared to the higher bidder Gogi will stay with us since he seems like it here and found a home. But if someone offers him an 3-4 extra mil per season over it'd be hard to say no that.
