So here's the thing. To anyone saying Donovan is shooting too much I don't think you're right. I think Donovan needs to shoot just as much as he, he just needs to shoot better shots. I think his leadership has really been bad over the past few games specifically but this season overall. I've seen him point fingers on mis-steps that were his fault several times, seen him visibly frustrated on the court way too much. He gives the look of him just "being over it" way too much when things get tough. Tony Jones mentioned on ESPN 700 today that Donovan took the Laker game very hard and was basically sitting in the locker room with his head down and Jeff Green went over to him and talked to him. Sorry Don, you're supposed to be the solid guy in the locker room. I get there's a lot of vets in there but he's the franchise guy, he can't be the guy being over-emotional or obviously drained over a tough stretch or loss. Tony also mentioned on twitter an hour after that Laker game he was still in his game uniform sitting in the locker room. Like great, you care deeply, but you gotta channel that energy to be a great leader.
Donovan is also 23, very young in his NBA career and extremely talented. Maybe this was too much too soon on him to expect him as a 13th draft pick to take us to title contention in his 3rd season. I don't know, I just know Donovans body language and leadership as the best offensive player and face of the franchise hasn't been great lately. I love the kid, and this isn't to say we should expect this exactly from him because Dame is much farther in his NBA career right now, but the Blazers have been struggling big time, more than us even. They also had some high hopes heading into this season. He's struggled in games, he's been great and his teams struggled. Whiteside has been pretty bad at moments. I've seen his teammates make horrible decisions in those games. I've yet to see him point a finger, get down, look miserable, look beaten once. He takes it on the chin, and he never gets too up in the wins, or low in the losses, and Portland has had some bad losses. As a leader you have to be a rock, Donovans emotions have been very effected in some of these games and it's not great but will for sure get better as he progresses in his career. Idk, face of your franchise has to be a rock, and while I think Rudy is part of that Donovans gotta relax a bit. It may not work out as great as we all hoped, that's part of the journey.
Now I have a question.......if this trend continues into February and it's obvious you aren't contending for a title.....how do you feel about the lever of trading Rudy? Bogey, Joe...whoever and just starting over focusing on getting assets and preparing for Donovans prime? Just emptying it out, getting a couple draft picks in the process, tanking it out for a couple years and really basing the future solely off Donovan's prime that is probably a couple seasons away? Donovan will be with us likely until 2025-26. If we can't contend, you can pull that lever now, and have a chance to be good in about 3 seasons if you can get some draft picks back. Idk, there are times I look at it and just feel like maybe that's the best option. Obviously thats a last resort emergency lever but I think it's something to consider.
