Has anyone else notice?

[magnifier661]

That hickson's d has really improved? I also noticed that stotts is running more plays for hickson. I don't know the motive here. Is he ordered to showcase him a bit more so we can use him for a sign and trade, or is management wanting to see if they really want to keep him.

Hickson has become extremely aggressive on both ends of the floor for the last 4 games. I wonder what changed?

[julius]

I don't know if it's improved as much as now it doesn't suck beyond recognition

[Mediocre Man]

That hickson's d has really improved? I also noticed that stotts is running more plays for hickson. I don't know the motive here. Is he ordered to showcase him a bit more so we can use him for a sign and trade, or is management wanting to see if they really want to keep him.

Hickson has become extremely aggressive on both ends of the floor for the last 4 games. I wonder what changed?

I haven't noticed the defense part, but I have noticed the plays being run for him.

I don't see how or why Portland would bring Hickson back. JJ wants to start, he can't start here because we need a real defensive center. Maybe that's Leonard or maybe we go get one until Leonard is either ready or we get another that is. Either way, Hickson is not that guy.

[magnifier661]

I don't know if it's improved as much as now it doesn't suck beyond recognition

That's improvement! Lol

[magnifier661]

I haven't noticed the defense part, but I have noticed the plays being run for him.

I don't see how or why Portland would bring Hickson back. JJ wants to start, he can't start here because we need a real defensive center. Maybe that's Leonard or maybe we go get one until Leonard is either ready or we get another that is. Either way, Hickson is not that guy.

Then maybe it's to up his value?

[B-Roy]

If you're talking about these last two games, it's because he hasn't had to guard anyone with a smidge of offensive talent. He got killed against Denver.

[magnifier661]

If you're talking about these last two games, it's because he hasn't had to guard anyone with a smidge of offensive talent. He got killed against Denver.

He had 18 points and 14 boards; while keeping koufos to 11 and 8. I thought he did a good job keeping the centers at bay against Denver.

[B-Roy]

I question whether or not you were watching the game mags. Hickson defensive struggles go far beyond individual defense.

Oh and 11/8 is above Koufos's averages, and he isn't even a good offensive player.

[magnifier661]

I question whether or not you were watching the game mags. Hickson defensive struggles go far beyond individual defense.

Oh and 11/8 is above Koufos's averages, and he isn't even a good offensive player.

First off, I've been on the hickson is a horrible defender bandwagon since he came to Portland. I have seen more aggressive defense from him the last 4 games. My eyes aren't deceiving me. Does this mean I want him as a long term player on this team? No! I am just merely observing a drastic improvement and wonder what agenda it falls under?

It's obvious more plays are being called for him and its pretty obvious he has been more aggressive. So both sides of the fence are promoting him; which is why I feel odd about the situation.

[B-Roy]

But his defense hasn't been improving. Like, at all.

[magnifier661]

But his defense hasn't been improving. Like, at all.

Okay then I guess I will agree to disagree with you.

[Jayps15]

I don't know that more plays are being called for him, he's averaging 9.8 FGA in the last 5 games and only 8.5 since the beginning of February, and his season average is 9.2. But he is hitting his shots at nearly a 70% clip in the last 5 games, so maybe it's more about noticing he's making more shots than getting more attempts?

[magnifier661]

I don't know that more plays are being called for him, he's averaging 9.8 FGA in the last 5 games and only 8.5 since the beginning of February, and his season average is 9.2. But he is hitting his shots at nearly a 70% clip in the last 5 games, so maybe it's more about noticing he's making more shots than getting more attempts?

I think those attempts come with having more offensive boards from terrible Portland shooting. I thought last night was a highly efficient game because we were able to get good bigs production and still shoot at a high % clip.

[Nikolokolus]

Then maybe it's to up his value?

What difference does that make at this point? The trade deadline has come and gone and there's not much chance of a sign-and-trade happening this summer.

In any case I think Hickson looks as lost as ever on defense and I'm not sure you can learn anything about him based on "lately" when "lately" is "mostly" Charlotte and Minny.

[Nikolokolus]

First off, I've been on the hickson is a horrible defender bandwagon since he came to Portland. I have seen more aggressive defense from him the last 4 games. My eyes aren't deceiving me. Does this mean I want him as a long term player on this team? No! I am just merely observing a drastic improvement and wonder what agenda it falls under?

No you haven't and yes they are.

[magnifier661]

No you haven't and yes they are.

Lies!!!!!! All lies!!!!!!

[Mediocre Man]

Lies!!!!!! All lies!!!!!!

I am in the Hickson sucks as a defender crowd, so this is probably bias, but I really haven't seen the defensive prowess that you have, Mags.

[magnifier661]

I am in the Hickson sucks as a defender crowd, so this is probably bias, but I really haven't seen the defensive prowess that you have, Mags.

Didn't say it was epic d. Just that it's been more aggressive. Also doesn't mean it's super effective. I'm talking effort here guys! Lol

[Rhal]

Everytime he guarded williams vs the wolves williams seemed to score. Against the bobcats they have bigs that don't really have great offensive games. He is more active on the D side but the whole team has been more active there the last two games. Active doesn't mean he was a better defender though, his D didn't really improve but his defensive rebounding seems to be up.

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[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I have noticed some small improvement. You can say he's played against weak players. And maybe he has. But that's a bad argument in this case.

Why? Because his improvement on D is simply because he's made more of an effort. He's had his hands up on D. He's moved his feet. He's stayed in the middle of everything, closer to the basket. So, while I'm not getting giddy and I'm not impressed, he has actually put in a little energy on the defensive end.

Not exactly glowing. But still giving a little credit to where I've seen some recent improvement.

[Natebishop3]

I haven't noticed the defense part, but I have noticed the plays being run for him.

I don't see how or why Portland would bring Hickson back. JJ wants to start, he can't start here because we need a real defensive center. Maybe that's Leonard or maybe we go get one until Leonard is either ready or we get another that is. Either way, Hickson is not that guy.

What confuses me are all the people who lament the fact that we didn't draft Faried, but think we need to get rid of Hickson. Where exactly would Faried have fit in on this team if there's no room for Hickson?

[magnifier661]

What confuses me are all the people who lament the fact that we didn't draft Faried, but think we need to get rid of Hickson. Where exactly would Faried have fit in on this team if there's no room for Hickson?

Very good point. And we can't really talk contract because Hickson's 4 mil this season is quite the bargain.

[magnifier661]

I have noticed some small improvement. You can say he's played against weak players. And maybe he has. But that's a bad argument in this case.

Why? Because his improvement on D is simply because he's made more of an effort. He's had his hands up on D. He's moved his feet. He's stayed in the middle of everything, closer to the basket. So, while I'm not getting giddy and I'm not impressed, he has actually put in a little energy on the defensive end.

Not exactly glowing. But still giving a little credit to where I've seen some recent improvement.

That's exactly what I'm getting at. I'm not talking like he has turned the corner and is now some decent defender. I am just noticing his activity and effort. Yes other teams are still scoring in the paint, but I am a little curious on what Hickson has done (allowing his man to get a high PER) lately. It just seems like he has done a better job of out performing his competition.

[Mediocre Man]

What confuses me are all the people who lament the fact that we didn't draft Faried, but think we need to get rid of Hickson. Where exactly would Faried have fit in on this team if there's no room for Hickson?

Good point, but Faried is a better defender than Hickson has ever dreamed of being, so playing him off the bench at both forward positions would be great, Ideal 6th man

[B-Roy]

Very good point. And we can't really talk contract because Hickson's 4 mil this season is quite the bargain.

Actually we can. Faried is locked in on a rookie scale contract that pays him around 1.1 million a year. Hicksons 4 million is a bargain, but it's also what it would cost to pay Faried for FOUR years, not to mention the guys is going to get paid very handsomely this off season.