Game Thread 2022-23 Game # 11 BLAZERS @ HORNETS - NOVEMBER 9, 2022 - 4:00 PM (PDT) ROOT

Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Though he scored well (especially in the first), I would say that Eubanks was one of our biggest negatives on defense last night. It was clear that sitting him down was crucial to stemming the tide in the 3rd after that 19-2 start by Charlotte.

Eubanks does a lot of good things in a backup role, but he was overmatched and lost last night.
He sat when Plumlee sat. Second unit didn't have to deal with Mason.
 
He sat when Plumlee sat. Second unit didn't have to deal with Mason.
Eubanks came out with 8 minutes left in the 3rd (Winslow sat a minute later); Plumlee sat with 4:32 left, by which point the 12-point gap had been closed to 3.
 
So when GPII comes back where do the minutes come from? Less minutes for Dame and Ant? Hart to Bench? GPII bumping Sharpe in rotation at guard? I hate to think about Sharpe getting less minutes and touches. It's so clear he's the future.

As 82 games play out this like all teams will unfortunately have more guys miss games, not less. The minutes available for the backup rotation will be fine.
 
This is my guess as well. Get Dame an extra 2 or 3 minutes rest a night, same with Ant but bring Hart's minutes down to the low 20s. The thing I wonder about is if Nas will see the court.

There is a fact here though. We have a bunch and I mean 7 guys (Dame, Ant, Hart, GP2, Shae, Nas, Justise) that should get minutes at the 1, 2 or 3 spots but you can't play 7 guys in a rotation for only three spots... one of those guys (Justise) can get those minutes at the 4. The other fact that was painfully obvious tonight is that we're woefully lacking in quality bigs... we need at least one more than the one we currently have, especially since the one we currently have has only played 421 games in his 9 seasons in the league. That's less than 47 games a season.

There will be at least a trade, I don't know who will go out and who will come in but we will make a trade that sends at least one of those seven guys out and brings us back a legit backup big.

Also I get that Josh has played really well and that Gary was a major component in last season's championship but we should not be talking about cutting Shaedon's minutes, we should be talking about getting him more minutes, more touches and more plays called for him.

I actually came up with a completely different conclusion watching last nights game. We have a ton of big forwards and can slide them all over the rotation even up to the big spots, the team played great without Nurk nor Eubanks on the floor.

Justice, Walker, Watford, possibly even a bit of NAS can all slide to the front court for the backup minutes. Hart can rebound like a PF.

Now if we had an elite big like Embiid or Anthony Davis of course that would be great. But we don't need another scrub big, Cousins, or a poor defending big like Kanter.

This team has some great stretches on both sides of the ball because they can switch everything and also move on offense. Put another big slow footed player in that place of the rotation and we lose those advantages. We already have two centers available to start in Nurk or if unavailable Eubanks. The rest of the roster can fill in the backup big minutes.

Ultimately is this team a piece away from contending? I'd probably say yes. But that would be just general talented needed, or Sharpe taking a step to star, etc; not adding a lumbering backup big that would harm the team as much or more than he helps.
 
I don't really think anyone is ignoring Sharpe. I think one could argue that they are setting him up well to succeed and gain confidence. (Although he seems to already have plenty of that)

We finally have an offense with good ball movement, but it is a work in progress. I love watching Sharpe as much as everyone, but right now we should not be force-feeding anyone. I think he is being brought along just about right. He is a very unselfish player, if anyone is keeping him from shooting more...it is him, but I respect him for it.
 
Because Dame scored 10 straight points. That's not on Drew sorry.
Dame scoring 10 straight would have been irrelevant if the Hornets had continued to score at the rate they had been. After Eubanks/Winslow went out, the bleeding on defense stopped almost immediately.
 
Because Dame scored 10 straight points. That's not on Drew sorry.

As Plat said defense got improved, which can lead to better offense. Also without Drew the spacing is better on offense which could have contributed to Dame having the opportunity for those 10 points.

I don't want it to make it sound like Drew is a poor player; he has value as a part of the rotation. But he has clear strengths and weaknesses, the team has a totally different look on both sides of the ball when he isn't in the game.
 
Dame scoring 10 straight would have been irrelevant if the Hornets had continued to score at the rate they had been. After Eubanks/Winslow went out, the bleeding on defense stopped almost immediately.
Not sold. Making shots lets your defense recover. Dame literally lit them up as they ran back and fourth on the court. Also Plumlee was absolutely exhausted his last 3 mins on the court. Drew was not the whole problem.
 
Not sold. Making shots lets your defense recover. Dame literally lit them up as they ran back and fourth on the court. Also Plumlee was absolutely exhausted his last 3 mins on the court. Drew was not the whole problem.
Nobody said he was the whole problem. But he was undeniably a significant part of it.
 
Did you see that lineup!?
Anfernee Simmons 23 years old
Nassir little 22 years old
Trendon Watford today turned 22 years old
Jabari Walker 20 years old
Shaedon Sharpe 19 years old
A lineup that can’t even rent a car
 
  • Like
Reactions: RR7

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top