After 10 games, what have we learned?

[Natebishop3]

It's about time you realize that. You're a big man to admit it. Next time maybe you'll listen to me.

MM is stubborn. He was Nate's most passionate supporter

 

[Pinwheel1]

In games where Jared Jeffries plays at least 8 minutes, the Blazers are 5-0. Games in which Jeffries plays fewer than 8 minutes, the Blazers are 0-5.

I'm not saying it's all about how many minutes Jeffries gets - far from it - but I think that Stotts is beginning to figure out which players on the bench actually know what they're doing, and which ones don't. As mediocre as the Blazers' bench is, it's very important that Stotts figure out who contributes positively, and who doesn't.

I like his game much more so far than our last two Vets. (Kurt Thomas and J. Howard) Those guys were OK as well, but Jeffries, if healthy, can cover 3 positions on D. That is a nice role player to have on the bench.

 

[magnifier661]

That Scotts is a better coach for us than Nate. Just watching our offense has so much more flow. We still need to work on the help D.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

6. My Syracuse and white American center theories are not wrong

After 10 games, yes.

In a year or two, perhaps not. In the case of Soup Juggler, he just needs to develop some consistently, but I have to say, he's had some moments (and been better than I expected).

As for Leonard.... considering everyone said it'd take Leonard at least a year or two to figure it out, not surprised Leonard has done little to make you change your opinion on white centers after 10 games. I still say he's looked better than I would have expected out of a 20-year old white center.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Others:

-Nolan Smith is not (and unlikely ever to be) a good back up PG

-Freeland and Claver may never be "chips" that Olshey can use

-Jared is a good player to have on the bench and in the locker room

-LMA is peaking now (if not last year)

I like Jared Jeffries. He's proven to be a good pickup.

Freeland and Claver....... well, to be fair, they haven't been given much of a chance. Is that because they haven't performed in practice? Or they have been okay and haven't been given the chance? Or are they being eased in slowly? Who knows. We'll have a better idea come midseason.

 

[mook]

I don't think anyone... with the exception of maybe a couple people, think that Leonard will be an All-Star. I don't think it's unreasonable to think he could average a double double though. I'd say "solid starter" over "journeyman".

His coach Kim Hughes does:

When asked how good Leonard can become, he surprisingly responded by saying, “He can become an All-Star, without question. Now will he? Probably, but I can't guarantee that. What I can guarantee is I think he'll play hard and I think he'll get it at some point. He'll fully comprehend what we're trying to do here because he has the physical structure to do it. I think he wants to do it. Now, in his heart and his will and desire, if that never wanes, there's no reason why he can't be an All-Star.”

I think he has All Star potential. Big, athletic, obviously has decent range, pretty good passing ability. The problem is he just doesn't think quickly enough at the NBA level. For him it's entirely mental--all the physical tools are already there. Who's to say he won't develop into an All Star at some point?

I think it's a pretty safe projection to say that he's at least got a career as a decent bench center (and occasional starter) ahead of him. 6 hard fouls and a dunk or two a night.

 

[Natebishop3]

His coach Kim Hughes does:



I think he has All Star potential. Big, athletic, obviously has decent range, pretty good passing ability. The problem is he just doesn't think quickly enough at the NBA level. For him it's entirely mental--all the physical tools are already there. Who's to say he won't develop into an All Star at some point?

I think it's a pretty safe projection to say that he's at least got a career as a decent bench center (and occasional starter) ahead of him. 6 hard fouls and a dunk or two a night.

His defense will have to get significantly better. Remember, they took out the center position in the All-Star game. It's just "frontcourt" now. That doesn't help his cause. There are a lot of talented forwards in the west.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I like Jared Jeffries. He's proven to be a good pickup.

Freeland and Claver....... well, to be fair, they haven't been given much of a chance. Is that because they haven't performed in practice? Or they have been okay and haven't been given the chance? Or are they being eased in slowly? Who knows. We'll have a better idea come midseason.

I think both of these could be true. I bet they have been "OK" in practice but Stotts sees no advantage in rotating 8-9 guys just in the front court alone.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I think both of these could be true. I bet they have been "OK" in practice but Stotts sees no advantage in rotating 8-9 guys just in the front court alone.

Agreed. It's why I asked the questions.

I mean, these are two young guys coming from a somewhat different style of basketball and now being thrown into the NBA with a new coach, new management.... Nobody, from coaching to management, is real familiar with them with the turnover, so I'm expecting it's going to figure out how to use them, blend them in with starters to give guys rests without going through prolonged stretches where we're not performing and letting teams go on runs.

 

[mook]

So far:
• Two OT games
• Games against Chicago, Spurs, Clips, Mavs, Thunder and Lakers
• Only one real patsy-type opponent so far (Kings)
• 5 road games
• New coach
• Rookie PG logging 37 mpg
• Not a single blowout loss. Sure, we lost by double digits in some of those games, but it was competitive going into the 4th quarter in all of the games.

And we're at .500? Count me as very, very pleased.

Early conclusions:
• Lillard is much, much better than anybody hoped when we drafted him
• Batum may be a star player and McMillan-ball was holding him back
• Batum, Matthews and Lillard are a terrifying trio of three point shooters. Seriously, have we ever had so many starters who hit threes that well?
• Matthews is playing the best defense of his career
• Wish somebody, anybody, else would defend
• Stotts is exactly the kind of coach we needed. At least for now. Still not sold on his long-term success here.
• Worthless bench (well, Jeffries and Price may have "intangibles" and Leonard has hope, but it ain't pretty)
• Leonard isn't just a big white stiff. But he's also a multi-year project.
• Freeland and Claver were not worth the wait

I predicted we'd win 41 games. So far, so good. I don't think the 8th seed in the playoffs is unattainable.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Nice summary. My take on Leonard:

He's a scarecrow - "if he only had a brain." He has allstar athletic ability, but doesn't seem to have basketball horse sense. I wouldn't be surprised if ML were better at a different sport (like volleyball). Kim Hughes thinks that ML can be taught. ML is a high character, hard worker, so it's possible - I hope so.

Whether he develops into an allstar, average NBA center, or permanent bench warmer is still a mystery after 10 games.

So far:
• Two OT games
• Games against Chicago, Spurs, Clips, Mavs, Thunder and Lakers
• Only one real patsy-type opponent so far (Kings)
• 5 road games
• New coach
• Rookie PG logging 37 mpg
• Not a single blowout loss. Sure, we lost by double digits in some of those games, but it was competitive going into the 4th quarter in all of the games.

And we're at .500? Count me as very, very pleased.

Early conclusions:
• Lillard is much, much better than anybody hoped when we drafted him
• Batum may be a star player and McMillan-ball was holding him back
• Batum, Matthews and Lillard are a terrifying trio of three point shooters. Seriously, have we ever had so many starters who hit threes that well?
• Matthews is playing the best defense of his career
• Wish somebody, anybody, else would defend
• Stotts is exactly the kind of coach we needed. At least for now. Still not sold on his long-term success here.
• Worthless bench (well, Jeffries and Price may have "intangibles" and Leonard has hope, but it ain't pretty)
• Leonard isn't just a big white stiff. But he's also a multi-year project.
• Freeland and Claver were not worth the wait

I predicted we'd win 41 games. So far, so good. I don't think the 8th seed in the playoffs is unattainable.

 

[HailBlazers]

-LMA is peaking now (if not last year)

1.) LMA is coming off an injury. 2.) Has still yet to develop solid post moves. He has all the ability in the world at the block but it's very evident his arsenal of go-to moves is lacking. 3.) He's a late bloomer

A full summer strictly working on low post maneuvers would do LaMarcus wonders.

 

[jlprk]

In games where Jared Jeffries plays at least 8 minutes, the Blazers are 5-0. Games in which Jeffries plays fewer than 8 minutes, the Blazers are 0-5.

Want to see the ultra-secret place where media guys find such stats? It's updated the morning after each game.

http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fantasy/nba/portland-trail-blazers/team/tips/13/25/1

http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fantasy/nba/portland-trail-blazers/team/quarters/13/25/1

 

[Pinwheel1]

We are 1 of 8 teams who score more than 100 pts a game. (That will probably drop when we play more on the road.) Obviously tempo is a key to points scored and points allowed, but so far offense has not been the issue. Yet when everyone evaluates the team one of the first things they look at is..... bench scoring. Maybe we do bring JJ off the bench, not to improve the bench scoring but to improve our starting Defense.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Early conclusions:
• Lillard is much, much better than anybody hoped when we drafted him

Agree totally. BUT: there are a lot of guards who came into the league with a splash then never improved much if at all. Damon Stoudamire, for one. Tyreke Evans for another. I'll be anxious that Lillard might be one of those for a year or so. Right now he looks good because he's had a lot of experience for a rookie and teams don't know him yet. Let's be sure this isn't Lillsanity before we send him to the Blazer Hall of Fame.

• Batum may be a star player and McMillan-ball was holding him back

I am very pleased that Batum is finally playing more consistently. But is he hugely improved? Or is he just playing a lot more minutes?

• Batum, Matthews and Lillard are a terrifying trio of three point shooters. Seriously, have we ever had so many starters who hit threes that well?

"Terrifying" works both ways. We are AWFULLY reliant on the three point shot. Like the old Magic only without Shaq or Howard. Or Penny.

• Matthews is playing the best defense of his career

Agree, and that might be the most pleasant surprise of all. He has bounced back nicely after last season. I guess he really was injured. Still wish he had more guard skills, but hey, the Grizzlies do nicely with Tony Allen.

• Wish somebody, anybody, else would defend

Hey - Jared Jeffries! And to be fair, Batum and Aldridge are suffering the Uncle Cliffy effect of slacking off on defense because they're suddenly playing the entire game and being asked to do so much more on offense.

• Freeland and Claver were not worth the wait

You may be right, and they've certainly looked lost in the tiny number of minutes on the court. And it's been a bad time for some Euro imports - I thought Tiago Splitter would be much better than he is, and I thought he was much better than Freeland or Claver. But I still think they need more of a chance before we can write them off as busts, in part because they're not doing what I know they can do, and I think it's because they're still adjusting and they're only getting very spot minutes.

And to be fair, was anybody really "waiting" for them? It's not like the Timberwolves and Rubio.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I am very pleased that Batum is finally playing more consistently. But is he hugely improved? Or is he just playing a lot more minutes?

Yes, he is hugely improved. His current PER is a career high of 22.1. That's a 27.7% improvement over his previous career high of 17.3 (twice). So, he's playing more minutes AND being more productive on a per minute basis. Many of his advanced and per 36 minute states are also at, or near career highs. His AST% is way up. He's scoring more, rebounding well and getting a lot of steals. Some of his current advanced stats are similar to his second season, but others are greatly improved. In summary, he's putting it all together for the first time - scoring, rebounding, passing, defense are all at, or significantly above his previous career bests and that is reflected in his much higher PER.

BNM

 

[Nikolokolus]

Yes, he is hugely improved. His current PER is a career high of 22.1. That's a 27.7% improvement over his previous career high of 17.3 (twice). So, he's playing more minutes AND being more productive on a per minute basis. Many of his advanced and per 36 minute states are also at, or near career highs. His AST% is way up. He's scoring more, rebounding well and getting a lot of steals. Some of his current advanced stats are similar to his second season, but others are greatly improved. In summary, he's putting it all together for the first time - scoring, rebounding, passing, defense are all at, or significantly above his previous career bests and that is reflected in his much higher PER.

BNM

He looks like he's playing "free" ... I'm not saying that Nate specifically held him back, but I think his philosophy that emphasized grinding and playing deliberately in the half-court was ill-suited to Nic's optimal way of playing the game.

 

[Blazinaway]

we have a fun young team to watch and improvement to look forward, we finally have our PGOTF! likely no playoffs but one nevers knows, and some capspace to make moves with next summer

 

[Wizard Mentor]

On Lillard: The crazy Bayless comparisons have been put to bed. Hopefully, people will stop listening to morons like Shaq and put the ridiculous Damon Stoudamire comparisons to bed as well.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

This is the worst bench in Blazer history.

Kevin Pritchard should be fined for the Babbitt/Claver picks.