Ayton

[MickZagger]

Blazers spent 7 seasons choosing a no-defense 6'3 SG. It was a bad choice every one of those seasons. Looks like they are still choosing to go with a no-defense 6'3 SG. Dumb as hell in 2015....still dumb as hell in 2023

Yeah I just don’t get it. It’s almost like the Blazers only prioritize offense. It’s been apparent in the construction of the roster for the last 10-15 years.

How about some players with length and defensive versatility? Good grief! There’s more to the game than just putting the ball through the hoop.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Blazers spent 7 seasons choosing a no-defense 6'3 SG. It was a bad choice every one of those seasons. Looks like they are still choosing to go with a no-defense 6'3 SG. Dumb as hell in 2015....still dumb as hell in 2023

I think for the long-term, Ant would be great coming off the bench. In the short-term, I could see them wanting to let Ant inflate his value without Dame before shipping him off for someone who might fit better.

 

[beast blazer]

Blazers spent 7 seasons choosing a no-defense 6'3 SG. It was a bad choice every one of those seasons. Looks like they are still choosing to go with a no-defense 6'3 SG. Dumb as hell in 2015....still dumb as hell in 2023

I hope they at least do a 3 guard rotation with Sharpe so we're only playing two small guards ~16 minutes per game.

 

[Chris Craig]

Maybe you’re more optimistic than me lol. For me, Ayton, the 2 MIA prospects, Lowry, and 3 1sts + the ‘29 MIA swap would be an A-grade. That sounds more like your B-grade.

Yeah, three picks is where it needs to be in that deal.

 

[Samuel]

Blazers spent 7 seasons choosing a no-defense 6'3 SG. It was a bad choice every one of those seasons. Looks like they are still choosing to go with a no-defense 6'3 SG. Dumb as hell in 2015....still dumb as hell in 2023

Put Ant in the shop window this season from a usage POV and trade him in the summer.

 

[Samuel]

Maybe you’re more optimistic than me lol. For me, Ayton, the 2 MIA prospects, Lowry, and 3 1sts + the ‘29 MIA swap would be an A-grade. That sounds more like your B-grade.

That's fair, I think I'm measuring <gestures> all of this against another team jumping into the fray during the season. Within the context of a pre-training camp move yes, that's probably an A-.

 

[blazerkor]

Put Ant in the shop window this season from a usage POV and trade him in the summer.

Or at the deadline if the right buyer comes along.

 

[wizenheimer]

I think for the long-term, Ant would be great coming off the bench. In the short-term, I could see them wanting to let Ant inflate his value without Dame before shipping him off for someone who might fit better.

the idea of Ant as a 6th man is a good idea...that will not happen in Portland, IMO

the idea that Ant can somehow enhance his value by putting up bigger stats on a bad team is a bad idea. His PPG isn't what's setting his value...it's that he's an undersized SG who plays terrible defense and can't play wing or be a 2-way player. Inflated stats won't alter those factors

**************************************************************

what I fear is that Portland, in order to justify keeping Ant and starting him at SG will switch Sharpe to SF....if they do, geeeeezuzzzz, they just never learn:

Draft Express tabulates average height by position based on combine measurements

PG - 6'1 ¼"
SG - 6'4 ¼"
SF - 6'5 ¾"
PF - 6'7 ¾"
C - 6'9 ½"

this website tracks height by position from 1952-2022:

https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/average-nba-height/

it says in 2022, average height was:

PG - 6'2.5"
SG - 6'4.5"
SF - 6'6.5"
PF - 6'8.25"
C - 6'10.25


* Scoot wasn't measured at the combine, but there was a report from the Blazers that said they measured him as 6'2 ¼. So, he may be sightly taller than the average PG, or more likely the same size as average

* Simons was measured as 6'2 ¼ in the 2018 combine, so he's 2-2.25 inches shorter than average
* Sharpe was measured as 6'4 ¼; so he's an average sized SG, but he'd be 2 inches shorter than the average sized SF
* Grant was measured as 6'6 ½" at the combine in 2014. So he'd be an average height SF; but he'd be around 1.5 inches shorter than the average height for a PF
**************************************************

which would mean, if the Blazers started Scoot-Ant-Sharpe-Grant, by position the Blazer would be

PG - even
SG - minus 2-2.25 inches
SF - minus 2-2.25 inches
PF - minus 1.5 inches
C - even...maybe

when will the Blazers finally learn the lesson they have been taught over and over in the Olshey era...and the CJ/Ant/Powell era?

we just saw the Nuggets win the finals after breezing thru the playoffs, and the biggest reason, other than Jokic, was because they dominated opponents with size. At wing, they were 6'5 - 6'10 - 6'9. Portland would be 6'3 - 6'5 - 6'7, (-2/-5/-2), and that's being generous

however, all it would need is to take the massive square peg of Simons out of the Blazer starting lineup, find a real PF, and the equation dramatically changes

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

I personally think this team would be batter than with Nurk. I believe they would be competitive and they could be in a position to grow and maybe even add some pieces to contend.

I also feel eventually you have to play Sharpe over Simons. Not sure that happens to begin the year but it could be something they will have to try. If the Blazers can have a player like Simons as a 6th man they would be a solid team IMO.

This right here. Agree 100%.

 

[inconceivable]

I personally think this team would be batter than with Nurk. I believe they would be competitive and they could be in a position to grow and maybe even add some pieces to contend.

I also feel eventually you have to play Sharpe over Simons. Not sure that happens to begin the year but it could be something they will have to try. If the Blazers can have a player like Simons as a 6th man they would be a solid team IMO.

Not enough rebounds

 

[blazerkor]

the idea of Ant as a 6th man is a good idea...that will not happen in Portland, IMO

the idea that Ant can somehow enhance his value by putting up bigger stats on a bad team is a bad idea. His PPG isn't what's setting his value...it's that he's an undersized SG who plays terrible defense and can't play wing or be a 2-way player. Inflated stats won't alter those factors

**************************************************************

what I fear is that Portland, in order to justify keeping Ant and starting him at SG will switch Sharpe to SF....if they do, geeeeezuzzzz, they just never learn:

Draft Express tabulates average height by position based on combine measurements

PG - 6'1 ¼"
SG - 6'4 ¼"
SF - 6'5 ¾"
PF - 6'7 ¾"
C - 6'9 ½"

this website tracks height by position from 1952-2022:

https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/average-nba-height/

it says in 2022, average height was:

PG - 6'2.5"
SG - 6'4.5"
SF - 6'6.5"
PF - 6'8.25"
C - 6'10.25


* Scoot wasn't measured at the combine, but there was a report from the Blazers that said they measured him as 6'2 ¼. So, he may be sightly taller than the average PG, or more likely the same size as average

* Simons was measured as 6'2 ¼ in the 2018 combine, so he's 2-2.25 inches shorter than average
* Sharpe was measured as 6'4 ¼; so he's an average sized SG, but he'd be 2 inches shorter than the average sized SF
* Grant was measured as 6'6 ½" at the combine in 2014. So he'd be an average height SF; but he'd be around 1.5 inches shorter than the average height for a PF
**************************************************

which would mean, if the Blazers started Scoot-Ant-Sharpe-Grant, by position the Blazer would be

PG - even
SG - minus 2-2.25 inches
SF - minus 2-2.25 inches
PF - minus 1.5 inches
C - even...maybe

when will the Blazers finally learn the lesson they have been taught over and over in the Olshey era...and the CJ/Ant/Powell era?

we just saw the Nuggets win the finals after breezing thru the playoffs, and the biggest reason, other than Jokic, was because they dominated opponents with size. At wing, they were 6'5 - 6'10 - 6'9. Portland would be 6'3 - 6'5 - 6'7, (-2/-5/-2), and that's being generous

however, all it would need is to take the massive square peg of Simons out of the Blazer starting lineup, find a real PF, and the equation dramatically changes

I'm not criticizing just asking, are you mixing measurements? Are you sure that the average heights you are referring to are barefoot measurements and not listed heights that teams tend to list with shoes on.

Regardless your point is 100% dead on in my opinion we have to stop with these shrimpy lineups, it's not OK and it hasn't been OK. I really hope we move on from Ant very soon, if Lowry is coming to us in the Dame trade I hope shipping Ant somewhere is the next order of business.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

the idea of Ant as a 6th man is a good idea...that will not happen in Portland, IMO

the idea that Ant can somehow enhance his value by putting up bigger stats on a bad team is a bad idea. His PPG isn't what's setting his value...it's that he's an undersized SG who plays terrible defense and can't play wing or be a 2-way player. Inflated stats won't alter those factors

**************************************************************

what I fear is that Portland, in order to justify keeping Ant and starting him at SG will switch Sharpe to SF....if they do, geeeeezuzzzz, they just never learn:

Draft Express tabulates average height by position based on combine measurements

PG - 6'1 ¼"
SG - 6'4 ¼"
SF - 6'5 ¾"
PF - 6'7 ¾"
C - 6'9 ½"

this website tracks height by position from 1952-2022:

https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/average-nba-height/

it says in 2022, average height was:

PG - 6'2.5"
SG - 6'4.5"
SF - 6'6.5"
PF - 6'8.25"
C - 6'10.25


* Scoot wasn't measured at the combine, but there was a report from the Blazers that said they measured him as 6'2 ¼. So, he may be sightly taller than the average PG, or more likely the same size as average

* Simons was measured as 6'2 ¼ in the 2018 combine, so he's 2-2.25 inches shorter than average
* Sharpe was measured as 6'4 ¼; so he's an average sized SG, but he'd be 2 inches shorter than the average sized SF
* Grant was measured as 6'6 ½" at the combine in 2014. So he'd be an average height SF; but he'd be around 1.5 inches shorter than the average height for a PF
**************************************************

which would mean, if the Blazers started Scoot-Ant-Sharpe-Grant, by position the Blazer would be

PG - even
SG - minus 2-2.25 inches
SF - minus 2-2.25 inches
PF - minus 1.5 inches
C - even...maybe

when will the Blazers finally learn the lesson they have been taught over and over in the Olshey era...and the CJ/Ant/Powell era?

we just saw the Nuggets win the finals after breezing thru the playoffs, and the biggest reason, other than Jokic, was because they dominated opponents with size. At wing, they were 6'5 - 6'10 - 6'9. Portland would be 6'3 - 6'5 - 6'7, (-2/-5/-2), and that's being generous

however, all it would need is to take the massive square peg of Simons out of the Blazer starting lineup, find a real PF, and the equation dramatically changes

I think Ant is capable of playing PG. He's shown it when Dame is out of the lineup. I wouldn't try to acquire Ant to play SG. It would be to play the 1. Unfortunately, starting at SG won't show how he's capable at playing the 1. Best bet is to have him come off the bench and convince other teams he can take on a bigger role.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Not enough rebounds

Shae at the 2 would help with that.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Shae at the 2 would help with that.

So would Little at the 3, or someone else via the Dame trade like JJ jr, or even a throw-in from Toronto (Achiuwa or Boucher)

I think Simons and Thybulle off the bench is ideal.

 

[HansenYang]

Shae at the 2 would help with that.

So far, Shae has not shown that he is an above average rebounder.
In fact, it could be argued (and most likely) that he will end up as a below average rebounder.

 

[wizenheimer]

So far, Shae has not shown that he is an above average rebounder.
In fact, it could be argued (and most likely) that he will end up as a below average rebounder.

last year's rebounding rates among Portland's perimeter players:

Josh Hart 14.1
Justise Winslow 10.7 (has he signed with any team?)
Gary Payton II 8.8
Nassir Little 8.3
Damian Lillard 7.6
Shaedon Sharpe 7.6
Matisse Thybulle 7.3
Jerami Grant 7.2
Keon Johnson 6.1
Skylar Mays 5.8
Anfernee Simons 4.3

need to see Sharpe in a consistent role to reach a judgement on his rebounding prowess. Josh Hart had a rebound rate of 7.5% in his 2nd season, when he was 23. Then he found his niche as a player (energy and hustle) and bumped that rate up to the 12-14% range

note: last season, of the 190 'qualified' players, Simons finished 189th in rebounding rate. Out of the 539 players who logged minutes in the NBA, Simons posted a rebounding rate that ranked 522nd of 539. Add anemic rebounding to his horrible defense and there's yet another reason for Portland to cut bait and sail away

 

[Sheldon Shape]

So far, Shae has not shown that he is an above average rebounder.
In fact, it could be argued (and most likely) that he will end up as a below average rebounder.

He's had some good rebounding games. Anything he would give would likely be better than Ant in the rebounding dept.

 

[wizenheimer]

I'm not criticizing just asking, are you mixing measurements? Are you sure that the average heights you are referring to are barefoot measurements and not listed heights that teams tend to list with shoes on.

might be mixing a bit but Draft Express said those numbers were measurements without shoes

 

[PDXFonz]

If we could trade Nurk for Ayton and just green light Scoot over Ant then I would feel pretty good going into the season that at the least we see an improvement on how we finished last year.

I definitely think moving on from Nurk is a must regardless of if we refuse to trade Dame. Ayton could theoretically be the change we need to break through to where we’ve wanted to be. But at this point we are banking a lot on Shaedon and Grant. Still though, that roster could be legit.

At this point I’d hope we can make a move involving Nurk for Ayton and keep Dame here. If it doesn’t work out then maybe the market will be hot before the deadline. Easier to find suitors looking to be involved with a team like Miami in a Dame trade.

Been saying it for a while and talking about Turner.

 

[blazerfan11]

might be mixing a bit but Draft Express said those numbers were measurements without shoes

At any rate, Kris Murray is 6' 7.75" without shoes, so about 6' 9" with shoes. That should be about average for a PF.

 

[inconceivable]

what's up with these gambo tweets. any examples of his track record?

also, why is suns interested in nurk for ayton only if dame is traded? that's what his tweets seem to insinuate.

if they want nurk for ayton, it can be done w/o dame.

i'm not too excited for ayton, just pointing out reporting i find odd.

 

[Mr. Robot]

what's up with these gambo tweets. any examples of his track record?

also, why is suns interested in nurk for ayton only if dame is traded? that's what his tweets seem to insinuate.

if they want nurk for ayton, it can be done w/o dame.

i'm not too excited for ayton, just pointing out reporting i find odd.

hes the insider about phoenix suns stuff, a very reliable one

phoenix has interest in nurk, hes not the guy who speculates

 

[TBpup]

what's up with these gambo tweets. any examples of his track record?

Long time PHX insider/beat writer. Not historically a guy that just throws random garbage out.

 

[TheGoldRanger]

Has it been 24 hours? Last night, after going through several tweets, I was convinced Ayton was already a Blazer.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

what's up with these gambo tweets. any examples of his track record?

also, why is suns interested in nurk for ayton only if dame is traded? that's what his tweets seem to insinuate.

if they want nurk for ayton, it can be done w/o dame.

i'm not too excited for ayton, just pointing out reporting i find odd.

It makes sense to combine Nurk for Ayton deal with a Dame trade as salary matching is easier. Phoenix will need another piece but still wants to save a lot of salary. Other piece is probably in the Dame return and other teams can take on some Phoenix salary since so many contracts move in the Dame trade.

 

[Galakelife]

It makes sense to combine Nurk for Ayton deal with a Dame trade as salary matching is easier. Phoenix will need another piece but still wants to save a lot of salary. Other piece is probably in the Dame return and other teams can take on some Phoenix salary since so many contracts move in the Dame trade.

PHX owner has stated many times that he in not about saving money at all. it wont be fore the savings it would be for a better fit for the team defensively. I hope it works out. having a center who can dunk will at least make the Blazers less frustrating to watch......Nurk with his ridiculous hip flip shots when he is in the paint...

 

[SharpesTriumph]

PHX owner has stated many times that he in not about saving money at all. it wont be fore the savings it would be for a better fit for the team defensively. I hope it works out. having a center who can dunk will at least make the Blazers less frustrating to watch......Nurk with his ridiculous hip flip shots when he is in the paint...

It's not just money - if they can get under the 2nd apron they open up the tax MLE, less trade restrictions, can sign buyout guys, don't risk a future pick being locked and falling to the end of the 1st round. There are many competitive reasons to avoid that 2nd apron this season regardless of how much cash they are willing to lose.

 

[Hoopguru]

Ayton, Scoot, Sharpe, Simons, Grant and another seasoned, solid front court defensive vet would be decent.

 

[BIG Q]

what's up with these gambo tweets. any examples of his track record?

also, why is suns interested in nurk for ayton only if dame is traded? that's what his tweets seem to insinuate.

if they want nurk for ayton, it can be done w/o dame.

i'm not too excited for ayton, just pointing out reporting i find odd.

I actually know Gambo. Good guy. Well connected here. Portland is only interested in Ayton if Dame is traded. Everyone knows that Nurk is Dames center. If Dame is traded the Blazers would rather have Ayton with the young group over Nurk. Dame did not want to play with Ayton in Portland when he was initially available. The story here is Booker specifically is done with Ayton. KD agrees. Been listening to the local talkers and Gambo all day. Hope this helps.

 

[HansenYang]

I actually know Gambo. Good guy. Well connected here. Portland is only interested in Ayton if Dame is traded. Everyone knows that Nurk is Dames center. If Dame is traded the Blazers would rather have Ayton with the young group over Nurk. Dame did not want to play with Ayton in Portland when he was initially available. The story here is Booker specifically is done with Ayton. KD agrees. Been listening to the local talkers and Gambo all day. Hope this helps.

Why are Book & KD done with Ayton?
I haven't seen much friction between them on the court