Batum off the bench & Wright in the starting lineup?

[BigGameDamian]

I don't mean to jump the gun but we have seen Wright play well these last couple games in the starting lineup. I think he's more of a starter type myself. If Wright continues to play well in the starting lineup while Aldridge is out, Might we see Batum come off the bench to better the 2nd unit?

 

[e_blazer]

No.

 

[Schilly]

If Nate were still our coach then without a doubt. Terry doesn't seem the type to move a starter to the bench to make the bench better though.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Dun think so, BG.

But Wright is playing better. Which is good to see.

 

[riverman]

Nic, Damian and LaMarcus are 2nd half players. Wes and Robin are 1st half guys. Nic once said he didn't care about starting but he always wanted to be in at the end to finish. Still I see Nico starting, maybe resting more in the first half.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Dun think so, BG.

But Wright is playing better. Which is good to see.

Well it's kind of like what Gregg Popovich did with Manu Ginobili isn't it?

 

[Natebishop3]

Well it's kind of like what Gregg Popovich did with Manu Ginobili isn't it?

Manu is a scorer. He provides scoring off the bench. If anyone could be a Manu for us, it would be Wes.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

If anyone could be a Manu for us, it would be Wes.

Nice

 

[jlprk]

It wouldn't hurt to try it. Stotts needs to be more creative in working bench guys into the game. They're not developing and starters are exhausted in the final minutes.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think Wright definitely plays better as a starter. Unfortunately for him, we won't have a starting spot available.

 

[Schilly]

It's a short list of team's that are successful bringing a better player off the bench than the one starting. It works if the starter is a lock down defender.

 

[riverman]

It's a short list of team's that are successful bringing a better player off the bench than the one starting and is successful. It works if the starter is a lock down defender.

Well said!

 

[Pinwheel1]

Manu is a scorer. He provides scoring off the bench. If anyone could be a Manu for us, it would be Wes.

This. Nic's strength is his all around ability. Not his scoring. The Lakers and Celtics both used to start a bench player back in the day so they had a scorer coming off the bench to give them a lift. And as mentioned above, SA does this with Gianobl. But Nic is not that kind of player. If he was I would agree that Wright, or even Claver for that matter, could play the first 6 minutes before being substituted.

I think CJ will eventually (Next year) be that guy off the bench who gives us a spark.

 

[BBert]

Wright played 20 minutes in each of two games, made a couple of shots, rebounded OK, and played terrible defense. Unless Batum is sick, there is no reason to start Wright ahead of him.

 

[Natebishop3]

Wright played 20 minutes in each of two games, made a couple of shots, rebounded OK, and played terrible defense. Unless Batum is sick, there is no reason to start Wright ahead of him.

He's done better than that. In the last two games he's actually played some of his best ball with us.

Vs Utah 5 points 2-4 shooting, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block in 21 minutes.

Vs San Antonio 10 points 4-8 shooting, 5 boards, 2 steals in 20 minutes.

He's actually being productive as a starter.

 

[BBert]

I agree he seems better as a starter. Too bad he's not better than Batum.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Wright played 20 minutes in each of two games, made a couple of shots, rebounded OK, and played terrible defense. Unless Batum is sick, there is no reason to start Wright ahead of him.

Hasn't he played PF? If he has then I don't think his D the last two games is relevant to the topic. Or was Batum guarding the PF? I know Nic did in the 4th last night, but not sure about the rest of the game.

 

[BBert]

If Wright is your starting SF, you are tanking.

 

[BBert]

Hasn't he played PF? If he has then I don't think his D the last two games is relevant to the topic.

OK, I think you have a point there!

 

[dviss1]

Another silly thread.... LOL

 

[jlprk]

Nic, Damian and LaMarcus are 2nd half players.

Then save Batum for then by starting someone else, especially if Batum is really sick and injured, his latest excuses.

It's a short list of team's that are successful bringing a better player off the bench than the one starting. It works if the starter is a lock down defender.

Batum went to the bench for a season so that a much more aggressive scorer and inside rebounder, Gerald Wallace, could start.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Another BGD gem.

 

[Schilly]

.
Batum went to the bench for a season so that a much more aggressive scorer and inside rebounder, Gerald Wallace, could start.

Hmmm not sure that's totally accurate. The scoring difference was marginal but Wallace was a better defender and rebounder. Also I'm not sure Batum would be the better player at that point in time.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Manu is a scorer. He provides scoring off the bench. If anyone could be a Manu for us, it would be Wes.

Well I guess you could start C.J and bring Wes off the bench?

 

[Pinwheel1]

Well I guess you could start C.J and bring Wes off the bench?

No need for that. Before the lastest injuries, they were bringing Wes back in the game as a SF to play with the 2nd team. So far IMO it has not worked, but I would give it more time. I think a unit of Mo, CJ, Wes, TRob and a center could work. (Losing Joel hurt that scenario though)

 

[Sinobas]

Last game he looked better than he ever has this season, by far, but it's just one game. For most of the season, he hasn't even looked like "bench material".

 

[KingSpeed]

Batum and Wright have to both start with Aldridge out.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Well if it's too late to trade Batum at this point, Blazers should just bench him!

 

[BBert]

Well if it's too late to trade Batum at this point, Blazers should just bench him!

Send him to the D league!!1!

 

[BigGameDamian]

Well if it's too late to trade Batum at this point, Blazers should just bench him!

This is nothing against Batum or who is the better player. Nor would I see it as a punishment.
First unit would be:
PG: Lillard
SG: Mathews
SF: Wright
PF: Aldridge
C: Lopez

Then you would have: Williams, McCullom, Batum, Freeland, Robinson, Leonard, Watson, Claver, Crabbe, Barton.

It's worth a try for 10-15 games. Lillard can run an offence without Batum and Batum can run the 2nd unit.