BENCH

[RoyToy]

The bench is going to look OK most of the season because most of the teams suck in the NBA and have no shot at contending.

In a 7 game playoff series this bench is lacking big time imo. Kaman is the only guy you can count on.

There's been a big Blake circle jerk love fest for some reason, but he's shooting 31% from 3 and 33% overall. Yeah he gets his assists, but overall that's just not good enough when it comes to the playoffs when you play a real team every game and not the sorry ass teams the Blazers have played so far.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Joel is not the problem. He is probably our second best post defender, and in fact plays some bigs better than any other Blazer. It's a problem if you're hoping he will provide scoring, of course.

(You picked a bad game to say this, too: Freeland was +6 - the only Blazer who was +.)

He brings no hands inside though. He blows a lot of inside shots.

 

[ripcityboy]

AAU is awful, honestly it should be you play for the HS you're suppose to go to (unless you get a private school scholarship) then you pick a college and stay 3 full years at least. Nothing more. While we are at it.. no more pros for FIBA.

The NBA ISN'T really my cup of tea. I don't watch many games because I have my reasons. But I have noticed that the overall quality of play is down. And the AAU leagues are a big problem. It escalates the professionalism of the game WAY to early. The skipping of local schools, the pay to play phenomenon and the amount of coaches who recruit mainly AAU hurts the amateur model. When teens should be focusing on developing there overall skills they are playing in WAY to many games and hurting their overall educational growth. The best kids receive the best coaching and the less talented kids fail to get the attention. Listen, the only reason I care is because the college level stinks. The scoring is down, the amount of fouls is ridiculous and you NEVER see a local player close to home. My high school developed one of the best young players in the nation. Oregon could probably have had him and he went to Oklahoma. No. They signed players they probably saw playing at summer tournaments.

 

[riverman]

He brings no hands inside though. He blows a lot of inside shots.

I don't think you can measure Joel's stats against guys playing over 30 minutes a game. In fairness, a lot of our players blow inside shots including our superstars. Joel is an above average defender who's the 5th option on offense and makes freethrows. What's not to like?

 

[Mediocre Man]

Your list has 4 wins against .500 or better, fyi.

I thought I typed over .500, not .500 or better. I did the first time and failed miserably the second time

 

[magnifier661]

I thought I typed over .500, not .500 or better. I did the first time and failed miserably the second time

Lol it's all good man! I was like "wait, we have beaten teams at .500 or above!"

 

[Mediocre Man]

Spurs had a pretty shitty record against Western playoff teams last year also.
Such a box analysis.

16-11
59% winning %

Not sure how "shitty" that is

I'm not the enemy here. Just saying our bench could use a boost

 

[magnifier661]

16-11
59% winning %

Not sure how "shitty" that is

I'm not the enemy here. Just saying our bench could use a boost

Your concern is warranted. No one should jump on you for it. I agree that our bench does need a boost somewhere. It becomes more of an issue on the road because starters get more tired on the road.

The end goal is to contend, so wanting more is only wanting to win more games

 

[magnifier661]

The bench is going to look OK most of the season because most of the teams suck in the NBA and have no shot at contending.

In a 7 game playoff series this bench is lacking big time imo. Kaman is the only guy you can count on.

There's been a big Blake circle jerk love fest for some reason, but he's shooting 31% from 3 and 33% overall. Yeah he gets his assists, but overall that's just not good enough when it comes to the playoffs when you play a real team every game and not the sorry ass teams the Blazers have played so far.

I've noticed Blake being a little tentative shooting, even when he's wide open.

My only circle jerk is his ability to defend and run plays. And it's much better than having what we had last season! But that really isn't saying much

 

[Mediocre Man]

I've noticed Blake being a little tentative shooting, even when he's wide open.

My only circle jerk is his ability to defend and run plays. And it's much better than having what we had last season! But that really isn't saying much

Looks like teams are starting to come out on him more. With Blake unable to get his shot off quick, like Matthews and Lillard, and his inability to create his own shot, his value is less and less, well.......valuable

 

[kjironman1]

I think I've seen way too much of Joel Freeland

Maybe you should start a "Freeland Tracker" thread so you can say all the same things about him that they are about Batum in his tracker thread?