BLAZERS BENCH NEEDS TO GROW UP

[Scalma]

Melo is probably going to be officially available tomorrow, at least that’s what Bobby Marks suggested.

Y’all ready?

 

[Scalma]

Ability to dribble into the paint without turning the ball over 90% of the time?

He’s still a better ballhandler than Harkless. He averages the least amount of turnovers on the roster/36. Not like it matters though, neither is asked to dribble unless it’s a broken play.

 

[e_blazer]

He’s still a better ballhandler than Harkless. He averages the least amount of turnovers on the roster/36. Not like it matters though, neither is asked to dribble unless it’s a broken play.

I'd like to think that the last part of that is due to a realistic view of their abilities by the coaching staff, not an inherent part of the way Stotts would like to see his offense run, but I really don't know. I'd love to see a SF with the ability to drive to the basket playing with Dame.

 

[Scalma]

I'd like to think that the last part of that is due to a realistic view of their abilities by the coaching staff, not an inherent part of the way Stotts would like to see his offense run, but I really don't know. I'd love to see a SF with the ability to drive to the basket playing with Dame.

I don’t think Stotts has the personnel to run the team he wants. Like why did we even sign Aminu and Turner to begin with? Stotts wants shooters! I miss the team we had before Aldridge left.

 

[The Professional Fan]

Think I may have to bump "the bench needs a nickname" thread.....

Nah.

 

[DDolla]

Breaking News: Blazers Bench are game time decision for tonight’s game.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Think I may have to bump "the bench needs a nickname" thread.....

Nah.

HAHAHA how quickly we forgot about that thread! Or me at least....

 

[BonesJones]

A few reasons, but the biggest is that neither Dame nor CJ pass the ball.

And you dont think the coach is at fault for not holding them accountable enough or putting them in a position where they have to create something out of nothing in a stagnant offense?

Whatever angle you look at it, Stotts has to be somewhat responsible.

 

[e_blazer]

Think I may have to bump "the bench needs a nickname" thread.....

Nah.

I posted my suggestion in the game thread the other night: “The Stool”

 

[noknobs]

15th best pg, so average

Also, given his mpg, he is worse than that

First team all-NBA but I guess you have to criticize him about something or you'll stop breathing.

 

[Mediocre Man]

And you dont think the coach is at fault for not holding them accountable enough or putting them in a position where they have to create something out of nothing in a stagnant offense?

Whatever angle you look at it, Stotts has to be somewhat responsible.

Somewhat, for sure

 

[Mediocre Man]

First team all-NBA but I guess you have to criticize him about something or you'll stop breathing.

I've said it for years. Neither move the ball well.

 

[BonesJones]

I've said it for years. Neither move the ball well.

Yeah. They need to do a better job of swinging it to other players standing the perimeter so they can go 1-on-1 or shoot contested 3s. Shame on then.

It's a symptom.

 

[tykendo]

Dame passes the ball plenty, and sets his teammates up to succeed. But many pass out of those looks to a worse shot, or TO. CJ passes not so good, but Dame should be averaging an extra couple assist a game. He can't make the shot of his own pass too.

 

[tykendo]

I've said it for years. Neither move the ball well.

Not true as far as Dame goes Sgt. Schulz.

 

[tykendo]

Yeah. They need to do a better job of swinging it to other players standing the perimeter so they can go 1-on-1 or shoot contested 3s. Shame on then.

It's a symptom.

Again, not true on Dame. He's looking for Nurk in the paint, or a slasher to the hoop. Unfair assessment of Dame's passing skills. Lazy analysis.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I really disagree with the Dame doesn't pass, or doesn't pass well stuff. He's the only guard on the team who does set his team mates up well consistently. It's not his fault that half the team can't catch, and then when they do catch they struggle understanding that the orange thing in their hands is supposed to go into the round hoop about 24 feet away. I think most of the time you see him go into I'm not passing mode is when he's sick and tired of the rest of the teams crap.
Yes Stotts' offense doesn't help, but you don't see Dame go one on 3 early in the game much.

 

[tykendo]

I really disagree with the Dame doesn't pass, or doesn't pass well stuff. He's the only guard on the team who does set his team mates up well consistently. It's not his fault that half the team can't catch, and then when they do catch they struggle understanding that the orange thing in their hands is supposed to go into the round hope about 24 feet away. I think most of the time you see him go into I'm not passing mode is when he's sick and tired of the rest of the teams crap.
Yes Stotts' offense doesn't help, but you don't see Dame go one on 3 early in the game much.

WORD! Brother

 

[Haakzilla]

...this pep talk worked well -- season high 58 pts from the bench -- thanks @tykendo !!!

 

[Orion Bailey]

Again, not true on Dame. He's looking for Nurk in the paint, or a slasher to the hoop. Unfair assessment of Dame's passing skills. Lazy analysis.

I think you missed his green font.

 

[tykendo]

...this pep talk worked well -- season high 58 pts from the bench -- thanks @tykendo !!!

Heeheehee. I wish I meant that much. But as fans we have an emotional stake in the team. Most of us truly love this team. They're embedded in our DNA. I'm very proud of their effort, and the results were fantastic. Now it's time to go to work on the country's ills. Where's that political section?

 

[Mediocre Man]

Yeah. They need to do a better job of swinging it to other players standing the perimeter so they can go 1-on-1 or shoot contested 3s. Shame on then.

It's a symptom.

Can we agree on a combination?

 

[Mediocre Man]

Not true as far as Dame goes Sgt. Schulz.

Ok. Enjoy the games

 

[BonesJones]

Can we agree on a combination?

In regards to CJ, not Dame.

 

[Mediocre Man]

In regards to CJ, not Dame.

Then no

 

[Scalma]

To me, the bench is still an issue.

Turner is starting to get his minutes cut. The shooting percentages have held steady, but the turnovers have gone up each month. His turnovers are usually of the unforced kind too, making it that much more frustrating. Defensively he’s still very consistent and he is making a fuck ton, so don’t expect him to be permanently benched.

Stauskas is on the edge of the rotation. He shot it consistently in October and November, but has fallen off a cliff since. Defensively he’s always been below average, so he can’t struggle for that long and stay in the rotation.

Curry’s trajectory is almost the exact opposite. The usage and minutes are up, as is the production. He’s looking like the guy he was in Dallas. His size however keeps him from being a reliable option to play along Lillard and CJ to close out games. Not really a problem, just limits his contribution.

Collins has been up and down but I’m still sticking to Leonard fucking up his momentum from earlier in the year. And it’s not like Leonard has played well lately either. Actually, since the end of November, he has shot below 30% from outside. In his last 5? 38% from the field, and 20% from outside. Since he doesn’t do much else, does he really need to be playing??

So with all that said, this is my second unit going forward

Curry
Turner
Layman
Collins

Stagger Harkless/Aminu for the rest. Stauskas can sit for now, while Layman gets a chance. He’d get so much more freedom playing with the twos. He at least deserves a deeper look while Olshey looks for an upgrade hahahah man that was a good one.

 

[swish3]

Seth has been the bright spot and in my view has the statistics that merit being in the game to relieve either Dame or CJ. Seth currently leads the NBA in swish3 %. Meyers is the next highest with 42.4% and the highest FG% of 50.7, who also has the highest ORtg of 126 and highest eFG% of 61%. Seth and Meyers as off the bench scoring power should be adding 15-18 swish3 points per game, which is enough to win games. Seth and Meyers will maximize % when shooting sweet spot attempts in the game flow that sees each shooting 6 swish3 attempts.

 

[James lamphear]

Our bench will probably be up and down the rest of the season. You got Curry just starting be consistent out there something we need that scorer off the bench. Staukis need to be bench and give maybe Trent a try out there see want he can do on regular rotation minutes.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'm enjoying Curry's progress this season. If this continues, he could conceivably become the Jamal Crawford/Lou Williams type of off the bench scorer that could make this team pretty special.

 

[BonesJones]

I'm enjoying Curry's progress this season. If this continues, he could conceivably become the Jamal Crawford/Lou Williams type of off the bench scorer that could make this team pretty special.

People wrote him off too soon.