Blazers Mid-Season Grades

[42N8Bounce]

With 41 games completed, the Blazers are at the mid-way point of the season. Time to give out some grades:



The Team
Record (2017-18): 22 W - 19 L
Last Year (2016-17): 18 W - 23 L
The Blazers are 4 games ahead of last year's pace. There were some high expectations for this team going into this season. The Blazers had a relatively easy schedule early, and were riding the momentum of 'Nurk Fever' finishing out last year. There have been some nice quality wins (W SAS, 111-110), and some ugly losses (L ATL, 110-89). All things considered, the Blazers are currently in 5th place in a loaded Western Conference.
Grade: B-

Damian Lillard
2017-18: 25.0 ppg, 6.4 apg, 4.9 rpg, 1.1 spg, TS% 0.571, PER 22.6
2016-17: 27.0 ppg, 5.9 apg, 4.9 rps, 0.9 spg, TS% 0.586, PER 24.1
Although Dame's stats have taken a slight step back, he's still the leader of this team, playing at a very high level.
Grade: A-

CJ McCollum
2017-18: 21.6 ppg, 3.4 apg, 4.2 rpg, 1.0 spg, TS% 0.547, PER 17.5
2016-17: 23.0 ppg, 3.6 apg, 3.6 rps, 0.9 spg, TS% 0.585, PER 19.9
CJ has struggled a bit this year, and his stats have dipped. However, he did pick up a significant amount of the load during Dame's absence due to injury, winning a good percentage of those games.
Grade: B-

Jusuf Nurkic
2017-18: 14.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 1.9 apg, TS% 0.493, PER 16.0
2016-17: 15.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.9 bps, 3.2 apg, TS% 0.545, PER 21.1
Nurk Fever is gone. What remains is a serviceable starting center. It's hard not to be disappointed, but all things considered, he's only 23. My guess is he still has upside. Hopefully we see that upside in a Blazer uniform.
Grade: C+

Al-Farouq Aminu
2017-18: 9.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.9 spg, TS% 0.541, PER 11.3
2016-17: 8.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.0 spg, TS% 0.506, PER 11.3
Although his FG3% has taken a nice jump up this year, his overall impact to the game has remained about the same (11.3 PER). Aminu's biggest impact is on the defensive end.
Grade: B-

Evan Turner
2017-18: 8.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 0.7 spg, TS% 0.523, PER 10.0
2016-17: 9.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 0.8 spg, TS% 0.491, PER 11.4
With a contract of $17M/yr (3rd highest on the team), it's hard not to expect more. His stats are down across the board from last year, and his PER is barely hanging on to double digits.
Grade: C-

Maurice Harkless
2017-18: 5.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.7 apg, 0.7 spg, TS% 0.570, PER 10.2
2016-17: 10.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.1 spg, TS% 0.533, PER 13.1
Mo has taken a significant step back this year. All of his stats are down. He continues to tease us with flashes of athleticism and the occasional great game. But at age 24, with a contract that extends 2 years after this season, how much upside is left? Have we seen his peak?
Grade: D+

Shabazz Napier
2017-18: 9.8 ppg, 2.2 apg, 2.3 rpg, 1.3 spg, TS% 0.595, PER 17.9
2016-17: 4.1 ppg, 0.6 apg, 1.2 rpg, 0.6 spg, TS% 0.533, PER 13.6
Wow. When the Blazers needed someone to step up in Dame's absence, Napier seized the moment. Most of his stats have double from last season. With a PER of 17.9, 'Bazz would be a starter on many NBA teams.
Grade: A

Pat Connaughton
2017-18: 6.4 ppg, 1.2 apg, 2.2 rpg, TS% 0.591, PER 10.3
2016-17: 2.5 ppg, 0.7 apg, 1.3 rpg, TS% 0.645, PER 11.8
When the Blazers traded Crabbe in the off season, they needed someone to earn the available minutes. Pat has stepped up. His minutes per game has risen from 8.1 to 19.9, and his field goal attempts has risen from 1.8 to 5.1. With that being said, his PER has dropped to 10.3, reflecting his limited overall impact on the game.
Grade: B

Ed Davis
2017-18: 5.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 0.7 bpg, TS% 0.579, PER 15.2
2016-17: 4.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.5 bpg, TS% 0.563, PER 11.5
Ed knows his game, and he does is well. Rebound. Defend. Hustle. His numbers might not be gaudy, but every team needs a guy like Ed to do the dirty work.
Grade: B+

Noah Vonleh
2017-18: 4.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 0.4 bpg, TS% 0.557, PER 12.6
2016-17: 4.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.4 bpg, TS% 0.525, PER 10.8
Out of the 41 games of the season so far, Noah has only played in 27 games. He can defend, and he can rebound. But he hasn't shown the development in his offensive game to make him a consistent contributor.
Grade: C-

Zach Collins
2017-18: 4.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.4 bpg, TS% 0.443, PER 7.6
After a poor showing in summer league, and and a slow start to the season, Zach has stepped up his game and eared some quality minutes as of late. With his solid defense, good rebounding instincts, and a nice looking jumper all the way out to the 3 pt line, Zach brings much promise to the future.
Grade: B

Meyers Leonard
2017-18: 5.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 0.5 apg, TS% 0.690, PER 19.2
2016-17: 5.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.0 apg, TS% 0.507, PER 8.9
Now in his 6th season, Leonard is what he is. He can shoot. That's it. He's only seen action in 13 games so far this year. Needless to say (but I will), his contract of $10M/yr for two more years is one of the worst in the league.
Grade: F-

Caleb Swanigan
2017-18: 2.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.6 apg, TS% 0.409, PER 7.4
Drafted at #26, Caleb has shown heart. He's a good rebounder and has a decent jumper, but is limited on the defensive end.
Grade: C+

Jake Layman
2017-18: 1.4 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.3 apg, TS% 0.358, PER 4.2
2016-17: 2.2 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.3 apg, TS% 0.404, PER 4.9
His jumper looks great. It should go in, right? Well, I think we have a large enough sample size now to confidently say looks aren't everything. His PER of 4.2 tells most of the story.
Grade: D

Let see your report card. What grades would you give out?



Go Blazers!

 

[BonesJones]

How does Meyers get an F and Layman get a D?

And I'm not a fan of PER as a stat.

 

[42N8Bounce]

How does Meyers get an F and Layman get a D?

 

[BonesJones]

View attachment 17907

But Meyers has played well when he's gotten minutes. So there's no way he couldve gotten anything better... lol

 

[Mr. Robot]

Jusuf Nurkic
2017-18: 14.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 1.9 apg, TS% 0.493, PER 16.0
2016-17: 15.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.9ps, 3.2 apg, TS% 0.545, PER 21.1
Nurk Fever is gone. What remains is a serviceable starting center. It's hard not to be disappointed, but all things considered, he's only 23. My guess is he still has upside. Hopefully we see that upside in a Blazer uniform.
Grade: C+

fuck off with this shit, who wrote this

 

[Mediocre Man]

But Meyers has played well when he's gotten minutes. So there's no way he couldve gotten anything better... lol

Played well on offense

 

[BonesJones]

Played well on offense

Yep, Layman hasn't played well on offense or defense

 

[Mediocre Man]

Yep, Layman hasn't played well on offense or defense

Nope

 

[BonesJones]

Nope

Yup.

 

[stampedehero]

With 41 games completed, the Blazers are at the mid-way point of the season. Time to give out some grades:

View attachment 17905

The Team
Record (2017-18): 22 W - 19 L
Last Year (2016-17): 18 W - 23 L
The Blazers are 4 games ahead of last year's pace. There were some high expectations for this team going into this season. The Blazers had a relatively easy schedule early, and the momentum of 'Nurk Fever' finishing out last year with a big run. There have been some nice quality wins (W SAS, 111-110), and some ugly losses (L ATL, 110-89). All things considered, the Blazers are currently in 5th place in a loaded Western Conference.
Grade: B-

Damian Lillard
2017-18: 25.0 ppg, 6.4 apg, 4.9 rpg, 1.1 spg, TS% 0.571, PER 22.6
2016-17: 27.0 ppg, 5.9 apg, 4.9 rps, 0.9 spg, TS% 0.586, PER 24.1
Although Dame's stats have taken a slight step back, he's still the leader of this team, playing at a very high level.
Grade: A-

CJ McCollum
2017-18: 21.6 ppg, 3.4 apg, 4.2 rpg, 1.0 spg, TS% 0.547, PER 17.5
2016-17: 23.0 ppg, 3.6 apg, 3.6 rps, 0.9 spg, TS% 0.585, PER 19.9
CJ has struggled a bit this year, and his stats have dipped. However, he did pick up a significant amount of the load during Dame's absence due to injury, winning a good percentage of those games.
Grade: B-

Jusuf Nurkic
2017-18: 14.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 1.9 apg, TS% 0.493, PER 16.0
2016-17: 15.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.9ps, 3.2 apg, TS% 0.545, PER 21.1
Nurk Fever is gone. What remains is a serviceable starting center. It's hard not to be disappointed, but all things considered, he's only 23. My guess is he still has upside. Hopefully we see that upside in a Blazer uniform.
Grade: C+

Al-Farouq Aminu
2017-18: 9.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.9 spg, TS% 0.541, PER 11.3
2016-17: 8.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.0 spg, TS% 0.506, PER 11.3
Although his FG3% has taken a nice jump up this year, his overall impact to the game has remained about the same (11.3 PER). Aminu's biggest impact is on the defensive end.
Grade: B-

Evan Turner
2017-18: 8.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 0.7 spg, TS% 0.523, PER 10.0
2016-17: 9.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 0.8 spg, TS% 0.491, PER 11.4
With a contract of $17M/yr (3rd highest on the team), it's hard not to expect more. His stats are pretty much down across the board from last year, and his PER is barely hanging on to double digits.
Grade: C-

Maurice Harkless
2017-18: 5.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.7 apg, 0.7 spg, TS% 0.570, PER 10.2
2016-17: 10.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.1 spg, TS% 0.533, PER 13.1
Mo has taken a significant step back this year. All of his stats are down. He continues to tease us with flashes of athleticism and the occasional great game. But at age 24, with a contract that extends 2 years after this season, how much upside is left? Have we seen his peak?
Grade: D+

Shabazz Napier
2017-18: 9.8 ppg, 2.2 apg, 2.3 rpg, 1.3 spg, TS% 0.595, PER 17.9
2016-17: 4.1 ppg, 0.6 apg, 1.2 rpg, 0.6 spg, TS% 0.533, PER 13.6
Wow. When the Blazers needed someone to step up in Dame's absence, Napier seized the moment. Most of his stats have double from last season. With a PER of 17.9, 'Bazz would be a starter on many NBA teams.
Grade: A

Pat Connaughton
2017-18: 6.4 ppg, 1.2 apg, 2.2 rpg, TS% 0.591, PER 10.3
2016-17: 2.5 ppg, 0.7 apg, 1.3 rpg, TS% 0.645, PER 11.8
When the Blazers traded Crabbe in the off season, they needed someone to earn the available minutes. Pat has stepped up. His minutes per game has risen from 8.1 to 19.9, and his field goal attempts has risen from 1.8 to 5.1. With that being said, his PER has dropped to 10.3, reflecting his limited overall impact on the game.
Grade: B

Ed Davis
2017-18: 5.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 0.7 bpg, TS% 0.579, PER 15.2
2016-17: 4.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.5 bpg, TS% 0.563, PER 11.5
Ed knows his game, and he does is well. Rebound. Defend. Hustle. His numbers might not be gaudy, but every team needs a guy like Ed to do the dirty work.
Grade: B+

Noah Vonleh
2017-18: 4.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 0.4 bpg, TS% 0.525, PER 12.6
2016-17: 4.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.4 bpg, TS% 0.525, PER 10.8
Out of the 41 games of the season so far, Noah has only played in 27 games. He can defend, and he can rebound. But he hasn't shown the development in his offensive game to make him a consistent contributor.
Grade: C-

Zach Collins
2017-18: 4.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.4 bpg, TS% 0.443, PER 7.6
After a poor showing in summer league, and and a slow start to the season, Zach has stepped up his game and eared some quality minutes as of late. With his solid defense, good rebounding instincts, and a nice looking jumper all the way out to the 3 pt line, Zach brings much promise to the future.
Grade: B

Meyers Leonard
2017-18: 5.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 0.5 apg, TS% 0.690, PER 19.2
2016-17: 5.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.0 apg, TS% 0.507, PER 8.9
Now in his 6th season, Leonard is what he is. He can shoot. That's it. He's only seen action in 13 games so far this year. Needless to say (but I will), his contract of $10M/yr for two more years is one of the worst in the league.
Grade: F-

Caleb Swanigan
2017-18: 2.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.6 apg, TS% 0.409, PER 7.4
Drafted at #26, Caleb has shown heart. He's a good rebounder and has a decent jumper, but is limited on the defensive end.
Grade: C+

Jake Layman
2017-18: 1.4 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.3 apg, TS% 0.358, PER 4.2
2016-17: 2.2 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.3 apg, TS% 0.404, PER 4.9
His jumper looks great. It should go in, right? Well, I think we have a large enough sample size now to confidently say looks aren't everything. His PER of 4.2 tells most of the story.
Grade: D

Let see your report card. What grades would you give out?

View attachment 17906

Go Blazers!

Very Well Done!!!

 

[Mediocre Man]

Yup.

Yup

 

[BrianFromWA]

Nurk Fever is gone. What remains is a serviceable starting center. It's hard not to be disappointed, but all things considered, he's only 23. My guess is he still has upside. Hopefully we see that upside in a Blazer uniform.

Maybe I'll take this as a homework project this weekend, but I'm intrigued at "what happened?" I mean, sure, it could be motivation. My gut tells me that his FG% within 10' (esp. within 3') is way down this year b/c he's doing less dunking and more "WTF wuz that?!11?!" garbage near the rim? Is it b/c that extra 30# gave him more confidence last year? Team told him not to risk himself as much? Maybe my eye test is waaaaaay off?

Although his FG3% has taken a nice jump up this year, his overall impact to the game has remained about the same (11.3 PER). Aminu's biggest impact is on the defensive end.

I feel like a B- for Chief is kind of low. He is who we thought he was, but surprisingly a better shooter. His D is still his calling card, he has the same cost/min as Vonleh (love that stat, btw), his TS% is much higher than his usual, and as long as he isn't dribbling he's a net positive on offense.
He makes about 70% the salary of what Mo and Meyers each make. He makes about 40% Turner's salary. So he's a relative bargain, decent on offense, big part of a big defensive resurgence, and defers to Dame. What's not to like?

For similar reasons, I'd have Big Ed as an A or A- also. Literally don't know what more you'd want from the guy from the Ideal Projection we had when we brought him in.

 

[SIeepwalker]

fuck off with this shit, who wrote this

Someone that's very right

 

[Boob-No-More]

View attachment 17907

Not sure what salary has to do with these grades. Are you grading based on performance, or value?

Either way, no way in hell should Meyer's have a worse grade than Layman.

With 41 games completed, the Blazers are at the mid-way point of the season. Time to give out some grades:

View attachment 17905
Meyers Leonard
2017-18: 5.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 0.5 apg, TS% 0.690, PER 19.2
2016-17: 5.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.0 apg, TS% 0.507, PER 8.9
Now in his 6th season, Leonard is what he is. He can shoot. That's it. He's only seen action in 13 games so far this year. Needless to say (but I will), his contract of $10M/yr for two more years is one of the worst in the league.
Grade: F-

At least he does one thing well. Layman is a shooter who can't shoot, which makes him worthless.

View attachment 17905
Jake Layman
2017-18: 1.4 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.3 apg, TS% 0.358, PER 4.2
2016-17: 2.2 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.3 apg, TS% 0.404, PER 4.9
His jumper looks great. It should go in, right? Well, I think we have a large enough sample size now to confidently say looks aren't everything. His PER of 4.2 tells most of the story.
Grade: D[/QUOTE]

Just look at these percentages and tell me who deserves the F-

Meyers Leonard:
FG% = .600
3FG% = .538
eFG% = .678
TS% = .690

Jake Layman:
FG% = .294
3FG% = .200
eFG% = .338
TS% = .358

Neither plays much, but when they do, Meyers is > 2x as likely to make his shots. He is also a better rebounder and a better passer. Layman looks smooth, fluid and confident, but the actual results are abysmal.

Yeah, I get that Meyers isn't the stud we all wish he was, but the hatred he gets around here borders on irrational while Layman seems to get a free pass (relatively speaking) for some reason.

You didn't happen to be one of the fans that booed him at the Milwaukee game, were you? What a totally classless act.

BNM

 

[42N8Bounce]

Not sure what salary has to do with these grades. Are you grading based on performance, or value?

Either way, no way in hell should Meyer's have a worse grade than Layman.

At least he does one thing well. Layman is a shooter who can't shoot, which makes him worthless.

Yeah, I get that Meyers isn't the stud we all wish he was, but the hatred he gets around here borders on irrational while Layman seems to get a free pass (relatively speaking) for some reason.

You didn't happen to be one of the fans that booed him at the Milwaukee game, were you? What a totally classless act.

BNM

Giving out grades is going to be subjective. That's part of the fun. I tried to take into account not only their stats, but also their expectations and salaries.

I've been a season ticket holder (with the family) now for 42 years. (Yes, I was a kid going to Blazer games in 1975) Thru the good and the bad. I've never booed the team.

I've got nothing personal against Meyers. He seems like a good guy. Unfortunately, I don't see how his performance this year could be worse. The coach isn't even putting him in when the Blazers are up (or down) by 20 with 2 minute left. Heck, take the last game against OKC as an example. Layman got 2 minutes. Leonard DNPCD. I root for Leonard when he's in the game. I want to see my team do well. After 6 seasons now in the league, he is what he is, and it sucks that our GM made such a poor decision to tie up so much money on a player that rarely plays. Giving him the F- might have been a bit of a fun jab. He probably only deserved an F.

Show me your report card. I'm always curious of other fans perspectives, especially yours. (I love reading your posts.)

 

[ripcityboy]

If you guys don't all give Collins, Shabazz, and Pat at least all As. I will be fucking pissed.

 

[handiman]

I've got nothing personal against Meyers. He seems like a good guy. Unfortunately, I don't see how his performance this year could be worse. The coach isn't even putting him in when the Blazers are up (or down) by 20 with 2 minute left.

Really? His numbers are good in limited minutes. That should be an Incomplete, not a F-. It ought to be easy to see how his performance could be worse. Look up Layman in the dictionary for an example...

 

[tester551]

I've got nothing personal against Meyers. He seems like a good guy. Unfortunately, I don't see how his performance this year could be worse. The coach isn't even putting him in when the Blazers are up (or down) by 20 with 2 minute left. Heck, take the last game against OKC as an example. Layman got 2 minutes. Leonard DNPCD. I root for Leonard when he's in the game. I want to see my team do well. After 6 seasons now in the league, he is what he is, and it sucks that our GM made such a poor decision to tie up so much money on a player that rarely plays. Giving him the F- might have been a bit of a fun jab. He probably only deserved an F.

His performance this year isn't why he's not getting playing time. The Stotts/Leonard relationship is strained. I think Stotts has completely written Meyers off.

I can totally see Meyers going somewhere else and having a decent career as a 8/9/10th man. But that will never happen here in Portland.

 

[42N8Bounce]

Really? His numbers are good in limited minutes. That should be an Incomplete, not a F-. It ought to be easy to see how his performance could be worse. Look up Layman in the dictionary for an example...

This kinda feels like we're trying to decide who has the ugliest dog.

I agree that Meyers is a 'better' basketball player than Layman. But other than just stats, I also tried to take into account age, expectations and salaries. How easy would it be to trade these guys? Both probably aren't desired by other teams. But Layman is still relatively young and on a rookie contract, with a bit of potential upside. Meyers has the 5th highest salary on the Blazers, locked in for two more years. My guess is that no team will be touching that unless we add quite a bit of sweetener.

My dog is the ugliest.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

Giving out grades is going to be subjective. That's part of the fun. I tried to take into account not only their stats, but also their expectations and salaries.

I've been a season ticket holder (with the family) now for 42 years. (Yes, I was a kid going to Blazer games in 1975) Thru the good and the bad. I've never booed the team.

I've got nothing personal against Meyers. He seems like a good guy. Unfortunately, I don't see how his performance this year could be worse. The coach isn't even putting him in when the Blazers are up (or down) by 20 with 2 minute left. Heck, take the last game against OKC as an example. Layman got 2 minutes. Leonard DNPCD. I root for Leonard when he's in the game. I want to see my team do well. After 6 seasons now in the league, he is what he is, and it sucks that our GM made such a poor decision to tie up so much money on a player that rarely plays. Giving him the F- might have been a bit of a fun jab. He probably only deserved an F.

Show me your report card. I'm always curious of other fans perspectives, especially yours. (I love reading your posts.)

Great job Bounce! Bone’s potty mouth aside, I thought you totally nailed it. Very thoughtfully and objectively done, with little, if any “homerism”. I agree with your assessments almost 100%.

 

[BonesJones]

Great job Bounce! Bone’s potty mouth aside, I thought you totally nailed it. Very thoughtfully and objectively done, with little, if any “homerism”. I agree with your assessments almost 100%.

*Bones'

 

[handiman]

I agree that Meyers is a 'better' basketball player than Layman. But other than just stats, I also tried to take into account age, expectations and salaries. How easy would it be to trade these guys? Both probably aren't desired by other teams. But Layman is still relatively young and on a rookie contract, with a bit of potential upside. Meyers has the 5th highest salary on the Blazers, locked in for two more years. My guess is that no team will be touching that unless we add quite a bit of sweetener.

Well, if you're going to look at it that way, then you also have to consider the value of what we get back. Layman is a non-producing cheap contract. All that's good for in a trade is filler or bringing back an equally bad player on a cheap contract. In other words, about as useless as it comes. Meyers might be harder to move, but he probably brings back more just because his salary slot demands it be a more meaningful trade.

 

[Boob-No-More]

This kinda feels like we're trying to decide who has the ugliest dog.
View attachment 17917
I agree that Meyers is a 'better' basketball player than Layman. But other than just stats, I also tried to take into account age, expectations and salaries. How easy would it be to trade these guys? Both probably aren't desired by other teams. But Layman is still relatively young and on a rookie contract, with a bit of potential upside. Meyers has the 5th highest salary on the Blazers, locked in for two more years. My guess is that no team will be touching that unless we add quite a bit of sweetener.

My dog is the ugliest.

Well, if it's based on expectations, Meyers should get an A+. Everyone here thought Meyers would totally suck. Sure, he hasn't played much, but at least when he has played he's made his shots. Based on the way he played last year, that wasn't a given.

It's not like Layman is that much younger than Meyers. He was a 4-year player and is 23 years old. Aren't those guys supposed to be more NBA ready? Layman is like a worse Victor Claver without the accent. He looks like a basketball and moves like a basketball player, but the results suck. I'm not really seeing any potential upside there. The only "upside" I can think of is: "he can't possibly shoot this bad forever". Well, I heard the same thing last year. I heard it when he was sent down to the D League last year, I heard it in Summer League and now here he is, still bricking his shots.

Personally, I'd base my grades on actual performance. After all, as a fan, all I care about are wins and losses. If you have unrealistic expectations, that's on you. What someone makes is a Neil Olshey and Paul Allen problem. I mean shit, they are the ones that gave Meyers that contract. What was he supposed to do, turn it down? I don't hold his contract against Meyers. I personally think they saw him get off to a hot start and don't want to take a chance on him backsliding and hurting his trade value.

Plus, with Collins playing, there really isn't any PT for Meyers. I think given the choice most posters (other than that @swish3 guy) would rather see Collins get the minutes than Meyers.

BNM

 

[noknobs]

I'm pretty similar, I'll go...

Damian: A-
CJ: B
Nurk: B
Aminu: A-
Turner: C
Harkless: C
Shabazz: A
Connaughton: A-
Ed: B+
Vonleh: C-
Collins: B+
Leonard: D
Swanigan: C
Layman: D
Team: B-

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Layman's value >> Bieb's value

Layman can be included in a trade to make salaries match, Bieb's (basically) can't.

Offseason Conversation:
NO: "Are you going to play Biebs this year?"
TS: "Probably not"
NO: "Why not?"
TS: "He could put it all together this year, but he probably won't."
NO: "Would you trust him in a playoff game?"
TS: "Very, very unlikely."

.... "and with the 10th pick in the 2017 NBA draft...."

 

[BBert]

How does Meyers get an F and Layman get a D?

And I'm not a fan of PER as a stat.

Expectations and Salary?

 

[Chris Craig]

With 41 games completed, the Blazers are at the mid-way point of the season. Time to give out some grades:

View attachment 17905

The Team
Record (2017-18): 22 W - 19 L
Last Year (2016-17): 18 W - 23 L
The Blazers are 4 games ahead of last year's pace. There were some high expectations for this team going into this season. The Blazers had a relatively easy schedule early, and were riding the momentum of 'Nurk Fever' finishing out last year. There have been some nice quality wins (W SAS, 111-110), and some ugly losses (L ATL, 110-89). All things considered, the Blazers are currently in 5th place in a loaded Western Conference.
Grade: B-

Damian Lillard
2017-18: 25.0 ppg, 6.4 apg, 4.9 rpg, 1.1 spg, TS% 0.571, PER 22.6
2016-17: 27.0 ppg, 5.9 apg, 4.9 rps, 0.9 spg, TS% 0.586, PER 24.1
Although Dame's stats have taken a slight step back, he's still the leader of this team, playing at a very high level.
Grade: A-

CJ McCollum
2017-18: 21.6 ppg, 3.4 apg, 4.2 rpg, 1.0 spg, TS% 0.547, PER 17.5
2016-17: 23.0 ppg, 3.6 apg, 3.6 rps, 0.9 spg, TS% 0.585, PER 19.9
CJ has struggled a bit this year, and his stats have dipped. However, he did pick up a significant amount of the load during Dame's absence due to injury, winning a good percentage of those games.
Grade: B-

Jusuf Nurkic
2017-18: 14.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 1.9 apg, TS% 0.493, PER 16.0
2016-17: 15.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.9 bps, 3.2 apg, TS% 0.545, PER 21.1
Nurk Fever is gone. What remains is a serviceable starting center. It's hard not to be disappointed, but all things considered, he's only 23. My guess is he still has upside. Hopefully we see that upside in a Blazer uniform.
Grade: C+

Al-Farouq Aminu
2017-18: 9.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.9 spg, TS% 0.541, PER 11.3
2016-17: 8.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.0 spg, TS% 0.506, PER 11.3
Although his FG3% has taken a nice jump up this year, his overall impact to the game has remained about the same (11.3 PER). Aminu's biggest impact is on the defensive end.
Grade: B-

Evan Turner
2017-18: 8.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 0.7 spg, TS% 0.523, PER 10.0
2016-17: 9.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 0.8 spg, TS% 0.491, PER 11.4
With a contract of $17M/yr (3rd highest on the team), it's hard not to expect more. His stats are down across the board from last year, and his PER is barely hanging on to double digits.
Grade: C-

Maurice Harkless
2017-18: 5.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.7 apg, 0.7 spg, TS% 0.570, PER 10.2
2016-17: 10.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.1 spg, TS% 0.533, PER 13.1
Mo has taken a significant step back this year. All of his stats are down. He continues to tease us with flashes of athleticism and the occasional great game. But at age 24, with a contract that extends 2 years after this season, how much upside is left? Have we seen his peak?
Grade: D+

Shabazz Napier
2017-18: 9.8 ppg, 2.2 apg, 2.3 rpg, 1.3 spg, TS% 0.595, PER 17.9
2016-17: 4.1 ppg, 0.6 apg, 1.2 rpg, 0.6 spg, TS% 0.533, PER 13.6
Wow. When the Blazers needed someone to step up in Dame's absence, Napier seized the moment. Most of his stats have double from last season. With a PER of 17.9, 'Bazz would be a starter on many NBA teams.
Grade: A

Pat Connaughton
2017-18: 6.4 ppg, 1.2 apg, 2.2 rpg, TS% 0.591, PER 10.3
2016-17: 2.5 ppg, 0.7 apg, 1.3 rpg, TS% 0.645, PER 11.8
When the Blazers traded Crabbe in the off season, they needed someone to earn the available minutes. Pat has stepped up. His minutes per game has risen from 8.1 to 19.9, and his field goal attempts has risen from 1.8 to 5.1. With that being said, his PER has dropped to 10.3, reflecting his limited overall impact on the game.
Grade: B

Ed Davis
2017-18: 5.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 0.7 bpg, TS% 0.579, PER 15.2
2016-17: 4.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.5 bpg, TS% 0.563, PER 11.5
Ed knows his game, and he does is well. Rebound. Defend. Hustle. His numbers might not be gaudy, but every team needs a guy like Ed to do the dirty work.
Grade: B+

Noah Vonleh
2017-18: 4.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 0.4 bpg, TS% 0.525, PER 12.6
2016-17: 4.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.4 bpg, TS% 0.525, PER 10.8
Out of the 41 games of the season so far, Noah has only played in 27 games. He can defend, and he can rebound. But he hasn't shown the development in his offensive game to make him a consistent contributor.
Grade: C-

Zach Collins
2017-18: 4.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.4 bpg, TS% 0.443, PER 7.6
After a poor showing in summer league, and and a slow start to the season, Zach has stepped up his game and eared some quality minutes as of late. With his solid defense, good rebounding instincts, and a nice looking jumper all the way out to the 3 pt line, Zach brings much promise to the future.
Grade: B

Meyers Leonard
2017-18: 5.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 0.5 apg, TS% 0.690, PER 19.2
2016-17: 5.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.0 apg, TS% 0.507, PER 8.9
Now in his 6th season, Leonard is what he is. He can shoot. That's it. He's only seen action in 13 games so far this year. Needless to say (but I will), his contract of $10M/yr for two more years is one of the worst in the league.
Grade: F-

Caleb Swanigan
2017-18: 2.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.6 apg, TS% 0.409, PER 7.4
Drafted at #26, Caleb has shown heart. He's a good rebounder and has a decent jumper, but is limited on the defensive end.
Grade: C+

Jake Layman
2017-18: 1.4 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.3 apg, TS% 0.358, PER 4.2
2016-17: 2.2 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.3 apg, TS% 0.404, PER 4.9
His jumper looks great. It should go in, right? Well, I think we have a large enough sample size now to confidently say looks aren't everything. His PER of 4.2 tells most of the story.
Grade: D

Let see your report card. What grades would you give out?

View attachment 17906

Go Blazers!

Team Grade: C++

The Blazers are up four games to last year, but there are several games they should have won with an easy early schedule but didn't. The schedule only gets harder from here. Team chemistry is on the rise, but there still seems to be some inconsistencies.

Damian Lillard: Damiam has continued to lead this team, shake off adversity and doubt, and continue to be the humble star that he is. He shines bright.

Grade: A

CJ MCCollum: As of late CJ has come alive and is shooting lights out. He seems to have found his bearings after struggling early. Hopefully he can keep the flame going. He needs to learn to pass though, seriously!

Grade: B

Al Farouq Aminu: He is shooting well from the 3...better than last year. He continues to be a strong defender. But, his offense outside the arc is almost nonexistence, with the exception of a dunk here and there. To watch him dribble is terrifying. None the less he is an important part of the roster.

Grade: B-

Jusuf Nurkic: Nurkic lost weight and is still learning how to control his lighter body. He has been weak at finishing around the rim for most the season, though he has gotten stronger there as of late. He doesn't seem to be the beast he was last year but, he is a young center with skyhigh potential.

Grade: C+

Evan Turner: Evan has struggled to find a working place on the roster since Olshey signed him to that ridiculous contract. His numbers continue to fall, and he doesn't seem to fit. Not sure if he can or will.

Grade: D-

Moe Harkless: Moe has struggled most of the first half of the season. He all but disappeared till laye Decrmber when had an awakening of sorts. He is showing spurts of the Harkless we saw last year. Is he just in a funk? Does he not want to be here? Hopefully, he really wakes up and comes to play. Because he can play.

Grade: D+

Pat Connaughton: I have to admit Pat has done better than I thought he would. He was tasked with replacing Crabbes numbers and has helped defensively. Pat may belong on the basketball court after all. Baseball might have to wait.

Grade: B

Noah Vonleh: I expected more from Noah this year after he showed some upswing next to Nurkic at the end of last year. But, his game hasn't moved much offensively. I wish he'd just attack the hoop with the ball. Still, he can rebound and defend well. With his cheap contract there is jope yet.

Grade: C

Ed Davis: Ed doed the dirty work. He's physical as hell under the rim and takes shit from no one. That said, Ed spent last year injured was supposedly a renewed player according to Stotts and co but his numbers have barely changed. Part of it is he is playing undersized at center. I like him though and hope the Blazers don't trade him. His contract though and his appeal makes it likely

Grade: B-

Zach Collins: Zach didn't get a lot of minutes early but know that he is getting time on the court, he is proving himself again and again. He should be the Blazers starting PF. Dude is that good. Defensively he'll block the shit out of you without thinking about it. His length bothers and he can dunk and shoot all the way out to the three. Collins is the whole package. A Few years and he will be a star.

Grade: B++++

Shabazz Napier: Guy can ball. He really stepped up with Dame out and proved he belongs. The Blazers are going to have to pay him. He should be starting somewere, but damn he is the perfect backup point guard. Is it fair to him?

Grade: A

Meyers Leonard: For all the shit I give him, he has played better this year in limited minutes, but his digree of improvement over the 5 years hes been here is so incremental, that ge isn't worth anywhere what he is being paid.

Grade: D----

Jake Layman: Layman can't hit the broad side of a barn. He has a nice touch, but has collected more clanks than a rusty pipe. He hasn't shown much potential beyond his ability to shoot the three.

Grade: F

Caleb Swanigan: Guy has a lot of heart. I love that he is always runs towards the hoop for boards. He has a lot of development head of him, but he can be somebody in this league if he can work on his offensive game. Guy is butterfingers a bit.

Grade: C

 

[Boob-No-More]

Expectations and Salary?

Weren't his expectations lower than anyone else on the roster? The guy received so much hate at the end of last season, the fact that he manages to get out of bed every day would seem to exceed most people's expectations. Anyone who says they had high expectations for Meyers entering this season is lying. Not even Kingspeed is that much of a homer.

BNM

 

[BrianFromWA]

Weren't his expectations lower than anyone else on the roster? The guy received so much hate at the end of last season, the fact that he manages to get out of bed every day would seem to exceed most people's expectations. Anyone who says they had high expectations for Meyers entering this season is lying. Not even Kingspeed is that much of a homer.

BNM

I feel like someone's offseason prediction in their name block was "Meyers avg 15ppg" or something. Maybe I'm wrong.

Point taken, though.

 

[handiman]

Layman's value >> Bieb's value

Layman can be included in a trade to make salaries match, Bieb's (basically) can't.

Offseason Conversation:
NO: "Are you going to play Biebs this year?"
TS: "Probably not"
NO: "Why not?"
TS: "He could put it all together this year, but he probably won't."
NO: "Would you trust him in a playoff game?"
TS: "Very, very unlikely."

.... "and with the 10th pick in the 2017 NBA draft...."

The best play of Meyers' career came in the playoffs.