Bring JJ Hickson off the bench for a scoring punch and..

[BigGameDamian]

start Meyers Leonard instead? Thoughts?

 

[3RA1N1AC]

he isnt ready, but ill be pissed if he isnt playing at least 20 mpg in the meantime, and close to 30 by seasons end

 

[HailBlazers]

start Meyers Leonard instead? Thoughts?

Agreed, or Freeland. Leonard needs to grow alongside Dame. And Hickson would provide great spark off the bench.

 

[BigGameDamian]

he isnt ready, but ill be pissed if he isnt playing at least 20 mpg in the meantime, and close to 30 by seasons end

What do you mean he's not ready? They are not a veteran team and I still don't think Hickson is in the Blazers long term future plans.

 

[Natebishop3]

Benching Hickson right now would be a huge mistake. The guy is averaging a double double as our center. He's actually rebounding the ball for us and he's a good garbage man. I like Leonard, but he's not ready to start. Not by a mile.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Been saying this since the pre season

 

[Natebishop3]

Been saying this since the pre season

Why would you want to bench JJ?

13 points, 10 boards, 2 blocked shots against the Lakers. 5-10 shooting.

14 points and 12 boards against the Thunder. 5-12 shooting

That's a very efficient and integral part of our team. I understand our bench is weak, but JJ has been playing some very solid basketball.

 

[ABM]

Personally, I'd rather see the Blazers acquire another big man. Perhaps a trade involving Wesley Matthews (or such) and Spencer Hawes when possible (I think Dec. 15th).

 

[Natebishop3]

Personally, I'd rather see the Blazers acquire another big man. Perhaps a trade involving Wesley Matthews (or such) and Spencer Hawes when possible (I think Dec. 15th).

I think we've got some decent bigs ABM. They're just young, and we're not really a team that needs to worry about winning now.

 

[ABM]

I think we've got some decent bigs ABM. They're just young, and we're not really a team that needs to worry about winning now.

I hear ya. That said, though, it's at least curious why the Blazers went big after Hibbert this past summer.

 

[PHXBlazer1]

I love what Hickson is bringing to the table, and I wouldn't change a thing right now. Some guys just have a knack for being in the right place at the right time, and JJ is one of them. I love LMA, but we all know he ain't the best rebounder. Hickson is pickin up the slack and we just beat one of the only dominant centers presently in the league even though he shot a way better FT% than normal. Leonard will be the guy at C eventually, but I just love what Hickson gives us, and I'd like to see him be a Blazer for life, because he'll fill whatever role we need him to.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

What do you mean he's not ready? They are not a veteran team and I still don't think Hickson is in the Blazers long term future plans.

as in starting bigs on other teams will put us in a hole nightly

i mean if the goal is to lose 60 games, we might as well start barton too

 

[Natebishop3]

as in starting bigs on other teams will put us in a hole nightly

i mean if the goal is to lose 60 games, we might as well start barton too

I like the way you think. We should forward this to the coaching staff.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I still like the thought of getting Steve Blake in a trade to be the backup point guard.

 

[Natebishop3]

I still like the thought of getting Steve Blake in a trade to be the backup point guard.

Blake wouldn't be a bad backup, but the Lakers won't be dealing their only somewhat serviceable point guard.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Personally, I'd rather see the Blazers acquire another big man. Perhaps a trade involving Wesley Matthews (or such) and Spencer Hawes when possible (I think Dec. 15th).

They're a playoff team, I don't think they'll deal their only healthy center who has played great since pre-season.

A rebuilding team, I think we should look at Marcin Gortat. I think he'd be an ideal mentor to Leonard. Though, we aren't in position to offer future picks as we're in a semi-rebuild as well. They'd have to really love Wes/Freeland/Claver/Barton/Hickson.

 

[Boise Blazer]

I like what Hickson has brought so far but I would like him as a go to guy off the bench. I see both sides but I'm sure time will tell with Leonard. I hope that if he is starting by the end of the season that means he has progressed a lot to have earned it.

 

[BrianFromWA]

someone remind me what we have to trade away? I mean, I'm assuming we're keeping LMA/Lillard/Batum/Leonard/Wes (if we're talking about a PG)...

we can trade our 2018 first (and that's it)
we can trade anyone on our bench
we can trade Hickson if you think one of Freeland/Babbitt/Leonard is ready for prime time

EDIT; Should've read further...basically, what Fez said

 

[jlprk]

start Meyers Leonard instead? Thoughts?

You're dreaming. Leonard has been completely overmatched in both games. When he was on the floor he was on borrowed time, from Hickson.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Leonard needs quite a bit more seasoning. If he's not ready for the load -- which it seems that he isn't -- then just let him earn his time organically. My guess is that they'll slowly increment his PT as he starts to look more comfortable out there.

In the meantime, does it really matter? I'd be concerned if he was rotting on the pine or not dressing.

 

[Natebishop3]

I just don't think you can bench a guy who is averaging a double double as your center.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I just don't think you can bench a guy who is averaging a double double as your center.

Hmmmm ... yeah, that's a thought.

 

[noknobs]

Our starters are playing about 35-40 minutes a game, it's not like Hickson would be in there with 4 scrubs if he came off the bench. You play your best players period. Horrible idea.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Our starters are playing about 35-40 minutes a game, it's not like Hickson would be in there with 4 scrubs if he came off the bench. You play your best players period. Horrible idea.

I mostly agree with that, but assuming they didn't draft busts in Claver, Freeland, Leonard and Barton all of those guys are going to need an investment of time ... and by time, I mean real court time, not the sporadic practice time that players get in the thick of the regular season.

 

[noknobs]

I mostly agree with that, but assuming they didn't draft busts in Claver, Freeland, Leonard and Barton all of those guys are going to need an investment of time ... and by time, I mean real court time, not the sporadic practice time that players get in the thick of the regular season.

If they want to play more then they need to play better. You don't start inserting guys into the starting lineup who don't deserve it.

 

[Natebishop3]

I mostly agree with that, but assuming they didn't draft busts in Claver, Freeland, Leonard and Barton all of those guys are going to need an investment of time ... and by time, I mean real court time, not the sporadic practice time that players get in the thick of the regular season.

I would actually like to see Freland and Barton get more time.

Barton > Nolan Smith

 

[Boob-No-More]

Clara Barton > Nolan Smith

Fixed!

BNM

 

[Nikolokolus]

If they want to play more then they need to play better. You don't start inserting guys into the starting lineup who don't deserve it.

David Thorpe calls it the "Royal Jelly" and it's a pretty compelling argument for player development. Any young player needs real court time and a real chance to work through their issues without a quick hook and with a steady role. Without it guys wash out all the time -- some would have washed out anyway, but how many fall through the cracks who otherwise could have been productive players if they'd gotten the opportunity?

Furthermore, practice time in the NBA during the regular season is mostly about shoot-around, getting shots up and game planning, scrimmages are few and far between.

So while I don't necessarily want to see a bunch of scrubs getting force fed minutes at the expense of guys like Lillard, LMA, Wesley and Batum, this is the year to try and see what you've got -- no real expectations, no reliable bench depth and not a lot of pressure.

 

[Natebishop3]

David Thorpe calls it the "Royal Jelly" and it's a pretty compelling argument for player development. Any young player needs real court time and a real chance to work through their issues without a quick hook and with a steady role. Without it guys wash out all the time -- some would have washed out anyway, but how many fall through the cracks who otherwise could have been productive players if they'd gotten the opportunity?

Furthermore, practice time in the NBA during the regular season is mostly about shoot-around, getting shots up and game planning, scrimmages are few and far between.

So while I don't necessarily want to see a bunch of scrubs getting force fed minutes at the expense of guys like Lillard, LMA, Wesley and Batum, this is the year to try and see what you've got -- no real expectations, no reliable bench depth and not a lot of pressure.

I totally see the point, but I actually really like Hickson and I'm not convinced that there will be someone this summer who we can sign that will be better than JJ.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I totally see the point, but I actually really like Hickson and I'm not convinced that there will be someone this summer who we can sign that will be better than JJ.

Hmmm, it occurs to me that my last post is probably derailing the thread a little bit.

Back to Hickson, I agree that he should be starting right now and maybe you're right, there won't be anyone better for us to sign this off-season -- it's probably not even a "maybe" to be honest. Maybe 1 or 2 worthwhile free agents and something like 13 teams with max or near max money this summer.