Broussard(along with a GM, assistant coaches and a scout) On the Blazers

[RR7]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/stor...tland-trail-blazers-legit-title-contender-nba

General manager

In short: This GM says the Blazers are legit, due in large part to their wing defense and versatile offense.

"Portland is for real. When you talk about teams that can win the West, they're in the conversation. The reason why is because they can guard wings with Matthews and Batum, and then they have some offense off the bench. They can beat you playing small and beat you playing big.

Assistant coach No. 1

In short: Could Portland's lack of bench depth be an issue and prevent a playoff run? This assistant thinks so, though he does like Portland's starting squad and coach.

"The only reason I would say they're not a legitimate threat to win the West is because of their bench. I think they're an injury away from having some problems. If they have an injury to any of their starters, they don't have anyone they can plug in.

Assistant coach No. 2

In short: This assistant says the Blazers' mix of top talent, great coaching and toughness makes them legit.

"The Blazers are for real. I always use the Pat Riley rule. Every year he would evaluate the team and the league after 20 games because typically over your first 10 games there's a bad team that plays good or a good team that struggles. But after 20 games things start evening out, and we're coming up on 20 right now.

Assistant coach No. 3

In short: This assistant says that the emergence of a rim protector has elevated the Blazers. But is it too early to group them with the West's other elite teams?

"They're for real. Yes, very much so. Here's why: The Blazers' 2s and 3s can really shoot the ball and defend. They have an elite point guard and arguably the best power forward in basketball. Last year, they didn't have a rim protector, but now, in Lopez, they have a rim protector. They've upgraded their bench with Mo Williams. But having a rim protector has made all the difference for them. Last season, there was no one on their back line.

Scout

In short: Portland's success is driven by its effective inside-outside game, says the scout, who puts the Blazers in the contending class in the West.

"I think the Blazers are very much contenders. I've seen the Clippers and I'm not sure the Clippers are better than them. It could be a toss-up. Portland has what it takes to go deep into the playoffs because of their ability to shoot from the perimeter, and they have a great inside player. They mirror Indiana. They're a good defensive team, they're big, they can score and their defensive numbers are pretty good. They're playing much better on that end than they did last year.

 

[Boise Blazer]

I dont get the people that say our bench doesnt have depth.

 

[Natebishop3]

I agree and disagree with the point about our bench. I think we could survive an injury at some positions, like shooting guard, but if Aldridge or Dame went down, that would pretty much be it. But that could be said for any elite team. If your star goes down, how do you replace that? We have a lot of wings that I think could step up, but I don't think Robinson is anywhere near ready to play starters minutes at the power forward spot.

 

[RR7]

I dont get the people that say our bench doesnt have depth.

I think it's looking at an injury, and other guys stepping up. So, like, an injury to Robin means Freeland is starting and Leonard is now getting his time. Injury on the wings means Claver or Crabbe or Barton starts getting bigger minutes, etc. Still, I think same could be said for most teams, especially when you look at it with their top guys.

 

[magnifier661]

I agree and disagree with the point about our bench. I think we could survive an injury at some positions, like shooting guard, but if Aldridge or Dame went down, that would pretty much be it. But that could be said for any elite team. If your star goes down, how do you replace that? We have a lot of wings that I think could step up, but I don't think Robinson is anywhere near ready to play starters minutes at the power forward spot.

The only time I actually saw this recently was in Chicago.

 

[magnifier661]

I think it's looking at an injury, and other guys stepping up. So, like, an injury to Robin means Freeland is starting and Leonard is now getting his time. Injury on the wings means Claver or Crabbe or Barton starts getting bigger minutes, etc. Still, I think same could be said for most teams, especially when you look at it with their top guys.

If Durant or Westbrook gets hurt, they will drop considerably.

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

Thank you for this info. Good stuff. I particularly like the bolded comment below. We may not be the best but we are getting some recognition as a good defensive team.

Scout...They're a good defensive team, they're big, they can score and their defensive numbers are pretty good.

Thanks!

Gramps...

 

[Natebishop3]

I think it's looking at an injury, and other guys stepping up. So, like, an injury to Robin means Freeland is starting and Leonard is now getting his time. Injury on the wings means Claver or Crabbe or Barton starts getting bigger minutes, etc. Still, I think same could be said for most teams, especially when you look at it with their top guys.

I think Barton is underrated. I think he could step up and play a bigger role. He has improved since last year, and I think he would improve further if he actually got some PT. I also like Crabbe, but I haven't seen enough of him to really make a judgement.

The idea of Lopez going down is frightening though.

 

[magnifier661]

I think Barton is underrated. I think he could step up and play a bigger role. He has improved since last year, and I think he would improve further if he actually got some PT. I also like Crabbe, but I haven't seen enough of him to really make a judgement.

The idea of Lopez going down is frightening though.

The only thing that really stands out with me is when we played the Lakers last season and Kobe just dared Barton to shoot that mid range shot. I would just cringe if we had a hole like that now.

 

[Draco]

I dont get the people that say our bench doesnt have depth.

It feels like we have one of the best benches in the history of basketball after the disaster that was last season.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I dont get the people that say our bench doesnt have depth.

Because it doesn't

Robinson, Freeland and Leonar_ are the front line depth. None of those players has proven shit in the league, which is why people are hesitant to give too much props.

 

[Natebishop3]

The only thing that really stands out with me is when we played the Lakers last season and Kobe just dared Barton to shoot that mid range shot. I would just cringe if we had a hole like that now.

I don't think of Barton as a shooter. He's a slasher with long arms. He actually plays the passing lanes very well. He has potential. Crabbe is the shooter. I can't wait until summer league to see how those two have progressed.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Scout No. 2

Doesn't think the Blazers are built for playoff success because they rely too much on the 3 pointer.

 

[magnifier661]

I don't think of Barton as a shooter. He's a slasher with long arms. He actually plays the passing lanes very well. He has potential. Crabbe is the shooter. I can't wait until summer league to see how those two have progressed.

I'm definitely rooting for them! I like them both a lot!

 

[Draco]

I agree and disagree with the point about our bench. I think we could survive an injury at some positions, like shooting guard, but if Aldridge or Dame went down, that would pretty much be it. But that could be said for any elite team. If your star goes down, how do you replace that? We have a lot of wings that I think could step up, but I don't think Robinson is anywhere near ready to play starters minutes at the power forward spot.

I don’t think Dame is that important to our regular season. Mo is very a capable starter, Wright and Watson can be part of a bench unit that isn’t terrible. Obviously we would be worse without Damian but for ~20 games in the regular season it might not cost us more than a few wins. Compare that with Aldridge going down; we’d be in a major bind. Even if TRob was a capable starter, which seems like a stretch, we’d have to give Leonard or Claver big minutes as a reserve. The team could really struggle.

Still, I think same could be said for most teams, especially when you look at it with their top guys.

Yeah exactly; look at Memphis without Gasol or the Pelicans without Davis; those teams are going to have major problems. Basically every team is going to take a major step back if one of their two best players goes down.

 

[RR7]

Scout No. 2

Doesn't think the Blazers are built for playoff success because they rely too much on the 3 pointer.

Do they not allow 3 point shooting in the playoffs?

 

[B-Roy]

It feels like we have one of the best benches in the history of basketball after the disaster that was last season.

http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fantasy/nba/teamstats/14/7/pts/1-1

We've still got one of the worst benches in the NBA, but hey, it's an improvement. Indy is right there with us, so it's not all doom and gloom.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I don’t think Dame is that important to our regular season. Mo is very a capable starter, Wright and Watson can be part of a bench unit that isn’t terrible. Obviously we would be worse without Damian but for ~20 games in the regular season it might not cost us more than a few wins. Compare that with Aldridge going down; we’d be in a major bind. Even if TRob was a capable starter, which seems like a stretch, we’d have to give Leonard or Claver big minutes as a reserve. The team could really struggle.

No Damian for 20 games and this team would be lucky to go 6-14. Mo Williams does OK in a spot role, but there's definitely a drop off between Damian to Williams and you'd see a lot more of Earl Watson's corpse.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Do they not allow 3 point shooting in the playoffs?

Good defensive teams typically don't.

 

[Natebishop3]

No Damian for 20 games and this team would be lucky to go 6-14. Mo Williams does OK in a spot role, but there's definitely a drop off between Damian to Williams and you'd see a lot more of Earl Watson's corpse.

Exactly. Teams don't have to set up entire defensive gameplans around Mo Williams.

 

[Mediocre Man]

No Damian for 20 games and this team would be lucky to go 6-14. Mo Williams does OK in a spot role, but there's definitely a drop off between Damian to Williams and you'd see a lot more of Earl Watson's corpse.

I honestly think the team would do better without Lillard than either Aldridge or Lopez.

Lillard is awesome and all, but Mo could probably keep the ship afloat. Losing Aldridge would be a disaster. Losing Lopez would be very bad as well because his replacement would be a young player who would get abused in big minutes, or God forbid Leonar_

 

[The_Lillard_King]

There will be at least one vet big man being shopped at trade deadline. I don't know if the Blazer have any assets, but I would like to see a big man 4/5 added to the roster.

Boozer? I know he has a horrendous contract but think what he could add to the team coming off the bench. I like Deng to but Bulls will want value in return, probably just looking to get rid of Boozer.

 

[RR7]

Good defensive teams typically don't.

Looking back at the Finals last season, Spurs shot same amount of 3s per game as they did in the regular season. Shot a better %.
Same thing with the Heat. And both teams gave up a far worse percentage in the finals than they did throughout the regular season.

Same thing for the Spurs in WCF against the Grizzlies, same amount, shot same % as regular season.
Miami did take slightly less against Indy

Indy shot fewer in that Miami series, but at a better percentage.
Memphis shot slightly more at roughly the same percentage.

Top 4 teams last season so no significant change in the playoffs to assume they were all of a sudden stopping the 3 more.

Am curious if you have a stat that supports your take I'm missing?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I dont get the people that say our bench doesnt have depth.

Remember when Joel Freeland didn't play and we all thought we could have won the game if only he'd been available to play? That's the very definition of "doesn't have depth."

 

[Nikolokolus]

Just so people don't accuse me of hyperbole.

Damian: 19 PER in a featured role
Mo: 11 PER in a backup role.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Remember when Joel Freeland didn't play and we all thought we could have won the game if only he'd been available to play? That's the very definition of "doesn't have depth."

Are there a lot of teams that are legitimately more than 10 deep?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Good defensive teams typically don't.

Like Indiana? Fair point, but I'd venture to say that the last 5 games have seen us intentionally move away from bombing and actively look to the inside game for points. I'm saying that I think Stotts knows we can't be one-dimensional and win, so we've been feeding the beast big-time to make sure teams know they can't just guard our perimeter players and get away with it.

By the time the playoffs come around, we'll be more than a long bomb team.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Are there a lot of teams that are legitimately more than 10 deep?

I'm saying we're 8.5 deep, and thin to the point of faltering when our backup center is out.

 

[Boise Blazer]

I'm saying we're 8.5 deep, and thin to the point of faltering when our backup center is out.

And that may be where we differ. I would also count CJ and I have a feeling that if given the chance one of Crabbe, Barton could contribute. But as usual I agree that it all boils down to not getting what we need out of Leonard. The amount that would change things is frustrating.

 

[Natebishop3]

And that may be where we differ. I would also count CJ and I have a feeling that if given the chance one of Crabbe, Barton could contribute. But as usual I agree that it all boils down to not getting what we need out of Leonard. That amount that would change things is frustrating.

Exactly. We are probably most thin at power forward, but that's a calculated risk because we're trying to develop Robinson.