Can CJ be a point guard?

[Natebishop3]

People were dancing around this subject in the "trade CJ" thread, but I'm curious what people think.

Can CJ be the starting point guard on a team? Would you feel comfortable with CJ running the offense permanently if Dame was no longer an option?

Do you see CJ as a shooting guard that can play spot minutes at the one, or do you think he could legitimately play either position?

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

I do not see why not. What skill does he lack for playing the point?

 

[Natebishop3]

I do not see why not. What skill does he lack for playing the point?

I'm asking you!

 

[KeepOnRollin]

His best position is SG but yes he could be a PG. He wouldn't be top 10 at it but he probably would be better than a lot of starting PGs in the league right away.

 

[Blazer4ever]

He's a combo-guard, like Dame. Both can play PG, play in the backcourt together or play SG next to Frazier.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

I'm asking you!

Before this season, I did not think so. This year, he has showed an above average handle and scores in a variety of ways. I think both CJ and Dame would be better with Crabbe playing the 2.

He is as good or better than half the point guards out there.

 

[BBert]

I'm liking the development of our Lillard/CJ/Crabbe back court.

Do we even need a "Point Guard"?

 

[Trackjack]

Yes he can play the point and last 2 game he has shown that.

 

[MarAzul]

Why ask as if he isn't? He is.

 

[Schilly]

CJ is becoming a very special player. With this little bit of time starting at the Point I imagine he will have evolved a bit more and once Dame is back I hope the 2 of them really learn to play off each other, Its almost like we have 2 Poor Mans Steph Curry

 

[Natebishop3]

CJ is becoming a very special player. With this little bit of time starting at the Point I imagine he will have evolved a bit more and once Dame is back I hope the 2 of them really learn to play off each other, Its almost like we have 2 Poor Mans Steph Curry

Funny though, because Dame has accomplished more in his first four seasons than Curry did.

 

[MarAzul]

Funny though, because Dame has accomplished more in his first four seasons than Curry did.

Then Curry got a coach.

 

[Orion Bailey]

People were dancing around this subject in the "trade CJ" thread, but I'm curious what people think.

Can CJ be the starting point guard on a team? Would you feel comfortable with CJ running the offense permanently if Dame was no longer an option?

Do you see CJ as a shooting guard that can play spot minutes at the one, or do you think he could legitimately play either position?

I don't think so. I think he uses too much clock to get his own shot and thus would be a cancer like Iverson. Yeah me may lead the lead in scoring, but his team would lose because there isn't enough distribution.
Keep him as a Blazer.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't think so. I think he uses too much clock to get his own shot and thus would be a cancer like Iverson. Yeah me may lead the lead in scoring, but his team would lose because there isn't enough distribution.
Keep him as a Blazer.

That's my problem with him as the point guard. He looks for his own shot most of the time. It's like calling Brandon Roy a point guard. He could handle the ball, and he put up decent assist numbers, but he wouldn't look for his teammates before his own shot, which is fine for a shooting guard.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

It would be similar to when we had Crawford play pg for us.

 

[Natebishop3]

It would be similar to when we had Crawford play pg for us.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

 

[KeepOnRollin]

It would be similar to when we had Crawford play pg for us.

I see how some could think that but I actually disagree big time. More similar then Dame at PG sure but not similar at all. Did Crawford ever come close to having 9 assists for us? CJ may look for his own shot but that is because he is instructed to as he is most often the best option. He has light years better vision than Crawchuck and as I said his assist number are just fine when playing full-time PG.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Ding! Ding! Ding!

I wanted to throw my remote at the TV every time Crawchuck was PG. Never had that feeling at all with CJ playing the position.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Did Crawford ever come close to having 9 assists for us?

Is 8 close enough?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Is 8 close enough?

Since I said close then of course it is.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Did Crawford ever come close to having 9 assists for us?

1/27/12 vs. Phoenix, recorded a season-high 10 assists.

http://www.nba.com/playerfile/jamal_crawford/bio/

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Averaged 3.2 assists with the Blazers.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Averaged 3.2 assists with the Blazers.

Per 36 would help him out more. What is his per 36 that year in assists vs CJ this year? I will look as well but you might get it before me.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Averaged 3.2 assists with the Blazers.

CJ is averaging 4.3.

But still, they are similar players who can play point and show flashes of success there but they are not point guards.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

CJ is averaging 4.3.

But still, they are similar players who can play point and show flashes of success there but they are not point guards.

Found PER 36 for both. They are actually tied. So props to you. Me eye test tells me who I would much rather having run the point (if need be).

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Per 36 would help him out more. What is his per 36 that year in assists vs CJ this year? I will look as well but you might get it before me.

CJ - 4.3

Crawford - 4.3

 

[Natebishop3]

Per 36 would help him out more. What is his per 36 that year in assists vs CJ this year? I will look as well but you might get it before me.

Crawford's per 36 was 4.3 assists with Portland.

CJ is averaging 4.3 assists this season.

Creepy.......

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Beat you guys! Pretty creepy indeed though.

 

[Natebishop3]

More creepy numbers from Crawford's season with us compared to CJ this year:

CJ usage% - 26.4
Crawford usage% - 26.6

CJ assist% - 20.5%
Crawford assist% - 21.6%

CJ is a vastly better shooter though, so in that regard I would MUCH rather have him taking shots.

CJ - 44% FG, 39% from three, 53% true shooting percentage.
Crawford - 38% FG, 31% from three, 50.6% true shooting

 

[Pinwheel1]

Back to the topic.....

He has surprised me and I now see him as a combo guard instead of strictly a really good SG.
So now we have two really good combo guards. (Not ideal, but pretty damn good)

I see no reason not to lock up our current trio of Dame, CJ, and Crabbe.
Now finding the 4th guard to compliment these three will need another thread. Maybe next summer.