Chad ford insider grades Blazer offseason an A

[Draco]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9517740/nba-offseason-grades-west

Below is the portion on the Blazers, they have these details for all NBA teams.

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS | GRADE: A
Additions: C.J. McCollum (draft), Thomas Robinson (trade), Robin Lopez (trade), Dorell Wright (FA), Allen Crabbe (draft), Earl Watson (FA), Terrel Harris (trade)

Subtractions: J.J. Hickson (Nuggets), Eric Maynor (Wizards), Ronnie Price (Magic), Jared Jeffries, Sasha Pavlovic

GM Neil Olshey has been quietly rebuilding the Blazers while keeping up appearances that this might be a playoff team. With the addition of two more lottery picks in McCollum and Robinson, the Blazers have somehow managed to inject new blood into the franchise without giving up any of their key core players.

After hitting a home run with Damian Lillard last summer, the Blazers believe they may have done it again with McCollum. Like Lillard, McCollum is a super scorer who lit up opponents in a small conference. Like Lillard, he also possesses exceptional maturity and an unrelenting work ethic. Together, they could give the Blazers one of the most dynamic backcourts in the league.

Robinson was a top-five pick in the 2012 draft, but he struggled as a rookie in stints with the Kings and Rockets. He has the requisite strength and athletic ability to be a beast on the boards. It's his basketball IQ on the offensive end that's in serious question now. While he may not have been worthy of his lofty draft position -- he went one spot ahead of Lillard -- Robinson has upside and could be an important fixture off the bench.

The team also upgraded in the middle, getting Lopez from the Pelicans. While Lopez is probably better suited coming off the bench, he had a very strong 2012-13 in which he posted an impressive 18.9 PER. He should battle second-year big man Meyers Leonard for the starting center position.

Wright and Crabbe were also important additions. They came cheap, and both players can really shoot the basketball.

All in all, Olshey has proven to be quite adept at sniffing out bargains in the market and pouncing on them. Not only do the Blazers have intriguing young players at every position on the floor, they also look talented enough to make a real run at the eighth seed in the West. In a few years, they may be far more dangerous than simply a team that you don't want to play in the first round.

 

[Draco]

Other west team grades:

Mavs D+
Nugs D+
Warriors A-
Rockets A
Clips A+
Lakers C
Grizz C
Wolves C-
Pelicans B-
Thunder C-
Suns B
Kings C+
Spurs B
Jazz B

 

[PtldPlatypus]

While Lopez is probably better suited coming off the bench, he had a very strong 2012-13 in which he posted an impressive 18.9 PER. He should battle second-year big man Meyers Leonard for the starting center position.

That'll be quite a "battle".

 

[e_blazer]

Poor Nolan Smith. I guess they think he's not even good enough to rate as a subtraction.

 

[mook]

Nice writeup. Lopez was acquired so easily that I kind of overlooked that PER. That's a much better PER than Przybilla's best season, and I remember all the speculation about whether we would keep him or if he'd get stolen from us by the Spurs, Bulls or Twolves.

No doubt that Robin has had the far, far better career compared to Joel at the same age.

Stats, of course, aren't everything. Especially when talking about defensive centers. But still....

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Poor Nolan Smith. I guess they think he's not even good enough to rate as a subtraction.

Luke Babbit on Line 1, sir...

I'm surprised "waiving Nolan Smith and Luke Babbitt" wasn't listed as an addition.

 

[magnifier661]

We will be top 4 at the end of this season if Aldridge isn't traded.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

We will be top 4 at the end of this season if Aldridge isn't traded.

Shrooms for breakfast, eh?

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Why Minny a c-?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

While Lopez is probably better suited coming off the bench, he had a very strong 2012-13 in which he posted an impressive 18.9 PER. He should battle second-year big man Meyers Leonard for the starting center position.

That'll be quite a "battle".

Kind of puts a dent in his credibility, don't it?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Why Minny a c-?

Because he was feeling generous?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

No doubt that Robin has had the far, far better career compared to Joel at the same age.
Stats, of course, aren't everything. Especially when talking about defensive centers. But still....

Have you seen this?

 

[The_Lillard_King]

No analysis on Earl Watson or Terrel Harris.

I've recently been convinced that Robinson was a good pick up (although I still don't think he is as good as Hickson). Now, for my sanity, I need to read that Watson was a good pick up.

I can see the back up PG position coming back to haunt the Blazers again this season.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I think, if we were actually playing to win, our bench would still be very undermanned. As Lopez is our starter, our bench would consist of Wright and CJ (and maybe Claver). Robinson is still a net negative until he learns to play under control, and we've seen everybody else and it was ugly. Watson might have a role too, but he's getting long in the tooth and was never very good.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Why Minny a c-?

What grade would you have given?

 

[Denny Crane]

I think you want Lopez off the bench.

You think he's a rim protector? No way. 82games.com says opposing Cs lit him up for a 17.8 PER. His 7.8 rebounds per 36 seems rather poor to me.

He put up decent offensive stats on a terrible team made worse by injuries to its key players.

In spite of having no real other C who was healthy for the whole season, he earned 26 minutes per game.

Next to LMA, you have your bigs not known for rebounding prowess.

Leonard may not have been much better, but he was a rookie. I can see why the two would compete for the job.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I think you want Lopez off the bench.

You lose me right there.

You think he's a rim protector? No way. 82games.com says opposing Cs lit him up for a 17.8 PER.

His Block % of 5.0 was 9th in the league. He's a shot-blocker. A rim-protector.

He put up decent offensive stats on a terrible team made worse by injuries to its key players.

His offensive stats per 36 were consistent with prior years despite increased minutes. This suggests legitimacy.

In spite of having no real other C who was healthy for the whole season, he earned 26 minutes per game.

He started every game, and was playing alongside the #1 pick and a PF who was their biggest offseason acquisition. He was third on the team in total minutes.

Next to LMA, you have your bigs not known for rebounding prowess.

Next to LMA, centers tend to have career-high rebounding seasons. Lopez will be just fine

Leonard may not have been much better, but he was a rookie. I can see why the two would compete for the job.

Leonard was not only "not much better"; he was significantly worse. Lopez is exactly what Aldridge asked for. If the front office has any interest in keeping Aldridge, Lopez is the unquestioned starter--something Olshey made very clear in the introductory press conference.

You're just wrong Denny. Wrong on every level.

 

[Shooter]

After hitting a home run with Damian Lillard last summer, the Blazers believe they may have done it again with McCollum. Like Lillard, McCollum is a super scorer who lit up opponents in a small conference. Like Lillard, he also possesses exceptional maturity and an unrelenting work ethic. Together, they could give the Blazers one of the most dynamic backcourts in the league.

Can't wait to see this happen . . .

 

[Denny Crane]

Who is replacing the MVP Lopez in New Orleans?

What suckers those guys are for giving up a superstar on such a great contract.

/green font.

 

[dviss1]

Have you seen this?

Thanks that was a great read. Thanks!

 

[BigGameDamian]

We will be top 4 at the end of this season if Aldridge isn't traded.

You have quite the imagination. I would put the Blazers anywhere from 6 to 9 seed.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

You have quite the imagination. I would put the Blazers anywhere from 6 to 9 seed.

Um, I don't think they have 9 playoff teams in the conference.

But, shhhhhhhhhhhhhh, that'll be our little secret.

Now, that said, barring major injuries, I think we have a 50/50 chance this year to see the playoffs. And if not, I like the way he accumulated talent that is tradable for 2014.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Um, I don't think they have 9 playoff teams in the conference.

But, shhhhhhhhhhhhhh, that'll be our little secret.

Now, that said, barring major injuries, I think we have a 50/50 chance this year to see the playoffs. And if not, I like the way he accumulated talent that is tradable for 2014.

Nice job correcting something that wasn't said. There are 9 seeds ... 15 in fact.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Who is replacing the MVP Lopez in New Orleans?

What suckers those guys are for giving up a superstar on such a great contract.

/green font.

Nice strawman. Why are you getting so defensive about this? No one called Lopez a superstar.

He's a legitimate starting center. He started all 82 games last season and had a PER = 18.9. He's what the Blazers needed, what Aldridge asked for, is young and cheap, and we got him for practically nothing.

BNM

 

[Denny Crane]

Nice strawman. Why are you getting so defensive about this? No one called Lopez a superstar.

He's a legitimate starting center. He started all 82 games last season and had a PER = 18.9. He's what the Blazers needed, what Aldridge asked for, is young and cheap, and we got him for practically nothing.

BNM

I have no reason to be defensive. I think he's a quality backup is all - on that we differ.

I don't think he's actually beaten out anyone where there was another option to start.

 

[magnifier661]

Shrooms for breakfast, eh?

If reality means you thinking I'm on shrooms; then fine. If Aldridge isn't traded; this will be a reality.

 

[Natebishop3]

If reality means you thinking I'm on shrooms; then fine. If Aldridge isn't traded; this will be a reality.

I don't see 4th seed. I think 5th or 6th seed is our high end.

 

[magnifier661]

You lose me right there.



His Block % of 5.0 was 9th in the league. He's a shot-blocker. A rim-protector.



His offensive stats per 36 were consistent with prior years despite increased minutes. This suggests legitimacy.



He started every game, and was playing alongside the #1 pick and a PF who was their biggest offseason acquisition. He was third on the team in total minutes.



Next to LMA, centers tend to have career-high rebounding seasons. Lopez will be just fine



Leonard was not only "not much better"; he was significantly worse. Lopez is exactly what Aldridge asked for. If the front office has any interest in keeping Aldridge, Lopez is the unquestioned starter--something Olshey made very clear in the introductory press conference.

You're just wrong Denny. Wrong on every level.

hasn't been the first time.

 

[RoyToy]

Nice strawman. Why are you getting so defensive about this? No one called Lopez a superstar.

He's a legitimate starting center. He started all 82 games last season and had a PER = 18.9. He's what the Blazers needed, what Aldridge asked for, is young and cheap, and we got him for practically nothing.

BNM

Hickson had a 19.7 PER

PER! :MARIS61::MARIS61::MARIS61::MARIS61::MARIS61:

 

[Draco]

I have no reason to be defensive. I think he's a quality backup is all - on that we differ.

I don't think he's actually beaten out anyone where there was another option to start.

A quality backup is very damn good when the other options are below replacement level players. Lopez doesn’t have to beat anyone out to be our clear cut starting center because he is the only legit center on the roster, he wins by default. He obviously has flaws in his game to be available. Meyers doesn’t defend or rebound, he’s a younger version of Matt Bonner, he might eventually settle in as a stretch 4, and the coaches have already said he will not be the starter at center. The Blazers haven’t had a center on the roster since trading away the 38 year old Marcus Camby so a lot of us fans are extremely damn excited to have an option as good as Rob.