CJ from the Bench?

[SportsAndWhine]

A lot of us the same age probably have nightmares about Vince Johnson and project that onto CJ. There’s no way in hell CJ should come off the bench because he works too well with Dame. And if you’re going to start Turner or Patty C or something like that, what’s the point if they come out after 3 minutes?

 

[Denny Crane]

Ben Gordon won 6th man of the year as a rookie, no?

So much for the rule.

 

[TBpup]

That's yet to be seen. Phoenix is not what I would call a valid litmus test.

They aren't good, but I'd be willing to wager the Blazers don't have a 58 point lead the rest of the season no matter who they play....especially on the road.

 

[Denny Crane]

Why would he? He's established himself as a starter, he's relatively young, and he's still got a couple of more contracts to play for. My guess is that he'd do better for himself being either a starter on this team, or the lead guard on another team. Taking a subservient role this early in his career isn't maximizing his earning potential.

So like I said, if you're going to have him come off the bench, your gambling that he'd be OK with that. I think that's unlikely, but who knows? To me, the most logical way to make sure you get an outcome you can live with is figure out a way to make it work with Damian in the starting lineup. If you can't do that, then trade him. If you can't get decent value in a trade, then broach the subject of trying juggle his role and try to bring him off the bench as a last resort.

That begs the question in bold, exactly.

He’s being paid, and he should continue to be paid.

It’s no knock on him, it’s just situational. He’s not the only really fine player who’s smallish at SG.

 

[Boob-No-More]

A lot of us the same age probably have nightmares about Vince Johnson and project that onto CJ. There’s no way in hell CJ should come off the bench because he works too well with Dame. And if you’re going to start Turner or Patty C or something like that, what’s the point if they come out after 3 minutes?

Vinnie Johnson came off the bench for DET because they had TWO future Hall of Famers starting ahead of him in their backcourt. He also never averaged more than 27.8 MG and 15.7 MPG. He was a great role player for those Bad Boy Pistons teams, but nowhere nearly as good as C.J.

BTW, anyone that thinks Dame and C.J. can't coexist in the backcourt because they are too small, needs to realize that Joe Dumars (6'3") and Isiah Thomas (6'1") were even smaller. And before you play the "it was a different generation" card, remember that Dumars and Thomas had to get past two of the greatest guards of all time (Michael Jordan at 6'6" and Magic Johnson at 6'9") to win their championships.

Maybe Nurk is right. Maybe we should be emulating those Bad Boy Pistons teams. Back up our two high scoring undersized guards with a tough, no-nonsense front line. The Blazers can be the Bad Boy Pistons to GSW's Showtime Lakers.

BNM

 

[SportsAndWhine]

I hope you know we agree. I’m definitely not arguing for CJ off the bench.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Ben Gordon won 6th man of the year as a rookie, no?

So much for the rule.

It's not a "rule". I asked for examples of guys who averaged 23 ppg as a starter that were moved to the bench during the prime of their careers. Your Gordon example does not apply. It's not even close to the same situation.

Sure, Gordon won the 6th Man of the Year award as a rookie, but he was a starter when he was in his prime.

BNM

 

[Denny Crane]

It's not a "rule". I asked for examples of guys who averaged 23 ppg as a starter that were moved to the bench during the prime of their careers. Your Gordon example does not apply. It's not even close to the same situation.

Sure, Gordon won the 6th Man of the Year award as a rookie, but he was a starter when he was in his prime.

BNM

He was also seen as selfish for demanding it.

You moved the goal post, but that’s OK.

 

[Shaboid]

Personally, I prefer Jenny from the Block

 

[Boob-No-More]

You moved the goal post, but that’s OK.

No, I didn't. I ever claimed no young player had ever won 6th Man of the Year. I said I can't think of a single example of the player who went from a starter averaging 23 ppg at 25 to a bench player at 26. Or more broadly, any player that moved from starter to the bench and won 6th Man of the Year during the prime of their career.

BNM

 

[Denny Crane]

None of those guys came off the bench at such a young age.


BNM

 

[Pinwheel1]

Go0d example tonight of why a great shooter is more important than a great defender.
Oladipo (5-17) was dominated by our "small SG who can't play D"

 

[Denny Crane]

Go0d example tonight of why a great shooter is more important than a great defender.
Oladipo (5-17) was dominated by our "small SG who can't play D"

Oladipo shot 9 FTs and Nurk had 5 fouls.

 

[SportsAndWhine]

Oladipo shot 9 FTs and Nurk had 5 fouls.

Nurk didn’t foul Oladipo 5 times.

 

[TBpup]

BTW, anyone that thinks Dame and C.J. can't coexist in the backcourt because they are too small, needs to realize that Joe Dumars (6'3") and Isiah Thomas (6'1") were even smaller. And before you play the "it was a different generation" card, remember that Dumars and Thomas had to get past two of the greatest guards of all time (Michael Jordan at 6'6" and Magic Johnson at 6'9") to win their championships.

BNM

I think they can coexist but unless they play better defensively, I also believe there is a limit to how good the team can become. Last year, pre-Nurkic they were historically bad and this team was 1/2 game out of the #7 Lottery spot. It looks like they are really putting in a more concerted effort so far and if that is the case, that is good for the team.

Dumars/Thomas is almost the exception to the rule. Also, Dumas was a 1st Team Defense player....something Dame and CJ are no where near.

That said, with the amount of bigs on the roster, their ability to space the floor, and the defense it looks like most of the can bring, Dame and CJ don't have to be all-defense....a bit above average will do.