CJ must go!

[BonesJones]

Sorry CJ, I guess being an inch shorter than the positional average is a big knock on you and you should really stop being such a volume shooter even though you're averaging 23ppg on 46% FG and 41% 3P.. We can't wait to get you out of the starting lineup when Hendo returns because those are the numbers of a 6th man at best. But through all that, we also expect you to love us as fans because if you don't then we'll hate on you even more. Funny how that works, isn't it?

 

[Orion Bailey]

Sorry CJ, I guess being an inch shorter than the positional average is a big knock on you and you should really stop being such a volume shooter even though you're averaging 23ppg on 46% FG and 41% 3P.. We can't wait to get you out of the starting lineup when Hendo returns because those are the numbers of a 6th man at best. But through all that, we also expect you to love us as fans because if you don't then we'll hate on you even more. Funny how that works, isn't it?

Though I think the two are smart enough to figure it out and make it work ( Dame and CJ), I think CJ is better suited coming off the bench. He will bring much needed scoring. If Hendo is a better than average Defender and an average shooter, then I'm all for giving Hendo a shot at the start and bring CJ off the bench. CJ then can replace Dame sooner in the first, giving him a bit more rest. Plus right now, our bench is solid defensively. Probably one of the better defending benches in the league, but we have no sure scorer. CJ could get 6th man of the year AND MIP. Its his for the tasking and it will probably help the team.

 

[Pinwheel1]

This undersized CJ argument is absurd in these last two losses. How did we fair against Phoenix the last two years with Wes?
It is all about explosive quickness. What good is a couple extra inches when the defender is two feet from you.

who guarded Steph last night when he went for 53?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

This undersized CJ argument is absurd in these last two losses. How did we fair against Phoenix the last two years with Wes?

Well we did win 3-1 last year.

It is all about explosive quickness. What good is a couple extra inches when the defender is two feet from you.

So, explosive quickness: another thing CJ doesn't have. Aren't you supposed to be arguing for him?

who guarded Steph last night when he went for 53?

Probably the same guy who let CJ get 37 and got us all giddy before reality set in.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Just to reiterate: I love watching CJ play. He has offensive tricks I haven't seen in a Blazer since Brandon Roy. But a team with a backcourt of CJ and Lillard isn't going to be a contender. One of them has to go and you know it isn't going to be Lillard. Of course, if we accept that we're not going to be a contender for the next decade (which is likely), then all aboard the CJ train!

 

[Strenuus]

CJ needs to come off the bench.

/thread

 

[Natebishop3]

He's a bench guy. He's a spark plug off the bench. That's who he should be. It's what he's best suited for. That's why I think we'll start Henderson when he comes back.

 

[julius]

He's a bench guy. He's a spark plug off the bench. That's who he should be. It's what he's best suited for. That's why I think we'll start Henderson when he comes back.

As much as I enjoy CJ playing, I agree he should be a reserve. But a reserve in the sense that he still plays 30 or so minutes a night.

 

[Natebishop3]

As much as I enjoy CJ playing, I agree he should be a reserve. But a reserve in the sense that he still plays 30 or so minutes a night.

I thought that was the original plan. Have him play both backup guard spots.

 

[BonesJones]

Just to reiterate: I love watching CJ play. He has offensive tricks I haven't seen in a Blazer since Brandon Roy. But a team with a backcourt of CJ and Lillard isn't going to be a contender. One of them has to go and you know it isn't going to be Lillard. Of course, if we accept that we're not going to be a contender for the next decade (which is likely), then all aboard the CJ train!

CJ has to go for us to contend in the future? So getting rid of a fringe all star in the future well make us better?

 

[Natebishop3]

I would deal CJ/Vonleh/Meyers for Paul George if they would do it.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Dame is currently 3rd in the NBA in assists per game.

You might also want to check his turnovers. Quite impressive.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

CJ has to go for us to contend in the future? So getting rid of a fringe all star in the future well make us better?

Yes.

Why is it that people have such a hard time understanding that certain pieces don't fit well together? How do they make sense of "trades that make sense for both sides"? Is this the influence of fantasy sports?

 

[Natebishop3]

You might also want to check his turnovers. Quite impressive.

More than half of them are on those stupid bounce passes that he does. They almost always bounce off the hands of his teammate because they're either not ready for them or they're just not great at receiving a pass like that. It's those passes where he drives and then bounces the ball back to a trailer but I've seen it bounce off their hands and then end up a steal/turnover.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

CJ needs to come off the bench.

Perhaps that was the intention before we found out that Henderson may never walk again?

(That's not actually true, as far as I know.)

 

[BonesJones]

Yes.

Why is it that people have such a hard time understanding that certain pieces don't fit well together? How do they make sense of "trades that make sense for both sides"? Is this the influence of fantasy sports?

why don't CJ and Dame fit well? CJs not a bad defender, and Stotts defensive scheme is tough on guards, and hes never been known as a defensive coach. Offensively they're good together. I don't see the problem, all I see is people freaking out over a 1-2 record

 

[Rastapopoulos]

CJs not a bad defender,

Agree to disagree. (Besides which, if you're playing alongside Lillard you better be fucking awesome to make up for it.)

 

[Tunchi]

I would deal CJ/Vonleh/Meyers for Paul George if they would do it.

They'd probably do that... If you add Lillard

 

[Pinwheel1]

Well we did win 3-1 last year.


So, explosive quickness: another thing CJ doesn't have. Aren't you supposed to be arguing for him?



Probably the same guy who let CJ get 37 and got us all giddy before reality set in.

Yeah, but I specifically said two years.

In regards to quickness/ explosiveness I am talking about opposing offensive guards. Which most teams have, (just like we do) so extra height does not mean much if you can't touch them. The elite guards get their shots off easily regardless who is on them, so it seems to me that we better counter with our best scorers as well.

 

[WillG]

We must keep in mind that CJ has minimal NBA experience.
He's still adjusting to the league, and I think, with the early scoring success - he has become enamored with shooting the ball.

I still insist that, once he settles down a bit, and looks to pass more often, CJ will be an excellent scoring PG. Whether off of the bench or not.

He has breakdown moves that few players have; he just needs to look to distribute more often, rather than force a contested shot.

 

[Orion Bailey]

We must keep in mind that CJ has minimal NBA experience.
He's still adjusting to the league, and I think, with the early scoring success - he has become enamored with shooting the ball.

I still insist that, once he settles down a bit, and looks to pass more often, CJ will be an excellent scoring PG. Whether off of the bench or not.

He has breakdown moves that few players have; he just needs to look to distribute more often, rather than force a contested shot.

And he said as much in a recent interview. He has the highest BBIQ on the team and I think has a work ethic similar to Dames. He hasn't leveled off at all.
We need scoring off the bench though, so I really think long term we need him there. At least until we acquire more/different players.

 

[PDXFonz]

CJ isn't as bad a defender as you make him sound and neither is dame. They aren't the best defenders, but they aren't the worst and they've both been in the league short enough that I'm not worried about either one. CJ is averaging 1.5 steals a game. You expecting a Tony Allen like 4 steals to go with his 22 ppg?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

CJ is averaging 1.5 steals a game. You expecting a Tony Allen like 4 steals to go with his 22 ppg?

Steals aren't usually a good measure of defense. If you're getting steals on top of stopping your guy, then great. But more likely you're gambling and the steals you don't get lead to easy buckets. Allen Iverson got a ton of steals and was never confused for a good defender.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

He has the highest BBIQ on the team

Really? Prove it.
Also: there's a difference between being able to analyze a bit of tape and say smart things about it and actually to be in the right place and do the right things when you're on the court. Otherwise every talented offensive player would also be a talented defensive player and that is sadly seldom the case.

 

[PDXFonz]

Steals aren't usually a good measure of defense. If you're getting steals on top of stopping your guy, then great. But more likely you're gambling and the steals you don't get lead to easy buckets. Allen Iverson got a ton of steals and was never confused for a good defender.

Then your problem is that CJ in his first year of meaningful action has had trouble stopping elite guards who have been in the league for years?

I'm not sure I'm surprised to be seeing CJ get worked over so much. I kind of expected it actually. Really though any way you paint it the dude has been a phenom considering his lack of experience in the league.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

CJ is a higher IQ version of Jamal Crawford.

 

[PDXFonz]

Really? Prove it.
Also: there's a difference between being able to analyze a bit of tape and say smart things about it and actually to be in the right place and do the right things when you're on the court. Otherwise every talented offensive player would also be a talented defensive player and that is sadly seldom the case.

Are you really doubting that? He can't prove it anymore than you can disprove it, but he has a lot more to go off of since what we know of CJ would be an argument for his perspective.

 

[0-Our!]

CJ isn't as bad a defender as you make him sound... They aren't the best defenders, but they aren't the worst and they've both been in the league short enough that I'm not worried about either one. CJ is averaging 1.5 steals a game. You expecting a Tony Allen like 4 steals to go with his 22 ppg?

Overall, Cj is close to an ok defender (this season, he'll become ok). Just bc a guy gets steals (a lot of times though, this does go hand & hand w/ being a good defender i.e. Jimmy Butler, etc.) doesn't necessarily mean he's a good defender (i.e. Monta Ellis), it can mean he gambles/gets in passing lanes @ the right time (definitely has to do w/ BBIQ & instincts); Tony Allen is an excellent defender & u can bet if in a game even if he didn't get a steal, he's still out there w/ crazy-good D TWICE in yesterdays game, Cj had VERY cringe-worthy "defense" on Morris, Cj COULD've closed out harder BUT instead, he lazily literally just stood there a few feet away from him & let him make 2 uncontested 3's Cj CAN score & I agree he does have some great BBIQ BUT... defensively, I AM worried about him; I think his top end no matter how hard he works on D will b ok @ best; therefore, I agree w/ many others that he should come off the bench & take it to opposing benches; Cj serves us best off the bench, we need to package some guys/assets together to land 1 exceptional sg/sf (mostly playing sg), that guy ideally would b Paul George (I'd need time to think about who else would also work well).

 

[BigGameDamian]

Ya I agree. It's just like Steph Curry and Monta Ellis. One will have to go eventually and it will most likely be C.J.

 

[PDXFonz]

What a lot of people are saying about putting CJ on the bench is ultimately where he will end up. However he is fortunate right now to have the opportunity to start, as that could very well end when Henderson comes back. However should he continue to start this season we could have a very interesting case of potential MIP season into a future SOY season. What if he does slide to the bench this season, and continue to be as efficient. He could be in the race for MIP & SOY. Has that happened before in the same season? Has it happened before in the same season for somebody so early in their career? (I think it is unlikely this happens because of all the factors, but it is technically possible.)

Anyways I can't believe it only took 2 bad CJ games for a "we need to get rid of CJ" thread to pop up. Some of ya'll need to just sit back and watch him when hes on fire, dude is incredibly smooth. Go ahead re-watch that pelicans game. You even saw it against Memphis for crying out loud. When this guy is in the zone he's putting you in position to win the ball game, and it doesn't matter what the stage is. Just ask Plumlee about that 30 CJ dropped when his #15 Mountain Hawks bounced Plumelee's #2 Blue Devils.

He's had huge lights out games like that his whole career, and has shown he can do it on one of the bigger stages in the league.