Claver may become a big surprise

[magnifier661]

I was contemplating the line-up and believe that we may see a lot of Claver as the stretch 4 in the 4th quarter. He has a ton of B-Ball IQ and seems to know his role. I could see in crunch time, Claver being a very important part of the rotation.

I just hope the kid develops a good mid range game. Finishing at the rim is a MUST!

It's pretty insane but our best 5 man rotation was Lillard, Maynor, Batum, Aldridge and Leonard<-- I know... it doesn't bode well for my thinking Leonard sucks

But very close behind is:
Lillard, Matthews, Batum, Babbit and Aldridge. If Claver could just hit from the perimeter; I think he could be a smarter "stretch 4" than Babbitt. He just needs range.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

It's pretty insane but our best 5 man rotation was Lillard, Maynor, Batum, Aldridge and Leonard<-- I know... it doesn't bode well for my thinking Leonard sucks

But very close behind is:
Lillard, Matthews, Batum, Babbit and Aldridge. If Claver could just hit from the perimeter; I think he could be a smarter "stretch 4" than Babbitt. He just needs range.

If you're looking at +/- per-48, the Lillard-Matthews-Batum-Babbit-Aldridge group was actually better (+42 per-48; the other is +34). It should also be noted that nearly every 5 man group that contained the Batum-Aldridge-Leonard front-line appears to have functioned well (per +/-). That may bode well for our future.

 

[magnifier661]

If you're looking at +/- per-48, the Lillard-Matthews-Batum-Babbit-Aldridge group was actually better (+42 per-48; the other is +34). It should also be noted that nearly every 5 man group that contained the Batum-Aldridge-Leonard front-line appears to have functioned well (per +/-). That may bode well for our future.

If only we could persuade Aldridge to play center for most the game. I know its a stretch, but I think we are much better this way.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Actually, I'm looking forward to the Lillard-CJ-Matthews-Batum-Aldridge small ball lineup. Everyone can shoot.

Back on topic:
Claver needs to become an ace shooter, not finisher.

 

[Hobbesarable]

If only we could persuade Aldridge to play center for most the game. I know its a stretch, but I think we are much better this way.

That ain't gonna happen any time soon, Mags.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

If only we could persuade Aldridge to play center for most the game. I know its a stretch, but I think we are much better this way.

Now that we have Lopez, I don't think that will be necessary. I have a feeling that our new front-line pairing will be quite effective together--much moreso than Aldridge and Hickson were.

 

[magnifier661]

Now that we have Lopez, I don't think that will be necessary. I have a feeling that our new front-line pairing will be quite effective together--much moreso than Aldridge and Hickson were.

Lopez is still just a 20-25 minute producer. I suspect it to stay the same. Is be way more comfortable if Aldridge was taking the majority of the center minutes. Then we could have claver and trob get more minutes.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Lopez is still just a 20-25 minute producer. I suspect it to stay the same. Is be way more comfortable if Aldridge was taking the majority of the center minutes. Then we could have claver and trob get more minutes.

Lopez is going to have to play 30 minutes. Maybe not a second more but we will need those 30 minutes.

He hasn't yet in his career of course but I think he is up to the task. Just don't try to go to 34 or more with him. Then you are asking for trouble.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Lopez is going to have to play 30 minutes. Maybe not a second more but we will need those 30 minutes.

He hasn't yet in his career of course but I think he is up to the task. Just don't try to go to 34 or more with him. Then you are asking for trouble.

OK, I'll bite. Why?

 

[magnifier661]

Lopez is going to have to play 30 minutes. Maybe not a second more but we will need those 30 minutes.

He hasn't yet in his career of course but I think he is up to the task. Just don't try to go to 34 or more with him. Then you are asking for trouble.

I see it like this.

Lopez 20-25 minutes, Aldridge at 10-15 minutes, Leonard at 10-15 minutes at center
Aldridge at 20-25 minutes, T Rob at 10-15 minutes, and Claver at 5-10 minutes at PF

I think if we have a rotation like that; we could have Aldridge play 30-35 minutes, Lopez 20-25 minutes, T Rob 10-15 minutes, Leonard 10-15 minutes and Claver 5-10 minutes. I think it's a solid rotation.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

OK, I'll bite. Why?

Is it really that huge a jump from the 26+ he did last year to the 30 we're wanting from him this year? Especially considering the significantly better player alongside whom he'll be playing?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

OK, I'll bite. Why?

In this two biggest (statistical) games last year he played 38 and 33 minutes. He was 24/11/6 in one and 29/3/3 in the other. And those were games 27 and 28 of the season.

 

[magnifier661]

Is it really that huge a jump from the 26+ he did last year to the 30 we're wanting from him this year? Especially considering the significantly better player alongside whom he'll be playing?

I think he will have a much easier time playing next to Aldridge. Defenses will focus on Aldridge mainly; while most the time, their centers will be matched up against him as well. Lopez will probably have many PFs guarding him because he's not as big of a risk; being that he isn't polished offensively.

I don't doubt that Lopez can make the 30 minute mark; but I think he will have the same "Hickson minutes" from last season. So 30 minutes isn't as hard for me to fathom. Although I could see less minutes, so more minutes can go to T.Rob and Claver (When he is playing).

 

[magnifier661]

In this two biggest (statistical) games last year he played 38 and 33 minutes. And those were games 27 and 28 of the season.

But there were games when Aldridge played considerable minutes. Like 42+. Doesn't mean he could do it all season.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

But there were games when Aldridge played considerable minutes. Like 48+. Doesn't mean he could do it all season.

I not saying he is going to play 38 or even 33 all season. But he will sometimes and that will offset the games he plays only 26. I think he averages 30.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Is it really that huge a jump from the 26+ he did last year to the 30 we're wanting from him this year? Especially considering the significantly better player alongside whom he'll be playing?

i think he is certainly capable of 30 min a night but I think the key to that will be staying out of foul trouble. And the key to that will be Damian Lillard. If Lillard can make the jump in defense that we hope he will it will keep opposing PG's out of the lane which will cut down on our fouls by our center thus keeping Lopez in the game longer. I wonder if, or rather I hope Dame realizes just how much impact improving his defense has on the whole team by a domino effect.

 

[magnifier661]

I not saying he is going to play 38 or even 33 all season. But he will sometimes and that will offset the games he plays only 26. I think he averages 30.

If Lopez can give us 30 mpg without injury; our team will be really really good! I hope you're right!

 

[Mediocre Man]

I honestly think Claver has the highest basketball IQ on the team. Hopefully he can put it all together. You put his brain in Leonard's body and we would be unstoppable

 

[magnifier661]

i think he is certainly capable of 30 min a night but I think the key to that will be staying out of foul trouble. And the key to that will be Damian Lillard. If Lillard can make the jump in defense that we hope he will it will keep opposing PG's out of the lane which will cut down on our fouls by our center thus keeping Lopez in the game longer. I wonder if, or rather I hope Dame realizes just how much impact improving his defense has on the whole team by a domino effect.

I agree. Having Lillard improve even 30% on defense will be a game changer.

 

[Boise Blazer]

For some reason I see that potential in Claver and have what is probably unrealistically high hopes for him to be great all round glue guy that has occasional great games.

 

[magnifier661]

I honestly think Claver has the highest basketball IQ on the team. Hopefully he can put it all together. You put his brain in Leonard's body and we would be unstoppable

I 1,000% agree. Watching Claver during games, you can just see how quick he is to the plays. Its almost like he knows the opposing team's plays before they even make em. I really wish his offensive game was more consistent. The technic is fine. It just seems he's just a little off. He needs mid range, a respectable 3 point shot and ability to just finish lay-ups (he blew so many last season that were almost wide open)

 

[magnifier661]

For some reason I see that potential in Claver and have what is probably unrealistically high hopes for him to be great all round glue guy that has occasional great games.

He could be our Augman from 1998.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I see it like this.

Lopez 20-25 minutes, Aldridge at 10-15 minutes, Leonard at 10-15 minutes at center
Aldridge at 20-25 minutes, T Rob at 10-15 minutes, and Claver at 5-10 minutes at PF

I think if we have a rotation like that; we could have Aldridge play 30-35 minutes, Lopez 20-25 minutes, T Rob 10-15 minutes, Leonard 10-15 minutes and Claver 5-10 minutes. I think it's a solid rotation.

I would be willing to make a friendly gentleman wager that Lopez averages over 26 mpg next year. Outside of injury there is no way that he averages less minutes then he did last year Mags.

 

[Boise Blazer]

He could be our Augman from 1998.

Oddly enough I see what you are saying more in role than capabilities. I can see Claver having a better offensive game and not quite as good defensively.

 

[Boise Blazer]

I would be willing to make a friendly gentleman wager that Lopez averages over 26 mpg next year. Outside of injury there is no way that he averages less minutes then he did last year Mags.

Agreed. If anything we may lean on him too much and put him at risk for injury.

 

[magnifier661]

I would be willing to make a friendly gentleman wager that Lopez averages over 26 mpg next year. Outside of injury there is no way that he averages less minutes then he did last year Mags.

I won't bet against him averaging at least what he put in last season. I was just using this layout for more minutes for the other players. It definitely isn't something I'm married to.

 

[magnifier661]

Oddly enough I see what you are saying more in role than capabilities. I can see Claver having a better offensive game and not quite as good defensively.

You'd be surprised just how good Claver is on the defensive end. I was really rooting for him last season and I paid a lot of attention. He had such a quick response time on help defense and disrupting the passing lanes.

 

[Boise Blazer]

You'd be surprised just how good Claver is on the defensive end. I was really rooting for him last season and I paid a lot of attention. He had such a quick response time on help defense and disrupting the passing lanes.

i have noticed as well. Maybe my memory of Augmon is inflated a little too.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

If Claver could become a serious threat from the 3, he would become a really good "Spurs-kinda-guy" and by that I mean he would be a fantastic Blazer.

 

[jlprk]

And who noticed Claver's talents early in the preseason last year? And who pushed his case on this board all last season?