Claver may become a big surprise

[Mediocre Man]

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

Me?

 

[STOMP]

If Claver could just hit from the perimeter

yup, that would be great. Until that day, his BBIQ, above average D & all around skills are counterbalanced as he's not much help in offensive sets. Teams leave him open in their rotations for a reason. He'd be well served by following Batum's workout path from a couple years back where he shot endless jumpers every day.

STOMP

 

[jlprk]

Me?

Everybody sing!

[video=youtube;Sc5NPVWd1CI]

 

[PDXKass]

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.

Fropez is ready to be the main guy at center. i think he gets about 30 minutes a game. there may be better offensive lineups which do not include him, but his defense is going to be key for us.

Victor is intelligent, has a high bbiq and possesses a very good all-around game. if he can make his shots, he could find himself as a heavy rotation player this season.

 

[magnifier661]

yup, that would be great. Until that day, his BBIQ, above average D & all around skills are counterbalanced as he's not much help in offensive sets. Teams leave him open in their rotations for a reason. He'd be well served by following Batum's workout path from a couple years back where he shot endless jumpers every day.

STOMP

I totally agree. The moment he finds his shot, the moment he becomes something truly special for us.

 

[C_note]

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.

You think Claver will be playing PF, and that's a "solid rotation", yet you laugh at Luol Deng playing PF...makes sense.

 

[Natebishop3]

If anyone is the Plastic Man, it's really more like Barton.

 

[Pinwheel1]

You think Claver will be playing PF, and that's a "solid rotation", yet you laugh at Luol Deng playing PF...makes sense.

Speaking of Dieng, (G Dieng-not Luol) I watched the Minnesota game tonight. We were all saying that he was NBA ready. I think we may have been wrong. He has a ways to go too.

 

[magnifier661]

You think Claver will be playing PF, and that's a "solid rotation", yet you laugh at Luol Deng playing PF...makes sense.

Awe chicken hawk came following me around like a puppy dog?! How cute.

*Deleted* Claver is a 3rd string player that makes 1.2 mil. Deng is a 12 mil player that plays best at sf throughout a long and prosperous year.

And ps claver is 7ft tall. Deng is 6'9"

 

[Natebishop3]

Awe chicken hawk came following me around like a puppy dog?! How cute.

*Deleted* Claver is a 3rd string player that makes 1.2 mil. Deng is a 12 mil player that plays best at sf throughout a long and prosperous year.

And ps claver is 7ft tall. Deng is 6'9"

Claver is 6'9.....

 

[magnifier661]

Claver is 6'9.....

Bite me!

Still doesn't change the fact that claver is just a third string player that will be lucky to see 5-10 minutes a game and deng is 30+ minute high dollar player.

 

[MickZagger]

I have really come around on Claver. Could be a great glue guy. Doesn't make mistakes, hustles. Hopefully he'll want to stay in the States after his contract is up.

 

[-Ace-]

He's a cheap contract for a glue guy and just needs to make his shots. He does everything else right.

 

[WillG]

Good to see people have come around on Claver.
He's got great skill & mobility for his size.

 

[jlprk]

Claver is 6'9.....

Look at him standing next to others. He is 6-11 or 7-0, just as tall as Aldridge.

Freeland will be an effort player over the years in this league. Claver is much more. He is quicker in passing off and defense than anyone his height in the NBA. As I have said since his 2nd preseason game 9 months ago--

He is extremely agile, dextrous, mobile, quick minded, a natural SF despite his great height, plays just like the rookie Batum did, and the next Batum if Batum is injured (as when rookie Batum lucked into starting when Webster missed the season).

 

[Boise Blazer]

Claver's jumper and specifically 3 point shot will decide who he is going to be in this league. He has a lot of tools that will only get better so if I were him I would practice 3's until my arm fell off. And then I would re-attach it and shot 500 more.

 

[jlprk]

Claver will be in the NBA for years even if his shooting does not improve. So will Freeland, which will surprise most on this board.

Claver is a good shooter, but shoots too fast. He thinks and moves almost too fast. After he'd played only about 5 minutes in the last preseason, I couldn't believe how he often spins on a dime.

 

[magnifier661]

Claver will be in the NBA for years even if his shooting soes not improve. So will Freeland, which will surprise most on this board.

Claver is a good shooter, but shoots too fast. He thinks and moves almost too fast. Last preseason, after he'd played only about 5 minutes, I couldn't believe how he often spins on a dime.

I'm in full agreement with you. He is a super role player. I just love watching him play. He just seems like the game is slow for him. Like he's two steps ahead of everyone else.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Posted this in another thread, thought it relevant here:

I would have thought this crazy a week ago, but we're a different team with Claver.

G1: Claver only played 1st half, Blazers were up by 3 when he was injured. Team went on to lose by 13.
G2: Claver DNP, Team lost by 18
G3: Claver played whole game, Team lost by 2 in OT.
G4: Claver played whole game, Team won by 1.

Sure, it could be accidental, there's not a lot of data, but I don't think so. I think Claver gives the team a Stability they're not otherwise getting.

 

[Boise Blazer]

I could have sworn I saw Claver playing a little center in small ball last night. It was interesting to see.

 

[jlprk]

Under a better coach Claver will get many assists. He receives the ball and instantly zips it to the teammate under the basket, who blows the layup because he wasn't expecting the great pass. The guy's court awareness is amazingly fast.

Well, I'll return to just patiently wait for the coach to discover this guy. I'll just mention now and then that he's my 2nd-favorite player. (My favorite player is always someone others underappreciate, and you guys are noticing Claver. I'm guessing my favorite this season will be Earl Watson.) Exactly 1 year ago I was screaming for people to tell Olshey how good Hickson was, since Olshey han't been here to see Hickson's renaissance, and was letting him get away.