Cronin's thoughts

[illmatic99]

https://theathletic.com/3153936/202...e-then-find-talent/?source=emp_shared_article

I'll cut/paste some quotes.


Hart:

“He’s a keeper,” Cronin told The Athletic. “Josh embodies what we are trying to build here. The talent level, the skillset, the competitiveness, the IQ, the defensive-minded, guard-anyone approach. His ability to make others better, to make shots, push the ball.”

“We targeted him,” Cronin said. “And it’s that type of player who we want. We want to find more Josh Hart’s at different positions.”

Winslow:

Much like the Blazers for the past nine years searched for shooters and ballhandlers who fit coach Terry Stotts’ flow offense, Cronin said the Blazers will now zero in on players who fit the mold of what coach Chauncey Billups values. That means smart, versatile, tough-minded players who compete on the defensive end. Players like Hart.

“And players like Justise Winslow,” Cronin said, noting the power forward who has flourished since being acquired from the Clippers. “So our goal is to keep finding players like them. Some may have bigger names, some may have not-as-well-known names. But if they fit the way, the style and the mentality we want to play, we are in.”

The problem?

“Those type of players are not easy to find,” Cronin said. “The Josh Harts of the world, the Justise Winslows of the world, they are not easily attainable. That’s where we are trying to create as many tools and ammunition to be able to go and find those types of players.”

Ingles:

Counted in that flexibility is Joe Ingles, whom he acquired in a trade with Utah, even though the 34-year-old tore his ACL in January. Cronin says acquiring Ingles, whose contract expires after this season, was not necessarily a salary-cap saving move. Because the Blazers acquired him in a trade, they acquire his Bird rights, which means they go over the salary cap to sign him and don’t need a separate exception to do so.

“It was about the player; Joe is a good player,” Cronin said. “He has the unique mix of talent, skillset and mentality we are looking for.”

Ant:

Cronin’s concern level regarding the possibility of starting Lillard and Simons together?

“Zero,” Cronin said. “I would vote to play Ant at center if it was the only way to get him 36 minutes. He’s that good.”

And would Cronin be concerned if Billups next season decides to start Lillard, Simons and Hart?

“Size-wise, yes,” Cronin said. “But I’m concerned with putting enough talent on this roster first. Positionally, our trades have solved some of the issues as far as financially/exact position they play. We have to balance the roster, no doubt. But the number one thing is we have to get more talent. We can’t take talent for granted.”

On the draft:

Cronin’s philosophy on talent should not be glossed over, especially with the Blazers potentially being a player at the top of the 2022 NBA Draft. If things break right, Portland could own its own lottery pick and New Orleans’ pick if it lands between 5-14. Even though the Blazers have holes and question marks at power forward and center, Cronin said he will be seeking to draft talent above position.

“If there is a two-guard that is head-and-shoulders above the other positions, we are taking the two guard, then figure it out,” Cronin said. “We can’t dismiss the talent part to be able to compete at the level we want to compete at.”

In the meantime, Cronin will hit the road and start preparing for the draft. He leaves Monday with Asjha Jones, the Blazers’ director of basketball strategy, to scout in Texas and the Midwest. Then the two will separate, Cronin heading to the Southeastern Conference Tournament and Jones the Pac-12 and West Coast Conference Tournaments. The Blazers will also have eyes across the country with assistant general managers Andrae Patterson and Bill Branch as well as four regional scouts. Cronin says his goal is to watch as many lottery-caliber players as possible, all while envisioning them on his new-look Blazers. It will be a Blazers team with a healed Lillard. A rising star in Anfernee Simons. And some grit-and-grind players who play both offense and defense.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Thanks for posting this!

 

[illmatic99]

So Bill Branch is still here.

Interesting.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

"the number one thing is we have to get more talent."

True enough. Unfortunately the trade deadline deals seemed to accomplish the opposite.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

"Size-wise"? Isn't that the fucking problem? And that's ignoring the Dame-and-Ant-only-make-up-for-defensive-deficiencies-if-they-dominate-the-ball problem that we saw with Dame and CJ.
I guess we're hoping we're going to get Evan Mobley Mk. II in the draft - a miraculous defensive cure-all who's as tall as a center and can guard guards.

 

[Scalma]

Cronin at the very least will get Billups the type of players he wants. I don’t think Olshey ever granted Stotts that “favor.” Its funny to think about how much better suited guys like Harkless and Aminu would’ve been for Billups.

Also more confirmation that they want Ingles on the team next season.

The more I hear him talk the more convinced I am that guys like Nas and Ant, upside plays, were Cronin picks, or at least guys he endorsed. Makes the idea of keeping our picks more intriguing.

 

[illmatic99]

Is everyone OK with this premise of "Chauncey's guys " when the sample size is so small, and he has had very little meaningful success? I would hate to think that they're making long-term decisions by using the 4 game win streak before the break as validation of their methods. Both Nurk and Hart were playing unsustainably well against competition that had hardly scouted us and admittedly taking us lightly.

I think it obviously makes sense in theory to bring in guys that play hard, care about winning, and defend, but we can't continually be in the business of giving up efficient ~20 ppg scorers for pennies on the dollar.

And taking that one step further... on the court, is Dame a "Chauncey guy?"

 

[blazerkor]

Is everyone OK with this premise of "Chauncey's guys " when the sample size is so small, and he has had very little meaningful success? I would hate to think that they're making long-term decisions by using the 4 game win streak before the break as validation of their methods. Both Nurk and Hart were playing unsustainably well against competition that had hardly scouted us and admittedly taking us lightly.

I think it obviously makes sense in theory to bring in guys that play hard, care about winning, and defend, but we can't continually be in the business of giving up efficient ~20 ppg scorers for pennies on the dollar.

And taking that one step further... on the court, is Dame a "Chauncey guy?"

I completely agree. I think Joe will get the off season to improve the team if the Pelicans gamble pays off with a top fourteen pick. I think if the Pelicans make it into the playoffs Joe will not be the GM on draft day. Maybe that's me miscalculating the Vulcan's interest in the team not being the laughing stock of the league.

Oh and Dame, definitely isn't a "Chauncey guy".

 

[illmatic99]

I completely agree. I think Joe will get the off season to improve the team if the Pelicans gamble pays off with a top fourteen pick. I think if the Pelicans make it into the playoffs Joe will not be the GM on draft day. Maybe that's me miscalculating the Vulcan's interest in the team not being the laughing stock of the league.

Oh and Dame, definitely isn't a "Chauncey guy".

billups and his staff has been great at teaching the basics to young guys and making them somewhat playable. I can see the makings of rotational talent from Brown/Watford which I had never expected after their performance in summer league. And Ant/Nas making tangible leaps this year after Chauncey has empowered them is terrific. Will any of this eventually translate to playoff success? Young guys take forever to climb to the level of winning playoff games/series, and none of this matches Dame's timeline.

But we've also seen Chauncey fail at getting established vets to buy-in. Even Nurk, prior to his recent surge was checked out for all of December and visibly frustrated, partially due to having so many responsibilities on defense while not getting any touches on offense.

An underappreciated skill for any coach is to mold the style of play to fit his players. We haven't seen Chauncey be able to do that, especially with the vets that Dame needs around him to win.

 

[e_blazer]

Is everyone OK with this premise of "Chauncey's guys " when the sample size is so small, and he has had very little meaningful success? I would hate to think that they're making long-term decisions by using the 4 game win streak before the break as validation of their methods. Both Nurk and Hart were playing unsustainably well against competition that had hardly scouted us and admittedly taking us lightly.

I think it obviously makes sense in theory to bring in guys that play hard, care about winning, and defend, but we can't continually be in the business of giving up efficient ~20 ppg scorers for pennies on the dollar.

And taking that one step further... on the court, is Dame a "Chauncey guy?"

Man, there has to be a few more tea leaves in the cup in order to read them.

 

[illmatic99]

Man, there has to be a few more tea leaves in the cup in order to read them.

you would think, but even practice time has been limited.

 

[wizenheimer]

Is everyone OK with this premise of "Chauncey's guys " when the sample size is so small, and he has had very little meaningful success? I would hate to think that they're making long-term decisions by using the 4 game win streak before the break as validation of their methods. Both Nurk and Hart were playing unsustainably well against competition that had hardly scouted us and admittedly taking us lightly.

I think it obviously makes sense in theory to bring in guys that play hard, care about winning, and defend, but we can't continually be in the business of giving up efficient ~20 ppg scorers for pennies on the dollar.

And taking that one step further... on the court, is Dame a "Chauncey guy?"

I'd start by having a little skepticism about stuff Cronin says. Talk is cheap. He hasn't been around long enough to gauge whether or not he's a 'straight-shooter'. I didn't find his excuse for the Clippers trade about 'team's blackmailing' the Blazers because they were 1.3M over the tax line credible at all

as for "Chauncey guys", I'm not even sure what that means yet. I guess Hart is a good start, but if it's more guys like Winslow who will hustle on defense but lob streams of bricks outside of 10' it's a problem. Portland has holes at both starting forward positions and they don't really have time to wait for anybody on the roster to grow into either position. Little and Winslow are way too injury prone to count on; besides that they are career 32% shooters from three. With Dame/Ant as the starting guards, Portland needs some wings that can shoot a lot better than that and stretch the floor a lot more than those two would stretch it. And Hart himself is not a very good shooter from distance

and starting Hart at SF would dive back into being an undersized team again while having a scrub as the 3rd guard. Powell 2.0

 

[boredinsalem]

and starting Hart at SF would dive back into being an undersized team again while having a scrub as the 3rd guard. Powell 2.0

I don't think Hart should be playing 30 mpg at the three, but there are some difference between Dame/Ant/Hart and Dame/CJ/Powell. First, Hart is 10X the rebounder CJ is. Second, Hart is taller than Powell and Ant is taller than CJ (but weak ATM). Third, the latter is far superior at taking advantage of teams that are bigger by being able to outrun teams in the open court. I think we could get by with that lineup for 15 mpg, which is all we would need. Our closing lineup could vary between Hart and Little depending on matchups and who is feeling it that night.

 

[wizenheimer]

I don't think Hart should be playing 30 mpg at the three, but there are some difference between Dame/Ant/Hart and Dame/CJ/Powell. First, Hart is 10X the rebounder CJ is. Second, Hart is taller than Powell and Ant is taller than CJ (but weak ATM). Third, the latter is far superior at taking advantage of teams that are bigger by being able to outrun teams in the open court. I think we could get by with that lineup for 15 mpg, which is all we would need. Our closing lineup could vary between Hart and Little depending on matchups and who is feeling it that night.

notice that I said "starting Hart at SF". IMO there is a big difference between starting at a position and playing a position in certain situations. 15 minutes a game is too much though. Blazers need a 3 guard rotation with one being a 2-way player. Not a 5 guard rotation with 3 scrubs with none of the 5 being a 2-way player...like they had before Hart

 

[illmatic99]

Grant is not a "Billups guy." And he's trending backwards on defense.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Winslow looks like a very good bench piece — in the Jae Crowder role: PF

 

[oldmangrouch]

If he thinks the elderly Ingles and multi-failure Winslow are part of the answer, he doesn't even know the right questions.

I'm hoping this is just the typical GM pablum.

 

[Pinwheel1]

If you put Winslow in with scrubs he will look bad. You put him in with 4 scorers and he will look good.

Evaluating players for the rest of the year will be tricky as they will be asked to do things they won't necessarily be asked to do next year.
Kind of like watching a 1st or 2nd-year player in summer league.

 

[illmatic99]

If you put Winslow in with scrubs he will look bad. You put him in with 4 scorers and he will look good.

Evaluating players for the rest of the year will be tricky as they will be asked to do things they won't necessarily be asked to do next year.
Kind of like watching a 1st or 2nd-year player in summer league.

i think justise is a fine bench player, and a consistently good defender from the wings who can switch. hart/ingles/winslow is a really good bench to start with. add someone like rubio (MLE?) and you've got one of the best benches in the league to fill out your 9 man rotation. Obviously a bit worrisome with two guys coming off ACL injuries.

That said, our problem is finding top line talent to fill this mold. A solid bench can help you win regular season games, but we need stars to win bigger.

 

[Hoopguru]

Do you think Hart & Dame make for better back court than Dame & Simons?
Do you think the Blazers will be able to keep both Simons and Hart or will they need to couple one or both to picks to get that star front line guy?

 

[Hoopguru]

Winslow looks like a very good bench piece — in the Jae Crowder role: PF

agree, Jae & PJTucker....but both those guys can shoot.

 

[Pinwheel1]

agree, Jae & PJTucker....but both those guys can shoot.

Yeah but Winslow can push the ball better down the court better than those two. Dame, Ant, Hart should all benefit from that.
And if you get a PF who can also shoot, you can slide Winslow to the 3 to do the same.

Of course, we still need a high-scoring PF. As many have alluded to, John Collins would be a good fit. Better than Grant.

 

[James lamphear]

The Dame and Simon will start next year at the beginning because you actually have to look at to see if going to work on both side of the ball. Then Billups will have choice to switch it if don't work. Let don't jump to conclusions about Joe does until we see the roster next year at the start of the season.

 

[Pinwheel1]

The Dame and Simon will start next year at the beginning because you actually have to look at to see if going to work on both side of the ball. Then Billups will have choice to switch it if don't work. Let don't jump to conclusions about Joe does until we see the roster next year at the start of the season.

Not sure who will start, but I assume all three will finish most games.
Dame, Ant, Hart, Nurk and the PF YTD

Either way, they will get 30 + minutes

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Interesting OP. Apparently, he's a Tier drafter, which isn't surprising.

When does the "interim" tag get removed?

 

[Scalma]

Interesting OP. Apparently, he's a Tier drafter, which isn't surprising.

Makes me wonder about Shaedon Sharpe. He’s probably the drafts biggest mystery and is gonna go in the lottery (safe bet he declares) based purely on talent. If we have two lottery picks, may as well take a couple big swings. Duren and Sharpe would be ultimate upside plays.

 

[blazerfan11]

"Size-wise"? Isn't that the fucking problem? And that's ignoring the Dame-and-Ant-only-make-up-for-defensive-deficiencies-if-they-dominate-the-ball problem that we saw with Dame and CJ.
I guess we're hoping we're going to get Evan Mobley Mk. II in the draft - a miraculous defensive cure-all who's as tall as a center and can guard guards.

Yes the problem isn't only on defense.

 

[Scalma]

Do you think Hart & Dame make for better back court than Dame & Simons?
Do you think the Blazers will be able to keep both Simons and Hart or will they need to couple one or both to picks to get that star front line guy?

Hart was starting as a four for the pelicans this season. Also have to remember that in Billups’ system a three and a two are the same thing. I mean he has literally said it. The main problem was never really size. It was that Powell and CJ were shit defenders and rebounders. Hart is neither of those things. Simons has a higher defensive ceiling as well than those two aging players. His prime will be spent under the tutelage of a defensive minded coach, he has no choice but to play D.

I see Hart starting at the three with Nas backing him up. Billups likes versatile defenders so they can play matchups. I’m not worried about it too much. The power forward position is the biggest question mark.

 

[Hoopguru]

Hart was starting as a four for the pelicans this season. Also have to remember that in Billups’ system a three and a two are the same thing. I mean he has literally said it. The main problem was never really size. It was that Powell and CJ were shit defenders and rebounders. Hart is neither of those things. Simons has a higher defensive ceiling as well than those two aging players. His prime will be spent under the tutelage of a defensive minded coach, he has no choice but to play D.

I see Hart starting at the three with Nas backing him up. Billups likes versatile defenders so they can play matchups. I’m not worried about it too much. The power forward position is the biggest question mark.

good points but Im thinking in order to acquire that star front line player we'd have to couple one of Naz, Simons, Hart with a pick?

 

[Scalma]

good points but Im thinking in order to acquire that star front line player we'd have to couple one of Naz, Simons, Hart with a pick?

the odds of them trading any of those guys are slim imo. Think their lotto picks will be the main assets, but I’m not sure this power forward is coming from another team, at least not before the deadline next season. I guess it depends on who becomes available. Siakam and Collins are two guys worth holding out for.