DAME COMING HOME! (2 Viewers)

[wizenheimer]

I was being obtuse and using a little sarcasm in the response. Sorry it came across the way it did.
My point still remains. The type of passes changes dramatically when the lanes open up. A sharp shooter on the court makes the defense have to respect the outside shot and Dame takes that to another level. Even more so if he is bringing the ball up court because they have to start guarding him at half court. Dame also draws double teams and currently no player on the roster demands that respect ever at any time against any team.
IMHO Dame changes everything on the court and Scoot as well as every other player will benefit greatly from his presence.

I'm as big a Dame fan as anybody, but I think the assumptions about what Dame will be next season are premature. Maybe he'll defy logic and be 90% of his old self, and be so from day 1. Or maybe it will take him lots of time to shake the rust off and his three won't be a prolific as it used to be, or as consistent. Dame made logo three's look effortless because of his leg strength and coordination. An Achilles tear can alter that, a lot

besides that, I really doubt that Dame & Scoot will spend much time together on the floor, nor do I think the mesh will be as good as you do, especially at first.. Last season, when Scoot and Simons were on the floor together their net turnovers were the 2nd worst of two-man combos on Portland. One of only 2 combos with a negative differential. Simons is probably more similar to Dame than anybody else. Personally, I question Scoot's court vision. He seems to see a lot of open passing lanes that aren't really open

 

[Pinwheel1]

I'm as big a Dame fan as anybody, but I think the assumptions about what Dame will be next season are premature. Maybe he'll defy logic and be 90% of his old self, and be so from day 1. Or maybe it will take him lots of time to shake the rust off and his three won't be a prolific as it used to be, or as consistent. Dame made logo three's look effortless because of his leg strength and coordination. An Achilles tear can alter that, a lot

besides that, I really doubt that Dame & Scoot will spend much time together on the floor, nor do I think the mesh will be as good as you do, especially at first.. Last season, when Scoot and Simons were on the floor together their net turnovers were the 2nd worst of two-man combos on Portland. One of only 2 combos with a negative differential. Simons is probably more similar to Dame than anybody else. Personally, I question Scoot's court vision. He seems to see a lot of open passing lanes that aren't really open

Scoot's passing is definitely his weakness right now. I don't think it is his vision, though. I have seen him make some incredible passes, and unfortunately, I think that hurts him. He thinks he can always make them. He forces too many passes.

His shooting, on the other hand, is looking promising. His 3-point shot is decent, but I really like the way he is attacking the basket.
However, to your point, it does seem like their best lineup next year will include Dame and Shae with Deni. Or Dame and Jrue next with Deni.
That still leaves minutes for a Scoot and Shae or a Scoot and Jrue backcourt for another year.

I would not trade Scoot, though, considering the age of Dame and Jrue. Lots of injuries mean we need lots of depth.

 

[blazerfan11]

Scoot's passing is definitely his weakness right now. I don't think it is his vision, though. I have seen him make some incredible passes, and unfortunately, I think that hurts him. He thinks he can always make them. He forces too many passes.

His shooting, on the other hand, is looking promising. His 3-point shot is decent, but I really like the way he is attacking the basket.
However, to your point, it does seem like their best lineup next year will include Dame and Shae with Deni. Or Dame and Jrue next with Deni.
That still leaves minutes for a Scoot and Shae or a Scoot and Jrue backcourt for another year.

I would not trade Scoot, though, considering the age of Dame and Jrue. Lots of injuries mean we need lots of depth.

If both Dame and Jrue are healthy, they will be the starters in the backcourt. There should be no question about that.

 

[Pinwheel1]

If both Dame and Jrue are healthy, they will be the starters in the backcourt. There should be no question about that.

Yes, that was my first thought; however, one can argue that with Deni starting, a Shae-Dame starting backcourt, with Scoot-Jrue backcourt coming off the bench might help the team more.

 

[kjironman1]

Scoot's passing is definitely his weakness right now. I don't think it is his vision, though. I have seen him make some incredible passes, and unfortunately, I think that hurts him. He thinks he can always make them. He forces too many passes.

This has a bunch to do with my post above. The types of passes Scoot is trying are in my opinion too difficult and the reason they are even being tried is because nobody else is being doubled and nobody on the team really stretches the floor. It's not just Scoot either. Deni, Jrue, Clingan all have had issues.
This is also something to do with the way the game has changed athletically. Long, Quick, Strong wings that interrupt passes and teams relying on the three ball the way they are. If you don't have shooters you need to thread the needle on passes in congested areas.
Stretching the floor with a player that demands a double and can hit from anywhere north of mid court is exactly the kind of thing this team needs right now. Not to mention just the BBIQ of a player the caliber of Dame. Make the right pass at the right time to the right player.

 

[kjironman1]

I'm as big a Dame fan as anybody, but I think the assumptions about what Dame will be next season are premature. Maybe he'll defy logic and be 90% of his old self, and be so from day 1. Or maybe it will take him lots of time to shake the rust off and his three won't be a prolific as it used to be, or as consistent. Dame made logo three's look effortless because of his leg strength and coordination. An Achilles tear can alter that, a lot

besides that, I really doubt that Dame & Scoot will spend much time together on the floor, nor do I think the mesh will be as good as you do, especially at first.. Last season, when Scoot and Simons were on the floor together their net turnovers were the 2nd worst of two-man combos on Portland. One of only 2 combos with a negative differential. Simons is probably more similar to Dame than anybody else. Personally, I question Scoot's court vision. He seems to see a lot of open passing lanes that aren't really open

Like this year and last and the year before. Most likely injuries will decide who spends time on the court together.

 

[Pinwheel1]

This has a bunch to do with my post above. The types of passes Scoot is trying are in my opinion too difficult and the reason they are even being tried is because nobody else is being doubled and nobody on the team really stretches the floor. It's not just Scoot either. Deni, Jrue, Clingan all have had issues.
This is also something to do with the way the game has changed athletically. Long, Quick, Strong wings that interrupt passes and teams relying on the three ball the way they are. If you don't have shooters you need to thread the needle on passes in congested areas.
Stretching the floor with a player that demands a double and can hit from anywhere north of mid court is exactly the kind of thing this team needs right now. Not to mention just the BBIQ of a player the caliber of Dame. Make the right pass at the right time to the right player.

I do think the tempo they implemented hurts as well. On one hand, I enjoy it much more than walking it up the court, but they really should
listen to the Wizard of Westwood: "Be quick but don't hurry."

 

[wizenheimer]

Scoot's passing is definitely his weakness right now. I don't think it is his vision, though. I have seen him make some incredible passes, and unfortunately, I think that hurts him. He thinks he can always make them. He forces too many passes.

His shooting, on the other hand, is looking promising. His 3-point shot is decent, but I really like the way he is attacking the basket.
However, to your point, it does seem like their best lineup next year will include Dame and Shae with Deni. Or Dame and Jrue next with Deni.
That still leaves minutes for a Scoot and Shae or a Scoot and Jrue backcourt for another year.

I would not trade Scoot, though, considering the age of Dame and Jrue. Lots of injuries mean we need lots of depth.

I'd point to something else: remember how Dame re-energized Nurkic in the pick-n-roll? Dame + Clingan might really upgrade Clingan's offense. I'd think with a little work, Dame + Deni in the pick-n-roll/pick-n-pop might also become pretty dynamic

 

[blazerfan11]

I'd point to something else: remember how Dame re-energized Nurkic in the pick-n-roll? Dame + Clingan might really upgrade Clingan's offense. I'd think with a little work, Dame + Deni in the pick-n-roll/pick-n-pop might also become pretty dynamic

I'm sure the wheels are turning inside Dame's head as he watches from the Blazer bench.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I'm sure the wheels are turning inside Dame's head as he watches from the Blazer bench.

I am looking forward to the transition 3s from Dame after Deni pushes the ball down court.

 

[Everything Beagle]

I do think the tempo they implemented hurts as well. On one hand, I enjoy it much more than walking it up the court, but they really should
listen to the Wizard of Westwood: "Be quick but don't hurry."

We’ve slowed down a lot since the All-Star Break (the turnovers still abound though), and imho I’m seeing a lot more formations that remind me of old Dame formations. Probably nothing, but my brain likes to match patterns and it feels like the team is looking forward to Dame entering the lineup sooner than perhaps we think.

 

[BassPlaya]

Making shots is important. Making a higher percentage of shots is very important. That said, there are hard to measure aspects of the game that have big effects on the outcome of a game.....like

Flow
Timing
Momentum
Runs
Daggers
(etc)

I have watched teams reduce our lead at the closing of quarters many times. I have watched us do it as well, but not near as much as we have been the recipient of it. I think over the last 3 years, Dame, Anfernee, and Jerami...in that order, were the top players to take important shots. Late game daggers. Deni is not that. I think if I had to rate the players on the Blazers right now who have that ability to take that shot, truly believing it's going in...It's Dame #1, and Love #2. That doesn't mean they are Guard 1&2. I was speaking of specific abilities.

So Dame certainly brings something back to this team we are lacking. I also don't believe that he will change this team to his style. I think he is already planning on how to fit....and has been truly involved daily on getting himself ready for his new self. And I don't care if he shoots 36%, or 40%. I have confidence he will hit it when it matters the most.

 

[THE HCP]

: "Be quick but don't hurry."

I’ll take…… THINGS MY WIFE TELLS ME BEOFRE SEX……. For $1,000 Alex. #BAM #SIGH

 

[THE HCP]

Im

I am looking forward to the transition 3s from Dame after Deni pushes the ball down court.

looking forward to defenses being so concerned about Dame outside that Deni/Scoot/Shae have nothing to worry about driving down a wide open lane!

 

[kjironman1]

Im

looking forward to defenses being so concerned about Dame outside that Deni/Scoot/Shae have nothing to worry about driving down a wide open lane!

And those lanes being open will cut down on turnovers.
That’s kind of why I don’t really like that TO/Assist ratio stat. There’s so many things that go into it.
Need shooters in this league the way the game is played now.