Different line-up options

[Pinwheel1]

I have been thinking about the various lineup options we have this year. More so than in the last few years. One of the few things that come from being deeper, even if we are not necessarily better.

First off I think the article today from Mike Richman was pretty interesting. Read it if you have not seen it.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...riguing_small_ball_lineup_in.html#incart_2box

As usual, how a teams finishes close game can be huge in terms of wins and losses. We know we will be relying on Dame to be our go to guy down the stretch on offense. I think CJ will be a factor as well.

But I am excited to see how we defend teams in the last minute as well. I think Aminu, Crabbe, and Harkless can be included in almost all matchups since they can easily switch on all wing players. Hopefully we will see the scenarios that left our slower bigs (LMA) on a quicker guard be eliminated after a simple screen.

My question is who will be the other two players on the court with Aminu, Crabbe, and Harkless? I am thinking Davis is one. Who is the other?

 

[B-Roy]

My question is who will be the other two players on the court with Aminu, Crabbe, and Harkless? I am thinking Davis is one. Who is the other?

Um, Lillard?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Um, Lillard?

If we're talking about a defense-specific lineup, I'd think CJ would be a better option.

 

[B-Roy]

If we're talking about a defense-specific lineup, I'd think CJ would be a better option.

I mean, if you want to melt on the other side of the floor I guess.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Um, Lillard?

Probably if we know the other team needs to immediately foul, but when defending a last second shot after a time out, is Lillard our best defender? I would say CJ would be a better option. He gets more steals. Or maybe if Aminu is on the other PG, maybe you go Plumlee and Davis with the 3 wings.

 

[B-Roy]

If you only cared about defending a last second shot I would think it'd be:

Hendo
Crabbe
Harkless
Aminu
Davis

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I mean, if you want to melt on the other side of the floor I guess.

I assume we're talking about a scenario where we're setting a lineup off an opponent timeout, we're trying to protect a lead on the opponent's final possession, or will either call time out or get fouled if we regain possession.

Outside of that specific type of situation, I doubt we'd be particularly focused on getting the best possible defensive personnel out there.

 

[Pinwheel1]

If you only cared about defending a last second shot I would think it'd be:

Hendo
Crabbe
Harkless
Aminu
Davis

I like that option.

 

[BigGameDamian]

If we're talking about a defense-specific lineup, I'd think CJ would be a better option.

I can't wait till this thread hits "Are the Blazers a better team without Lillard?"

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I can't wait till this thread hits "Are the Blazers a better team without Lillard?"

Obviously, since you're the only one suggesting that idiotic turn in the discussion.

 

[B-Roy]

I assume we're talking about a scenario where we're setting a lineup off an opponent timeout, we're trying to protect a lead on the opponent's final possession, or will either call time out or get fouled if we regain possession.

Outside of that specific type of situation, I doubt we'd be particularly focused on getting the best possible defensive personnel out there.

I thought the question was more about trodding out a small ball lineup for an extended period of time. Golden State won the championship with small ball, so there is a precedence for it's success.

Honestly I think Aminu's natural position is playing the small-ball four. Playing him at the 4 gives you the ability to switch on all PnRs. Problem is our offense would kind of stall to a halt with Crabbe, Hark and Aminu at the wings. I think you would have to play Lillard. Crabbe, Hark, Aminu, and Leonard. Maybe Davis depending on matchups, but I think Leonard's size and shooting would strike a nice balance between offense and defense.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Outside of that specific type of situation, I doubt we'd be particularly focused on getting the best possible defensive personnel out there.

It often occurs at the end of quarters as well.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

It often occurs at the end of quarters as well.

Good call

 

[Pinwheel1]

I thought the question was more about trodding out a small ball lineup for an extended period of time. Golden State won the championship with small ball, so there is a precedence for it's success.

Originally I was think about various scenarios. My question at the end of the post probably limited it too much. But i am intrigued with all the different lineups we can throw out there.

 

[B-Roy]

Originally I was think about various scenarios. My question at the end of the post probably limited it too much. But i am intrigued with all the different lineups we can throw out there.

The article referenced Golden State, so that's where I thought it was going.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I dunno, I guess I've just never thought too highly of the concept of situational lineups, except in very limited, extreme circumstances. Sure, we could put out lineups that include our best athletes, or our best shooters, or our best defenders, or best ballhandlers--but 95% of the time, I just want us to put out our best basketball players.

 

[Strenuus]

I can't wait till this thread hits "Are the Blazers a better team without Lillard?"

You'll be waiting years, pot stirrer.

 

[Natebishop3]

I want the big lineup.

Aminu
Leonard
Vonleh
Davis
Plums

Make it so!

 

[Strenuus]

I want the big lineup.

Aminu
Leonard
Vonleh
Davis
Plums

Make it so!

I want Plums nickname to be "Professor Plums"

I don't know if he's a genius, but I like it.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I want Plums nickname to be "Professor Plums"

I don't know if he's a genius, but I like it.

"I suspect Professor Plums, in the key, with the hook."

 

[Strenuus]

"I suspect Professor Plums, in the key, with the hook."

EVEN BETTER!

 

[Pinwheel1]

I dunno, I guess I've just never thought too highly of the concept of situational lineups, except in very limited, extreme circumstances. Sure, we could put out lineups that include our best athletes, or our best shooters, or our best defenders, or best ballhandlers--but 95% of the time, I just want us to put out our best basketball players.

I think if your best 7-8 basketball players are better then everyone else's...... that is a good philosophy to have. Make them match up with you.

But I don't think our starting 5 is going to overwhelm anyone so I think we need to use our depth to our advantage. Other than Dame, I think players 2-10ish may be comparable in terms of talent, but they possess different strengths and weaknesses. So I am thinking that Stotts needs to be creative with his lineups.

 

[Strenuus]

I think if your best 7-8 basketball players are better then everyone else's...... that is a good philosophy to have. Make them match up with you.

But I don't think our starting 5 is going to overwhelm anyone so I think we need to use our depth to our advantage. Other than Dame, I think players 2-10ish may be comparable in terms of talent, but they possess different strengths and weaknesses. So I am thinking that Stotts needs to be creative with his lineups.

Stotts is going to earn his paycheck. I bet he's really excited to finally have depth, cause he got railed for playing his starters too much (including by me).

 

[Draco]

I have been thinking about the various lineup options we have this year. More so than in the last few years. One of the few things that come from being deeper, even if we are not necessarily better.

First off I think the article today from Mike Richman was pretty interesting. Read it if you have not seen it.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...riguing_small_ball_lineup_in.html#incart_2box

As usual, how a teams finishes close game can be huge in terms of wins and losses. We know we will be relying on Dame to be our go to guy down the stretch on offense. I think CJ will be a factor as well.

But I am excited to see how we defend teams in the last minute as well. I think Aminu, Crabbe, and Harkless can be included in almost all matchups since they can easily switch on all wing players. Hopefully we will see the scenarios that left our slower bigs (LMA) on a quicker guard be eliminated after a simple screen.

My question is who will be the other two players on the court with Aminu, Crabbe, and Harkless? I am thinking Davis is one. Who is the other?

Yeah I like the lineup that started the second half at Utah, but of course with Dame.

Davis, Aminu, Harkless, Crabbe and Lillard

Harkless three point shooting is going to determine how we play a lot of lineups this season. If he is hitting them he can share the court with Aminu and a limited big. If not we have to pick between Mo or Farioq; unless Meyers is our center. The above lineup is an excellent defensive group; our best we can put on the floor. If we need more ball handling and shot creation CJ may have to play in place of Crabbe.