Do we have a problem at backup PF?

[Blazer4ever]

Who plays behind Lamarcus? Freeland is still out and could be a possible solution but is probably our best backup Center as well. Leonard is better as a PF than as a Center but IMHO he's still a liability. Kaman is slow for a Center, having him play PF is far from ideal. Wright could be a stretch 4 in certain situations but like we've seen against Memphis, not when facing a big front-line. What say you?

 

[Strenuus]

I think Leonard is a good stop gap, really. He can stretch the floor and open up the lanes if we ever decide to actually slash... which we have AA now, so it could really come in handy.

 

[Blazer4ever]

Yes but he doesn't play inside at all on offense, he's basically a stretch 4 and leaves much to be desired on the defensive end. Is he able to give us good minutes at times - I think so, but can we depend on him to be our first option behind Lamarcus?

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Yes but he doesn't play inside at all on offense, he's basically a stretch 4 and leaves much to be desired on the defensive end. Is he able to give us good minutes at times - I think so, but can we depend on him to be our first option behind Lamarcus?

Problem witb last game was he wasnt first option behind lamarcus he was just first option. Aldridge is key to this team. If he starts and leonard fills the holes we probably win.

 

[Blazer4ever]

Agreed, Aldridge not playing gave us an extreme example to this problem. With both him and Freeland out we were obviously struggling. I still think it's a problem, though, and would like us to consider bringing a PF for the last roster spot.

 

[Strenuus]

Agreed, Aldridge not playing gave us an extreme example to this problem. With both him and Freeland out we were obviously struggling. I still think it's a problem, though, and would like us to consider bringing a PF for the last roster spot.

Wouldn't hurt.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Agreed, Aldridge not playing gave us an extreme example to this problem. With both him and Freeland out we were obviously struggling. I still think it's a problem, though, and would like us to consider bringing a PF for the last roster spot.

I always welcome more big guys. I thought freeland was out 2 weeks but its been worse than lopez's fracture.

 

[Blazer4ever]

What I would want from such a player are two things: play in the paint on offense and play good defense (doesn't have to be special, just good).

 

[Blazer4ever]

What I would want from such a player are two things: play in the paint on offense and play good defense (doesn't have to be special, just good).

 

[magnifier661]

I'm not a fan of the stretch 4 unless we play against a smaller team. Memphis is a big team and obviously they know how to exploit their advantage. We definitely need Freeland back in a big way.

 

[HailBlazers]

I always welcome more big guys. I thought freeland was out 2 weeks but its been worse than lopez's fracture.

Sucks for sure, but the most important thing is health for the playoffs.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Before he injured his shoulder Freeland looked like a player that should be playing 20+ minutes backing up both PF and C.

Any word on his progress?

 

[MARIS61]

Meyers is a perfect PF.

 

[riverman]

When Joel and LA come back we're fine in the frontcourt. Rolo, Kaman, LA,Freeland, Leonard and even DWright can take care of business. Meyers is going to have some great games and make a few mistakes along the way. We're good. We filled the 2 and 3 backups with Afflalo and Gee so I don't see glaring gaps in the roster.

 

[magnifier661]

Meyers is a perfect PF.

He will be... I don't have any doubt now. The problem with him is his age. I think he makes mistakes that can only be learned by more years of experience. Once he gets the hang of the NBA and timing, I think he will be our PF of the future. Until then, we are trying to win a title in Aldridge's prime. Freeland is the better, heady player now. He doesn't have as much talent as Leonard, but he's smarter, better defender and will help our "win now" mode.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

tbh, I think our problems are less about personnel, and more about decisions with the ball. Lots o' dribblin' right now, uncommitted screens, leaving the feet to pass, uncertainty about passing/shooting, bad D on the P and R, general basketball fuckheadedness.

We'll turn it around. As Pop says: "We need some nasty!"

 

[riverman]

tbh, I think our problems are less about personnel, and more about decisions with the ball. Lots o' dribblin' right now, uncommitted screens, leaving the feet to pass, uncertainty about passing/shooting, bad D on the P and R, general basketball fuckheadedness.Pas

We'll turn it around. As Pop says: "We need some nasty!"

Well said! Passing has been a problem for years. Actually Meyers and Blake are our best passers.

 

[riverman]

tbh, I think our problems are less about personnel, and more about decisions with the ball. Lots o' dribblin' right now, uncommitted screens, leaving the feet to pass, uncertainty about passing/shooting, bad D on the P and R, general basketball fuckheadedness.

We'll turn it around. As Pop says: "We need some nasty!"

Too much dribbling is the fault of our medical staff...give the whole team prostate examinations damnit!

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Too much dribbling is the fault of our medical staff...give the whole team prostate examinations damnit!

I think you put your finger on it.

 

[Schilly]

Lamarcus is playing tomorrow per Holdahl

 

[BlayZa]

i don't know if its a problem atm, a concern around Freeland's return time frame maybe - Myers does seem to be growing in his new found minutes tho, which is good.... but can't wait to get JF back

 

[HailBlazers]

Love the conversation, seemed like just yesterday I was shaking my head at people who thought Meyers could never amount to anything and others who thought Joel was garbage to be tossed back to Europe.

 

[H.C.]

No we don't have a problem at backup PF anymore. Any team will struggle when their best player goes down and his backup has to start. look @ the pacers.

 

[Draco]

When healthy we are stacked at backup big men spots. The problem is when LaMarcus is out or when Freeland and someone is out.

Meyers is solid as a backup Matt Bonner style PF. He is not a center and will fail if relied upon to anchor a defense. Wasn't really fair his first few years we tried to force him into a position he's not suited for. Freeland can play either position; he's undersized against a few centers in the league but overall solid for a backup.

Against the Grizz we had major problems with big men depth; so if the Blazers expect to have two big men out for multiple games we should bring a big in as the 15th man. When healthy or only missing one we are fine.

 

[MARIS61]

On a per-36-minute basis this season, Leonard is averaging 13.4 points, 1.9 threes, 10.5 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 0.6 blocks.

 

[Shaboid]

On a per-36-minute basis this season, Leonard is averaging 13.4 points, 1.9 threes, 10.5 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 0.6 blocks.

And 35 fouls?

 

[magnifier661]

On a per-36-minute basis this season, Leonard is averaging 13.4 points, 1.9 threes, 10.5 rebounds, 0.5 steals and 0.6 blocks.

Never been a fan of per 36. He's not getting 36 minutes, so you can't just add an additional amount of minutes and expect him to produce as he would with limited minutes. As you play more minutes, you get more tired. And normally the players with +20 minutes are playing against higher caliber players, therefor the numbers are skewed.

Don't get me wrong though... I believe Leonard has truly come around, but he's still a ways away from producing double doubles on a nightly basis

 

[MARIS61]

Usually a player will actually outperform his predicted 36 when/if he finally gets 36 minutes. Nearly all players play better the longer they are in.

For the year his shooting %'s are FG 52.4, 3pt 43.5, FT 90.5.

 

[Further]

Meyers has taken a couple huge leaps forward this year. So he isn't ready to take over for Aldridge, one of the best players in the NBA, but he is a very capable backup. At the end of tonight's game, his last shot was evidence of his growth. He moved towards the hoop with a jaw dropping dunk in mind, fully wound up, but when the defense closed on him he changed it to a little toss in. This is Meyers thinking in game speed, something he never did in the past. Makes me thrilled about his future.

 

[ripcityboy]

Def need another Freeland back and maybe a big body for the last roster spot. That may be the final piece the team needs. But Leonard has impressed me. I guess he may not be as completely clueless as I think he is. The guy has improved.