Dorell Wright

[Natebishop3]

One thing that has been surprising to me this season is the play of Dorell Wright. He has been more than just a three point shooter, which was a pleasant surprise, but his shooting has been off lately.

It doesn't seem to me that he gets that many wide open threes. Has anyone else noticed this? I've seen him drive a lot, and that doesn't usually end well. I thought he'd be another James Jones for us, but I'm really not seeing the similarities.

Over the last five games, he's shot:

1-2
0-2
0-3
0-1
1-4

Is he in a slump, or is it something else? I thought we'd see him post up on the three point line and just wait for the ball, but because he's been more active in rebounding and trying to drive, I haven't really seen that from him.

Does this surprise you?

Last year he averaged 4.6 3PA per game. The year before that he averaged 4.8 attempts, and the year before that it was 6.3 attempts from beyond the arc. This year he's only averaging 2.7 attempts.

I just wonder if he's doing what he's being paid to do. It looks, to me, like he's trying to be like Nic, when really I just want to see him fulfilling a James Jones type role. We need that three point threat out there.

Anyway, just something that I've noticed lately....

 

[Natebishop3]

His minutes are down though, quite a bit, so I'm sure that has a lot to do with his overall attempts.

 

[blue9]

Biggest disappointment so far. But I'd rather him start slow and finish strong.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

I notice it is a point of emphasis for the other team to chase him off the 3-pt line. He gets that much respect and they want him to put the ball on the floor. He's a good all-around player it seems.

 

[Natebishop3]

I notice it is a point of emphasis for the other team to chase him off the 3-pt line. He gets that much respect and they want him to put the ball on the floor. He's a good all-around player it seems.

They definitely don't leave him as much, but I wonder if that's something that can be addressed by how we space the floor.

 

[Strenuus]

I'm not worried. He and the team will figure it out.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

A game is coming soon when he goes off with about 7 threes in a quarter. He's got that ability.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I'm a little disappointed he isn't making more 3s. Ptd is a 3 pt shooting tam and the scouting report is probably to take the 3 pt shot away from the 3 its shooters, Wright being one. So maybe he isn't getting as many looks as years past.

I don't think the expectations should be too high on Wright. Not that you have said so Nate, but there was talk about trading Batum because Wright can fill in at his spot. While Wright was sought after this summer by several teams, he did sign for 3M yr for 2 yrs. No team willing to offer him the full MLE or even close.

I hope Wright starts hitting 3s like early in the season (he looked automatic from 3), but I'm glad he brings other things to the game. His hustle is what has been the pleasant surprise for me . . . hope that isn't just a product of this hot start.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Last night was not his fault. He was open several times on the perimeter and did not get the ball early enough.
By the time he did get it, he had to rush it.

He will get in a groove at some point, but he needs help from Mo.....

His D is as good as advertised. (Not great, but pretty good)

 

[HailBlazers]

Saavy Vet will figure it out.

In a very unusual move, Portland's coach took a moment during his call-and-response, question-and-answer post-game session to offer an unprompted compliment to one of his players. The recipient: Dorell Wright, who made up for an eyesore turnover by Mo Williams by chasing down Lamb in transition, altering a potential dunk attempt. Portland dodged that bullet on one end and Lillard promptly hit a three-pointer on the other, making for a five-point swing in a matter of 12 seconds.

"The one thing I would like to say: I thought Dorell Wright's play with 8-something to go in the fourth quarter was a huge play for us," Stotts said. "We're up four, Lamb is going to dunk it and gain the momentum. That play, making him change [the shot], Dame following it up [with a three-pointer], that was a big momentum play for us. Those little things, those are the little things that win games like this."

Dude is a gamer.

 

[milehighblazer]

I think as the season wears on we'll see his production go up in conjunction with his minutes. It's important to get the bench some heavier, meaningful minutes in my opinion. Knowing that he has more weapons at his disposal I imagine Stotts will be more willing to balance things out later down the road assuming our winning ways continue. Batum will need the rest, and if he sees a reasonable increase in playing time I think you'll see Wright have a more efficient game as he can find a groove. As it stands right now he's in and out of the game so quick he really just never has a chance to build much.

 

[Natebishop3]

Last night was not his fault. He was open several times on the perimeter and did not get the ball early enough.
By the time he did get it, he had to rush it.

He will get in a grove at some point, but he needs help from Mo.....

His D is as good as advertised. (Not great, but pretty good)

Well, and that's what I'm wondering.... is it his fault? It doesn't seem like he's getting many open threes, so I'm wondering if that's the team not getting him the ball when he's open, or if he's passing up open shots.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Well, and that's what I'm wondering.... is it his fault? It doesn't seem like he's getting many open threes, so I'm wondering if that's the team not getting him the ball when he's open, or if he's passing up open shots.

I don't think he is passing up open shots. I think the unit he plays with needs to improve. Maybe it is a matter of more time together in order to gel. What ever it is they don't get as many easy shots as the first unit.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't think he is passing up open shots. I think the unit he plays with needs to improve. Maybe it is a matter of more time together in order to gel. What ever it is they don't get as many easy shots as the first unit.

Mo is just horrible at running the offense. It took forever for him to find Dame during that third quarter stint. I really wish we had a decent backup point guard, OR we actually gave Watson some burn.

 

[blue9]

Last night was not his fault. He was open several times on the perimeter and did not get the ball early enough.

Ooh - that's something I noticed with Wes last night, too. There were several possessions where he was wide open, hopping around waving his arms trying to get the ball, and never got it. Really hope they watch film last night to see that the ball was "sticking" rather than moving, and get back to really swinging the ball around. I guess it didn't help that whenever we passed the ball OKC stole the pass - need to work on making quick, crisp passes.

 

[Natebishop3]

Ooh - that's something I noticed with Wes last night, too. There were several possessions where he was wide open, hopping around waving his arms trying to get the ball, and never got it. Really hope they watch film last night to see that the ball was "sticking" rather than moving, and get back to really swinging the ball around. I guess it didn't help that whenever we passed the ball OKC stole the pass - need to work on making quick, crisp passes.

I saw that play from Wes as well. Sometimes I think Dame gets tunnel vision, and misses an open man on the perimeter or a guy flashing under the basket for an easy layup. If Dame has tunnel vision, Mo has black hole vision. The guy just drives me nuts. He stands at the top of the key, dribbling for 15 seconds and then struggles to find someone to pass to. How he's averaging so many assists is beyond me.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Mo is just horrible at running the offense. It took forever for him to find Dame during that third quarter stint. I really wish we had a decent backup point guard, OR we actually gave Watson some burn.

If CJ comes back and forces his way into the lineup because Stott's can't afford to keep him on the bench (which I'm not super confident about) then maybe there's a move to be made for a more traditional backup point-guard at the deadline. I doubt Olshey makes many moves though unless the team falters in December and/or January; tough to justify risking a disruption to team chemistry when you're rolling.

 

[Natebishop3]

If CJ comes back and forces his way into the lineup because Stott's can't afford to keep him on the bench (which I'm not super confident about) then maybe there's a move to be made for a more traditional backup point-guard at the deadline. I doubt Olshey makes many moves though unless the team falters in December and/or January; tough to justify risking a disruption to team chemistry when you're rolling.

I would LOVE to have Andre Miller back, running the second unit. He would make Wright and Robinson look infinitely better.

 

[magnifier661]

I really like Wright, especially on the defensive end. He is doing things that aren't necessarily showing up in the stats. I'm confident that the shooting will come back. He just needs to adjust to his role AND concentrate on his shooting. He wasn't asked to do this on the other team he played for.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I would LOVE to have Andre Miller back, running the second unit. He would make Wright and Robinson look infinitely better.

Yeah.

One question though, how has he been playing this year? I haven't really kept up as much with the rest of the league this year.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

He has hit a few key 3s in the past and he has the ability to do so. I think its more of him not being a focus on the offense or the team not needing him to take that many shots.

Had the defensive stop of the game on that turnover/fast break in the 4th as well which REALLY energized the crowd and led to the Dame 3 in the 4th. Overall, I'm comfortable with him as Batum's backup without missing TOO much of a drop in productivity.

He'll do little things, probably not as consistently as most but in the grand scheme of things its all a plus. Later in the season and in the playoffs is when he'll pay some dividends.

 

[magnifier661]

I would LOVE to have Andre Miller back, running the second unit. He would make Wright and Robinson look infinitely better.

Miller's inability to shoot the 3 and lack of speed on the defensive end would become a big problem. We couldn't have that "Fight throw screens" mentality. I know people are down on Mo, but on the defensive end, he is staying with his man. That "in the bigger picture" is how we can win.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Miller's inability to shoot the 3 and lack of speed on the defensive end would become a big problem. We couldn't have that "Fight throw screens" mentality. I know people are down on Mo, but on the defensive end, he is staying with his man. That "in the bigger picture" is how we can win.

When Miller was here, Nate's defensive philosophy called or switches on screens; guys weren't asked to fight over them. Miller would be better matched up on twos than ones, but the difference between Mo and Miller on defense isn't as great as you make it out to be.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yeah.

One question though, how has he been playing this year? I haven't really kept up as much with the rest of the league this year.

Not bad, but not great. 6 ppg and 3.5 assists in 19 minutes. 15 PER

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I'm happy with Mo as well. Miller is good too but then we're getting into more of a structure halfcourt offense instead of uptempo basketball which has worked out really well. Having Nic and Dorwell Wright as point forwards and great passing and ball movement makes up for the playmaking deficiencies of our PGs. Its all part of the system, having a point guard controlling the tempo of this team may result in a different ebb and flow of the blazers offense.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm happy with Mo as well. Miller is good too but then we're getting into more of a structure halfcourt offense instead of uptempo basketball which has worked out really well. Having Nic and Dorwell Wright as point forwards and great passing and ball movement makes up for the playmaking deficiencies of our PGs. Its all part of the system, having a point guard controlling the tempo of this team may result in a different ebb and flow of the blazers offense.

Dame played some of his best basketball when we had Maynor running the point last season. I don't think Mo and Dame play well together at all. To me, that alone makes it worth trying a more traditional point guard off the bench.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'm happy with Mo as well. Miller is good too but then we're getting into more of a structure halfcourt offense instead of uptempo basketball which has worked out really well. Having Nic and Dorwell Wright as point forwards and great passing and ball movement makes up for the playmaking deficiencies of our PGs. Its all part of the system, having a point guard controlling the tempo of this team may result in a different ebb and flow of the blazers offense.

Right now it's more ebb than flow with Mo running the point, maybe he'll get better as the season wears on, but I don't think he's doing anything that irreplaceable or indispensable.

 

[Natebishop3]

Right now it's more ebb than flow with Mo running the point, maybe he'll get better as the season wears on, but I don't think he's doing anything that irreplaceable or indispensable.

Mo might average more points, but if Miller can get more out of Robinson and Wright, and more importantly Lillard, then he instantly becomes a better option.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Dame played some of his best basketball when we had Maynor running the point last season. I don't think Mo and Dame play well together at all. To me, that alone makes it worth trying a more traditional point guard off the bench.

So you would trade Mo Williams for Andre Miller, at this point in the season, knowing how well this team is gelling with each other? Some things don't show up in the box score or hell, even on the court. They're playing well. Small moves, sure. Major moves that disrupt what the team is doing so well and changing the entire offense of the team when we're 16-3? Not so much.

This is like trading Aldridge for crap and draft picks.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

rosterbating is silly at this juncture, and its just bad form to sign guys like mo or wright and then trade them, they are both great guys to have off the bench right now