ESPN ......Best Offseason Moves

[THE HCP]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/stor...ard-rockets-tops-best-offseason-moves-far-nba

Robin Lopez and Mo Williams to the Portland Trail Blazers

At 22-4 (two-thirds of the way to their 2012-13 win total of 33), the Blazers are off to perhaps the most surprising start in the NBA, and much of that has to do with the addition of Lopez and Williams, who solidified two of Portland's biggest needs over the offseason: Rim protection and bench scoring, respectively, while also making life easier for Portland's two stars, Aldridge and Damian Lillard.

For Lopez, a player I helped the Phoenix Suns draft out of Stanford, he is fulfilling the promise he showed in college as a high-IQ defensive player who can be a force on the offensive boards (ORB%: 14.5). He's an excellent screener who creates a ton of space for both pick-and-roll ball handlers and shooters moving off screens, and is one of the best finishers in the pick-and-roll in the league. Defensively, his ability to move his feet and adjust has improved over the last few years, when he was recovering from a back injury suffered in 2010 that robbed him of almost 8 inches in his max vertical leap. Most importantly, his post defense has spared Aldridge punishment on the defensive end, while Lopez's boxing out has helped Aldridge post the highest defensive rebounding numbers of his career.

Williams, on the other hand, has provided the type of scoring punch and offense creation that Portland lacked a year ago. I recently wrote how his ability to knock down midrange shots has tremendously helped the Blazers' offense, and he is an added playmaker on the floor (AST%: 28) who allows Lillard to shift off-ball and focus on scoring. Williams' presence also helps buy Lillard more rest, keeping him fresh for end-of-game situations, which Portland has excelled in this season after largely struggling last campaign.

 

[Natebishop3]

John.... this was posted days ago. You're slippin.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

No, it can't be. Mo Williams is garbage, ship him out now!

 

[THE HCP]

John.... this was posted days ago. You're slippin.

Damn, I must be. Just saw it this morning for the first time. Man, between my schedule and Christmas......I AM losing it! Un-Rep me if you must.

 

[Natebishop3]

Damn, I must be. Just saw it this morning for the first time. Man, between my schedule and Christmas......I AM losing it! Un-Rep me if you must.

You're setting a bad example for the rookies. Get your shit together man!

 

[THE HCP]

I promise I'll step my game up!

 

[HailBlazers]

No, it can't be. Mo Williams is garbage, ship him our now!

Repped

 

[Mediocre Man]

I promise I'll step my game up!

Things overheard on HCP's wedding night for $1000, Alex

 

[THE HCP]

Things overheard on HCP's wedding night for $1000, Alex

Well typed