If CJ is back and even in limited minutes can have the kind of impact that some in here think he will, even though we got beat down last time we played Phoenix, we could make this game really competitive. I know Stotts won't likely do this but if CJ only played the minutes off of the bench that Dame didn't, that would be a huge shot in the arm without ever having the disadvantages we get when the two play together. I've seen CJ shooting from a sitting position since the injury, working on his handle and off of one leg shooting too. Last night I saw him on the bench in a suit and he looks like he's in better shape (at least thinner) than when he started training camp. Hell, I think he'll have more days of practice between the time he got cleared until he played than he did in camp before the first preseason game.
The funny thing is, with the way Gary has been shooting and (fuck the numbers) competing on the defensive end. I don't think getting CJ back will have as big of an impact on the starting unit as getting Nurk back will, whenever that happens. I know he won't get as many boards as Enes but if he comes in with a Beast mindset ready to finish strong on offense, we have two really hard working forwards that are capable of getting us a lot of second chances on offense and Nurk occupies more attention from opposing teams than Enes does on both ends.
With overall rotation and given what most think, CJ's comeback will make a huge impact and I'm sure the consensus is that it will be bigger than Nurk's (I know that the minutes he takes from Ant when Dame sits will be a lot immeasurably more productive). I just think what Nurk does will make Dame's life easier and having Kanter off the bench will make our rotation so so so much better.
This second half of the season is incredibly exciting even if it is a tough schedule. If we're healthy, this is the team that Olshey and Stotts wanted. With the way RoCo, DJ and Enes have played any mention of Zach's absence is overblown, if everyone outside of Zach can stay healthy enough to play. We should be able to beat any team in a seven game, if Olshey is right. I hope he is and we make the most serious run at a championship since 1999 when we were for all intents and purposes one Lakers loss away from blowing the doors off of the Pacers and winning it all. Go Blazers!!! Let's get this thing done in the second half and shut me up about getting rid of Olshey, Stotts and CJ.
