Hickson's defense sucks

[KeepOnRollin]

What that tells me is the 6'9" guy we got on a cheap contract is holding his own playing out of position against other starting centers. Not sure how you can find fault with that. He has exceeded all expectations. He's the 5th option on offense, yet averages a double-double.

Yes, he has trouble guarding taller players, but rebounding is also part of defense. Even though he averages less than 30 MPG (the least of all our starters), Hickson is 7th in the league in offensive rebounds, 8th in defensive rebounds, 6th in total rebounds and 6th in RPG.

What's even more impressive are his rebound percentages. He's 6th in ORB%, 4th in DRB% and 4th in TRB%. Hickson is an elite level rebounder - and that's that's what this team needs. We'd be getting killed on the boards without him.

He's also 7th in the league in FG%. As the 5th option, the team doesn't run many plays for him. He gets most of his points off offensive rebounds and broken plays.

Do we need an upgrade at starting center? Definitely. We need someone bigger who is a better defender. Hopefully, Meyers Leonard can become that guy, but he's not there now, not even close. Hickson is a great stop gap, temporary solution. It's really hard to assemble an entire staring line-up of above average players. If your 5th best starter manages to hold his own, that's pretty damn good.

And yes, we wouldn't be close to .500 without Hickson right now. Remove him from the starting line-up and our starting line-up would be much worse. And, promoting Meyers Leonard to starting center makes the worst bench in NBA history even worse.

I don't know if we can, but I'd love to keep Hickson. I now that isn't the popular stance round here, but I don't think we're going to get anyone better for less money. He's not a star, but he's a great hustle guy and a great role player. He scores efficiently and is an elite rebounder. That's not bad for your 5th starter, but would be better if he eventually comes off the bench to back up both the 4 and 5 (when Leonard is ready to start). If he can hold his own against other starting centers, just imagine how he would destroy back-up 4 and 5s.

BNM

Agree with all of this. People know it but it is like they forget that he is a PF playing out of position against Centers. Of course he would be better playing his natural position against other PFs instead.

I would keep Hickson up to 7.5 MIL (probably not a penny over though). He might not only be your premier backup PF but he could also be the backup Center in limited minutes if for some reason you either dealt Leonard for a Center or had to play Leonard as the only Center on the roster.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

There were many people on this board saying Blazers should not match for Batum because he would be overpaid and not worth it . . .

Exactly. Many more then will admit it now too. It wasn't here but I will admit that the initial shock of the number had me saying the same thing on Olive. I came around before he ultimately signed though.

 

[Mediocre Man]

You seem to use Stott's decision making about Leonard's playing time to prove your point about the effectiveness of him. Doesn't the same hold true for how Stotts uses Babbit and and Leonard. In the 4th quater he puts Hickson in for defesive stops and Babbit in for offenseive possessions.

I was at the game so don't know what Mike and Mike said, but just to be clear, you think Babbit is a better defender than Hickson?

I think both are horrible, but I do think Babbitt is a better team defender, yes

He did not put Hickson in for defense. He put him in for rebounding

 

[magnifier661]

Exactly. Many more then will admit it now too. It wasn't here but I will admit that the initial shock of the number had me saying the same thing on Olive. I came around before he ultimately signed though.

I admitted it!

 

[Mediocre Man]

Agree with all of this. People know it but it is like they forget that he is a PF playing out of position against Centers. Of course he would be better playing his natural position against other PFs instead.

I would keep Hickson up to 7.5 MIL (probably not a penny over though). He might not only be your premier backup PF but he could also be the backup Center in limited minutes if for some reason you either dealt Leonard for a Center or had to play Leonard as the only Center on the roster.

He is not much better at PF

 

[magnifier661]

He is not much better at PF

If he was to play against other team's bench players wouldn't be an advantage us?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

But, if we resign him, he won't be our back-up PF/C immediately. He will continue to start until Meyers Leonard is ready to assume the starting role a year or to down the road. You guys have seen Meyers Leonard play haven't you? I love the kid's energy, attitude and potential (based on his size and athleticism), but I don't know if I've ever seen anyone less ready to be an NBA starter. The kid is RAW, very, very RAW. He needs time to develop, a LOT of time.

Unless we miss the play-offs and get lucky in the lottery, we're not going to get a better big man than Hickson for less money. And, even if we do get lucky in the lottery, we'd probably end up with a young kid that's no more ready to start than Meyers Leonard.

For all those on this board who want to dump Hickson, I have yet to see anyone offer an example of a better big man we could get for less money. Be real folks, we aren't getting Dwight Howard no matter how much cap space we have. Portland just isn't a mecca for attracting top tier free agents. We couldn't even get Roy Fucking Hibbert to come here. What practical options are there that would be better than J.J. Hickson, either short term or long term?

Pay the man his $8 - $9 million and be happy. Use the rest of the cap space and our 1st round pick to strengthen our anemic bench. Continue to develop Meyers Leonard and move him into the starting line-up when he's ready. At that point, Hickson becomes the perfect 6th man backing up both front court positions.

Due to Hickson's ability to veto any trade, and forfeit his Bird Rights if he does, there's no way were moving him before the trade line. So, stop fantasizing about it happening. Accept what we have and embrace it. Hickson is here for the rest of the season, and hopefully beyond.

BNM

Really the only one people mention is Pekovic but that isn't no guarantee. First we would have to renounce Hickson to even think about it and then we would have to offer MAX to even tempt the Timberpuppies not to match. Then after all that, guess what? They can match.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

He is not much better at PF

For the record I disagree with this.

Small sample size but he did very well as our starting PF last season at the end of the year with LMA out.

 

[Mediocre Man]

If he was to play against other team's bench players wouldn't be an advantage us?

No idea? One would think so

 

[Mediocre Man]

For the record I disagree with this.

Small sample size but he did very well as our starting PF last season at the end of the year with LMA out.

He had a lower PER last year in Portland at PF than he does this year at C, and his PER against numbers were higher last year at PF as well. Sample size and all that, but those are the numbers

 

[KeepOnRollin]

He had a lower PER last year in Portland at PF than he does this year at C, and his PER against numbers were higher last year at PF as well. Sample size and all that, but those are the numbers

.2 Lower PER? Those stats are from the whole time with POR. He only started the last 9 games. In those games he put up numbers of 17 pts/game and 10.5 rbs/game. He was also the main guy so he was getting more attention from the Defense then this year where he has Aldridge taking on the load.

Not sure why we would bother haggling over a 20.2 vs 20.4 PER. Both are crazy high.

 

[Mediocre Man]

.2 Lower PER? Those stats are from the whole time with POR. He only started the last 9 games. In those games he put up numbers of 17 pts/game and 10.5 rbs/game. He was also the main guy so he was getting more attention from the Defense then this year where he has Aldridge taking on the load.

Not sure why we would bother haggling over a 20.2 vs 20.4 PER. Both are crazy high.

Both are great for sure

23/13 vs 21/14 W
13/10 vs 24/9 L
10/13 vs 3/5 L
22/8 vs 19/6 L
16/9 vs 6/8 L
23/13 vs 13/11 L
14/10 vs 18/8 L
20/9 vs 15/5 L

Was he really that much better than any of these guys in "beast mode"?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Both are great for sure

23/13 vs 21/14 W
13/10 vs 24/9 L
10/13 vs 3/5 L
22/8 vs 19/6 L
16/9 vs 6/8 L
23/13 vs 13/11 L
14/10 vs 18/8 L
20/9 vs 15/5 L

Was he really that much better than any of these guys in "beast mode"?

Sure looks like it to me. But we both have our view and it probably won't change. I don't think Hickson is a must-have but I do think he is a good-have vs striking out.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Well said. Hickson likes Portland, the city and his teammates. If, big IF, we can make the money work (for both parties) I think he'll except the super-sub role.

If somebody offers him more money and a starting spot, then you can kiss his ass goodbye.