I love our bench

[The Professional Fan]

It was the 2012-2013 season. If you measure it by bench scoring, our bench averaged an NBA low (by a huge margin) 18.5 ppg (Indy was second worse at 24.1 ppg). But that doesn't tell the whole story, if you look at bench Deff (efficiency differential), we were dead last at -17.7 (Indiana was second worse at -9.4).

Here's how our bench scoring and bench Deff have progressed over the last 4 seasons:

2012-13:
Bench Scoring = 18.5 ppg, Rank = 30th
Deff = -17.7, Rank = 30

2013-14:
Bench Scoring = 23.6 ppg, Rank = 30th
Deff = -8.4, Rank = 27

2014-15:
Bench Scoring = 27.4 ppg, Rank = 27th
Deff = +1.4, Rank = 11

2015-16:
Bench Scoring = 34.4 ppg, Rank = 19th
Deff = +5.5, Rank = 4th

Note: We still don't have an exceptionally high scoring bench (although it's MUCH better than 4 seasons ago), but I think that is by design. Stotts always leaves one of Lillard or C.J. on the floor so we have one big time scorer on the floor at all times with the ball in his hands. So, although C.J. is a starter, he's the number 1 scoring option with our second unit. Since Deff also includes, rebounding, shot blocking, passing, field goal percentage, etc., guys like Ed Davis, who isn't a big time scorer, but is one of the best rebounders in the league off the bench, have a significant impact on our bench Deff ranking.

What I really like is the progression. We went from a historically bad bench (the worst in league history) that was a huge liability and incapable of holding a lead, to a bench that is a big asset and regularly increases our leads. I mean look at that Deff progression, from 30th (by a HUGE margin) to 4th in the entire league. I'd say Neil has done a great job upgrading our bench and Terry is doing a great job utilizing those guys in combinations that maximize their individual skill sets.

We're still not the Spurs (42.0 ppg, +13.1 Deff), but we're a damn sight closer than we were just two years ago.

All stats courtesy hoopsstats.com.

BNM

That was awesome. Thanks.

 

[BBert]

Kenneth Faried, Jimmy Butler, Chandler Parsons, Isaiah Thomas.

Our GM? Interim GM Chad Buchanan.

Ouch

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Man, it's crazy to me that 34.4 is 19th best in the league....

To be fair, we don't have a creator off the bench. We just have all hustle guys and a 3 point shooter.

 

[Strenuus]

Leonard has had a ton of good games for us that have helped us win. He's one of the best bench big men in the league.

No. He sucks.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I love the beach! At Lincoln City! It's gorgeous out! Dog, Mrs Spd and I have already played in the ocean. Amazing weather for Feb. See you guys later!

 

[riverman]

I love the beach! At Lincoln City! It's gorgeous out! Dog, Mrs Spd and I have already played in the ocean. Amazing weather for Feb. See you guys later!

Didn't you see the NO DOGS sign on the beach?

 

[Boob-No-More]

Man, it's crazy to me that 34.4 is 19th best in the league....

That's a reflection of a general trend for coaches playing starters fewer minutes. Call it the Popovich Effect. Fewer minutes for the starters == more minutes for the bench == more bench scoring. Gone are the days of guys averaging > 40 MPG. Just last year, 34.4 ppg would have ranked 13th in the league for bench scoring. Two years ago, it would have been top 10 in bench scoring. Back in 2008-2009, just seven seasons ago, the Blazers ranked second in the entire league in bench scoring at 34.6 ppg. The times, they are a changing.

BNM

 

[stampedehero]

Our bench reminds me of the Spurs benches over the years..and why Pops rests his starters more than any team in the league. Because he can still win games with his bench more often than not.

This is the 10 game win streak we go on every year except its MORE

 

[Wizard Mentor]

This bench is the reason why we are fighting for playoff spot right now. Without them we are a lottery team.

against Utah, the starters saved us, the bench didn't perform well. But that's not a knock on the bench, on the contrary. Sometimes our bench doesn't play well and we can win. Sometimes our starters play poorly, and we can still win. Maybe that's what a real team is!

 

[Boob-No-More]

against Utah, the starters saved us, the bench didn't perform well. But that's not a knock on the bench, on the contrary. Sometimes our bench doesn't play well and we can win. Sometimes our starters play poorly, and we can still win. Maybe that's what a real team is!

Henderson, Crabbe and Leonard all had off shooting nights, but Ed Davis (11 points on 4 - 4 FG and 5 reb) and Maurice Harkless (17 points on 5 - 9 shooting and 7 rebounds, 6 offensive) were huge. Altogether, Utah's bench outscored ours by 1 point (39 - 38). Even with three guys having off nights, our bench still held their own.

BNM

 

[riverman]

Ed Davis came off the bench, got steals and converted which started the momentum for the whole team. I'd give him the game ball for the Utah win even though he didn't score 30pts...he made his presence known on defense..set guys up. I frickin' love Ed Davis..

 

[oldmangrouch]

Lovely wood grain, nice color stain....yes, it is very nice.

 

[Draco]

Haven't read thread yet but yeah I'm so pumped for our bench too! It really helps having CJ or Dame always in the game then a bunch of lanky wings alongside them. Also having everyone except CJ Dame play under 30mins so they can hustle their butts off. Being so young and hungry the players all do whatever Stotts wants. Compare that to LMA who was set in his ways and going to "get his". It took the young guys a while to learn their roles; they're so athletic.

I almost think of Plumlee, Vonleh and Aminu as part of our bench too. There's games Ed is far more effective than Plumlee or Vonleh plays 14 mins. If we had 35mpg starters in their place our same bench players aren't near as impactful.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Henderson, Crabbe and Leonard all had off shooting nights, but Ed Davis (11 points on 4 - 4 FG and 5 reb) and Maurice Harkless (17 points on 5 - 9 shooting and 7 rebounds, 6 offensive) were huge. Altogether, Utah's bench outscored ours by 1 point (39 - 38). Even with three guys having off nights, our bench still held their own.

BNM

I was referring to the player's +/-. All of the starters had positive +/-, all of the bench players had negative +/-. Sometimes it'll be the other way around.
http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400828719

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Didn't you see the NO DOGS sign on the beach?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I love the beach! At Lincoln City! It's gorgeous out! Dog, Mrs Spd and I have already played in the ocean. Amazing weather for Feb. See you guys later!

Oh, he said bench. My bad. I love the bench and the beach.

 

[WillG]

Tres Chic !
What a Dapper silhouette you cast!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Tres Chic !
What a Dapper silhouette you cast!

LOL!

 

[riverman]

Tres Chic !
What a Dapper silhouette you cast!

That's actually Mrs SPD

 

[WillG]

That's actually Mrs SPD

GULP!
Good god in all that is holy in the name of the canine deities . . .

 

[SlyPokerDog]

That's actually Mrs SPD

Are you saying my woman is a bitch? Next forum get together... next forum get together... Riverman... POW!