"If the Blazers don't make it out of the first round..."

[BigGameDamian]

Sounds like the team will be sold so the poll very well could be a moot situation.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Sounds like the team will be sold so the poll very well could be a moot situation.

Based off of...?

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Again Dame is not a short PG in today's NBA so lets take him out of the discussion. Now I will agree that CJ height can effects his passing but comparatively speaking to other SG's he has very little problem getting his shot off against longer players. He actually excels at it.

CJ excels at getting his shot off yes, but he also usually needs to dribble a lot to create space to do it. The Space CJ needs to shoot is much more then say Klay, James Harden, Derozan, his dribble moves are amazing, but it is still a challenge.

 

[hoopsjock]

I think the two small guards theory has merit, is it their only problem? No.
Two small guards create challenges other teams may not have, the easy one that everyone points to is on the defensive end, and they lack the ability to switch that really common in today's NBA, but I think it affects them on offense too. Height effects passing lanes, and their ability to see the court like taller players, they tend to have to work really hard to get their shots and can't as easily just shoot over smaller defenders, because it's rare they are being guarded by a smaller guy. It's part of why I love the idea of using Nurkic as a facilitator.

I'm not sure the size has much to do with it. A couple seasons ago I think Dame actually graded out as one of the top post defenders in the league (weird variance I'm sure) but you can also look at shooting guards like DeRozan and Harden who do have the size and aren't good defenders either. Despite the small back court the Blazers had a top-10 defense last year.

I'm more interested in why Stotts hardly ever subs out CJ in particular (but probably Dame too) on critical defensive possessions at the end of games or when they know they are going to use a timeout after a particular opponents possession.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I'm not sure the size has much to do with it. A couple seasons ago I think Dame actually graded out as one of the top post defenders in the league (weird variance I'm sure) but you can also look at shooting guards like DeRozan and Harden who do have the size and aren't good defenders either. Despite the small back court the Blazers had a top-10 defense last year.

I'm more interested in why Stotts hardly ever subs out CJ in particular (but probably Dame too) on critical defensive possessions at the end of games or when they know they are going to use a timeout after a particular opponents possession.

Length is one of the most sought after physical attributes when looking for good defenders. Their top 10 defense got pretty shredder at times, especially the playoffs. I'm not saying they can't win with Dame and CJ but playing two guys who are basically PG height does create interesting challenges for them to overcome. DeRozan and Harden can be good defenders when they want to be, they just don't want to be very often. I think both of them are ok 1 on 1 defenders, but where you see the trouble is that they don't have the length to recover and challenges shooters like other taller rangier wings do.

 

[Pinwheel1]

CJ excels at getting his shot off yes, but he also usually needs to dribble a lot to create space to do it. The Space CJ needs to shoot is much more then say Klay, James Harden, Derozan, his dribble moves are amazing, but it is still a challenge.

I still would not consider his height an issue on offense. Is he a great defensive player? no but his height is not the reason. For the most part the guards who easily score on Dame and CJ are also scoring easily on every other guard duo as well, regardless of their height. Two extra inches inches (in this particular scenario) do not make much difference. Replacing him with a taller guard will not necessarily make a difference in the playoffs, especially if that player is offensively challenged.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I still would not consider his height an issue on offense. Is he a great defensive player? no but his height is not the reason. For the most part the guards who easily score on Dame and CJ are also scoring easily on every other guard duo as well, regardless of their height. Two extra inches inches (in this particular scenario) do not make much difference. Replacing him with a taller guard will not necessarily make a difference in the playoffs, especially if that player is offensively challenged.

I think the reason traps work so well against them is partially their height. No one traps 6’8 dudes because theres an open guy they’ll pass over the top too.
I mean i sort of agree with you, but I think height is a challenge for them.

 

[James lamphear]

I still would not consider his height an issue on offense. Is he a great defensive player? no but his height is not the reason. For the most part the guards who easily score on Dame and CJ are also scoring easily on every other guard duo as well, regardless of their height. Two extra inches inches (in this particular scenario) do not make much difference. Replacing him with a taller guard will not necessarily make a difference in the playoffs, especially if that player is offensively challenged.

CJ offense is alright when play within the team concept but I don't like when he out there doing his fancy dribble just to get a shot off and he forgets there 4 other guys out there. His passing is not good especially trying pass over guys that's leads to turnover and at times Dame has the same problem. CJ when playing against bigger 2 they can shoot over him. Now Dame have the same problem due we switched so much. Your right about Dame at PG s size. I am not real big on 2 guards shorter then 6'5 inches tall Ijust feel like they have trouble on the defense side of the ball.

 

[Pinwheel1]

CJ offense is alright when play within the team concept but I don't like when he out there doing his fancy dribble just to get a shot off and he forgets there 4 other guys out there. His passing is not good especially trying pass over guys that's leads to turnover and at times Dame has the same problem. CJ when playing against bigger 2 they can shoot over him. Now Dame have the same problem due we switched so much. Your right about Dame at PG s size. I am not real big on 2 guards shorter then 6'5 inches tall Ijust feel like they have trouble on the defense side of the ball.

I would rethink that. For the last 4 years, the guards on the All NBA Defensive First Team are all under 6'5".

2017-18
First Team

Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers
Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans

2016-17
First Team

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
Patrick Beverly, Houston Rockets


2015-16
First Team

Avery Bradley, Boston Celtics
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers


2014-15
First Team

Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

 

[Strenuus]

Based off of...?

Bot algorithm?

 

[BigGameDamian]

Sounds like the team will be sold so the poll very well could be a moot situation.

Based off of...?

You didn't read the Canzano article last month?

 

[kjironman1]

Why is it odd? Quick brought it up in his podcast yesterday-- seems like a fair question to bring up here.

Well.... Quick is pretty odd and a drama queen. So yeah it's pretty odd when you think of it.

 

[kjironman1]

Sometimes I feel like Dame has too much control over changes to the team.

Better get rid of him "Quick"?

 

[e_blazer]

Why is it odd? Quick brought it up in his podcast yesterday-- seems like a fair question to bring up here.

IMO, it’s odd that Quick brought it up in his podcast at this time. I mean, not odd in terms of today’s sports “journalism”, where reporters like to kick at stuff and see if they can get some notice. More odd in that the team is doing well, is in 4th place, has a better record than at the same time last year, and has just made two moves to improve their roster, and Quick comes out with a doom and gloom what if scenario. What if they make the WCF? Do NO and Terry suddenly become golden? Seems like an equally valid “what if”.

 

[Phatguysrule]

I think you are kind of joking, but I really dislike the bad match up "excuse" that people used with the Pelicans series. Every team at the top of the west has a guy or two who should be a huge matchup problem, the Blazers do too, you're gonna have to beat a team with really good players.

It's not one guy. The Pels should have swept us in the regular season (we beat them twice, without Davis). They freaking had our number with the combo of those two defensive guards, and Davis. Just a bad, bad match up. Now, Stotts could have tried some different things too... no pass there. But it was a bad match up.

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[James lamphear]

I would rethink that. For the last 4 years, the guards on the All NBA Defensive First Team are all under 6'5".

2017-18
First Team

Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers
Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans

2016-17
First Team

Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers
Patrick Beverly, Houston Rockets


2015-16
First Team

Avery Bradley, Boston Celtics
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers


2014-15
First Team

Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies
Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers

Most these guys are not 2 guards and majority of them run there team offense.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

You didn't read the Canzano article last month?

You mean the one that had no actual basis in fact?

No, I didn't, because it was Canzano, and I have standards.

 

[BBert]

You mean the one that had no actual basis in fact?

No, I didn't, because it was Canzano, and I have standards.

Yes, his statement was debated and dismissed.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Most these guys are not 2 guards and majority of them run there team offense.

What are you talking about? Tony Allen played next to Conley, Oladipo played next to Collison, Bradley played with Isaiah Thomas, Holiday played next to Rondo.

Hell even the PG's like Beverly and CP3 cover SG's and SF's at times. CP3 covered Durant last year in the playoffs and did better than anyone else at it.

 

[BBert]

IMO, it’s odd that Quick brought it up in his podcast at this time. I mean, not odd in terms of today’s sports “journalism”, where reporters like to kick at stuff and see if they can get some notice. More odd in that the team is doing well, is in 4th place, has a better record than at the same time last year, and has just made two moves to improve their roster, and Quick comes out with a doom and gloom what if scenario. What if they make the WCF? Do NO and Terry suddenly become golden? Seems like an equally valid “what if”.

Exactly this.

 

[Hoopguru]

Exactly this.

Shock and Aw journalism sells. Like Barfo eluded to me this am that its easier to put someone down than build them up. Vey true is this day of identity sports!

 

[Natebishop3]

Yeah, this forum should be the deciding factor right?

I would settle for someone who isn't emotionally attached to the players

 

[James lamphear]

What are you talking about? Tony Allen played next to Conley, Oladipo played next to Collison, Bradley played with Isaiah Thomas, Holiday played next to Rondo.

Hell even the PG's like Beverly and CP3 cover SG's and SF's at times. CP3 covered Durant last year in the playoffs and did better than anyone else at it.

But I still don't like 2 guards below 6'5. That my preference and you might have yours. With the new rules that has took effect on those players too.

 

[BonesJones]

If they loose in the 1st round it should tell them 2 small guards can't put them over the top to be a contender. Due Dame is the face of the franchise so CJ must be traded. I will say Stotts too due I think Olshey put Stotts in position to get out of the 1st round by adding Kanter and Hood on the roster. Both of these guys should play a lot due the length and offense skills. Plus Hood can guard bigger 2 guards that CJ can't and Hood can do that that also makes CJ expendable.

They're not losing in the post-season because they have two small guards...

 

[James lamphear]

They're not losing in the post-season because they have two small guards...

Your there was a lot reason why we lost that series. But our 2 guards got out play that series by there guards. But with help of the defense scheme they put on them. Yes CJ had some good games but besides Davis our guards got beat on the defense side. Now our coaching should of made adjustments to beat the scheme and they didn't.

 

[BonesJones]

Your there was a lot reason why we lost that series. But our 2 guards got out play that series by there guards. But with help of the defense scheme they put on them. Yes CJ had some good games but besides Davis our guards got beat on the defense side. Now our coaching should of made adjustments to beat the scheme and they didn't.

Exactly.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

In the most recent "Locked-on Blazers" podcast, Quick claims that if the Blazers don't make the 2nd round this year, at least 2, if not all 3, of the following will happen:

• Stotts fired
• Olshey fired
• CJ traded

If you were to predict, which would you go with?

Duh. I'm pretty sure all of us would agree with this. Quick is lazy.