“I’m just out there, and that’s frustrating,’’ Harkless said. “I’m just out there playing defense, which is cool … running back and forth. Out there running track.’’
In the words of coach Pop....if you want the ball it's right there...go get it
The perfect response to a whine from Mo “Mr. Passive” Harkless........
Its a result of Stotts...
I’ve said before Dame is my favorite Blazer of all time... and I like CJ too... I just don’t like the combo together... too much dribbling, not enough size... CJ needs to be traded now before his value starts to diminish
It’s funny how Stotts was the architect of the Dallas offense that won an NBA championship but it’s his fault there is no movement in offense... he does deserve blame, not because he is a terrible coach, but because he doesn’t hold Dame and more specifically CJ accountable for their ISO ball... he lets McLillard do whatever they please
He's regressed as a coach, and Carlisle had some impact on the offense. Even then, the under consisted of many Dirk isolations.
The problem is I don’t think anyone will get CJ to change his game at this point... he is 27 years old next season and has not achieved the personal accolades he thinks he deserves... he will keep going 1 on 3 in Allen Iverson mode
Players can adapt. He said he knows he needs to which is the first step.
I wouldn’t want to bet on him changing the way he has played his whole life at 27 years old and miss an opportunity to maximize his trade value... wait another season and his trade value dramatically decreases... you know deep down in your heart this team is going nowhere... Warriors, Rockets, Pelicans, Jazz... this teams is going nowhere with McLillard
I don’t think trading CJ is a terrible idea, but it depends on a lot of factors. Biggest of which to me is how valuable is CJ? There is a good probability that the only packages available make the Blazers make worse in which case, wel you don’t trade him just to downgrade.
Disagree. Harkless has a history of mental fragility. There’s a reason Orlando (besides their stupidity in general) basically gave him away for nothing.....
Sometimes you have to take one step back to move two steps forward... rolling with the same core and hoping things get better and other teams don’t improve is insane... we were one fluke win streak away from not making playoffs... you can’t avoid reality as much as Neil is trying to avoid it... they had full training camp together and fewest injuries in league... there are no excuses... McLillrd as the core/foundation is flawed... couldn’t even win 1 playoff game against mediocre Pelicans team
Lillards not a part of it. Almost 7 assists a game in an offense set up to isolate him without shooters around him or off-ball movement. That's pretty damn good.
While i think CJ / Lillard have their flaws. I’d like to see them with a different coach. I think the Pelicans series especially showed that Gentry was able to basically coach circles around Stotts. When the other team is trapping you at half court there should be a lot of room in the paint to exploit but not the Blazers it was let’s stand and watched Dame and CJ get double / triple teamed while we stand and hope for a 3 pointers.
I dint really disagree.. But the ISO ball is a result of Stotts and there's no doubt our offense is isolation heavy.
The biggest problem with waiting another year to trade CJ is it will diminish the return Portland gets... Blazers will not finish 3rd seed again, so CJ’s value will only go down after a disappointing finish and being one year older... why delay the inevitable
When Mo starts making the most of every opportunity then I believe the ISO ball will start loosening up (at least somewhat). Mo has to prove he can be consistent before Stotts (or any other coach) will trust him as a “go to” guy....on any kind of a regular basis. I like Mo but he has a tendency to disappear when things aren’t going his way.....
No one has really figured out how to tell the future yet. What if Dame gets hurt CJ leads them to a 5-6 seed and averages 28-29 points a game, his trade value would be sky high. My point is there is no way really say for sure he will be worth less next year.
It's hard to build a rythym without a steady diet of touches.
No, Mo has a tendency to disappear when he is wide open in the corner and CJ goes 1 on 3 instead... doesn’t matter who you trade for or what free agent you sign, they will not be successful without consistent touches because of McLillard ISO ball
Bro, why do you lump Lillard in? He plays less iso ball than Shabazz, CJ, and ET.
Gentry was as shocked as Stotts at how that series went...his team just clicked...couldn't miss a shot for 4 straight games..we couldn't make one..that's the story
That is such a pathetic excuse!!! Come on man! They just clicked... talk about no accountability! This is the kind of shit that really pisses me off... that may fly for 1 game but not 4 games in a row
I’d buy that so much more of GS didn’t wipe the floor with NO so easily. The Blazers played into NO’s hands so much. They didn’t get to loose balls, they turned the ball over on lazy plays.
