Impressions on preseason so far

[AldoTrapani]

That's pretty much the definition of a bust though. He should have been a late first rounder. Not the 10th pick in the draft. He's a clear bust based on where he was picked.

Exactly. That’s why I hate Zach Collins because of where he was drafted. If he was the 27th or whatever pick sure he’s good for his value. But trading two picks in the 1st round to move up to get him top 10? Helllll nooooo...

You do that type of shit for Bam Aydebao or Donovan Mitchell. One of Neils biggest fuck ups drafting Collins

 

[e_blazer]

That is the crux of the issue. Everyone seems to value what CJ brings differently.... So no one can agree what 'equal or greater' value actually is.

It appears that NO sees CJ as a franchise cornerstone. I personally think that view is severely over-valuing CJ. He is a mid-tier starter in the NBA (~75th best player - out of 150-starter positions).

I guess we differ there. I’m of the opinion that CJ would likely be a star if he were given his own team to run. Ultimately, the only opinions that matter are those of Olshey and the GM he might make a deal with.

 

[Natebishop3]

I guess we differ there. I’m of the opinion that CJ would likely be a star if he were given his own team to run. Ultimately, the only opinions that matter are those of Olshey and the GM he might make a deal with.

But that's really the crux of the issue. CJ is not running at 100% because he needs to be in Dame's role. So we're getting a reduced CJ because he isn't playing at full strength. With that said, CJ does what Dame does, only not as well.

 

[e_blazer]

But that's really the crux of the issue. CJ is not running at 100% because he needs to be in Dame's role. So we're getting a reduced CJ because he isn't playing at full strength. With that said, CJ does what Dame does, only not as well.

Agreed. If Olshey decides to trade him at some point, he needs to find a GM that thinks CJ can step into a starting PG spot and become a star level player running his own team...and is willing to trade other good player(s) to Portland based on that valuation.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Agreed. If Olshey decides to trade him at some point, he needs to find a GM that thinks CJ can step into a starting PG spot and become a star level player running his own team...and is willing to trade other good player(s) to Portland based on that valuation.

IMO, Orlando's our best bet on that.

 

[James lamphear]

Another note about Giles v Collins that I think goes a little under the radar when evaluating players, especially bigs: hands.

Giles has them. Collins meanwhile has struggled throughout his career so far imo. He drops a lot of balls, and a lot of them slip through. I don’t know what the measurements are on either guy but I’m pretty confident that Giles has bigger mitts, and it shows. It’s a pretty important trait for a big; rebounding, finishing in traffic, etc etc.

Giles has really big hands.

 

[James lamphear]

Exactly. That’s why I hate Zach Collins because of where he was drafted. If he was the 27th or whatever pick sure he’s good for his value. But trading two picks in the 1st round to move up to get him top 10? Helllll nooooo...

You do that type of shit for Bam Aydebao or Donovan Mitchell. One of Neils biggest fuck ups drafting Collins

One those picks was Giles so really we have gave up 1 pick.

 

[e_blazer]

IMO, Orlando's our best bet on that.

Do you have your eye on Aaron Gordon, perchance?

 

[James lamphear]

Zach is not a bust by long ways. Do consider him a bust because he doesn't score a lot of points there really a reason one he basically came off the bench and 2 when started he was the 5th option. Until Zach gets opportunity to shots 12-15 shots a game he will never average high in scoring. Yes loose the ball do to he brings the ball down a lot but guess what you else loose ball a lot Nurk. You know else make some silly turnovers Dame an CJ but want getting out everyone turns the ball over. But want Zach does well his defense and he accepted his role and little things that's not on no stat sheet so some of you need get over yourself about Collins not have these huge stats like other players that came out of that drafted. Remember they are in in different situation on there teams and would they eye popping stats if they was in Zach situation probably not because everyone of them would be coming off the bench someone. If mitchell or Bam they would behind Dame or CJ or Nurk so they to places where they could excel and got big opportunity on there teams.

 

[Scalma]

Giles has really big hands.

I looked it up out of curiosity. Giles had the biggest hands at the ‘17 combine. Just for comparisons sake, his hands are the same size as Steven Adams’.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Do you have your eye on Aaron Gordon, perchance?

Just looking for a team that needs a point guard and has some semblance of assets.

 

[BonesJones]

1. I think it would solve the salary problem allowing us to re-sign DJJ, then do whatever we want with our RFAs and get more talent with the MLE after that.
2. You've been stating this like it's a fact for a while but it's just your opinion. I think when CJ is out of the game this season might change your perspective but I guess we'll see.

We wouldnt get far enough under the cap to open up more than the MLE.

It has a fact that CJ makes us a better team. Cmon now...

 

[BonesJones]

Not being argumentative but i always kind of thought that was what it was used for?
Now i do understand the players had different roles on teams that were at a different place as far as talent and records are concerned. So that would have to be a variable? One of them was being asked to be a fourth or even at times fifth option and the other was being asked to carry much more of their load. I do wonder what those same stats would look like if they were in opposite situations?

Yeah that variable you have to account for by stating the context which you did well.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Yeah, it's really early to be making any of these assessments. We don't know what Gary is going to look like this season, while we have a pretty sure thing in what we know CJ will be. Maybe Gary isn't even as good as he was in the bubble but maybe he's improved just as much as he did between last season and the season before and this time he's added getting his own to his arsenal but is also a willing passer who takes open shots. We'll just have to wait and see.

Are you familiar with aesop's fables?

There is a story in one of the books I will never forget.

A St. Bernard has caught a nice juicy steak and he is trotting home with it in his mouth.
He comes to a creek with a bridge and crosses over. When he gets to the middle he stops and looks down at the creek.

What he sees is a reflection of himself holding the steak. But the steak in the reflection is bigger than the one in his mouth.

So the dog lets go of what he has to bend down and bite/take the larger one in the reflection...thus losing both.


Now. Lets say we trade CJ... then GTJ lets himself hit the market like he has said and signs elsewhere. Now depending on the return of CJ, we may have some pcs still or not.


Point being, the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

 

[wizenheimer]

Another note about Giles v Collins that I think goes a little under the radar when evaluating players, especially bigs: hands.

Giles has them. Collins meanwhile has struggled throughout his career so far imo. He drops a lot of balls, and a lot of them slip through. I don’t know what the measurements are on either guy but I’m pretty confident that Giles has bigger mitts, and it shows. It’s a pretty important trait for a big; rebounding, finishing in traffic, etc etc.

the last two numbers are hand length then hand width:

 

[Buffalo Custard]

It's tough to underachieve in the preseason. So far, the Blazers have managed it.

 

[Zach Collins Enthusiast]

When we close out on the shooters, we need to get there, actualy put a hand in their face, trying to block the shot.
The problem is, our backcourt is so bad at keeping their man in front of them, so he gets to the paint and the entire defense collapses leaving shooters wide open.

 

[oldfisherman]

Serious question.
Is Stotts ok, health wise?

Just watched his interview after last nights game. My impression was he has lost weight, and did not look well. Plus he kept swaying back and forth, like he was fighting hard to hold himself upright and not fall over.

 

[TBpup]

Serious question.
Is Stotts ok, health wise?

Just watched his interview after last nights game. My impression was he has lost weight, and did not look well. Plus he kept swaying back and forth, like he was fighting hard to hold himself upright and not fall over.

Hope he is okay. Wish him the best of health....in an early retirement.

 

[illmatic99]

Serious question.
Is Stotts ok, health wise?

Just watched his interview after last nights game. My impression was he has lost weight, and did not look well. Plus he kept swaying back and forth, like he was fighting hard to hold himself upright and not fall over.

Thought he looked as normal

 

[BBert]

My impression of preseason so far: The Blazers look like a bunch of guys who have never played together before getting creamed by the Dream Team.

 

[Mr. Robot]

trade nurk while we can still get something for him

 

[BonesJones]

trade nurk while we can still get something for him

Thanks for the facepalm

 

[Mr. Robot]

Thanks for the facepalm

 

[e_blazer]

So, basically, the Blazers have four days to learn how to play NBA-level basketball.

 

[Hoopguru]

Sell high.....

 

[julius]

I do remember the 2000 Lakers team looked like ass in the pre-season.

Of course, I'm not saying the Blazers are on par with that team, but at least there's that silver lining.

 

[Cugel]

They may have a chance to beat the Bulls 1-7 start

 

[tlongII]

We have a lot of work to do. Might be a rocky start, but I think we'll get it together about 20 games in.

 

[wizenheimer]

the defense will improve; I think that's certain (can't be much worse). Not sure it can improve enough to be a top-10 defense with Dame/CJ at the top of the rotation (although Portland was 8th in DR in 2018....but they had Ed Davis)

the overlooked component of defense is defensive rebounding. 3 years ago Blazers were 5th in defensive rebounding; 2 years ago they were 9th; last year, they were 27th

but then Olshey made a bet last off-season that he could sacrifice defense and rebounding in favor of offense. It was a bad bet. He might have over-corrected this off-season in favor of defense while still ignoring defensive rebounding (and post defense). The Blazers have to significantly improve their defensive rebounding over last season. Going with Roco as the PF makes that a huge challenge