It's Time to Start Layman

[BonesJones]

I wonder if starting him is the best decision? He is playing very well coming off the bench and he has been in there at the end of games.

He was playing well as a starter too. He's playing well with the starters even after he's played a ton of minutes straight. You know who's not playing well as a starter? Harkless.

 

[Strenuus]

Just remember,

I'm the reason.

 

[kjironman1]

I'm sorry, was that before or after he got 11 shot attempts?

So it stands to reason that he could have had more shots before he fouled out, correct? He fouled out tonight with 7 shots. Does that mean he could not have had more shot attempts before he fouled out when you just exhibited that he had 11 the game before and he fouled out?

Are you confused, misguided or just plain disingenuous?

Nurk was in foul trouble most of the game. Was not trying to be snarky. Just stating the fact. Nurk was not really an option the way that game was being called. Seems like once you have your center with 4 fouls early in the third quarter that it makes a difference. Sorry you can't see that.

 

[kjironman1]

He was playing well as a starter too. He's playing well with the starters even after he's played a ton of minutes straight. You know who's not playing well as a starter? Harkless.

No argument there. Not a harkless or Aminu fan. Although we all must admit Aminu did bring some energy and defense tonight.

 

[TBpup]

The problem lately is we'll play Layman for more than 12 straight minutes during stretches because he's coming off the bench and is obviously better than Harkless so Stotts just runs his number one characteristic (energy) into the ground. It'd be much better to start Layman, play him 8 minutes, give him a rest, then bring him in for the last 8 minutes instead of running him out there for 16 minutes straight.

This is a point that isn't being emphasized enough. One of Layman's HUGE strengths is his almost constant movement, energy and cuts to the basket. That is difficult to do when you are playing such long stretches. He played something like 17 minutes in a row in the second half tonight I believe.

Starting him, giving him rest, and then going back in with fresh legs would be huge. He can still close games but do it with renewed energy.

Excellent point @BonesJones !!

 

[kjironman1]

This is a point that isn't being emphasized enough. One of Layman's HUGE strengths is his almost constant movement, energy and cuts to the basket. That is difficult to do when you are playing such long stretches. He played something like 17 minutes in a row in the second half tonight I believe.

Starting him, giving him rest, and then going back in with fresh legs would be huge. He can still close games but do it with renewed energy.

Excellent point @BonesJones !!

Or he ends up playing against starters the whole game and players the likes of Lebron/Durant/George make him look mediocre not to mention Rudy Gay and Joe Ingles or even Luka Doncic.
Not saying you are wrong but Jake provides a bunch from the bench at this point.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Nurk was in foul trouble most of the game. Was not trying to be snarky. Just stating the fact. Nurk was not really an option the way that game was being called. Seems like once you have your center with 4 fouls early in the third quarter that it makes a difference. Sorry you can't see that.

So, I still don't understand. When you're in foul trouble, is the max number of shots you can get 7 or 11? Please clarify.

If you actually watch the games and not the box score, there were many minutes with Nurk on the floor and we didn't make an effort to get him shots.

What's your excuse for Layman not getting more than 7 shots. How about Hood with 5? It's fun and all to be a contrarian on a message board but the facts are in front of us all to see. You can look up plenty of games where Nurk isn't in foul trouble and he also didn't get many shots.

Keep making excuses and propping up a mediocre coach who isn't getting it done and hasn't for 7 seasons straight.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Its so hard for me to tell at this point, how much would be improved by coaching, how much of its on the talent, how much of it is Dame and CJ... I know one thing I said all summer the Pelicans series to me shouldve been the end of Stotts in Portland, not because he’s a bad guy, or even a bad coach. Just because I dont believe he’s the coach that can get THIS roster over the hump. Heck who knows maybe no coach could get them over the hump as constructed, but bringing in a new coach would give you a lot of answers about how good of a job Terry was or wasnt doing and would probably give you a lot of answers about the talent too.

Anyways as this isnt a thread about coaching persay. I wouldnt mind if Collins, Layman and hood all started with Dame and Nurk Im not convinced this isnt just a honeymoon period with Hood, but that puts CJ on the bench let him be the back up point and maybe at times you play him with Dame, but I keep thinking that CJ is actually a natural Point who has been told he should focus on scoring so he just shoots a lot, when he plays point he’s much more apt to look for other guys.

 

[TBpup]

Or he ends up playing against starters the whole game and players the likes of Lebron/Durant/George make him look mediocre not to mention Rudy Gay and Joe Ingles or even Luka Doncic.
Not saying you are wrong but Jake provides a bunch from the bench at this point.

LeBron/Durant/George make everyone look mediocre. So nothing really to lose.

 

[Labinot41]

No matter who the Coach is, he should bench Harkless, 3 points in 20 minutes as a Starter?? And fuck his feelings

 

[kjironman1]

So, I still don't understand. When you're in foul trouble, is the max number of shots you can get 7 or 11? Please clarify.

If you actually watch the games and not the box score, there were many minutes with Nurk on the floor and we didn't make an effort to get him shots.

What's your excuse for Layman not getting more than 7 shots. How about Hood with 5? It's fun and all to be a contrarian on a message board but the facts are in front of us all to see. You can look up plenty of games where Nurk isn't in foul trouble and he also didn't get many shots.

Keep making excuses and propping up a mediocre coach who isn't getting it done and hasn't for 7 seasons straight.

Whatever. If you don't understand foul trouble then i don't know what to tell ya.

 

[James lamphear]

Well when Dame and CJ realize they got more players playing Along side of them maybe the other 3 would give a shit. Remember last year spoke up about Dame and CJ by saying he is basketball player not track star of course that got him bench. Before that break everyone was in offense with ball movement and player movement and everyone seem like they was enjoying playing. Plus they also playing both ends of the court. But since they came back the starting has gone back there old ways and offense have stop between and that takes effect on the other players on both ends. Maybe might be reason why good FA don't what come here because our guards just to ball dominating and they don't want play with those types of players.

 

[TBpup]

Well when Dame and CJ realize they got more players playing Along side of them maybe the other 3 would give a shit. Remember last year spoke up about Dame and CJ by saying he is basketball player not track star of course that got him bench. Before that break everyone was in offense with ball movement and player movement and everyone seem like they was enjoying playing. Plus they also playing both ends of the court. But since they came back the starting has gone back there old ways and offense have stop between and that takes effect on the other players on both ends. Maybe might be reason why good FA don't what come here because our guards just to ball dominating and they don't want play with those types of players.

Who knows....but anyone who has played basketball, has played with a player or players like that and it is not fun. It rarely is a winning style of basketball either. It's tough to ask the rest of the team to be engaged on the defensive end and then hit clutch shots out of rhythm when one or two players have dominated the ball for most of the night.

 

[PCmor7]

Depends on the personalities. Harkless provides something defensively that Jake doesn't yet (and might never). But Harkless just seems to be so hot and cold personality wise.

Jake might be just as or more comfortable coming off the bench and he adds energy and scoring punch for that second unit.

Basically, it's a chemistry thing. I don't think bringing Jake off the bench is that big a detriment right now.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Whatever. If you don't understand foul trouble then i don't know what to tell ya.

Lol In what version of basketball does foul trouble stop you from attempting field goals?

Sounds like you're mixing up your sports.

 

[TBpup]

^^^ @PCmor7 ...I agree about the chemistry thing but at some point, they need production from the starting front court. Also, Jake coming in midway through the 3rd and then playing the rest of the game is a lot to ask from an energy standpoint.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

I’d start Hood and Layman would be my 6th man. Then Curry would replace Dame or CJ (not Turner). My rotation would look like:

Dame
CJ
Hood
Aminu
Nurk

Instant firepower off the bench:
6.Layman / Harkless (situational)
7.Curry / Turner (situational)

8.Collins

Utility (when we need to pound a bit)
9 /11. Turner/Harkless
10. Leonard

 

[tester551]

The Bucks changed coaches and kept the same players ... ( ok, they also signed Pat.) look at them today. I would fire our coach tomorrow morning..

Yep, agreed.
Stotts is better than Kidd was, but there's also much better coaches out there

 

[JDC]

THIS!!!

Jason Kidd was truly a terrible coach. Stotts is worlds better in comparison.

Bud also has them playing a much smarter, more conservative Stotts like scheme and Brook Lopez has been a perfect fit for it. Also been a big help in improving their defensive rebounding while also spacing the floor for Giannis.

 

[Titan]

This thread I whole heartily agree with, 1000%. Wish the coach could see it.

 

[Propagandist]

Lillard (36) / Curry (12)
McCollum (34) / Curry (12) / Hood (2)
Layman (20) / Hood (28)
Aminu (30) / Layman (12) / Collins (6)
Nurkic (30) / Collins (18)

Lillard - 36min
McCollum - 34min
Layman - 32min
Nurkic, Aminu, Hood - 30min
Collins, Curry - 24min

Meyers - Situationally

Turner, Harkless - BENCHED

Although, obviously, you'd switch out Collins with Meyers. OBVIOUSLY.

 

[TBpup]

It's almost like Stotts is determined to be stubborn no matter what. He is going to stand by his 'never double-team' mantra even though it is exactly how teams take Dame out of a game, and has stood by the Aminu/Harkless front court for longer than any seemingly sane coach would ever do. Remember, this isn't just a recent phenomena. This repeats itself...much like Blazer season of the recent past.

His time has passed here. Sadly, I believe that happened a while ago and now it is just wasted time.

 

[hoopsjock]

No argument there. Not a harkless or Aminu fan. Although we all must admit Aminu did bring some energy and defense tonight.

Gee I wish I had the reputation of a good defender so people just blindly thought I played good defense when I didn't. Paul George had 47 points and a triple double but yeah Aminu sure did play great defense tonight!

 

[hoopsjock]

Another thing that kind of pisses me off about the rotations is that Stotts is back to letting the other team dictate his rotation instead of making them adjust to us. Noel is the only size they have on their second unit. Why not go big and play Layman, Hood, Collins, and Leonard with Turner or whoever running the point? Going small plays right into their hand. With that lineup we'd have multiple mismatches to exploit in the post.

Instead we let Burton and Felton kill us.

 

[BonesJones]

Although, obviously, you'd switch out Collins with Meyers. OBVIOUSLY.

No. Defense matters.

 

[kjironman1]

Lol In what version of basketball does foul trouble stop you from attempting field goals?

Sounds like you're mixing up your sports.

Okay so that settles it. You really don't understand foul trouble.

 

[kjironman1]

Gee I wish I had the reputation of a good defender so people just blindly thought I played good defense when I didn't. Paul George had 47 points and a triple double but yeah Aminu sure did play great defense tonight!

No question George did whatever he wanted but Aminu did play with some energy when the Blazer made their push. You know as much as anyone i am not an Aminu fan on the basketball court. But he deserves some credit. The Blazers could have folded in that game. They did not. Aminu was a part of that.

 

[KingSpeed]

BJ- Stotts has been increasing Layman’s minutes, plays him more than Mo, and has been trusting him at the end of games. Stotts is also putting Layman in a position where he is constantly having to prove himself, much to our benefit. Not sure why this is an opportunity to bash the coach.

 

[stampedehero]

This dude brings the most energy for the team, and is exception playing off of Nurk and spacing the floor for the guards. He's everything we were hoping Harkless could be offensively.

The argument for starting Harkless over Layman is the defensive end. This is an argument that I've made recently. But lately, Harkless has grown increasingly inconsistent and frustrating on that end, while Layman is improving and seems to be learning from his mistakes. Better yet, Layman gets pissed when he gets scored on, and I don't see that same attitude from Harkless. Layman is also big enough to guard most PFs, so starting him still allows Aminu to guard the best wing, or if the situation is right, he can guard the best guard. The defensive gap between Moe and Jake is evaporating, and the offensive gap is growing.

The problem lately is we'll play Layman for more than 12 straight minutes during stretches because he's coming off the bench and is obviously better than Harkless so Stotts just runs his number one characteristic (energy) into the ground. It'd be much better to start Layman, play him 8 minutes, give him a rest, then bring him in for the last 8 minutes instead of running him out there for 16 minutes straight.

Layman is our 4th best player right now... It's becoming glaringly obvious that Layman needs to start.

Well, obvious to everyone but our coach.

Start Jake!!!!!

 

[KingSpeed]

CJ 5-20. n'ough said. So tired of this dude . 37 minutes played.

Were you tired of him when he made 30 of his previous 60 three point shots?