Kinda over Stotts

[Schilly]

You don't think rotations are a product of a flawed roster?

I think there is something to be said for a flawed roster... but I think it’s too easy to play the flawed roster card. I do see 3 primary flaws with the roster... Redundancy with Dame and CJ, SF in particular starter and lack of bench scoring, though Napier is helping there.

To be fair though I expected progress from Harkless this year not the complete egg he has paid, that guy is just not mentally right

 

[THE HCP]

I said 40 wins, so we are actually ahead of pace...... The HCP is happy.

 

[SIeepwalker]

You don't think rotations are a product of a flawed roster?

The roster might be flawed but Stotts is artificially making it even more flawed by refusing to play Aminu at the 3

 

[blue9]

The roster might be flawed but Stotts is artificially making it even more flawed by refusing to play Aminu at the 3

It's not even about Aminu at SF - it's more about Vonleh at PF. IDGAF whether it's Aminu, Harkless, or Turner at SF - they all have massive issues. But Vonleh/Collins at PF is the only thing that makes sense.

 

[riverman]

I said 40 wins, so we are actually ahead of pace...... The HCP is on the road so Mrs HCP is happy.

fixed

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[Minstrel]

Aminu wouldn't be that much of an asset at the 3--his three-point shooting isn't consistently good enough when compared to other wings. What gives him value is adding some spacing from the 4 while being able to defend most 4s. That type of player is what every team is trying to find. Aminu isn't amazing at it, but he's capable. Honestly, if Collins were ready for it, the ideal alignment would be Collins at the 5 and Aminu at the 4 and <player to be determined> at the 3 (if Harkless had just continued his play from last year, he'd have fit in relatively nicely at the 3). A stretch 5, a stretch 4 and a three-and-D wing at the 3 is the ideal alignment these days.

Nurkic is an out-dated center--that still could have worked if he were actually as good as he looked last season after the trade, but now that he's regressed to career norms, he's the kind of center that's slowly becoming extinct.

I don't think Stotts is a great coach; average, as Nik dubbed him, sums it up. But the Aminu hand-wringing is way overdone and isn't remotely an issue that makes Stotts a problematic coach. That's one of the things he's doing right.

 

[Scalma]

Aminu wouldn't be that much of an asset at the 3--his three-point shooting isn't consistently good enough when compared to other wings. What gives him value is adding some spacing from the 4 while being able to defend most 4s. That type of player is what every team is trying to find. Aminu isn't amazing at it, but he's capable. Honestly, if Collins were ready for it, the ideal alignment would be Collins at the 5 and Aminu at the 4 and <player to be determined> at the 3 (if Harkless had just continued his play from last year, he'd have fit in relatively nicely at the 3). A stretch 5, a stretch 4 and a three-and-D wing at the 3 is the ideal alignment these days.

Nurkic is an out-dated center--that still could have worked if he were actually as good as he looked last season after the trade, but now that he's regressed to career norms, he's the kind of center that's slowly becoming extinct.

I don't think Stotts is a great coach; average, as Nik dubbed him, sums it up. But the Aminu hand-wringing is way overdone and isn't remotely an issue that makes Stotts a problematic coach. That's one of the things he's doing right.

Im done with the Nurkic slander.

Not only that, but this is a false statement as there are more high quality traditional centers starting in the NBA now than five years ago. The only reason this myth exists is because the top two teams don’t have one.

Collins will never be able to bang with the Cousins of the world. And if he does, that’s YEARS away.

Nurkic is an anchor defensively who plays well against literally every single high quality “traditional” center in the league. Then as soon as he has a bad game against a team without one we have the fools fire up the trade machine.

I’m not saying Nurkic is the best center in the league, but his replacement isn’t in house and finding someone better than him, for less money will be difficult. Another guy that Nurkic routinely kills is Steven Adams, and he just got $100m. Nurkic won’t get that much, and if he wasn’t asked to be the third, sometimes second, option offensively, people would appreciate him equally.

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

Im done with the Nurkic slander.

Not only that, but this is a false statement as there are more high quality traditional centers starting in the NBA now than five years ago. The only reason this myth exists is because the top two teams don’t have one.

Collins will never be able to bang with the Cousins of the world. And if he does, that’s YEARS away.

Nurkic is an anchor defensively who plays well against literally every single high quality “traditional” center in the league. Then as soon as he has a bad game against a team without one we have the fools fire up the trade machine.

I’m not saying Nurkic is the best center in the league, but his replacement isn’t in house and finding someone better than him, for less money will be difficult. Another guy that Nurkic routinely kills is Steven Adams, and he just got $100m. Nurkic won’t get that much, and if he wasn’t asked to be the third, sometimes second, option offensively, people would appreciate him equally.

Nurk is gonna be awesome. I almost want them to trade him just to see the bitching when they see what he can become.

Get him a fucking coach if not.

 

[Scalma]

Nurk is gonna be awesome. I almost want them to trade him just to see the bitching when they see what he can become.

Get him a fucking coach if not.

I feel like I’m literally the crazy one when I see these Nurk takes and proposals. It’s not his fault we rely on him so much offensively. He’s still young, especially when you consider his background. He’s not a stiff. Hes 280 pounds but can move laterally. Look at him in pick and rolls. Most centers can’t move like that. I’d rather have him than Adams. Does he do dumb shit? Absolutely. But trading him isn’t going to solve anything unless we’re getting a Cousins caliber player in return, and that ain’t happening.

 

[KingSpeed]

Nurkic will be needed when we face Philly in the Finals every year. You need a big guy to go up against Embiid.

 

[KingSpeed]

Aminu wouldn't be that much of an asset at the 3--his three-point shooting isn't consistently good enough when compared to other wings. What gives him value is adding some spacing from the 4 while being able to defend most 4s. That type of player is what every team is trying to find. Aminu isn't amazing at it, but he's capable. Honestly, if Collins were ready for it, the ideal alignment would be Collins at the 5 and Aminu at the 4 and <player to be determined> at the 3 (if Harkless had just continued his play from last year, he'd have fit in relatively nicely at the 3). A stretch 5, a stretch 4 and a three-and-D wing at the 3 is the ideal alignment these days.

Nurkic is an out-dated center--that still could have worked if he were actually as good as he looked last season after the trade, but now that he's regressed to career norms, he's the kind of center that's slowly becoming extinct.

I don't think Stotts is a great coach; average, as Nik dubbed him, sums it up. But the Aminu hand-wringing is way overdone and isn't remotely an issue that makes Stotts a problematic coach. That's one of the things he's doing right.

hmmmmm

-- Joel Embiid

 

[BonesJones]

Nurkic will be needed when we face Philly in the Finals every year. You need a big guy to go up against Embiid.

Lmao.

 

[BonesJones]

Aminu wouldn't be that much of an asset at the 3--his three-point shooting isn't consistently good enough when compared to other wings. What gives him value is adding some spacing from the 4 while being able to defend most 4s. That type of player is what every team is trying to find. Aminu isn't amazing at it, but he's capable. Honestly, if Collins were ready for it, the ideal alignment would be Collins at the 5 and Aminu at the 4 and <player to be determined> at the 3 (if Harkless had just continued his play from last year, he'd have fit in relatively nicely at the 3). A stretch 5, a stretch 4 and a three-and-D wing at the 3 is the ideal alignment these days.

Nurkic is an out-dated center--that still could have worked if he were actually as good as he looked last season after the trade, but now that he's regressed to career norms, he's the kind of center that's slowly becoming extinct.

I don't think Stotts is a great coach; average, as Nik dubbed him, sums it up. But the Aminu hand-wringing is way overdone and isn't remotely an issue that makes Stotts a problematic coach. That's one of the things he's doing right.

How does a forward combination of Turner+Aminu provide more spacing that Aminu+Collins??? All that matters is whos being played next to Aminu, and it should be Collins, not Turner.

 

[BBert]

I have only two complaints with Nurk: His sloppy misses around the rim, and his free throw shooting. With a summer of proper training, I expect that both will be better next season. Nurk is pretty close to untouchable if we want to win any time soon. The Nurk/Collins starting front court, with Ed, Aminu and Noah backing them up is going to kick ass next season.

 

[Natebishop3]

I have only two complaints with Nurk: His sloppy misses around the rim, and his free throw shooting. With a summer of proper training, I expect that both will be better next season. Nurk is pretty close to untouchable if we want to win any time soon. The Nurk/Collins starting front court, with Ed, Aminu and Noah backing them up is going to kick ass next season.

I want a damn big man coach. Is that so much to ask!?!

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I have only two complaints with Nurk: His sloppy misses around the rim, and his free throw shooting. With a summer of proper training, I expect that both will be better next season. Nurk is pretty close to untouchable if we want to win any time soon. The Nurk/Collins starting front court, with Ed, Aminu and Noah backing them up is going to kick ass next season.

and his turnovers....

agreed on kicking ass...

 

[julius]

I wish Nurk wouldn't go up so soft. He's a bit too much like Duckworth in that way. Duck was more agile, but still was soft in the paint.

 

[BBert]

I wish Nurk wouldn't go up so soft. He's a bit too much like Duckworth in that way. Duck was more agile, but still was soft in the paint.

Part of it too is going too fast. He could learn some patience and good techniques from Collins.

 

[riverman]

I feel like I’m literally the crazy one when I see these Nurk takes and proposals. It’s not his fault we rely on him so much offensively. He’s still young, especially when you consider his background. He’s not a stiff. Hes 280 pounds but can move laterally. Look at him in pick and rolls. Most centers can’t move like that. I’d rather have him than Adams. Does he do dumb shit? Absolutely. But trading him isn’t going to solve anything unless we’re getting a Cousins caliber player in return, and that ain’t happening.

At 23 he's way ahead of a Robin Lopez at the same age....his defense is the best we've had in the post in awhile....I don't get the Nurk hate either...finding a 7ft center at his age is hard to do with his skills...in the playoffs you'll see Nurk fever again...book it. He lost weight and it's going to take time for him to stop rushing shots with a lighter frame than he had before....I love the guy and he loves Portland....nuff said..

 

[blue9]

Fuck outta here! He's moving up the win list only because he's moving up the list of most games coached*. His winning percentage isn't even a full percentage point better than Mo Cheeks!

*I was surprised to see that Nate still has more games coached than Terry. What is it with us and holding onto mediocre coaches for too damn long?!

 

[TBpup]

Not even 1% better than Cheeks after all these years? No impressed.

And why under Stotts do we almost always have to be last or almost last in something. Last season it was defense until Nurk showed up. This year it's assists and fast break points with basically the same team as last year.

 

[SIeepwalker]

And why under Stotts do we almost always have to be last or almost last in something. Last season it was defense until Nurk showed up. This year it's assists and fast break points with basically the same team as last year.

Well, they do say men can only do 1 thing at a time

 

[riverman]

Not even 1% better than Cheeks after all these years? No impressed.

And why under Stotts do we almost always have to be last or almost last in something. Last season it was defense until Nurk showed up. This year it's assists and fast break points with basically the same team as last year.

The league is a lot tougher than in Cheeks era in my view...there's a lot more parity....I got really tired of having only 4 teams who could win it all for so many years...

 

[blue9]

...I got really tired of having only 4 teams who could win it all for so many years...

Yeah, that was really lame. This 2+2 runoff is so much more interesting.

 

[Orion Bailey]

The league is a lot tougher than in Cheeks era in my view...there's a lot more parity....I got really tired of having only 4 teams who could win it all for so many years...

Sorry River but nothing has really changed. Cna you name more thsan four teams who can win it this year?

Houston
GSW
Possibly Boston
.
.
.
Houston?

 

[riverman]

Sorry River but nothing has really changed. Cna you name more thsan four teams who can win it this year?

Houston
GSW
Possibly Boston
.
.
.
Houston?

The middle is really clogged....trade deadline is around the corner..I think injuries have trimmed the crop....come March things are going to get interesting..off the cuff I'm adding Spurs with Kawhi back..OKC...Utah...Indiana..Minnesota...Detroit with Blake Griffin now...Philly...it's deeper than back when it was the Bulls and Jazz every season

 

[Orion Bailey]

The middle is really clogged....trade deadline is around the corner..I think injuries have trimmed the crop....come March things are going to get interesting..off the cuff I'm adding Spurs with Kawhi back..OKC...Utah...Indiana..Minnesota...Detroit with Blake Griffin now...Philly...it's deeper than back when it was the Bulls and Jazz every season

Don't get me wrong, but those are all good teams, but you really think any of them, even the Spurs can take Houston or GSW?

When it comes to the playoffs, these guys are vets. Many of the teams you mentioned have not been there before.
I dont see how any of those teams can push the series to 7 against Houston or GSW.

 

[riverman]

Don't get me wrong, but those are all good teams, but you really think any of them, even the Spurs can take Houston or GSW?

When it comes to the playoffs, these guys are vets. Many of the teams you mentioned have not been there before.
I dont see how any of those teams can push the series to 7 against Houston or GSW.

Nobody thought Detroit would do it back with Billups and co......this is one of those seasons where a team peaking at the right time could sneak in there

 

[Orion Bailey]

Nobody thought Detroit would do it back with Billups and co......this is one of those seasons where a team peaking at the right time could sneak in there

Ill concede on the Spurs, but that still only leaves 4 teams who are solid contenders. Everyone else is second tier.