Melo vs Collins, Nurk vs Whiteside

[UKRAINEFAN]

Neither Whiteside or Melo will be under contract in 30 days and it looks like whatever season happens won't be happening soon. The 'who-starts-and-who-supports' dilemma may not be a thing

That's a complication I hadn't thought of.

 

[wizenheimer]

As I said, the agents are no doubt involved, and we know the Players Association is. I think there’s a common interest in getting the cash cow going again. The lawyers can hammer out the contract details.

the cash cow can get going again. There are more than enough players under contract for next season a beyond to field full rosters. I just think there's a chance that UFA's may be in some kind of limbo if the NBA maintains the indefinite suspension of transactions. Ad again, the league can not force UFA's to play without contracts

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Here's the lineup I've been waiting for:
Defensive Player who has game on Offense
Defensive Player who has game on Offense
Defensive Player who has game on Offense
Hot Dog who can get their own shot anytime
Hot Dog who can get their own shot anytime

If you prefer:
3&D
3&D
3&D
O's the Show
O's the Show

Or maybe:
Quality Role Player
Quality Role Player
Quality Role Player
Star
Superstar

However you put it, I'm looking forward to:
Nurk
Collins
Ariza
CJ
Dame

 

[Scalma]

I don't need you fucking
[/QUO

I don't need you fucking


the cash cow can get going again. There are more than enough players under contract for next season a beyond to field full rosters. I just think there's a chance that UFA's may be in some kind of limbo if the NBA maintains the indefinite suspension of transactions. Ad again, the league can not force UFA's to play without contracts

 

[wizenheimer]

View attachment 31751

sorry about that....S2 saves things it shouldn't

 

[Propagandist]

View attachment 31751

sorry about that....S2 saves things it shouldn't

I need both you guys fucking. Haha.

 

[handiman]

You have to figure Zach is a lot less rusty than Nurk. His injury was to his non-shooting shoulder, so he probably didn't miss a ton of "active" time. Nurk had to be off his legs for quite a while and then slowly work his way back.

The two should not be lumped in together for starting readiness.

 

[tykendo]

Seeing Nurk just in drills a few months ago, he looked fluid and agile on the court, and his shot looked smooth. He will be fine. as others have mentioned, many NBA players will be rusty upon return. They have to get their NBA legs going.

 

[Scalma]

Seeing Nurk just in drills a few months ago, he looked fluid and agile on the court, and his shot looked smooth. He will be fine. as others have mentioned, many NBA players will be rusty upon return. They have to get their NBA legs going.

nurk ready
https://instagram.com/stories/bosnianbeast27/2321304638766147673?igshid=k9kf2n9vmkb

and yes the only way he’s gonna shake off whatever rust he’ll have is by playing. And he’s our starting center. Whiteside was just a fill in. Now that the restrictions are off that spot is deservedly his imo. Whiteside will still get 20+ minutes.

Melo/Collins is more of a tossup. Arguments can be made for both.

 

[tykendo]

I would go Nurk, Melo, Trevor, Dame, & CJ to start. Zach, Hassan, Gary, & Anfernee subbing in. Love to see Rodney play, but his injury is way different, and usually takes longer to rehab. Those are the 9 players i figure we see, with the exception of a blowout one way or the other. I see Melo getting minutes at SF as well. And Zach can play minutes at PF/C. This team has a lot of interchangeable parts now. And other than our guards, has a TON of size.

 

[tykendo]

And i see Hassan playing around 26-30 min. and Nurk playing 23 -27. We may even see the twin towers in certain defensive situations. Nurk's abilities on offense really raise the ceiling on this.

 

[Scalma]

Would hood even be allowed to play if he were healthy? Didn’t Portland apply and receive a DPE for him?

 

[Scalma]

And i see Hassan playing around 26-30 min. and Nurk playing 23 -27. We may even see the twin towers in certain defensive situations. Nurk's abilities on offense really raise the ceiling on this.

if we actually make the playoffs I think you could see them share the court since LA has lineups that feature both AD and McGee.

 

[handiman]

if we actually make the playoffs I think you could see them share the court since LA has lineups that feature both AD and McGee.

That would require Stotts getting creative with switching schemes, otherwise one of them is stuck guarding Davis on the perimeter.

 

[Scalma]

That would require Stotts getting creative with switching schemes, otherwise one of them is stuck guarding Davis on the perimeter.

Ive mentioned it before but Zach is our best bet against AD. I don’t mind Whiteside on AD though, even on the perimeter. He’s actually done well when left on an island and Nurk will be there to provide cover at the rim.

 

[JDC]

I'd be far more worried about the offensive end with Nurk and Whiteside.

Highly doubt we see that though, even in a potential Lakers matchup.

 

[Scalma]

I'd be far more worried about the offensive end with Nurk and Whiteside.

Highly doubt we see that though, even in a potential Lakers matchup.

whiteside is efficient scoring at the rim while struggling in the pick and roll. Nurks strength meanwhile is the pick and roll and playmaking for others. Seems like they'd compliment more than get in each other’s way.

 

[JDC]

whiteside is efficient scoring at the rim while struggling in the pick and roll. Nurks strength meanwhile is the pick and roll and playmaking for others. Seems like they'd compliment more than get in each other’s way.

More about spacing for Dame and CJ.

Becomes pretty easy to bring help on the roller and on post ups as well.

Would clean up on the o-boards most likely but I'd worry about transition D trade-offs.

 

[damianlillard]

Ive mentioned it before but Zach is our best bet against AD. I don’t mind Whiteside on AD though, even on the perimeter. He’s actually done well when left on an island and Nurk will be there to provide cover at the rim.

I have to agree with you there. In a potential matchup against the Lakers we should be starting Lillard/CJ/Ariza/Collins/Whiteside. Collins is our best shot of slowing down Davis. We might have to do a little rotation where Collins, Whiteside, and Nurkic all take turn slowing him down

 

[handiman]

Ive mentioned it before but Zach is our best bet against AD. I don’t mind Whiteside on AD though, even on the perimeter. He’s actually done well when left on an island and Nurk will be there to provide cover at the rim.

I agree about Zach, but not with the second half of that. We'd be in major foul trouble with all the blow-by's, relying on Nurk to cover for a slow-footed Whiteside. They'd be shooting FTs the entire game.

 

[Scalma]

I agree about Zach, but not with the second half of that. We'd be in major foul trouble with all the blow-by's, relying on Nurk to cover for a slow-footed Whiteside. They'd be shooting FTs the entire game.

I don’t think Whiteside is that bad in isolation when he knows who he’s guarding. Whatever he loses in speed he makes up with his length. Most of his issues come when he’s guarding the pick and roll, but a lot of that falls on the guards who routinely put him in bad situations by having to defend two guys at once.

 

[Freshtown]

When we return to action in July, both Nurk and Collins will presumably be healthy.


If so, what is our starting 5?

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

I doubt either are starting. Possibly if we make the playoffs that Nurkic starts

 

[riverman]

Nurk and Melo will start....Hassan and Zach will play big minutes off the bench ...Zach will play most of the game if out of foul trouble but our hall of famer earns the start and probably has minutes shaved for old age...the Noah Vonleh starter....first part of the first qtr and 3rd qtr....I'd say Nurk and Zach finish most games

 

[Shaboid]

I have a fever coming on and it has nothing to do with Covid. NURK FEVER!

 

[damianlillard]

For me I would start Lillard, CJ, Ariza, Collins, and Whiteside. I feel like that would give us a nice 2 way lineup. And we can have Trent, Nurkic, Melo, and Simons off the bench. I think it’s be better for the team to have Nurkic skills and energy off of the bench. And Melo can play against back up so he can easily score over them. And we got Trent 3D as a guard/wing off of the bench. And Simons will get minutes somewhere
But I think Coach Stotts will end up staying with the same lineup with Collins and Nurkic off of the bench and just see how it goes at first

 

[tykendo]

I have a fever coming on and it has nothing to do with Covid. NURK FEVER!

I got a Fever, I Need More NURK!

 

[tykendo]

For me I would start Lillard, CJ, Ariza, Collins, and Whiteside. I feel like that would give us a nice 2 way lineup. And we can have Trent, Nurkic, Melo, and Simons off the bench. I think it’s be better for the team to have Nurkic skills and energy off of the bench. And Melo can play against back up so he can easily score over them. And we got Trent 3D as a guard/wing off of the bench. And Simons will get minutes somewhere
But I think Coach Stotts will end up staying with the same lineup with Collins and Nurkic off of the bench and just see how it goes at first

I think i start Melo instead of Collins if Hassan starts. You need that 3rd bona fide scorer in the starting lineup.

 

[damianlillard]

I think i start Melo instead of Collins if Hassan starts. You need that 3rd bona fide scorer in the starting lineup.

I tend to disagree with you on that one. How much does Melo actually score when playing next to Damian and CJ. Not much! Collins probably score just as much as he does and provide better defense. Melo get his points when playing against back up so why waste his minutes playing against guys like Anthony Davis, Jaren Jackson, Marcus Morris, etc where they all shut him down

 

[Shaboid]

I tend to disagree with you on that one. How much does Melo actually score when playing next to Damian and CJ. Not much! Collins probably score just as much as he does and provide better defense. Melo get his points when playing against back up so why waste his minutes playing against guys like Anthony Davis, Jaren Jackson, Marcus Morris, etc where they all shut him down

Start Melo for the ego factor, pull him at the first stoppage. Bring him back in to get some buckets against the teams second unit.

Something we haven't discussed is the Trailblazers staff and players watching film and discussing strategy. I hope they've stayed on top of it. I imagine there have been some zoom meetings.