Mo Williams will opt-out

[Jayps15]

Olshey went to alot of trouble getting guys with only 2 years to preserve flexibility for the 2015 offseason, do you really blow that up a year early to give a 31 yr old backup having his least productive year since being a rookie a long term deal? If you blow up that plan, it's to replace Wright using the full MLE, not bring a guy who could easily be 3rd string back long term.

 

[Natebishop3]

It has been suggested. I'm not pointing fingers. And as I mentioned, those suggestions begin with, "get rid of Mo...", but for whom?

I would like to see someone that's more of a passer. Mo can provide scoring punch, but it really negates the point of playing him alongside Dame. There's a reason why Lillard played some of his best ball last season when paired with Maynor. When Dame goes full scoring mode, he has to have a passer to play off. Mo is not a pure point guard. I don't mind having a score-first point guard on the bench, but we need to stop playing him with Dame. It's not a good pairing.

If we had an up-tempo passing point guard with the second unit, I think TRob would thrive. I also think we'd see Dame return to a much more efficient scorer when he plays with the second unit.

 

[blue9]

I would like to see someone that's more of a passer ... When Dame goes full scoring mode, he has to have a passer to play off. Mo is not a pure point guard. I don't mind having a score-first point guard on the bench, but we need to stop playing him with Dame. It's not a good pairing.

If we had an up-tempo passing point guard with the second unit, I think TRob would thrive. I also think we'd see Dame return to a much more efficient scorer when he plays with the second unit.

Someone like, say, Kendall Marshall... http://sportstwo.com/threads/249231-Should-we-pick-up-Kendall-Marshall-or-Shannon-Brown ?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Someone like, say, Kendall Marshall... http://sportstwo.com/threads/249231-Should-we-pick-up-Kendall-Marshall-or-Shannon-Brown ?

Sure, would have loved to have Kendall Marshall over Watson but a little late on this blue.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

I would like to see someone that's more of a passer. Mo can provide scoring punch, but it really negates the point of playing him alongside Dame. There's a reason why Lillard played some of his best ball last season when paired with Maynor. When Dame goes full scoring mode, he has to have a passer to play off. Mo is not a pure point guard. I don't mind having a score-first point guard on the bench, but we need to stop playing him with Dame. It's not a good pairing.

If we had an up-tempo passing point guard with the second unit, I think TRob would thrive. I also think we'd see Dame return to a much more efficient scorer when he plays with the second unit.

People, like Jaynes, who argue Mo is a small SG, can scream and moan till they are blue in the face for all I care. Mo is decent 6th man, and if anything, Stotts will keep working on finding rotations (CJ, Batum) that will maximize what Mo does well while maintaining ball movement and flow.

The biggest factors that I feel get ignored are that Mo plays most often when LA is not on the court. That's a huge change in how teams defend the Blazers.

Mo pushed the ball up the court better than any Blazer which creates opportunity early in the shot clock, and forces the defense to scramble.

Mo is one of the few guys on the team than can create his own shot.

Regardless of whether Mo is En Fuego or ice cold, he spreads the floor beyond the arc. Teams have to gamble on defense, as opposed to a team like Minn where teams literally can afford to not even guard Rubio.

He's a great mentor for Dame, teammate, veteran presence, AND does absolutely contribute every single game.

Olshey scored him for a measly Room exception.

 

[blue9]

Sure, would have loved to have Kendall Marshall over Watson but a little late on this blue.

Oh I know. Just thinking about what could have been. I would have cut Barton to bring in Marshall. Having a second passer on the team would really help generate more easy baskets. And I think in a few years Marshall will be a valuable player - we would have reaped the rewards either by having a great back-up PG or by having a great trade chip. Barton will never be a great back-up or trade chip.

 

[Jayps15]

People, like Jaynes, who argue Mo is a small SG, can scream and moan till they are blue in the face for all I care. Mo is decent 6th man, and if anything, Stotts will keep working on finding rotations (CJ, Batum) that will maximize what Mo does well while maintaining ball movement and flow.

The biggest factors that I feel get ignored are that Mo plays most often when LA is not on the court. That's a huge change in how teams defend the Blazers.

Mo pushed the ball up the court better than any Blazer which creates opportunity early in the shot clock, and forces the defense to scramble.

Mo is one of the few guys on the team than can create his own shot.

Regardless of whether Mo is En Fuego or ice cold, he spreads the floor beyond the arc. Teams have to gamble on defense, as opposed to a team like Minn where teams literally can afford to not even guard Rubio.

He's a great mentor for Dame, teammate, veteran presence, AND does absolutely contribute every single game.

Olshey scored him for a measly Room exception.

Nope, Mo plays in lineups with Aldridge for 14.4 of his 24.4 mpg.
http://stats.nba.com/teamLineups.html?TeamID=1610612757&pageNo=1&rowsPerPage=25&GroupQuantity=2

 

[dviss1]

Oh I know. Just thinking about what could have been. I would have cut Barton to bring in Marshall. Having a second passer on the team would really help generate more easy baskets. And I think in a few years Marshall will be a valuable player - we would have reaped the rewards either by having a great back-up PG or by having a great trade chip. Barton will never be a great back-up or trade chip.

I'd rather have Sergio (yes I said it) than slow, nonathletic Kendall Marshall. That dude has been a bust and he can't shoot or play D.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I'd rather have Sergio (yes I said it) than slow, nonathletic Kendall Marshall. That dude has been a bust and he can't shoot or play D.

I would rather have Sergio as well but I don't see that as a slight to Kendall Marshall. That is how much Sergio has improved. He is crazy good now. And Kendall Marshall is putting up ridiculous assist totals when getting time. Would take one over the other but that doesn't make the other a scrub.

 

[blue9]

I'd rather have Sergio (yes I said it) than slow, nonathletic Kendall Marshall. That dude has been a bust and he can't shoot or play D.

I haven't seen Sergio since he was with the Blazers. But Marshall is no more of a "bust" than Leonard or Robinson. Sure, "some people" may think they're busts, but that doesn't mean they are.
Based on your comment about not being able to shoot or play D, then I'm guessing you don't like 'Dre, and only half-like Nash and Lillard?

 

[oldmangrouch]

This kind of reminds me of the debates we used to have over Outlaw.

Some people acted like Travis was utterly worthless, while others made it sound as if he was a budding all-star. Both extremes were pretty silly. I was fine with having Travis on the team - until he wanted a big pay raise. Then I was fine with seeing him leave.

I feel the same about Mo. He has his uses, but he is not a guy you break the bank for.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I haven't seen Sergio since he was with the Blazers. But Marshall is no more of a "bust" than Leonard or Robinson. Sure, "some people" may think they're busts, but that doesn't mean they are.

Players get judged on how high they were drafted. All 3 of those guys were drafted too high.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'd rather have Sergio (yes I said it) than slow, nonathletic Kendall Marshall. That dude has been a bust and he can't shoot or play D.

Haven't been paying attention to Laker box scores lately, eh?

Since moving into the starting lineup for LA, he's averaging 11.5 assists per game, 13 ppg, and 5 boards. He's had a couple really good shooting games and a couple stinkers, but his passing has been exceptional.

 

[PapaG]

Haven't been paying attention to Laker box scores lately, eh?

Since moving into the starting lineup for LA, he's averaging 11.5 assists per game, 13 ppg, and 5 boards. He's had a couple really good shooting games and a couple stinkers, but his passing has been exceptional.

We need a macro on this board.

The Blazers need <insert bad-to-average player from a bad team> because <insert average bench player on Blazers> isn't playing like a starter.

Reply is <insert average bench player for Blazers> is a better option because of <insert any of chemistry/role/team record/players can't be amnestied until July/etc>.

Reply to this is <I'm just throwing out ideas/need a true PG/cap space/Mo sucks/Leonar_ sucks/etc etc.

I swear I read the same threads over and over here these days.

 

[Natebishop3]

We need a macro on this board.

The Blazers need <insert bad-to-average player from a bad team> because <insert average bench player on Blazers> isn't playing like a starter.

Reply is <insert average bench player for Blazers> is a better option because of <insert any of chemistry/role/team record/players can't be amnestied until July/etc>.

Reply to this is <I'm just throwing out ideas/need a true PG/cap space/Mo sucks/Leonar_ sucks/etc etc.

I swear I read the same threads over and over here these days.

He said Marshall is a bust and I was just pointing out that he's playing very well right now.

The guy was out there. We could have picked him up for almost nothing and many of us thought it would be nice to take a flyer on him. Didn't say he should be playing significant minutes, just that he would have been a nice young point guard we could have taken a chance on. Has nothing to do with Mo.

I would also point out that there has been way more complaining about the meta of this board than there is discussing other players, and that complaining about the meta is way more destructive to board morale and actual debate.

 

[HailBlazers]

I would like to see someone that's more of a passer. Mo can provide scoring punch, but it really negates the point of playing him alongside Dame. There's a reason why Lillard played some of his best ball last season when paired with Maynor. When Dame goes full scoring mode, he has to have a passer to play off. Mo is not a pure point guard. I don't mind having a score-first point guard on the bench, but we need to stop playing him with Dame. It's not a good pairing.

If we had an up-tempo passing point guard with the second unit, I think TRob would thrive. I also think we'd see Dame return to a much more efficient scorer when he plays with the second unit.

Last I heard Mo is leading the league in assists off the bench FYI. Turnovers as well. Which leads me to believe he has the potential to be the right guy, just needs some firm coaching to get him there.

 

[Hobbesarable]

Go after Eric Maynor again?

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

Go after Eric Maynor again?

Wow no! Google him. Maynor couldn't find minutes even when Beal was out. His on/off the court numbers were absolutely horrible. The Blazers saw what could be with a better PG than Smith/Price last season, but that was hardly and endorsement to resign him, let alone pick up his ridiculously high Qualifying Offer. Manor merely confirmed the need for Olshey to secure a legit ball handler who could run the offense. In Mo, Portland also got a veteran PG, a 6th man, and someone who willingly accepted the Room exception and that role. Say what you will about satisfaction level, but Mo is a God sent compared to last season, and with no available replacement talent in FA at that price.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

Last I heard Mo is leading the league in assists off the bench FYI. Turnovers as well. Which leads me to believe he has the potential to be the right guy, just needs some firm coaching to get him there.

That's my opinion as well. More experience playing with the team and different line-ups than coaching, but same principle.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Ironically I think Steve Blake would fit in as our backup Pg in stotts offense.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

Ironically I think Steve Blake would fit in as our backup Pg in stotts offense.

Yup. When healthy of course.

 

[e_blazer]

Ironically I think Steve Blake would fit in as our backup Pg in stotts offense.

I don't know if it's ironic or not, but I do think that Blake would fit well since he can hit the 3 ball. It would be nice to get somebody a bit younger and who has better ability to penetrate & finish at the rim, but those guys are in short supply. I wouldn't be averse to signing Blake at a reasonable price.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Ya, just felt it was kinda funny. Stotts is an offensive genius, nate wasnt that great at offense and blakey seems to be a great fit in both