Mo Williams?

[RR7]

Not shipping CJ out. CJ could be our starting SG next season if the bidding gets too high on Wes.

Barring a big trade for a great acquisition, I have no interest in shipping out CJ, so didn't mean to suggest it. More just that, the only way I can see Mo returning is if there's a need for his playing time. Otherwise, why bother, really?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Barring a big trade for a great acquisition, I have no interest in shipping out CJ, so didn't mean to suggest it. More just that, the only way I can see Mo returning is if there's a need for his playing time. Otherwise, why bother, really?

Having only 2 true point guards on the roster is a risk. Especially when you consider Blake's health hasn't been the best the last 3 years. I know CJ and Barton both can play PG in spots but they're not PGs.

 

[Natebishop3]

Having only 2 true point guards on the roster is a risk. Especially when you consider Blake's health hasn't been the best the last 3 years. I know CJ and Barton both can play PG in spots but they're not PGs.

You are clearly forgetting about the second best point guard on our team.... Nic Batum


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Draco]

Having only 2 true point guards on the roster is a risk. Especially when you consider Blake's health hasn't been the best the last 3 years. I know CJ and Barton both can play PG in spots but they're not PGs.

If one of the PG's is injured CJ, Barton and Batum can handle the backup duties just fine. In the unlikely event both are injured we can sign a DLeaguer and cut Clavier, Crabbe or Meyers. The problem with adding Mo is he will expect minutes; but with Blake, CJ also hoping for backup minutes we'd definitely have disgruntled players in the locker room. If this were fantasy basketball then hell yes grab the extra PG but in the real world where chemistry matters Neil needs to consider if players will be content with their role on the team.

 

[Minstrel]

If one of the PG's is injured CJ, Barton and Batum can handle the backup duties just fine. In the unlikely event both are injured we can sign a DLeaguer and cut Clavier, Crabbe or Meyers. The problem with adding Mo is he will expect minutes; but with Blake, CJ also hoping for backup minutes we'd definitely have disgruntled players in the locker room. If this were fantasy basketball then hell yes grab the extra PG but in the real world where chemistry matters Neil needs to consider if players will be content with their role on the team.

Presumably, a deal would only happen with eyes wide open. I doubt the Blazers would mislead Williams as to his role. Sure, chemistry problems can still develop even when everyone is apprised of the situation beforehand, but it removes at least one chemistry-destroying complication.

That said, the Blazers are very guard-heavy, so it's hard to fit Williams in. However, he's also the best talent likely still available to Portland, so there's also the temptation to get all the talent they can and come up with a plan to deploy it effectively.

 

[Draco]

Presumably, a deal would only happen with eyes wide open. I doubt the Blazers would mislead Williams as to his role. Sure, chemistry problems can still develop even when everyone is apprised of the situation beforehand, but it removes at least one chemistry-destroying complication.

That said, the Blazers are very guard-heavy, so it's hard to fit Williams in. However, he's also the best talent likely still available to Portland, so there's also the temptation to get all the talent they can and come up with a plan to deploy it effectively.

Problem is I'm not convinced he's the best talent available. We're talking about a bad defensive player with a PER of 11. It's not as if Mo is Rod Strickland with a 17 PER. Last summer the team desperately needed someone to provide anything to that bench unit on offense. Mo was a solid respectable NBA player who belonged on the floor even if he left something to be desired. But this year with Kaman, Blake, and more experienced young players there isn't the same need as before. I agree there is a real temptation to grab a former allstar talent like Williams and cut a player but part of being a good GM is knowing when not to make a move. I think "get all the talent" ideals are fine when you're talking about draft picks or possible starters; but when its a 32 year old role players on a one year contract then fit to the team needs to be very heavily weighted.

 

[BBert]

I hate to repeat myself, but CJ's and Barton's defense alone is reason enough to just say: "no mo Mo". Not that they are necessarily all that good, but Mo is all that bad.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Mo Williams' agent didn't rule Mavs out. Said they're looking at lot of scenarios. @Caplan_NBA reports Mo has better offers than Mavs' $2.7M

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'm already on record saying I'd love Mo back. Blake & Mo could play together and play well together. Plus Blake is only averaging 50 games a season the last 3 years. Dump Crabbe, sign Mo.

Rather dump Claver, but yeah, I think that's reasonable.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Rather dump Claver, but yeah, I think that's reasonable.

I like Claver. High basketball IQ. Seems like one of those players that would thrive in San Antonio's system.

 

[BBert]

Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
Mo Williams' agent didn't rule Mavs out. Said they're looking at lot of scenarios. @Caplan_NBA reports Mo has better offers than Mavs' $2.7M

If true, he'd better grab one of them before it's too late.

 

[BBert]

If we're going to 'dump' someone, it's gotta be Crabbe. Claver is at least useful. Which one has the largest salary, which is important to have around for trade purposes? Probably Claver as well. I'll be surprised if Crabbe is still in the league after his rookie contract is up.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I like Claver. High basketball IQ. Seems like one of those players that would thrive in San Antonio's system.

I agree with everything you wrote, except we don't run San Antonio's system; we run Stotts'. Claver is not likely to thrive here, unless he develops an outside shot. Crabbe has a chance to be productive here.

 

[Minstrel]

Problem is I'm not convinced he's the best talent available. We're talking about a bad defensive player with a PER of 11. It's not as if Mo is Rod Strickland with a 17 PER.

If you think last year was indicative of how he's going to play from here on out, and not a down season, then I agree. And I've said in other threads that a reason the Blazers may not be offering Williams the non-Bird rights deal is because they think they get at least similar performance from one or more of their young guys. If that's the case, then that's fine. If the Blazers do feel Williams will bounce back to previous years' performance, then I wouldn't pass just due to being guard-heavy.

 

[Strenuus]

Who is more likely to come back: Mo or papag

Trick question. PapaG is already back, but not as PapaG. :MARIS61:

 

[KingSpeed]

I'm already on record saying I'd love Mo back. Blake & Mo could play together and play well together. Plus Blake is only averaging 50 games a season the last 3 years. Dump Crabbe, sign Mo.

THIS

I really want Mo back. Best backup PG in league last season. His addition improved our bench scoring and we won 21 more games. Dame wants Mo. Bring back Mo.

 

[Natebishop3]

THIS

I really want Mo back. Best backup PG in league last season. His addition improved our bench scoring and we won 21 more games. Dame wants Mo. Bring back Mo.

So what do you do with Blake?

 

[KingSpeed]

So what do you do with Blake?

Play them both. There are always minutes for good players. They are both good players. Play them together off the bench and maybe Mo gives us even more scoring. Plus, foul trouble, injuries. You can never have too many good players.

 

[Natebishop3]

Play them both. There are always minutes for good players. They are both good players. Play them together off the bench and maybe Mo gives us even more scoring. Plus, foul trouble, injuries. You can never have too many good players.

Bob Whitsitt proved that theory wrong. You can definitely have too many good players.

Mo played over 20 minutes per game last season. We wouldn't be able to give him anywhere near that many. Dame is going to play around 35-36 minutes. That leaves 12-13 minutes at point guard. Wes will probably play around 32-34 minutes. That leaves between 14 and 16 minutes at shooting guard. That gives you about 26-29 minutes to distribute between the two backup guard spots. Mo ate up most those minutes last season. Now we have Blake, who is going to play at least 15 minutes per game. That leaves 11-14 minutes. Is Mo Williams going to be happy playing 11-14 minutes per game?

And keep in mind, with Mo taking up the minutes at shooting guard, you have relegated CJ to riding the pine. Our lottery pick. That would leave two lottery picks in the last two years now providing zero minutes of time on the court. That would be rather disappointing, don't you think?

 

[KingSpeed]

Ummmm Bob W got us to the WCF TWICE! What did he prove wrong? We were a couple baskets from the NBA Finals. Having lots of great players is the only way to get it done. Look how SA's depth killed everyone in the playoffs. They had room for Patty and Manu and Marco. 3 guards off the bench in significant minutes!

Second of all, INJURIES. They happen. Blake has had a major injury in each of the last two seasons. If Blake can't go, Mo can. When they're both healthy, they play together. If CJ or Will are better, they play instead. Let them compete to be in the rotation. There has NEVER been an NBA team that has lost a championship because they had too many good players. Maybe too many good NAMES. But never too many good PLAYERS.

 

[KingSpeed]

Thirdly, Mo was a well liked leader on this team. Other teams aren't banging on Mo's door. Even if CJ plays more and Mo plays less, he's still of value in the locker room and on the bench.

 

[Natebishop3]

Thirdly, Mo was a well liked leader on this team. Other teams aren't banging on Mo's door. Even if CJ plays more and Mo plays less, he's still of value in the locker room and on the bench.

Not if he's unhappy. Do you really think Mo is going to be happy if he's barely playing?

 

[KingSpeed]

Not if he's unhappy. Do you really think Mo is going to be happy if he's barely playing?

If that's what's best for the team, yes. He liked Portland. He liked the players. They like him. We don't win game 4 without him.

 

[Natebishop3]

If that's what's best for the team, yes. He liked Portland. He liked the players. They like him. We don't win game 4 without him.

You do realize that he turned us down, right? We offered him the same deal we gave Blake, and he said no. So why do you think he would now, suddenly, put what's best for the team ahead of his own needs?

 

[KingSpeed]

The thing is though, we can play Blake, Mo, and CJ just like Spurs playa Patty, Manu, and Marco. Everyone who is good plays.

Don't forget Mo got hurt vs Spurs so Barton had to step up. You can never have too many good players.

 

[KingSpeed]

You do realize that he turned us down, right? We offered him the same deal we gave Blake, and he said no. So why do you think he would now, suddenly, put what's best for the team ahead of his own needs?

July and October are two different things. Business and then Team. Two different mindsets when you're a good NBA player.

 

[Natebishop3]

July and October are two different things. Business and then Team. Two different mindsets when you're a good NBA player.

I don't understand how this gets him to sign on the dotted line.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

The thing is though, we can play Blake, Mo, and CJ just like Spurs playa Patty, Manu, and Marco. Everyone who is good plays.

Don't forget Mo got hurt vs Spurs so Barton had to step up. You can never have too many good players.

The main difference here is that Marco and Manu are 6'5" and 6'6" respectively. They can essentially play a small 3. In this scenario, we have four guards at 6'3" (or less) that you want to give minutes to. That's a little bit different, and a little less tenable.

 

[Minstrel]

Wes Matthews could play some of his 30+ minutes at small forward, depending on how Dorell Wright plays in his second season in Portland.

To me, depth means finding the players who work out and having the luxury to excise the players who don't from the rotation. By having Blake and Williams and Wright and McCollum and Barton, you give yourself some outs. You don't try to give them all equal minutes. If Wright seems to be struggling again, give Matthews the non-Batum small forward minutes, reduce his shooting guard minutes by the same amount and play Williams more. If Williams sucks, give Blake a few more minutes and give Barton or McCollum some burn. Etcetera.

 

[Harry's Raincoat]

Blazers allowed Blake to take Mo's #25 uni......ask yourself......why would they do this if Mo was coming back??