Neil comments on the deadline

[BonesJones]

They had to fucking shake things up and so they made a two for one deal that got us a minor bench upgrade? This is typical Olshey. The guy acts like he makes big changes if he makes any because he's fucking allergic to actually changing things. Also him talking about next season already is such bullshit. The guy should be fired right now for that. You just had a chance to make this season the best it can be and you're talking about ownership giving you funds to make us better next fucking season. Not impressed, ever, with this bad used car salesman.

They got a guy averaging 20ppg (in 30mpg) on 50/44/86 and can play good defense... And it's marginal... Lol.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

Agree we get to test drive but Trent was going to be gone to, if he looks great in our system with Dame it opens up a lot of possibilities

1. resign
2. Resign and trade him
3. Trade CJ and keep Powell as starter

 

[BonesJones]

I completely disagree, Gordon is a much better player. My complaint is not the move though. My complaint is that this move to upgrade our bench is Olshey's version of shaking things up. My other complaint is that Olshey seems to think and maybe does have a lifetime pass. He just gets to say "next season" whenever he wants.

For a GM that isn't saying he's in a rebuild, next season should never be what he's talking about. Thinking about, of course but today was your day to have an effect on this season... you got a guy who will be unrestricted in the off season so today you didn't do anything for next season... so why are we talking about it? It's because Olshey is habitually passing the buck or kicking the can down the road or without metaphor trying to distract from what he hasn't done with promises of what he will do.

Gordon is inefficient inside the arc including terrible from mid-range. He's not a reliable 3pt shooter yet and a career 33% shooter from there. His defense is solid but overrated. Yeah he can pass, but do you really think Stotts would utilize that? Nah. He'd get put in the corner to launch 3s. Just look at what's happened to DJJ with his cutting ability and athleticism.

 

[wizenheimer]

Powell was a long ways short of a home run, but he's certainly better than standing pat. I would have preferred an upgrade to the starting forwards rather than upgrading the bench at guard, but apparently that wasn't to be

 

[AldoTrapani]

Gordon is inefficient inside the arc including terrible from mid-range. He's not a reliable 3pt shooter yet and a career 33% shooter from there. His defense is solid but overrated. Yeah he can pass, but do you really think Stotts would utilize that? Nah. He'd get put in the corner to launch 3s. Just look at what's happened to DJJ with his cutting ability and athleticism.

I agree with this. If he’s making Jones jr useless he wouldn’t be able to utilize Gordan whatsover

 

[Natebishop3]

@BonesJones i listened to you guys for a few minutes today. You didn’t really address the potential for Powell to leave and us basically getting nothing out of Trent. Aren’t you concerned that we won’t get any return at all out or Trent?

 

[BonesJones]

@BonesJones i listened to you guys for a few minutes today. You didn’t really address the potential for Powell to leave and us basically getting nothing out of Trent. Aren’t you concerned that we won’t get any return at all out or Trent?

I feel like it's not as likely as people are saying, and it's a good risk to take considering the outcome was gonna be losing Trent or overpaying him.

 

[BonesJones]

Powell was a long ways short of a home run, but he's certainly better than standing pat. I would have preferred an upgrade to the starting forwards rather than upgrading the bench at guard, but apparently that wasn't to be

How many forwards that wouldve been upgrades got traded today?

 

[Mediocre Man]

I don't buy this narrative that Powell is a two way player. I think he's a better player on both ends than Trent, but marginally on defense.

Night and day better than Trent on defense.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Did this move get us closer to a championship?

As much as this response got me closer to death

 

[James lamphear]

It's doesn't matter who you bring in as fowards because our offense is not built around them it's built around guard play. Our starting fowards together shot 13 times our 2 starting guards shot 44 times and our center shot 11 times and the only reason that because of his offense rebounding. Until the offense becomes more balanced the other teams going to try double our 2 guards. The only other fowards gets attempts is Melo because won't give back when he gets. So trading for Gordon wouldn't really reflect anything much on the offense end. Olshey brought another guard why because translates to Stotts offense system. Why bring in another forward so stand around hoping to get ball or another player to stand there to watch Dame and CJ takes turn shooting the ball 50 shots a game.

 

[julius]

To those who are complaining (for lack of a better word) that they could lose Powell for nothing (and therefore, lose trent for nothing), they had realistically two options.

1. Lose trent anyways
2. re-sign Trent for a lot more money even tho he more than likely wanted a starting spot.

The chances of #2 doing that probably isn't too good, so if they're going to lose Trent, they might as well also lose Hood so that would open up minutes for (hopefully) Little.

 

[julius]

As much as this response got me closer to death

good to know you're not dying soon.

 

[JoshuaHall]

Norm is a more efficient, better defending, worse passing Donovan Mitchell

Norm brings us closer to a contender than Aaron Gordon could even dream of

Aaron gordon is massively overrated while norm Powell is massively underrated

I would be geeked about this if Stotts wasn’t HC

 

[Natebishop3]

To those who are complaining (for lack of a better word) that they could lose Powell for nothing (and therefore, lose trent for nothing), they had realistically two options.

1. Lose trent anyways
2. re-sign Trent for a lot more money even tho he more than likely wanted a starting spot.

The chances of #2 doing that probably isn't too good, so if they're going to lose Trent, they might as well also lose Hood so that would open up minutes for (hopefully) Little.

There was a third option. Trade Trent for someone on a longer contract or for a similar caliber player at a position of need who we wouldn’t mind paying the money.

With Powell we are right back in the same boat of potentially paying starter money to a guy on the bench.

 

[wizenheimer]

How many forwards that wouldve been upgrades got traded today?

Gordon would have been an upgrade, and yeah, I know....you don't agree. I think RoCo/Gordon is an upgrade over RoCo/Jones on multiple fronts. I know I won't persuade of you of that, and you won't persuade me otherwise. That's just where it's at

and I never said Portland missed out on something significant yesterday. All I did say was my preference was that Portland upgraded a starter rather than a backup

 

[Natebishop3]

Gordon would have been an upgrade, and yeah, I know....you don't agree. I think RoCo/Gordon is an upgrade over RoCo/Jones

and you apparently didn't notice that I never said Portland missed out on something significant yesterday. What I did say was my preference was that Portland upgraded a stater rather than a backup

This is how I feel as well.

 

[wizenheimer]

As much as this response got me closer to death

what makes you think you aren't already?

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Interesting note about being $2.7 under the tax line and able to outbid other teams that only have the $2.5M player minimum to offer.

What exception would the Blazers use to offer more than the $2.5M minimum? The two trade exceptions the Blazers have are too small. That leaves using part of the bi-annual exception ($3.6M). I guess the only draw back to using the bi-annual exception is that we would lose the ability to use the full amount next year.

I guess we'll see if that additional $0.2M is able to entice a 'top tier' buy-out candidate, rather than just using the $2.5M minimum to put an extra body at the end of the bench.

View attachment 37773

I dont think the 0.2 mil helps. First as you say we lose the ability to utilize it next year. A trade exception cannot be used to sign a player. Also a player would only be paid the prorated portion, so now your 0.2 million only gives them maybe 70k extra cash. Just not enough to make any difference. Players care about the role so they can get paid millions next summer.

The room could help if we want to sign a second player to 10 day contracts, or if we wait enough games... sign two players for the playoffs.

 

[e_blazer]

what makes you think you aren't already?

Time to change your avatar:

 

[wizenheimer]

good to know you're not dying soon.

yeah, but does a mediocre death really rise to the level of dying?

 

[Hoopguru]

It's doesn't matter who you bring in as fowards because our offense is not built around them it's built around guard play. Our starting fowards together shot 13 times our 2 starting guards shot 44 times and our center shot 11 times and the only reason that because of his offense rebounding. Until the offense becomes more balanced the other teams going to try double our 2 guards. The only other fowards gets attempts is Melo because won't give back when he gets. So trading for Gordon wouldn't really reflect anything much on the offense end. Olshey brought another guard why because translates to Stotts offense system. Why bring in another forward so stand around hoping to get ball or another player to stand there to watch Dame and CJ takes turn shooting the ball 50 shots a game.

Powell is a leader from what I understand, so I expect him to impose his style of play and help the team in different ways. He isn't necessarily just a P&R, three point shooter, he a slasher and a guy that like to get out and run. That alone will helpm this team if other players want to get on board.

 

[Scalma]

Norm is a more efficient, better defending, worse passing Donovan Mitchell

Norm brings us closer to a contender than Aaron Gordon could even dream of

Aaron gordon is massively overrated while norm Powell is massively underrated

I would be geeked about this if Stotts wasn’t HC

but Kevin O'Connor said Gordon was the missing piece?!?

I would’ve welcomed Gordon and a change of scenery could always help a guy, but I’m also cautious when I see “experts” blame a players’ failure/underachieving entirely on coaching/situation, especially when its multiple coaches/situations. Gordon wouldn’t have been the savior. He would’ve been a project. An intriguing project, sure, but still a project. In his seventh year in the league, the odds are more likely that he is who he is. I’m actually more annoyed Denver got McGee.

 

[James lamphear]

Powell is a leader from what I understand, so I expect him to impose his style of play and help the team in different ways. He isn't necessarily just a P&R, three point shooter, he a slasher and a guy that like to get out and run. That alone will helpm this team if other players want to get on board.

I hope they use him the right way with him board there know reason to see CJ and Dame to take 50 shot a game. If one is struggling now they guy they can go to and take that slack away from them. But we will see because sometimes I am real big fan of either one. Don't get wrong I think there both outstanding offense players but sometimes it's they look to much for there shot any only pass when they get in trouble.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I liked the Powell trade, and the offseason moves. His moves have gotten us better defensive players, so I'm definitely supporting Neil.

However, I am not happy about how those defensive players have been used to actually make our defense better. So, I'm not on the Stotts bandwagon.

 

[Blazinaway]

I hope they use him the right way with him board there know reason to see CJ and Dame to take 50 shot a game. If one is struggling now they guy they can go to and take that slack away from them. But we will see because sometimes I am real big fan of either one. Don't get wrong I think there both outstanding offense players but sometimes it's they look to much for there shot any only pass when they get in trouble.

One VERY interesting observation is how many TOR fans have posted that Powell's performance as a starter in night and day better than when he's used off the bench - wonder if he might start here at SF? or we get the "worse Powell" off the bench

 

[Pinwheel1]

One VERY interesting observation is how many TOR fans have posted that Powell's performance as a starter in night and day better than when he's used off the bench - wonder if he might start here at SF? or we get the "worse Powell" off the bench

Did they say if he got the same minutes regardless if he started or came off the bench? I think most players struggle with their shot until they warm up. But if he playing 30 minutes regardless (which he will) he will be ok if he comes in midway through the 1st for CJ. My guess is he out there to end games.

 

[B-Roy]

Did they say if he got the same minutes regardless if he started or came off the bench? I think most players struggle with their shot until they warm up. But if he playing 30 minutes regardless (which he will) he will be ok if he comes in midway through the 1st for CJ. My guess is he out there to end games.

Here is his shooting splits in 19/20:

20/21:


Now obviously there could be a lot of reasons for this. But it looks like his shooting is significantly better when starting than coming off the bench. His other stats as well.

 

[kjironman1]

I liked the Powell trade, and the offseason moves. His moves have gotten us better defensive players, so I'm definitely supporting Neil.

However, I am not happy about how those defensive players have been used to actually make our defense better. So, I'm not on the Stotts bandwagon.

Okay Now this i can really get behind.
The players when healthy are there. Nurk, Roco, Jones, now Powell, (even Collins if he comes back) can lead to better defense.
This is where I'm all for holding Stotts as a coach accountable for getting this group to play better defense.
Olshey can only get him the players. Stotts needs to Demand better performance on the defensive side of the ball and play players when the matchups are there.
In the end however the players need to perform. If they don't they can kiss their "Players Coach" goodbye.

 

[OneSport3]

Okay Now this i can really get behind.
The players when healthy are there. Nurk, Roco, Jones, now Powell, (even Collins if he comes back) can lead to better defense.
This is where I'm all for holding Stotts as a coach accountable for getting this group to play better defense.
Olshey can only get him the players. Stotts needs to Demand better performance on the defensive side of the ball and play players when the matchups are there.
In the end however the players need to perform. If they don't they can kiss their "Players Coach" goodbye.

Couldn’t agree more. This should be it for Stotts. If he doesn’t perform with all the defensive upgrades, he should be let go in the summer.