TBpup
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From the initial reaction, it would seem most Blazer fans are somewhat to quite happy with the additions made so far although it feels like there is still a 4/5 type big coming. Last season was bereft of wings who could make a play or were an offensive threat. The most explosive wing on the roster was Jake Layman because he 'could' possibly go off where Aminu/Harkless/Turner just didn't have that ability.
Fast forward to this morning and how the roster has changed:
Curry out - Simons in: Curry was lethal from '3' but didn't take/get many attempts and while a solid defender, didn't add much else. Simons has the ability to be much more explosive and to impact the game especially from the offensive end. Desperately in need of experience but on the 2nd unit, will be surrounded with guys who are for the most part much more veteran in nature. (Advantage: Simons....eventually)
Turner out - Hezonja in: Of course it was Bazemore that was traded for Turner but Mario is much more similar in size and skill set and will bring some PF skills to the 2nd unit. In the last 3 games of last season, Fizdale game him the reins at point-forward and he logged games of 29/9/5, 16/16/11, and 30/6/5. I don't recall Turner having a stretch like that in his entire time here in Portland. He is a career 32% 3-pt shooter which is not good but LIGHT YEARS ahead of Turner and I can't imagine he doesn't get better looks here. (Advantage: Hezonja....addition by subtraction)
Aminu out - Bazemore in: They play different positions but their value is largely on the defensive end albeit at different spots. Baze can guard 1-3 with maybe an occasional stint on a stretch '4' and is the much better 3-pt shooter although his overall shooting leaves much to be desired. Aminu was better against 3/4's and occasionally a small ball '5' but his shooting often left the Blazers playing 4-on-5. Hard to imagine Baze isn't the better ball-handler.....just because. (Advantage: Bazemore/needed change of scenery)
Hood back: Not sure many truly believed Rodney would come back for the TMLE. It provides a sense of continuity and it feels like a great deal for the Blazers. (Advantage: Better than losing yet another player for nothing)
What is next? We likely assume that the PF spot is now Zach's for the taking. However, who is going to back him up 5 minutes into the game when he has picked up his 2nd foul? Is Meyers/Skal/Collins the answer at the 4/5 till Nurk gets back? Not likely. Of course Stotts likes to go small and I can see Hezonja/Layman getting some spot minutes at the '4' but it seems like there is one more minimum salary big yet to join the party and one too many wings (Hood, Bazemore, Hezonja, Harkless, Layman, Trent) currently on the roster.
Remaining UFA (Power) Forwards
Marcus Morris - UFA
Markieff Morris - UFA
Centers
DeMarcus Cousins - UFA
Kevon Looney - UFA
Enes Kanter - UFA
JaVale McGee - UFA
Boban Marjanovic - UFA
Who would you like to be the 15th player on the roster? (until Harkless is traded)
Fast forward to this morning and how the roster has changed:
Curry out - Simons in: Curry was lethal from '3' but didn't take/get many attempts and while a solid defender, didn't add much else. Simons has the ability to be much more explosive and to impact the game especially from the offensive end. Desperately in need of experience but on the 2nd unit, will be surrounded with guys who are for the most part much more veteran in nature. (Advantage: Simons....eventually)
Turner out - Hezonja in: Of course it was Bazemore that was traded for Turner but Mario is much more similar in size and skill set and will bring some PF skills to the 2nd unit. In the last 3 games of last season, Fizdale game him the reins at point-forward and he logged games of 29/9/5, 16/16/11, and 30/6/5. I don't recall Turner having a stretch like that in his entire time here in Portland. He is a career 32% 3-pt shooter which is not good but LIGHT YEARS ahead of Turner and I can't imagine he doesn't get better looks here. (Advantage: Hezonja....addition by subtraction)
Aminu out - Bazemore in: They play different positions but their value is largely on the defensive end albeit at different spots. Baze can guard 1-3 with maybe an occasional stint on a stretch '4' and is the much better 3-pt shooter although his overall shooting leaves much to be desired. Aminu was better against 3/4's and occasionally a small ball '5' but his shooting often left the Blazers playing 4-on-5. Hard to imagine Baze isn't the better ball-handler.....just because. (Advantage: Bazemore/needed change of scenery)
Hood back: Not sure many truly believed Rodney would come back for the TMLE. It provides a sense of continuity and it feels like a great deal for the Blazers. (Advantage: Better than losing yet another player for nothing)
What is next? We likely assume that the PF spot is now Zach's for the taking. However, who is going to back him up 5 minutes into the game when he has picked up his 2nd foul? Is Meyers/Skal/Collins the answer at the 4/5 till Nurk gets back? Not likely. Of course Stotts likes to go small and I can see Hezonja/Layman getting some spot minutes at the '4' but it seems like there is one more minimum salary big yet to join the party and one too many wings (Hood, Bazemore, Hezonja, Harkless, Layman, Trent) currently on the roster.
Remaining UFA (Power) Forwards
Marcus Morris - UFA
Markieff Morris - UFA
Centers
DeMarcus Cousins - UFA
Kevon Looney - UFA
Enes Kanter - UFA
JaVale McGee - UFA
Boban Marjanovic - UFA
Who would you like to be the 15th player on the roster? (until Harkless is traded)
