Nice article! "The bench is coming together!"

[Boise Blazer]

And, we also now have a LOT more flexibility in late game situations. I look forward to seeing how Stotts manages his lineups at the end of close games. Even without a bench, he was better at it last season than Nate (predictable, one-dimensional all ISO all the time) ever was. Now, he can run offensive/defensive substitutions - and I just don't mean Lopez on defense and Meyers on offense. In spite of the general consensus that Aldridge HATES to play center, he actually said he only wanted a big body, a true center, who can come in and bang down low for 20 - 25 minutes a night. So, in late game situations, bring Lopez in for defense and then surround Aldridge and Lillard with our 3 best shooters on offense. Double either of our stars and they kick it to the open shooter. Plus, because Lopez is a good FT shooter, he doesn't become a liability if you get caught in transition and can't sub him out. In addition to not losing leads every time we rest the starters, this new, deeper bench gives Stotts a lot more flexibility in late game situations.

I think a lot of people are going to be surprised just how many more games this team will win this season because our bench went from a huge minus (worst in league history) to a positive. Imagine how good we will be if our bench can actually increase a lead rather than giving it away every time we rest more than one starter. Imagine the luxury of giving Lillard, Aldridge, Batum and Matthews an extra 3 or 4 minutes of rest every night knowing it's not going to cost you a win.

BNM

100% agreed. Repped

I think this team will become as deadly a shooting team as any in the league with that flexibility.

 

[PDXKass]

And, we also now have a LOT more flexibility in late game situations. I look forward to seeing how Stotts manages his lineups at the end of close games. Even without a bench, he was better at it last season than Nate (predictable, one-dimensional all ISO all the time) ever was. Now, he can run offensive/defensive substitutions - and I just don't mean Lopez on defense and Meyers on offense. In spite of the general consensus that Aldridge HATES to play center, he actually said he only wanted a big body, a true center, who can come in and bang down low for 20 - 25 minutes a night. So, in late game situations, bring Lopez in for defense and then surround Aldridge and Lillard with our 3 best shooters on offense. Double either of our stars and they kick it to the open shooter. Plus, because Lopez is a good FT shooter, he doesn't become a liability if you get caught in transition and can't sub him out. In addition to not losing leads every time we rest the starters, this new, deeper bench gives Stotts a lot more flexibility in late game situations.

I think a lot of people are going to be surprised just how many more games this team will win this season because our bench went from a huge minus (worst in league history) to a positive. Imagine how good we will be if our bench can actually increase a lead rather than giving it away every time we rest more than one starter. Imagine the luxury of giving Lillard, Aldridge, Batum and Matthews an extra 3 or 4 minutes of rest every night knowing it's not going to cost you a win.

BNM

that last paragraph was exactly my point when i wrote this. if our starters can get a few more minutes rest it won't just help us win games, but it'll help us later on in the season when we're making our playoff run.

 

[jlprk]

i've heard the Sideshow Bob reference. i prefer Fropez!

The purpose of both nicknames is to ridicule his hair.

 

[PDXKass]

The purpose of both nicknames is to ridicule his hair.

i like to think of is as complimentary rather than ridicule.

 

[blue9]

The purpose of both nicknames is to ridicule his hair.

I hope someone holds him down and shaves his head before the first game of the season.

 

[PDXKass]

I hope someone holds him down and shaves his head before the first game of the season.

that would be mean! though, it could make him more aerodynamic!