Not that far away

[Natebishop3]

The season is still very very young, but I think we have to be encouraged by our starters. This team is not that far away from being able to compete for a playoff spot. Give the team a year to play together, work out some kinks, and then this summer add a few pieces for our bench. I think our timeline is a lot better than some of us thought it would be.

If Batum can keep up this play, I think he's an All-Star. The guy has been playing like we all hoped he would for the past two years. He's playing D, he's rebounding, he's moving with the ball and slashing. If nothing else, his play has been the most encouraging this year.

Lillard is a stud. There's really not much else to say. He's only going to get better.

Matthews is not a star by any means, but having him healthy has been a big boost. He's the kind of guy any playoff team must have. He's a heart guy. He hustles, he can shoot, and he plays defense. I know some of you think he should be coming off the bench but I like him in the starting lineup. I'm not sure if he could produce as well off the bench.

Aldridge is off to a slow start... again..... but I'm hoping he'll pick it up as the season goes on and he builds chemistry with Lillard. I think as Lillard grows, Aldridge will slide back into his #2 spot that he was happy to occupy with Roy.

I think we need to take the rest of the season to assess Hickson, Leonard, Freeland, Claver, Barton, etc. We need to know what we've got in these guys. I know Stotts wants to win, but our complete lack of a bench will keep us from legitimately contending this year. Give the young guys some burn and let them sort it out.

This summer try to build the bench, add a piece or two and then next year I think we could be right back in the thick of things. We need to address backup point guard and backup shooting guard. Those are the two weak points right now.

 

[Carlito]

There's really not much to see with our bench... They simply suck. None of those guys except maybe Meyers I'd keep and he looks worse every game.

Starters look great though. I think we draft a SG or Center in this next draft where we should have a top 5 pick. No way these starters stay healthy at this rate. The blazers likely will be a dumpster fire by January because of the god awful bench/injuries.

 

[julius]

this team is a bench away from not being a shitty team. But they're just a bench away from being a 8th seed and nothing more.

 

[HailBlazers]

this team is a bench away from not being a shitty team. But they're just a bench away from being a 8th seed and nothing more.

That's one viewpoint.

 

[julius]

That's one viewpoint.

As things stand currently, I think it's a more realistic one. It could change, obviously, but their defense is their true Achilles heal, imho.

 

[Natebishop3]

As things stand currently, I think it's a more realistic one. It could change, obviously, but their defense is their true Achilles heal, imho.

And that's absolutely ridiculous because Mathews, Batum, and Aldridge should make this team a very good defensive unit.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

And that's absolutely ridiculous because Mathews, Batum, and Aldridge should make this team a very good defensive unit.

Not if they have to play 40+ minutes a game and are also expected to score most of the points.

 

[magnifier661]

We are literally 2 solid bench players away from being a damn good team. We need a solid 8 man rotation. Right now we have a solid 6 man rotation (Lenard).

 

[3RA1N1AC]

after they lose a few more games i really hope we start seeing heavy doses of barton claver and freeland

hell sign an undrafted guy, try and find the next morrow or something

 

[Eastoff]

So does anyone else think if Batum keeps up this play, he'll be a '2a' and LaMarcus a '2b' behind Damian's '1'?

 

[3RA1N1AC]

i think LMA is a legit 1a to lillards hopefully 1b, and batum can be a legit #2

 

[HailBlazers]

Leonard can be a legit #3 down the road imo. He's crazy good at FT's, all he needs is to do is develop some post moves.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Leonard can be a legit #3 down the road imo. He's crazy good at FT's, all he needs is to do is develop some post moves.

for how raw he still is, there are at least flashes already of him putting it together, i think the future is bright for him as well

 

[Natebishop3]

What this team desperately needs is a Ben Gordon type of player. Someone who can come in off the bench and score so that we aren't relying so heavily on our starters to put up points. Jamal Crawford could have been that guy, but he was too much of a toolbag last year to keep around.

 

[RR7]

i think LMA is a legit 1a to lillards hopefully 1b, and batum can be a legit #2

I think I'd flip Lillard and Aldridge, LMA being 1b.

 

[Eastoff]

Leonard can be a legit #3 down the road imo. He's crazy good at FT's, all he needs is to do is develop some post moves.

He needs A LOT of work on defense. If anything, his offense is better than his defense right now.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think we want Aldridge to be a 1a, but I'm not sure he has the mentality. Lillard is too much of a distributor to be a 1a I think. He is perfectly happy putting up 20 points and handing out 10 assists.

Maybe Batum could be a 1a?

 

[Eastoff]

I think we want Aldridge to be a 1a, but I'm not sure he has the mentality. Lillard is too much of a distributor to be a 1a I think. He is perfectly happy putting up 20 points and handing out 10 assists.

Maybe Batum could be a 1a?

Did you see Batum wave off Lillard when he brought the ball over the half court against the Spurs? That screams 1a.

 

[Natebishop3]

Did you see Batum wave off Lillard when he brought the ball over the half court against the Spurs? That screams 1a.

I'm totally fine with Batum being 1a if he can be consistent, but he sure seems hell bent on proving that he deserves that money. That's a far cry from some guys that get the fatty contract and take a vacation.

 

[mook]

Most teams have a decent bench and struggle to come up with a "Big 3." It's just a lot easier to come up with 6 guys with 12+ PER's than it is 3 starters with 19+ PER's.

Portland seems to have its Big 3 figured out. Are they a big enough Big 3 to win a championship? Probably not, unless Lillard and Batum's ceilings are a lot higher than most of us think. But it's a great foundation to build on.

My hopes of winning a championship went up in smoke with Roy and Oden's knees (and the formation of the Miami Superfriends). These three, coupled with a well-built supporting cast, could be a perennial WCF contender in another two years, with hope of growing from there. And that's my definition of "not that far away."

 

[Natebishop3]

Most teams have a decent bench and struggle to come up with a "Big 3." It's just a lot easier to come up with 6 guys with 12+ PER's than it is 3 starters with 19+ PER's.

Portland seems to have its Big 3 figured out. Are they a big enough Big 3 to win a championship? Probably not, unless Lillard and Batum's ceilings are a lot higher than most of us think. But it's a great foundation to build on.

My hopes of winning a championship went up in smoke with Roy and Oden's knees (and the formation of the Miami Superfriends). These three, coupled with a well-built supporting cast, could be a perennial WCF contender in another two years, with hope of growing from there. And that's my definition of "not that far away."

Oh I don't know, I think our "big three" could be the perfect combination.

An 18 and 8 point guard (or maybe better)

A 20 ppg wing that can slash and shoot, while also playing defense.

A long, athletic power forward that can go inside and outside.

The only question at this point is whether one of them will step up and be the THE MAN, because that's all that is standing in the way of this being a great "big three". That and a bench of course.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

need a badass defensive 10/10 center

if nards is that guy, i could see making some noise in a year or two

 

[mook]

Lillard is too much of a distributor to be a 1a I think.

For now he is. As a rookie. Less than 10 games into the season.

But Lillard has some serious stones. I think he sees himself as being the best player on a high quality playoff team. I don't think he'll ever be perfectly happy unless he's got the team on his back and he's winning a ring.

He is perfectly happy putting up 20 points and handing out 10 assists.

Isn't that pretty much the definition of a 1a guy playing the PG position?

 

[Natebishop3]

For now he is. As a rookie. Less than 10 games into the season.

But Lillard has some serious stones. I think he sees himself as being the best player on a high quality playoff team. I don't think he'll ever be perfectly happy unless he's got the team on his back and he's winning a ring.



Isn't that pretty much the definition of a 1a guy playing the PG position?

I think it can be... I guess it depends on what your definition of 1a is.

A leader? Absolutely. I think Lillard could easily be the leader of this team.

The guy who takes the last shot? Again, yes, I think Lillard could be that guy.

Put up a lot of points? I'm not so sure I see Lillard putting up a lot of points. I think he's capable, but he seems too intent on getting his teammates involved. I could see Aldridge or Batum averaging 25 ppg before Lillard ever comes close. I guess it just depends on whether you think Chris Paul is a 1a. I think he's a good scorer, but is Paul the guy you want taking the last shot? I'm not sure I would, but I also think Lillard is a better scorer than Paul.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

need a badass defensive 10/10 center

if nards is that guy, i could see making some noise in a year or two

We have that center's backup, and it shows that the starting center in our system (if he hustles) is pretty much guaranteed to get 10/10. I hope we give Leonard some run to see if the system and he can work together.

 

[HailBlazers]

Regardless of 1a, b or c, I think we all agree, the core is solid and we're not that far away from being a playoff contender. This solice makes me enjoy the season win or lose.

 

[Eastoff]

Regardless of 1a, b or c, I think we all agree, the core is solid and we're not that far away from being a playoff contender. This solice makes me enjoy the season win or lose.

So say we all.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

It is known, Khalissi.

 

[THE HCP]

I think Olshey just might be the guy to do it actually. Wheeler and dealer! And didn't he tell LA this was just a 1 season rebuild?

 

[Natebishop3]