PCmor7
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Just read this whole thread and had a few random reactions ... if I can remember all of them.
1) CJ isn't a passer ... yet. This really was his first really healthy year as a pro. I saw a lot of similarities to Damian in his first year. I think he will become better at creating for his teammates, and I suspect he will be much better at it next season. He's obviously a worker. Also, he's one of the craftiest offensive players in the entire NBA right now. His game isn't a carbon copy of Damian's, though there is overlap. But he is uncanny in his ability to create space within 15 feet of the basket. He's not someone you throw into a trade anymore. He can be traded for star-level players.
2) My one co-worker is a Warriors fan. He said he'll be glad to see Harrison Barnes go and he thinks someone is going to overpay for him and regret it. I agree. I don't see him as someone I want in Portland anymore. I think Aminu has surpassed him and is a better fit for the Blazers.
3) I said after the first game of the Clippers series that I wasn't going to write off Aminu or Harkless until I had a whole series to evaluate. Based on what I saw in the next 10 games, both are keepers. Anyone doubting Aminu should consider he was called upon to fill a completely different role this year than any other in his career, and you couldn't help to see how much better he got with confidence. I think he'll make more improvement next year, either adding to his offensive repertoire or stepping up his defense again now that he is more comfortable with what he can do offensively. Harkless is so young, and you have to think he's going to become a lot better and more consistent player, too. I also work with a guy who is a Magic fan, and he couldn't believe his team just gave up on Harkless from what he saw in this series. His versatility is going to be huge going forward and gives the Blazers flexibility in making other moves.
4) The comments above said, you still never fall in love with your own players. You have to be open to trading even CJ in the right deal. But I think the Blazers have more to trade now than other fans do. We just need to be open-minded to the fact that there's probably going to be someone popular either trade or allowed to walk this season so the team can acquire pieces to continue improving the team.
5) I've mentioned it in another thread recently, and I think someone touched on it here: The Blazers don't need to be better than the Warriors at every position. If they can be close at three and then exceptionally better at one of the other two and/or the bench, they are going to be in good shape. Guard-wise, the Blazers are where they need to be. So long as GS doesn't get Durant, I think Aminu is on track to be a plus over what the Warriors have there, if he isn't already. Where the Blazers get beaten is because of Green at the 4 and just the size at the 5 ... the Warriors have a legitimate 5 and a couple of decent big bodies coming off the bench. If the Blazers can close the gap with Green and get a player who can significantly outscore Bogut and keep him off the boards, the Blazers match up very well. But Portland will need 4s and 5s who can step out on the high pick-and-roll, because that's the other area we lose something to GS -- everyone on their team pretty much can make open shots.
6) The Blazers need to become a better defensive team. Short of getting Durant, we can't just try to outscore everyone. I think that's Stotts' biggest challenge ... can he coach defense. It's a challenge for Olshey, too. This team will need to develop that attitude and toughness. I think Henderson brings a bit of that, but I have a suspicion he won't be back.
1) CJ isn't a passer ... yet. This really was his first really healthy year as a pro. I saw a lot of similarities to Damian in his first year. I think he will become better at creating for his teammates, and I suspect he will be much better at it next season. He's obviously a worker. Also, he's one of the craftiest offensive players in the entire NBA right now. His game isn't a carbon copy of Damian's, though there is overlap. But he is uncanny in his ability to create space within 15 feet of the basket. He's not someone you throw into a trade anymore. He can be traded for star-level players.
2) My one co-worker is a Warriors fan. He said he'll be glad to see Harrison Barnes go and he thinks someone is going to overpay for him and regret it. I agree. I don't see him as someone I want in Portland anymore. I think Aminu has surpassed him and is a better fit for the Blazers.
3) I said after the first game of the Clippers series that I wasn't going to write off Aminu or Harkless until I had a whole series to evaluate. Based on what I saw in the next 10 games, both are keepers. Anyone doubting Aminu should consider he was called upon to fill a completely different role this year than any other in his career, and you couldn't help to see how much better he got with confidence. I think he'll make more improvement next year, either adding to his offensive repertoire or stepping up his defense again now that he is more comfortable with what he can do offensively. Harkless is so young, and you have to think he's going to become a lot better and more consistent player, too. I also work with a guy who is a Magic fan, and he couldn't believe his team just gave up on Harkless from what he saw in this series. His versatility is going to be huge going forward and gives the Blazers flexibility in making other moves.
4) The comments above said, you still never fall in love with your own players. You have to be open to trading even CJ in the right deal. But I think the Blazers have more to trade now than other fans do. We just need to be open-minded to the fact that there's probably going to be someone popular either trade or allowed to walk this season so the team can acquire pieces to continue improving the team.
5) I've mentioned it in another thread recently, and I think someone touched on it here: The Blazers don't need to be better than the Warriors at every position. If they can be close at three and then exceptionally better at one of the other two and/or the bench, they are going to be in good shape. Guard-wise, the Blazers are where they need to be. So long as GS doesn't get Durant, I think Aminu is on track to be a plus over what the Warriors have there, if he isn't already. Where the Blazers get beaten is because of Green at the 4 and just the size at the 5 ... the Warriors have a legitimate 5 and a couple of decent big bodies coming off the bench. If the Blazers can close the gap with Green and get a player who can significantly outscore Bogut and keep him off the boards, the Blazers match up very well. But Portland will need 4s and 5s who can step out on the high pick-and-roll, because that's the other area we lose something to GS -- everyone on their team pretty much can make open shots.
6) The Blazers need to become a better defensive team. Short of getting Durant, we can't just try to outscore everyone. I think that's Stotts' biggest challenge ... can he coach defense. It's a challenge for Olshey, too. This team will need to develop that attitude and toughness. I think Henderson brings a bit of that, but I have a suspicion he won't be back.
