Official 2018-2019 training camp thread

[Eastoff]

LOL

 

[Hoopguru]

I'm realistic. As Blazer fans, our options are always limited on talent so we always overvalue what we have. Say your a kid that gets one toy at Christmas. We'll it's always the BEST TOY IN THE WORLD. And soon, you wouldn't want any other toy because you have "just the right one." That's Blazer fans, our players are special, but only to us. Just the world we live in.

Well said...!

I have a friends in the Bay and they are now big roundball fans because of the dramatic shift that took place with the Warriors. I always pulled their chain for being band wagon fans, because I know if they fall back to below mediocrity (which they were for year) my buds will lose their enthusiasm for the game and put their attention else where.

For me, that got to attend two of the Championship series games and many other games over the years, that helps with my addiction to the team, but its really my love for the game, that Ive had since a youngster.
Yep, every year Im hopeful for something special, but Im also good and love watching the game.

 

[Eastoff]

View attachment 22483

Btw I hope Simons lets that thing grow even longer.

NO! Someone in Reddit analysed elfryd Payton' fg% and hair and then described how his hair literally gets in the way of the wind up.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Well said...!

I have a friends in the Bay and they are now big roundball fans because of the dramatic shift that took place with the Warriors. I always pulled their chain for being band wagon fans, because I know if they fall back to below mediocrity (which they were for year) my buds will lose their enthusiasm for the game and put their attention else where.

For me, that got to attend two of the Championship series games and many other games over the years, that helps with my addiction to the team, but its really my love for the game, that Ive had since a youngster.
Yep, every year Im hopeful for something special, but Im also good and love watching the game.

That's why I've always been against tanking. I watch every game like it matter, because to me it does.

BNM

 

[ripcityboy]

 

[Boob-No-More]

NO! Someone in Reddit analysed elfryd Payton' fg% and hair and then described how his hair literally gets in the way of the wind up.

Yeah, but he has that ridiculous front porch overhang thing going on. Regardless of his shooting, that is the stupidest looking hair style I have ever seen (and this comes from someone who grew up in the 70s and vividly remembers the 80s - THE decade of regrettable fashion choices).

Simons is fine. His hair is vertical. It doesn't get in the way of his shot. Plus, it might help him draw more fouls when he beats his man off the dribble and they try to recover and block him from behind.

BNM

 

[Driew]

We're sooooo lucky to have Dame around for Ant and Gary.

 

[Hoopguru]

ESPN Power ranking has the Blazers 10th in the league.
6th in the Western Conference.
They have the Lakers 9th & 5th in WC.

 

[Scalma]

Biggie looks in shape.

 

[ripcityboy]

View attachment 22489

Biggie looks in shape.

Damn. I'm impressed.

 

[Driew]

ET is a legend on Instagram at least haha

 

[Scalma]

Seems like everyone on the team loves Simons.

 

[Driew]

Seems like everyone on the team loves Simons.

How could you not? The kid seems very down to earth and humble.

 

[THE HCP]

How could you not? The kid seems very down to earth and humble.

You rang FAMS?

 

[Hoopguru]

View attachment 22489

Biggie looks in shape.

There are some big dudes on this team.

 

[Hoopguru]

Collins is going to be a beast in a couple years when he fills out.

 

[Driew]

You rang FAMS?

Did he steal your lunch box today? I'm sorry.

 

[Scalma]

Okkkayyy

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[Jade Falcon]

View attachment 22489

Biggie looks in shape.

Holy shit. Wow. Good. That means that I expect better things from him this season.

 

[Scalma]

Holy shit. Wow. Good. That means that I expect better things from him this season.

I hope so. He’s been in shape before only to get sloppy once the season started. A guy like him can’t afford to get off track, not even a little bit. My hope is he takes that backup center job away from Meyers.

 

[Jade Falcon]

I hope so. He’s been in shape before only to get sloppy once the season started. A guy like him can’t afford to get off track, not even a little bit. My hope is he takes that backup center job away from Meyers.

I hope that being in shape increases his speed. Because he is old man slow.

 

[BonesJones]

We're sooooo lucky to have Dame around for Ant and Gary.

It's funny to hear him talk about how he wants to play off the ball more so that teams can't load up on him as easily... Basically what I've been asking for all summer.

 

[BonesJones]

I hope so. He’s been in shape before only to get sloppy once the season started. A guy like him can’t afford to get off track, not even a little bit. My hope is he takes that backup center job away from Meyers.

A 6'8 guy who can't get off the ground and isn't known as a good defender as our backup C?

No thanks.

 

[HailBlazers]

A 6'8 guy who can't get off the ground and isn't known as a good defender as our backup C?

No thanks.

Rbs, Ast, n hustle will keep him on the court but if he can craft a post game (prayer I know with our staff) we could have a player, a la Zbo.

I'm pulling for him, 'Big time.

 

[Scalma]

A 6'8 guy who can't get off the ground and isn't known as a good defender as our backup C?

No thanks.

Swanigan actually graded out pretty decent defensively in limited minutes last year. He was first on the team in opposing teams ORTG. I know it’s a team stat, but it at least shows he wasn’t a liability. The players ranked behind him are guys most would agree are good defenders; Nurk, Baldwin, and Vonleh.

Yes he has athletic limitations, but he’s also got length, while instincts and IQ can mask a lot of those limitations he does have. Turning the fat into functional strength will help as well. I know I’d rather bank on him than Meyers.

 

[BonesJones]

Swanigan actually graded out pretty decent defensively in limited minutes last year. He was first on the team in opposing teams ORTG. I know it’s a team stat, but it at least shows he wasn’t a liability. The players ranked behind him are guys most would agree are good defenders; Nurk, Baldwin, and Vonleh.

Yes he has athletic limitations, but he’s also got length, while instincts and IQ can mask a lot of those limitations he does have. Turning the fat into functional strength will help as well. I know I’d rather bank on him than Meyers.

Yeah, but it was a small sample size and at least half was against bad, garbage time players. Plus, he was playing PF, not C. I wouldn't put credence into those numbers.

All those reasons you stated are valid points as to him being a solid defender at PF, I just don't think he can ever be more than awful defensively as a C. J.J. Hickson was more athletic and taller and he was horrible to the point that Robin Lopez was a huge acquisition.

Granted, if Biggie plays, it'll mean Zach is the backup C and usually playing with him, which I like. If you have a Derrick Favors or a similar plodding, smaller C, then maybe you can get away with Biggie guarding him and you could have Zach guard 4s. Still, I think about Biggie as our main rim protector and I cringe.

 

[Scalma]

Yeah, but it was a small sample size and at least half was against bad, garbage time players. Plus, he was playing PF, not C. I wouldn't put credence into those numbers.

All those reasons you stated are valid points as to him being a solid defender at PF, I just don't think he can ever be more than awful defensively as a C. J.J. Hickson was more athletic and taller and he was horrible to the point that Robin Lopez was a huge acquisition.

Granted, if Biggie plays, it'll mean Zach is the backup C and usually playing with him, which I like. If you have a Derrick Favors or a similar plodding, smaller C, then maybe you can get away with Biggie guarding him and you could have Zach guard 4s. Still, I think about Biggie as our main rim protector and I cringe.

Power forward, center, call it whatever, point is Meyers isn’t on the court.

 

[BonesJones]

Power forward, center, call it whatever, point is Meyers isn’t on the court.

But Biggie as our last line of defense would be just as bad. We'll miss Ed.

 

[Boob-No-More]

But Biggie as our last line of defense would be just as bad. We'll miss Ed.

I think Collins will get all of Ed's minutes at backup center and will also be our primary back up at PF. In other words, I'd like to see Zach playing both behind Nurk at center (about 18 - 19 MPG) and beside him at PF (another 8 - 9 MPG). So, about 30 MPG for Chief (same as last season), 28 MPG for Nurk and about 26 MPG for Zach. Since he will be backing up both front court positions, I could actually see Zach getting a couple more MPG, but I'm being conservative. I'm hoping Zach's play will help us get over losing Ed.

So, that adds up to about 84 minutes out of a possible 96, on average. We will also see some small ball line ups with Harkless, Turner or possibly Layman at the 4. That pretty much leaves table scraps for Meyers and Biggie to fight over. I think they will both get a chance and how much they play on any given night will depend on match ups and who is playing well that particular game.

The scary part will be injuries or foul trouble for any of our top 3 bigs. Those are the situations where at least one of Meyers or Biggie will be required to play significant minutes.

BNM