Opening day lineup

[Dougnsalem]

Hmm... I think play-making in transition is his floor. That's what we get no matter what. Then we might get lucky and get even more (Good defense ? Play making in half-court ?)

Sorry for the off topic. Wait. No I'm not. Lol. Are things cool, weather wise with you? Sounds like things got kinda nasty....

 

[Bruno_Sabino]

You guys are just worried because of suns game. We play jazz and win you guys will be fine. Respect our team.

 

[Scalma]

Nah Stotts wants Hezonja to play point off the bench. Simons cant be the point.

Are you saying Hood would run the point off the bench?

Hood and Bazemore both can handle it enough. There’s really no point guard on the second unit. Between those two and Simons they’d be fine. Offense can run through Gasol as well.

 

[hoopsjock]

Hood and Bazemore both can handle it enough. There’s really no point guard on the second unit. Between those two and Simons they’d be fine. Offense can run through Gasol as well.

Personally, when you run out a back court of Dame and CJ I think the best thing for the starting lineup is to have a wing capable of doing what Harkless has done the last couple seasons with being able to guard the other team's best perimeter offensive player. I saw Hood be more than adequate in that role in the playoffs and watching Bazemore over the years I'm pretty confident in him playing that role on defense but Hezonja just doesn't have the necessary quickness to do this as a starter in this particular lineup, even though I think he's underrated overall on defense.

 

[Hoopguru]

Personally, when you run out a back court of Dame and CJ I think the best thing for the starting lineup is to have a wing capable of doing what Harkless has done the last couple seasons with being able to guard the other team's best perimeter offensive player. I saw Hood be more than adequate in that role in the playoffs and watching Bazemore over the years I'm pretty confident in him playing that role on defense but Hezonja just doesn't have the necessary quickness to do this as a starter in this particular lineup, even though I think he's underrated overall on defense.

I I

I heard Neil mention in a very recent interview that Baze would be coming off the bench.
I think Hood can be better offensively when at the 3 and we certainly need that. His D isn't bad either.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I actually think Hezonja fits the starting unit the best. He’s bigger and a better ball handler/creator than Hood and doesn’t really require shots to make an impact. Hood can be more of a focal point with the second unit.

I doubt he starts but I agree he fits best with the first unit. Which is why he will finish a lot of games with them.
My guess is at PF with 3 shooters and a center.

 

[kjironman1]

I doubt he starts but I agree he fits best with the first unit. Which is why he will finish a lot of games with them.
My guess is at PF with 3 shooters and a center.

It’s my opinion that the players that will be in at the end of close games are going to be the players that can play defense and hit a three. The Blazers have both Dame and CJ and they will want the ball and the shot. That player clearing the floor has got to be a threat to hit a shot. Mario probably isn’t that guy. It’s exactly why Aminu and Harkless are gone.

 

[Pinwheel1]

It’s my opinion that the players that will be in at the end of close games are going to be the players that can play defense and hit a three. The Blazers have both Dame and CJ and they will want the ball and the shot. That player clearing the floor has got to be a threat to hit a shot. Mario probably isn’t that guy. It’s exactly why Aminu and Harkless are gone.

Aminu and Harkless had no handles what so ever. When teams trap the Blazers in the 4th quarter (Like Doc does every time) then having a PF on the court who can dribble, pass, and attack the basket will come in handy. Keep in mind I said he would be in there with 3 other shooters. (Dame, CJ, and Hood) Harkless and Aminu often were in there with just Dame and CJ. Huge difference.

As for defense...tell me what player currently on the team is better at covering a spread 4? (And Little at this point in time is not an option) The bar may be low, but none the less most of our PF's are not perimeter guys on D.

 

[BonesJones]

Aminu and Harkless had no handles what so ever. When teams trap the Blazers in the 4th quarter (Like Doc does every time) then having a PF on the court who can dribble, pass, and attack the basket will come in handy. Keep in mind I said he would be in there with 3 other shooters. (Dame, CJ, and Hood) Harkless and Aminu often were in there with just Dame and CJ. Huge difference.

As for defense...tell me what player currently on the team is better at covering a spread 4? (And Little at this point in time is not an option) The bar may be low, but none the less most of our PF's are not perimeter guys on D.

Eh, Mario attacking a defense that has already rotated probably isnt the best option.

 

[kjironman1]

Aminu and Harkless had no handles what so ever. When teams trap the Blazers in the 4th quarter (Like Doc does every time) then having a PF on the court who can dribble, pass, and attack the basket will come in handy. Keep in mind I said he would be in there with 3 other shooters. (Dame, CJ, and Hood) Harkless and Aminu often were in there with just Dame and CJ. Huge difference.

As for defense...tell me what player currently on the team is better at covering a spread 4? (And Little at this point in time is not an option) The bar may be low, but none the less most of our PF's are not perimeter guys on D.

My look going small would be Dame CJ Baze and Hood with either whiteside or Nurk. Bigger would be Collins instead of Hood or Baze. Depending on who is playing well and matchups?
This is really tough just yet. This team has not played yet. We also are not talking about a specific opponent.
I did pregames for literally almost a decade and the beginning of the season is a crap shoot until you get at least an idea how the Blazers are playing and of course how the team coming in is doing. It’s fun just talking about it but for the first 10 games we are all just making guesses albeit some are very educated guesses.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

My look going small would be Dame CJ Baze and Hood with either whiteside or Nurk. Bigger would be Collins instead of Hood or Baze. Depending on who is playing well and matchups?
This is really tough just yet. This team has not played yet. We also are not talking about a specific opponent.
I did pregames for literally almost a decade and the beginning of the season is a crap shoot until you get at least an idea how the Blazers are playing and of course how the team coming in is doing. It’s fun just talking about it but for the first 10 games we are all just making guesses albeit some are very educated guesses.

The more I think about it the more I think theres a shot we see a lot of Baze / Hood and Whiteside together.

 

[SIeepwalker]

Sorry for the off topic. Wait. No I'm not. Lol. Are things cool, weather wise with you? Sounds like things got kinda nasty....

Oh yeah I had no problems. Just had to stay at home for one day, which frankly isn't too much change lol
Thank you for asking though !

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Simons in the Lou Will role -- given the green light, this is the year he breaks out.

 

[BlayZa]

i can imagine them playing it pretty safe and trying to keep a starter on the court at all times and stagger things.

once nurk gets back properly, it'll settle out even more.

I'm keen to see Simons, Whiteside, Little etc what they can do with some time.

it could be a little bumpy at some points, but hey - im happy giving them the first half to figure out what works best.

 

[Pinwheel1]

i can imagine them playing it pretty safe and trying to keep a starter on the court at all times and stagger things.

I think so too. CJ started the 2nd quarter I believe last game with Simons. Hood or Baze will come in for CJ early, and CJ will come back when Dame goes out.

 

[BonesJones]

Hmm... I think play-making in transition is his floor. That's what we get no matter what. Then we might get lucky and get even more (Good defense ? Play making in half-court ?)

So Evan Turner is his floor?

 

[BonesJones]

My look going small would be Dame CJ Baze and Hood with either whiteside or Nurk. Bigger would be Collins instead of Hood or Baze. Depending on who is playing well and matchups?
This is really tough just yet. This team has not played yet. We also are not talking about a specific opponent.
I did pregames for literally almost a decade and the beginning of the season is a crap shoot until you get at least an idea how the Blazers are playing and of course how the team coming in is doing. It’s fun just talking about it but for the first 10 games we are all just making guesses albeit some are very educated guesses.

That's scary small though... we'd put a lot of stress on our C to rebound and defend the rim.

 

[riverman]

I doubt we'll see Hood and Baze on the floor together at all this season. Baze will be our bench mob captain. Simons Baze Skal, Pau and Mario are the bench mob

 

[mook]

Opponents always hide their weakest backcourt defender on our small forward (because otherwise they have to contend with CJ or Dame). Hood's specialty is abusing smaller guards, either in the post or shooting over them. So he's the perfect offensive SF for this team. (Defensively, well, that's another question. But we tried running the perfect defensive complement in Harkless for years, and it clearly wasn't working in the playoffs.)

But that doesn't even matter. Portland got Hood on a nice discount. It's undeniable. They couldn't offer him more money, but they could guarantee him a starting job on opening night. Hood signed a 2 year contract with a player's option in his second year to see if he could make a lot more next season as a legit starter either in Portland or somewhere else next season.

If Hood doesn't get the starting job on opening night this season, every agent in the league will know about it and it will not be good for the reputation of the Blazers.

However, I very, very much doubt Portland guaranteed Hood that he'd get to start all year. No team with a brain hamstrings their coach like that. Not for a decent, but non-star, player.

So the question isn't "Who starts opening night?" That's pretty much in stone at this point. Dame, CJ, Hood, Collins, Whiteside.

"Who starts 20 games in?" is very much in play, however. I have a feeling Bazemore is going to force his way into starting. He brings back a lot of what we lost with Harkless, but adds ball handling and (I think) more consistency.

 

[kjironman1]

Simons in the Lou Will role -- given the green light, this is the year he breaks out.

I could see this. But it's gonna be a bumpy road. When he gets minutes he has to perform. If he performs well he gets scouted heavily. When he gets scouted heavily teams make adjustments to deal with his strengths and weaknesses. Then we will see what he is made of?

 

[kjironman1]

That's scary small though... we'd put a lot of stress on our C to rebound and defend the rim.

Yeah it is. We watched essentially the same thing last year for stretches with Curry and Aminu on the court with Dame and CJ. The opposite fits as well you can go bigger this year and play Whiteside, Collins, Hood or (Tolliver if he has had his protein shake for the day?). This only gets bigger when Nurk starts playing again and if you add Gasol. Size will not be a problem for this team. Depends on the team the are playing -Matchups-.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I doubt we'll see Hood and Baze on the floor together at all this season. Baze will be our bench mob captain. Simons Baze Skal, Pau and Mario are the bench mob

I agree with who you have as the bench mob, but how can Hood and Baze never be on the court together? That seems highly unlikely to me. You don't think Baze will ever come in the game for CJ? (with Hood sliding to the SG position)

 

[wizenheimer]

I have a feeling Bazemore is going to force his way into starting. He brings back a lot of what we lost with Harkless, but adds ball handling and (I think) more consistency.

I'm not sure 'consistency' is the right word. Bazemore has been plenty inconsistent in his career, but that's what keeps role players being role players. What Bazemore has been is consistently more assertive about his own offense, and the biggest complaint (justified) about Harkless was his passive nature; his tendency to disappear when still on the floor

career-wise, Bazemore has averaged a shot every 2.76 minutes. Harkless averaged one every 3.63 minutes. And Bazemore's usage rate is 20.6% vs Harkless at 14.7%. Those are pretty big differences and you mentioned an advantage with Bazemore: he's averaged 3.3 assists per36 vs Harkless at 1.4. The other side of that is that Bazemore has doubled Harkless in turnovers

for sure, Bazemore has been a better 3 point shooter, .352 vs .323. But after that stat all the efficiency and production metrics favor Harkless:

FG%: Bazemore .419....Harkless .476
2ptFG%%: Bazemore .419....Harkless .476
eFG%: Bazemore .489....Harkless .525
TS%: Bazemore .523....Harkless .541
PER: Bazemore 12.2....Harkless 12.5
box +/-: Bazemore -1.0....Harkless +0.2
value over replacement: Bazemore 2.6....Harkless 6.2

seems like people are counting on Bazemore's 3 point shooting (and passing) to make him more effective than Harkless. But 60% of Bazemore's shots have been inside of the arc, and when he's shooting from there, he's been much less efficient than Harkless. And it's worth noting that Bazemore has been below the NBA average as a 3 point shooter. I was also a little surprised to see that Bazemore is 4 years older than Harkless

of course if it works out that Bazemore is replacing the minutes that Turner got, he's going to be an upgrade.
**********************************************

That's scary small though... we'd put a lot of stress on our C to rebound and defend the rim.

Yeah it is. We watched essentially the same thing last year for stretches with Curry and Aminu on the court with Dame and CJ. .

that's kind of how it was against the Warriors in the playoffs and the Blazers just got crushed on the boards. Arguably, that's why they got swept

 

[BonesJones]

Yeah it is. We watched essentially the same thing last year for stretches with Curry and Aminu on the court with Dame and CJ. The opposite fits as well you can go bigger this year and play Whiteside, Collins, Hood or (Tolliver if he has had his protein shake for the day?). This only gets bigger when Nurk starts playing again and if you add Gasol. Size will not be a problem for this team. Depends on the team the are playing -Matchups-.

Aminu is much bigger tham Hood or Bazemore though. Hood is nearly as tall but lacks strength.

 

[kjironman1]

Aminu is much bigger tham Hood or Bazemore though. Hood is nearly as tall but lacks strength.

Not sure about that strength idea you have but because i don't know i can't dispute it. We are talking an inch shorter and 10 pounds lighter. No question Aminu always played his heart out. Gave it his all every night on the court. Anyway you look at it they would be playing very small just as they were when they played with Aminu at PF and Curry in a three guard lineup.

 

[BonesJones]

Not sure about that strength idea you have but because i don't know i can't dispute it. We are talking an inch shorter and 10 pounds lighter. No question Aminu always played his heart out. Gave it his all every night on the court. Anyway you look at it they would be playing very small just as they were when they played with Aminu at PF and Curry in a three guard lineup.

Wingspan. Aminu has a 9'0.5 standing reach. Hood has an 8'7 standing reach. 5.5 inch difference.

Total weight doesnt directly determine strength either. Theres a big size and strength difference IMO.

 

[riverman]

Hood is replacing Harkless not Aminu from my view...Zach Collins is replacing Aminu with Tolliver and Hezonja subbing in...some Skal...Hood is our SF..Baze is his backup and Trent is CJs...Simons is Dame's

 

[tiredhunter]

Aminu is much bigger tham Hood or Bazemore though. Hood is nearly as tall but lacks strength.

But how often did Aminu play the 3? God help us, I hope neither Hood or Baze play any 4.

 

[BonesJones]

But how often did Aminu play the 3? God help us, I hope neither Hood or Baze play any 4.

Theyre talking about Hood playing four which he's too small to do. Dont know what that has ti do with Aminu playing 3, but yes, I agree.

 

[kjironman1]

Hood is replacing Harkless not Aminu from my view...Zach Collins is replacing Aminu with Tolliver and Hezonja subbing in...some Skal...Hood is our SF..Baze is his backup and Trent is CJs...Simons is Dame's

That has always been the thought. But we were discussing lineups and all i did was pick a random small ball group. I threw Hood in a the PF with a three guard lineup. I guess just as easily i could have gone Mario? This whole "who is going to play when" is tough right now at best when these guys have not played their first real game. It's also tough when you don't know who they are playing against or in what situation. Starters/bench rotation/ End game/Quick look?/ Defense/3 sec remaining down 1,2, or three are all different looks. One thing i'm looking for is who will be inbounding the ball in crucial situations. Blazers have lacked that solid guy that is a threat to hit a three that can inbound the ball well.