Pick to Click 2012-2013

[HailBlazers]

Who's your pick to have a breakout year (the biggest leap from last)?

Wish it was Batum, and I know LMA is going to have an All-Star season, but after watching back to back courtside episodes I'm with Nolan Smith in predicting Wesley Mathews.

Which Blazer helped himself the most this summer and which Blazer will be a surprise during the season?

I think Wesley Matthews honestly had a great summer. He summered over in Milwaukee, you can tell, he's in great shape and he's looking athletic, he's shooting the ball tremendously great. He's definitely stood out the most.
​

http://www.blazersedge.com/2012/9/2...lazers-g-nolan-smith-interviewed-on-courtside

At the start of the 2010-2011 season when Wes replaced an injured B-Roy in the starting line-up, Wes was on fire knocking down three's like crazy, scoring buckets with ease and making you say Roy who? Only to fizzle after a string of injuries and overall franchise instability.

This year though, with an actual training camp, regularly scheduled games, and a new approach to the offense, Wes will break out. Mathews will become a poor man's Brandon Roy, and we'll tell the Wolves you can keep him.


PS Vote wisely, this thread is sure to be bumped.

 

[NOVoodoo]

I don't think you should have Lillard in the poll. It's kind of hard for a top 10 pick that's never played an NBA game to have a "breakout" year, and you know he's going to get a lot of votes because he's the hottest name on the list right now.

If Morrison makes the team and actually contributes, that alone makes him a breakout player. He broke out of the Euroleague into the NBA.

 

[dviss1]

Lillian? Who the hell is that?

I voted for Batum. He has no more excuses now...

 

[Pinwheel1]

I didn't count Lillard either. I voted Nolan Smith. I have a feeling that he will contribute off the bench this year as a combo guard. He can score and we will need it.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

LMA has already "broken out". He was an All Star last year!

I voted for Matthews. I'm hoping/thinking all the hard work during the off-season is going to pay off.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Tough one.
Lillard doesn't count IMO
LA already broke out

I picked Batum over Smith, barely

 

[HailBlazers]

Yea "Lillian" was joke, on Mike Rice. That's what he called him last night.

If Morrison makes the team and actually contributes, that alone makes him a breakout player. He broke out of the Euroleague into the NBA.

Ammo is definetly a dark horse in this race.

 

[BBert]

So the question is "biggest 'leap' (improvement) from last year"?

I think "Heyyyy Baabbiiitt" (//Abbott and Costello) contributes more than a lot of fans give him credit for, but no breakout for Babbitt. Hickson? No. LaMarcus? He done broke out. He's going to beast though.

Call me crazy, and I have a long history of discounting Sasquatch Morrison since before the draft, but I think A*am is going to earn the backup SF spot. That alone is a breakout for him. But not for the team.

Lillard didn't have a last season, so I'm going to give him a pass too.

Nolan Smith will be much better than last season. And he'll get minutes and a green light. What does breakout mean though? He's not going to be a star, if that's part of the equation. But his bar is pretty low, so if he plays solidly, the argument could easily be made he improved the most.

Wes and Batum don't have to improve all that much to be real impact players. Nolan thinks Wes is the man. I expect Batum to have a great year, but he's the kind of player who it's really up to the coach and PG to put him in that position. Between the two, I think Batum will be the better all around player but I think Wes will get more shots, and make them. And to most fans, that seems to be all that matters.

I guess I'll ride Nolan's coattails and vote for Wes. But I'll be rooting for Batum.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I didn't count Lillard either. I voted Nolan Smith. I have a feeling that he will contribute off the bench this year as a combo guard. He can score and we will need it.

well put, my thoughts too. Nolan will show that he is not only an NBA player, but a fine rotation player as well. This will be a huge leap considering he did not even play like an NBA caliber player last year.

 

[mgb]

I pick lillian, screw you all!

 

[DeanMoriarty]

On Courtside last night, Mike Rice (take it for what you will) mentioned Wes Mathews was more explosive than ever and that his ball handling had improved....which Nolan Smith reiterates in the recent interview.

If true, it would tremendously help to have two capable ball handlers in the back court who can shoot the ball.

 

[jlprk]

Hickson is an explosive PF. Aldridge is a boring, predictable one. This season, Hickson will force Aldridge to get down on his knees and admit to the world that Aldridge is a Center.

I voted for Hickson.

 

[Pinwheel1]

On Courtside last night, Mike Rice (take it for what you will) mentioned Wes Mathews was more explosive than ever and that his ball handling had improved....which Nolan Smith reiterates in the recent interview.

If true, it would tremendously help to have two capable ball handlers in the back court who can shoot the ball.

I believe he is could be more explosive. That is possible if he is healthy and is a few pounds lighter.

A better ball handler? No way in hell. That is his biggest weakness IMO. If he really improved significantly in that area...........I would be thrilled. But I find it hard to believe.

 

[Haakzilla]

...AmMo FTW!

 

[HailBlazers]

Hickson is an explosive PF. Aldridge is a boring, predictable one. This season, Hickson will force Aldridge to get down on his knees and admit to the world that Aldridge is a Center.

I voted for Hickson.

Nice try, almost a good prediction.

Hickson already had his breakout season last year, Aldridge as you say, has a ways to reach his ceiling. With more room to grow, LMA's the smarter vote.

Just watch, with Stotts and Co LMA will dominate this year like no other. Somebody better vote for him!

 

[jlprk]

My thinking is that the choice should be one of the underdogs, from whom the league expects nothing--Morrison, Nolan, Babbitt, or Hickson. So I chose the last as most likely to upset that applecart.

 

[dviss1]

I believe he is could be more explosive. That is possible if he is healthy and is a few pounds lighter.

A better ball handler? No way in hell. That is his biggest weakness IMO. If he really improved significantly in that area...........I would be thrilled. But I find it hard to believe.

Anyone can improve their ballhandling if they work on it:

[video=youtube;KJEb6O-cjhU]
[video=youtube;cRRsn_ixsMA]

 

[illmatic99]

Hoping for Nic to justify his contract. I think he will with Nate gone.

 

[Spud147]

I picked the Batuminator... he's got his hard hat on and he's going to work!

 

[Hobbesarable]

I didn't count Lillard either. I voted Nolan Smith. I have a feeling that he will contribute off the bench this year as a combo guard. He can score and we will need it.

I agree with that as well.

 

[dviss1]

I agree with that as well.

If we are counting on Nolan to be the 6th man and provide the main scoring off the bench... It's gonna be a lonnnnnng season....

 

[Hobbesarable]

If we are counting on Nolan to be the 6th man and provide the main scoring off the bench... It's gonna be a lonnnnnng season....

It's gonna be a lonnng season.

If our team goes with the following starters:

5 - Hickson
4 - LA
3 - Batum
2 - Wes
1 - Lillard

Then the reserves should be:
5 - Leonard
4/5 - Freeland
3 - Claver, Babbitt
2/3 - Barton
1/2 - Nolan

Nolan Smith should see plenty of playing time this season. He may not be the 6th man. He should be able to show a huge improvement from last season to this season.

 

[dviss1]

It's gonna be a lonnng season.

If our team goes with the following starters:

5 - Hickson
4 - LA
3 - Batum
2 - Wes
1 - Lillard

Then the reserves should be:
5 - Leonard
4/5 - Freeland
3 - Claver, Babbitt
2/3 - Barton
1/2 - Nolan

Nolan Smith should see plenty of playing time this season. He may not be the 6th man. He should be able to show a huge improvement from last season to this season.

That's why I don't agree with Hickson being a starter. IMHO He needs to come off the bench like a PF version of Ginobili.

 

[HailBlazers]

Tend to agree Dviss. Freeland can be our new Joel Pryzbilla (Apparently his father was a street figher in London). And our units would be better balanced.

Lillard
Mathews
Batum
LMA
Freeland

Smith
Batum/Barton/Morrison
Claver/Barton/Pavlovic
Hickson
Leonard

And people are hating on Pavlovic, but he can defend and knock down the three ball

 

[Pinwheel1]

If we are counting on Nolan to be the 6th man and provide the main scoring off the bench... It's gonna be a lonnnnnng season....

Just to be clear, no one said anything about Nolan being the main scorer off the bench, just that he may add some scoring. But you are right, that bench lacks any go to guys. I agree with bringing Hickson off the bench as well for that reason.

There is no doubt in my mind that there has to be a starter on the floor at all times. (Lillard, Nic, or LA)

 

[Hobbesarable]

Tend to agree Dviss. Freeland can be our new Joel Pryzbilla (Apparently his father was a street figher in London). And our units would be better balanced.

Lillard
Mathews
Batum
LMA
Freeland

Smith
Batum/Barton/Morrison
Claver/Barton/Pavlovic
Hickson
Leonard

And people are hating on Pavlovic, but he can defend and knock down the three ball

I agree with that as my preferred starting lineup. Yet, I doubt Morrison and Pavlovic will see that many meaningful minutes.

 

[dviss1]

Tend to agree Dviss. Freeland can be our new Joel Pryzbilla (Apparently his father was a street figher in London). And our units would be better balanced.

Lillard
Mathews
Batum
LMA
Freeland

Smith
Batum/Barton/Morrison
Claver/Barton/Pavlovic
Hickson
Leonard

And people are hating on Pavlovic, but he can defend and knock down the three ball

Well Pav was brought in for a few reasons. Playing in the game was probably one of the last reasons.
Even though his salary hits our cap, Boston is paying it. Since it's not guaranteed next season that will mean another
1.399 Mil in cap room. Pav and Jefferies are in the same situation. Jefferies is also being paid by NY. And his non guaranteed
1.541 Mil salary will fall off of our books next season too. We are positioning ourselves to have 16+Mil in cap room next season.
Enough to outright sign a max deal or make a hugely lopsided trade.

 

[dviss1]

Just to be clear, no one said anything about Nolan being the main scorer off the bench, just that he may add some scoring. But you are right, that bench lacks any go to guys. I agree with bringing Hickson off the bench as well for that reason.

There is no doubt in my mind that there has to be a starter on the floor at all times. (Lillard, Nic, or LA)

But if Hickson starts the whole season then that's what happens. Not saying you advocate it. But Hickson starting means that we have no 6th man.

 

[Pinwheel1]

But if Hickson starts the whole season then that's what happens. Not saying you advocate it. But Hickson starting means that we have no 6th man.

Yeah I think Freeland should start at center over Leonard. Bring Hickson in first and move LA over to center. Then Leonard in for LA to start the 2nd. At least the first couple of months. Freeland has a little more experience at this point even if it is international and not NBA.

Unless Leonard kicks ass in preseason.

 

[dviss1]

Yeah I think Freeland should start at center over Leonard. Bring Hickson in first and move LA over to center. Then Leonard in for LA to start the 2nd. At least the first couple of months. Freeland has a little more experience at this point even if it is international and not NBA.

Unless Leonard kicks ass in preseason.

If this is the case, Start him Now.