Point-after.com: Blazers had 7th-worst frontcourt in the NBA in 2016

[PtldPlatypus]

http://basketball-players.pointafte...gn=tt.cm.ob.dt.10848#7-Portland-Trail-Blazers

Their analysis appears to be based completely on Win Shares and Box-Plus-Minus.

#24 of 30 Portland Trail Blazers
Frontcourt Trio: Al-Farouq Aminu, Noah Vonleh, Mason Plumlee
Combined 2015-16 Win Shares:11.3
Combined 2015-16 BPM: -1.0
Win Shares + BPM: 10.3

Portland was pretty clearly better off playing small-ball with Maurice Harkless and Al-Farouq Aminu locking down the forward spots, but head coach Terry Stotts let Vonleh start 56 games before making the change. Due to that, Vonleh gets the nod here and significantly docks the Trail Blazers' standing on this list.

Although Vonleh was a disappointment, Aminu was a revelation. The former No. 8 overall pick from 2010 maxed out as a 31.5 percent shooter from deep as a rookie. He never eclipsed even 30 percent shooting in four subsequent seasons. But after joining the Trail Blazers, he shot a career-best 36.1 percent. His evolution into a viable stretch 4, coupled with Mason Plumlee's consistency, carried Portland's frontcourt — which is obviously the team's weakness compared to Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum in the backcourt.

Look for Portland's brass to target frontcourt upgrades in free agency this summer.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Im surprised we werent worse. Our frontline isnt very good. We really need a great pf.

 

[Boob-No-More]

http://basketball-players.pointafte...gn=tt.cm.ob.dt.10848#7-Portland-Trail-Blazers

Their analysis appears to be based completely on Win Shares and Box-Plus-Minus.

Also surprised we weren't worse given what a non-factor Vonleh was.

And, ATL was 4th, with Bazemore being their "weak" link (I wonder where they ranked in 2014-15 with DeMarre Carroll as their starting SF). THIS is exactly why I want us to go hard after both Horford and Millsap. Getting one of the two would greatly improve our front court. Getting both, to go with Aminu as SF would give us a top 4 frontcourt (at least) to go with our top 2 backcourt.

BNM

 

[illmatic99]

Im surprised we werent worse. Our frontline isnt very good. We really need a great pf.

Ya I figured we were worse as well. Especially when Noah was starting consistently.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Fuck man., We had a pretty good PF that would have fit pretty well with this system. But alas, he was a big pussy and went running home to his poppa!!!!!

 

[ripcityboy]

Eh. Could have been worse. The front court situation was hastily assembled after LMA left town. Definately the top priority now that the offseason's started.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I blame Lillard.

Or his mother for not making him taller.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

An anomaly. We were 2 different teams this year - one where we started Vonleh and sucked, and one where we didn't.

Really should have 2 different ranking, but I understand why they didn't. Of course, it tends to invalidate their ranking.