Event POLL: Powell trade

[Ed O]

It's a "meh" from me. Powell has only played 19+ minutes a game the last two years, and he's not even a full-time starter on a rather poor Raptors team. He's a good shooter, but that's about it.

If it gets Little on the floor more, then it's a good deal since Powell is probably as good as or better than Trent, although I'm not convinced it's a difference-maker on this team.

Wait, why is this used as a negative? He's playing the best ball of career in those last two years, that's why he's playing more. Looks like they expanded his role and he responded. He's been basically at 60% TS on solid USG in the last 3 years. Guys like that are not easy to find.

Because it's not much of a track record of goodness.

Trent was amazing in the bubble, and that's about a third of Powell's current "good" part of his career. Players who are decent/mediocre for four years (ages 22 to 26) and then have a good year or two are more likely to be flashes in the pan than a guy who is good the first year and a half of his career, or who has had five, or seven, years of good play.

 

[wildwest]

I think most of you are seriously underestimating Powell. I am a long term Raptor fan and I am devastated that we lost Powell. I would have gladly given up VanVleit before Powell. Here are a couple of things you need to know about him.

#1 - His nickname is playoff Powell because he is even better in the playoffs.
#2 - He is equally effective starting and coming off the bench. The 3 reasons he has not been a full time starter are.
A - Nick Nurse does not necessarily start his best 5. He values guys who come strong off the bench (Boucher, Ibaka, Powell)
B - He was in a 3 man rotation for stater with Lowry and VanVleit who have both been lights out as well the last few years.
C - He has had some bad luck in the past with injuries.
#3 - He is an amazing mentor with younger players. Many Raptors rookies have praised him for going over game film with them and checking up on them during the pandemic.
#4 - He is a guy who moves well without the ball (Something I think many Portland players are weak at)
#5 - He plays very good defense and can effectively defend several positions.
#6 - He is awesome on the break. Really runs the floor.
#7 - He is very professional and takes running the system seriously and does not overshoot the ball.
#8 - He is very powerful going to the hoop and dunks often in the half court.
#9 - Is extremely efficient with his shots. He knows what shots he is good at and rarely forces shots he is not good at.

The only thing preventing him from being elite is that he has no 'one on one' skills. He has no moves. He either strokes the open shot (can shoot with a guy in his face) or he explodes straight line to the hoop.

His biggest

 

[bobf]

That's what she said.

At first my brain read "POISONS don't matter". Too many murder mysteries I guess.

 

[brooklynballer]

* Crabbe was a 44% three point shooter 4 years ago and teams still doubled Dame

* Curry was a 45% three point shooter 2 years ago and teams still doubled Dame

* Trent was a 42% three point shooter last year and teams still doubled dame

* CJ was a 44% three point shooter in the first 12 games of the season and teams were doubling Dame

I think the favorite theory around here about 3 point shooting being the way to stop teams from doubling Dame has proven to be false

Guess what the Blazers first round opponent will be doing this year ...

 

[e_blazer]

* Crabbe was a 44% three point shooter 4 years ago and teams still doubled Dame

* Curry was a 45% three point shooter 2 years ago and teams still doubled Dame

* Trent was a 42% three point shooter last year and teams still doubled dame

* CJ was a 44% three point shooter in the first 12 games of the season and teams were doubling Dame

I think the favorite theory around here about 3 point shooting being the way to stop teams from doubling Dame has proven to be false

Perhaps the best way to look at this is that all of those guys who played next to Dame were able to put up those shooting numbers because teams are doubling Dame.

 

[SIeepwalker]

The best part of the deal is that Stotts can't play Hood anymore.

A little concerned that Norman will just walk at the end of the year and we end up having given Trent up for nothing

 

[wizenheimer]

Perhaps the best way to look at this is that all of those guys who played next to Dame were able to put up those shooting numbers because teams are doubling Dame.

yeah...look at tonight: CJ is absolutely killing Miami, but he's getting single-covered by lesser Miami defenders. Meanwhile Dame is struggling and Miami is still doubling Dame in the 3rdQ

 

[LayneStaley]

If there’s a bidding war for Powell can’t we still sign and trade him to a team to recoup some assets?

 

[e_blazer]

yeah...look at tonight: CJ is absolutely killing Miami, but he's getting single-covered by lesser Miami defenders. Meanwhile Dame is struggling and Miami is still doubling Dame in the 3rdQ

Exactly. Guys not named Dame get a lot of open looks because teams spend so much defensive effort on Dame. While I love to see Dame score, the main thing is to score. Another guy in Powell who can fill it up from three is going to make it more painful for teams to double Dame.

 

[wizenheimer]

Exactly. Guys not named Dame get a lot of open looks because teams spend so much defensive effort on Dame. While I love to see Dame score, the main thing is to score. Another guy in Powell who can fill it up from three is going to make it more painful for teams to double Dame.

Teams will still double and trap Dame until Portland makes a team pay for it in the playoffs. They haven't in 6 straight playoffs

 

[Minstrel]

Teams will still double and trap Dame until Portland makes a team pay for it in the playoffs. They haven't in 6 straight playoffs

They're going to double and trap Lillard even when Portland makes them pay for it. That's the life of an offensive superstar. Steph Curry saw doubles and traps even when he was surrounded by talent. Portland just needs to be adept at moving the ball and finding the open shooter--and hitting the shot.

 

[e_blazer]

Teams will still double and trap Dame until Portland makes a team pay for it in the playoffs. They haven't in 6 straight playoffs

They can double Dame until the cows come home if the other guys are hitting their shots.

 

[blazerkor]

and non of them played D. No, not curry either.

That's kind of scary because Curry is playing pretty good D now... let's hope Powell looks good on D on our team.

 

[blazerkor]

But they aren’t going small ball. They have bigs. They have guys who are 7’, and 6’8’ and small dudes. Who cares what they are called. Nobody in the NBA does.

So is it that you think that height is no longer an advantage in the game of basketball? Really, I'm curious because I feel like I'm missing something.

 

[MickZagger]

So is it that you think that height is no longer an advantage in the game of basketball? Really, I'm curious because I feel like I'm missing something.

Wingspan is equally as important. Powell has nearly a 6’11” wingspan. Which is absurd for a 6’3” player

 

[wizenheimer]

It hits a point of diminishing returns. Sort of like in boxing or MMA. Size matters that's why you have weight classes. But at heavyweight, 265lbs is the limit. Most heavyweight champs are well under that limit. You go over that and your size actually becomes a disadvantage (slower, gas out quicker, still doesn't help you absorb the punches from the 225lbs - 265lbs dudes).

Zion punches pretty hard around the basket

 

[calvin natt]

So is it that you think that height is no longer an advantage in the game of basketball? Really, I'm curious because I feel like I'm missing something.

But they do have bigger guys. They aren’t playing 5 guards. As long as the five guys on the floor can score, defend, pass from their positions that’s what matters. Call them whatever you want.

 

[B-Roy]

Looking at Powell's game log....he's significantly better starting than coming off the bench. Hopefully that changes here.

 

[MickZagger]

Looking at Powell's game log....he's significantly better starting than coming off the bench. Hopefully that changes here.

Well yeah if he’s getting starter minutes. He was extremely effective coming off the bench for Toronto in the championship years in the minutes he was given.

 

[blazerkor]

But they do have bigger guys. They aren’t playing 5 guards. As long as the five guys on the floor can score, defend, pass from their positions that’s what matters. Call them whatever you want.

Perfect I totally agree an individual's ability to fit into the box of a specific position is an antiquated idea but you have to have guys with diverse skills, talents, size, etc.

 

[Hoopguru]

They're going to double and trap Lillard even when Portland makes them pay for it. That's the life of an offensive superstar. Steph Curry saw doubles and traps even when he was surrounded by talent. Portland just needs to be adept at moving the ball and finding the open shooter--and hitting the shot.

Right on, they need to push the ball more with motion. Much like Miami does. Ive heard Stotts several times in games yell push it. I know Dame like to size up things while bringing the ball up but that gives teams time to set their D and double if they wish.
Its has to be more than P&R and threes.