Portland needs to add a go-to player

[UKRAINEFAN]

I have been saying for a couple months that I hope that Olshey is trying to add a player who is at least as good as anyone now on the team. This article backs up that need. Lillard is not doing it in the playoffs and has not been doing it since that Houston series a couple years ago. Hopefully adding another guy with just as much fire power would take some of the responsibility off his shoulders and allow him to perform better in the playoffs.http://www.si.com/nba/2016/04/21/nba-playoffs-clippers-trail-blazers-game-2-damian-lillard

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Here's some more evidence that he doesn't do well against other elite guards.http://www.blazersedge.com/2016/4/2...s-clippers-damian-lillard-chris-paul-all-star

 

[Orion Bailey]

I agree with this, but you need to take the next step, I think we are all in agreement, that either one of our existing needs to explode into a star, or we need to add one more. But if adding one more... who? I think that is the center of debate for most people. Not if we need, but who we need.

 

[HailBlazers]

Yea, we had one...

 

[julius]

Yea, we had one...

LaMarcus wasn't a go to player.

 

[craigehlo]

This is gut check time for management. To get a legit star, it's going to cost you CJ at a minimum.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

There aren't a lot of options available.

KD is a pipedream.

Our best bet is probably letting Crabbe walk and sign Fournier.

 

[B-Roy]

They don't need a go to player, they need guys with different skill sets on offense because right now they are way too predictable. Someone who can shoot and make plays from the high post would diversify the offensive attack greatly.

Another thing to note is that the Blazers are mostly getting shut down because of personnel. We aren't playing Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan every night.

 

[Eastoff]

It just shows how big of a hole Meyers left

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Kanter would've made a world of difference. His horrific defense aside, he's exactly what this team is missing on the offensive end.

 

[craigehlo]

When you watch the Warriors w/o Curry, it's clear every dude on the floor can score. We need at least every starter to be a threat. That means no Aminu or Harkless starting next year.

My semi-realistic realistic plan is to sign Ryan Anderson for PF and Barnes for SF. You have to go all in and overpay, but that's a lineup that can flat out score.

 

[TBpup]

This summer can't be about adding nice role players like Davis/Aminu or trading on the cheap for Harkless. Totally agree that they need one and possibly two impact players. Maybe not both at Dame's level but at least someone who can make a shot or create a little bit to take the pressure off. CJ is nice but I'm still not convinced he wouldn't be best suited in a Crawford-like 6th man role.

No shame in being outplayed by Chris Paul who is one of the better PG's in league history but it's the shooting (~17% from '3' in the last three Playoff series) that is a concern. Only 2 of those games so far were this year when he was almost on his own but there is certainly a trend that is not what you want to see that has stretched over 3 seasons now.

I don't want to waste another of Lillard's prime years on him having to shoulder so much of the burden. It wears a player out.

 

[illmatic99]

Kanter would've made a world of difference. His horrific defense aside, he's exactly what this team is missing on the offensive end.

I think OKC would dump him this summer. Prolly won't take much to get him either. They're spending way too much on him for the production they're getting from him.

 

[B-Roy]

Kanter would've made a world of difference. His horrific defense aside, he's exactly what this team is missing on the offensive end.

Greg Monroe....?

 

[illmatic99]

Greg Monroe....?

Think Kanter is better.

 

[B-Roy]

Think Kanter is better.

Think Greg Monroe is a bit more available than Kanter to be honest. If Durant stays, no way OKC dumps Kanter for nothing. If Durant leaves, there's no reason to dump Kanter at all.

 

[craigehlo]

I think OKC would dump him this summer.

He's got a 24 PER. He's not going anywhere. Especially of they lose KD.

If you want a big from OKC, the Blazers could steal Adams away with a big contract.

 

[BigGameDamian]

LaMarcus wasn't a go to player.

Yes he was.

 

[Rhal]

We are a bad defensive team, thats just how it is at the moment. We have moments where we shine but overall were bad defensively so its not surprising that opposing PG's light us up. As for why Lillard struggles against elite teams seems pretty simple to me. 1. He is the the guy everyone plans against, we have no other player that is going to inspire fear in another team so Lillard gets the brunt of defensive effort of the other team. 2. We have 0 good screen setters and this shows with how little room Lillard has to operate in. This is a huge problem especially against good defensive PG's because against those type of players Lillard needs screens to get himself room and our screens blow.

 

[kjironman1]

Yea, we had one...

Beat me to it.

 

[julius]

Yes he was.

actually, no he wasn't. How many game winners did he hit? how many clutch shots?

here's a hint, his #'s were surprisingly low. He couldn't create for himself, and his clutch #'s weren't anything great.

Because the Blazers went to him does not make him a "go to player".

 

[Orion Bailey]

actually, no he wasn't. How many game winners did he hit? how many clutch shots?

here's a hint, his #'s were surprisingly low. He couldn't create for himself, and his clutch #'s weren't anything great.

Because the Blazers went to him does not make him a "go to player".

He was still a got to player and our number 1 offensive weapon the last three years he was here. Whether he performed well or not. He was definitely a go to player.

 

[jlprk]

Aldridge was sometimes a go-to player in the first half, but never in the second half. Lillard is no longer clutch in any half. He has become a drag on society.

Stotts should not have him take a Hail Mary on almost every possession. That should be a rare event, not an 80% probability event.

 

[julius]

He was still a got to player and our number 1 offensive weapon the last three years he was here. Whether he performed well or not. He was definitely a go to player.

he's a player the team went to, he's not a "go to" player in the conventional sense. I guess if you consider a player you (over) rely on as your go to player, you'd be right. But I consider a 'go to player' one who can hit and does hit clutch shots.

Those words do not describe LaMarcus.

 

[jlprk]

At the U.S. Team tryouts, Thibodeau had stars in his eyes whenever he talked about Lillard. He would trade us Andrew Wiggins if Olshey offered Lillard.

 

[santeesioux]

Cole Aldrich will be the best player we sign.

 

[Tunchi]

Aldridge was sometimes a go-to player in the first half, but never in the second half. Lillard is no longer clutch in any half. He has become a drag on society.

Stotts should not have him take a Hail Mary on almost every possession. That should be a rare event, not an 80% probability event.

I told you Lillard is too feast or famine great leader but nowadays he sounds like a fortune cookie. Says awesome inspirational stuff but on the court meh

 

[Orion Bailey]

he's a player the team went to, he's not a "go to" player in the conventional sense. I guess if you consider a player you (over) rely on as your go to player, you'd be right. But I consider a 'go to player' one who can hit and does hit clutch shots.

Those words do not describe LaMarcus.

Were on the same page.

 

[julius]

Were on the same page.

I must continue to argue!

 

[TBpup]

Part of it is about attitude. Will Barton would not be scared to shoot if he were still on this roster. Luis Montero has a little bit of that in him as well. Certainly they are both raw but Barton improved and doesn't back down to anyone.

Too many players right now are 2nd guessing.