Quick on the rotation

[TBpup]

Yeah, Zach going from 18 minutes a night to 30+ is quite the stretch. A cap of 25 seems more realistic.

I hope he can....and the Blazers need him to. But history tells us that could be a big reach. His PER/36 foul rate is just under 5. Some nights he is fine but when they come, they seem to come in bunches. This is nothing new as he averaged 5.6 fouls per/36 in college.

Hopefully he makes that 3rd year jump.

 

[Reep]

Once again, people are trying to dictate minutes based on their perception and not what Stott's will do. I see him doing similar what he did last year and early in the season run lots of rotations and give many players opportunities before he settles on a rotation.

I also find it ridiculous that people are fixing rotation and making judgments on players before they have even been in the system. What's the point. There is no doubt Stotts will experiment in the preseason and early regular season. The starters and bench that work the best together will end up getting the minutes. Arguing this in the summer like posters really know anything is puerile.

 

[trailblazer18]

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/7/26/8930991/nba-next-pascal-siakam

First player mentioned is Collins. Pretty sweet photo of him as well.

 

[illmatic99]

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/7/26/8930991/nba-next-pascal-siakam

First player mentioned is Collins. Pretty sweet photo of him as well.

I mentioned this earlier in the summer. Their first and second year stats are nearly identical.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Zach Collins, F/C, Portland Trail Blazers
"It’s not often you see a player ranked 11th in minutes per game on his own team swing a playoff series, but that’s what Collins did in the Western Conference semifinals against the Denver Nuggets. With his team on the brink of elimination, Collins replaced an ineffective Al-Farouq Aminu and collected 21 points and nine blocks in the final two wins of the series for the Blazers."

That was pretty much the writing on the wall that the Blazers would not be retaining Aminu.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Once again, people are trying to dictate minutes based on their perception and not what Stott's will do. I see him doing similar what he did last year and early in the season run lots of rotations and give many players opportunities before he settles on a rotation.

I also find it ridiculous that people are fixing rotation and making judgments on players before they have even been in the system. What's the point. There is no doubt Stotts will experiment in the preseason and early regular season. The starters and bench that work the best together will end up getting the minutes. Arguing this in the summer like posters really know anything is puerile.

The POINT is, this is a place to discuss all things. Not just facts. But opinions, personal preferences, ideas, etc, that are all personal perceptions. If you don't like it, maybe hang out at wikipedia for your fact only discussions?

We have a whole offseason with a bunch of new players. Let people discuss whatever they want.

Get off your high horse expecting people to ONLY discuss what YOU think is worthy of discussion.

 

[illmatic99]

Yeah, Zach going from 18 minutes a night to 30+ is quite the stretch. A cap of 25 seems more realistic.

We need him to, though. I don't really trust the guys backing him up.

 

[dviss1]

What our rotation should be next season:

Lillard (36) / Simons (12)
McCollum (35) / Simons (7) / Hood (6)
Bazemore (24) / Hood (24)
Collins (28) / Labissiere (16) / Bazemore (4)
Whiteside (31) / Gasol (14) / Collins (3)

Lillard - 36mpg
McCollum - 35mpg
Whiteside & Collins - 31mpg
Hood - 30mpg
Bazemore - 28mpg
Simons - 19mpg
Labissiere - 16mpg
Gasol - 14mpg

Lol Bazemore with minutes at PF???

I mean really?? Is that a typo?

 

[Hobbesarable]

The POINT is, this is a place to discuss all things. Not just facts. But opinions, personal preferences, ideas, etc, that are all personal perceptions. If you don't like it, maybe hang out at wikipedia for your fact only discussions?

We have a whole offseason with a bunch of new players. Let people discuss whatever they want.

Get off your high horse expecting people to ONLY discuss what YOU think is worthy of discussion.

Hahahahaha

That made my day, buddy.

 

[Orion Bailey]

and for that matter I AM minding my own fucking business. I was enjoying this thread and all the possible options people were tossing out there, until someone started putting rules on what should be discussed......then it just got annoying... again....

 

[Scalma]

We need him to, though. I don't really trust the guys backing him up.

That’s probably natural since they’re all new faces without much of a sample of reliability.

I think this will be the year everything comes together for Skal though. He’s got structure and opportunity, something he didn’t have in Sacramento, and if you want to go even further back, Kentucky.

 

[SIeepwalker]

I hope he can....and the Blazers need him to. But history tells us that could be a big reach. His PER/36 foul rate is just under 5. Some nights he is fine but when they come, they seem to come in bunches. This is nothing new as he averaged 5.6 fouls per/36 in college.

Hopefully he makes that 3rd year jump.

Clearly if he has less than 6 fouls/36min then we can play him at least 36 minutes !

 

[BonesJones]

Lol Bazemore with minutes at PF???

I mean really?? Is that a typo?

7'0 wingspan, strong. 4 minutes of run n gun a game. It's also 4 out of 240 minutes total so who cares. Pretend it's whoever else then.

 

[Hobbesarable]

7'0 wingspan, strong. 4 minutes of run n gun a game. It's also 4 out of 240 minutes total so who cares. Pretend it's whoever else then.

It'll happen on occasion due to fouls, opposition, and general flow of the game. I can see him playing a few minutes there. Maybe not every game, but I can see it happening.

 

[CupWizier]

The POINT is, this is a place to discuss all things. Not just facts. But opinions, personal preferences, ideas, etc, that are all personal perceptions. If you don't like it, maybe hang out at wikipedia for your fact only discussions?

We have a whole offseason with a bunch of new players. Let people discuss whatever they want.

Get off your high horse expecting people to ONLY discuss what YOU think is worthy of discussion.

Still waiting for you to show me in my post where I was telling someone they couldn't post in this thread or what they could post.

and for that matter I AM minding my own fucking business. I was enjoying this thread and all the possible options people were tossing out there, until someone started putting rules on what should be discussed......then it just got annoying... again....

Unlike you, my post was actually on topic where as you are just attacking posters and adding nothing to the discussion. The only annoying post is yours. Learn the rules, then post.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Still waiting for you to show me in my post where I was telling someone they couldn't post in this thread or what they could post.



Unlike you, my post was actually on topic where as you are just attacking posters and adding nothing to the discussion. The only annoying post is yours. Learn the rules, then post.

Once again, people are trying to dictate minutes based on their perception and not what Stott's will do

You know what you implied with that statement. Ive read this from you before. Stop treating people like idiots. Everyone sees through your bs.
You don't fool anyone.. except apparently yourself.

 

[dviss1]

7'0 wingspan, strong. 4 minutes of run n gun a game. It's also 4 out of 240 minutes total so who cares. Pretend it's whoever else then.

I just don't see it. It's ok for me to disagree right?



This post comes off a lil' defensive...

 

[CupWizier]

You know what you implied with that statement. Ive read this from you before. Stop treating people like idiots. Everyone sees through your bs.
You don't fool anyone.. except apparently yourself.

There is NOTHING in my post that was telling people they can't post somerhing . I can't control your inability to comprehend.
Got it!

Once again you add nothing to the topic.

 

[Binx]

https://theathletic.com/1090949/201...azers-options-in-determining-their-rotations/

View attachment 27106

He wrote a whole article but here was the most interesting part:
———

That defensive question will most likely be magnified at power forward, where behind Collins the Blazers will have options in Hezonja, Tolliver and, in rare cases, Hood. Hezonja is strong and played power forward early in his career in Orlando, but he said he felt he was out of position. Hezonja envisions himself first as a point-forward and feels he flourishes in the open court. But indications are the Blazers want him to play chunks of games at power forward. Tolliver is a natural power forward and a smart defender who routinely draws charges, and he is an above-average 3-point shooter. But he is coming off a season when he averaged just more than 16 minutes, and it’s unclear how big his role will be.

A wild card will be Labissiere, a talented but raw youngster who has made huge strides since arriving from Sacramento last season in a trade for Caleb Swanigan. In the season finale last year, Labissiere had 29 points and 15 rebounds against the Kings. After his encouraging month of workouts in June, the word is the coaching staff is ready to give him a shot to earn playing time.

Wow. Imagine how good we could be if Labissiere exploded this year. Scary good.

 

[Scalma]

Wow. Imagine how good we could be if Labissiere exploded this year. Scary good.

I like Skals offensive upside more than Collins’ tbh. I don’t think Collins will ever be a go to guy offensively, but rather a complimentary scorer. I think Skal has the *potential* to be a dynamic scorer ala Aldridge.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I like Skals offensive upside more than Collins’ tbh. I don’t think Collins will ever be a go to guy offensively, but rather a complimentary scorer. I think Skal has the *potential* to be a dynamic scorer ala Aldridge.

I have seen very little play from skal. But plenty of collins. Is this from a sample size of skal or did he get serious minutes with the...clippers?

Collins is a rotational player at the age of 21. I still think he has major upside as his body develops and fills out. He is a gritty, hard nosed, smart kid.

 

[Scalma]

I have seen very little play from skal. But plenty of collins. Is this from a sample size of skal or did he get serious minutes with the...clippers?

Collins is a rotational player at the age of 21. I still think he has major upside as his body develops and fills out. He is a gritty, hard nosed, smart kid.

Collins is a good player but he can be a good player without being a focal point of an offense. I don’t see many 30 point games in his future. He’s more of an Ibaka type, and that’s more than ok.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Collins is a good player but he can be a good player without being a focal point of an offense. I don’t see many 30 point games in his future. He’s more of an Ibaka type, and that’s more than ok.

And you think Skal has more upside? Im just wondering where you are getting this opinion from. I haven't seen skal enough to feel that one way or the other.

 

[Scalma]

And you think Skal has more upside? Im just wondering where you are getting this opinion from. I haven't seen skal enough to feel that one way or the other.

Offensive upside? Yeah. Hes a better shooter and is more natural at getting buckets, I don’t really know how else to describe it. If given a role, he can flirt with 30 points any given night. If you look at his career so far, he’s done so multiple times, despite any real consistent role/minutes. I don’t think Zach has that same ceiling.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Offensive upside? Yeah. Hes a better shooter and is more natural at getting buckets, I don’t really know how else to describe it. If given a role, he can flirt with 30 points any given night. I don’t think Zach has that same offensive ceiling.

Im just honestly not sure where you are getting this opinion. I haven't seen enough of skals play to determine that. I never watched him prior to the blazers so i don't know. Im just hoping you arent basing this opinion off of the last game of last season?

 

[Scalma]

Im just honestly not sure where you are getting this opinion. I haven't seen enough of skals play to determine that. I never watched him prior to the blazers so i don't know. Im just hoping you arent basing this opinion off of the last game of last season?

Nah, Skal has been talked about on here before he became a Blazer. He was also an elite prospect, was even projected as a top 5 pick at one point, so it’s not like he came out of nowhere.

Although I will say this, if Zach played that final game I don’t think he would’ve scored 29 points. It doesn’t matter who you’re playing (although Skal spent a majority of that game against Bagley and Bjelica, legitimate players) or what the situation is, scoring 30 points in the NBA isn’t easy.

 

[dviss1]

I like Skals offensive upside more than Collins’ tbh. I don’t think Collins will ever be a go to guy offensively, but rather a complimentary scorer. I think Skal has the *potential* to be a dynamic scorer ala Aldridge.

I woulda liked this post but I completely disagree with Aldridge being a dynamic scorer.

He's capable but dynamic? Elbow jumpers, post fadeaways, and a lack of a three point shot in today's NBA isn't dynamic.

 

[ABM]

https://theathletic.com/1090234/201...ure-the-west-belongs-to-the-field-once-again/

Pulled this from The Athletic: (They have us ranked 6th in the WC behind Clipps, Denver, Utah, Houston, and L*kers. Interestingly, they have the Dubs ranked 7th.)

Portland Trail Blazers
Where do they stand? The Blazers are coming off their most successful season in about 20 years and I’m not quite sure how much of that is replicable next season. Some of this has to do with the changes of the Blazers and some of this has to do with how loaded the West is. They lost a lot of important forward defense with Al-Farouq Aminu going to Orlando and Mo Harkless being traded to the Clippers. Losing Seth Curry will hurt some of the shooting from the bench. They’re hoping Mario Hezonja and Anthony Tolliver can make up for that. But mostly, they have to find a way to focus Hassan Whiteside as he fills in until Jusuf Nurkic is back and healthy. That’s not an easy task.

What has changed? Here are the Blazers:

Out: Al-Farouq Aminu, Mo Harkless, Seth Curry, Evan Turner, Meyers Leonard, Jake Layman, Enes Kanter.

In: Hassan Whiteside, Kent Bazemore, Rodney Hood (re-signed), Nassir Little (rookie), Mario Hezonja, Anthony Tolliver, Pau Gasol, Jaylen Hoard (two-way deal).

Biggest question moving forward? How do they make up for the loss of Al-Farouq Aminu and Mo Harkless? They brought in Kent Bazemore and they re-signed Rodney Hood. Those are your two most natural replacements for Aminu and Harkless from a position standpoint. I would guess that the Blazers go big often with Zach Collins and Whiteside together. This allows them to still have athleticism and length on the floor. Maybe Nassir Little can come in as a rookie and provide some minutes. But the defense will definitely take a hit without Aminu. He was by far their best defender and their glue on that end of the floor. It will be a committee of players to replace these two and Terry Stotts has his work cut out for him.

X-Factor who could change it, for better or worse? Whiteside. If you want to buy into a change of scenery and a contract year and Damian Lillard’s leadership as all things that will fix the issues Whiteside has within the team concept, that’s fine. I won’t bemoan that optimism. He was so detrimental to the team dynamic in Miami the last couple years that they were beyond happy to get rid of him this season. They kept finding ways to move him out of the lineup because of how singularly focused he was on getting his own shine over the team. Perhaps the change will be a wake-up call, as will the chance to earn a bunch of money this summer. But really, Portland just needs to pray Nurkic comes back and doesn’t have that awkward adjustment period from such a brutal injury.

Realistic expectation: This should still be one of the most dangerous teams in the West. I don’t know if it can feel confident in getting back to the Western Conference Finals in such a loaded conference. The Blazers might be in a bit of a transition phase. But they still have Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. They still have a really good coach in Stotts. They have some weird rotation holes, but they have depth elsewhere to try to even things out a little. The Blazers will be dangerous. The Blazers will be a hard out in the postseason. We just don’t know if the Blazers can build on the success from 2019.

 

[tester551]

https://theathletic.com/1090234/201...ure-the-west-belongs-to-the-field-once-again/

Pulled this from The Athletic: (They have us ranked 6th in the WC behind Clipps, Denver, Utah, Houston, and L*kers. Interestingly, they have the Dubs ranked 7th.)

Fair assessment. It's right where I think they'll end up as well. I just have GS clearly ranked above Portland & the Lakers in the same tier as Portland fighting for the 6th/7th spots.

 

[tlongII]

We’ll see. I think we have the best team.