SG overload, What is the plan?

[Reep]

We have three SGs who are very different, but seemingly the Blazers have invested in all three. Ant is our best scorer and is working on his D. Sharpe seems like the SG of the future, has the whole package, but is raw. Thybulle is clearly someone they are interested in and a game changing defender. I don't see how this works. None of them are close to ideal SF candidates.

 

[BassPlaya]

None of them are close to ideal SF candidates

I don't believe this to be true. Ideal on an island? Perhaps, but it's more how they blend with other players and that players unique strengths.

 

[Whyachi]

Locked on Blazers guy recently said Portland does not have much "depth" at the guard positions.
..... I don't think Mike watches the Blazers. Just reciprocates his own misinformed ideas.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Thybulle wasn't in the rotation last year on a playoff contender, he doesn't need to play. Hes better than G Leaguers so if we have no better options than sure let him play. But ideally we get better performance from other players and Thybulle is pushed deep on the bench.

Simons is a combo guard but I lean toward preferring he plays PG on most teams, that is if there is enough playmaking and shooting with the rest of the lineup.

Funny you don't mention Brogdon, he's had more success defending SG than Simons. But it's very possibly he's only on the team a few months. I suppose the same may be true for Thybulle.

Sharpe is probably the best potential SG in terms of offense and defense, but he also has the size to eventually play SF at times. He's so far from realizing that potential and so bad defensively right now this is all far more theory than current reality.

Good thing about this season is none of these questions need to be resolved. We have a total of 1 player with more than a year tenure as a Blazer. We don't need to worry about long term playoff rotations for a very long while. Enjoy the youth developing and hope we add talent for that eventual day when the rotations will matter.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

We Brundlefly them.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

As much as I think Ant is an extraordinary offensive player, I like him better off the bench as a super sub who can come in and be aggressive. He doesn't really fit the way we should want to play.

This season is data collection so it'll be interesting to see how he fits with what we have and if he can be better defensively. He deserves his own team where he can have the ball in his hands.

 

[wizenheimer]

if you simply change the 'a' to an 'r' in overload, it makes for a completely different discussion

 

[Samuel]

None of them are close to ideal SF candidates.

I don't think the goal this season is to have a perfectly balanced roster. I also think the team isn't afraid of giving Shaedon a bunch of minutes at SF before they make trades at the deadline.

Kobe and Vince played a bunch of minutes at SF early in their careers while their respective GMs sorted out their rosters and they turned out fine.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I don't think the goal this season is to have a perfectly balanced roster. I also think the team isn't afraid of giving Shaedon a bunch of minutes at SF before they make trades at the deadline.

Kobe and Vince played a bunch of minutes at SF early in their careers while their respective GMs sorted out their rosters and they turned out fine.

I do want to see him hang out with Scoot in the weight room. Another 10 lbs of muscle would be beneficial regardless of which wing spot he plays.
I think he can be an excellent rebounder.

 

[bxb]

I don't think the goal this season is to have a perfectly balanced roster. I also think the team isn't afraid of giving Shaedon a bunch of minutes at SF before they make trades at the deadline.

Kobe and Vince played a bunch of minutes at SF early in their careers while their respective GMs sorted out their rosters and they turned out fine.

Tracy McGrady too! He was a defense first SF when he first got to the league in Toronto, before he scored 32ppg on 38% from 3 in '03 with Orlando as a 6'8" SG..

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

The plan is to not make plans until we see who pans out. Then we toss them in the frying pan.

 

[Stevenson]

Thybulle and Shaeden could both be SFs.

 

[wizenheimer]

I'd say Kobe, Carter, and McGrady were all quite a bit bigger than Sharpe

Sharpe was measured as 6'4.25" and under 200 lbs. That's only 1.25" taller than Norm Powell and Powell was 17 pounds heavier at the combine....and was an absolutely terrible idea at SF

I suppose it won't matter that much this season, but I hate that in order for the Blazers to find minutes for Sharpe, they would be playing him out of position

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I'd say Kobe, Carter, and McGrady were all quite a bit bigger than Sharpe

Sharpe was measured as 6'4.25" and under 200 lbs. That's only 1.25" taller than Norm Powell and Powell was 17 pounds heavier at the combine....and was an absolutely terrible idea at SF

I suppose it won't matter that much this season, but I hate that in order for the Blazers to find minutes for Sharpe, they would be playing him out of position

Carter Kobe and McGrady all played extensively at SF. I'd think in today's games they might be primarily forwards as players are smaller and more skilled now at all positions outside PG.

I don't really have a problem with Sharpe eventually playing a big portion of his minutes at SF. But it should be with a big SG or some strong defense at one of the guard spots. Sharpe and Jaylen Brown, or Sharpe and Zach LaVine, etc are fine sizes for the 2/3.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

This would also work.

 

[Reep]

This would also work.

I remember that moment. Classic.

 

[bxb]

Carter Kobe and McGrady all played extensively at SF. I'd think in today's games they might be primarily forwards as players are smaller and more skilled now at all positions outside PG.

I don't really have a problem with Sharpe eventually playing a big portion of his minutes at SF. But it should be with a big SG or some strong defense at one of the guard spots. Sharpe and Jaylen Brown, or Sharpe and Zach LaVine, etc are fine sizes for the 2/3.

This is an excellent post.. I know the blazers are a western conference team but theres this player named Jayson Tatum on the Celtics who classically has more the skills of a dominant SF in the NBA, but in todays league feasts on PF's, with relative ease..

N for me personally I was actually an advocate back in the Tatum/Lonzo/Fox draft(2017?) of the Lakers taking Tatum at #2 over Lonzo n playing him at SG between Russell and Ingram, which regardless of what u think of that scenario is a 100x better for the lakers than what they did, with lonzo going bust quickly n tatum being historically excellent.

So i've been on these overload the backcourt with SG's types of plans tbh.. The SG's of today are more like combo guards cuz their tasked with being able to shoot off the dribble n at a bare minimum do a 1 dribble into a pullup..

 

[Reep]

Sharpe is not a SF. I question if Grant should be the SF. Given Denver and Utah, I'd like to see DA at 5, RWIII at 4 and JG at 3 just to see how it works.

If Ant could swallow the ego, he is the perfect combo guard to be 6th man of the year. I hope he can take on that role because he would be amazing. I love his quick release.

The future seems like Scoot; Sharpe; ? (JG, KK, TC , KM?); JG or future 4; DA. We are heading toward long and talented. Assuming Grant isn't the future, then TC or KM as a good size SF and then RWIII or ? at the 4 seems like a good lineup. I'm tired of little to now defense and think Scoot could make a decent 4 or 5 look like a star.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'd say Kobe, Carter, and McGrady were all quite a bit bigger than Sharpe

Sharpe was measured as 6'4.25" and under 200 lbs. That's only 1.25" taller than Norm Powell and Powell was 17 pounds heavier at the combine....and was an absolutely terrible idea at SF

I suppose it won't matter that much this season, but I hate that in order for the Blazers to find minutes for Sharpe, they would be playing him out of position

Kobe was 6'4.75" barefoot, so half an inch taller than Sharpe (for now). Carter measured 6'5.5" barefoot pre-draft, so 1.25" taller (but 219 lbs). McGrady was 6'6.25", a full 2 inches taller than Sharpe

Definitely fair to call Carter and McGrady "quite a bit bigger", but Sharpe is pretty much the same size as Kobe was.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

The future seems like Scoot; Sharpe; ? (JG, KK, TC , KM?); JG or future 4; DA. We are heading toward long and talented. Assuming Grant isn't the future, then TC or KM as a good size SF and then RWIII or ? at the 4 seems like a good lineup. I'm tired of little to now defense and think Scoot could make a decent 4 or 5 look like a star.

Don't forget about RR as a potential SF or BU SG.

 

[bxb]

If we're talking like its a playoff series the staffs will locate exact lineups they want to use to counter other rotations n its like a back and forth, so it becomes more a matter of "heres what we think we can get away with vs this matchup" rather than a more rigored depth chart like hockey lineup substitutions..

N I mean do you see the Warriors have Chris Paul now? The Kings another playoff team, they play small... There's obviously teams that play huge lineups like the Thunder too.. so they sorta gotta plan for everything..

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think we are OK in terms of balance. For example, these combinations are okay size-wise. Obviously, we won't make any hockey-type lineup changes but the pieces are there to mix and match. And although a few in here hate Knox...I am not counting him out at SF.

PG: Scoot,
SG: Ant,
SF: Camara
PF: Grant,
C: Ayton

PG: Brogodon,
SG: Sharpe,
SF: Thybulle
PF: Walker
C: Williams

Yes, this appears to limit Shae's minutes but it doesn't have to. It is a long ass season.

 

[bxb]

Sharpe is pretty much the same size as Kobe was.

This is about what my eye test tells me too.. N Kobe was a monster athlete in the very early 2000's back when he was Fro'be -- and yes back then he frequented the SF position too, rather seamlessly..

But really Prime Athletic Kobe and Sharpe are very similar levels of "you dont really want to jump n try to block me im gonna put you on a poster".. To think Kobe was like a level or 2 above Sharpe would be overstating Prime Frobe's explosiveness.

 

[Reep]

Don't forget about RR as a potential SF or BU SG.

That is a good point. He didn't show up on ESPN or NBA, but I like defensive 3-5 players. He is young, but love his focus.

Part of my challenge is that I'm so tired of the lack of defense, and Thybulle draws me in a lot off the bench, but I don't see a place for him in the current lineup.

 

[bxb]

I think we are OK in terms of balance. For example, these combinations are okay size-wise. Obviously, we won't make any hockey-type lineup changes but the pieces are there to mix and match. And although a few in here hate Knox...I am not counting him out at SF.

PG: Scoot,
SG: Ant,
SF: Camara
PF: Grant,
C: Ayton

PG: Brogodon,
SG: Sharpe,
SF: Thybulle
PF: Walker
C: Williams

Yes, this appears to limit Shae's minutes but it doesn't have to. It is a long ass season.

Maybe im... slightly overreacting.. perhaps.. but as someone who caught a whole lot of Camara's games in college, at least 30.

People should be fired if were starting Camara on opening night at SF..

Like I'm a big fan of Chauncey Billups n wanna give him the benefit of the doubt.. but that will be a major strike of incompetence in my book if we actually are starting Camara opening night..

Like I havent really seen much of Chauncey's coaching but I know theres people on this forum who say they've seen enough... if we start Camara on opening night Its gonna make me wonder if those who want to vote Chauncey off the island arent on to something.

who knows tho maybe im wrong.. I'm a fan of Camara but I wouldnt think he;d be ready for that --- ya know his Dayton team was very talented last season and underperformed didnt even make the tournament, lost a lot of games to teams with less talent.. The idea of putting Brogdon or Sharpe on the bench for him is offensive to me honestly hahaha.. but I guess I have a different perspective.. I'd certainly start Thybulle over Camara too.. but idk maybe im wrong, hope I am cuz if Camara can fill that void its a major plus for the Blazers, would be a game-changer..

 

[Pinwheel1]

Maybe im... slightly overreacting.. perhaps.. but as someone who caught a whole lot of Camara's games in college, at least 30.

People should be fired if were starting Camara on opening night at SF..

Like I'm a big fan of Chauncey Billups n wanna give him the benefit of the doubt.. but that will be a major strike of incompetence in my book if we actually are starting Camara opening night..

Like I havent really seen much of Chauncey's coaching but I know theres people on this forum who say they've seen enough... if we start Camara on opening night Its gonna make me wonder if those who want to vote Chauncey off the island arent on to something.

who knows tho maybe im wrong.. I'm a fan of Camara but I wouldnt think he;d be ready for that --- ya know his Dayton team was very talented last season and underperformed didnt even make the tournament, lost a lot of games to teams with less talent.. The idea of putting Sharpe on the bench for him is offensive to me honestly hahaha.. but I guess I have a different perspective..

I don't care as much about how good Camara is individually right now as I do about how much better the starting unit could be with him. What does the starting lineup lack in most people's minds? It seems like the answer is size, defense, and rebounding. How does he fit with Scoot, Ant, Ayton, and Grant? I am looking for a Rambis-type player who does the dirty work. He does not have to score just keep the defense honest. Can Thybulle or Sharpe switch off to guard a PF? I am not pleading for this line-up....just throwing it out there as an option.....especially against bigger teams.

 

[wizenheimer]

Kobe was 6'4.75" barefoot, so half an inch taller than Sharpe (for now). Carter measured 6'5.5" barefoot pre-draft, so 1.25" taller (but 219 lbs). McGrady was 6'6.25", a full 2 inches taller than Sharpe

Definitely fair to call Carter and McGrady "quite a bit bigger", but Sharpe is pretty much the same size as Kobe was.

I'm skeptical of any actual measurements from the 90's. There weren't any combines then. Where are you getting those numbers from?

and Kobe was a SG...the Lakers never tries to shoehorn Kobe into SF because they were stubbornly running with an undersized SG

 

[bxb]

I don't care as much about how good Camara is individually right now as I do about how much better the starting unit could be with him. What does the starting lineup lack in most people's minds? It seems like the answer is size, defense, and rebounding. How does he fit with Scoot, Ant, Ayton, and Grant? I am looking for a Rambis-type player who does the dirty work. He does not have to score just keep the defense honest. Can Thybulle or Sharpe switch off to guard a PF? I am not pleading for this line-up....just throwing it out there as an option.....especially against bigger teams.

makes a ton of sense! I was also quite confused watching Jerami Grant's lack of rebounds in the preseason so Its very clear to me why u have those concerns, and they are quite valid, its one of the easiest areas the blazers can improve the roster tbh.

I was just thinking along the lines of -- "the Blazers have plenty of tradable assets now.. So the move is really to trade Camara and future picks for a better version of that PF your talking about"(if we needed a player like that on the roster rather to eat 20+mpg, rather than actually relying on a rookie)..

 

[wizenheimer]

Draft Express kinds of tracks average height by position based upon pre-draft measurements:




PG - 183
SG - 200
SF - 213
PF - 230
C - 240

https://www.draftexpress.com/average-measurements-by-position/2017/NBA+Draft+Combine/all/60/

 

[bxb]

Shaedon Sharpe plays ABOVE HIS HEIGHT though, as Kobe did.. Kobe was NEVER listed at 6'7" anywhere, he was 6'7" at the top of his fro maybe...


Sharpe's head is above the damn rim!! can we talk about that height and not the height when hes standing flatfooted with his back to a wall!