Shabazz vs. Baldwin

[Gronk Brady]

Can someone please explain to me why Shabazz is still getting 20 min per game as the backup PG? Since the All Star break Shabazz is shooting 34% fg and 32% 3pt... not to mention he never gets teammates involved.

After watching Baldwin look like prime Tony Allen the other night, why is Shabazz still playing over him???

 

[Reep]

Can't explain it. I thought last night was the perfect game for Baldwin. Might have been related to the fact that we did okay on defense, just couldn't score. If I was trying to score more, I would probably still trust Napier to get hot over Baldwin.

 

[SIeepwalker]

Before we wonder why Bazz plays over Wade, we need to wonder why Pat plays over him…

(the answer is that he own compromising pictures of Terry Stotts)

 

[BlazerBeav]

We need someone to score. I'd agree with pulling Bazz if anyone else was hitting anything, but they weren't. Only one guy had a good offensive game last night - and God knows we have little interest in calling plays for him in the post.

 

[Gronk Brady]

We need someone to score. I'd agree with pulling Bazz if anyone else was hitting anything, but they weren't. Only one guy had a good offensive game last night - and God knows we have little interest in calling plays for him in the post.

Shabazz has been a black hole... he dribbles around for 20 seconds then jacks up a bad shot. He doesn’t give the rest of the second unit a chance to succeed as the pg. he is shooting 34% since all star break... not just a cold streak, it’s almost half the season... why is he still playing??? Especially when you saw what Baldwin did against Harden... I’m pretty sure Baldwin can shoot at least 34%

 

[Reep]

We need someone to score. I'd agree with pulling Bazz if anyone else was hitting anything, but they weren't. Only one guy had a good offensive game last night - and God knows we have little interest in calling plays for him in the post.

From a post-game the other day, it seems Stotts doesn't like answering this question. Almost like he wants Nurk to get more shots, but Dame isn't getting him the ball enough. Given that each time you gave Nurk the ball, you are forcing Jokic to chance on fouling him, or at least tiring Jokic more, 15 shots didn't seem like nearly enough. When you also see that Nurk was the only player shooting over 40%...

How did Nurkic not get at least 20 shots up? Seems like the team bet on some threes falling that just didn't.

 

[Chris Craig]

Blazers need to play Baldwin over Pat tomorrow. Put Wade on Mitchells ass

 

[Scalma]

Before we wonder why Bazz plays over Wafe, we need to wonder why Pay plays over him…

(the answer is that he own compromising pictures of Terry Stotts)

I was thinking about this yesterday and while I’m no Connaughton fan, I think he hurts us less than Napier. Napier is pretty much a shittier version of CJ. Doesn’t create for others and jacks up stupid shots. In the last three games, he’s had three assists, TOTAL. Baldwin is a pure point guard who’s always looking to get others involved. He averaged over 5 assists a game in the g league, but it would’ve been more if any of his teammates could shoot.

 

[Reep]

It will be interesting to see who comes off the bench against Utah. I could see Baldwin getting a shot after what happened in Denver, but Stotts may be too locked into what he wants in his playoff rotation.

 

[Chris Craig]

It will be interesting to see who comes off the bench against Utah. I could see Baldwin getting a shot after what happened in Denver, but Stotts may be too locked into what he wants in his playoff rotation.

Both Bazz and Baldwin should be coming off the bench at the guard spots.

 

[Reep]

I was thinking about this yesterday and while I’m no Connaughton fan, I think he hurts us less than Napier. Napier is pretty much a shittier version of CJ. Doesn’t create for others and jacks up stupid shots. In the last three games, he’s had three assists, TOTAL. Baldwin is a pure point guard who’s always looking to get others involved. He averaged over 5 assists a game in the g league, but it would’ve been more if any of his teammates could shoot.

I don't disagree with you, but based on per-36 Asst:TOV for this year (small sample size for Baldwin), Baldwin is 2.6:2.1 and Napier is 4.0:2.9.

 

[Gronk Brady]

If Stotts doesn’t pull his head out of his ass and play Baldwin over Shabazz we have no chance in the playoffs... a ball hog shooting 34% fg means no bench points... Baldwin will at the very least make life difficult for opposing teams best players. I just don’t understand the loyalty to a player that won’t even be here next season... just play the best players Stotts! So frustrating!

 

[Reep]

Both Bazz and Baldwin should be coming off the bench at the guard spots.

When do you support a shooter through a slump v. giving up on him? Pat hitting threes in the playoffs could be huge. If you support him, maybe he turns it around. If you don't, then park his butt on the bench.

 

[Chris Craig]

When do you support a shooter through a slump v. giving up on him? Pat hitting threes in the playoffs could be huge. If you support him, maybe he turns it around. If you don't, then park his butt on the bench.

Play pat at the 3 off the bench

 

[Scalma]

If Stotts doesn’t pull his head out of his ass and play Baldwin over Shabazz we have no chance in the playoffs... a ball hog shooting 34% fg means no bench points... Baldwin will at the very least make life difficult for opposing teams best players. I just don’t understand the loyalty to a player that won’t even be here next season... just play the best players Stotts! So frustrating!

You’re talking about a coach that has allowed CJ to play point guard for three years. We’ll see the same rotation tomorrow and we’ll see the same rotation in the playoffs.

 

[Scalma]

I don't disagree with you, but based on per-36 Asst:TOV for this year (small sample size for Baldwin), Baldwin is 2.6:2.1 and Napier is 4.0:2.9.

That goes to my next point; even when Baldwin’s been in the game he hasn’t been allowed to run the offense and has been relegated to standing in the corner while CJ and Napier hop around the court.

 

[Chris Craig]

That goes to my next point; even when Baldwin’s been in the game he hasn’t been allowed to run the offense and has been relegated to standing in the corner while CJ and Napier hop around the court.

CJ and Napier should not be allowed on the court at the same time. Seems like there should be a rip in the time space continuum. Napier and Dame. Baldwin and CJ. Always put a pure pt guard with a ballhog to balance it out.

 

[HailBlazers]

That goes to my next point; even when Baldwin’s been in the game he hasn’t been allowed to run the offense and has been relegated to standing in the corner while CJ and Napier hop around the court.

Obviously Wade has a super bad attitude.

 

[Reep]

That goes to my next point; even when Baldwin’s been in the game he hasn’t been allowed to run the offense and has been relegated to standing in the corner while CJ and Napier hop around the court.

I'm not sure Baldwin could earn that level of trust this late in the season. It would be a huge risk.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Napier is pretty much a shittier version of CJ.

I think of him as the cheaper version of CJ. Longer-term, I would like to trade CJ for a small forward and keep Baldwin and Napier.

 

[Scalma]

I'm not sure Baldwin could earn that level of trust this late in the season. It would be a huge risk.

Of course not. It’d be hard to replace Napier’s production.

 

[riverman]

Not so long ago it was Mo getting the hate around here...now it's Bazz.....you win and lose as a team...Bazz still leads the team in steals which are sort of like assists...Baldwin will get his chances next season...probably doesn't even know the playbook yet...I think Stotts will find him some playoff minutes for the experience....

 

[BBert]

One Bazz play frustrated me last night that is consistent with some of the complaints about him. Zach was set and WIDE open for a three within the flow of the offense, but Bazz refused to pass him the ball. Instead he dribbled into the teeth of the defense, barely got a tough pass off, the ball finally came back around to Zach. By then the rhythm of the play was gone and Zach missed a forced three. A guard has to hit a guy in rhythm, not ball hog until someone has to shoot a bail out. Say what you want about El Mago, but he was great at getting guys the ball in their rhythm and racking up assists. When I played basketball it used to frustrate the hell out of me when I'd play with a guard who passed me the ball two seconds too late every fucking time. So that's kind of a sore spot with me

 

[Scalma]

Not so long ago it was Mo getting the hate around here...now it's Bazz.....you win and lose as a team...Bazz still leads the team in steals which are sort of like assists...Baldwin will get his chances next season...probably doesn't even know the playbook yet...I think Stotts will find him some playoff minutes for the experience....

Doesn’t know the playbook? He’s been with the team for almost three months, and the system the Texas legends run is pretty much identical, which is probably why he got assigned there in the first place.

 

[Hoopguru]

Shabazz will be fine in the playoffs. He can defend and pester anyone with the ball.
Also, this will be his big chance to show the world he belongs and deserves and better contract.
I actually think he plays well with Nurk in getting him the ball down low.
I see him of the type of guy that won't play it safe, so he will either contribute big, or dive big, but he will go down sling-in.

Bottom line for me is if we don't shoot decent as a team each game it will be tough to get out of the first round.

 

[noknobs]

Shabazz has been good for most of the season and I'd prefer that he's in the rotation at this point instead of Baldwin. The playoffs are not the time to throw a young, inexperienced player into the rotation unless you have to. It's not like Shabazz has been the only guy not shooting well lately. Hopefully they've gotten it all out of their system and starting tomorrow get back to playing the way they're capable. We all know CJ is much better than he's been the last few games, he's just in a shooting slump. Dame missed 4 free-throws which would have been huge and didn't shoot well either. Turner and Aminu couldn't shoot. The rest of the bench was ineffective. In other words, our backup point-guard is not the reason we scored 82 points.

 

[Reep]

Shabazz has been good for most of the season and I'd prefer that he's in the rotation at this point instead of Baldwin. The playoffs are not the time to throw a young, inexperienced player into the rotation unless you have to. It's not like Shabazz has been the only guy not shooting well lately. Hopefully they've gotten it all out of their system and starting tomorrow get back to playing the way they're capable. We all know CJ is much better than he's been the last few games, he's just in a shooting slump. Dame missed 4 free-throws which would have been huge and didn't shoot well either. Turner and Aminu couldn't shoot. The rest of the bench was ineffective. In other words, our backup point-guard is not the reason we scored 82 points.

True. Absolutely amazing that Nurk scored 20 and the rest of the team only 62.

 

[kjironman1]

Doesn’t know the playbook? He’s been with the team for almost three months, and the system the Texas legends run is pretty much identical, which is probably why he got assigned there in the first place.

You do realize you just compared the Blazers to the “Texas Legends” right?

 

[kjironman1]

Shabazz has been good for most of the season and I'd prefer that he's in the rotation at this point instead of Baldwin. The playoffs are not the time to throw a young, inexperienced player into the rotation unless you have to. It's not like Shabazz has been the only guy not shooting well lately. Hopefully they've gotten it all out of their system and starting tomorrow get back to playing the way they're capable. We all know CJ is much better than he's been the last few games, he's just in a shooting slump. Dame missed 4 free-throws which would have been huge and didn't shoot well either. Turner and Aminu couldn't shoot. The rest of the bench was ineffective. In other words, our backup point-guard is not the reason we scored 82 points.

Could not agree more.

 

[Scalma]

You do realize you just compared the Blazers to the “Texas Legends” right?

Is SlyPokerDog naturally stupid or does it take effort?