For him to start, Billups would have to bench Deni or Grant. I think he SHOULD bench Grant, but I'm quite sure he won't.
Interesting questions.
I think we all agree the Blazers "Future 5" are:
- Scoot
- Sharpe
- Deni
- Camara
- Clingan
If you had to play one game for the championship tonight with the current squad, and they were all healthy, who do you start? Here's my 'current best 5':
- Simons
- Sharpe
- Deni
- Camara
- Ayton
Sharpe should be in the starting 5 either way you look at it for me.
I think Deni beats out Grant either way. He's better for win now, and he's better for the future.
I enjoy watching Ayton when he's engaged. I think we've seen a nice uptick for him this year. I still hold out hope for him to be a long-term piece. Players like him are hard to find.
I think Simons is currently a better combo/pg than Scoot. As long as Simons plays a team game and moves the ball, and avoids the hero ball game, I'm good with him facilitating the offense. It frustrates me to see him jack up a tough shot with a lot of time left on the shot clock. He needs to focus on facilitating for the rest of the team first, then create a shot for himself if the Blazers need it late in the shot clock.
Even if Billups for some odd reason doesn't start Sharpe, Sharpe needs to get the minutes and be the primary focus of the offense when he's in there.
