Should Kaman play a bigger role in the series? (1 Viewer)

[KingSpeed]

As in first half minutes. What do you think? Should Stotts put Kaman in the rotation? I like what he can do in the post and he gives us size. They Clippers look so much bigger than the Blazers as a whole. We definitely missed Meyers as much as many of you hate him.

 

[BBert]

As in first half minutes. What do you think? Should Stotts put Kaman in the rotation? I like what he can do in the post and he gives us size. They Clippers look so much bigger than the Blazers as a whole. We definitely missed Meyers as much as many of you hate him.

The HCP suggested starting him.

It's as if the two of you share the same hoops brain!

 

[Natebishop3]

Yes

 

[GriLtCheeZ]

Yes

 

[KingSpeed]

Here are quotes from Stotts I found:

"We'll see how the series goes," Stotts said. "I thought Chris played well last night. He's an effective offensive player. He can make mid-range shots. He's experienced. He can play at both ends. I don't know how it's going to play out, but certainly he could be a factor."

"If they're going to trap pick and rolls, whether it's Chris or Ed or Mason, they're going to be in position to make plays whether it's passing, shooting or driving," Stotts said. "Chris could be effective there."

 

[Reep]

It would be interesting to try in game 2. If it doesn't work then you could go back to the normal rotation in Portland. I think the key would be to have Kaman play few (<20) minutes, but really use him when he is in the game.

 

[Natebishop3]

Can we bring Brandon Roy out of retirement?

 

[BBert]

Unfortunately, I highly doubt Kaman is in playoff basketball shape.

But let's squeeze him for whatever he's got in the tank. He can rest when he's retired.

 

[jlprk]

Even in his bald, ever-injured condition, Kaman is much better than Meyers Leonard will ever be at Leonard's career peak a couple of years from now. Kaman is more effective even at Leonard's strength, shooting, because Kaman makes them when closely guarded and Leonard doesn't.

If Olshey is considering keeping Leonard this summer, I'd rather that he keep Kaman instead. Even when injured half the season, we get more from Kaman than Leonard, if we save Kaman for the playoffs, as was done this season.

 

[MARIS61]

Kaman should play a bigger role, as in he should be taller, heavier, and waaaaaaaay stronger.

And he should be able to sink 3's like butter.

The fact is Plumlee needs to play like a superstar or we're out in 4.

 

[MARIS61]

Even in his bald, ever-injured condition, Kaman is much better than Meyers Leonard will ever be at Leonard's career peak a couple of years from now. Kaman is more effective even at Leonard's strength, shooting, because Kaman makes them when closely guarded and Leonard doesn't.

If Olshey is considering keeping Leonard this summer, I'd rather that he keep Kaman instead. Even when injured half the season, we get more from Kaman than Leonard, if we save Kaman for the playoffs, as was done this season.

Kaman likely still has not even caught his breath from last night.

Hopefully the trainer can get his heart rate to level out by then.

As an assistant coach next year, hopefully he can instill his experience and court smarts into Leonards much younger, healthier, and far more agile body.

 

[blazedanugz]

i cant believe im about to give this scrub credit but i think kaman could help against cole aldrich. that guy actually played pretty well last night. offensive rebounding over ed davis.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Kaman only needs to stay in the game long enough to commit ONE foul. If he does it right he will be kicked out of the game, kicked out of the league, and threatened with criminal charges!

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

I may have said this before in jest but this time it is legit. I agree with HCP.

 

[Chris Craig]

Short answer: yes

Long answer: I think he could help with mainly rebounding and on the defensive end...and while he can help us out up a few in the paint...ultimately he will slow us down and make it easier for the clips to sack tap us on the fast breaks...it's a risk, but it may be a good one...maybe playing against his old team ( though it is one of many) it will rekindle his youth and he will be our Messiah....wait sorry I was daydreaming

 

[WillG]

Kaman could help - but Stotts has this team ill-prepared for this series -

I feel sorry for Kaman - Stotts hasn't given him any playing time - even since Meyers' injury - he is clearly out of shape.
Stotts, the genius' move, is to go to the twelfth man and throw him into the frypan of Playoff intensity Bball with absolutely no conditioning - against one of the best front courts in the NBA.

 

[mook]

Kaman could help - but Stotts has this team ill-prepared for this series -

I feel sorry for Kaman - Stotts hasn't given him any playing time - even since Meyers' injury - he is clearly out of shape.
Stotts, the genius' move, is to go to the twelfth man and throw him into the frypan of Playoff intensity Bball with absolutely no conditioning - against one of the best front courts in the NBA.

We have the third youngest team in the league. If Stotts had spent much time developing Kaman this year he'd have been crucified by everybody (including me).

Anyway, I think Kaman would be fine to throw out there for 10-15 minutes/game in "Old Sabonis" role, either off the bench or starting. Lumbering, enormous body who plays smart, sets massive screens, creates offense for himself, and then wheezes on the bench for long stretches at a time.

Starting him may force the Clips to do away with all the trapping on our guards because he's just such a big target to pass to, and when he gets the ball he'll do something good with it.

 

[Draco]

Kaman won't have the endurance to play more than 15-20 minutes. We could throw him out there with the second unit and throw him the ball when DameCJ get trapped. I think you could pair him defensively with Ed Davis. Kaman would get exposed as a starter with Griffin and DeAndre both on the floor though.

All four of the Clippers core starters outplayed the Blazer counterparts. If that continues it doesn't matter who Stotts juggles into the a lineup or plays a few extra minutes.

Many around here want Stotts to make a bunch of adjustments. The time to experiment with radically different lineups and gameplans was months ago, not now on the fly after 83 games. We need to primarily play who's had success this season, try our best, and if it doesn't work out so be it.

 

[jlprk]

Kaman is good enough to adjust instantly. He's been through this experience many times. He doesn't need practice. He has even more motive than usual because it's his contract year. Put him in there and watch him win every game for us.

 

[Sinobas]

Yes, I think we should give Kaman playing time. It'll mess up the Rocket's defensive scheme because Chris can score.

Now you can see why Olshey wanted Kanter. I wonder if the Thunder want out of his contract, that was the rumor.

 

[illmatic99]

Yes. I too called for starting him earlier and hoping he can get Jordan to get into foul trouble.

It will be 15 mins total. 6 minutes to start each half. And 3 mins in the fourth quarter to throw off their D a bit. It's a very logical solution, tbh. Let's hope Terry doesn't deliberate over this too long and makes the change quickly to see if it amounts to anything.

 

[riverman]

I say yes...this is why we rested him so much in the regular season...to become our playoff secret weapon! I'd start him....play him 20 minutes a night..long enough to get Jordan or Griffin in foul trouble.

 

[blue9]

We have the third youngest team in the league. If Stotts had spent much time developing Kaman this year he'd have been crucified by everybody (including me).

Kaman never needed to be developed - he just needed court time for conditioning. I was SHOCKED that we didn't start conditioning him 3-4 weeks before the POs started. When Meyers went down, and with how awful Noah is, it should have been obvious that we'd need Kaman in the Playoffs. Even at his age he's still our best big.

 

[Reep]

You can forgive Stotts a bit given that we almost beat the Clips at home recently without Kaman (but for a few missed calls in the last two minutes).

I wouldn't be shocked if Blazers responded like Dallas did and catch the Clips sleeping in Game 2. They just need to hit those open threes.

 

[BBert]

Kaman never needed to be developed - he just needed court time for conditioning. I was SHOCKED that we didn't start conditioning him 3-4 weeks before the POs started. When Meyers went down, and with how awful Noah is, it should have been obvious that we'd need Kaman in the Playoffs. Even at his age he's still our best big.

I kept expecting it; Never happened.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I dont think he starts, but I bet we see him in the first half

 

[tester551]

Wow! You guys are severely over-rating Kaman. He's fine for a few spot minutes here or there, but he's just not that good. Certainly not good enough to change the course of the series.

 

[Reep]

Jordan plays 34 min/game. If Kaman can play half of that (17), then I think it will help make a difference. If nothing else than to give Jordan something else to think about. I would only play Kaman though when Jordan is in.

 

[blue9]

Wow! You guys are severely over-rating Kaman. He's fine for a few spot minutes here or there, but he's just not that good. Certainly not good enough to change the course of the series.

His competition is:

Plumlee, whose sole advantage is youth which may make him better defensively.
Davis, who, while better on defense, is much worse on offense.
Noah, who has no business donning a jersey in the Playoffs.

Kaman isn't overrated, he just doesn't have anyone in front of him who is clearly better.

 

[Chris Craig]

How big you want him to be...we put him platforms and things are gonna start getting scary