So, is CJ McCollum again out of the main rotation?

[PapaG]

First of all, great win!!

One concern I have is that CJ and Mo Williams seem incapable of being effective on the court at the same time. With Mo having a player option this summer, and CJ being on the first year of his rookie contract, what should be the plan for next year?

Let Mo go, no matter what, and hope that CJ can handle the ball and get off some shots is one option.

 

[KingSpeed]

I think it's a game by game decision right now. Coach is going with whomever brings the energy and Barton has been doing that.

 

[riverman]

CJ is a project with potential and a good shot. His defense is not even close to NBA level yet. When that improves he'll get more burn. Will has earned some rotation minutes and is much more NBA ready at this point. Stotts gives guys chances, it's a good thing.

 

[B-Roy]

CJ gets shut out when Mo is in the game, because it seems Mo has no idea what to do if the first option breaks down, leading to dribble dribble pull up jumpers....

I understand why Mo is getting so many minutes now, but in no situation would I resign him next year. It will be good riddance.

 

[Natebishop3]

The rotation seems pretty fluid right now. I don't think Stotts has a "rotation" in the true sense of the word.

 

[RoyToy]

CJ as the backup PG is a bad idea imo

The Blazers will need Mo back barring a trade

 

[riverman]

With this roster I don't see addition by subtraction. I think the bench is waking up and will surprise a lot of fans.

 

[Natebishop3]

CJ as the backup PG is a bad idea imo

The Blazers will need Mo back barring a trade

Or they could find an actual point guard.

 

[Hobbesarable]

Or they could find an actual point guard.

Mo opts out and we will have the MLE to use on a player.

 

[riverman]

Or they could find an actual point guard.

Stotts once commented that he doesn't really define guards as pt guards, they're just guards and you work the matchups not the roles. Mo is a 6th man anyway. Lot of 6th men are not traditional pt guards. Nic is more of a pt guard than CJ or Mo

 

[jlprk]

Mo opts out and we will have the MLE to use on a player.

Watson works for less. Why doesn't Stotts find out how well Watson and McCollum play together.

 

[Hobbesarable]

Watson works for less. Why doesn't Stotts find out how well Watson and McCollum play together.

That's a good question. Perhaps you can use that for the We ask the questions, the Terry Stotts Edition.

 

[PapaG]

Stotts once commented that he doesn't really define guards as pt guards, they're just guards and you work the matchups not the roles. Mo is a 6th man anyway. Lot of 6th men are not traditional pt guards. Nic is more of a pt guard than CJ or Mo

That's great and all, but a team needs somebody on the court who can bring the ball from the backcourt and into the frontcourt without turning the ball over. Nolan Smith lost his job in the NBA because he couldn't get the ball past haflcourt w/out turning it over or disrupting the offense.

 

[Pinwheel1]

That's great and all, but a team needs somebody on the court how can bring the ball from the backcourt and into the frontcourt without turning the ball over. Nolan Smith lost his job in the NBA because he couldn't get the ball past haflcourt w/out turning it over or disrupting the offense.

A true PG who is can guard both PG's and SG's. That way he can play with either Dame or CJ off the bench. That would make me happy in the off season. No easy task, but hey I can dream.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

A true PG who is can guard both PG's and SG's. That way he can play with either Dame or CJ off the bench. That would make me happy in the off season. No easy task, but hey I can dream.

Someone big, someone crafty, someone... like Andre Miller.

I kid... I'd love a younger, pesky defender who is competent with the ball. That guy who backed up Westbrook while he was out is good... or maybe Patty Cakes? Isn't he a UFA?

 

[Pinwheel1]

Someone big, someone crafty, someone... like Andre Miller.

Miller is crafty on D but I am hoping for a better/quicker defender that Andre. Someone in their 20's..........

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Miller is crafty on D but I am hoping for a better/quicker defender that Andre. Someone in their 20's..........

I agree; but anyone good enough and young enough to fill the bill can probably get a starting job somewhere else.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I agree; but anyone good enough and young enough to fill the bill can probably get a starting job somewhere else.

Seems like they come out of no where. Look at Beverly, he is smaller than I would want at only 6'1" but he does play tough D. Makes the minimum. Was a star in Europe. Anyone else out there in Europe? Can Shawn Livingston move anymore? I guess we will see on Wednesday.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I have a major crush on Beverly. I'd want him, but I think Houston would rather lose Lin than him.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I have a major crush on Beverly. I'd want him, but I think Houston would rather lose Lin than him.

Beverly would be such a good fit. It would be nice to have him to harass PGs.

 

[shamelessblazer]

I think there are a lot of options to throw out next to CJ in the b/u backcourt, b/c we're fairly undefined at the "1" and "3."

CJ brings a shooting threat, can handle, and is not good at D or distributing yet.
I think you need a guy who can distribute, one who plays great defense, and you want 2 of the three to be shooters.

So you could bring in another handler who plays D at the 1 and a shooter at the 3, or a guy who can shoot and play D at 1 and a distributor at 3, etc.

I think Shumpert and Vince Carter would be nice for next year.
Or Tony Allen and a shooter at 1 (you might want to get another big who can shoot in that instance, say someone like Frye or Hawes)
Etc

But CJ does seem to have NBA game.

The other option is spending a bit more on a jack of all trades/6th starter at 2/3 who can play D, handle the ball well, and shoot. Then give him 30 mpg and CJ gets all the b/u 1 minutes. Not sure who that would be at the moment though.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Greivis Vasquez is the guy I'd like to see brought in here in the offseason.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Why do people like Shumpert? Serious question. Every time I've seen him he's looked plain awful.

 

[shamelessblazer]

Greivis Vasquez is the guy I'd like to see brought in here in the offseason.

+1, He'd be a great fit next to CJ and getting Robinson some easy buckets.

 

[Run BJM]

Why do people like Shumpert? Serious question. Every time I've seen him he's looked plain awful.

I think its just the New York factor. Their mediocre prospects get way overhyped simply because they're semi-productive young players that play for the Knicks. Shump isn't garbage, but I don't think he even projects as a starter. Don't think any NBA teams are fooled, but that didn't stop the Knicks from trying to swing a trade centering around Shump that gets them a legit starter.

 

[dviss1]

Greivis Vasquez is the guy I'd like to see brought in here in the offseason.

Great Post. My thoughts exactly. Bigger PG (6'6") who can guard the SG spot and play with Dame.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I think it's a game by game decision right now. Coach is going with whomever brings the energy and Barton has been doing that.

Well that's to bad if it is a game by game decision now, Don't you expect top ten picks to be apart of the rotation? I mean that's why you draft them in the lottery. If he isn't part of the rotation I'd be raising my eyebrow.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Well that's to bad if it is a game by game decision now, Don't you expect top ten picks to be apart of the rotation? I mean that's why you draft them in the lottery. If he isn't part of the rotation I'd be raising my eyebrow.

At least CJ gets some burn at times when the whole team is healthy. Leonard is a top 11 pick who can only get on the floor when guys are hurt.

 

[ponderguy]

Why do people like Shumpert? Serious question. Every time I've seen him he's looked plain awful.

i like him because he's a 6'6" combo guard who can defend his position well. He's definitely in a major slump this year but I attribute that more to terrible PG play and the general mess the Knicks are this year. Shump just said a couple days ago he enjoyed rehabbing from his ACL tear more than playing for the Knicks this year lol He's been really unhappy with his role on the team and Woodson's coaching job

 

[RR7]

but that didn't stop the Knicks from trying to swing a trade centering around Shump that gets them a legit starter.

Darren Collison? He'd start for them because they have Fatty Felton there currently, but I don't how much of a "legit starter" he is league wide.