Starting two guard

[Natebishop3]

Is it Matthews? Could CJ bump him to the bench?

http://www.csnnw.com/blazers/mccollum-matthews-prepared-compete-starting-two-guard-position

"I'm going to try (for the two-guard spot),” McCollum told CSNNW.com. “If coach feels I can best help this team playing the two, I'm ready for it. I've been preparing all summer for both positions (point and two), so I think I'll be comfortable playing wherever he puts me at.”

 

[Reep]

Not a chance in the world he gets the start at two. But, that's what he should say. You don't want a lottery pick saying how he is satisfied with whatever he gets.

 

[Natebishop3]

Not a chance in the world he gets the start at two. But, that's what he should say. You don't want a lottery pick saying how he is satisfied with whatever he gets.

I don't know if I'd say, "there's not a chance in the world."

Is it likely? No, but we also have no idea how CJ will do with some minutes. What if he comes out and puts up big numbers? I like Wes a lot, I think he gives the team a lot of heart and effort, but CJ could be a prolific scorer. He has the tools.

I would actually be happier this year if Lillard's scoring went down a little bit, but his assists went up. There's only one ball and we know LMA is going to get his shots, but if CJ were to average 18-20 per game, I think Lillard might be the guy to give up some shots. I'd be thrilled with 16 ppg at a high fg% and 9 or 10 assists from Lillard.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I'm not sure McCollum can do it, but our team would be much better with Matthews off the bench. IMO

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm not sure McCollum can do it, but our team would be much better with Matthews off the bench. IMO

I think he could do it at the offensive end.... not sure about the defensive end.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I don't know if I'd say, "there's not a chance in the world."

Is it likely? No, but we also have no idea how CJ will do with some minutes. What if he comes out and puts up big numbers? I like Wes a lot, I think he gives the team a lot of heart and effort, but CJ could be a prolific scorer. He has the tools.

Yes, but unless he demonstrates top-notch defensive skill (something he never exhibited at Lehigh), his tools seem better suited for a reserve role, at least this season. I'd be thrilled for CJ to be a double-digit scorer off the bench.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'm not sure McCollum can do it, but our team would be much better with Matthews off the bench. IMO

How so?

 

[magnifier661]

Not a chance in the world he gets the start at two. But, that's what he should say. You don't want a lottery pick saying how he is satisfied with whatever he gets.

There is a chance. If Matthews goes down with an injury (hope not); who else will start?

 

[Natebishop3]

Yes, but unless he demonstrates top-notch defensive skill (something he never exhibited at Lehigh), his tools seem better suited for a reserve role, at least this season. I'd be thrilled for CJ to be a double-digit scorer off the bench.

Going to be interesting to see how the bench shakes out, because Mo is basically a scorer off the bench as well... so is Wright.

 

[blue9]

I don't know if I'd say, "there's not a chance in the world."

Is it likely? No, but we also have no idea how CJ will do with some minutes. What if he comes out and puts up big numbers? I like Wes a lot, I think he gives the team a lot of heart and effort, but CJ could be a prolific scorer. He has the tools.

I agree with you in theory about not speaking in absolutes, but this is a case where I think it's quite safe to say "there's not a chance in the world" (outside of the unmentionable).
Let's say that the unlikely happens and CJ is a prolific scorer early in the season. Wouldn't that be better suited to the bench, where a "go to" scorer is still needed? Putting him in the starting rotation only exacerbates the "only one ball" issue. Putting the offense aside, there's the issue of defense, and here "there's not a chance in the world" that CJ will be a better defender than Wes.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Obviously Wes has by far the best chance to start at SG this season. After that I am not sure, although I have always viewed CJ as more of a 6th man than a starter. There are a few match ups where his size will be an issue (kobe) so you might as well keep him in that role.

 

[Natebishop3]

I agree with you in theory about not speaking in absolutes, but this is a case where I think it's quite safe to say "there's not a chance in the world" (outside of the unmentionable).
Let's say that the unlikely happens and CJ is a prolific scorer early in the season. Wouldn't that be better suited to the bench, where a "go to" scorer is still needed? Putting him in the starting rotation only exacerbates the "only one ball" issue. Putting the offense aside, there's the issue of defense, and here "there's not a chance in the world" that CJ will be a better defender than Wes.

Well, I think the biggest problem right now is that this team is over-saturated with scoring guards. Lillard, Mo, CJ, and Wes. I think Lillard is capable of being a better distributor, so I think he could work well with CJ. At times Lillard could shift to more of a scoring role and that's when Mo comes in to handle the ball. I've said it before, but I think Wes is the odd man out. A three guard rotation of Lillard, Mo, and CJ is ideal. Start Lillard and CJ, have Mo come in to give Lillard some time at the two, and then have someone like Barton or Crabbe come in for a couple minutes if an overlap is needed.

There's only 96 minutes total between the two guard positions. Let's say Lillard gets 36. That leaves 60 minutes. There's simply not enough minutes to go around for Mo, Wes, and CJ.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I'm not sure McCollum can do it, but our team would be much better with Matthews off the bench. IMO

Possibly, but We may find CJ is the gunner off the bench we need. Or is it that Matthews and Mo might mesh?

 

[BBert]

I think he could do it at the offensive end.... not sure about the defensive end.

My thought exactly. CJ may be able to 'score like he breathes' (in summer pick up games), but even if you give Wes only an 'average' grade on defense, we would have one of the worst defensive backcourts in the league starting Dame with CJ. I think CJ's offense is needed more off the bench as well -- we don't need him in the starting unit. Let Wes fit in with the starting unit by playing defense and spotting up for threes: the two things he does best. Let Dame be the primary ball handler and back court scorer: that's what he does best. CJ off the bench at SG makes more sense to me. Even if we put Wes on the bench, wouldn't Mo start ahead of CJ anyway?

 

[Mediocre Man]

I think he could do it at the offensive end.... not sure about the defensive end.

Ya, my theory is having good defenders on the second unit to balance out Leonar_

 

[blue9]

I wouldn't be surprised to see CJ as the first guard off the bench, replacing Wes. That'll give Lillard and CJ the chance to play together for a few minutes before Mo enters the game at the end of the 1st to replace Lillard. Of course it could be the other way around with Mo being first G off the bench so that Lillard can play off-ball before heading to the bench.

 

[Mediocre Man]

How so?

I have probably stated a million times that I think Matthews is a bench player and not a starter on a good team

 

[Natebishop3]

My thought exactly. CJ may be able to 'score like he breathes' (in summer pick up games), but even if you give Wes only an 'average' grade on defense, we would have one of the worst defensive backcourts in the league starting Dame with CJ. I think CJ's offense is needed more off the bench as well -- we don't need him in the starting unit. Let Wes fit in with the starting unit by playing defense and spotting up for threes: the two things he does best. Let Dame be the primary ball handler and back court scorer: that's what he does best. CJ off the bench at SG makes more sense to me. Even if we put Wes on the bench, wouldn't Mo start ahead of CJ anyway?

Here's the problem though; what if CJ is just too good offensively not to play? There isn't enough minutes to play four guys significant minutes.

Lillard is going to play big minutes. I'd prefer something in the 35-36 minutes per game range. Last season was nuts.

Mo deserves to play at least 20-25 minutes per game. He's a valuable veteran and I'd like to see him and Lillard play together at times.

That leaves only 35 minutes for Wes and CJ. How do you divvy those up?

 

[Mediocre Man]

Possibly, but We may find CJ is the gunner off the bench we need. Or is it that Matthews and Mo might mesh?

Mo is tiny, and having some defense out there with he and Meyers would be helpful.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Mo is tiny, and having some defense out there with he and Meyers would be helpful.

That's a good point.

 

[BBert]

As much as the coaches and players commit to improving our defense, we many not have the personnel to be a top defensive team.

I wonder how often the team would rest all 5 starters at the same time? Normally I think of the rotation in terms of maintaining offense -- in this case maybe the team should focus the rotation on maintaining some semblance of defense and let the offense take care of itself.

I am also anxious to see how Thomas Robinson plays big man defense and rebounds. I suspect he will be driven to do so, and he certainly has the physical tools. Fingers crossed.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I think the related but more interesting question is "Who will be on the court at the end of games?"

The Mo vs. CJ vs. Wes question will be very interesting.

As for starting I think it will be Wes, probably for the whole season.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I think the related but more interesting question is "Who will be on the court at the end of games?"

The Mo vs. CJ vs. Wes question will be very interesting.

As for starting I think it will be Wes, probably for the whole season.

It wouldn't surprise me to see all three with batum and LA on a lot of nights

 

[Natebishop3]

There are only so many minutes to go around.

We need an 8 or 9 man rotation.

Lillard
Wes
Batum
Aldridge
Lopez
Mo
Wright
Robinson
CJ

That's your 9 guys that get significant minutes. You rotate the frontcourt between Lopez, Aldridge and Robinson. You rotate your backcourt between Lillard, Mo, and Wes or CJ.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

It wouldn't surprise me to see all three with batum and LA on a lot of nights

no Lillard?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

no Lillard?

We'll just play 6 men again.

 

[Mediocre Man]

no Lillard?

Oops, my bad. I was thinking Lillard, Wes and Mo

 

[blue9]

There isn't enough minutes to play four guys significant minutes.

You're right - somebody is going to get the short straw. Probably CJ this season. But Wes and Mo might not get the minutes they want either. I think something like this would be ideal for this season, +/- a couple minutes:

Lillard - 33m
Wes - 30m
Mo - 18m
CJ - 15m

 

[Pinwheel1]

You're right - somebody is going to get the short straw. Probably CJ this season. But Wes and Mo might not get the minutes they want either. I think something like this would be ideal for this season, +/- a couple minutes:

Lillard - 33m
Wes - 30m
Mo - 18m
CJ - 15m

Yeah that looks to me. Lillard, Wes and Mo are likely to get the minutes in crunch time. Nice 3 man rotation. They can all shoot.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I think it's a misconception to think that your starters are your best five players. Certainly your best two or three players should start (so long as they're at different positions) but then you want players that complement them, so that the unit makes sense. That's why Matthews should start over CJ even if CJ is better, because CJ is not better than Lillard, and Matthews complements Lillard better than CJ (plays defense, doesn't need the ball).