The Bench

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Boob-No-More said:
Like I said previously, we still don't have a good bench, but we have an adequate bench (given the quality of our starters).

BNM
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So, in your opinion BNM, what is our biggest weakness on the bench? What position would you target for an upgrade?
 
Boob-No-More said:
Like I said previously, we still don't have a good bench, but we have an adequate bench (given the quality of our starters).

BNM
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Our bench is a good bench for a 41-41 team. That our starters look 72-10 good at the moment means it looks like we have a pretty bad bench in comparison.
 
We need one of those lights out bench players that can punish the other team.

Someone like Nick Van Exel on the Mavs.

Jamal Crawford on the Clips.

JR Smith on the Knicks.

It's too bad we didn't pick up Nate Robinson. The guy has been available again and again, but he's exactly the kind of crazy scorer that we need.
 
Natebishop3 said:
So, in your opinion BNM, what is our biggest weakness on the bench? What position would you target for an upgrade?
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Since BNM and I share this opinion, I'd like to pipe in:

I think we need:
A more steady wing player who can slash.
An offense-running point guard.
A defensive-minded 3/4 (Dante Cunningham-style).

You wouldn't play all of them together, but for situations where (a) Dorell is not hitting, (b) Mo is not hitting, or (c) Truck is getting abused, those three would be helpful.
 
BlazerCaravan said:
Since BNM and I share this opinion, I'd like to pipe in:

I think we need:
A more steady wing player who can slash.
An offense-running point guard.
A defensive-minded 3/4 (Dante Cunningham-style).

You wouldn't play all of them together, but for situations where (a) Dorell is not hitting, (b) Mo is not hitting, or (c) Truck is getting abused, those three would be helpful.
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The problem is that we have no big contracts to provide filler on a deal. All our guys are on reasonable contracts..... shocking, I know.

The only guys on big contracts are LMA and Batum. We simply can't make a big trade without breaking up our core and that defeats the purpose.
 
magnifier661 said:
If you are truly looking for a bench post contributor, you need to look a little lower on the totem pole. Players in the caliber of Carl Landry
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Here's a list of players 6'9" or above who are playing fewer than 25 mpg but average at least 15pts/36min. IOW, bench post scorers. Whom do you like?
 
Natebishop3 said:
The problem is that we have no big contracts to provide filler on a deal. All our guys are on reasonable contracts..... shocking, I know.

The only guys on big contracts are LMA and Batum. We simply can't make a big trade without breaking up our core and that defeats the purpose.
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Good point. Unless you believe Robinson, Leonar_ or CJ is suddenly going to emerge as an impact player - WYSIWYG.
 
oldmangrouch said:
Good point. Unless you believe Robinson, Leonar_ or CJ is suddenly going to emerge as an impact player - WYSIWYG.
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I think CJ could be an impact player. I was impressed with what I saw during Summer league. Robinson is a guy who can be big one night, and then disappear, so he's a crap shoot. Leonard is..... well..... Leonard.
 
Rastapopoulos said:
Our bench was supposed to be much improved this year. Well, it's IMPROVED, in that it's no longer historically bad, but it's not good. Our starters are great. Surely one of the best units in the league, because everyone knows his role and is performing it well (Lillard's suspect shooting aside). But... do you trust the bench? Do you think, "oh great, now [opposing team] is in trouble" when substitutions start? Or do you think "shit, I hope we can buy Lillard/Aldridge/Matthews/Batum a little bit of rest..."

If I had to pick a bench "star" it would be, amazingly enough, Freeland. Of the bench he has by far the best +/-. And even he is someone who can be abused against particular players (Morris twins, for example). Mo Williams just blows so hot and cold, except for his defense which is universally awful. And Dorell Wright has just been kind of meh. Robinson blows SUPER hot and cold. You always know he's out there, but he's still incredibly erratic.

So, needs: a good backcourt defender. A backup stretch big. Candidates for the latter would be someone like Channing Frye or Hawes, both of which don't seem to fit with their team's tanking strategies. Not sure about the guard. If Chicago went full tankopalooza, Hinrich might fit, although he's pretty old and they don't really have a PG otherwise. I wonder if NY would part with Prigioni? He's VERY old, but he's in great shape and he's a real PG who plays smart D (within his limitations) and hits threes. Basically the idea for us would be what NY had in Kidd a couple of years back.
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What happends if you take Mo Williams away from the bench as some had suggested a couple days ago? Would it be as good?
 
Natebishop3 said:
The problem is that we have no big contracts to provide filler on a deal. All our guys are on reasonable contracts..... shocking, I know.

The only guys on big contracts are LMA and Batum. We simply can't make a big trade without breaking up our core and that defeats the purpose.
Click to expand...

Yeah, our success has kind of put us in a bind for this season and maybe next. I don't expect any of my shopping list to be picked up until the off-season, though. And I'd be okay with losing one of Dorell or Mo to get one or two of my shopping list. My requests should come pretty cheap, too, or be available through the draft.
 
BlazerCaravan said:
Yeah, our success has kind of put us in a bind for this season and maybe next. I don't expect any of my shopping list to be picked up until the off-season, though. And I'd be okay with losing one of Dorell or Mo to get one or two of my shopping list. My requests should come pretty cheap, too, or be available through the draft.
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I wish we would have made a move for Kendall Marshall. At the very least he'd be worth taking a flyer on, just to see how he plays with our group. Barton is a decent slashing wing, and I think an argument could be made that Claver is the defensive 3/4 that you mentioned. They just don't see any burn because of our current run.
 
Natebishop3 said:
I wish we would have made a move for Kendall Marshall. At the very least he'd be worth taking a flyer on, just to see how he plays with our group. Barton is a decent slashing wing, and I think an argument could be made that Claver is the defensive 3/4 that you mentioned. They just don't see any burn because of our current run.
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And that might speak more to the confidence issues with our 10-12 players among the staff. And maybe there comes a day when that eases up.
 
BlazerCaravan said:
And that might speak more to the confidence issues with our 10-12 players among the staff. And maybe there comes a day when that eases up.
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I'm just happy that TRob is seeing PT, because I think actual playing time will be key to developing him.
 
VanillaGorilla said:
Why'd you make the cutoff 6'9"?

The two players just mentioned (Cunningham and Landry) are both under 6'9" along with a bunch of other backup PFs.
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Because I wanted to quickly, easily, exclude most players that play a more perimeter oriented game. By no means was that intended to be a comprehensive, perfect list. If you can define better parameters, be my guest.
 
I would love to get someone like Rodney Stuckey or maybe Jordan Crawford. Someone who could come in off the bench and just go unconscious.
 
Natebishop3 said:
I would love to get someone like Rodney Stuckey or maybe Jordan Crawford. Someone who could come in off the bench and just go unconscious.
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Jordan Crawful is just like his older counterpart Jamal… You hate Mo now? Jordan is an exact replica of Jamal
 
PtldPlatypus said:
Because I wanted to quickly, easily, exclude most players that play a more perimeter oriented game. By no means was that intended to be a comprehensive, perfect list. If you can define better parameters, be my guest.
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I did one withred rebounds per 36 set, it added Mike Scott, Teletovic, and Blair.
 
Right now, Lillard is our backup SG (when Mo comes in at backup PG). CJ will take some of those minutes. Also, on nights Mo doesn't have it, CJ will get more minutes as a scorer off the bench alongside Lillard.
 
Nikolokolus said:
I think I'm probably alone here, but I'm just not sold CJ is going to be any kind of answer to our bench's efficiency. After being in a boot for months, what is his fitness level going to be like (and I'm talking about basketball shape, not general fitness)? How long is it going to take him to adapt to NBA defenses? Is he enough of a point guard to spell Lillard?

I totally get the idea that this team needs more consistency and fire power than Mo provides, but counting on a late lotto pick in a weak draft class to be that guy isn't anything I think we should count on ... especially knowing how quick Stotts is with the hook.
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Rookies are very unpredictable, both on the good and bad end. I think he has the potential to be a great asset off the bench this season but he could just as easily be a total non-factor.

Mediocre Man said:
I do not agree with this policy as very few teams have ever added a piece mid season that pushed them over the top.
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The Pistons added Rasheed midseason and won the title. The Lakers added Gasol and made the finals although they lost to the Celtics in six games. Going back further the Rockets added Clyde and won a title. But I agree it really makes more sense to make roster changes in the offseason.

Natebishop3 said:
We need one of those lights out bench players that can punish the other team.

Someone like Nick Van Exel on the Mavs.

Jamal Crawford on the Clips.

JR Smith on the Knicks.

It's too bad we didn't pick up Nate Robinson. The guy has been available again and again, but he's exactly the kind of crazy scorer that we need.
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Is this sarcastic? Gosh I am grateful you are not the GM. So you think Mo takes to many ill advised shots but you like Crawford and JR Smith….

Natebishop3 said:
I wish we would have made a move for Kendall Marshall. At the very least he'd be worth taking a flyer on, just to see how he plays with our group. Barton is a decent slashing wing, and I think an argument could be made that Claver is the defensive 3/4 that you mentioned. They just don't see any burn because of our current run.
Click to expand...

I’d be interested in a move like this for our summer league team. None of those players should be in meaningful NBA games right now.
 
The bench is pretty simple... Mo will have nights where he saves us and nights where he kills us like suns and laker outings. Robinson is rebounding... Anything else is a bonus. Wright hasn't really found his groove yet but he seems very streaky and Freeland is pure defense and a body for fouls. CJ will add the scoring we need if he comes back. Foot injuries are tricky. One minute it's a week to week... The next out for season.
 
Also I can't stand Myers. It's like having a guy modeling blazer gear on side line. He looks like a fucking pretty boy swimmer who hopes he never gets into game
 
magnifier661 said:
Jordan Crawful is just like his older counterpart Jamal… You hate Mo now? Jordan is an exact replica of Jamal
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Jordan Crawford is 6'5, Mo is 6'1. One has the size to be a shooting guard, the other does not. I don't like playing Mo and Dame in the backcourt at the same time.

Draco said:
Is this sarcastic? Gosh I am grateful you are not the GM. So you think Mo takes to many ill advised shots but you like Crawford and JR Smith….
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Boy, that's too bad.... Neil has been calling me regularly asking for my opinions on personnel. Like Crawford and Smith, Mo takes a lot of ill-advised shots.... UNLIKE those two players, he doesn't completely go unconscious and burn a team for 30. That's what I think we need. A player that can just go off and completely destroy another team. Mo is not that guy.

KingSpeed said:
JR Smith is awful, Nate. We don't want him.
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I didn't say I wanted JR Smith. I said I wanted a player like JR Smith. Sixth man of the year kind of player. We don't have one right now (unless CJ is as good as we hope he is.)
 
I don't see how Crawford is much more of a threat than Mo to go off, considering shots available to them. Bigger issue, though, is you aren't going to realistically add one of those guys, and keep Mo and have a cohesive bench unit, IMO.
 
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