The Blazers biggest issue(s), outside of defense..

[blue9]

Also, does Stotts know what to do with a big?

Very good question. Given most of the offense is just freelancing based off of a loose diagram I'm gonna guess that he wouldn't know how to best incorporate DMC's talents with Dame/CJ. He can draw up good out-of-bounds gimmick plays, but otherwise his playbook is rather weak.

 

[rotary111]

Cousins getting into it with Randle after the game. I like his fire but...

They did lose to an improved Lakers team.

I am just not sold yet. Still rather have Whiteside.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Cousins getting into it with Randle after the game. I like his fire but...

They did lose to an improved Lakers team.

I am just not sold yet. Still rather have Whiteside.

I understand your want, but I would try to keep it realistic. Whiteside is the best player on their team on a max just given to him this off season. He isn't going anywhere for at least a couple years.

 

[TBpup]

It's tough because Portland is more successful than they should be because of their chemistry. DMC would probably ruin that, but totally increase the talent level. Also, does Stotts know what to do with a big?

If Boogie knows how to run the weave 25' from the basket, he's golden.

DMC has mad respect for Dame....I think he'd welcome playing on a team where he wasn't the man for a change....he's a game changer

Same camp I'm in. Boogie may have some issues but he has mad talent and has never played with a leader like Dame.

Cousins getting into it with Randle after the game. I like his fire but...

They did lose to an improved Lakers team.

I am just not sold yet. Still rather have Whiteside.

That improved Laker team also blew out the Warriors and are currently tied with the Blazers. Cousins would give the Blazers a distinct advantage every night at a position where they are now deficient almost every night. It also provides some balance to Dame/CJ. Otherwise, this team is stuck in basketball purgatory for some time and are maxed out to the Luxury Tax and way over the salary cay.

They are just no nearly good enough to be at that cost level.

 

[rotary111]

I understand your want, but I would try to keep it realistic. Whiteside is the best player on their team on a max just given to him this off season. He isn't going anywhere for at least a couple years.

I don't think Whiteside is really available. Cousins may not be either, especially if they start winning some games. His temper scares me, that's all i'm saying. Dame and the rest of the team may be able to tame him. I do agree with that, if it can be done, this team may be the perfect team to pull it off.
Rasheed Wallace was one of my favorite players. Ridiculously talented, but he was such a hot head, he would get thrown out of games, or just stop the flow of the game by having a temper tantrum while his teammates held him back. Once he got the first tech, the second was only a matter of time. You could see it coming a mile away. So maybe that's my fear with Cousins. Talent wise WOW!

 

[Orion Bailey]

I don't think Whiteside is really available. Cousins may not be either, especially if they start winning some games. His temper scares me, that's all i'm saying. Dame and the rest of the team may be able to tame him. I do agree with that, if it can be done, this team may be the perfect team to pull it off.
Rasheed Wallace was one of my favorite players. Ridiculously talented, but he was such a hot head, he would get thrown out of games, or just stop the flow of the game by having a temper tantrum while his teammates held him back. Once he got the first tech, the second was only a matter of time. You could see it coming a mile away. So maybe that's my fear with Cousins. Talent wise WOW!

I hear ya. I do think DMC has a decent chance of being traded this year though, because I highly doubt he re-signs with them, so they want to get semething in return.

 

[blue9]

So, how about that offense!

 

[BlazerBeav]

With two minutes to go last night, our bench had outscored theirs 38-19 per the stats board in the arena. That meant that our starters were sitting at -39 for the night.

 

[DroppinDimes]

Blazer issues: Stagnant offense for LONG stretches, No killer instinct, help defense is ineffective or not there, way too many mediocre players, the bigs play small, no fire for rebounds, standing and watching on both sides of the court, poor or late adjustments by Stotts on both sides of the ball, they are a 3 point shooting team but rely on below average shooters, they simply think they are better than they are.
Blazer positives: Lillard has improved, Moe is getting better and more confident, they've won some games despite all the issues, CJ can dribble, Meyers isn't hesitating as much, they played paintball together in the off season.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Our biggest issue outside of defense, is rebounding, REBOUNDING, REBOUNDING. In fact, at this point, I'd say it's THE biggest issue. Teams that are dead last in the league in rebounding tend to lose a lot of games.

Ed Davis has started to pick it up the last two games, but he's still not back to where he was last year. And, he's a backup that plays 20 MPG. We don't have a single average rebounder in our starting lineup.

Statistically, Noah Vonleh is our best rebounder and the only one who is above average (slightly) for his position. I'd start him and tell him his #1, #2 and #3 priorities are rebounding, rebounding, rebounding. Box the fuck out and crash the offensive glass. He's a young guy who wants to earn minutes. Doing something this team desperately needs by becoming a rebounding monster will earn him more PT that knocking down an occasional 3-pointer.

BNM

 

[blue9]

Yeah, I'm really confused as to why Meyers is starting over Noah. It's been proven time and time again that Meyers is NOT a PF. Vonleh IS a PF - in fact, he's our only legit PF.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Yeah, I'm really confused as to why Meyers is starting over Noah. It's been proven time and time again that Meyers is NOT a PF. Vonleh IS a PF - in fact, he's our only legit PF.

Given how badly we're getting killed on the boards, I'd start Vonleh, and not just a token 12 MPG starter like last season. As long as he's rebounding and not in foul trouble, he gets; 30+ MPG. How much worse could that possibly make our front court? We give up a bazillion points in the paint and are the worst rebounding team in the league right now. The "problems" on offense will get sorted out, but we clearly need more muscle up front. Until we either make a trade or Festus Ezeli's knees magically heal, Vonleh is our only hope of not getting abused in the paint and on the glass on a nightly basis.

BNM

 

[Nikolokolus]

Yeah, I'm really confused as to why Meyers is starting over Noah. It's been proven time and time again that Meyers is NOT a PF. Vonleh IS a PF - in fact, he's our only legit PF.

What does Occam's razor suggest?

Either Noah is completely useless (maybe, maybe not) or Meyers makes a lot more money and they feel obligated to get a return on their investment?

 

[blue32]

Yeah, I'm really confused as to why Meyers is starting over Noah. It's been proven time and time again that Meyers is NOT a PF. Vonleh IS a PF - in fact, he's our only legit PF.

I am not sure why Meyers is even playing. He can't shoot, he doesn't have post moves, he can't play defense, he gets bullied around the rim, WTF does he do for us.

 

[illmatic99]

I am not sure why Meyers is even playing. He can't shoot, he doesn't have post moves, he can't play defense, he gets bullied around the rim, WTF does he do for us.

Maybe he'll hit a few threes and increase his trade value?

 

[Boob-No-More]

I am not sure why Meyers is even playing. He can't shoot, he doesn't have post moves, he can't play defense, he gets bullied around the rim, WTF does he do for us.

He pisses off DeMarcus Cousins. The timing of Aminu's injury worked in Meyers' favor.

BNM

 

[BBert]

It's tough because Portland is more successful than they should be because of their chemistry. DMC would probably ruin that, but totally increase the talent level. Also, does Stotts know what to do with a big?

It's worth the risk.

What have we got to lose?