The Case for Jake

[Wizard Mentor]

Stotts *is* pursuing his best interests. A new owner almost always means a new coach. Stotts is choosing to polish his resume by chasing regular season wins, rather than developing players that will only benefit the next Blazer coach.

Very few NBA coaches prioritize player develop over winning now. With the team ownership future in limbo, a coach has even less incentive to focus on the long-term.

This is an extremely cynical POV.

 

[oldmangrouch]

This is an extremely cynical POV.

Thank you. I've had many years as an NBA fan to cultivate that approach.

 

[Scalma]

Man that first play against Oubre was so nice. I’d bet plays like that are going to stick with the coaching staff more than any of his points.

 

[Natebishop3]

Could Jake Layman play shooting guard?

 

[ripcityboy]

I just don't want to lose Jake in the off season. My worst case scenario is that a team makes a restricted offer that the organization doesn't feel is worth it. But since the Blazers are about developing talent and he's the best example of that. Why the hell wouldn't we?

 

[KingSpeed]

I just don't want to lose Jake in the off season. My worst case scenario is that a team makes a restricted offer that the organization doesn't feel is worth it. But since the Blazers are about developing talent and he's the best example of that. Why the hell wouldn't we?

Allen Crabbe

 

[ripcityboy]

Allen Crabbe

King. Jake has the potential to be better than Crabbe.

 

[ripcity67]

already is

 

[Pinwheel1]

I just don't want to lose Jake in the off season. My worst case scenario is that a team makes a restricted offer that the organization doesn't feel is worth it. But since the Blazers are about developing talent and he's the best example of that. Why the hell wouldn't we?

I am a little uneasy about losing him in the next 2 weeks. I mean if I am another team, (i.e in a district where he went to college) I want Jake back as part of the package. He is young with unknown potential, and still cheap. I am not saying I would not pull the trigger, just that I am uneasy about it.

 

[TBpup]

I am a little uneasy about losing him in the next 2 weeks. I mean if I am another team, (i.e in a district where he went to college) I want Jake back as part of the package. He is young with unknown potential, and still cheap. I am not saying I would not pull the trigger, just that I am uneasy about it.

What he is doing would certainly be an attractive piece for another team considering his production to cost ratio right now. That said, games like 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks is just what this team needs from a versatile wing who played 3 positions last night.

 

[Scalma]

Could Jake Layman play shooting guard?

I think I’d trust him more at shooting guard than power forward. He presents more (positive) mismatches at the two. I’m sure he can play the four against certain teams though.

 

[Pinwheel1]

What he is doing would certainly be an attractive piece for another team considering his production to cost ratio right now. That said, games like 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks is just what this team needs from a versatile wing who played 3 positions last night.

Exactly. Is he better than Otto Porter? No he is not and you would have to include Jake if he was available. But there are a lot of other players out there who on the surface might seem better, but I am not sure really are. The sample size is still so small.

 

[James lamphear]

What he is doing would certainly be an attractive piece for another team considering his production to cost ratio right now. That said, games like 20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks is just what this team needs from a versatile wing who played 3 positions last night.

That's included us too.

 

[Hoopguru]

This is an extremely cynical POV.

If this team wins 50 games with the talent they have there's not a new owner that would at least look at keeping Stotts. I really think he has a very solid reputation amongst the league GM's.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Jake Klay-Man, yes?

No? Ok.

Carry on.

 

[Pinwheel1]

If this team wins 50 games with the talent they have there's not a new owner that would at least look at keeping Stotts. I really think he has a very solid reputation amongst the league GM's.

Still not sure they will get there though. That pre and post all star schedule is brutal. There will be stretches where 500 ball will be a welcome site.

 

[Hoopguru]

Still not sure they will get there though. That pre and post all star schedule is brutal. There will be stretches where 500 ball will be a welcome site.

That one stretch with 6 games on the road is brutal but it could also flash the field going down the stretch!
Im sticking with 51, what did you predict?

 

[Hoopguru]

If this team wins 50 games with the talent they have there's not a new owner that would at least look at keeping Stotts. I really think he has a very solid reputation amongst the league GM's.

I mean could you imagine if he was coaching Boston! They be leading the East!

 

[tester551]

Still not sure they will get there though. That pre and post all star schedule is brutal. There will be stretches where 500 ball will be a welcome site.

Pre-all star isn't too bad, but I agree that post-all star is brutal.
Right now, we're in the "easy part" of the schedule. Blazers need to make hay right now.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Pre-all star isn't too bad, but I agree that post-all star is brutal.
Right now, we're in the "easy part" of the schedule. Blazers need to make hay right now.

After the next game, the sched gets very tough, even if many of them are home games.

 

[CupWizier]

After the next game, the sched gets very tough, even if many of them are home games.

but, those teams having to come into Portland are facing a tougher task.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Pre-all star isn't too bad, but I agree that post-all star is brutal.
Right now, we're in the "easy part" of the schedule. Blazers need to make hay right now.

Maybe but the 4 games before the break (Spurs, Mavs, OKC, GS) is no cake walk. That 7 game road trip, with the first home game immediately after (1 night off only) against OKC will be tough. Although if we can go 4-4 in that stretch......we would be in good shape.

 

[rotary111]

Jake is starting to give us what we were trying to trade for.

Crazy that he was sitting on the bench the whole time. Time will tell if he can consistently perform even close to what we're seeing now. The fact that he isn't a one trick pony is a good sign he can do it. Either way, Jakes name in any trade should be deleted unless it's just a no brainer.

 

[Natebishop3]

If he could play shooting guard, I would say he could make CJ expendable.

 

[Scalma]

Jake is starting to give us what we were trying to trade for.

Crazy that he was sitting on the bench the whole time. Time will tell if he can consistently perform even close to what we're seeing now. The fact that he isn't a one trick pony is a good sign he can do it. Either way, Jakes name in any trade should be deleted unless it's just a no brainer.

I think it was Olshey that mentioned a year or so ago that Layman was probably overrated as a shooter and underrated in everything else. He didn’t put it in those words, but that was his drift. I always thought he was pretty solid on the defensive end, even when he was struggling with his shot. Now he’s taken a big step on that end as well. He works his ass off defensively, and minus a couple mental lapses where he loses his guy, he’s been solid imo. His rebounding has improved as well. His total rebound % has gone up 3%. His contested rebound % jump is even more impressive; from 12% to 29.5%. Now that’s still below the rates of Moe and Aminu, but those guys are plus rebounders, and I’m really just pointing out the improvement.

 

[Scalma]

This is sooo dumb, but how many high flying white dudes have there been in the league?

1. Layman
2. Plumlee
3. Chambers
4. Brent Barry
5. Majerle
6. Budinger

Is that it?

 

[GoBlazersGo]

This is sooo dumb, but how many high flying white dudes have there been in the league?

1. Layman
2. Plumlee
3. Chambers
4. Brent Barry
5. Majerle
6. Budinger

Is that it?

How about Rex Chapman? Haven't looked into 'the numbers' or anything, just basing it off of my (obviously faded) memories of watching Rex play. Chapman was an extremely fiery character, whereas Jake is much more laid back.

The thing that's really standing out to me though, is that the list of guys that have been in the league, that can do what Jake can do--WITHOUT the ball, mind you--is not a very extensive one. His movement off the ball, combined with his ability to shoot AND to be a threat at the rim, in the manner that he is? I mean, you see guys all the time that are, either, a threat from deep, or at the rim, but rarely both.

I sure as fuck wouldn't want to be chasing this guy around for 25 minutes a night, while he dunks on me (or my teammates) or as he rains threes from the perimeter, as I struggle to navigate through screens/defenders!

 

[Scalma]

How about Rex Chapman? Haven't looked into 'the numbers' or anything, just basing it off of my (obviously faded) memories of watching Rex play. Chapman was an extremely fiery character, whereas Jake is much more laid back.

The thing that's really standing out to me though, is that the list of guys that have been in the league, that can do what Jake can do--WITHOUT the ball, mind you--is not a very extensive one. His movement off the ball, combined with his ability to shoot AND to be a threat at the rim, in the manner that he is? I mean, you see guys all the time that are, either, a threat from deep, or at the rim, but rarely both.

I sure as fuck wouldn't want to be chasing this guy around for 25 minutes a night, while he dunks on me (or my teammates) or as he rains threes from the perimeter, as I struggle to navigate through screens/defenders!

Yeah that’s the thing I like about Jake and why I’m optimistic he’s not just a flash in the pan. Even if his shot isn’t falling he can still be a weapon offensively. It also makes capping his ceiling difficult. He has all the ability to become an impact starter, he really does, and I don’t think we’ve seen everything he has to offer either. I think he can also develop into a playmaker.

 

[joeBlazers]

Jake can score in so many different ways, it is almost criminal we don't have plays to get him to the rim or get him wide open for great shots.
Plays with Nurk at the top of the key.
Plays where he can back door cut opposite strong side
Plays where he can just stay in the corner and take 3s.
I honestly believe, we need to find a way to limit the number of shots CJ takes and give those shots to Jake. Instead of seeing CJ go 5-20 or crap like that, I rather put Jake (even at the #2, because he can't defend worse than CJ) and go from there.
I want Jake to get 10+ shots, 20+ minutes every night, regardless.

 

[Scalma]

Jake can score in so many different ways, it is almost criminal we don't have plays to get him to the rim or get him wide open for great shots.
Plays with Nurk at the top of the key.
Plays where he can back door cut opposite strong side
Plays where he can just stay in the corner and take 3s.
I honestly believe, we need to find a way to limit the number of shots CJ takes and give those shots to Jake. Instead of seeing CJ go 5-20 or crap like that, I rather put Jake (even at the #2, because he can't defend worse than CJ) and go from there.
I want Jake to get 10+ shots, 20+ minutes every night, regardless.

It does seem like there’s a more concerted effort to get him looks lately. At the same time, there’s still this underlying feeling I have that Stotts will abandon it as soon as Layman has an off night or two. The same feeling I have re: playing through Nurk. I’d argue that both those guys are a bigger reason for our recent success than CJ, yet neither has the same level of trust from Stotts. Not sure they ever will, but I hope I’m wrong.