The steady improvement of Noah Vonleh

[Strenuus]

how is missing the playoffs going to speed up growth? I think Olshey is a genius for finding guys who were drafted high two years ago and buried on a bench somewhere. We draft another talented college player and he's going to take 2 years minimum probably to crack the rotation. Noah Vonleh has cracked the rotation without being another Cliff Alexander on the bench. Just last year he was buried on Charlottes bench. Maybe I'm just too old to think about a competitive team 4 years from now as opposed to this season. I like the direction. A lot can happen second half of the season...remember Wes? The same thing that happened to us last season could happen to any top 4 seed in the west. Giving up this early is like ignoring a season of Blazer basketball that you might as well enjoy

Did you just indirectly wish injury upon other teams?

He never said "speed up growth"... just growth. We're getting growth regardless.

Anyway, my point is that EITHER way we go, it's growth.

 

[riverman]

Did you just indirectly wish injury upon other teams?

He never said "speed up growth"... just growth. We're getting growth regardless.

Anyway, my point is that EITHER way we go, it's growth.

That's a stretch...no, I didn't. I merely pointed out that who's contending right now might not be the same come playoff time. These things happen. Blazers just went through that. We have that example to show that the teams that stay healthy come playoff time, might pull off an upset

 

[Strenuus]

That's a stretch...no, I didn't. I merely pointed out that who's contending right now might not be the same come playoff time. These things happen. Blazers just went through that. We have that example to show that the teams that stay healthy come playoff time, might pull off an upset

So if the top 4 teams stay healthy, the bottom teams have no chance? That last sentence confuses me, because last year (as per your example) we still got smoked by the Grizzlies. I'm not arguing, I'm just confused.

 

[riverman]

So if the top 4 teams stay healthy, the bottom teams have no chance? That last sentence confuses me, because last year (as per your example) we still got smoked by the Grizzlies. I'm not arguing, I'm just confused.

One game at a time...there are no givens in competitive sports..especially accepting being good enough to compete. I think we're good enough to compete. To bury the Blazers for the season because of the Warriors, Cavs or Spurs having great records is giving up. I'm not ready to give up yet. I hope the team isn't either.

 

[riverman]

I'm going to cheer and enjoy the process...what I'm not going to do is project failure. It's a fun season.

 

[Strenuus]

One game at a time...there are no givens in competitive sports..especially accepting being good enough to compete. I think we're good enough to compete. To bury the Blazers for the season because of the Warriors, Cavs or Spurs having great records is giving up. I'm not ready to give up yet. I hope the team isn't either.

It's a win-win. I've been saying it all year. No need to get defensive.

 

[Natebishop3]

It's a win-win. I've been saying it all year. No need to get defensive.

U mad bro?

 

[Strenuus]

U mad bro?

Nah. It's a win-win.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Ideally, I'd like to see a 3 and D 2 guard paired with Damian as a starter and have CJ come off the bench as a super-sub. Aminu isn't good enough and he's never going to be. His D is pretty good, but he's an awful offensive player. Vonleh and Davis could be a decent PF combo, but that probably rests on Vonleh raising his game to something approximating "David West in his prime" level. I also completely agree about a rim protecting big man.

Whether or not CJ starts ( I don't care because he will get his minutes) I think Crabbe can be every bit as good as a Danny Green. (Actually his stats are better) There is no reason why he can't be our 3 and D 2 guard. (and back up 3 and D SF. )

I agree that a big piece of my optimism is Vonleh continuing to improve in the next year and a half. That is a huge If but no more so than drafting a PF this June and hoping he has the potential to be ready to produce in the playoff in 3 years. I am just not too high on this draft. We need to get lucky with Vonleh, but I don't think it is pure fantasy either. He just needs to be solid, not Karl Malone.

As mentioned, and I am sure you will agree, adding the Kawhi Leonard piece is the real key.
He doesn't need to be quite that good, but an all around stud at that position is the key. A lock down defender and really good (Not necessarily great) scorer. Unfortunately I don't think that player is in the draft. Maybe Ingram or Brown, but what if neither enter? They really are not ready. Both are at least 3 years away from being a starter for a contender.

SF is key. Aminu is a very good role player as he can guard multiple positions, but as you mentioned his O is not good enough. We need to find this player and the rest will fall into place.
Not sure how long it will take us to find him though......

 

[TBpup]

Speaking of a 'Win-Win'...