The way forward (1 Viewer)

[Rastapopoulos]

Watching everybody orgasming over Luka Doncic is depressing the hell out of me. My only comfort is that I don't think Porzingis is all that, is possibly injury prone, and his contract if he doesn't pan out is a huge millstone. But right now Doncic looks like Larry Bird 2.0 and the Mavs look like the next Dynasty. Meanwhile we're in a tailspin, and Dame is pushing 30. Where do we go from here?
Well, what we need to do is focus on DEFENSE. This is something that small market teams who can't attract superstars need to do to excel at. Great defenders are available up and down the draft and occasionally (Bruce Bowen, Wesley Matthews) undrafted. We have the building blocks in Nurk, Zach and Nas, so maybe we can try to be like Iverson's Philly Finals Team, only with Dame playing The Answer and shouldering the scoring load, with everyone else playing a role.

This will of course mean trading CJ, because you can't have two weak links on defense.

Wishlist acquisitions:
Jonathan Isaac
Frank Nkilitina
Marcus Smart
Josh Richardson
Robert Covington

 

[Rastapopoulos]

This seems to be Toronto's philosophy and it's working okay for them at the moment.

 

[kjironman1]

Watching everybody orgasming over Luka Doncic is depressing the hell out of me. My only comfort is that I don't think Porzingis is all that, is possibly injury prone, and his contract if he doesn't pan out is a huge millstone. But right now Doncic looks like Larry Bird 2.0 and the Mavs look like the next Dynasty. Meanwhile we're in a tailspin, and Dame is pushing 30. Where do we go from here?
Well, what we need to do is focus on DEFENSE. This is something that small market teams who can't attract superstars need to do to excel at. Great defenders are available up and down the draft and occasionally (Bruce Bowen, Wesley Matthews) undrafted. We have the building blocks in Nurk, Zach and Nas, so maybe we can try to be like Iverson's Philly Finals Team, only with Dame playing The Answer and shouldering the scoring load, with everyone else playing a role.

This will of course mean trading CJ, because you can't have two weak links on defense.

Wishlist acquisitions:
Jonathan Isaac
Frank Nkilitina
Marcus Smart
Josh Richardson
Robert Covington

All i can say is I was a badass until 36 so i am certain Dame will be also.

 

[Propagandist]

Watching everybody orgasming over Luka Doncic is depressing the hell out of me. My only comfort is that I don't think Porzingis is all that, is possibly injury prone, and his contract if he doesn't pan out is a huge millstone. But right now Doncic looks like Larry Bird 2.0 and the Mavs look like the next Dynasty. Meanwhile we're in a tailspin, and Dame is pushing 30. Where do we go from here?
Well, what we need to do is focus on DEFENSE. This is something that small market teams who can't attract superstars need to do to excel at. Great defenders are available up and down the draft and occasionally (Bruce Bowen, Wesley Matthews) undrafted. We have the building blocks in Nurk, Zach and Nas, so maybe we can try to be like Iverson's Philly Finals Team, only with Dame playing The Answer and shouldering the scoring load, with everyone else playing a role.

This will of course mean trading CJ, because you can't have two weak links on defense.

Wishlist acquisitions:
Jonathan Isaac
Frank Nkilitina
Marcus Smart
Josh Richardson
Robert Covington

I can think of few things that would surprise me more than CJ getting traded.

 

[Blazers Roy]

This will of course mean trading CJ, because you can't have two weak links on defense.

Then you will need more scoring again, that's why we needed Kanter too.

You can have two weak links on defense, you just need help from the other three and you need to be smart about rotations,minutes etc.

It's funny to say this, but i don't think we're getting swept by GS if we had Tucker or Harrell.

 

[julius]

Damn you Olshey, you should've drafted him!

 

[julius]

Imagine being the GM who traded him...

 

[KingSpeed]

Watching everybody orgasming over Luka Doncic is depressing the hell out of me. My only comfort is that I don't think Porzingis is all that, is possibly injury prone, and his contract if he doesn't pan out is a huge millstone. But right now Doncic looks like Larry Bird 2.0 and the Mavs look like the next Dynasty. Meanwhile we're in a tailspin, and Dame is pushing 30. Where do we go from here?
Well, what we need to do is focus on DEFENSE. This is something that small market teams who can't attract superstars need to do to excel at. Great defenders are available up and down the draft and occasionally (Bruce Bowen, Wesley Matthews) undrafted. We have the building blocks in Nurk, Zach and Nas, so maybe we can try to be like Iverson's Philly Finals Team, only with Dame playing The Answer and shouldering the scoring load, with everyone else playing a role.

This will of course mean trading CJ, because you can't have two weak links on defense.

Wishlist acquisitions:
Jonathan Isaac
Frank Nkilitina
Marcus Smart
Josh Richardson
Robert Covington

Isaac and Smart probably aren't available. Orlando and Boston love them. Frankie Smokes is possible. The others maybe.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I can think of few things that would surprise me more than CJ getting traded.

Here's what SHOULD happen:


Of course, it requires (a) The Knicks being stupid and shortsighted and (b) Olshey prioritizing defense, and while one of those things is quite likely, the other is not.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Isaac and Smart probably aren't available. Orlando and Boston love them.

I agree. It is just a wish list.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Imagine being the GM who traded him...

Like the guy who traded Dirk Nowitzki AND CHANGE for Tractor Traylor. Moral: if the Mavs want a euro guy from you KEEP HIM.

 

[THE HCP]

Frankie Smokes is possible. .

Sounds like a character in a Scorsese movie.

 

[tlongII]

We just need to be healthy. No moves are necessary. Just write off this year and get ready for next year.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

We just need to be healthy. No moves are necessary. Just write off this year and get ready for next year.

When of course everyone will be healthy and as good as new.

 

[Reep]

Then you will need more scoring again, that's why we needed Kanter too.

I don't think we need more scoring. We need CJ's shots distributed to other players so we aren't so predictable.

 

[wizenheimer]

We just need to be healthy. No moves are necessary. Just write off this year and get ready for next year.

sounds like the Oden era

 

[Blazers Roy]

I don't think we need more scoring. We need CJ's shots distributed to other players so we aren't so predictable.

Yea..... scoring in the NBA doesn't always work like that.
Sometimes you need players who can create points out of nothing, especially in the playoffs.

That's why stars matters so much in the NBA, if it wasn't like that then all you had to do is sign 9 players who can score 10ppg and you're good. That model usually fails.

 

[jonnyboy]

I have to admit I turned on the Mavs game yesterday just to watch some Luka. I was not let down.

 

[wizenheimer]

I don't think we need more scoring. We need CJ's shots distributed to other players so we aren't so predictable.

Yea..... scoring in the NBA doesn't always work like that.
Sometimes you need players who can create points out of nothing, especially in the playoffs.

That's why stars matters so much in the NBA, if it wasn't like that then all you had to do is sign 9 players who can score 10ppg and you're good. That model usually fails.

yeah, what really gauges success most often in the playoffs are players that can consistently punish a defense when they have the ball. That's not just about scoring either; those players need to bring the rest of the team along with them. That forces defenses to react and adjust, often not successfully

Portland only has one player like that, and it's the reason why opponents have been selling out their defenses to stop Dame...it works

what Portland needs is another player at least as talented as Dame. A perimeter player who can take the ball and threaten defenses from the arc to the rim. A player who could punish teams for doubling Dame. They just don't have anybody like that, but then, that kind of talent is rare. Taking 7 of CJ's shots and giving them to Hood and Simons isn't going to move any needle

 

[riverman]

yeah, what really gauges success most often in the playoffs are players that can consistently punish a defense when they have the ball. That's not just about scoring either; those players need to bring the rest of the team along with them. That forces defenses to react and adjust, often not successfully

Portland only has one player like that, and it's the reason why opponents have been selling out their defenses to stop Dame...it works

what Portland needs is another player at least as talented as Dame. A perimeter player who can take the ball and threaten defenses from the arc to the rim. A player who could punish teams for doubling Dame. They just don't have anybody like that, but then, that kind of talent is rare. Taking 7 of CJ's shots and giving them to Hood and Simons isn't going to move any needle

We need Zach and Nurk back to open the lanes for Dame and CJ.....our screens aren't allowing any lanes to the rim for the most part ...Skal is getting much better at it but Whiteside isn't really great at screen and roll play so far

 

[wizenheimer]

We need Zach and Nurk back to open the lanes for Dame and CJ.....our screens aren't allowing any lanes to the rim for the most part ...Skal is getting much better at it but Whiteside isn't really great at screen and roll play so far

maybe

what makes me question that is both Nurkic and Zach were healthy and playing in the Pelicans series when the Pels did the stop-Dame thing, and swept the Blazers. It didn't make a dent. Now, that season's Nurkic wasn't last season's Nurkic. and Zach was a rookie, but they both played and combined for 41 minutes a game. What Portland needs, IMO, is somebody who can come out to the perimeter when Dame is doubled, receive the outlet pass, and then turn and consistently run the offense while getting players into sets and open looks. That takes ball-handling and much of it will be around the edges. Neither Nurk or Zach can do that.

Not every opponent will be able to blitz Dame as successfully as The Warriors and the Pels did. Denver tried hard to do it last year but they just didn't have the defenders the other two teams did, and in the case of game 7, CJ was really hot for a change. It would be interesting to see Nurkic and Zach healthy in a series against a team that does the stop-Dame strategy. Be nice to test the theory sooner rather that later. By sooner, I mean while Dame is still in his best prime years. Next April would be the best time

 

[riverman]

maybe

what makes me question that is both Nurkic and Zach were healthy and playing in the Pelicans series when the Pels did the stop-Dame thing, and swept the Blazers. It didn't make a dent. Now, that season's Nurkic wasn't last season's Nurkic. and Zach was a rookie, but they both played and combined for 41 minutes a game. What Portland needs, IMO, is somebody who can come out to the perimeter when Dame is doubled, receive the outlet pass, and then turn and consistently run the offense while getting players into sets and open looks. That takes ball-handling and much of it will be around the edges. Neither Nurk or Zach can do that.

Not every opponent will be able to blitz Dame as successfully as The Warriors and the Pels did. Denver tried hard to do it last year but they just didn't have the defenders the other two teams did, and in the case of game 7, CJ was really hot for a change. It would be interesting to see Nurkic and Zach healthy in a series against a team that does the stop-Dame strategy. Be nice to test the theory sooner rather that later. By sooner, I mean while Dame is still in his best prime years. Next April would be the best time

I think if you factor in the new shooters we have now compared to ET Mo and Chief....we should make teams pay for trapping our guard....Melo can help with that...Ant hopefully and Rodney....against the Pelicans they pretty much made Chief and Mo our offense....nobody guarded them at all....they will guard Melo and Ant or Hood.....Tolliver they won't...they don't even attempt to defend his shot so far...as to our perimeter defense....it's why I started the Andre Iguodala thread

 

[Blazers Roy]

what Portland needs is another player at least as talented as Dame. A perimeter player who can take the ball and threaten defenses from the arc to the rim. A player who could punish teams for doubling Dame.

Not to shit on Dame, but top players in this league punish the other team for doubling up on them. I think size plays a big role in this as well. Players like Lebron or Kawai or Harden seem to handle that type of pressure better.

Stotts seeing the exact same thing happening 7 times in a raw and not responding doesn't help things either.

 

[hoopsjock]

Not to shit on Dame, but top players in this league punish the other team for doubling up on them. I think size plays a big role in this as well. Players like Lebron or Kawai or Harden seem to handle that type of pressure better.

Stotts seeing the exact same thing happening 7 times in a raw and not responding doesn't help things either.

For the record, Harden has been crying lately about how it's unfair he's getting double teamed so much.

 

[hoopsjock]

maybe

what makes me question that is both Nurkic and Zach were healthy and playing in the Pelicans series when the Pels did the stop-Dame thing, and swept the Blazers. It didn't make a dent. Now, that season's Nurkic wasn't last season's Nurkic. and Zach was a rookie, but they both played and combined for 41 minutes a game. What Portland needs, IMO, is somebody who can come out to the perimeter when Dame is doubled, receive the outlet pass, and then turn and consistently run the offense while getting players into sets and open looks. That takes ball-handling and much of it will be around the edges. Neither Nurk or Zach can do that.

Not every opponent will be able to blitz Dame as successfully as The Warriors and the Pels did. Denver tried hard to do it last year but they just didn't have the defenders the other two teams did, and in the case of game 7, CJ was really hot for a change. It would be interesting to see Nurkic and Zach healthy in a series against a team that does the stop-Dame strategy. Be nice to test the theory sooner rather that later. By sooner, I mean while Dame is still in his best prime years. Next April would be the best time

We need Zach and Nurk back to open the lanes for Dame and CJ.....our screens aren't allowing any lanes to the rim for the most part ...Skal is getting much better at it but Whiteside isn't really great at screen and roll play so far

This is going to sound crazy but Melo actually is a good solution to this problem. He's been setting decent picks and is a capable enough ball handler and shot creator to make it work. The problem is it creates other issues on the other end of the floor though.

 

[riverman]

This is going to sound crazy but Melo actually is a good solution to this problem. He's been setting decent picks and is a capable enough ball handler and shot creator to make it work. The problem is it creates other issues on the other end of the floor though.

He actually may be the best passer we have once he gets some chemistry...his passes so far have some zip on them and he doesn't seem to telegraph them like CJ does.

 

[TBpup]

We need Zach and Nurk back to open the lanes for Dame and CJ.....our screens aren't allowing any lanes to the rim for the most part ...Skal is getting much better at it but Whiteside isn't really great at screen and roll play so far

Whiteside was pretty decent on the PnR in Miami.....when someone would actually throw him a lob pass! That part of his game has completely disappeared since coming to Portland. Since he is the same player and Portland has been at or near dead last in assists for years under Stotts, I don't think that is a Whiteside issue.

 

[riverman]

Whiteside was pretty decent on the PnR in Miami.....when someone would actually throw him a lob pass! That part of his game has completely disappeared since coming to Portland. Since he is the same player and Portland has been at or near dead last in assists for years under Stotts, I don't think that is a Whiteside issue.

Whiteside mentioned himself that he and Dame haven't developed that chemistry yet...he missed training camp and he just hasn't set good solid screens all season in my view.....Tolliver sets way better screens than Hassan so far and Dame and Hassan have fumbled away a few attempts at pick and rolls so far...I think it's chemistry....I've seen Dame call him out on the sidelines a couple of times and not looking very happy when doing it...Nurk seems to get in his ear when he's coming out of the game. Pau seems to have taken Skal on as a student on the sidelines. Dames passes were to quick for his reactions....then when Dame slowed it down, they'd turn it over

 

[TBpup]

Whiteside mentioned himself that he and Dame haven't developed that chemistry yet...he missed training camp and he just hasn't set good solid screens all season in my view.....Tolliver sets way better screens than Hassan so far and Dame and Hassan have fumbled away a few attempts at pick and rolls so far...I think it's chemistry....I've seen Dame call him out on the sidelines a couple of times and not looking very happy when doing it...Nurk seems to get in his ear when he's coming out of the game.

Agreed that they don't have chemistry, but Dame is still throwing pocket bounce passes to Hassan like he did with Nurk. Whiteside is much more of an elevated player going to the rim. Dame needs to figure that out.

 

[riverman]

Agreed that they don't have chemistry, but Dame is still throwing pocket bounce passes to Hassan like he did with Nurk. Whiteside is much more of an elevated player going to the rim. Dame needs to figure that out.

I don't think Dame trusts his own alley oop pass at this point...it's been ugly so far...best alley oop pass I've seen this season came from Baze.