Zombie Time to evaluate

[BonesJones]

Noah is a shell man. He didn't play much in Chicago. His minutes were the lowest that they've been since his rookie year.

He still had a DBPM of over 4... Don't know if it means much but it's worth taking a flyer on as he'll come cheap and allow us to add other guys.

 

[dviss1]

Meyers' game is perfect against some teams and others not so much. The Ws are a team he could thrive against for sure.

What?? Who's he gonna guard?

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

It's hard to really take anything from this series.

We're just so outmatched. Their second best player (Draymond) is a MUCH better playoff player than our franchise player. You can make a case for Klay as well. Their system, a 20 point deficit is nothing.

One thing is clear: we need a legitimate scorer in the frontcourt.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Fuck everthing else! Bottom line is, We need a Blake Griffin, AL Horford, DeMarcus Cousins type of player. Fortunately one if not all three of them will be available!

 

[TBpup]

I know it's an unpopular stance in here, but I really believe Meyers Leonard would be making a significant impact in the playoffs. He can defend the post, and draw the defensive post out of the paint.

Just keep him at Center. The whole 'stretch 4' thing doesn't work because other teams go small and guard him with someone like an ancient Paul Pierce who he then can't guard at the other end. He is best defensively at the '5' and then brings spacing by drawing out the other big even if the rest of the opponents are small.

Meyers Leonard would get eaten alive by this great passing Warriors team. The small lineup with Draymond Green at center would be utterly unguardable with Meyers in the game. It's no co-incidence that the one game we took from the Warriors this year was the game where Stotts glued Leonard to the bench for the entirety of the game.

Now in the case of someone like the Warriors where they so super-small, that game the Blazers won, Noah Vonleh played Center for a stretch against Green and more than held his own. He had the bulk, strength and quickness to go out on Green but also stay with him on the drive and not need defensive help on the block. Since Aminu/Harkless are so out-manned with that particular (rare) type of match-up, why not go back to something that worked before?

 

[Orion Bailey]

Internal development. Let the cake bake one more season with exception of minor tweaks. Meyers being the key factor of how big a tweak I think. If we keep him, I doubt we make any changes. If we let him go, we will see an offer to Anderson for sure. I don't see much else happening though honestly. Not unless another team's GM gets REALLY desperately stupid, ie, Cousins for CJ straight up.

 

[Blazinaway]

Internal development. Let the cake bake one more season with exception of minor tweaks. Meyers being the key factor of how big a tweak I think. If we keep him, I doubt we make any changes. If we let him go, we will see an offer to Anderson for sure. I don't see much else happening though honestly. Not unless another team's GM gets REALLY desperately stupid, ie, Cousins for CJ straight up.

Meyers has injured his shoulder twice at least and I think it's 3 times now. Shoulders can be repaired but in a case like this it does not go back being "like new" - he is now much more prone to recurring injuries there. That is not a good situation, and unless Meyers is willing to sign for very cheap (5 mil per or less) I say let him go.

 

[Blazinaway]

Let's be real for a minute here. This team was not built with the intention of making the playoffs this season, Olshey and Stotts have both alluded as such. Making the playoffs was a surprise and very encouraging for the 2nd youngest team and the team with the lowest payroll in the league. This season was a huge success that saw players win awards, Stotts be in the running for COY etc..etc.. But let's be honest. We got through the Clippers in large part because of the injuries they suffered... I'm not saying we might not have won anyway, but having 2 all stars out certainly weighted things in the Blazers favor. On to round 2 and again we are relying on injuries to the other teams best player to keep our hopes alive. This playoffs has been evidence that sometimes it's best to just be lucky. This team though in reality is not built for a legit playoff run, it wasn't intended to be either. So it's hard to take anything away from this season as a collective negative.

The beauty of the playoffs is it exposes everything about a team, character, mental toughness, strengths weakness' etc...etc... I think it's pretty clear that we are sorely in need of a reliable 3rd scorer on this team, either at the PF or SF position. To me our bench is fine, but if you look at GS (Curry, Thompson, Green) or a healthy LAC (Paul, Griffin, Reddick), or the Spurs (Leonard, Aldridge, Parker) they all have at least 3 reliable scorers, but more than that they have experienced players that can settle a game down and keep composure. What I have seen of the Blazers is a lack of that ability. Sure Dame can step up and make big shots but he also takes risky shots trying to get things going. Most of the rest of the team though kinda goes into "pressing" panic mode. You see a lot of out of control play and shots that are long or hit the rim hard because of adrenaline. So much of that is age and experience.

All that said I feel really good about this team. I am very confident in the GM, coach and the core that is here, we need an addition to the mix though. Not sure where that comes from, but if we can keep the core (including Meyers) then I think we are in good shape for the coming years... Hopefully a FA sees that too.

Yeah, this team has over achieved and has been really fun to watch - huge props to the team/Stotts/Olshey! A series like this GS one really reveals our holes IMO and what talent and types of player we need to improve. So hopefully we have a very fruitful summer and even better yr next yr!

 

[oldmangrouch]

Internal development. Let the cake bake one more season with exception of minor tweaks. Meyers being the key factor of how big a tweak I think. If we keep him, I doubt we make any changes. If we let him go, we will see an offer to Anderson for sure. I don't see much else happening though honestly. Not unless another team's GM gets REALLY desperately stupid, ie, Cousins for CJ straight up.

I have a rule of thumb regarding big men: if they were 6-12 inches shorter, would they still be basketball players?

I can see Plums passing that test - which is why he is the only big man I really have any hope for. Vonleh I doubt - and Leonard would be working as an intern for HCP.

I do agree that a "stand pat" approach may be coming...but only because there will be nobody worth breaking the bank for in FA.

 

[KingSpeed]

Schill- this is why I thought we'd struggle this season. Glad they proved me wrong, but when I say we only had 2 legit NBA starters it was because as this series has proven, I believe we have like 7 solid bench guys. We have a bunch of fantastic 6-8 men on our squad. Still love 'em though.

Nope. You said we had ONE legit NBA starter. And Plumlee is legit too, by the way. He was the best player in the Clippers series, the only Blazer with a 20+ PER. Also, Aminu dropped 30 on the Clippers. You are wrong about our guys.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Nope. You said we had ONE legit NBA starter. And Plumlee is legit too, by the way. He was the best player in the Clippers series, the only Blazer with a 20+ PER. Also, Aminu dropped 30 on the Clippers. You are wrong about our guys.

Can peoples opinions not change eric?

Let it go. Please.

 

[Natebishop3]

It's hard to really take anything from this series.

We're just so outmatched. Their second best player (Draymond) is a MUCH better playoff player than our franchise player. You can make a case for Klay as well. Their system, a 20 point deficit is nothing.

One thing is clear: we need a legitimate scorer in the frontcourt.

Really? That's interesting. I'd love to see Draymond on this team with our supporting cast in place of Dame. See how that works out for him, with the refs not on his side and nobody spacing the floor.

Or Klay, yeah, that would be so much fun. Watch Klay try to score 30+ points without those guys setting screens for him.

You're hemorrhaging credibility right now with these unrealistic expectations for Dame.

 

[STOMP]

Someone remind me of the last big Free Agent signing the Blazers made. I recall Wes coming off his rookie year, but he was just coming off a rookie year and wasn't even a starter. Have they ever signed an established stud?

STOMP

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Someone remind me of the last big Free Agent signing the Blazers made. I recall Wes coming off his rookie year, but he was just coming off a rookie year and wasn't even a starter. Have they ever signed an established stud?

STOMP

I wouldnt call him a stud, but andre miller was pretty established as a really really good player when he signed with us. But he was our backup option when turkey glue decided against us.

Other than that..... brian grant? He was still young too.

Ryan anderson is probably our level of free agent.

 

[Natebishop3]

I wouldnt call him a stud, but andre miller was pretty established as a really really good player when he signed with us. But he was our backup option when turkey glue decided against us.

Other than that..... brian grant? He was still young too.

Ryan anderson is probably our level of free agent.

Stealing Derek Anderson from San Antonio was a pretty big coup at the time.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Internal development. Let the cake bake one more season with exception of minor tweaks. Meyers being the key factor of how big a tweak I think. If we keep him, I doubt we make any changes. If we let him go, we will see an offer to Anderson for sure. I don't see much else happening though honestly. Not unless another team's GM gets REALLY desperately stupid, ie, Cousins for CJ straight up.

Lo fucking L dude. I'm sick of letting the fucking cake fucking bake.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Ah, just remembered they signed kenny anderson. He had been an all star in 94. We signed him in 96. Hes probably our best of all time.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Meyers has been with the team for every playoff game, I wonder if watches Plumlee and thinks, "Man I should work on my passing and rebounding" or "I really need to teach Plumless how to shoot the 3!"

 

[B-Roy]

Meyers has been with the team for every playoff game, I wonder if watches Plumlee and thinks, "Man I should work on my passing and rebounding" or "I really need to teach Plumless how to shoot the 3!"

Is Plumless some sort of portmanteau of Plumlee and Harkless? Either way, it's true. Both guys could learn a thing or two from Meyers

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Is Plumless some sort of portmanteau of Plumlee and Harkless? Either way, it's true. Both guys could learn a thing or two from Meyers

Meyers can learn far more from Plumlee.

 

[Strenuus]

Internal development. Let the cake bake one more season with exception of minor tweaks. Meyers being the key factor of how big a tweak I think. If we keep him, I doubt we make any changes. If we let him go, we will see an offer to Anderson for sure. I don't see much else happening though honestly. Not unless another team's GM gets REALLY desperately stupid, ie, Cousins for CJ straight up.

That minor tweak needs to be a rim protector. We can not let that cake bake.

 

[Harry's Raincoat]

Best Free Agents we've ever signed: Rod Strickland, Brian Grant, Kenny Anderson, Wes Matthews (at the time of signings).

Our roster is incomplete. We need to add help to Lillard and McCollum. Personally, I believe Aminu and Plumlee are better suited in being off the bench players. We have many spots that should be improved in our rotation.

Whiteside? Horford? Barnes? DeRozen? A signing is critical this offseason.

 

[crandc]

If they could swing a deal for Durant - provided he can forgive Portland for not picking him first. I know the whole world will go for him but the Blazers do have a lot to offer a young start, starting with all star point guard to feed him the ball. I don't think it's a pipe dream. Supposedly the Warriors are interested but he would not be the No. 1 option at GSW.

 

[craigehlo]

I think PDX will have to settle for 2nd tier free agents, but that's OK. Ryan Anderson, Noah, Bazemore, Biyombo and Courney Lee seem realistic (and a little boring honestly) if we strike out on Whiteside/Horford/Howard.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Lo fucking L dude. I'm sick of letting the fucking cake fucking bake.

Cool, Make sure you let loose in the toilet and not all over your shirt.

That minor tweak needs to be a rim protector. We can not let that cake bake.

I just think that all the guys overachieved, and proved them selves as very hard workers. I think that has earned them another year to try to improve and get better before giving up and trying to replace them. Too much upside on too many of our player still for two reasons. Age and lack of experience in the nba and playing together. Give them another year to see how much more the improve and then replace those who are not.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

Cool, Make sure you let loose in the toilet and not all over your shirt.



I just think that all the guys overachieved, and proved them selves as very hard workers. I think that has earned them another year to try to improve and get better before giving up and trying to replace them. Too much upside on too many of our player still for two reasons. Age and lack of experience in the nba and playing together. Give them another year to see how much more the improve and then replace those who are not.

Next year we wont have nearly the cap space we do this offseason. Cjs max deal is likely going to lock in next offseason. If they sign him to an extension this offseason. Same with plums if we get him on an extension. That would hamstring us in terms of flexibility.

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

And thats not taking into consideration the money crabbe and harkless will likely get from.us this offseason too.

 

[B-Roy]

Next year we wont have nearly the cap space we do this offseason. Cjs max deal is likely going to lock in next offseason. If they sign him to an extension this offseason. Same with plums if we get him on an extension. That would hamstring us in terms of flexibility.

Yep. This year is our window of opportunity to get better.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I think PDX will have to settle for 2nd tier free agents, but that's OK. Ryan Anderson, Noah, Bazemore, Biyombo and Courney Lee seem realistic (and a little boring honestly) if we strike out on Whiteside/Horford/Howard.

Marvin Williams needs to be added to this list. I don't understand why he's not getting any attention; he's one of the best UFA PF options out there this summer.

 

[oldfisherman]

It will be very difficult for the Blazers to get better this off-season. Every player suggested in this thread that would be an upgrade will also be receiving interest from 20 other teams, or more.

The hard truth is, we may lose several of our 5 FA young guns. We may start next season with less depth than we have now. We have no draft picks to reload with projects on rookie contracts. Denver cashes in our first and the Bulls own our second round pick.

Olshey will need to pull a rabbit out of his hat this summer to improve this roster.