Upgrading the SG position

[Fez Hammersticks]

All of the beatwriters for this team have said that if Neil makes a trade it will be for a young backcourt mate for Lillard.

Does he not see Wes as a long-term answer next to Lillard or does he view Wes as instant offense/shooting off the bench in a 6th man role?

Looking at his numbers it's hard to find any young(er?) SG out there that would be an "upgrade."

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Pair him up with a defensive stud?

[video=youtube;MgWJGiJJAwk]

Victor Oladipo. Can lock down three positions at the next level. Tough and relentless and an elite NBA athlete. If he keeps shooting the ball well throughout the rest of the season, he too has a great shot at the lottery -- maybe even Top 10. -Chad Ford

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think Wes is a pretty middle of the road starting two guard, but he fits in OK next to Lillard because he doesn't need to dominate the ball to be effective and is probably at his best on the catch and shoot ... is there somebody out there better that's available and that would compliment Damian? Nobody immediately springs to mind.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I haven't watched Oladipo, but from what little I know wouldn't he sort of duplicate a lot of what Wesley does? That is, shoot threes, play D, but not much of a ball-handler.

 

[illmatic99]

Wessy is the perfect fit next to Dame. The guy can move off the ball, shoot lights out, and play tough D. Annnd, he's become the heart and soul of this team. This repeated notion that a lot of people on this forum have of how we need to upgrade our SG makes no sense to me at all. My God, the guy is putting up 15+ppg and shooting near 40% from 3 for his career. Victor Oladipo is NOT an upgrade.

If you're looking for need, look at our 6th man. I think it's Will Barton now, who averages a scorching 3.1pts per game.

 

[MickZagger]

Oladippo reminds me a lot of Iguodala. Over-shadowed big time by Zeller, but he can ball. Ferocious attacking the hoop.

 

[Further]

I'm all for drafting more talent for the future, but I am happy with all 5 starters right now, and 4 starters over the long haul. I do think we need a defensive center, but pg, SG, SF and PF all seem to fit extremely well together.

 

[Nikolokolus]

We had this discussion in another thread earlier today and Tyreke Evans' name came up. Maybe a guy like that is the way to go? Not a guy to push Wesley out of his starting role per se, but a guy who can play 25-30 minutes a night in a three guard rotation with Damian and Wesley. Tyreke has his baggage and his short-comings and there's no telling if he'd be content to come to rain soaked Portland to be a sixth man, but I can sort of see it working -- or failing spectacularly too I suppose.

 

[MickZagger]

I'm as big of a Matthews fan as the next guy. But, lets face it, he needs to be back where he belongs as a 6th man coming off the bench and sparking a 2nd unit.

If we can upgrade the 2 spot you have to do it.

 

[MickZagger]

Evans plays best when the ball goes through him. I don't think he's a good fit next to Lillard.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

My wish list, in order:

1. Defensive and Rebounding Starting Center
2. Veteran Backup PG
3. Backup PF (assuming Hickson is gone)
4. Defensive minded SG/SF for the bench
5. Then address the SG.

I think Wes is fine. He works hard, is a great team player, not overly flashy and does the little things in games to win. I mean if Toronto wanted to give us DeRozan for a bunch of bench scrubs, fine. But upgrading the position is't that big of a concern for me since the position is fine to begin with.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Redick would be the better fit next to Lillard in spurts.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Evans plays best when the ball goes through him. I don't think he's a good fit next to Lillard.

I wouldn't want them next to each other in crunch time because of spacing issues that's for sure. I guess I'm just trying to figure out who is out there that would be a compliment to Lillard? 24 year old Rip Hamilton aint walking through that door.

 

[MickZagger]

I wouldn't want them next to each other in crunch time because of spacing issues that's for sure. I guess I'm just trying to figure out who is out there that would be a compliment to Lillard? 24 year old Rip Hamilton aint walking through that door.

I was thinking the same thing and was having a hard time coming up with that player. An elite shooter that isn't completely a boob on defense would be nice Not too many of those guys out there anymore. Wonder if we can talk Dale Ellis out of retirement.

 

[illmatic99]

I was thinking the same thing and was aving a hard time coming up with that player. An elite shooter that isn't completely a boob on defense would be nice Not too many of those guys out there anymore.

Sounds like Wes. Sometimes, we can't see the forest through the trees.

 

[MickZagger]

Sounds like Wes. Sometimes, we can't see the forest through the trees.

I like Wes. A 6th man of the year candidate type. Perfect spark off the bench. I've been a Matthews fan since his rookie year in Utah. I just think he'd be ideal sparking a bench unit.

 

[Further]

My wish list, in order:

1. Defensive and Rebounding Starting Center
2. Veteran Backup PG
3. Backup PF (assuming Hickson is gone)
4. Defensive minded SG/SF for the bench
5. Then address the SG.

I agree with 1, 2, 3 and 5, but 4 would be
4 Offensive scoring punch as bu SG/SF

 

[illmatic99]

I like Wes. A 6th man of the year candidate type. Perfect spark off the bench. I've been a Matthews fan since his rookie year in Utah. I just think he'd be ideal sparking a bench unit.

From what you described, what exactly is Wes lacking as a starter?

 

[Natebishop3]

Isn't Kevin Martin a free agent this summer? He fits the Rip Hamilton mold that someone was talking about in another thread. Obviously he has the injuries though.

 

[MickZagger]

From what you described, what exactly is Wes lacking as a starter?

He's an energy player. Players feed off his energy.

 

[illmatic99]

lol still not answering the question. It's alright, too late.

 

[MickZagger]

Kevin Martin would be a good fit. As soon as opposing 2 guards start lighting up Martin you could put Matthews in there and give him 35 minutes of burn. It would be a matchup nightmare. Fire and ice.

 

[Haakzilla]

...sign OJ Mayo, re-sign Hickson, sign backup center [that is good at defense/rebounding], and draft the rest of the roster needed to fill:

PG - Lillard
SG - Mayo
SF - Batum
PF - Aldridge
C - Leonard

6th man guard - Matthews
6th man forward - Hickson

...et al benchers below!

Is there enough money to make this happen?!?!?!

 

[MickZagger]

lol still not answering the question. It's alright, too late.

Its not about what he doesn't bring. Its about what he could bring to the bench. I like Wes as much as the next guy. But, lets be real, he's a guy with a 14 PER. Not exactly irreplaceable.

He'd bring great energy to a bench unit that sucks. He'd be one of the best in the league at it.

There's a reason that coaches like to have starting quality players coming off the bench.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

jamaal crawesome :MARIS61:

 

[maxiep]

I'm as big of a Matthews fan as the next guy. But, lets face it, he needs to be back where he belongs as a 6th man coming off the bench and sparking a 2nd unit.

If we can upgrade the 2 spot you have to do it.

This. If we were built to be a playoff team, Wes and JJ would be coming off the bench, not starting.

 

[Natebishop3]

But the question isn't whether we should upgrade the 2 spot, it's where does upgrading the 2 spot rank among all the other moves we need to make?

We need a backup point guard.

We need a starting center.

We need a scorer off the bench.

Matthews isn't perfect, not by a long shot, but he works in the interim. Obviously there are some options this summer at shooting guard that we could make a run at. JJ Redick, Kevin Martin, OJ Mayo, JR Smith...

Martin is probably the best fit of those four, but he has yet to complete a season without missing significant time.

Mayo would be a great fit in terms of age and talent, but he has questionable character. Still, I'm intrigued by him. I'm wondering what kind of deal he will command this summer.

Redick would be a nice addition because of his shooting, but I'm not sure if he's really an upgrade over Matthews. Possibly just a lateral move, but one that would allow Matthews to come off the bench.

I like adding Smith. He's nuts, no doubt about that, but he's an awesome bench scorer. This team could use a little crazy.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Evan Turner

 

[Natebishop3]

Evan Turner

Eh, I don't know if he really fits what we need.

 

[Blazinaway]

But the question isn't whether we should upgrade the 2 spot, it's where does upgrading the 2 spot rank among all the other moves we need to make?

We need a backup point guard.

We need a starting center.

We need a scorer off the bench.

Matthews isn't perfect, not by a long shot, but he works in the interim. Obviously there are some options this summer at shooting guard that we could make a run at. JJ Redick, Kevin Martin, OJ Mayo, JR Smith...

Martin is probably the best fit of those four, but he has yet to complete a season without missing significant time.

Mayo would be a great fit in terms of age and talent, but he has questionable character. Still, I'm intrigued by him. I'm wondering what kind of deal he will command this summer.

Redick would be a nice addition because of his shooting, but I'm not sure if he's really an upgrade over Matthews. Possibly just a lateral move, but one that would allow Matthews to come off the bench.

I like adding Smith. He's nuts, no doubt about that, but he's an awesome bench scorer. This team could use a little crazy.

I'd prefer a guy like Jatrrett Jack who can play both guard spots and would not cost too much, then we have more $$$ for glaring needs like a C as Meyers develops, BTW I am assuming JJ Hicksom is not resigned.