Warriors @ Blazers - 10/08/15 Game Thread

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

So what exactly has Henderson done to earn his starting spot? Having incumbents on a young rebuilding team is just stupid in my eyes. The Wolves let Zach Lavine earn his starting spot in practice/preseason against Kevin Martin and he did earn. That should be what we do with Crabbe, and he's earning it so far.

You make a fair point, but I'm thinking Stotts is a bit more old school. Hendo is a proven veteran and as such, might get the push over Crabbe based solely on that. Or at least until Hendo has a chance to prove himself....or not. I'd hate for us to go into the season with a disgruntled (and talented) veteran who doesn't think he was given a fair shot because of an injury. We seem to have great chemistry and Stotts isn't going to want to mess with that. Having said that, Crabbe's apparent emergence would certainly make a guy like Hendo more expendable come the trade deadline (so it's important he has a chance to shine before then). While I get the reasoning behind the Lavine decision in MIN, you can't help but wonder how that's going to affect Martin's attitude and play, along with team chemistry. Unless they plan to unload him before the start of the season.

 

[BBert]

From GoldenStateofMind:

and another tasty tidbit:

Whoever wrote that must have stolen HCP's Kool-Aide.

 

[B-Roy]

Hendo is clearly not part of the future. Both Stotts/Olshey hardly acknowledge him and he's never mentioned as part of the Nic Batum trade.

 

[BBert]

Haha. I just read the title to that article: "Blazers edge Warriors 118-101".

Yeah, they barely 'edged' out a 17 point victory. LOL

 

[Draco]

These are the days where I wished I lived in Oregon. It wasn't available in NBA tv. Sounds like it was an amazing game to watch.

I live in Austin and saw the game last night. League pass is $120 for the year. I saved a ton of money cancelled cable have internet that's $35 a month sling tv that's $20 a month and play it on a roku through a 70" TV.

Actually strangely enough the only games I can't watch live at home is NBAtv or if they play Spurs. So I either go to sports bar or wait until the next morning when the archive is available though league pass.

 

[KingSpeed]

Okay, I just watched the game. Kick ASS, that was fun. What blew my mind was how much chemistry we had out there. We did not look like a bunch of young guys thrown together who hardly know each other. We looked like a well oiled machine. I think my favorite part was the Plumlee/Vonleh fast break. The Warriors were trying in the first half and we dropped 77 on them. Fuck, Curry had 30 points in 25 minutes and we still destroyed them. The question is, can we play like this on the road? I think Dame is the key to keeping the guys focused. I just offered a bet to HCP: $100 that the Blazers win 20 by the All Star break. He's THINKING about it.

 

[Draco]

Yep, because Pop knows the preseason is all about teaching and learning, not winning and losing.

Most coaches use preseason to give players, that won't likely be part of the rotation - unless there are injuries, some run in game situations. Like what Stotts did with Connaughton last night. It gives theses players experience running the offensive and defensive sets at game speed and it lets the coaching staff see how different players and different lineups work together in game situations.

Pops extends that learning experience to his assistant coaches. It gives them the same type of game experience and it also helps build rapport between the players and assistant coaches. They will have plenty of Pop in their ears during practice and the regular season. It's probably also a good move for an assertive guy like Pop to give the players an occasional break from him. If they hear the same messages from the rest of the staff, when Pop isn't there, as they hear from Pop, it reinforces the message and keeps the players from tuning out Pops when he gets on them.

BNM

Pop is a god. I swear he could take a shit on the court and somebody would marvel at the genius of his action.

He also put his team in a position where they needed a tough road win in the final game of the season for home court, which they lost. They benefitted from a historic year of one of the all time best big men, he has the best defensive wing in the game, many other good veteran role players and they lost in the first round. If it was any other coach last year would be a failure.

This summer they promised Aldridge he'd be the centerpiece of the offense, very un Spurs like. I'm not seeing them as the huge title favorites many are. Pop is a great coach but you put Doc Rivers or Steve Kerr or Jason Kidd or a handful of the better coaches with Tim Duncan and good supporting casts for 20 years they have a fistful of rings as well.

 

[riverman]

This may be one of the most fun rebuild seasons ever

 

[Orion Bailey]

This may be one of the most fun rebuild seasons ever

Whoa whoa whoa.. not so fast!! This s a retool, not a rebuild. Pretty obvious at this point isn't it?

 

[Draco]

I'm wondering, if Henderson doesn't come back quickly and plays well, if he's about to be Wally Pipp'd. CJ isn't only going to get 12 mpg behind Dame. That leaves Aminu, Harkless, Crabbe and Henderson fighting for roughly 80mpg at the wings. Assuming the starters get 30-ish each, two of those guys are backups fighting over 20 mpg.

Hendo missing games, Aminu missed one, Harkless out last night. I'd say odds of all 6 of those guys always playing is low. It might take a week or two once Hendo comes back but there will be plenty of minutes for him to eventually show he deserves a spot. There is a lot of positional versatility since every player can slide to two or three positions.

 

[Draco]

I'd much rather see:

PG = Dame, CJ, Frazier
SG = Crabbe, CJ, Henderson
SF = Aminu, Harkless

Henderson's not part of the future (and as long as his hip is hurting, he's not even part of the present). Crabbe is a tad undersized for the 3, but he's perfect for the 2. As for the 3, I could see Aminu/Harkless being a perfect platoon for all 48 minutes.

Yes Hendo is way to old to have any shot of being a part of the future; he was drafted 12 months before Aminu and Davis.

 

[Draco]

Man I wish Hendo were actually Andre Miller, or that we could trade him for Dre. Then you'd have two ancient assistant player-coaches on the team who could mentor our young guards and young centers/forwards.

I swear posters around here treat Hendo as if he's 37. The dude is in his 20's just entering his prime.

 

[Chris Craig]

 

[Draco]

So what exactly has Henderson done to earn his starting spot? Having incumbents on a young rebuilding team is just stupid in my eyes. The Wolves let Zach Lavine earn his starting spot in practice/preseason against Kevin Martin and he did earn. That should be what we do with Crabbe, and he's earning it so far.

Yeah I'm all for an open competition. If Crabbe is playing well he can start, or play major minutes at SG. Hendo will have to earn a roll and prove he deserves to keep it just the same as any other player on the team outside of Dame.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Yes Hendo is way to old to have any shot of being a part of the future; he was drafted 12 months before Aminu and Davis.

Not talking about age--talking about upside. Henderson has already started 292 games in his career and has a career PER of 13.8. I think it is fair to say that we know what kind of player he is. Aminu and Davis are still considered relatively unknown quantities in terms of what they might be able to bring. Not to mention, that we have Aminu and Davis locked up for four and three years respectively, whereas Henderson is a UFA after this season. They're completely different scenarios.

Sure, it's possible that Henderson surprises everyone this season and becomes an integral part of our core. But does anyone really think it's likely?

 

[Draco]

Not talking about age--talking about upside. Henderson has already started 292 games in his career and has a career PER of 13.8. I think it is fair to say that we know what kind of player he is. Aminu and Davis are still considered relatively unknown quantities in terms of what they might be able to bring. Not to mention, that we have Aminu and Davis locked up for four and three years respectively, whereas Henderson is a UFA after this season. They're completely different scenarios.

Sure, it's possible that Henderson surprises everyone this season and becomes an integral part of our core. But does anyone really think it's likely?

I think it's likely he becomes a productive roll player who can play defense, slash to the hoop and hit the corner three. Having one or two of those guys on the bench who can start in an emergency is a huge benefit. On a title contender he could maybe fill a Harrison Barnes role from last years Warriors but at the 2/3 instead of the 3/4. No he doesn't have the all star potential we hope some young guys might have but he doesn't have bust potential either.

Last year we could've really used a bench player like Hendo and it's very possible 3 years from now we could really use a player like him. So let's see how he plays and how much a new contract costs and how much cap space we are left with in the summer. He certainly has an opportunity to be a part of the team long term.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I swear posters around here treat Hendo as if he's 37. The dude is in his 20's just entering his prime.

I'm not saying I wish Hendo were Dre because Hendo is old. I'm saying it because I'd rather have Dre.

 

[blue9]

Not talking about age--talking about upside. Henderson has already started 292 games in his career and has a career PER of 13.8. I think it is fair to say that we know what kind of player he is. Aminu and Davis are still considered relatively unknown quantities in terms of what they might be able to bring. Not to mention, that we have Aminu and Davis locked up for four and three years respectively, whereas Henderson is a UFA after this season. They're completely different scenarios.

Sure, it's possible that Henderson surprises everyone this season and becomes an integral part of our core. But does anyone really think it's likely?

I don't think it matters whether he's part of our future or not - that doesn't have any bearing on whether or not he should start. I think that having him in the starting unit will help ALL of our young players develop, by putting them in appropriate situations for learning and success.

A starting line-up of Dame/Crabbe or CJ/Aminu/Leonard/Plumlee leaves Dame as the SOLE experienced player. When he gets trapped I want someone with experience to help guide the rest of the team through the motions - Henderson is going to do a better job at that than Crabbe/CJ. Why put Dame on an island by himself? That doesn't do him, or his teammates any favors. A few bad mistakes can lead to lost confidence.

(And to your first point, there have been a lot of players who've started 292+ games, didn't look like anything more than decent players, and later went on to be key pieces on Playoff/Championship teams. Most people around here thought Z-Bo would never do anything other than put up numbers for a loser. Writing off Henderson at this point is kinda silly.)

 

[KingSpeed]

I don't know, blue. They're young, but Plumlee is hardly inexperienced. He played in Team USA. Also, Aminu started in the playoffs last year. And Leonard is a three year vet who showed up in the playoffs last year. Dame didn't look like he was on an island last night. I almost felt like we could've won without him last night.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Just got done watching the game. Thanks for the link that was provided by the way! Great game. This team is hungry. I hope it stays that way (don't see why it won't). A lot of positives. One thing I will mention, some people were saying Pat should be the cut because he looked horrible previously. Well he looked very good in this game. He is losing the nerves the more he plays. He is a keeper imo. Writing is already on the wall for Pressey and Omari Johnson from the looks of it. Sure Montero is an option but I don't see a reason we have to make that move (yet).

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I don't think it matters whether he's part of our future or not - that doesn't have any bearing on whether or not he should start. I think that having him in the starting unit will help ALL of our young players develop, by putting them in appropriate situations for learning and success.

A starting line-up of Dame/Crabbe or CJ/Aminu/Leonard/Plumlee leaves Dame as the SOLE experienced player. When he gets trapped I want someone with experience to help guide the rest of the team through the motions - Henderson is going to do a better job at that than Crabbe/CJ. Why put Dame on an island by himself? That doesn't do him, or his teammates any favors. A few bad mistakes can lead to lost confidence.

(And to your first point, there have been a lot of players who've started 292+ games, didn't look like anything more than decent players, and later went on to be key pieces on Playoff/Championship teams. Most people around here thought Z-Bo would never do anything other than put up numbers for a loser. Writing off Henderson at this point is kinda silly.)

I'd love for you to provide an example. Sub-14 per after 250+ starts and age 27 or older, then later is one of the top 8 players on a title team.

You find one, I'll make my avatar or signature whatever you want.

 

[riverman]

Gerald Henderson needed stability..he's had like 6 coaches in 5 years and a revolving door roster since he's been in the league..he stayed loyal

 

[blue9]

I'd love for you to provide an example. Sub-14 per after 250+ starts and age 27 or older, then later is one of the top 8 players on a title team.

You find one, I'll make my avatar or signature whatever you want.

Well, I don't give a shit about PER so I'm not gonna look that up. But the point was that there have been plenty of ho-hum players early in their careers, who later went on to be great players. Z-Bo, the entire Larry Brown Pistons team with the exception of Sheed, Steve Nash, Danny Green, etc. Perhaps Henderson is a bit further into his career than I originally thought, but it's still a little early to write the book on him - Iggy was a loser his entire career until he was finally a difference-maker on a Championship team!

 

[MarAzul]

I almost felt like we could've won without him last night

Yeah, that might even be better. 3 for 18 is just piss poor shot selection. The guy is starting off where he left off last season,
jacking up those threes with a prayer. Prayers not answered.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Yeah, that might even be better. 3 for 18 is just piss poor shot selection. The guy is starting off where he left off last season,
jacking up those threes with a prayer. Prayers not answered.

Did you watch the game?

 

[Natebishop3]

Did you watch the game?

Marazul has an illogical hatred for our only star.

 

[MarAzul]

Did you watch the game?

Radio.

 

[Hobbesarable]

Marazul has an illogical hatred for our only star.

If you like that, then ask him to explain the A/M stat.

 

[MarAzul]

If you like that, then ask him to explain the A/M stat.

His A/M isn't even good if you only count the missed three pointers.

Frazier is sure working up a good one though, so far this season.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Radio.

So if you only listened and didn't watch, how do you know they were poor shots? How do you know he wasn't triple teamed? ( IO a shot while being triple teamed is usually a poor shot. A wide open one, even missed, is a good shot)

Though Dame didn't have a good shooting night, I did not SEE Dame chucking up. Many of his misses were contested layups where he was fouled.