What did we learn from pre-season?

[mook]

One other thought--with the rule changes on resetting the shot clock to only 14 seconds after a rebound, rebounds are going to be worth less. After all, teams will have less time to pick the very best shots available so an offensive board will lead to a less good shot than in prior years. So having a guy like Ed who secures defensive boards (and consequently prevents the other team from getting offensive boards) is less valuable. But having a guy like Curry or Sauce who can get a shot off quickly as time runs down becomes even more valuable. Plus, with the league shooting more threes, traditional rebounders become less essential (as caroms go farther from the rim).

 

[Labinot41]

I have learned that CJ is still a Ballhog, Nurkic improved, Swanigan shouldn't be on an nba court, Stauskas better than i expected, Collins up and down, Meyers still sucks but has good Moment on Offense, Stotts better Timeout Management, Evan turnover still a horrible Player and layman much better than i expected

 

[Mediocre Man]

That Meyers Leonard is for real

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Well, Seems we are seeing more ball movement and pushing the pace up court more.

I can't really remember; did we actually push the pace more when Lillard was in there? Because in the regular season he will be in there a lot more, and if he isn't pushing it, things won't be changing much. I don't recall him standing out way on top holding the ball in pre-season, so hopefully there will be some real change.

 

[Scalma]

You can breakout without being a good defender. Steve Nash broke out into back to back MVPs in his 30s without being great at defense.

Nik Stauskas is nothing like Steve Nash...

Exactly. He’s a bench player. Since when do bench players have to be two way players to succeed? And he’s nowhere near the liability you’re making him out to be. Seth’s defense hasn’t been good either nor has he ever graded out much better than Nik but I don’t hear you complaining about him. Curry’s DPM is in the negative and Dallas’ DRTG with him on the floor was higher than Stauskas’ last year, and pretty even with his earlier career.

The only real difference is you backed one of them in the beginning, so any mistake Stauskas makes you will be sure to magnify, while any mistake Curry makes will be minimized, or just ignored.

 

[Hoopguru]

I can't really remember; did we actually push the pace more when Lillard was in there? Because in the regular season he will be in there a lot more, and if he isn't pushing it, things won't be changing much. I don't recall him standing out way on top holding the ball in pre-season, so hopefully there will be some real change.

In the last game Dame did push it up court more especially with long passes. CJ wasn't dominating the ball as much either.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Exactly. He’s a bench player. Since when do bench players have to be two way players to succeed? And he’s nowhere near the liability you’re making him out to be. Seth’s defense hasn’t been good either nor has he ever graded out much better than Nik but I don’t hear you complaining about him. Curry’s DPM is in the negative and Dallas’ DRTG with him on the floor was higher than Stauskas’ last year, and pretty even with his earlier career.

The only real difference is you backed one of them in the beginning, so any mistake Stauskas makes you will be sure to magnify, while any mistake Curry makes will be minimized, or just ignored.

So why is Stauskas on his 4th team in 4 seasons? In a league that loves shooters, this supposed shooter can't keep a job.

I'm not being snarky - it is a serious question. Something is wrong with the guy or his game.

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[Scalma]

So why is Stauskas on his 4th team in 4 seasons? In a league that loves shooters, this supposed shooter can't keep a job.

I'm not being snarky - it is a serious question. Something is wrong with the guy or his game.

You could ask the same about Curry.

But honestly I don’t know, I think he’s been put in some real shitty situations. It’s true though, he needs to play more consistent. All I know is he’ll have no excuses in Portland. He’s set up to succeed.

 

[Chris Craig]

So why is Stauskas on his 4th team in 4 seasons? In a league that loves shooters, this supposed shooter can't keep a job.

I'm not being snarky - it is a serious question. Something is wrong with the guy or his game.

Because he hasn't been used right

 

[Chris Craig]

Are we trying to play faster? Should Nurkic shoot threes? Is Jake Layman going to be in the rotation? What about Baldwin? Does Stauskas's offense make up for his (lack of) defense? Are we going to make the playoffs?

Are we trying to play faster?

Yes.

Should Nurkic shoot 3's?

Yes, here and there. There will be moments where he is left open at the top of the arc after screens. He should work on consistency so he can hit those shots. He should however, focus on his game in the paint, putting up and finishing shots strong.

Should Layman be in the rotation?

Yes. He will be. He will see time at both the 3 and 4.

Should Baldwin?

No. Curry is ahead of him. Baldwin will ride the bench sans injuries.

Does Stauskas's offense make up for his (lack of) defense?

Yes. Stauskas has impressed. He is going to be dangerous from the three. He has also shown a desire to attack the basket. His defense hasn't been too dreadful yet. He will be in the rotation to start the season.

Are we going to make the playoffs?

The Blazers have made the playoffs the last five seasons. Why should they stop now? Anyone here want to count them out?

 

[Pinwheel1]

Yeah the defensive did not look good. But part of that IMO is there are a lot of new faces and a lot of different rotations.
Even between the start of the 1st and 2nd half. On one hand preseason is the time to experiment, but on the other hand it means the early regular season is still going to be inconsistent.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

So why is Stauskas on his 4th team in 4 seasons? In a league that loves shooters, this supposed shooter can't keep a job.

I'm not being snarky - it is a serious question. Something is wrong with the guy or his game.

My sounds-like-I'm-BSing-but-actually-giving-a-dead-serious-answer response is
Check out the teams he's been on.

 

[BBert]

Stauskas surprised me the most. He may breakout in this system.

I like Stauskas, but his shot selection hasn't been great. Good pickup though. Just what we needed for the position.

 

[-Ace-]

If Nurkic is left open at the top for a three, fine. Take it. Threes with a defender right on him, 18 seconds left on the shot clock? No way. Move the ball.

 

[Boob-No-More]

So why is Stauskas on his 4th team in 4 seasons? In a league that loves shooters, this supposed shooter can't keep a job.

I'm not being snarky - it is a serious question. Something is wrong with the guy or his game.

Probably the same reason his first team had three coaches his one season there. All his previous teams were jokes. SAC is SAC and the model of how not to run a franchise. He was then traded to PHI, who won 10 games his first (and only full) season there, and then onto BRK, who had 12 different guys between 6'6" and 6'8" on their roster last season. Not exactly a lot of opportunities for success.

Stauskas isn't great, not even 8th-pick-in-the-draft good, but he doesn't suck and should be a decent rotation player in the right situation.

BNM

 

[oldmangrouch]

Probably the same reason his first team had three coaches his one season there. All his previous teams were jokes. SAC is SAC and the model of how not to run a franchise. He was then traded to PHI, who won 10 games his first (and only full) season there, and then onto BRK, who had 12 different guys between 6'6" and 6'8" on their roster last season. Not exactly a lot of opportunities for success.

Stauskas isn't great, not even 8th-pick-in-the-draft good, but he doesn't suck and should be a decent rotation player in the right situation.

BNM

I understand the argument about SacTown, but I have the opposite response about Philly. If he couldn't contribute on that team, how is he going to contribute to a team that expects to make the play-offs? If anything, that season should have resulted in a "false positive" that made him look better than he really is.

 

[James lamphear]

What Sauce brings not just his scoring but he is decent passer and rebounder for his position. Yes his defense is subject at time but you can say that with most of our guards. But definitely upgrade from Pat.

 

[Scalma]

One thing we’re going to miss about Ed is his toughness. We’re gonna have one of the softest rosters in the league, especially that second unit. Another thing we will miss are the easy buckets Davis provided. When the threes aren’t falling, Meyers is useless as a player. Collins isn’t reliable offensively, inside or outside. At least not yet. I understand the basketball reasoning behind dumping Davis, but I don’t understand not finding someone better.

 

[Pinwheel1]

One thing we’re going to miss about Ed is his toughness. We’re gonna have one of the softest rosters in the league, especially that second unit. Another thing we will miss are the easy buckets Davis provided. When the threes aren’t falling, Meyers is useless as a player. Collins isn’t reliable offensively, inside or outside. At least not yet. I understand the basketball reasoning behind dumping Davis, but I don’t understand not finding someone better.

Huh? He only scored 2 buckets a game. How many easy ones were there?

 

[Scalma]

Huh? He only scored 2 buckets a game. How many easy ones were there?

Every one he scored.

 

[Chris Craig]

https://www.blazersland.com/945-2/

 

[Mediocre Man]

 

[Cheese22]

I loved the Meyers pick but have been disappointed since. But, I think he can be serviceable next to ZC.
Curry will be good. He'll have nights where he carries the 2nd team.
I think Jake's improvement makes Mo expendable. Mo is the most passive guy on the court most of the time and inconsistent. Jake will bring energy. A little less D but more rounded on O.
I think Stauskus and Baldwin will be interchangeable depending on matchups with Stauskus seeing more consistent minutes.
Caleb is a good guy but isn't cutting it. I'd rather see Ona get a look.
I also would like to see GPII stick somehow.
Overall, this has to be one of the top teams in the league as far as perimeter shooting depth goes. The 2nd unit will be more consistent and won't be the detriment they have been the past couple years.
I do think we'll miss Phys Ed. I realize the money was spent on other contributors but Ed brought a toughness and rebounding that will be exposed.

 

[Cheese22]

I understand the argument about SacTown, but I have the opposite response about Philly. If he couldn't contribute on that team, how is he going to contribute to a team that expects to make the play-offs? If anything, that season should have resulted in a "false positive" that made him look better than he really is.

Stauskus needs a distributor or someone to create for him. He's okay at creating for himself but is much stronger as a spot up shooter. Philly didn't have a true PG or distributor like he'll have here. Guys who can get him the ball when they get doubled.
More so than anything else, he'll be in Stotts system. If Stotts does anything well it's putting guys in position to use what they've got to the max. Stauskus won't be 6th man of the year, but he'll fit in well next to ET and Curry.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

So why is Stauskas on his 4th team in 4 seasons? In a league that loves shooters, this supposed shooter can't keep a job.

To be fair, two of them were fucking shitshows. Players can bounce around and then find a good fit. Look at Hassan Whiteside. Or Boris Diaw. Or Ben Wallace. Or Danny Green. Or Javale McGee. Or Isaiah Thomas.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I understand the argument about SacTown, but I have the opposite response about Philly. If he couldn't contribute on that team, how is he going to contribute to a team that expects to make the play-offs?

Thing is, he kind of DID contribute on Philly. He averaged about 9 ppg over 2 seasons.

 

[Scalma]

Thing is, he kind of DID contribute on Philly. He averaged about 9 ppg over 2 seasons.

He wasn’t even that bad, his development just got fucked when they signed Redick. And he didn’t have the freedom he’s going to have in Portland. I just hope we don’t try to pigeonhole him into the Connaughton role where he’s standing in the corner while dame and CJ dominate the ball. That role is more for someone like Layman who doesn’t really need the ball in his hands.

 

[Pinwheel1]

If Nurkic is left open at the top for a three, fine. Take it. Threes with a defender right on him, 18 seconds left on the shot clock? No way. Move the ball.

Not sure I am even comfortable in that scenario. Hasn't he shot like 2 airballs so far on 3's .....while being wide open? I don't like Terry giving him the green light unless he is nailing them on a consistent basis in practice. Not when you have Dame, CJ, and Jake on the court. What happened to the philosophy of "knowing your limitations" and "playing to your strengths".

 

[BonesJones]

Exactly. He’s a bench player. Since when do bench players have to be two way players to succeed? And he’s nowhere near the liability you’re making him out to be. Seth’s defense hasn’t been good either nor has he ever graded out much better than Nik but I don’t hear you complaining about him. Curry’s DPM is in the negative and Dallas’ DRTG with him on the floor was higher than Stauskas’ last year, and pretty even with his earlier career.

The only real difference is you backed one of them in the beginning, so any mistake Stauskas makes you will be sure to magnify, while any mistake Curry makes will be minimized, or just ignored.

Or I pay attention instead of biasedly ignoring one side of the ball.