What this teams needs . . .

[Stevenson]

OK, so with the addition of Crash and the return of "Roy" (i.e., new Roy not old Roy), we are clearly a solid second-tier team. So what next?

It seems to me we just need a big banger - a studly solid center in the middle who can shore up the defense, rebound and block, and chip in about 10 pts a game.

If only we had such a guy in the wings...

 

[BlazerCaravan]

This studly center, would he start? I really like Batum and Crash starting together, even though we give up height. Or would he be first off the bench to give LMA or the worse of Batum/Crash (on any given night) a breather?

I agree that we need someone more substantial than Camby to shore up our front line, though. Ever since his jump shot got flushed down the toilet, he's been less of an asset.

 

[illmatic99]

Along with GO, we need a vocal leader who holds guys accountable. I don't believe this team has much mental fortitude with a diminished Roy these days. I don't trust anyone (outside of Brandon) to make a basket or FTs, or even shut down a guy on D to win a game in the playoffs.

 

[craigehlo]

We need a new CBA rule this summer so we can get Roy's contract off the books. That's the only hope to get out of the 2nd tier.

 

[andalusian]

You make a qualifying offer to GO - and try to lock him for a 3 year contract at the $6m/year rate - and you offer Samuel Dalambert the MLE (assuming the same kind of CBA).

 

[handiman]

An elite PG would put this team over the top. Miller is fine for 80% of the game, but his lack of offense becomes a liability down the stretch. That's the difference between winning and losing big playoff games.

 

[LOTBfan]

A good starting center would bench Batum. You will miss his wing defense, but what goes away you will make up in point stoppage inside.

One of the biggest problems that GO faced was our outside-in defense was at times atrocious, so he was constantly plagued by ticky tack fouls from guards and forwards slashing in to him. With upgrades at defense in Matthews and Wallace, not as many of these guys will make it in to the center, and someone like GO will be able to spend more time looking up not down... more stops on stronger pf'S and centers, more blocks, more rebounds, and more easy second chance points. In my estimation that is worth the defensive work of Batum.

 

[crowTrobot]

what we need most is a PG that can shoot better than .125 from 3P. as good as miller is in other facets, his total lack of any range is something good teams will always exploit in the playoffs.

 

[julius]

consistency from Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum.

 

[mgb]

Oden and a back up PG. A banging PF wouldn't hurt.

 

[Eastoff]

consistency from Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum.

I'd add Rudy to that list. But without a solid Center, the team will fall apart against teams like L.A. and the C's.

 

[BlayZa]

dont really agree with the miller upgrade, OK his shooting from outside is horrible, but his work in the paint and the ability to back opposing pg's down is a weapon that's saved us numerous times in games when nothing else was falling. if anything, the outside shooting of batum, ruby, wes, roy etc needs to just get a little better.

all we really need is a healthy GO and to keep the tempo up.

 

[yenniedn]

I'm still holding out hope for GO but how nice would it be to have Javale "I block shots with my armpit" McGee right about now?

 

[e_blazer]

If we had a healthy Greg Oden, there's nobody in the league that this team couldn't push to the limit in a 7 game series. Will we ever see a healthy Oden? I have no clue and neither does anybody else who posts here. Assuming that he continues his rehab without setbacks, and given the way he responded to his first MF surgery, IMO he's definitely worth re-signing to a 3 year contract. Given the uncertainty about his future, however, I think you have to look to add a true starting-quality PF to the mix so that Aldridge can slide to the C spot if needed. I love Wallace and Batum, but ultimately I think that one of them may have to be moved to bring in a PG who can backup Miller and eventually replace him. That's not going to be an easy decision for Cho to make, but I think it's going to have to be done.

 

[Natebishop3]

Spurs won with Avery Johnson. Miller is a far better player than AJ ever was. We need a banger to come off the bench. I think that's what we're missing most.

 

[MARIS61]

A healthy oden, and Sergio of course.

 

[PapaG]

Spurs won with Avery Johnson. Miller is a far better player than AJ ever was. We need a banger to come off the bench. I think that's what we're missing most.

Avery Johnson was a decent defender. My biggest worry with Miller is how quick PGs just abuse the guy.

 

[cdub503]

how many quick PGs are there in the league that are on contenders? Rondo, Rose, Westbrook, Parker? and maybe add in there ty lawson.... but how often is miller actually guarding them if hes getting really abused early? not very often....

 

[PapaG]

how many quick PGs are there in the league that are on contenders? Rondo, Rose, Westbrook, Parker? and maybe add in there ty lawson.... but how often is miller actually guarding them if hes getting really abused early? not very often....

Add Nash to the list after last year's playoffs. Chris Paul has dominated the Blazers as well, and even Mike Conley has had his moments.

 

[cdub503]

like i said how often is he actually guarding them unless theres another star on the floor? and even then shit gets pushed around where hes not guarding them

 

[julius]

More cowbell

 

[oldmangrouch]

Long term replacements for Miller and Camby.

A wing who will make Nate's "pray-for-a-trey" tactic work consistently.

 

[MickZagger]

Another competent big and a 3 point specialist. Steve Novak would have been great, but of course the Spurs pick him up and he flourishes, as usual.

 

[RR7]

Avery Johnson was a decent defender. My biggest worry with Miller is how quick PGs just abuse the guy.

I don't by any means think that Miller is a top defender, but which quick PGs are abusing him, worse than they do on average?

Andre Miller has played against Chris Paul 14 times in his career. Paul has averages of 13.5, 9.4, 4.8, shooting 41.5%, 3.1 steals, 3.3 TOVs. So actually, Chris Paul has performed below his career averages in most categories when going against Miller. Not quite abused.

Andre Miller has played Russell Westbrook 8 times in his career. Westbrook has averages of 17.8, 4.5, 5.6, shooting 42%, 1.5 steals, 4.4 TOVS. So Westbrook scores, rebounds and shoots about the same against Miller as anyone else, according to his career averages, but with more TOVs, and less assists.

Since Miller's been in Portland, Conley has yet to get over 16 points against Miller, hasn't had over 6 assists, has had only one game where he even managed to shoot over 40%. So if by had his moments, you mean specific plays, and not BIG games, then sure. But otherwise, no.

Rondo's numbers are pretty similar to his career numbers. Same with Rose. Same with Nash. Common thing amongst those three is they all turned the ball over at least .5 more per game against Andre than their career norms.

Who else? Who exactly is abusing Miller to the tune of more than they do every other night of the week? Which would stand to reason, then, that nobody else is doing anything to stop most of those guys, and with some having worse than their career numbers, some are obviously doing worse.

Avery Johnson has a career DRtg of 107. Miller is 108. Miller has more defensive win shares per game than Avery did. And that's ignoring the fact that Avery played a big chunk of his career with Duncan and/or Robinson protecting the paint behind him, to erase some of his mistakes, and help out his overall DRtg. Who did Miller have like that?


So...yeah. Not buying that. Sorry.

 

[PapaG]

I don't by any means think that Miller is a top defender, but which quick PGs are abusing him, worse than they do on average?

Andre Miller has played against Chris Paul 14 times in his career. Paul has averages of 13.5, 9.4, 4.8, shooting 41.5%, 3.1 steals, 3.3 TOVs. So actually, Chris Paul has performed below his career averages in most categories when going against Miller. Not quite abused.

Andre Miller has played Russell Westbrook 8 times in his career. Westbrook has averages of 17.8, 4.5, 5.6, shooting 42%, 1.5 steals, 4.4 TOVS. So Westbrook scores, rebounds and shoots about the same against Miller as anyone else, according to his career averages, but with more TOVs, and less assists.

Since Miller's been in Portland, Conley has yet to get over 16 points against Miller, hasn't had over 6 assists, has had only one game where he even managed to shoot over 40%. So if by had his moments, you mean specific plays, and not BIG games, then sure. But otherwise, no.

Rondo's numbers are pretty similar to his career numbers. Same with Rose. Same with Nash. Common thing amongst those three is they all turned the ball over at least .5 more per game against Andre than their career norms.

Who else? Who exactly is abusing Miller to the tune of more than they do every other night of the week? Which would stand to reason, then, that nobody else is doing anything to stop most of those guys, and with some having worse than their career numbers, some are obviously doing worse.

Avery Johnson has a career DRtg of 107. Miller is 108. Miller has more defensive win shares per game than Avery did. And that's ignoring the fact that Avery played a big chunk of his career with Duncan and/or Robinson protecting the paint behind him, to erase some of his mistakes, and help out his overall DRtg. Who did Miller have like that?


So...yeah. Not buying that. Sorry.

Perhaps you missed Steve Nash in the playoffs last year?

I notice you didn't mention that. There must be a reason that an "elite" PG like Miller has bounced around from mediocre team to mediocre team. Chicken, or egg? I hope he proves me wrong in the playoffs this year.

 

[mikeg]

What about points for others created by penetration? Miller's man may not do the scoring, but I do see PGs getting into the lane and causing rotation chaos all the time against us. Granted, great PGs will do that to anyone, but I do think it's a weakness with Miller logging so many minutes.

 

[RR7]

Perhaps you missed Steve Nash in the playoffs last year?

I notice you didn't mention that. There must be a reason that an "elite" PG like Miller has bounced around from mediocre team to mediocre team. Chicken, or egg? I hope he proves me wrong in the playoffs this year.

Hmmm, lifetime of games, or 6 game sample? Yep. You'll go with the tiny sample to help prove a point unprovable. You see what you want. it's funny how often on here you cite stats over watching game,s but when those fail your point youo turn to a 6 game playoff series. But then, looking at that playoff series. Nash averaged what? 15 ppg. little over 9 assists. over 4 TOs. shot under 50%. 1 total steal. Again, about average. Compared to what he has always done.

so again, what the fuck are you talking about? Nash played to his average. worse in some areas. Why don't you back up what you're saying with.....something. I dunno.

 

[RR7]

What about points for others created by penetration? Miller's man may not do the scoring, but I do see PGs getting into the lane and causing rotation chaos all the time against us. Granted, great PGs will do that to anyone, but I do think it's a weakness with Miller logging so many minutes.

assists?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

assists?

Portland opponents this season are well below the league average (1505) in total assists: 1374. We are 3rd in the league in opponent assists, while being average (1517) in our own assists. We out-assist our opposition by 2 full assists per game. Somewhere in all this is good point guard defense by Andre, I'm sure.

 

[jlprk]

assists?

The McMillan offense is thoughtful and slow, depending upon set plays, which create assists. Opponents are more opportunistic, jetting in there when they see an opening, so they have fewer assists.

Of course, most of our baskets come off of broken plays, which cancels what I just said, so I won't bring up that part.