What to do with Aminu?

[Natebishop3]

Should Aminu continue to start? Will he have a better series now that he doesn't have to go against Paul Millsap? So far in this postseason he's averaging

8.7 ppg, 35% from the field, 31% from three, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, .8 steals and .8 blocks in 28 minutes per game. He has an 11.8 PER, his TS% is 48.1, and

Against Denver his numbers were:

7.3 ppg off 30% shooting, 19% from three, 6.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.7 blocks, and he shot 48.7% from the free throw line.

Oof.

His numbers against OKC were better.

10.6 ppg off 37% shooting, 34% from three, 70% from the line, with 7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks.

So he shot much better from three in that series, but overall his shooting was still very bad. His free throw shooting was at least passable. If we look back at what he did against Golden State in the playoffs back in 15-16 and 16-17:

15-16: 17 ppg off 55.6% shooting, 57% from three, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1 block, and 0.6 steals

16-17: 12 ppg off 40% shooting, 28.5% from three, 6.5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 0.8 steals

I'm not expecting to get 15-16 Aminu.... that's pretty much a pipe dream, but if we could get somewhere inbetween I would be thrilled. He's just not having a good post season. I think Collins would be starting right now if not for Nurk being out and Kanter playing with one arm. We need Collins as our backup center, otherwise it's Meyers Leonard time.

But I really hope that Stotts will have a quick hook if Aminu is looking checked out again.

 

[blue9]

Kick him to the curb!

 

[B-Roy]

I think your question is what to do with him next year. Optimal path imo is resign Kanter and start Collins.

Run 3 bigs rotation with Collins/Nurk/Kanter. Mo can play spot minutes at PF.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think your question is what to do with him next year. Optimal path imo is resign Kanter and start Collins.

Run 3 bigs rotation with Collins/Nurk/Kanter. Mo can play spot minutes at PF.

I think we have to look at right now. If he plays as badly as he did against Denver, he's a huge liability out there. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd rather have Turner guarding the Donkey if Aminu is playing that badly.

 

[Reep]

Stay the course for the playoffs. I think the real question comes at the end of the season. If he continues to play sub-par in the playoffs, and you have Zach in the wings, do you resign him? I know there are many in the organization that have seen him as a core part of the team, but I would be inclined to let him walk and take my chances with Collins as starting PF with Skal as backup.

 

[Chris Craig]

Start him. He will play better vs GS

 

[andalusian]

Do what Terry did in game 7. Start him, if he bombs, sub him out.

 

[BBert]

I think Aminu will do better vs. GS. For one thing, their game plan will be to let him shoot. I still worry about his energy and mental mistakes though.

But I think the probability is less than 50% he will be a Blazer next season.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think Aminu will do better vs. GS. For one thing, their game plan will be to let him shoot. I still worry about his energy and mental mistakes though.

But I think the probability is less than 50% he will be a Blazer next season.

Mentally he seems so out of it. When he shoots free throws, he looks completely psyched out.

 

[riverman]

Mentally he seems so out of it. When he shoots free throws, he looks completely psyched out.

Last couple games I wondered if he is also Muslim and fasting with more of a struggle than Enes….I hate to assume he's Muslim just because of his name but wondered why he wasn't mentioned in the conversation about it. Chief could also very well be sick...Casey said Dame's been not feeling well for the last couple games or so.

 

[Reep]

Mentally he seems so out of it. When he shoots free throws, he looks completely psyched out.

I agree he seems distracted. Not sure what is going on with him. I have never seen him like this.

 

[andalusian]

I agree he seems distracted. Not sure what is going on with him. I have never seen him like this.

I wonder if Chief is also observing Ramadan

 

[Natebishop3]

Last couple games I wondered if he is also Muslim and fasting with more of a struggle than Enes….I hate to assume he's Muslim just because of his name but wondered why he wasn't mentioned in the conversation about it. Chief could also very well be sick...Casey said Dame's been not feeling well for the last couple games or so.

According to this article, Kanter, Chief, and Nurk are all Muslim.

https://www.wweek.com/sports/2019/0...is-year-under-new-circumstances-the-playoffs/

 

[riverman]

According to this article, Kanter, Chief, and Nurk are all Muslim.

https://www.wweek.com/sports/2019/0...is-year-under-new-circumstances-the-playoffs/

I guess the question would be "practicing Muslim"...observing Ramadan...Chief looks anemic last couple games and could be related to blood sugar levels...hopefully he's in game shape. Also wonder why it hasn't come up in interviews since they ask Kanter about it every 5 minutes? Thanks for the link!

 

[Natebishop3]

I guess the question would be "practicing Muslim"...observing Ramadan...Chief looks anemic last couple games and could be related to blood sugar levels...hopefully he's in game shape. Also wonder why it hasn't come up in interviews since they ask Kanter about it every 5 minutes? Thanks for the link!

I think the bigger issue for Kanter is not being able to take medication. I think playing without food and water is bad enough.... but feeling 100% of the shoulder pain would make things so much harder.

 

[BBert]

Mentally he seems so out of it. When he shoots free throws, he looks completely psyched out.

Aminu is normally very clutch from the line.

 

[GhostOfPGA]

Aminu’s defense will be valuable against guys like Klay, Iggy, and Green. He should play and start still. I’d say Aminu is actually stylistically a good fit for us against GS with his switching defense.

 

[dviss1]

Last couple games I wondered if he is also Muslim and fasting with more of a struggle than Enes….I hate to assume he's Muslim just because of his name but wondered why he wasn't mentioned in the conversation about it. Chief could also very well be sick...Casey said Dame's been not feeling well for the last couple games or so.

Aminu is Muslim.

 

[dviss1]

Last couple games I wondered if he is also Muslim and fasting with more of a struggle than Enes….I hate to assume he's Muslim just because of his name but wondered why he wasn't mentioned in the conversation about it. Chief could also very well be sick...Casey said Dame's been not feeling well for the last couple games or so.

Jusuf Nurkic must be Muslim too:

 

[GhostOfPGA]

Jusuf Nurkic must be Muslim too:

I wonder if Nurk and Aminu are practicing Muslims like Kanter.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I agree he seems distracted. Not sure what is going on with him. I have never seen him like this.

Looming free agency.

 

[blue9]

Looming free agency.

He's trying to suppress his value so we can afford to keep him?

 

[dviss1]

I wonder if Nurk and Aminu are practicing Muslims like Kanter.

Did you watch the video? Nurk is.

 

[kjironman1]

Not sure it's the best time for a thread like this but that's just my opinion right?

 

[kjironman1]

I wonder if Nurk and Aminu are practicing Muslims like Kanter.

Aminu is. Not sure why it isn't talked about as much?

 

[dviss1]

Not sure it's the best time for a thread like this but that's just my opinion right?

I don't see anything wrong with this thread. It's a legit question.

Stotts even answered it by playing him only 7 minutes last game.

 

[Scalma]

Start him with a short leash. So, the usual. Well need him if/when KD gets back. I wouldn’t bench him completely just yet.

 

[dviss1]

Aminu is. Not sure why it isn't talked about as much?

Because it's Muslims from the middle East most are afraid of. Nigeria (where most of my genes come from) isn't some oppressive regime either.

 

[Natebishop3]

Not sure it's the best time for a thread like this but that's just my opinion right?

Hmmmm.... you might be right.....

Should I have written it earlier in the day? Maybe like.... 9:30? Or should I have waited until closer to game time? Say...... 5:30? I just figured posting it right before lunch time would mean a higher participation rate. But you might have a point. People wasting time at work won't be looking at RC2 at lunch. That was a rookie mistake on my part.

 

[Reep]

Looming free agency.

Maybe, but if so then he is approaching it the wrong way.