Which young Trail Blazers player will make the jump this season?

[SlyPokerDog]

Which young player is most likely to make the jump into the regular rotation this season: Will Barton, CJ McCollum, Thomas Robinson or Meyers Leonard? Why?

 

[BlazerWookee]

I think not playing alongside Mo will do wonders for CJ...

 

[magnifier661]

Thomas Robinson for sure. He was already showing signs of great sub work. I think being traded to 3 teams in one year really fucked up his confidence. Now that he knows he found a home, he should be more relaxed. Also, we need his energy in a big way.

McCollum is another year away imo, but he should get some good burn.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

T-Rob. Him being the sole backup PF should help him out quite a bit now that we have some great veteran C experience off the bench. McCollum and Barton will be fighting for backup duties.

 

[kjironman1]

I seriously hope we see the biggest improvement in Meyers Leonard!

 

[Hobbesarable]

Thomas Robinson for sure. He was already showing signs of great sub work. I think being traded to 3 teams in one year really fucked up his confidence. Now that he knows he found a home, he should be more relaxed. Also, we need his energy in a big way.

McCollum is another year away imo, but he should get some good burn.

I like TRob and I also think he's found some stability with our team. However, I have a feeling CJ will be prepared in a big way this upcoming season.

 

[PDXFonz]

CJ will benefit from having his first complete season in the league following what seems to be an offseason of hard work and preperation.

There will be more minutes for him this year as well.

I also expect TRob to improve, but CJ definitely has the most room to make a leap in contribution.

 

[MarAzul]

This is the sad thing about not having any rookies. I guess I will hope for Meyers Leonard to journey forward into the hearts of Blazer fans.

 

[Minstrel]

I think Robinson has the best chance to make the jump to good player.

I think Leonard has the best chance to improve, because when you start from where he is...

 

[dviss1]

I hope it's Meyers Leonard. However, being in garbage time only mode is going to stifle his development. We'll be saying "there's a Meyers sighting!!"

I think T-Rob will be the one. Playing alongside Kaman will open up PLENTY of room for him to crash the boards and operate inside.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Our 5th string center won't get any minutes, so no chance to show improvement.

I think Leonard has the best chance to improve, because when you start from where he is...

 

[Minstrel]

Our 5th string center won't get any minutes, so no chance to show improvement.

He'll have to show it to his proud coaches in practice. "Look what I can do! Are you looking? Here I go!"

 

[riverman]

I hope it's Meyers Leonard. However, being in garbage time only mode is going to stifle his development. We'll be saying "there's a Meyers sighting!!"

I think T-Rob will be the one. Playing alongside Kaman will open up PLENTY of room for him to crash the boards and operate inside.

I voted CJ because I think he'll get minutes but Meyers is in a contract year and probably has the furthest to leap to get to the next level. I think TRob and Will made the leap last season after the allstar break. Meyers, CJ and Crabbe have to jump pretty far from last year.

 

[riverman]

Where are the Allan Crabbe, Joel Freeland choices though?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I voted CJ because I think TRob basically already made the leap and I can't see another huge leap in him this year because I don't think he is going to get enough (more) minutes for that.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

right next to the james southerland, darius morris, and diante garrett choices.

Where are the Allan Crabbe, Joel Freeland choices though?

 

[ShareTheRock]

I think CJ will get the greatest chance just because MO is gone. It is his opportunity to show what he can do. The other guys like T-Rob and esp Leonard will have to fight for minutes.

 

[PDXFonz]

CJ last year:
[IGM]kqC49HgMaz[/IGM]

CJ this year:
[IGM]sdBr_PgMaL[/IGM]

MB was on courtside talking about how much muscle dame has put on as well.

All of our guys seem to have put in legit work in the gym this offseason. They all seem hungry as hell too. That Spurs series must have left them feeling like they were better than that, which is great to see!

 

[oldmangrouch]

I went with TRob by default. None of them have much of a ceiling, but TRob has the chance to be Rueben Patterson without the personality disorder. A guy like that can make a real contribution.

 

[barfo]

An alternate poll would be: which one of these will be the first one out of the NBA?

barfo

 

[ripcityboy]

C.J. Can't think of anyone else really.

 

[Strenuus]

He'll have to show it to his proud coaches in practice. "Look what I can do! Are you looking? Here I go!"

 

[BBert]

The thread title says "who will make the jump this season". For that I think CJ will make the biggest "jump", from being injured and barely playing to surprising some people and contributing this season.

However, the poll asks who "will see time in the regular rotation". I went with TRob, because he has no one ahead of him off the bench at PF and I expect him to be better than last season.

 

[PDXFonz]

That noise she makes....uyuogh

 

[ehizzy3]

CJ last year:
[IGM]kqC49HgMaz[/IGM]

CJ this year:
[IGM]sdBr_PgMaL[/IGM]

MB was on courtside talking about how much muscle dame has put on as well.

All of our guys seem to have put in legit work in the gym this offseason. They all seem hungry as hell too. That Spurs series must have left them feeling like they were better than that, which is great to see!

Hahha it's IMG not igm

 

[KingSpeed]

Damian Lillard. MVP consideration.

 

[riverman]

Damian Lillard. MVP consideration.

Now I'm sure the season is getting close! Why not start at the top?

 

[ShareTheRock]

Now I'm sure the season is getting close! Why not start at the top?

Let's add all NBA first team and defensive player of the year while were at it!

 

[blue9]

I think both Barton and CJ will show huge improvements over last season.
Same with Joel, but he's not young.
And Robinson already started showing his progress last season - I think he'll just build on that.
I think we've got a really solid team. The only place where we're thin is SF. Given the depth at SG and PF I wonder if we might try to make a trade for a SF by packaging a SG & PF. Unless we play Barton at SF we don't have enough minutes for Wes, CJ and Barton. Or LMA, Robinson and Freeland...or Lopez, Kaman and Leonard. I think at least two of those 3rd stringers will show enough improvement that they'll NEED game minutes in order to keep developing, and I'm not so sure Stotts will be able to give them the necessary minutes. But I'd really love to see us keep everyone under 30mpg, and play all the guys that deserve to play.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

The only place where we're thin is SF.

Can you point out 10 teams that have a better backup SF than Dorell Wright? We are not as bad off at the 3 as you and others suggest.