Who should be our starting frontcourt?

[PtldPlatypus]

Preseason is over; we have all the information we're going to get. So now, you be Stotts. Who should start/get the majority of the frontcourt minutes?

 

[Denny Crane]

I like Davis a lot. He brings veteran leadership to the team, even though he's still young. This is his third team and he's done well everywhere as a role player. I think it's time to give him real minutes and see what he can do with that confidence.

 

[illmatic99]

Davis and Plums are fairly interchangeable on D and rebounding, but I like Plums' ability to create and pass a bit more than Davis'. Because of that, I'd rather he play more in lineups when Dame is not on the floor.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I seem to like Davis/Leonard if bring in Vonleh relatively quickly for Leonard (there seems to be some good chemistry with both Vonleh/Davis and Meyers/Mason) and then bring in both Leonard and Plumlee when Davis gets gassed. Basically, just make sure that you minimize Davis/Plumlee time.

 

[Draco]

Davis should start; he's the best defensive big we have. Since we have a less than ideal defensive starting backcourt we need at least one good defensive big man. Vonleh is way too young; he might even have some DNP's. Plumlee can't be paired with Davis as a starter since neither can shoot. Out of the above choices Meyers is thus the PF by default.

The funny advantage to a Plumlee/Meyers duo is they look similar at a glance to defenders. Meyers gets a few open threes when opponents mistake him for Plumlee.

I do wonder if Aminu or Harkless would be best at PF. Meyers got burned multiple times last night on the perimeter. Guards and Pierce were draining open threes over him when he got switched. He is going to have a lot of problems guarding those players or mobile 4's this year.

 

[illmatic99]

I do wonder if Aminu or Harkless would be best at PF. Meyers got burned multiple times last night on the perimeter. Guards and Pierce were draining open threes over him when he got switched. He is going to have a lot of problems guarding those players or mobile 4's this year.

Was physically getting sick watching Leonard get torched by Pierce on the perimeter. In the regular season, think Terry would move him to 5 and bring back Hark/Aminu to get after the stretch 4s.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I do wonder if Aminu or Harkless would be best at PF. Meyers got burned multiple times last night on the perimeter. Guards and Pierce were draining open threes over him when he got switched. He is going to have a lot of problems guarding those players or mobile 4's this year.

Vonleh got abused by Pierce as well. I think in a lot of games we will at least close with Aminu or Harkless at the PF against smaller lineups. Nice to have that flexibility. I think they are a better option than using Wright like we did last year.

 

[TBpup]

Not worried about Leonard or Vonleh getting torched by a future HoF'er playing the stretch '4'. If Aminu and/or Harkless is available, we match up small. Won't happen in the regular season so no biggie. There is a lot to like about the length of Plums/Legend and as they get more confidence and court time together, I expect a nice growth curve.

 

[Natebishop3]

Davis for sure.

I like Vonleh. I think he has a higher upside than Leonard. I would go with a Davis/Vonleh front court.

 

[Draco]

Was physically getting sick watching Leonard get torched by Pierce on the perimeter. In the regular season, think Terry would move him to 5 and bring back Hark/Aminu to get after the stretch 4s.

Yeah it will be interesting if we do much small ball with Aminu/Harkless at PF. With both out obviously we were hurting for wings last night. If they do play PF it may be hard to keep our bigs happy with minutes.

 

[jlprk]

The basic problem is that we have only one player, Lillard, who would start for any team. All others are faux starters. Olshey picked up other teams' solid 6th and 7th men in order to not pay much. They weren't starting for a reason...each has weaknesses to cover up. The Golden Future will solve that.

 

[Draco]

Davis for sure.

I like Vonleh. I think he has a higher upside than Leonard. I would go with a Davis/Vonleh front court.

To start opening night? I'm interested in Vonleh but he needs to be a regular backup first. It can be horrible for a young players development if they're in too big of a role too soon and fail.

 

[Reep]

Davis for sure.

I like Vonleh. I think he has a higher upside than Leonard. I would go with a Davis/Vonleh front court.

I read the question as who should start now. But, if you said by the end of the year or next year, Davis and Vonleh might be my choice too. They seem to play well together, but I'm not sure Vonleh is ready to start now, but he will be at some point.

 

[Draco]

I read the question as who should start now. But, if you said by the end of the year or next year, Davis and Vonleh might be my choice too. They seem to play well together, but I'm not sure Vonleh is ready to start now, but he will be at some point.

If that's the case; then shouldn't we be very cautious of extending Meyers? Some fans seem to think he needs to be extended now for even $11 million a season for fear he could be offered the max next summer. I'd rather wait because I don't want us to be stuck with a backup earning eight figures per year.

I could certainly see it being possible Davis and Plumlee are best as a center duo and Aminu best as a starting PF this season. Then Meyers is playing 15mpg most of the year. Or maybe by the end of the season Vonleh had won the starting PF spot. So much is unknown. Yes Meyers shoots awesome percentages but it's always been on a tiny 15% usage rate so it has almost none of the positive effects a Dirk/Durant/Ray Allen player have had.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

If that's the case; then shouldn't we be very cautious of extending Meyers? Some fans seem to think he needs to be extended now for even $11 million a season for fear he could be offered the max next summer. I'd rather wait because I don't want us to be stuck with a backup earning eight figures per year.

I could certainly see it being possible Davis and Plumlee are best as a center duo and Aminu best as a starting PF this season. Then Meyers is playing 15mpg most of the year. Or maybe by the end of the season Vonleh had won the starting PF spot. So much is unknown. Yes Meyers shoots awesome percentages but it's always been on a tiny 15% usage rate so it has almost none of the positive effects a Dirk/Durant/Ray Allen player have had.

Sounds like now would be the time to consider dealing Leonard, if we're looking at Vonleh/Davis as a long term front court. Wonder what a Leonard/Kaman/Henderson package could fetch. Probably not as much as I'd hope...

 

[Draco]

Sounds like now would be the time to consider dealing Leonard, if we're looking at Vonleh/Davis as a long term front court. Wonder what a Leonard/Kaman/Henderson package could fetch. Probably not as much as I'd hope...

A first round pick, top11 protected?

 

[Reep]

If that's the case; then shouldn't we be very cautious of extending Meyers? Some fans seem to think he needs to be extended now for even $11 million a season for fear he could be offered the max next summer. I'd rather wait because I don't want us to be stuck with a backup earning eight figures per year.

I could certainly see it being possible Davis and Plumlee are best as a center duo and Aminu best as a starting PF this season. Then Meyers is playing 15mpg most of the year. Or maybe by the end of the season Vonleh had won the starting PF spot. So much is unknown. Yes Meyers shoots awesome percentages but it's always been on a tiny 15% usage rate so it has almost none of the positive effects a Dirk/Durant/Ray Allen player have had.

Funny, I was just thinking the same thing as I wrote that. If Vonleh ends up progressing more quickly than Meyers, does that change the price you pay? I think it could.

If Meyers is aggressive and progresses quickly showing confident shooting, solid defensive rebounding and good paint defense, then he is a lock. But, if he is timid on his shot and still confused on post defense....and Vonleh become a more confident scorer and defender, then I could see the Blazers letting Leonard become a RFA and just matching. Blazers could end up in an Kanter squeeze where they have to pay Leonard more than they may want to.

In the end, if Vonleh progresses and applies pressure then it is all good upside. Likely they keep both because both can play 4/5 and you can always trade Plumlee or Davis if you really need to.

 

[Reep]

Sounds like now would be the time to consider dealing Leonard, if we're looking at Vonleh/Davis as a long term front court. Wonder what a Leonard/Kaman/Henderson package could fetch. Probably not as much as I'd hope...

I'm not sure Davis is the long term solution. I think the team's hope is Leonard/Vonleh, which would be killer if both progress as both can hit the outside shot well and both can score at the rim. Leonard is the better defensive rebounder to go with Vonleh on the offensive boards. That would be the perfect storm.

 

[jlprk]

Vonleh is our only frontcourt player who has the potential to learn to post up. He has the weight and the youth. Our coaches should immediately, before he becomes another midrange Aldridge, yell at him constantly to post up.

But I wouldn't start him now. I'd make this year his boot camp.

 

[blue9]

I'm not sure Davis is the long term solution. I think the team's hope is Leonard/Vonleh, which would be killer if both progress as both can hit the outside shot well and both can score at the rim. Leonard is the better defensive rebounder to go with Vonleh on the offensive boards. That would be the perfect storm.

This is my long-term thinking, and it's why I think Meyers should start at C with Davis as our PF. Vonleh, from the little I've seen, is still quite a ways off from starting - I'll say that he won't earn it this season. Next season would be the soonest he could be ready. Bring Vonleh along slowly as our back-up PF, but it's time to put Meyers in the starting C position - sink or swim time for him.

 

[Draco]

I'm not sure Davis is the long term solution. I think the team's hope is Leonard/Vonleh, which would be killer if both progress as both can hit the outside shot well and both can score at the rim. Leonard is the better defensive rebounder to go with Vonleh on the offensive boards. That would be the perfect storm.

Always need a backup. If they became that killer starting duo Davis would be able to backup either spot.

I'm really not sure about Plumlee long term. He can dribble but do we really need that from a center? His defense isn't great. Obviously can't shoot so have to be careful who he shares the court with. An interesting piece but I'm not sure if he is the type of player who plays on a second round playoff team.

 

[blue9]

Always need a backup. If they became that killer starting duo Davis would be able to backup either spot.

I'm really not sure about Plumlee long term. He can dribble but do we really need that from a center? His defense isn't great. Obviously can't shoot so have to be careful who he shares the court with. An interesting piece but I'm not sure if he is the type of player who plays on a second round playoff team.

I do think either Davis or Plumlee will be traded. Maybe not this season, but eventually. I suspect Plumlee will have the higher trade value, so I expect he'll be the one traded at some point. If Vonleh pans out and Meyers continues on his trajectory I think a Meyers/Vonleh/Davis front court is very good. But first Vonleh needs to make BIG strides in his game, and Meyers needs to prove he can play an NBA season and not just half a Playoff series.

 

[Natebishop3]

To start opening night? I'm interested in Vonleh but he needs to be a regular backup first. It can be horrible for a young players development if they're in too big of a role too soon and fail.

The thing is, I think the same thing could be said about Meyers. He never had a regular spot in the rotation last year, and outside of a nice showing the playoffs, has he really shown that he can be consistent? I think Meyers might be a little bit further along than Vonleh in terms of development, but not by much, and I think it's possible that he's in too big of a role too soon as well.

 

[blue9]

The thing is, I think the same thing could be said about Meyers. He never had a regular spot in the rotation last year, and outside of a nice showing the playoffs, has he really shown that he can be consistent? I think Meyers might be a little bit further along than Vonleh in terms of development, but not by much, and I think it's possible that he's in too big of a role too soon as well.

Difference being that this is, ostensibly, Meyers 4th (?) season and Vonleh's 1st season. It's time to throw Meyers out there and see what happens. It's FAR too soon to do that with Vonleh.

 

[Draco]

The thing is, I think the same thing could be said about Meyers. He never had a regular spot in the rotation last year, and outside of a nice showing the playoffs, has he really shown that he can be consistent? I think Meyers might be a little bit further along than Vonleh in terms of development, but not by much, and I think it's possible that he's in too big of a role too soon as well.

Hey welcome to the Aminu as starting PF bandwagon!

 

[blue9]

Hey welcome to the Aminu as starting PF bandwagon!

Boooooo!

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I think all of them can be interchangeable and I think all of them should get around 20-28 minutes a night.

 

[riverman]

I went with Leonard and Davis...I think Davis will benefit Leonard's game more than Plumlee and Vonleh will look to score more with Plumlee

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think Vonleh is the future of the 4 position (well, he's the guy with the highest chance currently on the roster at least) so maybe he doesn't start now, but at some point in the year I suspect Vonleh/Davis will be our best front-court duo.

 

[Reep]

I think Vonleh is the future of the 4 position (well, he's the guy with the highest chance currently on the roster at least) so maybe he doesn't start now, but at some point in the year I suspect Vonleh/Davis will be our best front-court duo.

I am all for them developing this slowly. Vonleh can learn things from almost every forward on this team. He has shown to be productive in limited minutes so continue to ease him in.

I really like Leonard/Vonleh because of the dual inside out game, but the quickness of a Davis/Vonleh lineup is very effective and fun to watch too.