Why does Aminu play so much?

[Blazers Roy]

Then Aminu gets injured and everyone asks: "what the hell happened to our team defense???"...

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Honest question here: do you base this off of Aminu's RPG? Because I'd guess that Aminu grabs 2 or fewer contested rebounds per game. Obviously I don't have hard data to back this up, but from what I see the vast majority of his rebounds come when the only other people in position to grab the ball are his own teammates.

No I honestly didn't even look at a stat when I threw it out there. I just don't feel like Zach at this point is a very good rebounder, and Aminu while not a great rebounder is better. It was just my opinion from watching games.

 

[Scalma]

The solution here is simple. Move Aminu back to SF.

Dame
CJ
Aminu
Collins
Nurkic

Curry
Stauskas
Turner
Layman/Harkless
Swanigan/Leonard

 

[BBert]

The part I don't understand is why Aminu seems to always check back in with Dame and CJ like he has to be on the floor with those two.

Maybe there is some kind of defensive metric they are going by, i.e. to cover for their defense.

 

[BBert]

Because Harkless is injured?

 

[ripcityboy]

The ability to stick Aminu on the opposing team's best player and know he's not embarrassing himself out there, is a comforting thought.

 

[jlprk]

The part I don't understand is why Aminu seems to always check back in with Dame and CJ like he has to be on the floor with those two.

To have the best defender compensate for the worst defenders?

 

[hoopsjock]

To have the best defender compensate for the worst defenders?

If that was the case, sure, but Aminu has not played good help defense this year so that ruins that theory.

 

[James lamphear]

Zach sooner or later will take over the 4 spot. But this will not be the year. Next year Aminu might not be on the team next year due to he is UFA. I see Zach the starting 4 next year. Will Olshey sign next year I don't know it could be Aminu might be this year Davis with Olshey next year.

 

[mook]

The league is really moving toward mobile 4s, especially if you are rolling out a slow center like Nurk. Obviously, Collins is mobile too, but in the end with defensive liabilities in CJ and (to a lesser extent this year) Dame, you need someone who can consistently switch out to guards on the perimeter. Aminu is your better option there. Also, with guys like LeBron, Durant, Kahwi and Giannis out there, you have to start Aminu. Historically, Aminu has always played much better at PF than SF, and Collins has demonstrated that he's a consummate team player who has no problem coming off the bench. So there you are.

I don't think Collins is long for this bench role, though. At some point an injury or a losing streak will force Stotts' hand, and he'll keep the starting job for a decade or more to come.

 

[BonesJones]

Mhh, my biggest Problem with Aminu is, you Never know which Aminu you will get. Sometimes he plays like shit, and on the other Night he knocks down 3s and plays lockdown Defense against the best opponent Offensive Player. But his shot is sooo inconstant, i Never feel comfortable when he is Shooting. Anyway Collins is the Future , question is at the 4 or at the 5

I think the future is Collins starting at the 4 and then playing backup 5 (kinda like how CJ would start at the 2, sub before Dame, then sub in as the backup PG)

 

[BonesJones]

The solution here is simple. Move Aminu back to SF.

Dame
CJ
Aminu
Collins
Nurkic

Curry
Stauskas
Turner
Layman/Harkless
Swanigan/Leonard

I don't like the idea of Aminu there. I feel like SF would exacerbate his weaknesses.

 

[KingSpeed]

Aminu is one of our most talented most important players when it comes to winning. I don’t know what to say to someone who can’t see that. He shut down Mirotic the other night. He always ups his game in the playoffs. He’s our best answer on defense to guard Durant, something that is necessary to win a title in this league. His signing has been Neil’s best move.

 

[KingSpeed]

+/- on the team:
1. CJ - +90 (in 318 minutes)
2. Aminu - +80 (in 287 minutes)
3. Lillard - +79 (in 335 minutes)
4. Curry - +71
5. Nurk - +67
6. Turner - +63
7. Collins - +45 (in 206 minutes)

Aminu continues to be our most underrated player. Just replay the tape of Aminu vs. LeBron.

Precisely

 

[KingSpeed]

Honest question here: do you base this off of Aminu's RPG? Because I'd guess that Aminu grabs 2 or fewer contested rebounds per game. Obviously I don't have hard data to back this up, but from what I see the vast majority of his rebounds come when the only other people in position to grab the ball are his own teammates.

Jesus Christ you don’t pay attention. Aminu is the king of sneaking in for a clutch rebound.

 

[KingSpeed]

I feel pretty comfortable when Aminu switches on anyone. I can't really say that for anyone else on the team.

When he starts dribbling though.....

He’s been great when dribbling this year.

 

[Pinwheel1]

He’s been great when dribbling this year.

So in other words he is dribbling less which makes it great. That is not really a slam on Aminu because he plays the 4 and very few "PFs" in this league should ever handle the ball in traffic.

But yes he has driven to the basket a few times and dunked it this year. And he should continue to do that when the opposing players jump out at him at the 3 pt line. He just should never try to dribble in traffic, or drive and pass. If he is attacking the rim in the half court.......just keep going all the way to the basket. Passing while dribbling is not his strength. All he needs to do to help this team is play defense, rebound, take an occasional 3 to see if he is hot, and attack the basket when a lane opens up. That is actually quite a lot so there is no need to try to do more. We have better shooters on this team so whenever possible get them the ball and let them do what they do best.

Every player has a role, it drives me crazy when any player tries to do something they do no excel at. It would be great to have players who can do it all, but very few can.

 

[Scalma]

My favorite Aminu play is when he airballs a three when there isn’t a defender within 5 feet of him.

But seriously, I know he’s streaky, but his three point shooting has fallen off a cliff so far. But if you look at his attempts, his best percentages have come when he’s averaged over 4 a game. So as much as I don’t want to see it, he probably should be putting up more shots.

I think it’s just a matter of time before Collins supplants him though.

 

[Natebishop3]

Aminu is one of our most talented most important players when it comes to winning.

I am also talented at winning.

 

[ripcityboy]

My favorite Aminu play is when he airballs a three when there isn’t a defender within 5 feet of him.

But seriously, I know he’s streaky, but his three point shooting has fallen off a cliff so far. But if you look at his attempts, his best percentages have come when he’s averaged over 4 a game. So as much as I don’t want to see it, he probably should be putting up more shots.

I think it’s just a matter of time before Collins supplants him though.

I keep wishing they'd pass the ball to Layman in those circumstances. At least give him a chance to get confidence up.

 

[illmatic99]

Aminu played an absolutely terrific game last night. Credit where it's due.

 

[Blazer4ever]

3rd on the team in minutes. Bringing us nothing on offense, overstated defensive impact. Shot has gone to hell this year so far, and he clogs the offensive attack as a result. With Layman playing well and Collins primed for a breakout, there is no reason for Chief to play this much.

Collins and Nurkic have played together for a total of 5 mins this season for a net rating of 36 points per 100 possessions.

Aminu and Nurkic have played together for a total of 222 mins this season for a net rating of 15.5 points per 100 possessions.

Not much to make of these numbers given the sample size in the Zach/Nurk lineups, but why not even try it? What does Aminu do better than Zach?

I was anti chief but changed my opinion completely the opposite of you this season. His one on one defense makes him an asset, as well as his rebounding, and we can live with the few times a game it's him taking the open shot

 

[BonesJones]

He’s been great when dribbling this year.

Great is an overstatement..

 

[e_blazer]

I am also talented at winning.

Charlie Sheen, is that you?