You are the coach; assign minutes

[BigGameDamian]

Well, of course, I don't know for sure. It's a just a thought. But I do think that he will command some time by his play alone. And more at the two and not the one.

That would be pretty ballsy of a non-high profile rookie commanding minutes with a team that is loaded with a good front court already. Especially when he hasn't even shown anything in the NBA yet. I mean lets not act like we just drafted a Damion Lillard all over again.

 

[PapaG]

All I'm saying is that when Lopez is off the floor, I would feel much more comfortable with Robinson guarding the opposition's best post player than I would with MyLe. You disagree with this assessment?

And why not re-sign JJ? A) he cost more than Robinson; B) Hickson doesn't defend

Yes.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

That would be pretty ballsy of a non-high profile rookie commanding minutes with a team that is loaded with a good front court already. Especially when he hasn't even shown anything in the NBA yet. I mean lets not act like we just drafted a Damion Lillard all over again.

When I say command, I don't mean with verbiage or a demand, I mean by his play. I think he will make the coach play him.

As for Damion Lillard. Haven't you heard the comparison already? Not saying that he is because he obviously struggles to run the point. But the comparisons have been made.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I know you consider him garbage now that he hasn't showed he can run the point guard. But there are reasons why insiders like David Aldridge thinks a player like McCollum will put Portland on the map. I'm trusting their word and thinking they have a stud.

I never said he's garbage. I said I'm sure this team would do just fine with him or without him.

 

[Natebishop3]

I agree with you on the minutes that you propose, NateBishop3. Perry the Platypus's idea of having Robinson play center for 20 mpg is unrealistic, IMO. If he does, then this team whiffed on Leonard and/or Freeland as a bigger body inside, and with some post moves.

I definitely don't want him at center. We played that circus last year and I don't want a repeat. Not saying Robinson and Hickson are the same player, but we got Lopez for a reason. I don't see any point playing Robinson at center. Play Lopez 30 minutes, Aldridge 5-6, and let MyLe take the rest. Obviously these numbers can change depending on the game, whether it's a key opponent and Aldridge needs to play more, or it's a bigger team like the Pacers and we need more of Robinson. It's all conjecture at this point anyway. I'm most excited to see training camp and preseason because I think things will shake themselves out.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

I never said he's garbage. I said I'm sure this team would do just fine with him or without him.

He's probably the difference of this team making the playoffs and not. Scoring off the bench is what stopped this team last year. He will bring a lot of that IMO. In time, I think he will prove that he is a offensive juggernaut in the mold of your man Montae Ellis.

 

[Draco]

I just don't think Meyers is in any way a center that benefits LaMarcus inside. That is the whole reason to not have LaMarcus play center, so someone else is doing the dirty work. Robinson can rebound and bang with other bigs, Leonard can't. If anything I might call Meyers a SF before I called him a center. Robinson can do the rebounding and his defense was better than expected. I'm sure we'll see lineups where LaMarcus plays with either second year player early in the season and then we can make better judgement.

But regardless; LaMarcus played a ton of the backup center minutes years ago when we had Camby or Pryzbilla starting and that worked fine. The problem isn't him playing center 10 or 15 mins a night; it was last year when he had to effectively play center 40 minutes a night every time he was on the court.

 

[magnifier661]

I think there will be moments when Lopez, Aldridge and t rob are on the floor at the same time:

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think there will be moments when Lopez, Aldridge and t rob are on the floor at the same time:

Maybe as an experiment. But that will be short lived. Not enough ball handling skills with that unit. I would rather see Claver in the game if they need to go big/long. (Instead of Robinson)

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I think there will be moments when Lopez, Aldridge and t rob are on the floor at the same time:

Maybe against the Heat. With Lillard and Batum in the backcourt. I would like to see that.

 

[Draco]

I think there will be moments when Lopez, Aldridge and t rob are on the floor at the same time:

No, I don’t see this happening at all. The Blazers are overcrowded at the wing positions so there are no minutes available. If anything the opposite will happen where Batum or Wright get some small ball minutes at the 4. The team has questionable depth at the 4 and 5 so they won’t want those guys all playing at once with no backups available.

 

[dviss1]

Maybe against the Heat. With Lillard and Batum in the backcourt. I would like to see that.

That would be a disaster on Defense. Who is Robinson going to guard while playing SF? Lebron? Our Best team against MIA would be:

Lillard
Matthews
Batum
Aldridge
Lopez

 

[Wizard Mentor]

/Insert hyperoveroptimistic post about the starters only playing 20 mpg because we'll be up by 30 every game.

/endimitationofffamousactor

 

[Pinwheel1]

That would be a disaster on Defense. Who is Robinson going to guard while playing SF? Lebron? Our Best team against MIA would be:

Lillard
Matthews
Batum
Aldridge
Lopez

No one can really guard Lebron without help, but if we had to assign someone I would choose someone long with some lateral quickness. (Since he starts out 25 feet from the basket and works himself in.)

Batum is our best solution, followed by Claver, then Wright. I know not ideal, but Lebron often pulls up for a jump shot. Length will help, but you have to still be close to him. Neither LA or Robinson can stay with him when they try to guard him away from the basket.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

No one can really guard Lebron without help, but if we had to assign someone I would choose someone long with some lateral quickness. (Since he starts out 25 feet from the basket and works himself in.)

Batum is our best solution, followed by Claver, then Wright. I know not ideal, but Lebron often pulls up for a jump shot. Length will help, but you have to still be close to him. Neither LA or Robinson can stay with him when they try to guard him away from the basket.

Wes guarded LeBron well last year iirc.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Wes guarded LeBron well last year iirc.

Did he? I guess I should not be surprised. Wes does seem to do a good job with bigger players.
He has a little tougher time with really quick players. Which most guys do.

 

[KingSpeed]

Lopez (28) MyLe (5)
LMA (34) TRob (20)
Batum (30) Wright (22)
Wes (30) CJ (11)
Damian (34) Mo (26)

There aren't enough minutes for you scenario. Add em up!

 

[Draco]

There aren't enough minutes for you scenario. Add em up!

No idea what you mean, it equals 240 minutes. I assume a 48 minute regulation game that is not a blowout.

 

[Mediocre Man]

There aren't enough minutes for you scenario. Add em up!

Learn math, then post?

 

[Nikolokolus]

I highly suspect that Stotts is going to lean heavily on his starters once again this year. Not so much because he doesn't have capable backups, but more because I think he's going to start feeling some pressure to win. Of all of the new guys/young guys I suspect that only Robinson will immediately demand some spot in the rotation because of his rebounding prowess which nobody else on the team duplicates.

Starters:
Lillard 37
Matthews 34
Batum 35
LMA 37
Lopez 32

Backups:
Williams 24
CJ 8*
Wright 12
Robinson 15
"Mai li" 6*

*= more or less, but effectively table scraps increasing or going away depending on how they develop.

 

[magnifier661]

I highly suspect that Stotts is going to lean heavily on his starters once again this year. Not so much because he doesn't have capable backups, but more because I think he's going to start feeling some pressure to win. Of all of the new guys/young guys I suspect that only Robinson will immediately demand some spot in the rotation because of his rebounding prowess which nobody else on the team duplicates.

Starters:
Lillard 37
Matthews 34
Batum 35
LMA 37
Lopez 32

Backups:
Williams 24
CJ 8*
Wright 12
Robinson 15
"Mai li" 6*

*= more or less, but effectively table scraps increasing or going away depending on how they develop.

Not that I don't agree, but I think Matthews and Batum limited to 30 minutes would be best (IMO). I think they aren't made out to be players that can play heavy minutes.

 

[Draco]

I highly suspect that Stotts is going to lean heavily on his starters once again this year. Not so much because he doesn't have capable backups, but more because I think he's going to start feeling some pressure to win. Of all of the new guys/young guys I suspect that only Robinson will immediately demand some spot in the rotation because of his rebounding prowess which nobody else on the team duplicates.

My hope is we follow more of a Spurs model and keep all our players fresh so they are playing as well in April as in December. Extended bench minutes will give our subs more experience so if they have to play as a result of fouls or injury they are more seasoned and ready. Nate always rode his starters to death and Stotts did the same last season but with a much improved bench I'm interested to see how much that changes.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Not that I don't agree, but I think Matthews and Batum limited to 30 minutes would be best (IMO). I think they aren't made out to be players that can play heavy minutes.

Batum and Wesley have both had injury issues, but I don't think it's going to be an easy sell for Stotts to sit them for 18-20 minutes a game.

 

[magnifier661]

Batum and Wesley have both had injury issues, but I don't think it's going to be an easy sell for Stotts to sit them for 18-20 minutes a game.

You're probably right. I just hope the other players warrant more time. I think it will help with the general well being of Matthews and batum come post season.