12/27/11 Kings at Blazers Game Thread

This Blazer Smith was listed twice on the boxscore, so I'll combine his lines.

15 minutes, 8 points shooting 4-6 FG, 0 FT, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 rebounds, 1 foul, 0 turnovers, 0 blocks

Smith can do it all!

 

I think Nate should tweak the rotation: Batum should get Matthews minutes. Bring Smith off the bench along with Crawford to have an inside/outside scoring presense.

Felton/Crawford
Batum/Williams
Wallace/Matthews
Aldridge/Smith
Camby/Johnson

 

I liked Wes more with a bum ankle! Come on, Wes!

 

Maybe that's where it will end up, but I've got a hunch Nate (rightfully) won't do anything to the starting lineup for at least 10-15 games or so ... these guys still need to work themselves into shape and get comfortable playing with each other; there's going to be a lot of rough basketball the first month.

 

Yes I agree that Craig Smith needs CJ's minutes. I also agree the blazers are playing excellent defense. Unfortunately it is resulting in giving up offensive rebounds at times. But they are really hustling out there.

The offense is painfull to watch at times. I agree they need more time to gel. But damn when they rely on jump shots it can get ugly. They play so hard on D they look exhausted out there on O.

They need Greg and more from there SG's.

 

amirightoramiright?

 

this should be rotation

Felton/Smith (or trade for a backup PG at deadline)
Wes/Crawford
Wallace/Batum
LA/RHINO
Camby/Thomas

Johnson & Johnson, Williams, Babbit DNPs on most nights.

Only glaring weakness is backup PG. We are fucked if Felton goes down.

 

The very available DJ Augustin would be huge.

 

Smith looks to be a decent backup..... Duke kids know how to play the game.

Augustine would be amazing as a backup here. Call Rich ASAP?

Well maybe my vision is clouded after the Aarmon Johnson experiment

 

Boy Ty Evans sure has fizzled since his rookie year. He still is decent but not all world like he was looking.

And what was Wesphal think about in the 3rd quarter. I.Thomas and the Jimmer at the same time? Did he really have no other options.

 

There's no guarantees Felton will be here after he hits free agency this summer. Frankly, if you trade for Augustin it means you want him to be your starter and don't want to break the bank on Felton as the long-term starter.

 

Kings can score but they have 1 really good player in Cousins (who is a nut job) and a bunch of chuckers. They can win any night if the three ball is falling but vs good defensive teams they will be terrible. Evans looks like a real average player at this point. Def not a star. Cousins is by far and away the best player on Sac town.

 

I think they resign Felton. Lots of teams have starters at PG and we will have lots of $$$.

In fact im guessing Felton and Batum get contracts and wallace opts out. The Blazers will prob sign a big free agent center and a decent guy like crawford for bench.

So Im thinking....

Felton, Wes, Batum, LA, N. Smith, Thomas, Williams, Freeland will be on roster.....

Wallace, Camby, Oden, C. Smith, Crawford wont be.

 

Why do you think he is very available? He won their first game for them. Are you guessing because they drafted Kemba Walker? I guess if the price was right they would.

 

With no TO's, Nate will use Smith quite a bit.

 

Don't think we need a PG at all. Let Nolan develop behind Felton/Cross.

I don't really think we need any moves right now, outside of landing maybe a shooter and/or a big man.

Someone like Ryan Anderson would be perfect, but I don't want to give up the pieces to get him. I liked Steve Novak as well, but someone else got him.

 

Dave from blazers edge....

"Nolan Smith hit 2-2 shots for 4 points in 7 minutes but couldn't run the point and couldn't defend, looking even more not ready than Johnson."

 

It's your hair. Only you'd know.

 

No reason to rush Nolan.

But we do need to trade for a backup PG by the deadline. I don't like Crawford looking to create for others. We brought him here to score in bunches.

 

I don't understand you guys. 2-0. New running game. Two players playing at an All Star level. And all you talk about is how Matthews is shooting badly and Nolan Smith isn't a viable backup PG. Relax guys. Enjoy this! This is fun. Ger-ald Wall-ace clap clap, clap clap clap, Ger-ald Wall-ace, clap...etc