Claver may become a big surprise

I was contemplating the line-up and believe that we may see a lot of Claver as the stretch 4 in the 4th quarter. He has a ton of B-Ball IQ and seems to know his role. I could see in crunch time, Claver being a very important part of the rotation.

I just hope the kid develops a good mid range game. Finishing at the rim is a MUST!

It's pretty insane but our best 5 man rotation was Lillard, Maynor, Batum, Aldridge and Leonard<-- I know... it doesn't bode well for my thinking Leonard sucks

But very close behind is:
Lillard, Matthews, Batum, Babbit and Aldridge. If Claver could just hit from the perimeter; I think he could be a smarter "stretch 4" than Babbitt. He just needs range.

 

If only we could persuade Aldridge to play center for most the game. I know its a stretch, but I think we are much better this way.

 

Actually, I'm looking forward to the Lillard-CJ-Matthews-Batum-Aldridge small ball lineup. Everyone can shoot.

Back on topic:
Claver needs to become an ace shooter, not finisher.

 

That ain't gonna happen any time soon, Mags.

 

Lopez is still just a 20-25 minute producer. I suspect it to stay the same. Is be way more comfortable if Aldridge was taking the majority of the center minutes. Then we could have claver and trob get more minutes.

 

Lopez is going to have to play 30 minutes. Maybe not a second more but we will need those 30 minutes.

He hasn't yet in his career of course but I think he is up to the task. Just don't try to go to 34 or more with him. Then you are asking for trouble.

 

OK, I'll bite. Why?

 

I see it like this.

Lopez 20-25 minutes, Aldridge at 10-15 minutes, Leonard at 10-15 minutes at center
Aldridge at 20-25 minutes, T Rob at 10-15 minutes, and Claver at 5-10 minutes at PF

I think if we have a rotation like that; we could have Aldridge play 30-35 minutes, Lopez 20-25 minutes, T Rob 10-15 minutes, Leonard 10-15 minutes and Claver 5-10 minutes. I think it's a solid rotation.

 

In this two biggest (statistical) games last year he played 38 and 33 minutes. He was 24/11/6 in one and 29/3/3 in the other. And those were games 27 and 28 of the season.

 

I think he will have a much easier time playing next to Aldridge. Defenses will focus on Aldridge mainly; while most the time, their centers will be matched up against him as well. Lopez will probably have many PFs guarding him because he's not as big of a risk; being that he isn't polished offensively.

I don't doubt that Lopez can make the 30 minute mark; but I think he will have the same "Hickson minutes" from last season. So 30 minutes isn't as hard for me to fathom. Although I could see less minutes, so more minutes can go to T.Rob and Claver (When he is playing).

 

But there were games when Aldridge played considerable minutes. Like 42+. Doesn't mean he could do it all season.

 

I not saying he is going to play 38 or even 33 all season. But he will sometimes and that will offset the games he plays only 26. I think he averages 30.

 

i think he is certainly capable of 30 min a night but I think the key to that will be staying out of foul trouble. And the key to that will be Damian Lillard. If Lillard can make the jump in defense that we hope he will it will keep opposing PG's out of the lane which will cut down on our fouls by our center thus keeping Lopez in the game longer. I wonder if, or rather I hope Dame realizes just how much impact improving his defense has on the whole team by a domino effect.

 

If Lopez can give us 30 mpg without injury; our team will be really really good! I hope you're right!

 

I honestly think Claver has the highest basketball IQ on the team. Hopefully he can put it all together. You put his brain in Leonard's body and we would be unstoppable

 

I agree. Having Lillard improve even 30% on defense will be a game changer.

 

For some reason I see that potential in Claver and have what is probably unrealistically high hopes for him to be great all round glue guy that has occasional great games.