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.
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
/Insert hyperoveroptimistic post about the starters only playing 20 mpg because we'll be up by 30 every game. /endimitationofffamousactor
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.
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.
No idea what you mean, it equals 240 minutes. I assume a 48 minute regulation game that is not a blowout.
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.
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.
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.
