This is a good point. Small sample size, too. However, I do think Will's defense, athleticism and nose for the ball is significantly better. He's also been shooting well from three (I know, small sample size again) and his hustle and offensive style keep the other team on their heels. He can score or get a shot off on anyone. I know Will will have his share of rookie OMG moments (he had some last night), but constant hustle lets me forgive a lot of sins. Players like MoChuck and Crawchuck just rub me the wrong way. Add in Mo's inability to play defense, and I just think he's an overall liability more often than not. Hey, some of us are grasping at straws here.
so do we consider trading Wes in the offseason as we have Will/CJ/Crabbe? keep in mind I said "consider"
Every time Wes attempts to drive to the basket and gets stuffed, which is about 4 out of 5 times he does it, I want to shoot myself. Last night I couldn't believe he just kept doing it. Isn't that one popular definition of insanity?
I think Wes is too streaky, and I think his defense is overrated. I like Wes a lot because of the intensity that he brings, and the leadership, and the heart, but he's pretty limited offensively. He hit another level early in the season when he was hitting virtually anything he threw at the rim, but those shots slowly stopped falling for him. During the regular season Wes averaged 16.4 ppg, 3.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.9 steals, while shooting 44% from the field and 39% from three with a PER of 15.7. In the playoffs Wes is currently averaging 14.6 ppg, 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.4 steals, while shooting 40% from the field and 31% from three with a PER of 9.7. His TS% and EFG% are down too. Regular season: 58.8 TS% and 54 eFG% Post season: 52 TS% and 48 eFG% So while Wes is getting more rebounds and steals, his shooting is way down, especially from three. I think that's one of the reasons why we have struggled so much. Our team was at its best when Wes was hitting those crazy stepback threes like they were layups early in the season. That's when we went on that long winning streak. Since then, Wes has come back down to earth and our team has struggled at times. Part of the problem is that I think Nic and Wes are too similar. They're both so streaky, so when both are struggling we have a real hard time scoring the basketball. Nic does so many other things, I'm usually fine with him taking a lesser role, but we really need Wes to contribute more on offense. I don't know how people feel about ORTG and DRTG, but Wes had an ORTG of 118 during the regular season, but he only has a 101 in the playoffs. I think that tells a pretty clear story about how well he has been shooting in the post season.
That's what I was thinking, too. Mo didn't look happy that his understudy was playing well. He didn't look pissed, but it definitely looked like he was mulling something over. I really hope he tells Olshey that he's opting out and that we should develop Barton to take his role. I don't know that Barton is better than Mo, but he's better for us than Mo. He provides something our team really lacks - that guy off the bench who just causes havoc. I love the tandem of Danger Will Robinson! Those two guys are the future of our bench. If we get a steadying vet to go with them - especially if said vet can handle the ball and set-up Will Robinson for high-percentage shots - then I think I'll like the bench next season. Honestly, 'Dre would be amazing with those two.
Olshey has to consider it. If he doesn't he isn't doing his job. I expect Olshey to upgrade the team in the offseason, one way or another. If he doesn't this place will go nuts!
If for no other reason, Barton is helping us by not getting completely burned by Patty Mills or whomever else Stotts has Mo guarding. I can't say enough about how bad Mo is on defense.
Wes tries to do way too much indeed. But his defense on SG's is crucial. If it wasn't for him we would not have beat Houston/Harden.
Yup. Gotta take the good with the bad. Wes is the heart & soul of this team, and that counts more in the plus column than his limitations do in the minus column. I'm not against upgrading ANY position, but I think we'd be hard pressed to find a better SG. Mostly because there just aren't that many good SGs in the league, and the ones that are good aren't really available. There were two factors for us beating HOU: #1 - Two historic performances from LMA #2 - Wes's defense on Harden One of those things you can count on, the other was a fluke.
His defense was definitely key against Houston, so how do you balance his poor shooting and the impact he brings on defense? I think he needs to play with more control and within himself. Some of his shots are just head scratching.
Honestly, I would move Nic to shooting guard and bring in a consistent scorer like Deng at small forward.
Terry just needs to put his foot down. Mathews has to start passing better/faster/more often. The Blazers success is 100% determined by its sharing of the basketball.
Pizza with mustar > Pizza with mustard and dill, shrug. I don't want to sound too much like Nate Mcmillan here, but in the playoffs each possession really does matter. Both make careless mistakes. That being said, I feel like we've seen the future: Barton, C.J., and Robinson off the bench.
I find it humorous when people say a guy isnt a good outside shooter, yet for his career is 39% from 3 and on the season is 37% from 3. Sure he's no Kyle Korver but those aren't bad numbers at all.
Mo's frustration for me isn't missing shots, it's how he doesn't work within the team concept. His defense is maddening, plus his turn-overs are just fucking disgusting!
