Yes, I agree. Let's go out and get some free agents! Oh wait, we already did that, with 40% of our starting lineup and 40% of our rotational bench players being free agent signings. So what do you want now, hmm? If only we were on pace to win more than 60 games, our season wouldn't be a disaster! Oh wait, we are still on pace to win 61 games this year. Well, shit... how can we call this all a disaster? I know! Fire Stotts!
I don't.blame the Blazers. The existence of AAU teams and early pro eligibility is killing this league. Stern was totally ineffective the last twenty years of this sport.
AAU is awful, honestly it should be you play for the HS you're suppose to go to (unless you get a private school scholarship) then you pick a college and stay 3 full years at least. Nothing more. While we are at it.. no more pros for FIBA.
I don't think our bench was the reason we lost against the best team in the NBA last night. Our starters played lazy defense after the 1st qtr and we shot 40% from the field as a team. Kaman couldn't hit shots until the second half. Nic couldn't shoot anything, LA couldn't make a layup, Damian and LA missed freethrows. This loss is not on the bench, it's on the team. If we shot a normal % for us, we beat the Grizz bly a dozen points. Credit Memphis for playing a great game! I knew after a 9 game winning streak with us near the top of the standings that there'd be a meltdown after the first loss. CJ would have had the hardest time getting his shot off against Memphis than he's had against any team we play. He was NOT the reason for the loss.
Joel is not the problem. He is probably our second best post defender, and in fact plays some bigs better than any other Blazer. It's a problem if you're hoping he will provide scoring, of course. (You picked a bad game to say this, too: Freeland was +6 - the only Blazer who was +.)
Memphis is a good measuring stick. They're a legit playoff team. Maybe even a contender. I'm not sure if I put them in the contender category because they don't have that go-to-guy that most teams need to win it all. Gasol is a beast, but he's not a go-to-guy. Neither is Zach. They're insanely good at defense, but a team like the Pistons had Chauncey Billups in the clutch. Who is that guy for Memphis? Certainly not Conley. I think we have a really good team. I still think we need a scorer off the bench. Right now Kaman is the only dependable scorer off the bench.
The bench is going to look OK most of the season because most of the teams suck in the NBA and have no shot at contending. In a 7 game playoff series this bench is lacking big time imo. Kaman is the only guy you can count on. There's been a big Blake circle jerk love fest for some reason, but he's shooting 31% from 3 and 33% overall. Yeah he gets his assists, but overall that's just not good enough when it comes to the playoffs when you play a real team every game and not the sorry ass teams the Blazers have played so far.
The NBA ISN'T really my cup of tea. I don't watch many games because I have my reasons. But I have noticed that the overall quality of play is down. And the AAU leagues are a big problem. It escalates the professionalism of the game WAY to early. The skipping of local schools, the pay to play phenomenon and the amount of coaches who recruit mainly AAU hurts the amateur model. When teens should be focusing on developing there overall skills they are playing in WAY to many games and hurting their overall educational growth. The best kids receive the best coaching and the less talented kids fail to get the attention. Listen, the only reason I care is because the college level stinks. The scoring is down, the amount of fouls is ridiculous and you NEVER see a local player close to home. My high school developed one of the best young players in the nation. Oregon could probably have had him and he went to Oklahoma. No. They signed players they probably saw playing at summer tournaments.
I don't think you can measure Joel's stats against guys playing over 30 minutes a game. In fairness, a lot of our players blow inside shots including our superstars. Joel is an above average defender who's the 5th option on offense and makes freethrows. What's not to like?
I thought I typed over .500, not .500 or better. I did the first time and failed miserably the second time
16-11 59% winning % Not sure how "shitty" that is I'm not the enemy here. Just saying our bench could use a boost
Your concern is warranted. No one should jump on you for it. I agree that our bench does need a boost somewhere. It becomes more of an issue on the road because starters get more tired on the road. The end goal is to contend, so wanting more is only wanting to win more games
I've noticed Blake being a little tentative shooting, even when he's wide open. My only circle jerk is his ability to defend and run plays. And it's much better than having what we had last season! But that really isn't saying much
Looks like teams are starting to come out on him more. With Blake unable to get his shot off quick, like Matthews and Lillard, and his inability to create his own shot, his value is less and less, well.......valuable
