Blazers Mid-Season Grades

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by 42N8Bounce, Jan 11, 2018.

  1. 42N8Bounce

    42N8Bounce Red Hot And Rebuilding

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2011
    Messages:
    2,575
    Likes Received:
    7,118
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    West Linn, OR
    With 41 games completed, the Blazers are at the mid-way point of the season. Time to give out some grades:

    upload_2018-1-11_21-22-41.png

    The Team
    Record (2017-18): 22 W - 19 L
    Last Year (2016-17): 18 W - 23 L
    The Blazers are 4 games ahead of last year's pace. There were some high expectations for this team going into this season. The Blazers had a relatively easy schedule early, and were riding the momentum of 'Nurk Fever' finishing out last year. There have been some nice quality wins (W SAS, 111-110), and some ugly losses (L ATL, 110-89). All things considered, the Blazers are currently in 5th place in a loaded Western Conference.
    Grade: B-

    Damian Lillard
    2017-18: 25.0 ppg, 6.4 apg, 4.9 rpg, 1.1 spg, TS% 0.571, PER 22.6
    2016-17: 27.0 ppg, 5.9 apg, 4.9 rps, 0.9 spg, TS% 0.586, PER 24.1
    Although Dame's stats have taken a slight step back, he's still the leader of this team, playing at a very high level.
    Grade: A-

    CJ McCollum
    2017-18: 21.6 ppg, 3.4 apg, 4.2 rpg, 1.0 spg, TS% 0.547, PER 17.5
    2016-17: 23.0 ppg, 3.6 apg, 3.6 rps, 0.9 spg, TS% 0.585, PER 19.9
    CJ has struggled a bit this year, and his stats have dipped. However, he did pick up a significant amount of the load during Dame's absence due to injury, winning a good percentage of those games.
    Grade: B-

    Jusuf Nurkic
    2017-18: 14.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.2 bpg, 1.9 apg, TS% 0.493, PER 16.0
    2016-17: 15.2 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.9 bps, 3.2 apg, TS% 0.545, PER 21.1
    Nurk Fever is gone. What remains is a serviceable starting center. It's hard not to be disappointed, but all things considered, he's only 23. My guess is he still has upside. Hopefully we see that upside in a Blazer uniform.
    Grade: C+

    Al-Farouq Aminu
    2017-18: 9.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.9 spg, TS% 0.541, PER 11.3
    2016-17: 8.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.0 spg, TS% 0.506, PER 11.3
    Although his FG3% has taken a nice jump up this year, his overall impact to the game has remained about the same (11.3 PER). Aminu's biggest impact is on the defensive end.
    Grade: B-

    Evan Turner
    2017-18: 8.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.4 apg, 0.7 spg, TS% 0.523, PER 10.0
    2016-17: 9.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 0.8 spg, TS% 0.491, PER 11.4
    With a contract of $17M/yr (3rd highest on the team), it's hard not to expect more. His stats are down across the board from last year, and his PER is barely hanging on to double digits.
    Grade: C-

    Maurice Harkless
    2017-18: 5.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 0.7 apg, 0.7 spg, TS% 0.570, PER 10.2
    2016-17: 10.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.1 spg, TS% 0.533, PER 13.1
    Mo has taken a significant step back this year. All of his stats are down. He continues to tease us with flashes of athleticism and the occasional great game. But at age 24, with a contract that extends 2 years after this season, how much upside is left? Have we seen his peak?
    Grade: D+

    Shabazz Napier
    2017-18: 9.8 ppg, 2.2 apg, 2.3 rpg, 1.3 spg, TS% 0.595, PER 17.9
    2016-17: 4.1 ppg, 0.6 apg, 1.2 rpg, 0.6 spg, TS% 0.533, PER 13.6
    Wow. When the Blazers needed someone to step up in Dame's absence, Napier seized the moment. Most of his stats have double from last season. With a PER of 17.9, 'Bazz would be a starter on many NBA teams.
    Grade: A

    Pat Connaughton
    2017-18: 6.4 ppg, 1.2 apg, 2.2 rpg, TS% 0.591, PER 10.3
    2016-17: 2.5 ppg, 0.7 apg, 1.3 rpg, TS% 0.645, PER 11.8
    When the Blazers traded Crabbe in the off season, they needed someone to earn the available minutes. Pat has stepped up. His minutes per game has risen from 8.1 to 19.9, and his field goal attempts has risen from 1.8 to 5.1. With that being said, his PER has dropped to 10.3, reflecting his limited overall impact on the game.
    Grade: B

    Ed Davis
    2017-18: 5.3 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 0.7 bpg, TS% 0.579, PER 15.2
    2016-17: 4.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 0.5 bpg, TS% 0.563, PER 11.5
    Ed knows his game, and he does is well. Rebound. Defend. Hustle. His numbers might not be gaudy, but every team needs a guy like Ed to do the dirty work.
    Grade: B+

    Noah Vonleh
    2017-18: 4.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 0.4 bpg, TS% 0.557, PER 12.6
    2016-17: 4.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 0.4 bpg, TS% 0.525, PER 10.8
    Out of the 41 games of the season so far, Noah has only played in 27 games. He can defend, and he can rebound. But he hasn't shown the development in his offensive game to make him a consistent contributor.
    Grade: C-

    Zach Collins
    2017-18: 4.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.4 bpg, TS% 0.443, PER 7.6
    After a poor showing in summer league, and and a slow start to the season, Zach has stepped up his game and eared some quality minutes as of late. With his solid defense, good rebounding instincts, and a nice looking jumper all the way out to the 3 pt line, Zach brings much promise to the future.
    Grade: B

    Meyers Leonard
    2017-18: 5.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 0.5 apg, TS% 0.690, PER 19.2
    2016-17: 5.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.0 apg, TS% 0.507, PER 8.9
    Now in his 6th season, Leonard is what he is. He can shoot. That's it. He's only seen action in 13 games so far this year. Needless to say (but I will), his contract of $10M/yr for two more years is one of the worst in the league.
    Grade: F-

    Caleb Swanigan
    2017-18: 2.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.6 apg, TS% 0.409, PER 7.4
    Drafted at #26, Caleb has shown heart. He's a good rebounder and has a decent jumper, but is limited on the defensive end.
    Grade: C+

    Jake Layman
    2017-18: 1.4 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.3 apg, TS% 0.358, PER 4.2
    2016-17: 2.2 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.3 apg, TS% 0.404, PER 4.9
    His jumper looks great. It should go in, right? Well, I think we have a large enough sample size now to confidently say looks aren't everything. His PER of 4.2 tells most of the story.
    Grade: D

    Let see your report card. What grades would you give out?

    upload_2018-1-11_21-23-45.png

    Go Blazers!
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2018
  2. BonesJones

    BonesJones https://www.youtube.com/c/blazersuprise

    Joined:
    May 7, 2015
    Messages:
    44,368
    Likes Received:
    38,405
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Vancouver, WA
    How does Meyers get an F and Layman get a D?

    And I'm not a fan of PER as a stat.
     
  3. 42N8Bounce

    42N8Bounce Red Hot And Rebuilding

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2011
    Messages:
    2,575
    Likes Received:
    7,118
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    West Linn, OR
    DollarsPerMinute2.jpg
     
  4. BonesJones

    BonesJones https://www.youtube.com/c/blazersuprise

    Joined:
    May 7, 2015
    Messages:
    44,368
    Likes Received:
    38,405
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Vancouver, WA
    But Meyers has played well when he's gotten minutes. So there's no way he couldve gotten anything better... lol
     
  5. Mr. Robot

    Mr. Robot Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2017
    Messages:
    4,423
    Likes Received:
    4,070
    Trophy Points:
    113
    fuck off with this shit, who wrote this
     
    42N8Bounce likes this.
  6. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    42,642
    Likes Received:
    24,138
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Played well on offense
     
  7. BonesJones

    BonesJones https://www.youtube.com/c/blazersuprise

    Joined:
    May 7, 2015
    Messages:
    44,368
    Likes Received:
    38,405
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Vancouver, WA
    Yep, Layman hasn't played well on offense or defense
     
    dviss1 likes this.
  8. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    42,642
    Likes Received:
    24,138
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Nope
     
  9. BonesJones

    BonesJones https://www.youtube.com/c/blazersuprise

    Joined:
    May 7, 2015
    Messages:
    44,368
    Likes Received:
    38,405
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Vancouver, WA
    Yup.
     
    The Professional Fan likes this.
  10. stampedehero

    stampedehero Make Your Day, a Doobies Day Staff Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2015
    Messages:
    12,443
    Likes Received:
    9,267
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Part Time Building Inspector
    Location:
    NJ
    Very Well Done!!!
     
    42N8Bounce likes this.
  11. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    42,642
    Likes Received:
    24,138
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Yup
     
    BonesJones likes this.
  12. BrianFromWA

    BrianFromWA Editor in Chief Staff Member Editor in Chief

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2008
    Messages:
    26,060
    Likes Received:
    9,014
    Trophy Points:
    113

    Maybe I'll take this as a homework project this weekend, but I'm intrigued at "what happened?" I mean, sure, it could be motivation. My gut tells me that his FG% within 10' (esp. within 3') is way down this year b/c he's doing less dunking and more "WTF wuz that?!11?!" garbage near the rim? Is it b/c that extra 30# gave him more confidence last year? Team told him not to risk himself as much? Maybe my eye test is waaaaaay off?


    I feel like a B- for Chief is kind of low. He is who we thought he was, but surprisingly a better shooter. His D is still his calling card, he has the same cost/min as Vonleh (love that stat, btw), his TS% is much higher than his usual, and as long as he isn't dribbling he's a net positive on offense.
    He makes about 70% the salary of what Mo and Meyers each make. He makes about 40% Turner's salary. So he's a relative bargain, decent on offense, big part of a big defensive resurgence, and defers to Dame. What's not to like?

    For similar reasons, I'd have Big Ed as an A or A- also. Literally don't know what more you'd want from the guy from the Ideal Projection we had when we brought him in.
     
  13. SIeepwalker

    SIeepwalker The lone sane poster

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2015
    Messages:
    6,453
    Likes Received:
    9,551
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Strasbourg, France
    Someone that's very right
     
    Orion Bailey and 42N8Bounce like this.
  14. Boob-No-More

    Boob-No-More Why you no hire big man coach?

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2008
    Messages:
    19,094
    Likes Received:
    22,762
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Not sure what salary has to do with these grades. Are you grading based on performance, or value?

    Either way, no way in hell should Meyer's have a worse grade than Layman.

    At least he does one thing well. Layman is a shooter who can't shoot, which makes him worthless.

    View attachment 17905
    Jake Layman
    2017-18: 1.4 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.3 apg, TS% 0.358, PER 4.2
    2016-17: 2.2 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.3 apg, TS% 0.404, PER 4.9
    His jumper looks great. It should go in, right? Well, I think we have a large enough sample size now to confidently say looks aren't everything. His PER of 4.2 tells most of the story.
    Grade: D[/QUOTE]

    Just look at these percentages and tell me who deserves the F-

    Meyers Leonard:
    FG% = .600
    3FG% = .538
    eFG% = .678
    TS% = .690

    Jake Layman:
    FG% = .294
    3FG% = .200
    eFG% = .338
    TS% = .358

    Neither plays much, but when they do, Meyers is > 2x as likely to make his shots. He is also a better rebounder and a better passer. Layman looks smooth, fluid and confident, but the actual results are abysmal.

    Yeah, I get that Meyers isn't the stud we all wish he was, but the hatred he gets around here borders on irrational while Layman seems to get a free pass (relatively speaking) for some reason.

    You didn't happen to be one of the fans that booed him at the Milwaukee game, were you? What a totally classless act.

    BNM
     
    GrandpaBlaze, BonesJones and TBpup like this.
  15. 42N8Bounce

    42N8Bounce Red Hot And Rebuilding

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2011
    Messages:
    2,575
    Likes Received:
    7,118
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    West Linn, OR
    Giving out grades is going to be subjective. That's part of the fun. :) I tried to take into account not only their stats, but also their expectations and salaries.

    I've been a season ticket holder (with the family) now for 42 years. (Yes, I was a kid going to Blazer games in 1975) Thru the good and the bad. I've never booed the team.

    I've got nothing personal against Meyers. He seems like a good guy. Unfortunately, I don't see how his performance this year could be worse. The coach isn't even putting him in when the Blazers are up (or down) by 20 with 2 minute left. Heck, take the last game against OKC as an example. Layman got 2 minutes. Leonard DNPCD. I root for Leonard when he's in the game. I want to see my team do well. After 6 seasons now in the league, he is what he is, and it sucks that our GM made such a poor decision to tie up so much money on a player that rarely plays. Giving him the F- might have been a bit of a fun jab. He probably only deserved an F.

    Show me your report card. I'm always curious of other fans perspectives, especially yours. (I love reading your posts.)
     
    HailBlazers and Orion Bailey like this.
  16. ripcityboy

    ripcityboy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2013
    Messages:
    12,934
    Likes Received:
    10,797
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    self employed
    Location:
    pdx, or, usa.
    If you guys don't all give Collins, Shabazz, and Pat at least all As. I will be fucking pissed.
     
  17. handiman

    handiman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2008
    Messages:
    5,503
    Likes Received:
    3,612
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Really? His numbers are good in limited minutes. That should be an Incomplete, not a F-. It ought to be easy to see how his performance could be worse. Look up Layman in the dictionary for an example...
     
    BBert, BonesJones and Boob-No-More like this.
  18. tester551

    tester551 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2009
    Messages:
    4,037
    Likes Received:
    3,848
    Trophy Points:
    113
    His performance this year isn't why he's not getting playing time. The Stotts/Leonard relationship is strained. I think Stotts has completely written Meyers off.

    I can totally see Meyers going somewhere else and having a decent career as a 8/9/10th man. But that will never happen here in Portland.
     
  19. 42N8Bounce

    42N8Bounce Red Hot And Rebuilding

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2011
    Messages:
    2,575
    Likes Received:
    7,118
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    West Linn, OR
    This kinda feels like we're trying to decide who has the ugliest dog. :)
    UglyDogs.jpg
    I agree that Meyers is a 'better' basketball player than Layman. But other than just stats, I also tried to take into account age, expectations and salaries. How easy would it be to trade these guys? Both probably aren't desired by other teams. But Layman is still relatively young and on a rookie contract, with a bit of potential upside. Meyers has the 5th highest salary on the Blazers, locked in for two more years. My guess is that no team will be touching that unless we add quite a bit of sweetener.

    My dog is the ugliest.
     
  20. UncleCliffy'sDaddy

    UncleCliffy'sDaddy We're all Bozos on this bus.

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2015
    Messages:
    6,650
    Likes Received:
    13,485
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Great job Bounce! Bone’s potty mouth aside, I thought you totally nailed it. Very thoughtfully and objectively done, with little, if any “homerism”. I agree with your assessments almost 100%.
     
    Stevenson, 42N8Bounce and BonesJones like this.

Share This Page