What to do with Aminu?

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Natebishop3, May 14, 2019.

  1. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    Should Aminu continue to start? Will he have a better series now that he doesn't have to go against Paul Millsap? So far in this postseason he's averaging

    8.7 ppg, 35% from the field, 31% from three, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, .8 steals and .8 blocks in 28 minutes per game. He has an 11.8 PER, his TS% is 48.1, and

    Against Denver his numbers were:

    7.3 ppg off 30% shooting, 19% from three, 6.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.7 blocks, and he shot 48.7% from the free throw line.

    Oof.

    His numbers against OKC were better.

    10.6 ppg off 37% shooting, 34% from three, 70% from the line, with 7 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks.

    So he shot much better from three in that series, but overall his shooting was still very bad. His free throw shooting was at least passable. If we look back at what he did against Golden State in the playoffs back in 15-16 and 16-17:

    15-16: 17 ppg off 55.6% shooting, 57% from three, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1 block, and 0.6 steals

    16-17: 12 ppg off 40% shooting, 28.5% from three, 6.5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 0.8 steals

    I'm not expecting to get 15-16 Aminu.... that's pretty much a pipe dream, but if we could get somewhere inbetween I would be thrilled. He's just not having a good post season. I think Collins would be starting right now if not for Nurk being out and Kanter playing with one arm. We need Collins as our backup center, otherwise it's Meyers Leonard time.

    But I really hope that Stotts will have a quick hook if Aminu is looking checked out again.
     
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  2. blue9

    blue9 Well-Known Member

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    Kick him to the curb!
     
  3. B-Roy

    B-Roy If it takes months

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    I think your question is what to do with him next year. Optimal path imo is resign Kanter and start Collins.

    Run 3 bigs rotation with Collins/Nurk/Kanter. Mo can play spot minutes at PF.
     
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  4. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    I think we have to look at right now. If he plays as badly as he did against Denver, he's a huge liability out there. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd rather have Turner guarding the Donkey if Aminu is playing that badly.
     
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  5. Reep

    Reep Well-Known Member

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    Stay the course for the playoffs. I think the real question comes at the end of the season. If he continues to play sub-par in the playoffs, and you have Zach in the wings, do you resign him? I know there are many in the organization that have seen him as a core part of the team, but I would be inclined to let him walk and take my chances with Collins as starting PF with Skal as backup.
     
  6. Chris Craig

    Chris Craig (Blazersland) I'm Your Huckleberry Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    Start him. He will play better vs GS
     
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  7. andalusian

    andalusian Season - Restarted

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    Do what Terry did in game 7. Start him, if he bombs, sub him out.
     
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  8. BBert

    BBert Weasels Ripped My Flesh

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    I think Aminu will do better vs. GS. For one thing, their game plan will be to let him shoot. I still worry about his energy and mental mistakes though.

    But I think the probability is less than 50% he will be a Blazer next season.
     
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  9. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    Mentally he seems so out of it. When he shoots free throws, he looks completely psyched out.
     
  10. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    Last couple games I wondered if he is also Muslim and fasting with more of a struggle than Enes….I hate to assume he's Muslim just because of his name but wondered why he wasn't mentioned in the conversation about it. Chief could also very well be sick...Casey said Dame's been not feeling well for the last couple games or so.
     
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  11. Reep

    Reep Well-Known Member

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    I agree he seems distracted. Not sure what is going on with him. I have never seen him like this.
     
  12. andalusian

    andalusian Season - Restarted

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    I wonder if Chief is also observing Ramadan
     
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  13. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    According to this article, Kanter, Chief, and Nurk are all Muslim.

    https://www.wweek.com/sports/2019/0...is-year-under-new-circumstances-the-playoffs/
     
  14. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    I guess the question would be "practicing Muslim"...observing Ramadan...Chief looks anemic last couple games and could be related to blood sugar levels...hopefully he's in game shape. Also wonder why it hasn't come up in interviews since they ask Kanter about it every 5 minutes? Thanks for the link!
     
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  15. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    I think the bigger issue for Kanter is not being able to take medication. I think playing without food and water is bad enough.... but feeling 100% of the shoulder pain would make things so much harder.
     
  16. BBert

    BBert Weasels Ripped My Flesh

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    Aminu is normally very clutch from the line.
     
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  17. GhostOfPGA

    GhostOfPGA The late great Paul Allen

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    Aminu’s defense will be valuable against guys like Klay, Iggy, and Green. He should play and start still. I’d say Aminu is actually stylistically a good fit for us against GS with his switching defense.
     
  18. dviss1

    dviss1 Emcee Referee

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    Aminu is Muslim.
     
  19. dviss1

    dviss1 Emcee Referee

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    Jusuf Nurkic must be Muslim too:

     
  20. GhostOfPGA

    GhostOfPGA The late great Paul Allen

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    I wonder if Nurk and Aminu are practicing Muslims like Kanter.
     

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