Grade the Blazers' roster changes

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Rastapopoulos, Nov 21, 2020.

?

Grade for changes in draft and free agency?

  1. A+

    4.3%
  2. A

    25.8%
  3. A-

    18.3%
  4. B+

    21.5%
  5. B

    21.5%
  6. B-

    6.5%
  7. C+

    1.1%
  8. C

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  9. C-

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  10. lower

    1.1%
  1. PCmor7

    PCmor7 Generational Poster

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2014
    Messages:
    5,740
    Likes Received:
    8,748
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Saying this for years
    Seems like there's a market for him, limited, but organizations that at least have been rumored to be interested are the Hornets, Kings, Celtics, maybe the Pacers, and now that they don't have Ibaka, the Raptors.

    Can we extort something useful out of any of those teams?
     
  2. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2008
    Messages:
    20,713
    Likes Received:
    32,574
    Trophy Points:
    113
    sure...but so far, this stocked up cupboard has not won a single game. Need to see it perform for at least 30 games or so to make the kind of judgments many seem to be making
     
    Buffalo Custard likes this.
  3. LayneStaley

    LayneStaley Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2018
    Messages:
    5,811
    Likes Received:
    6,233
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Badass
    Location:
    Kirkland, WA
    Talent and Depth both improved in a small market...B+

    If half the board is wrong about DJJ it’s an A+
     
    BBert likes this.
  4. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    23,213
    Likes Received:
    28,650
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Consultant
    Location:
    Oregon City, OR
    And yet you and some others around here appear to have concluded that it won’t work.

    And they haven’t lost any games yet either.
     
  5. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2008
    Messages:
    20,713
    Likes Received:
    32,574
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I have not said it "won't work"

    what I have said is there's a decent chance Jones won't fit the Stotts offense, and that both Covington and Jones are nearly as inconsistent on offense as Aminu and Harkless. And that I have doubts about Hood's recovery. And that Zach still appears to be hurt

    and that there is a void of ball-handlers capable of running the offense meaning Portland's Achilles heel, Dame being blanketed, has not been addressed so far in this roster

    in other words, while the depth appears to be as good as it's been in a while, there are real questions about how all the pieces are going to fit, and still a glaring flaw in the roster that always seems to get exposed in the playoffs. That's why I said all the optimism about this team needs to be tested by 30 games or so
     
    UKRAINEFAN, Buffalo Custard and TBpup like this.
  6. mook

    mook The 2018-19 season was the best I've seen

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    8,300
    Likes Received:
    3,912
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Buy a recipe binder at CookbookPeople.com
    Location:
    Jolly Olde England
    Kanter is the second best pick and roll center Dame has played with (aside from Nurk). He sets great screens and he's got excellent touch around the rim. And he mops up a ton of misses.
    But even if all we did was keep him around to match up with Denver he'd still be worth the price. Our best hope of getting to the WCF is to beat Jokic, and honestly Kanter plays him about as well as anyone. Jokic still does his thing, but you can tell he has to work a lot harder at it and we don't have to send double teams. Kanter's lack of foot speed doesn't really matter against him, whereas his size and intelligence are difference makers. The two guys are actually pretty similar players, except the one absolutely critical fact that Jokic may be the best passing center ever whereas Kanter...uh, doesn't.
    He's one of those guys like Steve Blake where you go, "Oh, we got him back? Nice."
    Couldn't ask for a better backup. Very happy to see Kanter come (and Mario go!)
     
  7. mook

    mook The 2018-19 season was the best I've seen

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    8,300
    Likes Received:
    3,912
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Buy a recipe binder at CookbookPeople.com
    Location:
    Jolly Olde England
    This concerns me too. Well, maybe not so much about Dame being blanketed (I think we'll handle it better this year with more talent from top to bottom). But we don't have any depth at point guard. If Dame misses 10 games for an injury, who plays point guard when CJ sits? I guess it's supposed to be Ant, but jeez I haven't seen anything to lead me to believe he can run an NBA offense.

    I'd really like to see us pick up a guy like Napier for insurance.
     
    Wizard Mentor and TBpup like this.
  8. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    23,213
    Likes Received:
    28,650
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Consultant
    Location:
    Oregon City, OR
    Sorry if I misunderstood your position. And I’m with you on seeing how it works on the court. I’m an optimist but also a realist. What annoys me are the takes that, no matter how much improvement there is in the roster, it’s bound to failure because CJ is still on the roster, or because Stotts is still the coach. Basketball is a team sport and it matters who your teammates are. I like what’s been done to improve the roster and I think the changes are almost certain to change the dynamics of the way the Blazers play in a positive way. But, yeah, they have to prove it on the court.
     
  9. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2008
    Messages:
    20,713
    Likes Received:
    32,574
    Trophy Points:
    113
    don't get me wrong, I want to be optimistic because for damn sure, this off-season is light years better than the disaster Olshey put together last off-season. They upgraded perimeter defense, and got a 2nd C that works really well with Dame. That has good potential and the Blazers should be strong again on the offensive glass with Nurk and Kanter

    I just have some concerns about the fit of Jones and how Stotts will put the puzzle together. And again, there's just not enough play-making behind Dame, IMO

    I think Covington will be solid though. Just have to survive games he clangs a lot of shots
     
    UKRAINEFAN and TBpup like this.
  10. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    23,213
    Likes Received:
    28,650
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Consultant
    Location:
    Oregon City, OR
    Well, the off-season isn’t over yet. Hopefully, there’s still a move that brings in a vet PG. I’m, optimistic that Simons will show improvement this year, but I believe in hedging your bets when possible. Another proven playmaker would be great.
     
  11. Raqia

    Raqia New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2020
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Bay
    The Covington addition was everything we needed, I believe we will get the best out of him. The ability to defend and hit the 3 ball, while playing between the 3 and 4 position just makes this our best signing. A

    Jones Jnr I think has talent, is still young. I think we could have waited and paid less for him. He can use his speed and athleticism to disrupt on the perimeter as a defender but I feel the staff really made a rushed decision. I am on the fence with this move, I do like the potential but we could have really went after Milsap or paid a little more for Wood. I hope Jones proves me wrong and improves on his 3 point shot. But he can put the ball the floor and create some nice passes or attack the rim. B-

    Kanter - Is familiar with the system, love his hustle and ability to score. Mario was just not a fit and could not take advantage. B+

    Hood - coming off an injury. As long as he can still get buckets. B-

    Melo - Can get a bucket, coming off a good year. Great for the young guys, as long as he understands his role is less this year. B-

    I would prefer if we could move Simons and get more of a facilitating or defensive PG. We have a window to compete and why not go for it now or next year.
     
  12. Tince

    Tince Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2008
    Messages:
    14,729
    Likes Received:
    14,095
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I can't give Neil a super high grade because we've still got some big issue. He certainly made the roster better, so he deserves that.

    If this team wins more than 45 games and competes in the 2nd round of the playoffs, I'll be very very happy.
     
  13. KSF-ERIC

    KSF-ERIC Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 25, 2019
    Messages:
    8,659
    Likes Received:
    6,450
    Trophy Points:
    113
    ET for the minimum?
     
    Rastapopoulos likes this.
  14. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    65,694
    Likes Received:
    51,887
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    N.E.P.
    We are a small market that is undesirable to free agents. I gave us an 'A' simply because we are better on paper now than we were at the end of last season. Didn't bring in any more young talent that we have to wait on. Dame and CJ are in their prime and the time is NOW.....we brought in proven vets that can have an immediate impact ON and OFF the floor. Dame is ecstatic about and that's good enough for me!
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2020
    BBert, 42N8Bounce, Stevenson and 3 others like this.
  15. Ed O

    Ed O Administrator Staff Member Administrator

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2008
    Messages:
    10,461
    Likes Received:
    2,460
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    There's not much evidence that anyone wants him (other than maybe the Kings) nor that they would give up something for him.

    Or are you talking about last season?
     
  16. Portland2014

    Portland2014 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2014
    Messages:
    633
    Likes Received:
    809
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Our 2nd unit really concern me defensively

    Simons/Melo/Kanter are all subpar defenders
     
  17. blazerkor

    blazerkor Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2014
    Messages:
    13,908
    Likes Received:
    14,822
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I disagree that Kanter is a subpar defender he was great for us during our playoff run two seasons ago, not a great shot blocker but still a strong, aggressive rim protector, who can get out and defend the pick and roll. Gary is almost certainly coming off the bench and is a fantastic defender. Hoodie, Jones or both are coming off the bench and they're both great defenders (I know Hood is coming off his injury but the way he played using his length, strength, footwork and angles, his D shouldn't really be effected). Zach will probably be back within a month and he may foul a lot but outside of that he's a really good defender.

    Simons probably won't crack the rotation, I actually think that Nas and Wenyen will get more chances than him and they're both good defenders that have potential to be great. Our worst defender is probably Simons, the guy is just lost out there but our second worst defender is CJ and he starts and our third worst defender is Melo and I have no idea what his role is going to be it could be as a starter, a key backup or a guy who just gets spot minutes when we need some scoring.
     
  18. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    42,642
    Likes Received:
    24,138
    Trophy Points:
    113
    why is this just acceptable to everyone? Fuck mediocrity
     
  19. Mediocre Man

    Mediocre Man Mr. SportsTwo

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    42,642
    Likes Received:
    24,138
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Jones and Trent are plus defenders though. Also, if Simons is our backup pg we are in trouble
     
  20. SharpesTriumph

    SharpesTriumph Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2018
    Messages:
    6,909
    Likes Received:
    6,780
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Drummond was traded for a second round pick so what would Whiteside have been worth?

    Also, at the trade deadline Nurk was still out. Maybe there was a possibility Whiteside could improve and even resign.

    I think it was good to not move him. We don't have to trade away every player of the smallest nearly insignificant value.
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2020

Share This Page