Won their first game tonight. Standout performers: Bryce McGowens (33 points on 27 shots, +23) Henri Drell (27 points, 12 rebounds) But I'm most intrigued by: Isaac Nogues, who got 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 4 steals in only 23 minutes.
Big story on how Cronin using Re-mix as an experiment. Also makes me wonder if he is thinking about making Oliva the Blazers coach at some time.... "And now that he’s had an in-house G League team for a whole season, Blazers general manager Joe Cronin wants to use it as a testing ground to rethink every aspect of how a basketball team is supposed to be run. Are we conducting practices in a way that will get our players as game-ready as possible? What drills are we running? What is the purpose of those drills, and are they getting the most out of our players or are they just things we do because we've always done them? Is there a way a team can better utilize its staff to develop players than simply keeping them in their previously defined roles? "Under Oliva, the basketball the Remix are playing through their first four games is very different from the tough, defense-focused approach of the big club. The Remix are flying up and down the floor (leading the G League in pace by nearly four possessions per game over the second-fastest team) and shooting the second-most three-pointers per game in the league. Over half of their shot attempts are threes." https://www.rosegardenreport.com/p/how-the-rip-city-remix-is-becoming
"The other puzzle Oliva is trying to solve is how to build a defense that can keep up with that type of offense, and that goes much deeper than just coming up with a new scheme. His vision of defense is less defined by players playing specific roles than by teaching players new tendencies they can use to react intuitively to any situation they're in on that side of the ball. It’s a completely different kind of teaching that’s still in the early stages of trying out."
I like this. This is the kind of thing that makes me want to give Cronin more time. And to Jody, I don't say this to you much. But great job funding it.
I guess that explains why we keep signing all these gunners. Not sure I want us to become the Paul Westhead Nuggets, though... Remember what they were like?
Yeah I really like some of the hires Cronin has made, and like basically all his draft picks. If we could just have someone else doing the trades, as well as complete trades of vets the team hasn't done, then I'd be very happy with the GM. Unfortunately that might be the biggest component of being a GM. In Cronins defense we aren't sure how much Jody or especially Bert Kolde/Vulcan are micromanaging his trades.
Nogues had 10 steals in a game recently. He also had a game in whatever European league he was in where he was in double figures in both steals and rebounds. He is 20 year old 6'4" guard who can't even shoot 50% on free throws.
NBA.com has him listed as 6' 5". 50% on 0.2 free-throw attempts per game. 60% on field goals , 1.4 attempts per game.
I'd like to see Isaac get a little PT with the Blazers. He obviously is a playmaker on defense and he can't be any worse than Minaya or Taze.
