Bring JJ Hickson off the bench for a scoring punch and..

start Meyers Leonard instead? Thoughts?

 

he isnt ready, but ill be pissed if he isnt playing at least 20 mpg in the meantime, and close to 30 by seasons end

 

Agreed, or Freeland. Leonard needs to grow alongside Dame. And Hickson would provide great spark off the bench.

 

What do you mean he's not ready? They are not a veteran team and I still don't think Hickson is in the Blazers long term future plans.

 

Benching Hickson right now would be a huge mistake. The guy is averaging a double double as our center. He's actually rebounding the ball for us and he's a good garbage man. I like Leonard, but he's not ready to start. Not by a mile.

 

Been saying this since the pre season

 

Why would you want to bench JJ?

13 points, 10 boards, 2 blocked shots against the Lakers. 5-10 shooting.

14 points and 12 boards against the Thunder. 5-12 shooting

That's a very efficient and integral part of our team. I understand our bench is weak, but JJ has been playing some very solid basketball.

 

Personally, I'd rather see the Blazers acquire another big man. Perhaps a trade involving Wesley Matthews (or such) and Spencer Hawes when possible (I think Dec. 15th).

 

I think we've got some decent bigs ABM. They're just young, and we're not really a team that needs to worry about winning now.

 

I hear ya. That said, though, it's at least curious why the Blazers went big after Hibbert this past summer.

 

I love what Hickson is bringing to the table, and I wouldn't change a thing right now. Some guys just have a knack for being in the right place at the right time, and JJ is one of them. I love LMA, but we all know he ain't the best rebounder. Hickson is pickin up the slack and we just beat one of the only dominant centers presently in the league even though he shot a way better FT% than normal. Leonard will be the guy at C eventually, but I just love what Hickson gives us, and I'd like to see him be a Blazer for life, because he'll fill whatever role we need him to.

 

as in starting bigs on other teams will put us in a hole nightly

i mean if the goal is to lose 60 games, we might as well start barton too

 

I like the way you think. We should forward this to the coaching staff.

 

I still like the thought of getting Steve Blake in a trade to be the backup point guard.

 

Blake wouldn't be a bad backup, but the Lakers won't be dealing their only somewhat serviceable point guard.

 

They're a playoff team, I don't think they'll deal their only healthy center who has played great since pre-season.

A rebuilding team, I think we should look at Marcin Gortat. I think he'd be an ideal mentor to Leonard. Though, we aren't in position to offer future picks as we're in a semi-rebuild as well. They'd have to really love Wes/Freeland/Claver/Barton/Hickson.

 

I like what Hickson has brought so far but I would like him as a go to guy off the bench. I see both sides but I'm sure time will tell with Leonard. I hope that if he is starting by the end of the season that means he has progressed a lot to have earned it.

 

You're dreaming. Leonard has been completely overmatched in both games. When he was on the floor he was on borrowed time, from Hickson.

 

Leonard needs quite a bit more seasoning. If he's not ready for the load -- which it seems that he isn't -- then just let him earn his time organically. My guess is that they'll slowly increment his PT as he starts to look more comfortable out there.

In the meantime, does it really matter? I'd be concerned if he was rotting on the pine or not dressing.