I don't know if this has been brought up yet, but Robinson looked pretty shaken at the introductory press conference. I'm not really sure if "shaken" is the right word, but he did look a bit like a deer in the headlights. He brought up the fact that being traded that much off the bat can shake a player's confidence in a third person sense, but it seemed like he was really talking about himself, in that "so, my friend has a problem" sorta way.
He seems like a humble kid. Hopefully he can discover his confidence in Portland. It should actually be a somewhat interesting competition to see how the 60 non-Aldridge front court minutes are divided between Robinson, Lopez, and Leonard (even less accounting for small ball).
That's a good point. For a guy with so much talent and potential, it'd be good to give him consistent playing time and a definite role, but the Blazers have gone from a team without a bench to a team that has more talent than minutes over the offseason. When asked about the role that the four new Blazers who were at today's press conference would play (Wright, Robinson, Lopez, and Watson), Olshey and Stotts were pretty clear about Lopez being the new starting center, a much needed defensive presence, etc., and they were both pretty clear on Watson taking on more of a "mentor" role, one where he'll probably only play when needed. When they talked about Wright and Robinson though, they didn't really describe their future role on the team. More so, they described their games instead, saying Wright will fit in as a three-point shooter and Robinson will provide toughness and whatnot. That makes me wonder if they really have a plan for developing Robinson at this point.
He helped somebody I know push their car out of an intersection. Don't know much more than Thomas was at a gas station in Cali and helped push a stalled car along with a couple other Good Samaritans. Seems nice.
I agree with your summary, except to add that Olshey hinted at Batum and Wright playing together in a 3/4 combo with only one big man. Meaning that if Wright establishes himself as a rotation player, it cuts even more into those minutes. Not that that's a bad thing. Our front court is a meritocracy!
Olshey has said in other interviews that developing Robinson is going to be one of the major things he wants done this year. I assume that means more rest for LA in the first half so that if we need LA to play 20m in the second half we can do that with Robinson still getting around 15m a game.
Oohhhhh, you mean the Blazers might be capable of having an ACTUAL rotation next year? Man, it's gonna be nice.
No playing LMA 44m and lillard 46 only to lose by 2 everygame this year! Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
That's just your supposition. In fact, he disproved the starter part. He chose Faried's team, knowing it's not certain at all that he'll start.
Aldridge will average 18 minutes? This thread is endless speculation, adoring a minor player who will average 10 minutes, since we now have a good bench. Robinson has the same limitations as Hickson, and will be as good in a couple of years. He'll eventually be better than Hickson.
The thing with Robinson is that he has a skill that translates to the NBA, and that is rebounding. He seems to have the motor and the willingness, so hypothetically, if he is a Blazer for the next 15 years and averages 10+ rebounds per 36 minutes played, how could fans not be elated?
No, if Robinson is playing 30 minutes with Aldridge then Aldridge has to be playing at least 30 minutes.... My point was Robinson is a very good rebounder even playing next to a stud like Asik so if he were to somehow get in the starting lineup and play significant time with the poor rebounding Aldridge he would have some huge 20 rebound games. No I don't expect them to play that much but it is an intriguing option available. One of the main problems we've had with Aldridge at center is our team not rebounding worth crap but you put a great rebounder next to him and that lineup could work well against all but the very few teams with a physically imposing center.
Jesus Kareases I never said Aldridge needs to play less than 30 just that "IF HE PLAYED 30 OF HIS MINUTES WITH TROB..." He can still play more minutes WITHOUT TROB and get however freaking many minutes he needs. Holy heck.
He said in a few interviews he would love to stay here but he was having to play out of position and would like a chance to start. He has a similar game to farried (hustle man) and there is a chance he could beat him out for the starter slot. There was no chance in hell he could ever beat out LMA for the starter spot here. Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
Wrong. He'll be able to start if he beats out Faried, who is a very limited player outside of rebounding. He had no chance of starting over LMA in Portland. You can debate the merits of LMA vs. Hickson, but the reality is that LMA was going to start no matter what in that case. http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i..._on_the_wall_jj_hickson_and_the_trail_bl.html
Nor should they have. Lopez at the same contract was much more of a need, and I'll take Wright/Robinson/Watson over Hickson at a similar price.
