We need bench scoring.... badly.

I'd like to know where we are in bench differential. I couldn't care less if we are last in scoring as long as our opponents are as well

 

Agreed. Lopez is FUCKING AWESOME. If I ever bought jerseys, I would buy his first.

Let's look at why Mo is playing:
1. Experience.
Can't deny this. He's been to the finals.
2. Shooting.
Again, as much as he might drive us crazy by taking bad shots, he hits a fair number of them. He's a better shooter than my fave, Andre Miller. And I think Stotts puts a premium on hitting the midrange jump shot.
3. He's our best backup PG
Actually, this isn't true. Earl Watson is obviously better at PG things like distributing the ball. Watson can also play defense. But Watson can't shoot, so that rules him out of Stotts' plans. So Mo is "the most PG-like of our backup guards who can shoot."
4. (I'm assuming) Intangibles.
I get the impression that he's just a really good guy and, apart from his play on the court, a great teammate.
5. Olshey recruited him and it was kind of a coup to land him.

I join you in being dissatisfied with his play, but it's actually not as bad as I thought it would be (I was REALLY pissed off by the signing) and it would be odd to rock the boat. I continue to hope that he was signed with a secret deal to trade him midseason, but that was probably a deal to trade him to "a contender" and... that's us!

I think his ball-hogginess wouldn't be as bad if he played more with Batum, because Batum is really our PG in the halfcourt most of the time. But Mo is supposed to play with the bench. That might actually be part of the reason for some of his overdribbling and overshooting (other than, y'know, that's who he is) because our bench is pretty much offensively inept. Plus him shooting so much is sure helping Freeland's and Robinson's offensive rebounding stats.

All in all, I think his worst problem is his defense (or lack thereof), particularly when paired with the similarly deficient Lillard. (After all, it's not like our offense is hurting: over the last ten games we've got the highest scoring offense in the NBA.) And defense is not a problem CJ looks likely to fix.

Two possible ways out: if Mo wants to go to one of the two biggest markets and we get either PABLO PRIGIONI or Steve "Blanky" Blake back. I'd be happy with those. Both can hit the three and both, while slow of foot, are still better defenders than Mo. And then if Stotts wants mid-range scoring he'll have to play CJ and we all win!

 

I see your Lamar Odom and raise you ROYCE WHITE!

 

So here is a little scuttlebutt. I'm fairly new to the board but some here might know me from R....GM and I've had a few contacts that would be considered insiders over the year FWIW.

So a little digging from a couple of places:

The Blazers are looking to upgrade their bench. They like the chemistry of what they have but also realize that though productrion is better, it is still towards the bottom of the league. They likely won't make a move unless they get a great deal similar to what they got T-Rob for but I've been told Paul is happy with the direction and might be willing to take on a contract that puts them over the salary cap if they continue to do well and NeO believes it would be an upgrade performance wise without hurting chemistry.

No names were given but someone like a Lowry makes a lot of sense. He can attack the rim, is a tough PG and has an ending deal. Not a great shooter but a very solid assist guy who is a hard-nosed defender as well.

The summation was is NeO is trying to get a good feel for what is out there, what might be available on the cheap and how it might fit into the Blazer roster without upsetting the starters. Nothing earth shattering but a couple of sources confirmed inquiries around the league from Portland.

 

I am sorry you are about to go through, what you are about to go through

 

I think Lowry could work ... I've heard he's kind of a malcontent or at least really a tough guy to coach, but if he could be satisfied with a sixth man role, I think he would work pretty well in a guard rotation with Lillard and Wesley - his skillset would be pretty complimentary with either of those guys and I think he'd be a good pick-and-roll player with some of the guys in our front-court. His on-ball defense would be a welcome addition for sure.

 

Winning curses all. Even for bad characters. I think if he is asked to be a 6th man on a winning ball club, he would be more open to it, especially if he's getting around 20-25 minutes a game.

 

Lol...I've very aware of the sh_ _ storm the reference 'insiders' brings. However, in person, I've shared with some long-time trusted posters who some of those people are and they completely agreed that was an appropriate term. To be certain, some of those have come and gone over the years but there are still some good contacts.

1. No, I won't share specific names of who those people are over the internet.

2. Sometimes I am asked to be quite vague in references due to sometimes sensitive natures of discussions (See the Marcus Camby hint several years ago)

3. Once in a while I can share everything. (See the aforementioned 'shorts' reference regarding the Zach Randolph trade.)

4. Around draft time we have had great 'gets' over the years to the point writers from O-Live came to our table because we were getting stuff before they did and the guys hosting the radio broadcast asked us during a commercial how we were getting stuff before they did. Those were fun events.

Hopefully it makes for fun discussion and I'll share what I can whenever possible.

 

I agree. Bench players are rarely consistent shooters. You won't find anyone who can come into a game cold and start scoring. Some games they will and others games they will not.

 

Maybe it will be different for you? here's hoping

 

Well at least it's not the pizza guy

 

Maybe they know the same pizza guy?

 

Could be possible. Regardless, I'm not holding onto my shorts

 

Appreciate it!

 

I am well aware of your insider rep on the other board. All is welcome by me. Thanks for the insight.

 

LOL is it?

 

I for one am actually glad that MM offered to share what I'm sure he considered valuable information. Just because his source was wrong or didn't have complete information doesn't mean that he doesn't know somebody. Same goes for TBPup.

There's lots of back-channel chatter that never actually materializes and it should all be taken with a grain of salt, but it's nice to get at least a partial window into the thought process executives go through, no matter how incomplete or inconclusive.

 

Yep it truly is. You know how I think now?

 

I like all discussions and only give MM a hard time. I keep forgetting he's overly sensitive and takes offense when someone is having fun with him.

Pizza guy is just an odd use of an insider. I think it's kinda funny he used it.