Stotts tried out all his guys at different points throughout the season. If he's smart, he's settled on his playoff rotation. Just because Barton has won out over CJ in CJ's rookie year doesn't mean CJ is a bust. On a side note, I found it odd a couple of times during the season when TRob or Meyers or CJ or Barton would get minutes for a week or two, then Stotts would switch it up and use the other guy instead for a week or two, and someone would invariably say "what did player x do to get in Stotts' dog house" or something like that. Why the negative? Maybe rather than 'player x' did something bad, the other guy did something good? Or just better? Or maybe Stotts just wanted to give them a test after a couple of weeks of studying and practicing? Or maintain the feeling of competition? I'm pretty happy with the job the coaches have done letting different guys get their feet wet and have an opportunity to prove themselves, and in doing so expose their weaknesses and show them what they need to do to get better. I see a coaching staff that isn't just putting players on the floor and asking them to compete, but a staff that is actually trying to develop players for the long term.
Im sure things had to change to. Given the success at the front end of the season the 'development course' for the team had to have been revamped seeing that we were in a competition mode/year vs a true REBUILD and DEVELOP FIRST mentality. Seasons like this worry me a little...its GREAT to have made the playoffs, and i hope we show up and fight for wins...but our younger talent _might_ have been better served with more playing time in the 82 even if it meant no playoffs? (I use a ? cause I honestly don't know...on the fence about it)
CJ has to show something by December, otherwise I think he'll start wearing the "bust" label. I didn't like the pick at the time because he tops out as a 6th man on our team, due to this being Lillard's team. But he's clearly a smart player, and has some good fundamentals - his ball-handling appeared to be better than Dame's. If he can become a legit 6th man - and maybe even be in the discussion for 6MotY at some point - then it won't have been a wasted pick. However, I wouldn't hesitate to include him in a trade this summer.
I disagree. I don't think developing CJ or Robinson is more important than playing Mo and, say, Freeland and making the playoffs. I don't think we ever entered this season with a true develop and rebuild mentality.
ya CJ has sucked but the Blazers will probably hold onto him 5 years or so. One of the things we just do in Portland.
I personally feel that CJ had shown a lot of polish and skill in his game, but only in the way an iso player does. I recall Stotts sounding surprisingly negative about CJ when he was about to come back from injury, saying he had a lot to learn about the system and the pro game. I can see what he meant by that now. CJ can score, has the ability to be a go-to player on offense for sure, but he came in when the team started to stumble. You could see he tried to work in the system but it was forced and lacked chemistry. Barton has improved greatly in being under control and working in the system. I expect CJ will have a much bigger role next season, his timing just wasn't right and Barton was more ready for Stott's system. CJ also is a liability on defense in the NBA game, he didn't understand how to defend NBA SG's and they burned him. I think Rice is right though, and CJ will be a special player... Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Just like how Rice said Elliot Williams would be a special player? It's a good think we kept that guy riding the pine for so long.
He bragged about how great it was that we lost a game. I believe we actually won the first 4 or 5 games that CJ played.
I'm I the only one who thinks CJ isn't playing because of his very poor defense? You bring him in at the SG (he can't play point) and he shoots the same or slightly better than Barton, but Barton brings more team game, much better defense and more energy and rebounding. Having CJ next to Mo on defense is worse than having Mo and Lillard in the back court together.
+1 also as soon as Mo Williams got on the team everyone should have known cj wasn't going to get playing time. injuries or not. Not to mention cj+dame in the backcourt is a SMALL backcourt. I think my 8yr old niece is as tall as they are....
This is absolutely right Barton beat McCullom and Barton is 3-4 inches taller and a better defender. CJ's biggest weakness is defense, he's not NBA ready on that level yet. A project at best.
i actually think that cj have a little of stephen curry in him. don't worry about meyers, i know next year he will be huge for us if he works on his defense this summer
I was actually happy to see Earl get some play time. I think his defencive prowess is going to be vital at times in a 7 game series.
cj is a great finisher. when he gets into the flow of playing with his team mates and the defense gets better he'll be an asset. i like the pick.
I think this has been a lost year for CJ. I expect him to work hard all summer and surprise us next year.
