Simply by Stotts giving bench players more minutes. Will Barton is a good example for that. I think guys like Freeland and Claver could get minutes right now and would actually deserve them with more experience and by practicing some needed (but not impossible to improve on) areas.
If we don't trade, we are fucked. Something has to give, whether that's Stott's system, Stott's himself, some players get moved or what, but something has to change to elevate these guys to the next level. An Offseason isn't going to magically make these guys WCF contenders. The bench guys needed real world experience.
you mean so that shooter's defender can cheat and double team LMA and also block the passing lane? no thank you.
Keep TRob, CJ, and Crabbe. Everyone else on the bench can/should go. I love Matthews, but if we make a trade we will need to move out salary, and the bench guys don't make enough $/have enough value. I don't get frustrated that easily, but watching Barton make TWO jump/pass-turnovers in 3 plays in a playoff elimination game put me over the top! The real offseason homework belongs to Neil. He has to man up and realize that Wright and Leonard were mistakes, and while Mo was a bargain, he's not a long term solution. He needs to not use any of the midlevel on Mo. So, if he doesn't trade Matthews I see the bench being CJ/Robinson/midlevel_dude. I think CJ will improve substantially when he stops deferring.
I agree he is slow footed. The Blazers as a whole (At least the starting unit) are not quick to the ball. My biggest complaint is that they seem to be on the wrong end of the 50/50 balls. When a missed shot hits the floor, we don't seem to get them. When Barton and TRob are in the game we tend to do better. As far as another big, I agree we need to add one more. But if we can't a healthy Freeland could help. I have always been impressed with Tiago Splitter. He has weaknesses as well but he is only 6'11" 255-260 lbs. Joel needs a new goal. Last year it was to be like Nick Collison, this year it should be Splitter. He is only a inch shorter and he can jump much better than Tiago. Like everyone has said, he needs to continue to hit the weights.
Wes Matthews needs to be moved or go to the bench. He simply too limited as a starting SG and lets the opposing offense sag off him. We need an aggressive (can create their own shot) player at that spot and then we can actually impose our style of play rather than just react to the opposing team.
Wes Matthews cannot come off the bench! He cannot create for himself. How many times will people suggest he can be a bench player?
Just because he can't create for himself doesn't mean he can't come off the bench. It won't be easy for him to do so, it isn't easy for any player in the NBA after starting their whole life, but he has to adapt because the chances are no matter what team he plays for the rest of his career......he is coming off the bench. Plus technically after the first 7 minutes of the game, aren't all players coming off the bench? Even starters come off the bench after their first rest. To me the bigger factor is who he is on the floor with that will determine if it works or not. Wes hustles and can spread the floor. That is what he brings to the team. He plays good D against bigger guards. He can't cover smaller quicker guards. Maybe he comes off the bench as a SF sometimes and other times a SG. But I think he needs to come off the bench too. We still benefit from his leadership and outside shooting, The Blazers struggle against teams with good perimeter defense. We need another guard who can attack the basket. Whether he is a starter or comes off the bench like Ginobili it doesn't make any difference to me......as long as he can play big minutes.
Keeping everyone is such a fanboy idea. We need to improve the roster, and players like Meyers, Claver, Watson, Wright, Mo probably need to be upgraded
Thing about T. Rob is he is only a second year player. Usually bigs need about 4 years to fully develop their game.
I agree. I would even use Freeland for a trade as well. We need a very good top 9 team. I think Barton could be a good 8-9 player, T. Rob is still a top 8-9 player. I'm just not happy with Mo, so I would like to use our MLE to get someone that is more of a PG with defense. Watson is just too old to be a factor. Leonard is a complete waste, IMO. He is about as dumb as rocks.
Batum needs to do dribbling drills all summer long. If he had any actual handles he would be amazing.
I would bump them up to a 7 or 8 each, depending on the opponent. But you're right. We're missing our other two bench pieces. And others have pointed out, we need a solid 10pts off the bench consistent player. Not a volume shooter.
Yep! I don't like the Crawfords, Mo's and Terry's. They can shoot you out or in games. I don't like that inconsistency. I would much rather have a constant player that can defend and set the offense. I would really love a slashing SG/SF too. Someone that was like Miles when we had him.
