Bogans

So I guess I'm late to the party. A 35 year old is on our summer league team and getting minutes? Why was he brought in?

 

With so many young guys, it's good to have a couple of vets to mentor them.

 

I am thinking a Earl Watson role. Not sure if that was beneficial, but Stotts would know best.

 

This might help:
http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...ns_feels_like_a_kid_again_as_he_fights_f.html

 

I needed that, thanks.

 

I really think it's a bad idea to have young guys not play who think they should be playing. This "competition" doesn't really help - especially in the case of Robinson, Biebs, CJ, and Barton. The coach didn't commit to any one of them, and so none of them got significant minutes. We jettisoned the players we had spent a lot of time developing as throw-ins in a trade.

So, what's the answer? Bring in vet. min. vets and 2nd round rookies who don't expect minutes. The vets can teach the young players how to approach the game as a professional. Certainly Lillard heavily credited Mo Williams with his development.

 

Your comparing apples to oranges.
The players you mentioned were low end bench. We had a starting five and 3 deep regular rotation players last year. There was no room for anyone to get significant minutes beyond that. Players got opportunities but did not jump on them, for the most part.

This year, we have one known starter. We brought in two guys who have started in their past, but the rest are unknowns. Who is the clear favorite to give minutes to? Meyers, Dame and CJ are probably a lock for 30 minutes a game (Dame a few more). Aminu and Harkless will get at least 20 minutes a piece along with Plumlee getting anywheres from 20 to30+ depending if he starts regularly. The rest of the team is an unknown. We don't know if Plumlee will play better with which lineup and the same goes for Davis.
The competition is absolutely necessary for several reasons. It brings out the best play in the players. Coaches get looks at ALL of their new guys with a consistent basis. But mostly? I think Stott's might play the matchup game alot more from night to night, trying to put these guys in situations where they might have an advantage, not only to help build confidence, but put them in a position to succeed.

We are talking about who is gonna start, but I think the starting lineup wont really materialize until half way through the season, as we see who is gonna break out, who isn't fitting in, who plays well with who, etc. To me, I am not banking on the starting line up of the first game to be the same as the one after the all star break. Heck it could change a few games in....Unless we get truly lucky and a good 5 unit really starts to gel right off the back, then MAYBE we see a somewhat consistent starting 5. But if we do, a couple of those guys will still play only 15-25 minutes.

 

Maybe I wasn't clear, I wasn't talking about starting, I was talking about rotation players.

Aminu, Crabbe, Davis, Henderson, Leonard, Lillard, McCollum, Plumlee, Vonleh, and now Harkless. If any of these players do not make it to the rotation, they will be unhappy. Are we really going to have a 10 player rotation? If we do, some players won't be getting enough minutes.

Pat C, Frazier, and Montero will be happy to just be on the team (is that everyone?)

I'm advocating either 1) getting a starter or 2) getting someone to add to the second list.

 

Because you weren't producing, so they were forced to replace you.

 

You were clear, but what I wasnt clear on is I think a few of the guys you just listed will be starters. What it seems you are saying is we will be picking up more starters prior to the start of the season? Of which case, that might be for one or more of the names you listed. Either way. Plenty of minutes for everyone in my eyes.

 

I think the Blazer should play 10 deep and play hard. I think our energy and athletisism are our only edge right now. Damian is the only guy who is head and shoulders better than his backup, so he can get 36 minutes, but maybe the others should be split like 28/20 play harder in less minutes.

 

I remember when the Blazers had a tough time dealing with really high energy athletic teams, and now we need to be one.

 

It was tough too, but we got several new posters with lillard in their name. Don't worry, though, I can't keep track of them all either