Vonleh has plenty of opportunity to get more than those 16 minutes. He's usually playing so bad the coach sits him the rest of the game. As I said in my last post Jermaine proved much more in fewer opportunities at a younger age. Zach Randolph was way more effective his first two NBA seasons in similar minutes while also coming out as a Freshman. I'm not saying Vonleh has no chance of being a long term starter; just I would put the odds against him. He was drafted 9th for a reason, and it too late to give up. But if we redid that draft today there's certainly 9 other players I take first. We're not seeing the improvement we'd hoped for. CJ has greatly exceeded this seasons expectations. Meyers has fallen far short. Vonleh is somewhere in the middle. We could call it an incomplete. It would've been real nice to get an A or B from Vonleh this season. That hasn't happened. We'll just have to see what he does next year and hope for the best. But soon I'll start to just assume he is a career backup until he proves otherwise.
Vonleh at 20 is getting a crash course in NBA starter level defense. I think it's perfect using him 16 min at tip off and spread out with spot minutes when needed. Just like Crabbe, Leonard and CJ...his first season with Stotts is all about learning to defend and he's learning. Right now I'm more concerned about Crabbe and Harkless making some shots
Oh he's trash compared to zbo with the opportunities Vonleh is getting. Zbo would have LOVED the babying Vonleh is getting. He does have great defense but he's beyond terrible offensively
That is the real concern. Vonleh isn't and shouldnt be a concern. It's far too early to say which way he's going to go.
When I read your post, it just makes me wish that Vonleh was getting 30 minutes a night and that the coaches emphasized getting the ball to him. Even Plumlee could be used more. This team started the year with what I thought was the approach of developing individual skills and teaching the team to play together well. Now that the emphasis seems to be on making the playoffs, (wrongly in my view), that approach has been left behind and mostly now the team relies on pick and rolls by Lillard and McCollum. Yes, this is their most effective weapon but i think they should be developing other weapons, or they will never be a great team.
Crabbe is in a bad slump. no doubt. I do think he was under-used even when he was hot; he would make about three shots in a row and never see the ball in the next 5-6 minutes. Lillard/McCollum have been ignoring him sometimes lately when he is pretty much wide open, which not only does not allow him to get back into a groove, but also he may lose confidence because he thinks they don't have confidence in him. then it just snowballs. I also noticed last night that on our last real offensive play that Lillard totally ignored a hot Henderson who was wide open and well in the vision of Lillard; instead Lillard drove into three guys and was extremely lucky to get a foul call (I could not see one on the New Orleans replay).
To be fair, Henderson got all his points in the 2nd quarter, and our WHOLE TEAM slumped in the 4th... so Lillard took it upon himself. So...
in response to the OP, probably. The way we're bringing Vonleh along, ie starting against premier plaers, playing fuck all other minutes, regularly getting rekt but sometimes playing some great D, isn't really a statistical 'Starting Five' numbers booster. SF/PF/C is the revolving door of throwing something against a wall, something should stick..... and that stick can be Davis, Harky, Crabbe, Henderson, and sometimes even Meyers. The rotation in the frontcourt is pretty fluid, but mostly undefined. I guess we'll see how this pans out..... If I could lock down to a playoff rotation of a core 8 Dame CJ Crabbe Aminu Henderson Davis Plum Harkless Yeah, no Vonleh - it's just too much to have a 15 mpg 'starter' anchoring the PF spot in the playoffs. This is a tricky one as they have invested so hard in him starting this season, but FFS, let him come off the bench against come 2nd units and showcase a little... All the guys I've picked are very active all over the floor and we have a lot of cross over between front and back court with many people being able to play multiple positions. And of course, no Meyers. If we lose a critical game due to him just derping out on plays, I think I'll shoot someone.
With as disappointing as Vonleh has been, I have no doubt he could equal or better Aminu's #s if given Aminu's minutes. SF is our weak spot.
Per 36 minutes: .. Pts...Rebs...Ast...Stls...Blks...TO's Amine.................10.6...8.4.....1.8....1.5....0.9.....1.9 Vonleh..................9.3...9.8.....0.9...0.8...0.8.....1.5 You're right...pretty close.
Again, for me, at this time, showing your teammates that you trust them and want to include them is more important than winning a game. Who knows, stuff like that could make a difference as to whether Henderson wants to sign up with us next year.
I get both sides of this argument, I really do, but in my opinion there is a reason Stotts and Olshey are doing what their doing with Vonleh. We don't see what goes on behind closed doors/in practices. Everybody has been gushing about our couch/gm combo, so have a little faith that they know what their doing with the guy. I would also like to add that zbo and jermane had the opportunity to learn and be mentored by sheed, who was a crazy dude, but undeniably an all-star at this position. Had Vonleh gotten time to study under LA(which was what they were hoping for when they brought him in, let's not forget that little detail) he would have been able to be that backup PF who could get his minute/leaning done against other benches and garbage time. One who could do much of his training outside of the scrutinizing eye of the public. Just my two cents.
Most still do; at the price each will be paid. Batum is eligible for $158 million. I'll gladly take Aminu for $7 million per season. Neither is a star.
When we start seeing the contracts being handed out my friend, we won't bat an eye at what Nic makes. Look at the disgusting money guys like Tobias Harris and Wes Mathews are making.
again... 8/4 in 11 minutes is beyond terrible??? MAn you must want something like 25/25 in 5???? Sooo true.. People getting on Vonleh need to grasp the bigger picture. Harkless and Crabbe.. mostly Crabbe, should be playing better. WAAAY too many fouls from Crabbe still and his shot has disappeared. Id like to see Crabbe move his feet more and stop reaching in so darn much on D. I think his shot selection has been decent, just not going in. Vonleh... there is nothing to worry about. The guy is progressing very evenly and at a fair pace in my opinion. I still think he has the potential to be our starter long term. Lets give him that second and third year like CJ got with us and like AMinu, Crabbe, Leonard hav all gotten. Vonleh should improve quite a bit yet.
