Notice TRAIL BLAZERS ASSIGN CLIFF ALEXANDER AND LUIS MONTERO TO D-LEAGUE’S SANTA CRUZ WARRIORS

Noooooooooooooooooooo

Dwight Buycks buries a buzzer beater from way beyond the 3. We lose 106-107.

It looked like we had won when M made both FTs with under 2 seconds left.

 

Buh-Buycks.

 

That was a contested 30-footer at the end. We came back from about 20 down in the 1st half. We were down 17 at the end of the 1st.

 

I think that's how to spell it. I guessed.

 

Next game is on ESPN-U. A and M would have been seen by tens and tens of millions of viewers. (Edit: You gotta be able to tell when I'm joking or I can't write anything.) They had their best games tonight because they have learned to stay out of foul trouble. M likes to take over the game. A had a really good 4th quarter. Commentators are praising them.

 

Montero is going to look even better when he's playing with better players. Some of his turnovers weren't his fault. His length will be a weapon on defense as well. Had what 4-5 blocks? I can't wait to see this guy next season.

 

Box scores, regular and quarter-by-quarter
http://dleague.nba.com/games/20160319/OKLSCW/
http://dleague.nba.com/wp-content/uploads/gamebook/dleague/2021500401_Book.pdf

 

Like Batum, he wants very badly to be a dribbling playmaker. After only a week here, he doesn't know where his teammates will be on plays. His passes will connect more when he's been on a team for longer than this. That's why I wish they would leave him here for the rest of the season. Santa Cruz has 5 games left. His playmaking would improve, knowing the coach's plays, and knowing his teammates' favorite shooting spots on the floor.

 

There's really no reason to bring montero back right now. Maybe Alexander because of Leonard's injury but I doubt stotts would ever play him either

 

My guess is they just wanted to see what he could do against pro competition. If I remember correctly, he didnt play a ton in college. But I agree with you, Montero would do better getting regular playing time at this point in his career.

 

This was posted after the first game. (Tonight was the 4th game.)

I think the reason is that in all 4 games, Santa Cruz wore sleeved uniforms. I looked at him this game and realized that he's still slender, though not super-skinny like players were 30 years ago. This summer he can put on muscle. Anyway, I realized tonight that the perception that he has filled out this season is an illusion caused by the sleeved jerseys.

 

Another post from the first game.

He's a good, whooping cheerleader for other teammates, too. Plays the power game under the hoop...and on the bench. He's like a mad dog barking and barely containing his energy. He'll be unleashed when he gets a height advantage, if they don't expect him to play Center.

 

That play at 1:27...

Also really knows how to use the euro step.

 

The very first highlight, you can see his defensive instincts. He's got some ways to go as a man defender but he's already a very good help defender

 

All of Monteros blocks.

 

Good videos. Alexander:
A third of A's points came from M looking for him, a third from other guards forced to pass off shooting midair with a defender draped all over them, and a third from A himself creating a shot, bullying or hooking for a hoop. He has a dependable 6-foot mini-hook shot. His width takes up space and gets him room to rebound.

But I remember more his defensive stops, both successful and often failed. 80% of his effort was to defend the basket. That highlight film shows his scoring only, which is bonus icing on the cake.

Montero:
I posted that M plays both inside and outside, like a guard or a forward at his discretion. He has the height to hang around in the paint. Like Batum, he could be a small forward or a guard with extreme height.

Those blocks under the basket illustrate the Jekyll and Hyde. After blocking or rebounding like a forward, he goes into his guard persona and brings it downcourt, looking for the fancy pass. This outlandish behavior will get toned down against taller and more talented NBA players, until he may be whittled into a mere tree stump of his former self like a subdued Batum.

(Ha ha. Escaping from my instantaneous journalist mode, I had a minute to do a little creative writing there.)

 

I really like how both of them are doing, I think we should call them back and give them some actual playing time with the team. Montero is very impressive and Alexander gives us that inside presence we lack, he's a lot like T-Rob and we haven't had that kind of player since T-Rob himself.
I think they deserve playing time, and I think they can make us stronger right now, not in the summer league, not next year. I understand the complexity of reshaping the rotation at this point in the season but I think they can give us a real boost going into the playoffs

 

Every time I watch Montero play, I see him do things that are not easily duplicated. Still very raw but some of his finishes, his passes, his ability to affect shots on defense....there is a lot to like in terms of him being an actual contributor. If he were to be compared to the Blazer bench wings now, how does his potential compare?

Shooting - Behind Crabbe from the arc but ahead of Henderson, Harkless and Connaugton. Needs to take better shots at times.
Handles - Probably not even close. He is ahead of even the starters at SF.
Defense - Behind Crabbe and Henderson as an on-ball defender but very solid as a 'help' guy.
Passing - One of the most creative in a long time. Needs to be a little more under control but has a knack for creativity.
Finishing - Again, creative. Not real strong but can elevate and has good touch around the rim.

A bit of a crose between Batum/Barton both of whom had unique abilities that are missing from this season's roster.

 

Hilarious... I don't think you understand at all... When I read what you typed in red I can only hear Jim Mora saying playoffs? Playoffs? Playoffs? Those two scrubs will do absolutely nothing in the playoffs...

 

Sorry I missed this one...another great job jlprk! You rock dude! Thanks to Scalma for posting those highlights...Montero and Alexander look pretty good, but Montero is going to be a special player from what I've seen.