I'll be pretty happy if Harkless improves his shooting and his consistency next year, plays good defense, and earns the starting SF spot. I might even forget all about this Batum argument.
Hypotheticals? You guys are trippin' with that CJ wouldn't get his minutes bull. He'd get his minutes because he's CJ. He's the 10th pick and we'd give him every opportunity to shine. Plus, how does CJ NOT get 30 mins off the bench with this 9 man rotation? Dame/CJ Batum/CJ/Crabbe Harkless/Crabbe/Batum Aminu/Leonard Plumlee/Davis
When trying to determine the answer to the question one has to use hypotheticals. You have to use hypotheticals to prove me wrong. Hypotheticals such as the bull crap that CJ wouldn't get his 30 minutes per game.
So in essence, we're having to hypothetical your hypothetical, but really, it was you who started the hypothetical, so we had to, because that was the only reason. And you never know if CJ would do well coming off the bench. That's an assumption, not a hindsight fact.
If PapaG were still here, this feuding thread would have turned bitter and ugly long ago. Nowadays, even threads like this maintain a light touch.
thats been my repeated claim too. A defensive squad like Draco listed, featuring Davis Harkless Aminu & Batum gives them 4 long quick versatile guys who can switch on to most anyone, block passing lanes and defend the 3 point line. Thats where the game is headed these days. STOMP
Sorry, no. 12.9 PER for Hendo this year... 15.0 PER is the mean NBA player. the form on his jumper is Jordan-esk, but then he draws only rim. Great looking athlete, not so great results. To my eyes thats always been the case for him. STOMP
Huh? The end of last season didn't convince you? In CJ's first game of this season he had 37 points. He didn't slowly hone his confidence and skills against the competition. Finally 100% he played ball like he was capable of. Of course if there are more good players on a team guys have to defer & blend so the team can maximize their collective potential, but thats a good problem to have... Portland's problem is certainly not having too many good players. They need more passers, more wing defenders & generally more talent if they're to compete with the best. STOMP
for the most part players play to the ability they're capable of regardless of their starting status. CJ & Dame as a backcourt combo score a lot & give up a lot in part because they're one of, if not the smallest starting backcourt in the league. Their backups are nothing special. Whats the issue with having a solid 3 guard rotation? STOMP
Great argument on both sides as I learn from you all from all angles. Seems its not as divided and more united at the Hornets nest as I check their sites to Gage the Batum Homerism. They can't wait to sign him long term. The moving parts of the trade with adding Aminu and also developing Harkless not to mention CJs increased roll was all great moves and Vision on the part of Olshey in putting together this Winning puzzle. All in all knock on wood( with a victory) we are once again a 5th seed when experts predicted us to be the bottom of the barrel. Hopefully our FA this year will net a big man and we will soon be saying Batum who? And ordering Freedom Fries. Thanks for the insight!
You started it! Sometimes you guys sound like kids. The whole friggin' thread is full of hypothetical assumptions yet I'm the only one that is held accountable for the hypotheticals.... GTFO.