This series has really given Neil some useful data about our strengths and weaknesses. We talk a lot about the playoff experience that the players are getting, but I think the scouting that Neil is getting from this series is equally valuable, if not more so.
Come on this is a little overboard. If we would have been swept and blown out all 4 games, then it would have been arguable how much value that would have created vs. The pick. The fact we won game 3, i think everyone is an agreement that the playoffs are worth it. Cant we all enjoy it a little before the complaining and i told you sos are thrown around?
I agree. Some players are really stepping up (Plumlee and Harkless), while others have been a disappointment so far (Aminu-offensively at least, Crabbe & Henderson). The way they play the rest of this series may make a huge difference in which guys Olshey tries to re-sign this summer.
I think Crabbe is still going to get an offer in the 10ish million range per year, but at this point I'm not so sure I would match. Or at least I would probably match and trade.
Most of the players are young and growing so it is hard to know what they could be come. But, it is interesting to see who blossoms and who wilts on the big stage. Also, players like my man Harkless (Plumlee too) are probably benefiting by showing that even if they don't score big, they do other things to help get the win. The rest of the series may also give some insight into the viability of the Dame/CJ back court. I agree that Crabbe and Henderson have been hurt by this. Davis did so much during the regular season he may get a pass as a bad match-up. Not sure why Crabbe isn't feasting on these guys.
Crabbe's problem is confidence. He just doesn't assert himself like a shooting guard should. You look at CJ and you see supreme confidence. Crabbe just doesn't look confident at all. I think he has improved since his rookie season, by far, but I still see a guy who needs to be more cocky.
So you have to decide if you can grow that in him or if he will be Martell. My biggest concern is his less than stellar defense, while not taking/hitting shots. If he isn't hitting, then he seems to struggle on the defensive end too. Not a good combination.
I also think that this series has demonstrated the worth of Meyers Leonard to this team. A 7-1 super athletic LONG defensive player who can frustrate opposing bigs in the paint and force shot-blockers like DeAndre to respect his shooting range is a huge asset that I hope the Blazers are smart enough to match any offer he might receive. Does the kid make bonehead plays? Yes, but they will decrease as he gets older, I believe.
If possible, but you need to make sure you know who your back SG is. If you trade Crabbe and Hendo goes, then there better be a replacement somewhere.
I think some of it is a bad match-up, but his lack of impact isn't unheard of. His entire season is peppered with games where he had little or no impact. We all remember the tough defense, contested rebounds, and P/R dunks - but there were a lot of games where he was invisible. I like Ed a lot, but he needs to improve this summer (along with everyone else) - he can be a key rotation player for us, but depending on what moves are made he can also be a useful trade asset.
Easy on Crabbe. This is his first playoffs as a rotational player and it's only been 3 games. Give him a chance to get comfortable. Easy on Henderson. He had 16 points in game 1. Super easy on Aminu. He's not shooting a good percentage but he has hit some big shots. He's playing good D and he's one of the top rebounders in the playoffs.
I wonder what we could get in a trade. Orlando got a few month rental of Irsan Illyasova for Tobias Harris. Could we get that much?
Two things I've learned: 1) Aminu is way too indecisive with the ball in his hands and his shot is shit because of it. I don't know if he's the right guy for the future. 2) We need an enforcer at the PF spot. Someone that can throw some elbows and score a few buckets in the post. A Buck Williams if you will. So we convert Aminu to an enforcer big in the offseason and move Harkless to SF permanently. Both problems solved.
