Dunc'd On grades our offseason (and the rest of the west)

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/duncdon/2016/07/29/western-conference-offseason-grades

Skip to 56:30 for the grading of our beloved Blazers. WARNING: It's rough to listen to.

I'm sure a lot of you have already heard this, but thought I'd share for those that are unfamiliar with the Dunc'd On podcast. (Nate Duncan and Danny Leroux are both some of the more respected NBA writers around).

I respect their opinion, but man did it fire me up to watch these guys prove people wrong, AGAIN.

 

Whoops. Fixed.

 

Normally I question when someone spouts "respected writer" BS then posts some article praising Portland when they shouldnt. So in fairness, what makes them so respected?

When did they prove people wrong the first time?

Obviously they didn't get the memo that we have another year together, so we'll be better.

 

Do you not remember where expectations were for this team 12 months ago...?

And I'm not going to get into what makes them respected nba writers either. Read / listen to their stuff and form your own opinion I guess, but I think it's pretty clear that they're smart guys with sound knowledge of the game and league.

 

I remember. What does that have to do with them?

 

I think there's some misunderstanding going on here ("these guys" = the Blazers in my OP).
My point was simply that the nat'l media seems to be underrating this team again.

With that being said, I think their criticism is more relative to expectations than anything. We were in position to do something big in FA and when it didn't happen and the strategy changed, some were left wondering if there were better options going forward than retaining talent w/ tweaks, but I'm not sure there was.

 

Lol I think made some fair points, but their hate does seem over the top and irrational on a lot of fronts. Which is odd because normally they take a more level headed approach with there analysis/ takes (why I prefer them to a lot of podcasters/writers out there).

 

Haven't listened to this one, but seeing as they were HUGELY critical of ET, going as far as to pretty much say that they wouldn't want to pay him half of what he is making and they aren't very high on AC when he got the offer sheet from the Nets, i'm assuming its just going to be a "what the hell is PA doing with his money, this team is going to be crying and having to trade 1st to get away from the tax". Going to give it a listen now.

 

So... We went from a rotation of:

Dame / CJ
CJ / Hendo
Harkless / Crabbe
Aminu / Vonleh
Plumlee / Davis

To finish last season (and we finished well, mind you.) to:

Dame / CJ
CJ / Crabbe
Turner / Harkless
Aminu / Davis / Vonleh
Plumlee / Ezeli / Leonard

And we had a bad offseason? Looks improved to me.

 

I agree with your sentiments, but I think Ezeli starts.

 

It doesn't matter who starts, they'll get similar amount of playtime anyway.

 

I agree. Ezeli will probably start at center, but Plumlee can play at the 5 and 4 spot (when there is enough spacing to allow it). I think Festus gets a bit more playing time, but who knows really.

 

Last season he averaged about 17 mpg with the Warriors. I expect him to get at least 17 mpg and at most 24 mpg. I'd be ecstatic with the latter!

We know for sure Ezeli and Plums with be playing the bulk of their minutes at the 5 spot. They will be played based upon Stotts' game plan and in-game strategies. I like having Ezeli playing at center defensively rather than Meyers. I view Meyers more as a situational player as he's limited defensively more than our other bigs.

 

I just really don't care what these people think. It can be interesting to read their opinions, but overall I'm pretty happy with the moves that Neil made, and I think we have a lot of room for growth.

 

Maybe these guys are the world's biggest Gerald Henderson fans?

 

I just don't see how anyone could be unhappy with Neil's offseason.

We retained all our key free agents. (Crabbe, Harkless, Leonard)

We signed two players that are young and fill a need (Turner, Ezeli)

And we have a lot of flexibility to make a trade/consolidate. The team is young, we have a lot of potential for growth, we have a good coach, we have a great GM, and we have an owner that was willing to open up his wallet to keep the team together and add new pieces.

What's not to like?