Basketball isn't like some other sports where a team can just overcome the loss of an important starter. There's only 5 guys on the court, so the absence of even one player makes a big difference. We need Aminu back, but the team still has a hole at center that is only magnified by the absence of Aminu and the general defensive scheme Stotts prefers. Expect a move to be made there, and I would be shocked if it wasn't the plan all along. Just look at all the big men that could be available in trades. They all sound better than spending 70m on a biyombo or Mozgov
Just curious.. if we go on a winning streak or start playing significantly better when Aminu returns...Will the same posters keep posting the same things? I'm in the camp of we are 20% short on the Defensive end because of his loss. That's huge. 20% more losses. That's huge. We will be better with his return and we will be competing against the best as soon as we make a trade to lock down the paint. Again... The season is long and our best defender went down. He will be back, and so will our defense. (not tying one to the other, rather saying he will be back AND our defense will also get better). Patience young guns of the instant wild west. You can't expect a 5 star meal in the drive through and conversely, if you're not willing to sit and wait, then you will never enjoy a 5 star meal.
Assuming he comes back healthy in the next month, we've actually been kind of lucky to have this injury. Without it I'd be having some doubts that maybe Vonleh, Meyers, Turner, Crabbe or Layman could shine more with just a little more of an increased role. Aminu's minutes have been spread around, and frankly every one of those guys except Layman has squandered the extra opportunity. I don't think there's a question in anybody's mind that Aminu should get all the minutes he can handle (along with CJ, Dame and Mo) and the rest of these guys should fight for table scraps. If it weren't for salaries, I think Stotts would be playing Layman more minutes than any of those guys.
Random thought--when Aminu comes back, do you return him immediately to the starting lineup, or do you leave Ed in the role in which he's played significantly better? I wonder if there might be some value in having Aminu play primarily with the second unit.
I think his defense needs to be on the court at the same time Lillard and McCollum are paired together. He also works well defensively with Harkless.
Agree. Aminu is our best perimeter defender and needs to be out there to help whenever he can. Our team can use an interior defender, but I would also like to see our team go after a few perimeter defenders by the trade deadline.
He's playing like crap right now, at least in terms of shooting. Maybe it will take him more than 2 games to get his shot back? On the other hand, he was shooting like crap before the injury.
Not arguing, just pointing out that Aminu's been consistently inconsistent this year. Hope it doesn't last, FAMS. FAMS = Fake Assed Mother Stuffer?
Four games in with two of them being blow outs. Yes i believe that. But fact remains he has had one awesome game and one average game. two games have been very suspect to the same old Aminu. I personally feel Aminu has a much needed place on this team but he should not be a starter at the PF position. Just my take.