I don't think Lillard's in a slump so much as he's feeling out his new role now that CJ has caught up to him as an offensive force. Dame is the ultimate team player, so he's trying to maximize that pairing rather than limit CJ's ability to shine. I've said in the past, CJ is a SG/PG and Dame is a PG/SG. That's really the only difference between them, having an ever so slight leaning toward opposite sides of the combo-guard pairing. I do believe CJ has now surpassed Dame in terms of offensive repertoire and difficulty in being guarded. Dame still has a bit more of the Alpha Dog in him, and CJ hasn't quite arrived yet in terms of consistency throughout a game. Stotts' insistence on sticking to defined rotations often takes him out when he's hot and sees him come back ice cold for a quarter. Maybe he needs to take halftime naps to replicate his pre-game routine? (If an extra 5-10 minutes of 2nd half nap time isn't the best reason ever to convert him to a 6th man role, I don't know what is!)
One thing I'm worried about with Damian, is I think his game relies more on athletisism. CJ sort of has that Andre Miller old-man game.....
This was unthinkable at one point, but right now I'd deal Damian, he could get us a much better return, and he's turning into a chucker.
If we do that, our only chance of not sucking for a very long time is to get very lucky in the draft.
Truly tough call but to me it comes down for who you can get. CJ's value isn't as high but it's close so you probably get more for Dame. Here's the confusing part what's available and you trade the one that gets you the best deal. For example if Dame can get you Klay (pipe dream) or maybe even Butler then you have to consider it. Now if a top tier guy isn't available the CJ is traded but CJ better get you a hell of a player in return because his stock is going to continue to rise. Id be talking to Minny or Philly lots of young players and both teams could use the type of guards we have
Jesus. CJ McCollumn is better than Lillard. I'm convinced of it now. Lillard has been so anti-clutch the last couple of years. It's like that shot vs Houston got to his head. If he had the ball, he'd have jab stepped and jacked up a 3. He's lost us so many games in the last seconds. But look at how much better CJ is by comparison. When is the last time you saw Lillard do something like that to win a game?
You know, it isn't necessary for Lillard to be bad in order for CJ to be good. We're damned lucky to have both.
No, but you want your best player with the ball in his hands. Blazers go to Lillard in the clutch and come up empty far too often. CJ is a better decision make and had a better stroke.
You have to have two on the floor though or they would just over play the one guy and keep it out of his hands.
His 4th quarters lately have been pretty dreadful though. And it's not even the missed shots that get me...it's the turnovers.
