My thoughts exactly. I'll be shocked if we stay Top 5 in any category throughout the season. We've played some pretty crap teams - including DEN, who are not nearly as good as their current record indicates.
I wonder what those stats look like if you take out just the first PHX game. That is bound to skew statistics. Taking out the high and the low helps give a better average.
I'd also like to see the pace adjusted numbers for defense. Since the Blazers don't run (next to last) the pace is very slow so points allowed is going to be lower. I really thing there is an opportunity to run more as we rebound it so well.....and then don't take advantage of the opportunities that should create.
Turner is better at some things, but Aminu is a league-leader at defense and is hitting his threes this season. He's been more valuable to the team than Turner. Neither of them is a player we really want to trade unless it's for someone special.
I think you missed the highlighted portion of your post. Right now. Right. look at the teams we have played....right now.
Dviss, I'm insulted. We don't have enough of either. Our defense is better, but we definitely need more of both. The biggest thing were missing is a 3-and-D guard/wing. An addition of Courtney Lee would do wonders for this team. Connaughton is an awful defender and only valuable if his 3-ball is falling. Courtney Lee is a better, more consistent shooter, better off the bounce (not saying much), and MILES ahead of Pat on the defensive end. An addition like that is what the team needs to be looking at.
After Aminu gets back, I'd roll with: Lillard (35) / Napier (13) McCollum (35) / Turner (13) Aminu (15) / Harkless (20) / Turner (13) Swanigan (14) / Vonleh (20) / Aminu (14) Nurkic (32) / Davis (16)
If we were actually in a position to be competitive deep into the Playoffs then I agree that Lee would be a decent target*. But we're not. There's no point in spending any resources (personnel, draft picks, or luxury tax dollars) on Courtney Lee. The only way trading for Lee would make sense is if we were clearing out Meyers' or Turner's contract...and NYK isn't interested in doing that. *Then again, if we were in a position to be competitive deep into the POs it would likely mean that we have players better than Lee, and therefore Lee would be an insurance policy rather than a rotation player.
