He was a shoot first, shoot second and shoot third volume scorer who didn't play a lick of defense. His first year in San Antonio, Pops called Mills a "little fat ass" and used to call him "Fatty Patty". His weight slowed Mills down on both ends, but was especially detrimental on defense where he could't keep in from of opposing point guards. His poor defense and lack of conditioning limited his minutes. Mills spent the off season getting into the best shape of his life (dropping his body fat from 13% to 5.8%) and the following season, he permanently cracked the Spurs rotation and was a big part of them beating MIA in the finals. Mills gets credit for doing the work, but it came at the prodding from Pops. In Portland, Patty was content to just be the head towel waver on the bench, but in SAS Pops pushed him to become much more. BNM
That's entirely a persons right for that opinion, but that doesn't make it correct. And unlike you, I don't state my opinions as fact.
Parker was a very willing and able passer though. The fact he could drive and score allowed him to also drive and dish. Didn't Parker actually lead the league in scoring in the paint at some point? I suspect CJ is talented enough that he could pass more. Especially with Pops bitching him out
And why do you think I stated it as a fact? Do I have to always post that "this post is my opinion " for you? If I state a "fact" I will back it up, with facts. Hopefully that clarifies it for you. There is definitely a lot more supporting evidence that McCollum's contributions have been key for this team than you are giving him credit for.
Connaughton 3 points. Looks like he fell a little short of that 45 point prediction but CJ sure came pretty close.
C'mon @PtldPlatypus, are you really saying that removing CJ from this roster would make the team better? Even the biggest CJ haters can't possibly agree with that horrible take.
I'm saying that CJ's defensive deficiencies--while not as great as his offensive contribution--are significant enough that they greatly reduce his overall benefit to the team. I'm saying that the team's net rating with both Dame and CJ on the floor is less than the rating with Dame playing and CJ resting (or so I've been told; I haven't looked up the data myself). I'm saying that when CJ is on, he's an amazing scorer, but I've seen so much over-dribbling and tunnel-vision from him that I find it difficult to trust him to be able to contribute when it matters. I'm saying that comparing CJ's salary with his impact on the team, that if a hypothetical deal occurred in which CJ and ET were dealt for a player who left that next year, Neil would likely be able to fill his roster spot with a player that could provide comparable two-way impact. I'm not saying "cut CJ"; but I am saying that trading CJ and Turner for Kawhi would be a no-brainer. That was the point of the post that generated all this response, that even looking at the absolute worst-case result of such a deal, I could make an argument for it. You and I both know that a CJ+ET for Kawhi deal is never happening, but I don't doubt for a second that Neil would jump all over it if the opportunity for one were to present itself.
A CJ/ET for Kawhi trade would have to include at least two bad contracts coming back to make the money work. So no the Blazers wouldn't have money to replace CJ if Kawhi left. I agree that the Kawhi thing isn't happening but the rest of your post is off in my opinion. I'm pretty sure all of the Blazers best lineups in terms of net rating feature both Dame and CJ. As far as defensive deficiencies go, how can they be that significant if the team is a top-10 defensive team?
I don't doubt that NO would make such a trade (in the alternative universe in which it might actually happen) IF he were convinced that Kawhi is healthy AND he would re-sign here after he opts out of his contract. I am concerned about the first condition and I seriously doubt the second one. Trading away a player as good as CJ is for one year of Kawhi would be massively stupid. Dame would have every right to demand a trade if he found himself as the lone scorer for the Blazers after Kawhi took up residence in LA.
Imma need you to stop breaking forum rules or I'll be the tattletale IDGAF. You need to stop with thus line of personal attack and stop it now.
That's not what you originally stated. You said this team with Dame, Nurk, Collins, Moe with cap space would be as good as the team is now. How has cap space ever got us a player back of McCollums caliber?
I interpreted it just fine. You didn't properly explain what you now claim you meant. Don't blame me.
