The Blazers aren't winning a championship and Shabazz is not likely to be here next year. So should this play a factor in the decision?
It absolutely should. Coaches are paid to win games and Bazz gives the Blazers the best chance at winning.
Here is the point. Only a couple months ago there was a thread saying how lucky the Blazers were to have Bazz and how they wished there was a way to keep him. This thread included many comments from you i believe. Lillard was hurt and he stepped in and played remarkably well. During that stretch Bazz was forced to guard all positions on switches and left in no mans land plenty of times only to show he was tenacious enough and his quick hands spelled trouble for bigger stronger players. At times he almost welcomed the opportunity to get another steal. It's the same people over and over again that want to play Forum Armchair Coaches that always seem to have a new flavor of the day or week. Right now it seems to be Baldwin. This all is coming at the expense of the players that got this team to where it is. Both Bazz and Pat have had good games and bad. Both have had huge impact plays that changed the rhythm of a game in favor of the Blazers. Looks like Wade Baldwin contributes that same kind of impact. I'm not here bashing Baldwin for playing well. The guy seems to be on the road to not only helping out at times during the playoffs but for sure next year. At least i hope so. But Pat and Bazz have been in the rotation. Lillard and CJ both know what to expect from them. Neither of them are laying down out there. Sure. Play the game and cover the matchups. That is Stott's job. He needs to see when Baldwin would be a better match. Wade has shown he can produce. But he also has shown he commits fouls at an untimely rate in one of his games. He also has hit a few three's that came at a good time but he is not known to be a pressure three point shooter. Maybe with any luck he can continue his shooting numbers. Baldwin drives to the hood well. But so does Bazz. And Pat gives that backdoor oop that Lillard seems to look for almost every game. They all have their advantages.
