Of course move the ball. People here (not you) keep saying we got open shots and couldn't make them.....this team isn't going to just make more threes than people consistently. I'd rather get layups and defend. Settle for threes. Not actively seek them
How many years have you been following the Blazers? In 2015-16, C.J.'s first year as a starter, he averaged 4.3 APG, that was 4th in the entire league among shooting guards. This isn't a DNA issue, it's a system issue. Our entire team sucks at getting assists. The system sucks. We don't get nearly enough ball movement or player movement. I'd like to see how Dame and C.J. would do in a system that generates a lot more ball and player movement before I blame one player for the whole team being dead last in assists. BNM
He averaged 10.7 per 36 minutes playing against other teams second units. You think he's suddenly going to be dropping 16 ppg in 35 minutes against starters? BNM
Last in fast break points Last in assists Most dribbles per touch That is our issue. Fixing those and getting more ball movement and cuts to the rim will result in more layups and more open 3s. That's what I mean by playing like GS. Running, mov9ng the ball, and cutting to the rim with sets that facilitate spacing, ball movement, productive screens, and face cuts.
How many players in the history of the NBA have scored 50 points in 3 quarters? I prefer to keep those type of scorers. At the very least I don't rush to get rid of them
You lost me here... C.J. just averaged 25.3 ppg in the playoffs, compared to 21.4 ppg during the regular season. He shot .423 3FG%, .519 FG% and .610 TS% during the playoffs, compared .397 3FG%, .443 FG% and .536 TS% during the regular season. Please explain how that equates to being too short to get his shot off during the playoffs. There are other reasons to criticize C.J.'s play, but making up shit that simply isn't true makes it feel like you're on a witch hunt and not thinking rationally. BNM
When Klay Thompson scored 60 points in 29 minutes he only took 11 dribbles the entire game. Sure, that's an extreme case, but compare that to our offense that has at least one player pounding the air out of the ball on every offensive possession. Our system has become so ISO heavy, it's rare for Dame or C.J. to score without taking > 11 dribbles per possession. BNM
Actually, getting better should be #1 on the Blazers agenda - always, by any means available. You don't just trade your second best player on a whim because your team had a crappy playoff series, especially when that player stepped up his performance compared to his regular season averages/percentages. Does that mean C.J. is untouchable? No, no one ever should be. It just means you don't force a bad trade just to make a trade. Sure, I would have traded C.J. for Jimmy Butler or Paul George, but players of that caliber are rarely available. What I wouldn't do is trade C.J. for some average 3 and D guy just so you can say we are no longer undersized in the backcourt. The Dame and C.J. can't coexist contingent used to base their entire argument on poor team defense caused by our undersized backcourt. Well, that got blown out of the water this year when POR had a top 10 defense. So now, the new mantra is Dame and C.J. can't coexist because they play too much ISO ball. That's not a Dame and C.J. problem. That's a system problem. I want to see them in a new system with lots of ball and player movement before I make trading either of them #1 on my agenda. BNM
Two of the least efficient volume scorers in the entire league, who also average just 2.0 assists per game. How, exactly, does that solve out lack of ball movement issue? I remember when Andrew Wiggins was the #2 option in MIN. They came in 13th in the Western Conference. He would be an upgrade over Connaughton coming off the bench. He would be a huge downgrade compared to C.J. in our starting line up. BNM
Post of the month. I agree on every single part. One comment on your previous one about Klay and his non dribbling. It only works if you have 4-5 guys on the court who can keep the defense honest. They all can shoot and pass. Yes we need a new system but we also need better players to make it work. Kerr and D'Antoni both spread teams out with a 4 corners offense with lots of shooters. If we had that luxury and Dame and CJ only had to catch and shoot....... They would love it Put CJ in Eric Gordon's role in Houston and see what happens.
This! Also - The Blazers say they just missed open shots - what I saw this season was the degree of difficulty in those shots looks to have increased. Lillard has always had a tendency to take very hard, moving shots. I think it explains his streakiness and low percentages sometimes. CJ looked a lot different this season also. This season he was often fading to a side, on the move as he shot. Last season he appeared to stop on a dime, strong dribble, straight up. Not sure if the difference is because teams have scouted him and he needs to create extra space - but both guys take shots that are unnecessarily difficult IMO.
No kidding. Their lives would be so much easier. Hell with less wear and tear they not only would be less worn out for the playoffs, it might extend their careers. God we need another shooter instead of ET.
Bogdanovich and Cory Joseph plus( 1st round or 2nd round pick?) for CJ. Would KP deal with us? Would you as a fan want too after the PG middle finger?
CJ in this series averages 25.3___42%3pt__52%2pt__ 2.3 TO Dame:_____________ 18.5___30%3pt __39%2pt__ 4.0 TO Yet CJ immediately gets threads and posts demanding him outta Portland. Not saying we must trade Dame instead or anything like that. It's just that this forum sucks sometimes. I want CJ out of Portland and balling for a contender just so he can shut the mouths of this fanbase. I'll get no likes, IDGAF.
