so according to Freeman and Holdahls latest podcast, it seems the Blazers are looking to have CJ and Dame play, and rest, together, instead of staggering minutes and lineups. They also mentioned Stotts might be inclined to go ten, maybe eleven deep in the rotation as well as being more match up based (meaning a guy may play one night and then not play the next two, etc) Then they went on to say Curry, Turner, and Collins have rotation spots. The surprise according to them is Stauskas. They think he’s going to factor in the rotation, at least initially. The idea is Turner plays facilitator while Curry and Stauskas provide spacing. Freeman also mentioned, and he was surprised by this, but according to the people he’s talked to inside the organization, Swanigan has stood out in camp. He also said Meyers and Jake have looked good as well. They’re both of the opinion that those three will play, but it’ll be matchup dependent. They made sure to emphasize that things could change and that’s what the next four preseason games are for, but this is how things stand for now. I think CJ off the second unit is a real development though and may eventually open up an opportunity for someone like Trent.
So I'm assuming Harkless is starting? Looking at the 2nd unit there are lots of guys that can space the floor but we'll need rebounding, so I hope Swannigan gets the minutes instead of Meyers. Caleb is so much better at rebounding it's funny.
i just want Stotts to figure out the rotations much quicker this year so we don't waste half the season fucking around like the last 3 years.
thanks for the update. I really dont like the some nights you play some nights you dont thing. I know they’re professional athletes but getting a rythm, chemistry with your team mates and line ups seem so off. In fact it seems like thats how Stotts always plays the 1st half of the year and they struggle through it. Then he settles in a rotation and they start winning.
Of course some of these guys stand out. We are weak defensively so it’s easy to look good on offense going against our own D.
I think that rotation will only apply to the back of the rotation guys like Meyers, Biggie, and Layman. Until/unless one of them establishes themselves I think it’s a good idea. Plus who wants to see Meyers chase Jerami Grant around? (I know he’s not the backup center for OKC anymore, but he was last year so I’m just using him as an example.) It makes sense to play the matchups.
I finally watched the replay last night. I think the combo of ET, Curry and Staukas showed potential. No need to include CJ with that 2nd unit. Sucks for Baldwin though.
I think it’s two things 1. Commitment to Turner as backup point. Surround him with shooters and put him the best possible situation to succeed. Baldwin is the odd man out unless Turner gets hurt or they want to go super defensive. 2. Curry does a lot of the same things CJ does. Maybe not as well, but there’s no play they run for CJ that they couldn’t also run for Curry. We didn’t have that the last few years.
This is why I really wanted to trade Turner, even if it was for someone way worse. Taking him out of the equation means we don't have to try and force a way to make it work out with him in the lineup.
Yeah it does but at the same time a Baldwin curry Stauskas three wouldn’t really work either. I know Baldwin has length but I don’t want to see him guarding a small forward who outweighs him by 20+ pounds. My ideal would be Baldwin Curry and Trent. Who knows, maybe we’ll see it. I still think there’s a lineup where Turner plays the four.
Between Swanigan/Leonard will complete to play along Collins. The other position will between Layman/Trent/Nik to play in that 2nd unit. Due to Collins is just average rebounder you need a strong rebounder with him so right now after the 1st game I Swanigan the edge. Now the other 3 if I gave a edge to after the 1st game it would be Trent due to he just more active on both ends. Now that very slim edge for Trent.
NOt saying it will happen, but I was laughed out of this place for wanting a 5 man rotation. Bring the starters out and put in the 2nd unit. All the switching makes it so the 2nd unit cant gel. Im in favor of this big time. All good things though.
Maybe biggie was standing out at rebounding or defense? That's actually a 10 man rotation and realistically you want all of your players to be able to be plug and play.
