Last night's game was what you could call a bench made win: on a night where Dame and CJ struggled to score and Nurk was forced to play restricted minutes due to foul trouble, the bench came through big time. It was exactly the kind of game that last season resulted in a big loss, yet this time the bench scored 54 of the Blazers' total 103 points. Can anyone remember a time last season where the bench outscored the starters? IIRC, the bench scoring 30 points was a big deal. This year, the Blazers' bench is a force, sporting the third best net rating of all benches in the NBA so far: https://on.nba.com/2yH3Pm2 That's kind of funny given the grief Olshey was given around here over the summer for letting Ed walk and only making the seemingly minimal acquisitions of Curry and Stauskas. The pundits were less than impressed with the Blazers' bench unit prior to the start of the season, with CBS Sports rating them the 4th worst in the league: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...ippers-boast-top-reserves-for-2018-19-season/ I don't know if what they're doing is sustainable for the rest of the season, but so far Blazers management's decisions look spot on. ET is working well as a second unit floor general. Zach's growth in an expanded role has been spectacular. Stauskas has opened eyes around the league with his play and Curry looks to be a great pick up in his own right. On given nights, Meyers and Biggie have made major contributions. I don't want to have to test the bench with too many games where the starters are struggling in a big way, but it's nice to know that the bench is capable of stepping up and providing a safety net.
I've been amazed by the way the bench has played. First time in a long time that when substitutions begin, I think, "all right, now we'll start to see some separation". I was amazed by Biggie's contributions last night, too. Think I'd really love to see Mo return to the starting lineup, and have Jake, Biggie, and Meyers all as plausible frontcourt pairings with Zach, depending on the matchup situtations and the skillset needed. Also need to see some more consistent play from Curry over the next couple weeks (6 game home stand coming up in the first half of November!!).
Good points. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the bench plays against the Pelicans on Thursday. I think this bench would have made a world of difference in the playoff series with them last season.
Biggie was, well big. Nice to see that. As for Curry, keep in mind he missed all of last year so it will take some time.
My comment is you only gave us 25 minutes to comment. lol Some of us actually have to comment in between getting work done! And yes the bench is kick ass, but I dont think it will stay that way. I think Collins is working his way into a starter role.
I've said probably the worst GM in free agency and signing Players contracts, if you already quote me then quote me correctly! Evan Turner is still overpaid af, that signing was and is stil terrible, but at least he has a role now as leader of the 2nd Unit. Stauskas and Curry are good signings, but they have chosen us because of the guard friendly Offense Stotts runs, not because of Olshey
Unfortunately your link to the highest rated benches in the league doesn't work for me. I would like to know who's bench is performing better. Is it Golden State?
I'm still concerned about Harkless though. Something is wrong with his knee and it doesn't seem like it's healing right.
So Aminu was a bad contract? Harkless? How about Kaman? Also a bad signing? Napier last year was a bad signing? And did you read somewhere that Stauskas and Curry chose us instead of other teams because of our offense and would have gone elsewhere? Link? If none of these questions can be answered, then someone has some unfair hatred towards NO. People live in a fantasy world of their own if they think that EVERY signing is going to be good. Im willing to bet almost every team in the nba has at least one cancer contract. And if they do, they must suck too....
Good lord man, read my post again. I said "AT SIGNING PLAYERS." Do you actually believe all the bullshit you post? You lose all credibility when you make comments like Olshey is the worst in the league at free agency but then claim he had nothing to do with the players he signed. Your posts are an absolute joke.
Still, he answered the question. He said that the "worst GM at free agency signings" got Curry and Stauskas because of Stotts' offense, not because of any skill of his own. I'd also venture to say that @Labinot41 primarily takes issue with Neil's ability to consummate deals for impact players (starter caliber), rather than the recycle-bin acquisitions with which he's been relatively effective.
Aminu, Harkless, kaman, Napier Yeah those are great signings, really those are great signings... if you want to stay mediocre. Fact is Neil sucks in free agency, if you come with those Players, all i can do is laugh
