Blazer coaches have turned Layman into a supersized SG. He'd be lost at PF unless they coached him into it for a couple of years. Until then, he'd look like Early Meyers Leonard.
He can, but you're going to struggle to defend or rebound in most cases. **Small sample size alert** In 33 possessions, Layman at the 4 has surrendered a 150 offensive rating and a 57.1 oreb%
So 10 games in Jake is out? Tough crowd. He's improved and the team trusts him. He is better on the offensive side of the ball at this point, give it time he will get better with more minutes. He makes quick cuts to the hoop and is finishing around the rim better than he was even a few games ago.... He's learning and adjusting his game. That shot is really nice it will start falling for him soon but in the mean time he can keep moving without the ball and making hustle plays.
In the Nov 1 Pelicans game, Jake was 3 of 3 swish3s. In the Bucks game playing Jake, Zach, and Meyers could result in strong swish3 scoring and an important bench boost toward the 130+ points that will probably be needed to win. The Blazers will need to increase swish3 shooting to beat the Bucks. I imagine a Blazer win with 18 of 45 swish3 shooting.
Counterpoint: Layman should play LESS, and is only playing at all because we need a stopgap in the starting unit and Gary Trent isn't ready. I expect Layman's minutes to go down as the season goes on, ESPECIALLY if Harkless's knee ever gets better. The person whose numbers SHOULD go up (and will) is Curry. I say again: look at what happened when Curry was the fifth starter in that one preseason game. It was an offensive explosion. I know that Jake's numbers look good and Curry's numbers look poor, but Curry leads the WHOLE TEAM in +/- per 48, whereas Jake is the ONLY starter in the negative. (Cue complaints about +/- stats. But remember, Jake is playing WITH strong +/- guys like CJ and Dame, so think how bad his numbers would be otherwise.) Oh, and Stauskas is in the -ve too, which is why I don't want him starting even though he's taller than Curry. Curry is our mini-Kyle Korver - another guy who was a perennial +/- king despite only being good at shooting, because of his effect on opposing defenses.
Jake is playing really well for a guy getting spot minutes even if he's starting...he's going to be a solid rotation guy and like Crabbe, Barton, CJ, Pat C.....his 3rd year is showing the work he's put in. I like Jake. I also like Nik a lot...Curry seems to be playing catchup in Stotts system but has a good motor. After 15 more games we'll have a clear picture of who's a rotation guy. I don't even put Mo in the conversation at this point. When he can play two games in a row I'll weigh in on him
Jake often plays in garbage time with the scrubby scrubs, so his +/- is ridiculously skewed. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/laymaja01/lineups/2019#all_lineups-5-man
Jake is also trying to focus on his defense more than look for his shot..he's talked about it...he'll be a good role player down the road
Really interesting to look at Curry's lineup splits. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/curryse01/lineups/2019 they do show that in the time he's played essentially in Layman's spot, that lineup has performed well. I also see several Curry/Stauskas/Turner/Collins lineups: With Biggie--bad; with Moe--bad; with Chief--bad. But those 4 with either Meyers or Jake have been successful. I know this is all situational and small-sample-size theater, but I find it fascinating.
Mo is the odd man out unfortunately. We are playing so well without him he doesn’t deserve to take any of the others guys minutes. I would look to trade him
I forgot how good Jake's athleticism was for someone that tall and gangily. Wish he was involved in more give and goes to the bucket.
Moe is one more body to throw at a Giannis, LBJ, or Durant.......he does have a 7.2" wing span. He fits a need on this team if he accepts a diminished role. I still like him backing up Aminu against certain teams.
Boy this thread sure took a huge change in content. Jake has made some huge strides and is contributing on both sides of the court. His defense has improved remarkably over the last couple weeks and he is starting to find open shots on his own. Obviously they have been looking for the easy ooop at the beginning of every game. Seems like they run that play consistently. The Bucks had it covered last night but he was there. Jake is also getting put backs at a pretty good clip. Remember this is 11 games into the season. Jake has performed well and secured his spot in the rotation. Even when Harkless comes back (If he ever does get back). This team is lucky to have Jake right now.
Pat's career goals were to not have to play for the Orioles and be seen on national TV dunking a basketball. I think Layman's career can be more significant than that.
Tough crowd. I like what I’ve seen from Layman, thus far this season. And with so many starting guys that dominate the ball, it’s nice to have a guy like him in the starting lineup that is competent and doesn’t need the ball in his hands but can still score.