Just like the headline says--1st in TRB and DRB, and 2nd in the league in ORB. Now this is one I don't think anybody saw coming once we knew Ed Davis was gone. It's funny--I don't think of anybody on the team as being an elite rebounder (other than Swanigan, who doesn't play much), but the team just seems to be gang rebounding really well. I also think all of our 7 footers are doing a lot to throw their size around under the rim, which is a big advantage when so many teams now are going small.
Nurkic is top 5 in the league in offensive rebounds. He’s averaging one orebound more than he did last year, similar to his average when he first got to Portland. Beyond that it’s been a good group effort, I agree.
I was a very surprised last night when they said it during the game. (Blazers and Bucks in the top 2) I was fine with Portland giving up some size (rebounds) in order to get better shooting. But to improve on both is surprising. It just goes to show you that there is a lot more to rebounding than just size. Especially with all the 3 point shots being taken. Once the long rebound hits the floor, the smaller quicker players actually have the advantage.
Yep, love me some Ed Davis, but the youngsters have offset what he brings and some. Between, Zach, Meyers, Jake & Swanny, so far it's been more balanced. Its been good for Davis too, and it was 100% the righting for Neil to do and I applaud him for it. Im sure Ed does as well.
Really, did we get that much smaller? Seems like Collins, Leonard and Biggie are taking up most of his minutes, and all those guys at least weigh more than Ed. Collins and Leonard are a legit 2-4 inches taller. Layman, Sauce and Curry aren't much different in height from last year's Harkless, Layman and Shabazz trio.
It's not quite that good. Those rankings are for total rebounds, not rebounds per game. We have played 11 games, MIL has only played 10. In the ORB category, we are 7th in ORB/G. Of the six teams in front of us, only NYK has played 11 games. The top 3: DET, MIA and OKC have only played nine games. Here's how we currently rank in rebounds per game: TRB/G = 2nd: ORB/G = 7th: DRB/G = 2nd Still, we are ranked 2nd in the league in TRB/G. So, that's pretty damn good. In fact, this is one of the reasons I was thinking about starting a thread this morning: Are We Better than We Think? In addition to being the 2nd best rebounding team in the league, POR is currently ranked 2nd on offensive efficiency (ORtg) and fourth in defensive efficiency (DRtg) We lead the league in FT%, are 5th in TS% and 4th in opponent eFG% (couldn't find a list of opponent TS%, but given that we also have the 5th best OPP FT% in the league, we're probably top 3 in OPP TS%): So, we are top 4 in offense, defense and rebounding. We shoot the ball well and hold our opponents to a low shooting percentage. It's only been 11 games, but so far this season, this is the most complete Blazers team that I can remember in a long, long time. BNM
When in doubt, roll your own: So, my assumption was correct, POR has the 3rd best OPP TS%. The top 3 are all very close. The league average OPP TS% is .558. So, we are much better than average. BNM
During the 4th quarter last night, I wanted to start an "Are the Trail Blazers for real?" thread, but restrained myself. Clearly I should have gone with my gut on that one.
No you are right. I was not really talking about the center spot or comparing the team to last year. I just mean in general our team is considered small with our back court and 220 /lb starting PF. And moving Jake into the starting line in place of Harkless for some meant less rebounds. I was ok with that, if it meant more offense. ET is not a big SF but the offense has been working well when he is on the floor. I love this because Hark, when healthy, can back up the PF spot even though he is on the smaller side for that position.
Our guards rebound well this season...our bigs more than make up for Ed's rebounds plus add outside shooting...we're in good shape..Barkley was right..Portland has it all even if the grass always seems greener. Our bench is special..and Curry and Stauskas are good rebounders for guards
They should be a very good rebounding team just because they so rarely run. So if they're not going to run, everyone should be crashing the boards.
We've got two good big man and then one who can play well a couple of times every two weeks, I am not surprised. And Biggie's standout skill is hitting the boards too.
We'd have a good player if Olshey had traded him last year instead of giving him away. But I understand. If a GM lacks the talent to ever make a trade, then he has to give away good players. No prob. I'm sure the new cheapskate owner won't mind.
So trading a bench player in the last year of his contract would have gotten us a good player ? god damn what was Olshey thinking !!!
I think at the time the Cousin possibility was a factor. Once that fell through they were able sign Stauskus & Curry to improve 3 point shooting.