Right now, the way we’re playing, Neil should only make a trade if he believes it will net us a championship this season, meaning better than Golden State. Otherwise, roll with what we have going and see how far it takes us.
Hardaway averages 24.4 ppg, not 13. CJ scored 11 points above his own average. Hardaway just under 8.
Hmmm. There are 152 players listed as playing the guard position in the NBA this season. - CJ is ranked 24th in PER. - CJ is ranked 14th in PPG. - CJ is ranked 24th in VORP (Value Over Replacement Player) CJ may not be living up to that huge contract, but calling him a middling SG may be a little off.
CJ is the 19th highest paid player this year in the league. He is the 3rd highest paid shooting guard. CJ is 7th in scoring for SGs. CJ is 8th in PER for SGs. CJ is 14th in rebounding for SGs. CJ is 10th in field goals for SGs. CJ is 14th in free throws for SGs. CJ is 21st in three pointers for SGs (behind Seth Curry and Stauskas) CJ is 17th (tied) in assists for SGs. CJ is 32nd (tied) in TS% for SGs. CJ is 32nd (tied) in steals for SGs. CJ is 12th in Real Plus Minus for SGs. Seems pretty middling. Third highest paid shooting guard. He can score but not much else.
Getting back on track. Looking at the stats(I don't have cable). I really do not see the upside of acquiring a 25 million dollar contract for this guy. I know stats don't always show who this guy really is and the team may not use him correctly (stauskas) But it is quite a leap of faith.
Great defender, very efficient, elite 3pt shooter, has some ability to put the ball on the floor, 25 years old, still developing... How is that not upside? He's one of the most underrated players in the league.
Great article. It's odd to find a national writer provide so much inside information on a team- that's usually better handled on the local level -- but I learned more about the team and especially the aftermath of last year's playoffs, than anything I've read or seen locally. To be fair, I don't read a lot of the local media stories on the Blazers, although, I assume anything of real interest would be posted on this website, and this is the most enlightening piece I've seen. Three things came to mind from this article: 1. The Blazers brain trust (Olshey, Stotts, Dame and CJ) are the most cohesive core grouping we've had since Pietre/Adelman/Clyde. The core really is the key to championship teams. You rarely see winners with a fractured core and the tightness of those units are often well publicized. Warriors being the current example, but certainly many more over the years. I never really think about this team and it's current set up as having championship potential, but with such a solid backbone already in place, maybe fleshing out the role players is really the only thing holding them back. 2. CJ is here to stay. It makes practical sense because the likelihood of getting commensurable return is so low. But I think the story also reveals that the team sees him as a pillar with Lillard, and not a leverage chip. And why not? You have a really talented guy, whose game works well in the playoffs, and works and leads in the right way. Having the two stars being so tight and in synergy when it comes to doing the right thing is rare in this league. Probably makes more sense to give them multiple shots together instead of risking the alternative. 3. The best move Olshey has made with this franchise (aside from drafting Lillard) is signing him to an extension, and I barely gave it notice. It happened the same time as Alridge leaving and I really just shrugged it off at the time treating it as damage control move to keep the media/fans/critics from brutalizing Olshey over, probably, the biggest blunder on his resume. But, as it turns out, the day we lost a talented player who really wasn't right for a championship core, was also the day we made quite possibly the best Blazer ever a Blazer for life.
Did you watch last night’s game. We don’t win without him. Also- CJ scores 50 points in 29 minutes last year. How many middling SGs have done that?
Would you mind explaining the 'State Farm' nickname for Layman? Is it simply because of the commercial had a guy named Jake in it or is there a more layered meaning behind it? I really want to get behind the nickname but I would like to know more about it.
Also- CJ was Player of the Week. How many middling SGs have done that? Also- how do you suggest we get a better SG?
In one of these threads @Boob-No-More said that he's reminded of that commercial. Ever since then, when Jake scores, I say "Uhh, khakis" . That's my first official time calling him State Farm. Lol.
I meant 17 ppg for Hardaway Jr. Since most people say this season is too small of a sample size so far, I was using last year's full season stats. I'll still stand by the point. That CJ is a very good scorer (especially when he is dominating the ball and most everyone else is standing around) and not a very good defender.
Re Paul allen...our spending has not been outrageous in many years for the most part. A bit more conservative approach can be good anyway. Consider the situation we are in due to summer 2016.
He's shooting more this year, which is why he's scoring more. That translates directly to a game during this current year. Small sample size doesnt really apply when you're complaining about one data point within that sample size. Also, Turner guarded him as much as C.J., but you're choosing to make the easy argument.
You’re right, it is an easy argument. CJ is a shit defender. Only Curry has a lower DRTG amongst rotation players and his DBPM is the worst. His DRPM is good for 84th overall...among shooting guards.
Tracy Murray scored 50..... best shooting guard ever. Corey Brewer scored 51 points.... hall of fame! Tony Delk scored 53 points.... best Celtic in team history.
I see you got confused and sehow thought I was arguing the overall argument. I'm deriving the faulty reasoning, not the overall context of it. This faulty reasoning does mistakenly value good or bad defensive production in other players.
CJ is a good player. He is not a max money player. He is what we always thought he was..... a scoring combo guard. He will probably never be an All-Star in Portland. He'll probably never make All-NBA. I suspect if he were traded East he would rack up some hardware though.
