The thing is that Hood looks natural out there. I expect him to have bad games down the line but it seems like he fits the system better than some of the other guys we have. As for the Nik comparisons? Well, Nik has never been a starter of Rodney's caliber. He hasn't proven he can do what Rodney did in Cleveland and Utah - which the latter succeeded in moving without the ball, creating your own shot, etc. I think this was a good role player. If only LMA wasn't a bastard and left this team, Blazers would have the starpower and depth to compete.
We're certainly better by trading two non-players for one player. No question. The trick will be to reduce the right player(s) minutes. Hood is no world-beater - but he's AT LEAST as good as Turner/Harkless/Aminu.
I think it's "talent" in quotes is the problem. A bunch of guys that are kinda good, and kinda good at different things. No one rises above, and that seems to be the biggest problem. I thought Jake had and off to the bench he went when Moe returned (I know it's different now; Jake is playing!). But I understand what you're saying. BUT if you just excised one of those guys from the mix, say Moe, then there are reasonable minutes to compete over and not just scraps. Besides, see Jake Layman to know that Stotts doesn't abide by the "earn your minutes" rule. Big picture, if I'm Jake or Hood or Seth, I'm not resigning in a place that makes you fight for scraps whether you play well or not.
Having more talent is not a burden. The burden is adding talent that isn't that much different than what you already have. The reason that is a problem is now instead of a regular rotation you have several guys that won't play as much that all think they are better or at the very least just as good as those that are getting minutes. Sure, if you win initially some players will be okay with that but if you examine it a little closer: Layman-Playing for a contract next season Aminu-Playing for a contract next season Hood-Playing for a contract next season Curry-Playing for a contract next season Harkless-Trying to prove he's not just an expiring contract next year Leonard-Is finally looking like an okay backup center only to have his minutes cut again Collins-His development is a key for this team moving forward and will likely take a back seat here (maybe warranted though) Turner-Probably the only one who doesn't really have to worry that much I don't know how sustainable it is for the rest of the season to expect no issues from 8 guys who all deserve some amount of playing time. This is the time of the year where rotations start to get tighter and instead we have 11 players to keep happy. I hope it works out but that seems a little crazy to me to think they'll all just accept their new roles. Plus the knock on this team is that it's set up for the regular season (especially with the depth) but not really a playoff roster. Simply adding to the depth doesn't address that issue.
The one thing about Meyers is he's a great teammate. Even if he gets benched for the remainder of the season he's going to be cheering his teammates and maintaining a good attitude.
I can see where it could be a problem for the players you mentioned. But the thing is we did not add talent that was similar to what we had. We added a player in Hood that fills a need that we lacked. A veteran tall guard who can shoot and who can also play SF. The rotation can work well enough to keep everyone happy if Terry plays Hark or Jake at PF. Hark, Collins and Meyers are not FAs so they should be ok getting less minutes. If not....too fucking bad. Dame- Curry CJ -Hood Hark- ET Aminu -Jake Nurk- Collins- Meyers
I never understand the argument for a consolidation trade. We need a full roster and it’s good if they’re all good players, right?
In the regular season, you're probably right. In the post season we need more than a bunch of okay players.
At some point this roster needs another really good to great player added to it. The point of a consolidation trade is to turn 2 or 3 of those "good" players into 1 of those really good to great players. Edit: While adding another good player is fine (I'm not knocking the move itself), at some point a move needs to be for a forward version of Nurk (or something like that).
I'm sick of other teams killing us with their long, athletic players. Olshey just signed two in Hood and Skal. We're getting there. BTW, is it just me or was Aminu's defense trash last night?
I noticed that to but he also got his hands on a few lose balls. He tried to dribble drive last night a few times and look out of sync...
There sure is a bunch of whining and CRYING though. There's only crying on message boards! -Tom Hanks
Not just you. And it's not just last night - last night was just one of the most glaring and obvious displays of how bad he can be.
https://theathletic.com/807550/2019...ow-there-will-be-challenges-for-playing-time/ Can anyone post what is said here?
