With Olshey commiting the kitchen sink to CJ, I think he has to make a move by the deadline that will bring us an overpriced quality vet to try to take advantage of Dame's prime over the next 3 years.
With the way Skal has played on both sides of the floor, I'd definitely be for a Whiteside for Blake Griffin, Otto Porter Jr, or Danilo Gallinari trade. Start Skal and then go sign Noah or Faried (if possible) to be our backup C.
Really??? Ive been so unimpressed with Skal, which has been a bummer, he’s been to me one of my biggest disappointments so far this season. He seems to always be out of position defensively. It seems like he has problems gathering rebounds, brings the ball down to low. At times seems to have hands made out of stone, too many turn overs. He has a beautiful jumper when given the shot, and to be fair he’s been in there as basically the only big a lot. I know he shows well on advanced stats, but I dont think he’s ready to be a starter on a consistent basis.
The Blazers defensive rating has been 6 points better with Skal on the court compared to when he's off the court. His rebounding issues are overstated, he's getting 11 rebounds per 36 minutes. It's more of a product of the guys around him. Offensively, he hasn't played with enough confidence. A starting spot would give him that confidence. The offense flowed well with him in the game last night and his jumper is a real weapon that's gone unused this season. Even then, he's still averaging 14ppg Per 36 on 58.2 TS% (55/33/65). He also has more potential as a passing big than Whiteside does, and turns over the ball at the same rate.
Course he’s almost never on the court when playing against the other teams subs, there starters are way likely to take advantage of his weaknesses. Fact is, I like skal. I just dont think he’s anywhere relatively close to ready to start if the goal is trying to win. They want to just use this as a development year than ok, but their defense sucks, even when he’s on the court. I dont see much potential in him as a passing big man, either. A starting spot could hurt his confidence too if he cant hold his own playing against better players.
But he's also playing with subs who aren't good defenders and he's behind a really good rim protector who led the league in DRtg last year. He's been a good defender. And he's a better passer than Whiteside, that's all I said. He's a smart player, he can be a solid passer. Last night, I saw a guy who, with enough confidence, could be a really solid starting C. Maybe starting gives him that confidence. Who's to say he'll be that much worse than Whiteside that we couldn't upgrade another area and have Skal hold us over until Nurkic is back?
IMO they should play WS and Skal together more. I also just dont think Skals ready to start, I think he’ll he worse than WS at least for a while. Skals not really scouted much, or in anyone’s gameplans at all. So its hard to take much away from good games when they’re begging you too shoot. The good news is the more he makes shots the more he’ll get into opposing teams game plans and at least provide some spacing Whiteside doesnt do that.
Skal was awesome against the Bucks....I see Pau in his ear everytime he's off the court....this is only a good thing to have
I think they need to get closer to 500 record wise by the break so it sort of is time to have a winning stretch...I think it's a confidence builder ….the players need a win as much as the record needs one and if we don't win we still need to play really well....build trade value
Ok, that still doesn’t make it a “must win” we could easily lose next game or two and be fine 5 months from now. We’re not even 1/5 of the way through the season.
sure, but I never go into a game expecting to lose....I appreciate Kingspeeds posts about "must wins"....I understand that sentiment for the reasons I mentioned...I think the players are probably saying the same thing....win one with Melo! I have a much harder time reading..."we have to tank so lose this game" …...which has been sort of a theme this season...rest Dame for the year crap...so we can get LaMelo to play with Melo. I don't even think about the lottery this time of year myself
I think when everyone is healthy we already have a contender. Not that this means that much, but the clippers are considered a contender and the blazers played them well and barely lost, in LA, without Collins and Nurk. Already we’ve seen stretches (e.g. spurs game) where we’ve looked dominant. if we can make a trade for younger players that we don’t use for a veteran then I’m all for it. I would even do something like Nas or Ant for Blake Griffin. But I don’t think trading veterans like CJ who have years of chemistry for some allegedly “better” player with our team is a good idea, at all.
It's going to be Baz and Hassan if they make a move...both are expiring and have huge value in a trade for cap reasons. They can get a needle mover because of that...rookies aren't going to get an all-star who moves the needle....maybe as filler but Hassan and Baze have big expiring deals
not really....I could be wrong about Otto...I don't know his game that well. Gallinari doesn't move the needle for me though ...he can shoot...we have Melo to do that..
What's the thing bout Thompson trade idea? Why on earth would you bring someone like him to Blazers lockerroom?
I think Porter would be. A career 40% 3-point shooter with a 7'1 1/2" winspan who can defend multiple positions. Could stand to put on more weight/strength but in the perfect age range for Dame.
