Grade the Blazers' roster changes

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Rastapopoulos, Nov 21, 2020.

?

Grade for changes in draft and free agency?

  1. A+

    4.3%
  2. A

    25.8%
  3. A-

    18.3%
  4. B+

    21.5%
  5. B

    21.5%
  6. B-

    6.5%
  7. C+

    1.1%
  8. C

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  9. C-

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  10. lower

    1.1%
  1. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    I wonder how much worse Denver is going to be.
     
  2. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    Losing Grant, Craig and Plumlee....that will be tough to replace.
     
  3. julius

    julius Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    This year to last?

    I don't know. I do think what they lost is bad, but Porter might make up the difference.
     
  4. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    I really feel like their depth is what made them so good.... paired with their stupid altitude.

    I'm not so sure if they have that depth anymore.
     
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  5. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    They have flip-flopped with Portland in terms of depth. Puts more pressure on Jokic/Murray.
     
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  6. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    And Jokic has shown that he can't handle big minutes. He gets tired.
     
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  7. Blazinaway

    Blazinaway Well-Known Member

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    originally had b- now I am at B bordering B+
     
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  8. Wizard Mentor

    Wizard Mentor Wizard Mentor

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    I think we're in a fantastic position. However, if we want to actually contend for a championship, we need what Neil promised when he got here:
    C O N S O L I D A T I O N T R A D E (bringing in a top 20 player)
    highlight over the above line for the compelling answer!
     
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  9. julius

    julius Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Don't tell me what to do, jerkface! reported!
     
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  10. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    Covington: (B+) Upside: Tremendous team defender and can shoot it a little. Downside: Not a playmaker.
    Kanter: (A-) As good of a back-up Center as there is in the league and likely a better fit than HW.
    DJJ: (C+) Great defender in a zone but Blazers don't play that. Can't shoot and got a lot of points in transition....which POR doesn't run.
    Hood: (B) Good re-sign and provides wing depth. But recovery from that type of injury is iffy at best.
    Melo: (B-) Veteran presence and can hit shots but terrible defensively and horribly inefficient. Maybe should be a (C+)
    Giles: (B+) For what it is, VERY low risk for chance at high reward if healthy. Tremendous talent held back by balky knee.
     
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  11. Wizard Mentor

    Wizard Mentor Wizard Mentor

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    and when I want an "Orange Julius", I'll let YOU know!
    :)
     
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  12. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

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    I didn’t mean to say that a top four finish guarantees anything, just that if you want to be considered a contender, you need to finish in the top four. That’s only the first step, but it’s an important one. I don’t think there have been many NBA champs who finished in the bottom half of the bracket. A lot of NBA titles, though, have been won by teams that were neither the favorite at the start of the year or finished with the best record in their conference, including Portland’s only one.
     
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  13. Charcoal Filtered

    Charcoal Filtered Writing Team

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    I agree with this. We have been swept in the playoffs by real contenders. Have had some nice moments but at no time have we had a serious chance at winning it all.

    Will say this is the best team we have put together though recently.
     
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  14. JDC

    JDC Well-Known Member

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    Covington (A-): Gave up some real value for him and isn't an elite wing stopper (still good), but he's a near perfect fit overall.
    Hood (C+): If he's what he was last year (optimistic) this is fair value. Like that it's only for 2 years with a non-guarantee on the 2nd yr. Tradable mid-sized contract if things don't work out.
    Derrick Jones Jr. (B-): A bit of an overpay, but gives us an elite finisher/cutter at forward that we sorely lacked last year. Will allows us to get to some very intriguing lineups defensively. If the shooting improves he gets really interesting.
    Kanter (B): - Can't argue with the value. Good regular season depth if played in the right context. Nurkic insurance.
    Melo (C-): - Can't be too mad at the minimum, and players and coaches clearly enjoyed him last year. Gives us a different look at the 4 but if roster is ever fully healthy he muddies the water for me, especially in the playoffs.
    Giles (C+) - Never been a fan, but he passes well for a big and is young. Don't trust him defensively at either the 4 or 5 which I think will make it tough for him to find much of an opportunity.

    Overall (B): Neil has struck a nice balance of regular season depth and playoff upside with this roster. Melo and Kanter both on the roster make me bit queasy and sorta worried that Terry won't play the optimal lineups, especially in the playoffs but overall pretty impressed. And if this group doesn't work, Neil acquired/signed some very tradable contracts to make an impact move.

    Shaquille Harrison would a fun end to the off-season, but I'd be surprised if he isn't offered more than the minimum from somebody. *Forgot we still have the BAE
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2020
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  15. blazerkor

    blazerkor Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, maybe we'll always have one of them healthy this season while the other is injured like some sick game of human whack-a-mole or I guess whack-a-big? That sounds awkward.
     
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  16. Hoopguru

    Hoopguru Well-Known Member

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    Thats what I give them overall all B with signing of Giles
     
  17. blazerkor

    blazerkor Well-Known Member

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    You missed athleticism, DBBIQ and effort but he definitely is ham strung on defense. Olshey may not have overpaid for CJ's offense though. CJ is honestly one of the best offensive little guys in the game. We see it every time Dame is out. The fact is he just is not a fit next to Dame on offense and whether it's an inability or stubbornness CJ doesn't adjust where it seems it would be easy (taking open threes, rotating the ball quickly when covered, making quick decisions when receiving a pass from Dame out of the trap etc.). So obviously (and I mean that a little sarcastically because Olshey definitely hasn't caught on) his terrible defense next to a superstar with mediocre defense and his lack of fit offensively aren't the best use of that 30 million.
     
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  18. blazerkor

    blazerkor Well-Known Member

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    CJ has always done really well with the team at the 1 when Dame has been out with an injury. In games when Dame is sitting CJ isn't very effective rotating down to PG but hell he isn't really very effective next to Dame at SG. Basically we get the most out of CJ in games where Dame isn't playing, so unless Stotts has changed his mind and doesn't want CJ to get around 35 minutes a game, getting a really good backup PG is pointless.
     
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  19. Hoopguru

    Hoopguru Well-Known Member

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    There are certainly options now with a more mature Trent, Simons and even Jones to better defend front court.
     
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  20. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

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    https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cb...repeat-gordon-hayward-cashes-in-big-time/amp/
     
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