The next 5 games will tell us a lot.

I expect this team to be 5-0. 4-1 at worse. Anything worse than that is a sign of serious issues with this team. So far we had arguably the toughest schedule of any team in league. Arguably all West Playoff teams and contenders.

Now we got bunch of eastern regular teams. We need to win almost all of them. There is no more its still early...yes it’s early but these next games are identity building. Are we contenters or we not playoff team. Stotts needs to be fired in January if this team doesn’t get going

 

We need consistent scoring from the two starting forward spots, at least 28-32 points combined per game.
Id still like to acquire a 20 ppg forward and bring DJJ off the bench.

 

more interested in how we play than the actual record. i need to see tangible improvements on both ends.

If we're still middling or worse and haven't made any changes to our style, then Terry needs to be shown the door. this year is too important and we can't waste time. I hope Olshey is keeping his eye out for replacements.

 

And how can we accomplish that? Play melo instead of him and hope Melo is having good night ? But liability on defense. I dont see a trade unless we get of CJ in a trade. But i agree D jones is not scoring enough to be a starter even though he is good on D. we need Roco and Jones to score 10 pts on average, but Nurkic needs to be 15-10 guy every night and he stinks this season

 

Roco & Jones are combining to average 12 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 33% of FG's and 29% on three's. I'd be skeptical there's any pair of starting NBA forwards posting worse offensive numbers

 

it's the system. integrating them will be critical.

 

to be sure

now, for Jones I can see a system-shock coming from the team-game that Miami runs to the iso-heavy Stotts offense. He's also dealing with the issue that his offensive strengths: transition, baseline cutting, lobs, are all areas that Portland facilitates terribly.

Roco is a bit different. He played in the iso-heavy Houston offense and Philly made him a 4th or 5th option, at best. So he shouldn't be facing the system shock Jones is

still, I think the ball-dominance of Dame/CJ and then Melo, is going to continue to cause issues for Roco/Jones for quite a while. In the last couple of games, I've noticed either, or both, just standing around and watching CJ and Melo when they go into their dribble-mania iso shit. Roco & Jones need to be in motion to be at their best. Not sure that will be maximized in the Stotts offense with this roster

 

I wish I could be as bad at my job as Stotts for nearly a decade with 0 repercussions

 

The next 5 games will tell us shit. As long as Terry Stotts is the coach we only go as far as Dame and CJ can take this team until it gets crushed in the Playoffs because Stotts has no idea how to coach

 

I just came to start a thread just like this.
The strength of schedule to start has been very tough. At the beginning of the season if you told me we had beaten the Lakers, Houston(although we got lucky with players being out) and the warriors( while playing them back to back which is tough) I’d be very happy.
A lot of teams are starting slow. Look at Denver...
The next 5 games are huge. We should honestly go 5-0 but it t is the nba and you can get beat on any give night. Anything less then 4-1 and the I have concerns.

The hysteria on this board lately is cringe worthy

 

He needs to experiment with different line ups. He is an idiot for not playing giles. Id give him major major minutes

 

We need more offense in the starting lineup. I would start Trent at SF and bring Jones off the bench. Not sure you lose much defense with that move, but you gain some offensive punch. Hood and Ant can take the backup SG spot. The other option would be moving RoCo to SF and Jones Jr. to the backup 3, with Carmelo and Giles taking the 4 spot. You lose a ton of defense starting Melo though.

 

I think Sacramento and Toronto will be tough to pull out. Chicago and Minn should be gimmees but you honestly never know with this group. Especially given a nine man roster. SMH. One injury to a starter and they are screwed. I thought the bench was great and now I don't think so at all.

Zach: probably wont play this year.
Nas: who knows?
Hood: Not the same guy he was. Maybe he will improve.
Melo: Very inconsistent offensively and zero D.
Simons: Still not a force.
Kanter: Delivers on offense but zero D.
GT: star of the bench, could start.
Giles: Stotts wont touch him with a 10ft pole.

How is that a bench to take you deep in the playoffs?

 

The bench is so bad defensively that I think your idea to bring DJJ off the bench is the way to go. You simply can't have a lineup on the floor without Roco, Trent, or DJJ. Kanter, Melo, CJ, Simons, Hood as a five is brutal. Just brutal. Brutal bad. Great for opponents.

Why Stotts would go with a front court with two historically awful defenders in Kanter and Melo is beyond my limited understanding of the game.

 

I don't believe the next 5 games will tell us anything other than that we can win against teams we won't see in the Playoffs. Sadly, we will probbaly win 4-5 of those games and many fans will think we have righted the ship. Nothing could be further from the truth. It will just guarantee we are stuck in the annual pergatory that many fans have come to embrace.

Unless there is a SIGNIFICANT, fundamental change in their energy, their defensive scheme, player commitment, etc, winning these games will be fools gold.

 

never underestimate:

+

 

We won't know what this team is capable of until after 15-20 games.
The Nuggets are 2-4, and I expect them to easily make the playoffs - may be even home court.

This team is struggling right now, but even so, we're 3-3. I also expect our record to get easier.

 

So I guess we root for them to lose all 5?