Pretty fair assessment overall. I know that the rest of the league is naturally obsessed with the Dame wants out storyline, but I think it’s a little odd that Lowe didn’t point out the screaming fact about the Blazers’ roster that the re-signing of Powell and the growth of Simons make CJ very expendable. I’d put way higher odds on Dame finishing the season as a Blazer than CJ doing so. He also totally missed out on the Nurk story, which is odd given Quick’s big article on that yesterday. A trade of CJ for a better fitting impact player, and a bigger and healthier role for Nurk are the biggest reasons that the Blazers may be relevant by the playoffs. I’d give the team a question mark as an overall offseason grade.
I think Simons defensive improvement shows that it's a lot more about effort and putting one self in the right position, than anything else. Not that other factors don't play a role, but those two are key. I hope he follows it up this year and shows that improvement wasn't an anomaly. Honestly, I think Simons and Little had their progression slowed by Stotts "go stand in the corner and shoot" offense.
about Simons defense: I just don't think you can rely much on any ratings numbers for guys averaging 17 minutes. Just too many rotational anomalies will show up I also question the assertion about Simons and his defense after the all-star break. It looks kind of like bullshit to me. I mean there were more games after the break than before the break. If his defense was so great for half the season than why did he end up tied with Blevins and Hood for the worst defensive rating on the team? He also had a DBPM of -1.8 hard to end up at the bottom if you were on top for half of the time
I think Simons has the foot speed to be a good defender but his biggest problem was his strength to be a good defender. I think this is year he probably will make stride to be a good defender because he will be stronger.
Watching him play, the defensive improvement was obvious in the latter part of the season. He was really bad to start and stood to end the season. Using a full-season number isn't indicative of what he did the latter part of the season. Also, using DRTG to evaluate individuals is messy and DBPM is flawed.
Yep. Defense is the team part of the game. Certain things changed with personnel for the second half. They got Nurk back, they added Powell, CJ came back and that put Simons playing against mainly bench players. Defensive stats seem to be "messy" as you say. I agree with that. Now as far as the team goes? I think the overall defensive numbers improved as well as the season went on. Not enough because the rotations being used might have been flawed to the core of the issues. Coaching decisions might not have helped at all.
Even just the coaching change would give us a big boost. I'd be surprised if we don't start the season strong
I don't put much weight into any kind of defensive ratings that has Leaf at #4, Kanter at #5 and Carmelo at #9. Stats are the most misleading and misrepresentive way to judge a player as there is.
