We just have so much better spacing and activity with Aminu at PF. Stotts just doesn't have enough quality at SF to do what we know is right. So we are stuck playing Vonleh/Meyers more than we really want to. Really regretting we let Batum go now. He would look so good on this team.
Blarf. Aminu is a bench player or a trade asset. Although I agree he's better suited to PF than SF because he's just not good enough to handle the ball like a SF should. But given his struggles with the ball in his hands I'd really like to see how her performs against other bench players - maybe against lesser defenders his inadequacies won't be as noticeable? Also, similarly to how Vonleh is better with the starters, perhaps the same might be true of Harkless. He certainly hasn't earned the start, but this season isn't about who's earned what, it's about trying things out to see what happens. I'd really like to see what Harkless can do starting next to Dame/CJ, along with a passing C like Plumlee.
We didn't "let him go". We let RoLo and Wes go, because they got way too much money elsewhere. We ACTIVELY TRADED Batum. (And most of the board celebrated.) Who would indeed be PERFECT for this team. That might be okay if we were all-out tanking and hoping for Simmons. But apparently the goal is to be just good enough to miss the playoffs and get the crappiest of lottery picks.
Keep saying it. Who knows--you might get other people to believe it. Seems to work for Jehovah's Witnesses.
He could very well be. We will be in the same situation with him this summer regardless. Meaning ff we want to pay him more than anyone else, he will sign with us. That way we get Vonleh and Nic, (and the option to use Hendo as trade bait) As for Aminu......I love him at the 4 at the end of games, but not if he keeps taking three's when the game is on the line. Of course the other team is going to dare him to shoot when the alternative is Dame, Cj, and Crabbe. He has to realize he is the 4th option in that scenario.
I'll laugh now, no chance IMO bit I've eaten crow before, some ding dong team will pay Nic 20 mil per and it won't be us
I realize people are down on Vonleh (or not very optimistic) but I really think the guy could become very, very good. Probably not All-NBA caliber, but maybe a guy kind of in the mold of David West. It's just going to take a couple of years if it's going to happen.
They're noticing. From Lowe: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14368804/dallas-keeps-striking-free-agents-seem-matter-standings
Next year after the Blazers resign Batum, slide Crabbe to SG, and bring CJ and Aminu off the bench, this team will be a lock for the playoffs.
