http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...turner_the_starting_s.html#incart_river_index http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...o_will_start_at_power.html#incart_river_index Right now I am leaning towards ET and Swanigan. (Vonleh if healthy) Aminu can always come in if the opposing 4 is hot from deep. But we have to remember that a opposing spread 4 may not be able to cover Swanigan either. (i.e if he is an undersized PF)
"Argument against ET: The Blazers could use Turner’s ball-handling and playmaking in the second unit, which — unless Shabazz Napier plays more — lacks a facilitator outside of McCollum, who serves as the team’s de facto backup point guard. Turner plays best with the ball in his hands and he would have more freedom, see more scoring opportunities and generally be featured more off the bench. On the whole, Turner was not as good as advertised last season and Harkless — his main challenger for the starting small forward spot — improved in most aspects of his game. Also, the Blazers went 6-6 during Turner’s 12 starts, which was no better than their .500 record for the season." I think Shabazz should be in with the 2nd unit so Sean Meagher's first point against ET is moot for me. Also his last point that we were 6-6 with Turner as a starter....wasn't that before Nurk? So the 500 record was better than what we saw with Moe....
Harkless and Swanigan start with Dame, CJ and Nurk. That's better rebounding and shooting. Shabazz, Morrow, Turner, Vonleh, Meyers/Davis off the bench. That bench is better than people think.
Agreed. I like Harkless better starting as we need the defense and he doesn't need to ball in his hands. Turner: love him coming off the bench when one of Dame or CJ is out to be the second ball handler. He could start, but the rotation is more challenging then. Aminu: would rather bring him in off the bench to deal with stretch fours. Notorious: he needs to earn it, but if he does in preseason then give the kid a shot. He has heart and I would love to see him next to Nurk.
IF you start turner, who off the bench handles the ball other than CJ?(who is also a starter) Anyone who wants to start Turner, I dont think has a full grasp of how stagnant our bench was last year. Take his ball handling away and they will be even more stagnant. Turner is our 6th man. Get used to it.
Why can't you start ET and sub him out for Harkless, Then bring him back at SG with the 2nd unit. (CJ or Napier) If CJ starts and plays with the 2nd unit, why can't ET?
Because then you have to bring Aminu and Turner in at the exact same time. Dame/CJ/Turner is our guard rotation. You want as little of Shabazz as possible. Not sure why some in here are clamoring for our 3rd string PG to get more minutes.
Playing devils advocate....maybe Shabazz should be our 2nd pG and keep CJ at SG as much as possible. (and ET at SF as much as possible)
You're probably right about him being the sixth man, but who starts or doesn't start at the beginning of the game shouldn't matter as much as who finishes it. I see Turner in the closing lineup.
You could match Turners minutes with CJs, but Turner shouldn't be playing 36min a game. If You didn't play him the last 6 minutes of each half (When McLillards in) then he'd be at 24min. However, in that scenario Turner wouldn't play with Turner and CJ would be out at the same time, leaving Dame out there to struggle.
