Yeah good point, I love the height we've been able to put on the floor this year. Banton is awesome too as a 6'9" PG. Then with Deni/Rupert/Sharpe I think we can still get enough playmaking out on the floor. Counter point that would be for acquiring Bub is that we expect Ant to be traded soon, and unclear if Scoot will bust so Bub could fit a much needed role in many scenarios long term.
It all comes down to how much you like Bub and who of these 2 you believe can be a bigger difference maker. For me, it is Deni, no questions about it. He basically already won the Blazers a game with a block on the last second this year, so even if he is not shooting as you expect him to once he settles down, he is already a contributor to wins on a team that needs it. We all love DC so far, but there will be bigs that will give him trouble, Giannis for example, you can play DC and Deni and have Deni share the defense on these kind of guys, while also being a fast break runner and play maker. That's just a unique skill that you do not find often with guys in the league.
Seems like a great 5th or 6th option. Not seeing the “CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER” tag he received. Like how he plays though.
My ideal lineup 1. Scoot- he needs starter minutes 2. Sharpe- no brainer he is our future 3. Camara- earned it and he and Dani are capable of switching on defense and still supplying great help defense 4. Dani- while he’s struggled with his shot his overall game is glue/swiss army knife of a player. He also gives us another ball handler and is very good at pushing the ball. 5. RW- limit his minutes but he is the best center on the roster. If not starter then I would use Clingan. Obviously this will not happen with Ayton, Simons and Grant on the team.
Backed by: 1. Banton- the clear 6th man, to be given the responsibility to run the offense when Scoot is out, or to simply attack mercilessly if Sharpe needs a rest. 2. Rupert- develop the young Frenchie, and give him a greener light 3. Murray- glue guy like Deni, without the table-setting capability. 4. Walker- Probably the weakest spot in this rotation, but the guy can rebound. 5. Clingan- though I would start him and bring RW3 off the bench, I'm following the logic of the previous poster Of course, if Ayton, Simons and Grant were dealt, there would be other players that would be worked into this as well.
Deni's decent 3pt shooting last year may have been an abberation. Aminu shot almost 37% one year. But the good news, is Deni has 3 full seasons of being a very good finisher inside. He's shooting 30% below his career average from 0-3.
Just the fact that people are hinting at thinking Deni is a bust is f&#+ing hilarious. I can't imagine anyone has gone through as much transition in the past 6 months as he has. UFB!
I don't think he's a bust at all. Was he worth 2 first rounders? One potentially as high as #2? I hope so...
Let's not screw around with the backcourt like with Dame. IMO, The best backcourt mate for a star guard is either a 2-way star PG/ combo guard, or a big, defensive minded PG / Combo guard. A modern-day Ron Harper would have to be able to hit open 3-pointers, but otherwise I think he's a good example.
AND with Billups at the helm. Unless Cronin is demanding that Ayton and Simons start, the buck stops at Billups and all his hypocrisy. Ben Wallace was a 4 X defensive player of the year. Who is similar to that? Robert Williams III? Cling-kong? No! Billups man is Deandre "get me my mid-range jump shots" Ayton. That's on Chauncey. Billups' Pistons wouldn't have put up with Ayton's fragility; Ben Wallace and Sheed would have done him like Big Baby.
12/6/3 the past 3 games, 50% from 3 and perfect from the line. Is he settling into a primary reserve role?
Yeah I do actually really enjoy watching Avdija play at times... I need to move past worrying about whatever we gave up for him and just consider those sunk costs because he can be fun to watch. He really pushes the pace and runs up the court well, pushes the ball. Great defense and rebounding too.
Feels more like biding his time, I prefer him with the starting unit when Shae is the primary weapon.
If you liked what Josh Hart gave us while he was here you should like Deni. Energey, defense, rebounding, secondary ball handler who pushes the ball after a rebound......from the forward spot. (and an inconsistent 3 pt shooter) I actually think he is a more versatile defender because of his size. He covered Zion pretty well which was telling. His offense will get better as he gets more comfortable with his teammates. Too many careless turnovers to start the season.
that's probably a good comp. Not sure Deni is more versatile on defense. Hart better at covering PG's/SG's; Deni with PF's/SF's. But they both have impacts in the lunch-pail parts of the game
