They already have the type of player teams kill themselves to acquire; a playmaker that can take over a game. And they have two of them. The blazers are closer than some fans think. What they're missing are a couple of role players; A wing scorer, and a low post defender. The second isn't as vital as the first with the way the league is changing and I'd also like to think Plumlee hasn't peaked yet. Neither has Vonleh who has the potential to be a small ball center in the Draymond mold. If I'm Olshey, I sit the trade deadline out, then go all in on Harrison Barnes in July. That's the missing piece. A shooter that can also slash and defends multiple positions. Stotts gives every player freedom. That will appeal to Barnes. The Lillard/Adidas connection can't hurt either. His personality and age fit perfect with the culture Olshey is trying to build. It makes too much sense.
We just need one more star and we are going to be champs!!! PUPPY MONKEY BABY!!!! PUPPYMONKEYBABY PUPPYMONKEYBABY PUPPYMONKEYBABY PUPPYMONKEYBABY PUPPYMONKEYBABY
This guy fits all of this.... PUPPY MONKEY BABY!!!! PUPPYMONKEYBABY PUPPYMONKEYBABY PUPPYMONKEYBABY PUPPYMONKEYBABY PUPPYMONKEYBABY
Last year, for most of the season before Wessy broke and we lost track of ourselves, we were battling for the top spot in the West. We were hot shit. And our stats for the season reflect this, so let's do a little comparison: Weighted PER is PER x Minutes Played. I took this for all players, totaled it, and normalized per minute to get a weighted Team PER. For our top eight players (by minutes played)... 2014-15: 17.13 PER. This is really good; Batum and Blake drag the group down, but you have some amazing performances by an experienced group clicking in a familiar offense. 2014-15 Average Age: 27.0 2015-16: 15.80 PER. This is a team that is still learning how to play together, and has some players still working their way into game speed (both young and older). But their Weighted Team PER? Pretty damn awesome for such a young team. 2015-16 Average Age: 24.2 So we got three years younger, and lost (so far) less than 1.5 PER points, remaining above league average (15.0), and we still have 1/3 of the season left to prove our worth.
I described what I meant by star in my first sentence. That's not draymond. Draymond is a role player. The best one in the league, but still a role player.
IMHO, a high-efficiency role player is best for this group, one who focuses on defense, and maintains our rebounding. Vonleh is basically training on the job, and is already our third best defender at 20 years old. But he is keeping a seat warm for a better player in that position, whether it's him next year or someone else. But we have way more players/positions set well than not set at all.
A forward who gives you 14.4ppg + 10rpg + 7apg + great defensive ability is a star. He needs to have 5 more ppg because only 20ppg players are stars?
Only players that can win a game by themselves are stars in this day and age. Guys that create their own shot. That ain't Draymond. Look at guys like Anthony Davis and Andre Drummond. Both great players but their teams are average at best and they need help around them. Those are role players to me.
If you asked me to build a team and you made me choose between Anthony Davis and Lillard I'm picking Damian Lillard. The answer might've been different three years ago.
