Free Agent Derrick Jones to Portland

Jones looked pretty good to me tonight. I don't expect him back next season but he sure doesn't suck.

 

He scored more last night than RHJ has in his last seven games combined.

 

DJJ was a wildcard for me to be in the playoff rotation. He would've been ignored as a shooter and we've seen the effect that has had on our offense (regardless of % from 3, gravity matters) but I thought Nurk's passing and his cutting would be an interesting dynamic.

But with Powell in the fold now, you get some of that plus the shooting gravity and ball handling, and DJJ's fit with Kanter just doesn't work in the playoffs.

And like some have pointed out, even Spo had trouble finding minutes for him, albeit on a team that has less shooting than we do.

 

He's dynamic when he's in the open or has gotten lose, however, when he's guarded he seems weak at beating someone off the dribble and he doesn't have any kind of bak to the hoop game, like a true 3 should even in todays game, like a Tatum.
The guy Id like to see play a bit alongside Nurk some is Leaf, at 6'10 with smarts and good footwork he may help out as he's a legit 4.

 

I enjoyed watching Leaf at UCLA.

Worried about his shooting range and foot speed as an NBA 4 and that's held true, but like you said he's a smart and skilled guy.

Old school game. Would have fit better in 80's/90's.

 

Kanter is useless in drop coverage that Terry has him doing. He provides 0 rim protection. He gets challeneged relentlessly.

Next time he does it, pay attention to how he traps guys. He's surprisingly mobile. The problem is our slow rotations on the weakside.

 

I just found it strange that Stotts suddenly played him for 23 minutes after a lot of DNP's. My impression has been that Stotts doesn't really trust him, so why not give more time to RHJ, so he can get used to playing with the rest of the team? We are still short on big men and RHJ is the only guy besides Kanter and Nurk who can play big.

 

I think both Jones and Powell were overrated as defenders when they were on the way to Portland to become Blazers. But it's pretty normal around here to significantly inflate the abilities of new Blazers before they've played any games as Blazers. I remember all the glowingly positive chatter about Bazemore, Hezonja, and Tolliver last off season.

for me it's well past the point of worrying about, or putting any importance on Blazer defense. The only formula for playoff success Portland fans can hope for, IMO, is that the Blazers can bring potent enough offense to the floor each game while having enough opportune stops on defense to outscore opposition and generate wins.

I mean, after all the yakkity-yak about improved Blazer defense, they gave up a defensive rating of 126.0 last night which was 10 points worse than their average. And that's with Jones taking the defensive-sieve minutes Melo normally provides

 

Powell defense rating with the Blazers been better then Toronto defense rating. Jones pretty hard question does he fit well the times when we push the ball yes he fits but Dame majority of the time doesn't like to push the ball in that case he doesn't fit a set offense and that's what you got in the playoffs. Defensely he not has good defender as I thought he would be but not the worse defender we got but what looking for him staying in front of people and that really hasn't happened enough for me.

 

I guess we’re watching different games. The primary reason Stotts went back to the drop scheme imo was because of Kanter (Collins setback didn’t help either) as he was routinely getting blown by in space. But then again I blame Olshey. He knew they wanted to run Boylens scheme (Which is uber aggressive and relies on pressuring the ballhandler) yet still brought back Kanter and Melo? So dumb.

 

Jones' last like on Twitter one hour ago



He also liked these ones

 

he is opting in. He wont get the same money anywhere else.

 

When Nate got Fired it seemed like there was an uprising and players just gave up and it seems like if not for Dame and maybe others this team would have done the same this season. I mean cause we know Nurk was like i am outta here if Stotts stays and looks like Jones was the same too so thank god NeO saw that and fired Stotts.

 

Not.

Swayed.

(And not surprised, FAMS!)

 

and NOW the Blazers have a salary to use in Trades --- I like Jones but wish he would learn to shoot a little better and such

 

I'm honestly a little surprised after how he got tossed under the bus last season.

 

you’re surprised he didn’t pass on 10 million dollars?

 

Neil will use his contract to trade for another role players

 

One year of 10 million or multi-year for less?

I'm guessing he talked with Chauncey because there's no chance in hell he would have come back under Stotts.