watching Nic Batum in summer league got the same response when he was a rookie.....the kid is 21...he won't sniff a game unless it's garbage time as it is...Roy Rogers loves his defensive hustle...Chauncey has just begun to get the rookies into his system...no need to hate on the 14th guy on the roster...Gary Trent hadn't done shit his second year either....3rd year will be his test.
be much better to trade Elleby and cash for a top-55 protected 2nd round pick. That way Portland clears his salary and temporarily drops under the tax-line. Would keep them real close to avoiding tax this season after signing a 14th player. Just have to make a trade near the deadline
I’m interested in where he is by the end of his second year? He has size and athleticism and he can shoot the ball. The rest is coach able.
He does shoot well. At least from what coaches and players say. Just had not translated to games yet. He is also very athletic so I’m not sure where that is coming from? Plus he has size.
Billups mentioned today that some guys fighting for that last spot have separated themselves. And Nas mentioned the other day that Smith has been killin it. So it could very well be him. But then again, season starts soon, so it wouldn’t hurt any of those guys to look for more permanent housing...just in case.
CJ Elleby has no business being on an NBA roster over DSJ at this point. DSJ under the tutelage of Chauncey Billups could be a huge pick-up. Elleby belongs in the G-League at this point.
No Dame and CJ on Monday means Smith will get plenty of minutes. Get the feeling it’s his job to lose, and I’m not sure the remaining games will determine much. Seems he’s really stood out in practice which are more structured than some of these preseason games.
Then a deadline signed player would only count for his small prorated Feb to April salary for tax, while Elleby entire year of salary would be removed for lux tax. Yes doing that on 1 or 2 guys probably gets PDX under the tax, maybe that is Neil's plan. I can't imagine the team is this close to being under the tax, not using the MLE only to end the season a tiny bit over, and have repeater penalties for 5 more years.
Give it to Smith. Cut Elleby and Blevins. Total waste of space. I wish we could keep Chriss and Smith.
Wish granted we can carry 15 guys on the roster plus our two two-way guys but we won't do that because... I don't know why the fuck not.
For whatever reason, or reasons, DSJ has had a tough road after a sterling rookie start. But from what i see, and how he played for Detroit last year, he deserves to play in this league. And if he continues to show this kind of performance in the regular season, this may be the biggest gift the Blazers have received in a very long time. Looks like we've found a backup PG. Smith, with Ant's progression at the 2 , has potential to be a very special tandem off the bench.
Actually I don't think someone does: 1. Dame 2. CJ 3. Norm 4. RoCo 5. Nurk 6. Nance 7. Ant 8. Nas 9. McLemore 10. Snell 11. Zeller 12. Elleby 13. Brown 14. Smith 15. Chriss Two-Way 1. Watford Two-Way 2. Blevins That's a full roster. There are 15 open roster spots in the NBA this season and a team is allowed two two-way players. 1-13 are in order of already guaranteed contracts leaving 14 and 15 open for Smith and Chriss. Watford and Blevins are already signed to two-way deals. Neil hasn't, for some dumbass reason, filled our roster for the last couple of seasons but he could very easily.
having that 15th spot is really important at the trade deadline if you need to match salary or take two players for one going into the playoffs...that's why they don't fill it and also cap flexibility weighs in as well...very few straight up player for player trades happen for that reason...the salaries have to pretty much be the same to make it work
