Grade the Blazers' roster changes

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Rastapopoulos, Nov 21, 2020.

?

Grade for changes in draft and free agency?

  1. A+

    4.3%
  2. A

    25.8%
  3. A-

    18.3%
  4. B+

    21.5%
  5. B

    21.5%
  6. B-

    6.5%
  7. C+

    1.1%
  8. C

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  9. C-

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  10. lower

    1.1%
  1. Wizard Mentor

    Wizard Mentor Wizard Mentor

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    The national media is acknowledging Olshey's awesome work this offseason. I've been on his bandwagon from day 1. However, even as an Olshey Fanboi, I do have a serious criticism, here it goes:

    /start rant

    We need a good, vet. PG. Others will tell you we need it because of ball movement, and I don't disagree, but that's not the biggest problem I see.

    We are deeeep, ALMOST everywhere.
    If Nurk goes out, we can survive until the Playoffs.
    If Collins goes out, ditto.
    If CJ goes out, we might even be better!
    However, if Lillard goes out, we're sunk, and not because he's our best player. It's not a talent issue, it's a replacement issue. Who plays PG?

    Start CJ at the 1? F****
    Start Ant at the 1? F****, F****

    While we're mostly all excited about our roster, the West is still stacked, and we simply won't survive a Lillard injury.
    Imagine if we had Kris Dunn or Jeff Teague? We'd survive until Lillard got back.

    That's not the only problem. Because Ant, who is fantastic (I don't care what you think about this), is NOT a PG.
    What that will mean is that in critical situations, Lillard's minutes will go up, increasing
    1) the chance he'll get injured
    2) the chance that he'll be exhausted in the playoffs (as he has been in the past)

    We can afford neither.

    /end rant
     
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  2. B-Roy

    B-Roy If it takes months

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    Don't agree with this take at all.

    If Dame goes down you might as well tank the season. No team can afford to lose their superstar. If Giannis went down, Bucks are done. If LeBron OR AD go down, Lakers are done. If Kawhi goes down, Clippers are done. ETC ETC....
     
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  3. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

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    what happens if HCP's wife goes down?
     
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  4. Propagandist

    Propagandist Well-Known Member

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    It's funny. I want an entirely different thing for this team. I want Stotts to empower CJ at PG. When Dame is out, CJ is undeniably great; if he reached anywhere near that effort and production when Dame rested on the bench, we would be borderline unstoppable.
     
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  5. B-Roy

    B-Roy If it takes months

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    Life as usual.
     
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  6. Wizard Mentor

    Wizard Mentor Wizard Mentor

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    Answer:
    1) players effective on offense and defense.
    2) players with contracts that allow them to be payed less for time they spend in the GLeague
    3) Mrs. HCP

    Question:
    I can't say it, it goes too far!
     
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  7. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

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    this off-season feels different....a sense of urgency

    I'd wonder if Olshey has been feeling heat from both Dame and Seattle to shit-or-get-off-pot. Not have another giant bust like last season when he bet so heavily of Zach and Simons to be major contributors
     
  8. lamlor

    lamlor Well-Known Member

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    That to me is thin...lol. You have old, injured and undersized. It will play in the regular season, but playoffs when they can match you up with size look out.
     
  9. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    Like all the moves, but if after all of that, we are only up to 'challenging for HCA', that seems to fall a bit short. Perhaps Bobby and I have the same concerns. After all of these moves, and I like each of them to varying levels, (RoCo, Hood and Kanter the most / DJJ/Melo probably the least) they still have not addressed the biggest need.

    Cans someone please explain what they have done that addresses the inevitable.....Dame being trapped in the Playoffs? Until there is at least somewhat of a solution, the rest is nice, but does not make them a legit contender.
     
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  10. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    Barring a trade it feels like we're done, so overall I'd give us a B+.

    We addressed some needs, but it still feels like there's a glaring hole at backup PG.
     
  11. julius

    julius Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Having guys who can hit 3's helps, and having guys who can drive to the hoop.

    There really wasn't much help outside of CJ, Melo and Trent when it comes 3 point threats. And really, no one last year was a slasher/drive to the hoop.

    Not saying a PG isn't needed, but I think people are acting like the team was just a PG away from being a top 5 team. They were lacking in defense from the SF and PF spots far more than they were lacking in a backup PG.


    *help meaning "helping Damian"
     
  12. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    If ever there was a year for CJ to learn how to pass the fucking ball, this is the year.
     
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  13. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

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    Top 4 IS contending. People get way too caught up in where the team stands on opening day. It’s where we are by the playoffs that counts. Trades and injuries impact the title almost every year.
     
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  14. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    I would disagree. They were #3 and were swept by the #6 Pelicans....who had never won a damn thing. It is because, they took out Dame, and there was no answer to it. And having HCA does NOT make a team a contender by a long shot. They were #3 that year and weren't CLOSE to being a contender.

    They have added solid pieces and have depth. But I'm still looking for the answer to what happens when a team traps Dame.
     
  15. julius

    julius Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    I'm fine running the offense through Giles (if/when he plays) and Nurk, in addition to Dame. I think Simons is better at it than (apparently) most of the forum does. But need I remind us (again) how many of us gave up on Trent after his rookie year and about half of his 2nd year?
     
  16. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    Ant looks like he lost his confidence, and that's largely because they have him playing point guard.
     
  17. julius

    julius Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Well, the #3 seed and the #6 seed *were* 1 game apart.

    But last year, the #5 seed went to the finals in the eastern conference, so...
     
  18. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    That's fine....but the post was, that top 4 was condenting. It's just not in so many cases. What seed was Denver the year we upset them? And they weren't a contender that year either.
     
  19. julius

    julius Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    We don't know how he was asked to play, nor do we know how he'll play this season. Trent looked like ass for parts of last season, and he ended up fine. I think we all agree that Simons should have stayed in, or better yet, gone to college for at least a year more than he did.

    meant season not summer
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2020
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  20. julius

    julius Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    You could argue they weren't a contender this year, nor were the Clippers.
     
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