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. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    I'll give an A+++++ to the fact that we won't have to watch Mario and Tolliver start an NBA game for the Trail Blazers ever again!
     
  2. Strenuus

    Strenuus Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Well. Fucking. Played.
     
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  3. BonesJones

    BonesJones https://www.youtube.com/c/blazersuprise

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    Covington - B+
    Kanter - B-
    DJJ:
    A (if Stotts uses him right, and he shoots 34%+ from 3)
    B- (if Stotts uses him right and he doesn't improve his shot)
    B- (if Stotts doesn't use him right and he shoots 34%+ from 3)
    D (if Stotts doesn't use him right and he doesn't improve his shot)
    Hood: A+
    Melo: Meh, doesn't really matter
    Giles: A+ (couldn't think of a better bargain signing)
     
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2020
  4. Hoopguru

    Hoopguru Well-Known Member

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    At this point in time the team is average, C, as compared to the rest of the league. Subjectively, as fans we are all caught up in the excitement of the recent activity but lets wait and see how they objectively perform against criteria that addresses weakness's and how they track against other teams, as the season evolves.
     
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  5. Stevenson

    Stevenson Old School

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    I'm guessing Covington starts at the 3 because he's what we have needed there and that's where he'll likely end up imo. Until Zach or Hoodie get back, the 4 will start Melo or DJJ.
     
  6. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    Ramona Shelbourne was an embarrassment talking about Portland in Windhorst's pod today. She said we now have a team that is deadly offensively and will just attempt to outscore every team and did not at all improve defensively from all of moves. Windhorst and Bontemps just let her spew her nonsense without correcting her. She justified her bullshit by referencing some anecdonte with Neil from the past about zagging while the league is zigging.

    I lost all respect for her after she said that she thinks Lebron should win MVP solely because of Kobe's death, and that she is a "narrative" voter.

    How does she still have a job?

    Simmons also commented on his pod about our moves saying they'll result in a slight improvement but not enough to do much damage in the playoffs.
     
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  7. Tince

    Tince Well-Known Member

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    I have no problem with fans wanting their team to win a championship. I guess I haven't seen the direct impact between what fans want (and how bad the want it) and on court success. I'm not calling out fans for wanting to win titles, I'm defending that it's ok for a fan to think their team is not going to win a title heading into a specific year.

    I also don't see how a a fan coming to the conclusion their team isn't the best in the NBA and them being mentally ok when the season ends with them falling short of that title, has any negative impact on the franchise.
     
  8. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    Well her 'narrative' is worthless in this case.
     
  9. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    It's just.... baffling. She used to be so good. Literally the only thing we did this summer was address our defense, how do you spout the exact opposite?
     
  10. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    Eh, I mean Kanter isn't really known for his defense lol

    I'd say we addressed our defense and bolstered our bench unit substantially. We shouldn't have to worry about long droughts of scoring when the second unit plays.
     
  11. Titan

    Titan Well-Known Member

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    And hopefully when the bench plays the other team goes on long droughts.:ghoti:
     
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  12. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    Zach Lowe and Chris Herring absolutely gushing about our offseason on the Lowe Post.

    Says we prolly finish third in the west.
     
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  13. julius

    julius Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    I think they have the potential to be a top 3 team (well, not the #1 spot) but it depends on health and how quickly they can gell.
     
  14. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    Health is likely the biggest thing. If the Blazers get a full season out of Dame/Nurkic, that likely is as big of a difference over last year as any of the new pieces they have brought in.

    • Covington > Ariza. Ariza may actually be the better 1-on-1 defender but Cov is better as a rotation defender and 5 years younger.
    • Kanter => Whiteside. Whiteside's stats will dwarf Kanter's, but Enes should fit better as a 'team' guy. Neither defends much away from the basket and neither is very good more than 5' from the hoop on offense. Neither passes much and it's a about a wash as to whom is quicker up the court. Still....
    • Jones Jr > Hezonja. Does it really matter that DJJ can't shoot or dribble? Almost anything he does on defense will put him ahead of what Mario did. Dunks will be icing on the cake.
    • Giles > ?? Portland really didn't have a 3rd string center last year unless you count parts of seasons from 4/5s Skal and Swanigan. His passing is something this team doesn't have in large supply.
    • Hood > Hood. Of course, that comes down to if Rodney can play and return close to the form he had before going down with the achillies.
    • Mel0 < Melo. If nothing else, just due to age. Players at 36 don't tend to get better. However, if he can accept a bench role and make use of that in 15-18 minutes versus the 30+ minutes he had to play last year out of necessity (which was far too many), hopefully he can at least be more efficient.
    Depth - Better
    Defense - Better
    Athleticism - Better....just by adding Jones and oddly enough, the oft injured Giles.
    Playmaking ability when Dame gets trapped - Uh....well....hmm...
     
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  15. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    I just want to remind people what Kanter can do for our team. Let me know if you think Whiteside can do any/most of this.

     
  16. beast crnjo

    beast crnjo Well-Known Member

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    I think many are undetestimating Kanters impact.
     
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  17. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    I agree. He played very well with Dame on the PNR and his offensive rebounding was excellent.
     
  18. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

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    I have to disagree here. He strikes me as Aminu II at PF. But then I imagine the plan is to have Jones and Covington as the starting forwards and they be pretty switchable. I don't see Jones as strong enough to handle most PFs, though.
     
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  19. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

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    :angry:
     
  20. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

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    Does this mean "underestimate how much you detest it"?
     

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