I choose to take this sincerely, because it's actually a good idea, even though you clearly think it's silly. I actually wish CJ would catch the flu or something so that we could find out for a couple of games.
I want to be clear though, I'm ragging on CJ a lot this year... and I think he deserves it. But I don't think he's a bad player, I just think his fit is awful on the roster, and he hasn't progressed into a dynamic enough player to warrant keeping him over using him to balance the roster. CJ has regressed into a 25M per year Jamal Crawford. Its just getting old. This team would function so much better with a defensive minded SG who can hit a 3 and move well off the ball. Nik has an ideal offensive skillset for a Lillard backcourt player but isnt very good on defense. Still, I would love to see him start over CJ to send a message. Of start once CJ is dealt for a SF or PF. I cant watch his iso ball anymore. It hurts.
I wouldn't say CJ is awful, but there are some real problems with his one-dimensional play. He is talented with the ball in his hands going one-0n-one. But his inability to find the open man once he goes into scoring mode doesn't work well with the flow of the offense. And, tell me you all are not tired of seeing him getting posted up and abused by anyone over 6'5".
.... maybe we need CJ to do more than just shoot for the team to win? It would be one thing if he was more consistent, but for the most part he hasn't been lately,
No, not straight up. Just saying that as the baseline for a larger deal, it fits the criteria that was set forth. What about (after 12/15): POR gets Porter, Hart WAS gets CJ, Ingram, KCP LAL gets Beal, Biggie I dunno....not quite what I'm looking for, but something like that could make sense.
I'm not sure he can do more. He certainly doesn't appear to be able to defend more. We could ask him to look more as he is trying to score (like Sauce), but that is a skill he would have to acquire as he has never been good at it--and may never be.
