Blazers currently have the 9th ranked defense but 29th ranked offense. We need offensive production from a player like Ant more than we need to be concerned about his defense. We also don't know what if any improvements he will make defensively. We don't know how the team will scheme with him if everyone else is a superior defender than in prior seasons. We also don't know for certain Scoot is an NBA starting level PG. Yes I hope so and suspect he will be - but right now he's been a horrible NBA player. Maybe eventually he will be a backup or bust and Ant will play more PG for this team. It's just to early to know - and it would be a big error if the Blazers trade away Ant now then need to acquire a player of his exact archetype at a later time once they are eventualy pushing to win now. I don't understand this "sick and tired" of undersized backcourts when the Blazers are playing well defensively and we have so many unknowns with this young roster. It's like your taking all your frustrations with years of Dame and CJ, as well as Norm at SF and applying them to the current completely different Blazer roster. This years Blazers have totally different deficiencies than those prior Blazer teams - they will need different solutions in the years ahead to build a winning unit.
I have trouble with these abstract "blue chip" and "good 1st" statements. I need to hear exact names and pick - and all of the rumors I've heard over the last years has led me to believe Ant has way more value to keep on this roster than to send out in a trade. Sure if we can get more than he is worth then go ahead and do it. Same for Scoot/Sharpe, Brogdon, Ayton, Timelord. Same for Grant and Thybulle in a little over a month.
I generally agree. Ant provides a skill no-one else on the roster currently provides, and he fits the timeline of this team. Even if he does not improve his defense (and it seems like he tried more so far this year than before) - I think you can have one sub-par defender on the roster, so with Sharpe trending up and Scoot seemingly working hard on becoming a good defender as well, that's less of an issue than the 2 small defensively challenged guards the Blazers ran in the recent past. Way too early, imho, to write off Ant from the future of the team.
We will have to see what Scoot does over the next month or whatever it is until Simons comes back. The way Scoot has played I'm not sure he is a starting level PG. I'm fine giving him 10-20 games of starts to see - but if he doesn't improve significantly the Blazers might be much better starting Simons and Sharpe in the backcourt. I hope this isn't the case long term - but we certainly need to leave that open as a possible consideration if Scoots development doesn't improve as we hope. Also with our horribe SF play, impressive team defense, and Sharpe's individual defense I'm more inclined to experiment with Sharpe at SF than I expected. So perhaps there could even be a starting trio of Scoot/Ant/Sharpe. Not even saying that is likely to happen - but it is something the team should explore if all 3 guys are playing at a near starting level.
Ant has played in one game this season, missing five to date and expected to be out at least five more weeks. He has had nearly zero effect on the offense or defense this season negatively or positively. Nothing can be inferred from his one game. But, in his absence, Sharpe has shown he is massively better than how he ended last season, which was very promising. He is the SG for this team going forward. As for Portland having the 9th ranked defense, I do want to see what it looks like in two weeks or four weeks from now. But the defense is not just Ayton. Players are buying in. Sharpe had the huge block to force overtime. The effort is there, and defense is probably 90% effort (my estimation). As to the 29th ranked offense, I kind of think of this as the norm with very good defensive teams. They expend a lot of energy stopping the ball. That being said, I have no doubt as the season plays out, the Blazers will get better with their offensive game. If not, no big deal this season. They are not looking to win anything this season other than maybe 25 games. I just bought league pass because I am excited by the defensive intensity. Young guys buying in. It is incredible. Yes, I want to see ally oop dunks and swish 3s but know that will come. I fully agree with perfecting the defense and crashing the boards this season. Our vets seem to be setting a great example for all of the young guys. I would accept a good deal for any of them, but lets face it, Grant and Brogdon have gotten good results so far. Yes, it would be great for Sharpe to get more looks, but even while putting up his numbers, there is still more room to improve and demand the ball. he is not putting up empty stats. He is playing both sides of the ball. Historically, Ant has put up empty stats. No idea what he is capable of this season. I am hoping he has seen the defensive intensity has changed a full 180 on this team. But I am not looking for Ant to lead this team period. I like what Brogdon is doing as sixth man and if he wants to stay and do that, let him. He is a steadying force. It is not Ant's fault Sharpe is better than him. Its just basketball. Happens all the time. But I doubt Ant wants to be a sixth man at this young of an age. Send him to a good situation. Joe seems to be good at that.
Agree and until he actually indicates in any way that he would be upset about coming off the bench, then I see no reason to think it will be a problem.
I’m not too surprised our D is ranked top 10, and won’t be surprised if it stays top 15 over November into December. Sharpe is actually pretty good defensively, making good use of his length and speed to make switches I didn’t think were possible. The block for sure but earlier in that game he was doubling a guy on the low block and the guy threw it out to the perimeter for what would have been a wide open three. Except Shae switched while the ball was in there air and made it to the guy on the perimeter at the same moment the guy caught the ball. It was one of the fastest defensive switches I’ve ever seen. And it felt like we had six guys on the floor for a moment. I know he can’t spend all that energy on defense and be amazing on offense every night but! Shae is going to become known as one of those players who is fucking frustrating to face because could already score and defend at an all-star level at 20
Shae has shown he deserves a starting spot. Scoot has shown glimpses he could be deserving of a starting spot. It's just a matter of Scoot making it easier for Chauncey to explain to Ant why he needs to come off the bench.
Scoot’s got a month then; let’s hope he makes the best of it. Maybe the reset of taking last game off with the ankle will make him move at the game’s speed rather than trying to outrun it.
But then Chauncey has to decide between Ant/Brogdon for sixth man. I like Brogdon, but have no idea if he wants to stay. If Ant is as good as everyone see him to be, he should get a good return in trade.
Long term, between the two, it's Ant because he's much younger. Brogdon is a type of player championship contenders will give up assets for to help push them over the hump
They are playing well defensively because Ant has been out and now Scoot is out. That makes them taller and more defensive oriented across the board. Brogdon - 6'5" with a 6'11" wingspan Sharpe - 6'5" with a 6'11" wingspan Camara - 6'7" with a 7'1" wingspan (TC is playing most of the SF minutes) Grant - 6'8" with a 7'2+" wingspan Atyon - 7' with a 7'6" wingspan There is a reason there are playing better defense. One of their worst defensive (best offensive) players has been out and their 2nd worst has now been out as well. The Blazers are MASSIVELY improved on D while falling off a cliff on O.....the missing Dame effect. Dame has take his missing defense to MIL where they are really struggling compared to year's past on that end of the court. We discussed that on the most recent podcast. The numbers are a staggering turnaround. Portland hasn't played with this much size in years! It is showing even though they can't shoot worth a damn. This is a new ere....thank goodness. To be this much better defensively with this young of a roster is very encouraging.
Brogdon through 11 games (5 missed): 18.3/4.4/6.3 on .412/.364/.795 I don’t think his percentages are going to get dinged much, if at all, by teams looking to trade for him. Teams who are evaluating him will be aware he’s playing on a team with virtually no spacing. Very important to point out he is averaging only 1.5 to a game, meaning his ast/to ratio is higher than 4-to-1, which is incredible.
Yes. Yes we do. He’s too valuable to waste him on this team. He’s not young. Someone is gonna want to pay up for him at the deadline.
Here’s a trade idea: Don’t trade Malcolm Brogdon. Assuming Cronin is still all in on Ant, then Brogdon would be the perfect pairing from a size and skill set to run the point with him. Scoot and Sharpe are a second perfect pairing. Rotate those backcourts while Sharpe and Scoot learn the game.
But why? He's 30. We're not trying to win right now. We need assets so that if a young stud becomes available, we will have some pieces to move. Look at OKC. That's our model right now.
You think so? I guess if you’re a fan of five year rebuilds. I’m not. I think it’s better to have experienced guys to help the young studs develop their games and to keep them from becoming dissatisfied by actually winning some games. In my view, the Blazers need one more young piece: a stud 3 or 4. Get that in next June’s draft, or sooner through trade if possible, and then get the hell out of the lottery. I’m not a believer in having a roster that’s all on the same age cohort. I like a mix. I’m not a fan of continually having young prospects to develop. I’d like to see the Blazers in the playoffs in two years, not five.
