But thats basketball. With this analogy, three quarters of the teams should shut down their star because they dont have a chance of winning it all?
It's not about benching Harkless, it's about Harkless being needed to play alongside Kanter. Harkless will be getting plenty of minutes either way. So if Kanter starts then yes you keep Hark and Aminu at forwards. But if Collins starts then I say start Jake at forward (Not guard) and have the better defender in with Kanter and the better shooter in with Collins. Regardless until CJ gets back you have to start Hood at guard. Jake is not a guard. Why would you possibly want to continue the 1 guard offense that Terry is experimenting with? Other than Jake keeping Harris in check last night, he was invisible. No rebounds, No points, 1 assists. He needs to play his natural position. Look we have three centers now and only one of them (Collins) is considered a good rim protector. So you can't afford to play Collins anymore on the perimeter because you would be wasting the skill we need most from him. I am OK bringing him in off the bench if it helps keeping him out of foul trouble, because he will need to finish games. But we now need him under the basket.
Stotts is coming up on radio. I'm finding these discussions somewhat cathartic. Thought I'd step away but this is sorta helping.
Personally I think he won't want to mess up the chemistry of the second unit and Meyers will start. I would like to see them make one other change and that is to start either Ant or trent as the 2 guard. Jake and is 1 assist will not be missed down at the end of the bench in street clothes. Jake has done nothing in the last month to warrant any playing time much less a increase run.
I thought about this last night and I think what Stotts should do (not what he’s actually going to do) is start Collins and insert Skal into the second unit. Skal may be relatively new to the Blazers but he’s not some rookie who’s never played in the league. Guy averaged 20 minutes a game last year. He can cover for Kanter defensively much like Collins has. Or just start him. Either way, the answer is not Meyers Leonard.
I agree in general, but Meyers is absolutely playable against Utah. Look at what he did to Gobert last game. And we know he stays ready.
I would completely agree with some of you if this was earlier in the season but there are 9 games left and we are in the playoffs. Giving up on the season makes no sense. Sure, they'll probably get destroyed in the playoffs but you give it your best shot. Do you guys want all the players to sulk and give up on the team like Aldridge did when Wes went down? Fuck that! Giving the rookies 13 games of experience isn't really going to matter and playing not to get hurt is weak. I know I'll still be cheering the team on to try and win. Just maybe this takes some pressure off and they play looser in the playoffs.
I really can't see inserting a rookie who has not played all year into the starting lineup for the last 9 games of the year just to keep the chemistry of the 2nd unit. Lets take care of the starting unit first. Start Hood and move Jake back to forward with the 2nd unit. He plays well with Curry and ET. At least Turner throws him the occasion lob.
The problem with Meyers is he doesn’t fit next to Kanter and Collins played his worst ball playing next to Meyers. Meyers is only playable with the starting unit, and even then, against certain teams that don’t prioritize the pick and roll. Let’s be real, the priority now should be the development of Zach. I’ve supported starting him next to Nurkic all season. Now that Nurk is out, I’m even more on board. Put him around better players and I bet you’ll see a jump from him, especially if he’s allowed to play close to the basket. Portland is a +8.7 when Collins and Lillard play together. A Collins Aminu Harkless front court is pretty intriguing defensively, and offensively Zach should have more space playing with the starters. Skal is intriguing as well. He’s similar to Zach as he’s a good rim protector and can *theoretically* shoot. He should get minutes as well.
The problem with Zach, Meyers, Nurk, and Kanter.....none of them can cover the perimeter. Zach does it better than the other 3 centers, but still not exactly their true position. It would be a nice surprise if Skal could with the 2nd unit.
Most likely Stotts will start Enes or Myers. Zach will foul out if he starts, opponents know this and will attack him (he has been better recently though. Zach is a year away I think. Skal needs minutes. He must be brought up to speed. CJ will be back. You have to make lemonade here, Stotts will either be viewed as a genius or we exit in the first round...
I would like that. Kanter wouldn't like that. Stotts won't do that. Kanter's defense is HORRIBLE. Start Collins or Meyers. Either way, Zach's minutes need to go up. Also, Mo will continue to start.
With that said, and i agree with you, nurk looked better than ever with his perimeter in the game prior to getting injured. He stopped russel a couple of times from getting past him once there was a switch on the perimeter. Agghh. Still bathing in tears....
The season may be "over" for a lot of fans. But not for the team or the players. As for the debate about throwing in the towel and playing the youngsters, I'm not down with that at all. Dame's team has good chemistry and a strong competitive attitude. You want to develop the youngsters? The most important development they can get right now is mental. Continue to develop the chemistry and the competitive attitude. Nothing is more important for a team's success than that. Goonies never say die.
Honestly last night and even now, I'm just sad. Sad #1 for Nurkic, #2 his teammates, and all that. Then down somewhere after that is for fans like you and me. It sucks, but the good news is he should be able to come back and even if he's never the same basketball wise he's got the money to live comfortably for the rest of his life. In terms of what they do this year, I mean I just hope they make it through whatever run they have in them without any more injuries. How the rest of the season goes is mostly secondary to me. I love Dame and I know he'll fight, but they'll be at an extreme talent disadvantage the rest of the year.
