If you had one wish that would improve only one facet of a current Blazer's game; what would it be? My choice is Leonard having an above average defensive game. I know it sounds like a wasted wish; but I think our biggest hole is back up 5. If Leonard had this ability; he could be paired with T Rob and play an Aldridge type role.
mags, I'm nervous to mention this because some of the naysayers will overzealously agree with it: If Batum brought it every night, we'd be tough for any team to beat. p.s. read your post wrong, here's what I first wrote (about team improvement, not individual improvement, new thread?): we super deep, we rebound the hell out of the ball, we have the best overall 3 point shooting team in the league, we have an improved and improving defense, all we need is.... to stop turning the @!#$%@#$% ball over! If the Winter Warlock had some magic acorns left, I use it for this.
I feel like if you're saying one facet of the game, saying he improves on defense is kind of generic, no? Along those lines, from crap to above average defense for him, I'd say I want Lillard to go from above average to elite on offense. But for a specific thing, I'm with wizard, and Batum's energy/consistency level. I'd improve his motor
Boy, thats tough. Batum near all-star every night vs Leonard defense stopper. Which wins us more games? Or maybe a better question, which one advances us in the playoffs?
I personally think defense is the main key. Batum is key; but he can play at the level he's been lately; and we are still good. If we had another defensive stopper in the paint; that would be worth it's weight in gold
I wouldn't consider it generic; since I said "one facet to their game". With that said; I still think adding another key stopper at 7' would be a Godsend. The only reason why I didnt say Lillard is because he shows he can improve without a wish. Leonard, on the other hand, shows no signs of improvement on the defensive end
One facet of his game would be like blocking shots, or boxing out, or on-the-ball defense specifically... Just saying "defense" is actually a pretty huge blanket statement. I agree with everyone else though. Batum's motor. That's the best answer on this one.
It would be for Aldridge to earn his money. Fight under the basket over shots, rebounds, and defense.
Yeah, that's why I had said it was generic. Individual facets, like you said, shot blocking, rebounding, etc. Defense is getting a huge improvement on half of the game, not one facet. That's like instead of saying dribbling, jump shooting, free throws, 3s, etc., just saying "offense"
I want to see this team learn how to defend the pick and roll. With so many great PGs in the league, I think effectively defending the pick and roll is a huge difference maker. It leads to more wins in the regular season and a greater chance of advancing in the post season. The Memphis Grizzlies are the perfect example of the importance of defending the pick and roll. They won 56 regular season games and advanced to the Western Conference finals without a superstar on their roster. They didn't have a single player with a PER => 20 and their leading scorer averaged 15.4ppg. Marc Gasol and Mike Conley defend the pick and roll better than any center/PG tandem in the league - and that was a huge key to their regular season and post season success. So yeah, I want to see the coaches REALLY work on improving our team pick and roll defense. I think this is more important than developing individual player skills. That's more of an off season thing when players work out individually. Now that the team is practicing together, working on team pick and roll defense should be a priority. BNM
I agree. We were just horrible last season in this regard. I think Lillard took it personal; which is why he worked on defense this off season. It will take more than Lillard though. Stotts really needs to work on jumping out at times; so they can't keep running the same plays. It seems stotts likes going one on one a lot. It would be nice to develop some help drills; so if a man gets beat; we have someone to clean up (mainly Lopez)
One improvement, rebounding. Looks like we're on track. Win the boards and you win control of the game.
I agree with this one because it's the most realistic of those that have been mentioned. If he could become "Roy" like automatic to close games or provide when we desperately need offense, we could probably be at least as good as those Roy teams.
1) LaMarcus growing some balls and committing to defense like KG. 2) Lillard developing either vision like CP3 or (more realistically) Chauncey Billups-esque knack for running a team and not turning the ball over. If either of those happened you'd have a legitimate superstar on the team.
Agreed that #1 isn't ever going to happen, but its a shame that LMA has the overall talent to be a dominant all around big man, but chooses not to be. Lillard is never going to develop vision like CP3, Paul, etc. He might be able to become a great floor general like Chauncey. Does that make him a bona fide franchise player? We'll see. Chauncey was great, but he wasn't carrying teams by himself.
