But the thing that really stands out is how our team doesn't drop off once the bench comes in. In fact, it almost looks like our defense gets better. As much as I want to see them score more, at least they are holding their own defensively. Our bench is not even close to how bad it was last season IMO
Change to your premise...our bench is DEFINITELY bad offensively, right now. That said, the rest of your post is right. The D and energy stays high, they're solid on the BBIQ front with Blanky and Kaveman, and they don't totally crap the bed. But they do need some scoring, especially if you're going to trot out all-bench-plus-Wesley lineups.
With time I think Blake/Kaman/Robinson/Barton can provide decent enough scoring. Robinson just got his first meaningful minutes. Granted he didn't do much offensively, but his rebounding should cement him in the rotation. And as part of the rotation he can start to build chemistry with the others - Blake, Kaman and Barton are all decent enough passers to get some easy opportunities for Robinson. But really, I'd love to somehow get Monroe. If there's any way we could build an attractive package around CJ that'd be ideal.
We could absolutely use a true 6th man on this roster. Someone who plays virtually starters minutes that the defense has to prepare for. Targeting someone like Thad Young would be wise, IMO.
I don't really care for him personally but I would have loved for us to get Paul Pierce for a 6th man.
Oh I know and as well they should love him. Oh well. Just an idea of the type of player that our bench needs. veteran scorer.
Well Kaman is no slouch on offense, Allan Crabbe is shooting well in the 30secs on the court and Meyers hasn't played ...so there's that. What you're feeding off here is the fact the CJ has been a bricklayer so far
Terrific suggestion, tbh. Minny can't be looking to keep him long term either and they're loaded at the swing big spots. Thad can definitely ball and getting him to be our go-to player for the bench unit would put us into contention. But we might have some difficulty coming up with the contracts to get him in a trade. He's due for 9.5 mil this year, and 10 mil next.
without running the numbers, we only have to be within 150% +100k. So if you use 9.5M, we only have to come up with 6.2M going out. Off the top of my head, Robinson + Freeland works. So does CJ+Wright+Leonard.
Ya... TRob would have to be the principle piece involved I think. TRob + CJ + Wright? Would that get it done?
What is this in reference to? Are you trying argue that our bench's offensive production is going to get good or that if only Crabbe and Leonar_ played more we'd be good?
It's in reference to the thread title but I thought that was obvious. It's also my jaded version of a sarcastic post with absolutely no foundation in analytics from my camp. I do think CJ has been an offensively challenged black hole though and Leonard is a scorer when he gets a shot.
Prior to the Cavs game, my opinion (hope?) was that the Blazers were really focusing on their defense, this new-found focus was affecting their offense, and that they should continue with their defensive bent and eventually the offense would come around. Based on a one-game sample size, that may be working out. I have similar thoughts on the bench. They may not be scoring much but they aren't losing games either, thanks to decent enough defense. The bench offense will come around, and really it only has to pick up a little to keep us in games.
