So are Lillard and Leonard starters at the top of the season?

We need a solid veteran PG, someone like Kirk Hinrich who could start but would ideally be coming off the bench. Think of Steve Blake production when he was last here. A PG is the QB of the team and responsible for getting so many people involved besides himself. If Lillard can do that well as a rookie we'd be delighted. But he shouldn't have all the pressure of doing it himself.

If Lillard has some Felton level struggles I'd like the team to have the option of temporarily giving him a different role. Lillard could come off the bench, he could play some 2 guard and focus on hitting jumpers. Last year we had no legit PG except for Felton, a similar must perform situation isn't good for a rookie.

 

Steve Blake was a very good bench player or acceptable stop-gap starter on the 54 win team. Pairing that level of production with a rookie Lillard would work well. That would be a hell of a lot better option then Nolan Smith or Jamal Crawford as the backup PG or part time stater. But it will be a tricky dynamic, if you get a player vastly superior to Steve Blake he could really get in the way of Lillard, if he is worse he'd be an end of the bench scrub.

Nate totally screwed up the Miller, Blake, Roy combo; that would not be a good situation to emulate. Since our current roster is missing an all-star ball dominant SG and missing an established veteran PG I'm not worried about that situation repeating itself.

 

Just depends on who we sign. We only have one PG on the roster now (Nolan Smith), and no real centers.

 

The odds are high that Lillard will start because he's a star at 2 positions. He's a better shooter than playmaker. We could sign Steve Nash, and Lillard would still start at SG (after a month).

Leonard will be in constant foul trouble, but after Przybilla's annual season-ending injury, will be a starter during our annual tanking half of the season.

 

^agreed. Lillard, with our team, you don't sign a PG to start over the #6 and someone you just declared your franchise PG. Hes starting.

 

Lillard is definite starter from day 1:

@BlazerFreeman: The #Blazers do not have intentions of pursing a PG to compete with Damian Lillard for starting spot. Lillard will be the guy.

 

@BlazerFreeman: #Blazers might pursue a veteran PG, but he will be signed knowing his role is to mentor Lillard and not compete for starting spot.

 

If healthy, Billups makes a lot of sense.

 

I see chauncey resigning with the clips

 

How about Sergio? His been dominating, right? Now that Nate hasn't been holding him back?

 

Yes, he's back on the Spanish Olympic team, with the Gasols, Rudy, etc. You'll see him this summer. He's almost recovered from Millanitis. He's a great playmaker, just not as tough as players raised inside the American culture.

 

I haven't look at his advanced stats but otherwise his numbers are pretty pedestrian.

 

Greg Anthony makes his picks for Rookies that he predicts will have a big impact on their teams starting right now:

Anthony Davis - says this is obvious, everyone agrees, and he moves on.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist - says everyone knows is a good defender, but says he is a much better offensive player than people realize and will show it in NBA right away.

Damian Lillard - says is NBA ready talent that plays with great balance between attacking and defering. Is an unselfish player - despite the 25ppg - and that Portland has their Point Guard for years to come.

I sure hope Greg Anthony is right. He was my favorite backup point guard for the Blazers.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/behindthemic/#/nba/2012/06/29/0629_anthony_prospects

 

I think Billups could make a lot of sense. he was much more of a scoring point guard throughout his career than a true passer. If there's anybody currently in the league that Lillard can probably reasonably pattern his game after it's Billups' ... biggest question I have is about how he deals with the jump in competition and if he can defend at this level.

 

Good find. Randomly, I'll point out that MKG said a month ago that the toughest transition to the NBA for him would be losing so much - he's going to the losingest team in NBA history. Hope losing doesn't crush his spirit.

Nice that Greg is out front on Lillard. I think he'll be handed the keys, and the most everyone will join the bandwagon.

 

Lillard = Starter YES
Leonard = Starter NO