An understandable opinion, but I might counter that the massive impact that Roberson's absence has had on OKC's defense suggests otherwise.
Perimeter defense and rim protection are the most valuable defensive assets in today's era. In past eras, you could argue for post defense but not really these days. Having four (five, ideally, but that's usually a pipe dream) players who can switch and defend on the perimeter is pretty essential to a top tier defense. I could perhaps see the argument that, if you have perimeter switchability among four or five of your players on the floor, a wing defense ace is not crucial. That's quite possibly true. The loss of Roberson may be hurting Oklahoma City so much not because they lost a top wing defender but that they lost a wing defender at all, leaving them with only one. Westbrook and Anthony aren't exactly great perimeter defenders and they've struggled to field an adequate defensive replacement.
To answer the original topic question...I really think and hope Aminu played his last game as a Blazer. Good defender and that is all. His scoring and shooting is way to inconsistent, has no finesse what-so-ever in handling the ball or finishing at the rim and seems to have no emotional drive in him...he looks like he is moping along. Sure, he has had a few bright moments and there was a few games he was actually getting to the rim and put the ball in the cup....but once again, that was short lived and in my opinion his spot is the weakest spot on the team...actually the 3 and the 4 both. I like the idea of keeping Mo around for 2nd rotation. He defends pretty good, can shoot the 3 and has finesse around the rim. If I had money to bet and the Blazers do make any moves I believe Chief and Evan (either one) are for sure in a deal and being they brought "Biggie" up just before the trade deadline they might package him into a deal as well. We somehow need to lose Leonard's contract but not sure that will happen for the same reason he sits on the bench...he just did not develop. I still think he has potential and "could have" been something really good for the team but I truly believe he is one of those players that allows his mind to dictate his play rather then overall skill and muscle memory. With that body you would think he could have been a great post up player...but once again it is in the game smarts that is where a player really excels.... 2 days away!!!
Lol. Roberson is a great defender. One of the best in the league. All-Defense. Who cares what he does at the other end.
Like I said in the rest of my comments, I think the lack of depth from all the trades this summer is a factor too. I just don't think in today's game a perimeter defender who has no shooting ability at all is worth that much. At least develop a corner three shot like Bowen had to where you had some use on offense.
This is exactly my point. A good one on one defender is fine but if he gets screened and there is a switch it takes him out of the play pretty easily. Having multiple good perimeter defenders IS very valuable. One guy by himself, not so much.
And of course, the Thunder had to play in such a manner tonight as to completely contradict my point. Ah, such is life.
Yeah, I don't really count any game against the Warriors as far as defense or stats are concerned though.
According to David Aldridge OKC has considered Harkless or Tony Allen, the problem for OKC is figuring a way not to take on more salary, I guess they haven’t thought of my Roberson trade yet.
Because he's still not enough to be worth it to help OKC out as well as potentially help their chances of retaining PG... why would we help out OKC in order to swap Harkless for a severely injured Roberson...?
Because Harkless doesn’t play for us and Roberson could be a defensive stopper the next couple years for us and we aren’t winning an NBA championship this year nor are the Thunder so who gives a shit.
How does Harkless make us better? At least with Roberson he would have a role to play in the future, shutting down the other teams best backcourt or wing player for stretches. What is Harkless’s role moving forward? Taking more pics at Timbers games? Making Meyers feel like he’s got a friend on the team? What is it exactly?
It’s gonna be the same guys who suited up against Detroit and got abused. Then we will hear some talk about how the team didn’t wanna mess up the chemistry during the season and is gonna wait till the offseason to piss us off with a shitty trade.
