Season is almost over. The bench, to me, has a very different feel than it did earlier in the season. Mo seems to have really found a groove. The last game was a little rough, but he's been infinitely better. TRob is going to be solid. I don't know if he's ever going to be the guy that people thought coming out of Kansas, but I really like him. You can just see his confidence growing over the course of the season. I think we got a keeper. Barton is still a project, but I like what he brings. He's super athletic, he plays hard, and he's long. He's also one of the only guys on the team that attacks the rim. Give him a couple more years and he could be a real solid guy off the bench. Wright has improved, I definitely appreciate that, but I still think I would move him this summer. He's too inconsistent and I'd rather use his contract to fill other needs. Leonard..... dude is a project, but I just really don't like his style at all. He reminds me a lot of Ha. It's like he never played ball before he got to Portland. He doesn't seem to have improved at all, and I hate the idea that he's working on an outside shot. Everything that I love about Rolo, it seems like Leonard lacks. CJ is going to benefit greatly from a full summer and training camp. I still think the kid has a ton of talent. He needs some more time to get his feet wet. The tools are all there. I think he can be a Jamal Crawford, he just needs a little time. Freeland - it really sucks that he got injured because I loved the grit and workmanlike attitude that he brought off the bench. There was nothing flashy about the guy, but he's one of those players that will come in and do whatever the team needs. Love having guys like that on the team. Crabbe - I saw some real flashes in his DLeague time, but the guy has a ways to go. He's another guy that will benefit from a full summer and another training camp. He has a stroke, and he reminds me of Allan Houston a bit, but he seems to have some confidence issues (which isn't great for a shooting guard.) Claver - some of you guys love him, and I'm still not solid. He's a smart player, but he's basically a four and we have other guys that can play that spot. His shot isn't great, and he seems to be one of those guys that's good at a lot of things, but not great at any one thing. He's essentially a glue guy. I guess we'll see if he has a future with the team. Watson - I wouldn't mind seeing him come back as a coach. That's about all I have to say about Earl. In the playoffs I think we're going to see a heavy dose of Mo, Wright, and Robinson. I suspect Terry will lean heavily on the starters. He might go to an eight man rotation with possibly some Barton in spurts. I highly doubt we'll see Nards or CJ much.
I think you're right on the money. Development wise: Mo: No more real development, I think he's hit his level of what he will give you/can do on the floor. Maybe 1 less foul per-game... Trob: T-Rob-A-Saurus needs to get another year/off-season to be polished then unleashed. I envision a G-Wallace "beast mode" but with WAY MORE consistent results in energy each night. The Thrill: If he could take that pure aestheticism and mold it in the style of Clyde...he could do some damage. Likely your right, I think they move him. He'll become another one of those "After they left Portland the developed into a great player" stories. Wright: Is is like a more inconsistant Batum-clone who doesn't quite have the Length, skill, shot, confidence. On a good day you're luck to get Batum to be what he can be...Wright is worse so it seems. He needs to be a 40%+ 3-baller to come in and have an impact in the way Portland wants to use him: Spacer for the 2nd unit. Meyers: The man child that is Leonard... he needs to become the forbidden love baby between Buck Williams and Sabonis. Some size, an enforcer, but with soft hands. Someone please shave his head or something though...the "Ken Doll" look needs to go. CJ: I think he becomes BETTER than Crawford, CJ needs to be what Dame is when he's running 2 with Mo at point. Move, flash, get up, pop out and knock it down. Joel: Pryzbilla 2.0...i like this guy, could be just cause he's a brit and you don't see that much If he can start blocking dunks like 1.0 could...be nice to see him in the middle flanked by T-rob and Leonard going big for the second unit. Call the unit "The Portland Armory" Crabbe: You 100% nailed him. Claver: I _want_ to cheer for him, he is smart but gametime doesnt shoot like it seems he can? Earl: I would LOVE to see him play an Andre-Miller roll out there in Playoffs...give him 5 mins to toss up some assist above-the-rims for T-rob, Will, Dame, Batum, LA, whoever wants to score, etc throw-downs. Glad to read others have similar thoughts on the state of the Bench
I think we have two legitimate bench players: Mo and Tom. I was definitely disappointed with Mo earlier in the season (much like everyone) but it shouldn't be a surprise that his game is getting better the closer we get to the Playoffs. I also think his game will be more important to us in the POs, than the regular season. I figured Tom would start rounding into a good role player by the end of the season, so it doesn't surprise me that he is where he is. I actually think that Terry yanked him around too much early in the season and he could be further along than he is, but I still like what he's able to do. Barton really surprised me this season. I'm glad we kept him and ditched Elliott - certainly the right move. Freeland also surprised me. I like his defensive abilities, and decent mid-range shot. Smart player. But a little bit forgotten since his injury. I hope CJ and Crabbe show something next year. CJ has better dribbling skills than I expected, but generally seems overwhelmed. Wright shouldn't do anything on offense except set-shot 3-pointers. But, when playing small with him at PF at least he's able to guard multiple positions when picks change who he's covering. Other than those two things I hate seeing him on the floor. The only keepers, IMO, are Tom and Meyers - and Meyers only because he doesn't have any trade value. Even though I think Mo is important, I don't really want him back. And I wouldn't hesitate to include anyone else in a trade.
The only thing with Mo though is: What's out there that you could get? I haven't looked, so I don't know who all is on the table to trade for, but any PG we go after isn't going to likely be better than Mo off the bench...and if we arn't looking for PG and relying on CJ to fill that void then I think we ask a lot of CJ next year. I could see Portland keeping Mo for 1 more year, let Mo and CJ come in together with CJ at the 2 AND play Dame and CJ with CJ at the point. Then he can really develop and have some help out there.
Mo has played pretty good. And the rest of the bench pretty much depends on him. (on the offense end) I think the different combinations hurt him earlier in the season. (Too many careless turnovers) That seems to be much better. He struggled against Phoenix earlier this season (as did Lillard) Tomorrow will be a great test to see how they improved.
I don't see them trading Will this summer. Stotts appeared to like him over CJ, likely because he brings more energy and much better defense. He is great coming off the bench and will get better with time. I would think CJ is one of the most at risk to be traded.
Joel Freeland will be back and with the experience Barton, TRob and McCollum got this season, they should all be better. Leonard will improve if he follows Freeland's offseason work ethic. Crabbe I'm not sold on. I like Claver and Wright. I'd replace Crabbe first if we were losing any current players. I was not impressed with his D league game and I watched 2 of them. He seems lethargic on the court and shot terribly from deep. Claver is one of the best defenders on the bench. I like the idea of Watson as a pt guard coach. Once again I spout my mantra..trust in Olshey!
I'm not so sure Mo's groove wasn't ever there. I think it was more other guys around him found there groove. You have to remember that No is a volume shooter. Much like Jamal Crawford.
I feel so much better about the bench now than I did even a month ago. Barton's under control, T-Rob is making a positive contribution, and Mo has played himself into shape. For next season I still think we need a primary ball handler off the bench, especially if Mo takes off. And we need more polish from the bigs, or a vet big who can score 8-10 in 18 minutes if needed, but not every night.
I sleep better when I DON'T think about them. Mo will be either gone or overpaid. Freeland, TRob and Barton are worth keeping for their hustle - but none of them are all that. The rest of them aren't worth the thread to sew their names on the jersey.
The other players' 'groove' wasn't there because they were on the court with Mo "under three seconds or pound for 22" Williams. The guy was taking shots away from Lillard (and everyone else) for christ's sake. He's playing better because he has settled down and is playing under control, and within the offense (most of the time). He still can't guard a chair, but that's not what he's here for, I guess.
It will be an interesting competition for that back up spot. But just because Stotts likes Will better now over CJ, does not mean he will by next season. Players improve after their first full season in the league. If CJ is the most at risk to be traded, it will because he has more trade value. I like both of them. They may keep both one more year. To me it comes down to Will vs Crabbe. Those two are more of a duplication.
when Mo Williams came to the Blazers why did we think he'd be any different than Jamal Crawford? I mean it's almost like Jamal never left. The only difference is the team is better as a whole.
Mo is a 6 man, the Jason Terry of the old Mavs is a good comparison, picks up the tempo, looks to score, moves the ball. Don't know what else you'd want out of the position. Remember Nolan Smith?
Although Mo has frustrated me at times, he is still a better PG than JC. Crawford was used wrong. He is all SG IMO. Mo has been a lot more successful at PG in his career than Jamal.
I'm down with our bench. I think playoff rotations tighten up anyway, so 3-4 players off the bench is all we need. I think we have that
The bench has been a weakness most of the season, but over the last few weeks it's been a strength. Mo Williams has been outplaying Damian Lillard, Robinson and Barton have been good. I'm surprised at what Barton has shown. Dorell Wright is still Dorell Wright...I'd rather see Claver in the rotation.
BTW, I think fans here over-rate Freeland. He looks so much better in comparison to Leonard, and in comparison to how badly he sucked last year, but he's still not much more than a place holder off the bench. Portland should go after Spencer Hawes.
