Yeah, if we're going to have the kind of offensive balance everyone seems to want, everyone's going to have to be ratcheted down a touch from those estimates. Ant - 18 Grant - 15 Ayton - 14 Sharpe - 10 Scoot - 10 Brogdon - 10 Thybulle - 6 Williams - 6 That would be 89 shots. If we play at a fast pace and average 90+ FGA, that's not unfathomable at all.
Personally I would like to see all starters average 14 shots per game, with the exception of Thybulle. If he starts he should only get half that with the other shots spread between the other starters. With that, the three main subs should get around six shots per game, with variances for hot hand or mismatches. I do not think Ant has "earned" the featured scorer title over others on the roster. I would love to see Scoot running the show and getting the ball to everyone and letting them earn their shots by making the shots given. Ant is not Lillard. I would hate to see him start a game going 1 for 7 and hear that he just needs to "shoot his way out." Find the hot hand and play team ball, not hero ball. Ant does not need to carry the team. Those days are over. Sorry, Ayton, Grant, Brogdon, Sharpe and Williams are proven scorers. Scoot, we will see, but I suspect he can get his at will. Share the damn ball.
Based on that breakdown, are you listing Sharpe as a starter who gets 14 FGA or one of the three main subs who gets 6?
I also mentioned to let Scoot find the hot hand or to take advantage of a mismatch. I certainly want Sharpe getting as many shots as starters, as long as he has it going. If not, no need to force things. That is really what I would like to see, no hero ball. There is talent on the team, but there certainly is not a Lillard on the team that demands 20 shots per game even if he is having an off night. Personally I want Sharpe starting with Scoot and Ant off the bench. I have resigned myself to the fact that will not happen and will not be a good thing for Portland. Portland won't be contending for anything. If Scoot and Sharpe is the future backcourt getting them rolling right away is important. Ant and Brogdon in the mix is just weird. Brogdon as the sixth man I love as long as he accepts that role. If not move him for his own good. He deserves more. As for Ant, I only forsee future roster imbalance with him being another short, ball dominant SG that plays zero defense. I accept he can play PG too, but not at the expense of Scoot's development in my eyes. If Brogdon wants to stay then I want Ant traded for anything that frees up room for Sharpe and his superior athleticism and height at the position. I have faith he can learn defense as well. We know Ant can not as he has had five years to do so.
Devin Booker was terrible defensively for 6 years before becoming average. It may be unlikely for Ant to learn defense, but not impossible. I also agree with trading Ant, hopefully for young, unproven forward prospects with upside.
If Sharpe gets less than 10 shots a game Billups should be fired. I honestly think he should get 14+ every game.
Packaging Ant with Grant or Brogdon for a young forward (go ahead and throw in a pick or two for Scottie Barnes e.g.) who IS proven is also a great idea.
