I'm super pumped about Zach's performance so far. I admit I was getting a little worried, but he looks very confident and his defense has been stellar. With that said, I don't like that we're playing him at center. It doesn't bode well for the long term future of our team. Nurk is ALSO playing very well, and he's a true center. That's the only position he can play. I don't want to see it come down to a decision between Nurk and Collins. I am confident that Zach can play power forward. He's quick enough. He's fluid enough. He has range. He has length. He reminds me of Kevin Garnett a bit. There's no reason why he can't play power forward, and that works out much better in the long run for this team. Or maybe we're convinced that the league will be small and Nurk is a dinosaur? I don't know. I just love both of those guys and I want to see them thrive together. I don't see how that would be possible long term with them both playing the five.
I agree that Zach is excellent as a forward. Zach at forward with Nurk or Meyers at center are a natural combination that can bring more wins. Nurk and Zach are playing better defense than last year, and seem to be improving. To stay in the top 4 in the West, the Blazers need the big man lineup that these 3 seven footers offer. Excellent play by our biggest at power forward and center will continue to be an important factor in success for a long time IMHO.
Ive been saying this for a while now too. I think our best lineup would be Dame Cj Aminu Collins Nurk I think that is pretty solid now and only going to improve if we let them gel.
Nurk probably won't play more than 30 minutes, some nights closer to 20-25 depending on matchup, fouls, small ball, etc. Zach is needed as the backup 5 so we don't have to play Meyers or Caleb there. That gives Zach 18-28 minutes at backup C. He is foul prone as well. If we had a more capable backup C we could give Zach additional minutes at PF.
True he can play the 4, but so far there has been zero reasons why he can't play the 5 as well.....especially against the trending "position-less" opponents. Zach just needs to be on the floor
Collins should be starting next to Nurk but Stotts is in love with Aminu. But if Collins keeps playing like this he’ll force himself into the lineup, or at least the closing unit. And I still don’t understand what the hell Harkless does that makes him more of a SF than Aminu.
I think another reason he doesn't start Zach there know legit back up center. Yes Leonard playing better but l wouldn't be confident enough using him in long minutes though. It seems like the coaches staff feels the same way.
Seems line Terry agrees with you. Both are playing more PF than SF, which is fine with me since neither are great shooters or ball handlers. Now if they can just close out on the perimeter. Get as many shooters on the floor as possible. That is today's NBA
I like where your head is at, but I think it will take more than Aminuand a couple of draft picks to land Butler.
I don't disagree with anything I've read in this thread, and I've always considered him a PF. At the same time, our bench unit is killing it and Zach is a big part of that. Zach has had some good performances off the bench but I'm not so sure he's ready to start. I'm fine with him coming off the bench at either position for now, and continuing to win games.
To be fair Harkless has a much better ballhandling than Aminu (okay that's not difficult because Aminu is a terrible ballhandler, trust me, Aminu at SF would be a disaster). But i think Stotts' rotation has been pretty good so far (except the Washington Game). Our 2nd Unit is much better with Harkless and Collins and i think Stotts shouldn't Change anything until we have some Bad games
Turner's trade value has never been higher! Don't the Blazers own all their future firsts? The Blazers would seem to have more to offer than Houston if they wanted to mortgage the future for Butler. But it doesn't appear they do.
Harkless will start once his minutes restriction gets lifted. At that point I think either Layman or Leonard will take his spot with the second unit.
Aiight, I'll be the lone voice of dissent. With Zach at C, Harkless at PF, ET at 3, and Nik at 2, we can switch everything -we're better at defense. Defense matters.
Zach is best defending the rim and pnr and at PF he's in far fewer of those situations. And while his skill is developing, his offense comes easier at the 5 where he can be more involved as a pnr shooter/finisher. The spread floor also allows for more opportunities as a cutter. His shooting at the 5 helps the guards out a ton as well. I think we'll eventually start him with Nurk like Utah does with Favors and Gobert though. First 6-7 minutes of each half and matchups/performance will dictate who finishes the game.
