The emergence of Zach Collins being overlooked, I believe
14-9-2 with 2 blocks per 36 as a 21 year old
13.5 PER, up from 7.5 (if only we could see same from Frank)
4.2 mil this year. Team option at 5.4 for '20-21 will certainly be exercised.
"while Lillard usually takes all the late game clutch shots. " - Go watch G7 against the Nuggets and that super long multi-OT game. CJ was taking (and making) the late game clutch shots. Dame is smart, he defers when CJ is cooking. Sometimes it is Dame, sometimes it is CJ.
You missed the context. I was exactly talking about that CJ G7 and saying that it was anomalous as Lillard usually takes the clutch shots. If CJ can start being a go-to option late, that would help diversify their offense.
I like Zach, but he might be asked to be more than he's ready for. Big starting minutes. While he needs to blend with Whiteside. Pau should be a terrific mentor for Zach. POR just needs Pau to manage half a season as a backup Big until Nurk returns.
No one doubts that they've had a pretty successful run and CJ has become a nice player. But overall, I just don't see their path into true contention. I like UTA and DEN better this year. HOU is always tough, if somewhat weirdly constructed. Both LA teams are going to be in the mix. GS no creampuff, though will be better 2nd half when Klay returns. Not going to be easy for POR to get homecourt this year. Probably in the 5-6 range. I'd say more like 6th.
I think they've taken a step back.
Aminu and Hark did a lot of good scrappy stuff -- screens, defense, boards.
7 new players to work in. Really 3 new starters, with Zach, Hood and Whiteside.
Their bench looks real shaky. It's Bazemore and .... <shrug>. And Bazemore is a bit reckless and sloppy. That's been a problem for them in the past. When Lillard comes out, they lose the lead, and he needs to play big minutes and get worn down. They haven't addressed that.
Are you trying to figure out if Portland is a true contender or if they’ll be any good. My guess is they’ll be pretty good.
Health, good fortune, and in season moves play too large a factor in title runs and things are so broadly shaken up to make calls on contention.
I think they will finish ahead of one or more LA teams in both the regular season and the playoffs.
Have to be considered a contender - off last season’s run.
May be tougher, with LA teams, Dallas, Denver progressing
Good hoops - good drama - good league(despite how shitty all these bench guys are - heh)
Shaman's a gunner, and a good one.
A lot like Lou W or Reddick.
I don't think he has ballhandling or passing chops.
He rarely blocks anybody or makes a key defensive play, while Lillard usually takes all the late game clutch shots. Definitely something to build on for McC.
In the next series v. GS, McC shot 39% and POR was swept.
Which has been POR's standard fate in the Lillard-McC era.
Lillard & McC have been the West Coast edition of Lowry & DeRozan. A competitive regular season duo who fade in the playoffs. Last year was an exception (though they did flame out in a sweep). Size, iffy defense and streaky shooting undermine them. I think POR got a bit lucky last year to get a very good but inexperienced DEN team. With Hood and Zach giving unexpectedly good support.
Going forward, losing Mo Hark and Aminu will hurt their defense and chemistry. Whiteside not exactly known as a great teammate.
Will need Hood and Zach to be consistent.
Their bench looks awfully thin (Bazemore and a few young guys).
The Nurkic injury set them back.
47 W's is my call.
Whiteside and Bazemore are both big endings contracts, but the days of flipping those for value seems gone. And POR can't really afford to add more long-term money.
If his floor is Evan Turner his ceiling is around Ben Simmons. Why not let RJ run the point?
RJ B
Wayne E
Marcus M
Julius R
Mitchell R
Bobby P and TaJ first off the bench
IsoZo and Knox for scoring off the pine.
This free agency saw 6 of the All-NBA players switch teams.
I'm interested to see who trades for Kevin Love (Indiana?), Cp3 (Miami? Philly?), Beal etc.
Just getting started:
How about Randle + Knox + Ellington + Franc
for
Brad Beal and Mahinmi?
Knix consolidate some players into an all-star.
Mahinmi an ending contract.
Put me down for DSJ/RJ/Mook/Randle/Big Meech.
If I had to guess, I'd say it will be a long 10 man rotation to start, so the back-up five would be Payton/Trier/Knox/Portis/Taj.
That leaves Ntilikina, Ellington, Bullock (who plays ahead of Zo if healthy), Braz, Dot, with the latter two the most likely to be healthy scratches.
I just hope Fiz doesn't mess around with the rotation as much as he did last year.
What makes you so sold RJ can start at the 2 for us, Biz?
I know he's the #3 pick, but seems like he's got a lot of competition and has quite a bit of growing to do, it seems. You think he's ahead of IsoZo (who's more efficient)?
I see him getting more time at the 3 given his deficiencies and strengths (literally), but I think a lot of our "guards" will play there.
So right now the Knicks have some 14 players with contracts who expect to see real minutes.
How is that going to work? How do you avoid bitterness and resentment?
Will be moved again. You traded Russ because he is 30 and you're rebuilding. You don't swap a 30 yr old for a 34 yr old and call it a day.
Looking like Miami
They can take Dragic and a pick - then move Dragic for more picks
heh
