NBA / Blazers Thread

[oregontrack]

are we talking about wright vs. babbitt? wright is better in just about every conceivable way. babbitt was a trainwreck of an nba player. wright's not a high-level performer, but his mediocre-to-blah defense is still a lot better than luke babbitt, who spent three years in portland proving he couldn't defend an inanimate object. wright is hardly a volume scorer, i don't mean to say he's even an average scorer, but he can at least score in ways that aren't 100% dependent on open looks from deep, like my buddy luke was. wright can run a bit and is lightyears better in the transition game. and while it's hardly babbitt's fault we had coaches trying to play him as a stretch four, the mere fact that we've never had to witness wright playing PF is instantly a win in wright's favor.

i mean, there's a reason babbitt hasn't logged a single nba minute this year.

when babbitt checked into a game last year, teams went right after him, with predictable results. it was not pretty. as is the case with most of portland's reserves this year, they aren't setting the world on fire statistically but nobody is a worthless waste of a roster spot like most of last year's bench was. things don't go to s*** just because a starter takes a breather. that's a net win. being completely forgettable/even below average is still better than being a total dumpster fire.

[Boom]

are we talking about wright vs. babbitt? wright is better in just about every conceivable way. babbitt was a trainwreck of an nba player. wright's not a high-level performer, but his mediocre-to-blah defense is still a lot better than luke babbitt, who spent three years in portland proving he couldn't defend an inanimate object. wright is hardly a volume scorer, i don't mean to say he's even an average scorer, but he can at least score in ways that aren't 100% dependent on open looks from deep, like my buddy luke was. wright can run a bit and is lightyears better in the transition game. and while it's hardly babbitt's fault we had coaches trying to play him as a stretch four, the mere fact that we've never had to witness wright playing PF is instantly a win in wright's favor.

i mean, there's a reason babbitt hasn't logged a single nba minute this year.

when babbitt checked into a game last year, teams went right after him, with predictable results. it was not pretty. as is the case with most of portland's reserves this year, they aren't setting the world on fire statistically but nobody is a worthless waste of a roster spot like most of last year's bench was. things don't go to s*** just because a starter takes a breather. that's a net win. being completely forgettable/even below average is still better than being a total dumpster fire.

Yes, I pretty much agree with this.. I just don't think he's "significantly" better. They're both minus defenders and are statistically similar on offense. My original point was that the Blazers needed a stronger piece coming off the bench. The Blazer starters are still leading the league in minutes and this bench is still really really bad.

Asik probably isn't the answer.. but I think Thaddeus Young would be a real nice piece.

[lukeyrid13]

Thad Young plays best as a stretch 4, he would get maybe 20 minutes max here and that'd include playing out of position alongside LMA.

[wlduck]

To say that Dorrell Wright has been only "slightly better" than Babbitt is ridiculous.

Do you watch the games or look at stats? Both players are really bad on the defensive end. They're similar offensive players.

I would like to hear a non bias reason why you think he's been significantly better.. this season.

The Blazers record begs to differ with your entire argument.

don't be lazy

You call it lazy, fine. I call it being succinct. If the bench wasn't significantly improved from last year there is no way this team has the record they do.

[Boom]

Thad Young plays best as a stretch 4, he would get maybe 20 minutes max here and that'd include playing out of position alongside LMA.

Ya, I think this team needs a scoring big off the bench and Thad Young would give you several lineup options. Philly's going to trade him, but they would probably have to have a strong interest in Cj Mccollum/M Leonard for there to be a deal there.

[Boom]

To say that Dorrell Wright has been only "slightly better" than Babbitt is ridiculous.

Do you watch the games or look at stats? Both players are really bad on the defensive end. They're similar offensive players.

I would like to hear a non bias reason why you think he's been significantly better.. this season.

The Blazers record begs to differ with your entire argument.

don't be lazy

You call it lazy, fine. I call it being succinct. If the bench wasn't significantly improved from last year there is no way this team has the record they do.

Really.. so there's no other variables for an improved record...

Look a little deeper and you will find that every single Blazer starter is having a career year. Mathews has been shooting a ridiculous (probably non sustainable) 45% from 3. Batum is a triple double threat every night. Lillard is steadily improving.. And even LMA has elevated his play.

And Probably the most underrated, but most significant reason is replacing Hickson with Lopez... for so many reasons.

Blazer key reserves.
Mo Williams - Has been so-so and is actually having his worst season since his rookie year. Eric Maynor actually shot the ball better and committed less turnovers last year.
Thomas Robinson -No longer plays.
Dorell Wright - Having a 3pt specialist has value. I just wish he wasn't such a liability on the defensive end. His production has been slightly better than Babbitt.
Joel Freeland & Meyers Leonard have improved some from last year, but they're still considered well below league average in the NBA.

Also of note.. Blazers have had a favorable schedule to date and none of the starters have missed any games.

[UOducksTK1]

Sucks losing two back-to-back close games. A little bump in the road..

[thomas time]

Blazers starting to play better teams, OKC on the road tonight. Coming up they go on a four game road trip, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and OKC. If they can go 2-2 on that they will be doing good, I'm still hoping for the blazers to be the 3rd or 4th seed for playoffs.

[Boom]

Blazers starting to play better teams, OKC on the road tonight. Coming up they go on a four game road trip, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and OKC. If they can go 2-2 on that they will be doing good, I'm still hoping for the blazers to be the 3rd or 4th seed for playoffs.

OKC is without Westbrook

[UOducksTK1]

Thunder will be a challenge. Don't want to lose 3 in a row, but even without Westbrook, it'll be hard to win in OKC.

[Boom]

Blazers up 4 with a minute to go..

[Boom]

Mo Williams bricks two key free throws.. When is C.J. McCollum going to be ready?

[mdm0302]

Mo Williams bricks two key free throws.. When is C.J. McCollum going to be ready?

cant wait till CJ is back.... but Mo is still one of the best backup guards in the league - dumb plays and all

[thomas time]

Ya Mo makes a lot of dumb turnovers, but he's still one of the better backup pg's. I heard C.J. is going to play in the D league this weekend, so he'll hopefully be with the blazers in the next week or two. Blazers next 6 games are all against teams with losing records and five of them at home, need to go 5-1 at worst, hopefully 6-0.

[lukeyrid13]

Mo makes a lot of bad plays but he is the best backup PG we have had in quite a while, plus he is only making 2 million a year. Outside of guys on rookie contracts I'm not sure you can find 3 guys as productive as he is for that type of money.