Jaymz
Well-Known Member
If OKC wants to get rid off DJ Agustin, PJ3 and Novak in order to save money, would the Jazz be interested?
Hell no. Our roster rocks, don't change it.
If OKC wants to get rid off DJ Agustin, PJ3 and Novak in order to save money, would the Jazz be interested?
If OKC wants to get rid off DJ Agustin, PJ3 and Novak in order to save money, would the Jazz be interested?
Hell no. Our roster rocks, don't change it.
Hell no. Our roster rocks, don't change it.
Lillard has been a great offensive player since he stepped into the league… and actually the defensive metrics point to an up-tick in Lillard’s play (his -0.37 DRPM this season wasn’t horrible–but still 30th among point guards–and much better than his -1.97 last season) and his steal rate was much higher.
However… On this one, I’m just going to go with what I saw in many, many Trail Blazers games. I’m also giving coach Terry Stotts a ton of credit for maneuvering his defensive scheme so deftly to cover up Lillard’s glaring weaknesses.
In some ways, it’s very similar to everything Steve Nash’s coaches used to do to cover for his inability to stay in front of quick offensive players or work through screens. Yes, Lillard currently is the primary benefactor of the star-player Courtesy Defensive Assignment strategy.
Flat out: Stotts tries to avoid putting Lillard on anybody who is any good.
When Portland played (and lost to) Memphis in the first round of the playoffs, who did Lillard cover? Tony Allen, of course. Who almost never does and never should shoot....
...Lillard also has a habit of getting back late in transition, trotting to one spot, then staying anchored there and refusing to rush out to defend a shooter at the three-point line even when he actually should be… rushing out to the three-point line.
That kind of stuff just kills a defense because so much pressure is heaped on the four guys (if you’re lucky) who ARE playing defense that eventually they have to break down vs. the best offenses.
Kanter can score, no doubt, and he looks like a big man who should be able to play the pick-and-roll. But he can’t. He truly cannot.
He either doesn’t know how or doesn’t want to or just has a supreme talent for doing exactly the wrong thing whenever his man comes over to screen a guard.
Kanter’s so bad that opponents basically just call pick-and-rolls when he’s in the game, and if you can’t guard the pick-and-roll, you are doomed.
Among centers who get regular time in this league, there are several really porous defenders–and Kanter is by far the worst. He’s awful. I don’t think there’s any way he turns into even a half-way mediocre defender at any point in his career, it’s just too far gone.
Enes Kanter will make $17.5 million per season over the next four years regardless of where.
Let that sink in - now think about the contacts we doled out to Favors and Hayward and tell yourself that maybe the FO knows what they're doing.
@anthonyVslater
Was able to catch up with Sam Presti. His comment on the reported Enes Kanter offer sheet:
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It would be awesome if the Blazers got him. One more playoff team from last year that is now heading to the lottery. Open up those playoff spots for us.
Enes Kanter will make $17.5 million per season over the next four years regardless of where.
Let that sink in - now think about the contacts we doled out to Favors and Hayward and tell yourself that maybe the FO knows what they're doing.
I keep thinking back to when OKC ditched Harden because they didn't want 3 max contracts and the luxury taxes that came with it. I realize we're about to be living in a different world cap wise, but it seems like such mismanagement to trade Harden away, only to end up paying Kanter alongside Durrant and Westbrook.
I expect OKC to match, but Thunder fans at that point will have to be asking themselves: "Couldn't we have just bit the bullet and kept Harden"?
I think everyone knew the Favors contract was a bargain at the time. But I was certainly one of the people who thought the Hayward contract was too much. I basically had no concept of how much the cap was really going to expand. I'm glad DL did!
If anything Kanter to the Blazers makes it more difficult for the Jazz to make the playoffs. OKC is playoff bound with or without Kanter, Portland is surely out without him, probably out with him but better off regardless.
The obvious difference being that OKC would only pay the tax one year if they keep Kanter. Next year they can easily get under. With Harden, it would have been difficult for them to clear space in just one or even two years.I keep thinking back to when OKC ditched Harden because they didn't want 3 max contracts and the luxury taxes that came with it. I realize we're about to be living in a different world cap wise, but it seems like such mismanagement to trade Harden away, only to end up paying Kanter alongside Durrant and Westbrook.
I expect OKC to match, but Thunder fans at that point will have to be asking themselves: "Couldn't we have just bit the bullet and kept Harden"?
lets go back to those threads and see how many were in favor of giving him $12M per. If I recall, many were saying DL should offer him no more than $8M/per.DL on Hayward, not really.
Supposedly Hayward wanted 4/48 to sign before season and Jazz said no.
Not only did Hayward get 4/63, he can opt out after only 3 years of the deal...which is perfect timing for new NBA TV deal.
Wait till you see Haywards cash in 2 years when he can be an UFA..... DL messed that one