rotation/depth chart

[HoopsFanAZ]

1. I expect Harkless returns to the Blazers -- Asset acquisition/retention. You can't trade what you don't have, and it's smart to have enough left after a consolidation trade [unless it's Durant, then do what's necessary].
2. While the team is youngish and player development is key to building value AND winning games, the emphasis will be about rotations, roles, and winning. At the same time, there is no reason for Lillard or McCollum to play more than 34 minutes per game in the first 20 games.
3. Rotation players -- 8-9 of them. Beyond that is situational, injuries, prep for a trade ...

PG Lillard 34 / McCollum 14
SG McCollum 20 / Crabbe 28
SF Turner 30 / Harkless 18 (or Aminu plays both SF and PF if a PF comparatively outplays Harkless, thus having Aminu slide down to SF)
PF Aminu 30 / Vonleh, Davis, Harkless, Leonard -- 18
C Ezeli and Plumlee 48 / Leonard, Davis

4. If Leonard ever wants to start or get starter minutes (26-28), he has to begin playing like Ezeli on D. Otherwise, he's 1st big off the bench at best.
5. If Vonleh plays regular, significant minutes, it's because he has taken those minutes, and Blazer fans should be happy about that.
6. If Davis plays, then Stotts is showing other bigs they'll sit unless they work.
7. From the guesstimation of minutes and positions, 5 players are likely to play all the minutes at PG, SG, and C. With Turner and Aminu as likely starters [which is to say it's really too early to say this, anyway], it means the backup minutes at SF and PF are what's at issue for Harkless, Vonleh, Leonard and Davis. Approximately 36 minutes for 4 players -- 2 play, 2 sit.

[GreenRiddler]

I think Turner runs 2nd unit with Crabbe, he is gonna be our Iguodala. I got no idea how much mins Harkless gets, but I figure they love the advanced stats lineup with him at SF and Aminu at PF. I think our lineups are gonna change a bit with all these returning/improving/new players. Plus chance of injuries, hopefully nothing long term.

Dame
CJ
Harkless
Aminu
Plumlee? Festus?

We got areal problem with the center spot cause Festus can't play with Ed in the 2nd unit. Stotts is comfortable with Mase so he will probably start for continuity at the beginning of the year. What happens with Meyers, Festus and Ed? Meyers could play with Ed but other than VS maybe 5-9 teams in the league Meyers and Festus can't play together. Festus seems like a better version of Ed, but is too injury prone to trade away Ed or even Plumlee. If Vonleh shows he is a NBA player that would give us a chance at trading Ed or Plumlee. Then playing Vonleh with Meyers or Ed in the 2nd unit.


Then our wing position. Dame and CJ got there mins at the 1 and starting 2 spot. Crabbe is locked in at backup 2 with some time at the 3 when playing small. We could cut out the backup PF and have Harkless be that guy freeing up more mins for Turner and Crabbe at the 3.

Stotts has so many options. This really makes up for no options in 2013 and 2014.

Ball handling do it all studs: Dame and CJ

Spotting up threats: Dame, CJ, Crabbe, Meyers, Aminu (potentially Turner and Harkless)

Playmakers: Dame, Turner, CJ

Great Rebounding bigs: Ed, Plumlee, Festus (Maybe Vonleh)

PnR threats for our gaurds: Meyers, Festus

Versatile wing defenders: Aminu, Harkless, Turner, Crabbe

Top defenders: Aminu and Festus

[DusterBuster]

This really makes up for no options in 2013 and 2014.

Ball handling do it all studs: Dame and CJ

Spotting up threats: Dame, CJ, Crabbe, Meyers, Aminu (potentially Turner and Harkless)

Playmakers: Dame, Turner, CJ

Great Rebounding bigs: Ed, Plumlee, Festus (Maybe Vonleh)

PnR threats for our gaurds: Meyers, Festus

Versatile wing defenders: Aminu, Harkless, Turner, Crabbe

Top defenders: Aminu and Festus

I was just thinking about that. People were giving Olshey **** left and right for how thin the Aldridge/Lillard rosters were. He certainly fixed that problem, but of course people now have new things to give Olshey **** about.

I'm excited to see what the team can do. I think Turner will be a good enough fit that people will quickly stop caring about how much he got paid.

Some good players are gonna be buried in the rotation assuming the team stays healthy. That said, I question Festus and Meyers' ability to stay healthy.

[No-Man]

This is my read for the Blazers rotation as of now and without counting injuries,

per position defensively, meaning that even if CJ plays back-up PG because he defends PGs when Lillard is out, likely offensively he is off-the-ball some and Turner plays as the defacto PG if they are on the court together.

PG; Lillard (36minpg), McCollum (12minpg)
SG; McCollum (18minpg), Crabbe (24minpg), Turner (6minpg)
SF; Turner (20minpg), Harkless (18minpg), Aminu (10minpg)
PF; Aminu (16minpg), Davis (20minpg), Leonard (12minpg)
C; Plumlee (24minpg), Ezeli (18minpg), Leonard (6minpg)

total, minutes are an estimate of course and can variate according to shape and match-ups,

Lillard 36minpg
McCollum 30minpg
Turner 26minpg
Crabbe 24minpg
Harkless 18minpg
Aminu 26minpg
Davis 20minpg
Leonard 18minpg
Plumlee 24minpg
Ezeli 18minpg

things I'd try to do If I am Stotts;

· pair McCollum minutes at back-up PG with Turner on the floor
· pair all the minutes that Leonard will play at C with Davis at the PF
· whenever Davis is playing PF without Leonard, have shooters on the perimeter for spacing purposes (so Lillard, McCollum, Crabbe ahead of Turner, Aminu or Harkless)
· POR best lineup is easily Lillard-McCollum-Crabbe or Turner-Aminu-Plumlee or Ezeli (if he comes back to what he did look like against POR and at the beginning of the season) but the fact that you can adjust to play big if needed and smaller if also, is really intriguing
· You can pretty much plugg-in Crabbe with whomever but I'll try to have him on the court when Turner is out there too, to help him with shooters around, Ezeli and Turner need each other also, so it would be good if he plays always when ET is playing the PG offensively.
· I like Layman, Napier and Vonleh as the 11-13 guys if needed, they are all nice young players with certain upside, too bad that if there are no injuries (with Ezeli and Leonard this is likely not gonna be the case though) or surprises in terms of their development, they wont see much time, Layman could be a surprise if any of the Forwards gets injured, he is a guy ready to contribute (and nope, I dont think much of Montero/Connaughton).

I think the Blazers should fight with LA and UTA for 2 of the top4 spots that guarantee homecourt in the West.
Eventually seems impossible to keep all the bigs, especially one between Ezeli and Plumlee will likely be either let go or traded, but again, Ezeli's deal is a bargain and you can worry about Plums next year.
The Blazers are in the best position possible to trade, if they want to and that it's another story (if they should I mean) for a stablished star that might be on the move, they not only have picks and some interesting young players, but also rotation and versatile team players that can help any team.
The name that is gonna be thrown around is Love for sure, has his history in Oregon and POR have what CLE needs (versatile defensive Forwards), but I am not 100% if that is the direction the Blazers should be taking, although a Lillard-McCollum-Harkless-Love-Ezeli with Turner as the 6th man is enticing.
And yeah, I think that eventually you could get Kevin Love without trading away CJ in the process.

[2Mas]

I know Evan Turner is getting paid a ton of money, but no way would I start him. He's best on the ball, facilitating, legit playing point guard. I don't watch a ton of Portland, but i'd start whoever is a better fit of Harkless/Crabbe next to Dame & CJ. My rotation would look like this.


Lillard (36)
McCollum (34) - Turner (28)
Crabbe (28) - Harkless (24)
Aminu (28) - Leonard (14)
Plumlee (24) - Ezeli (24)

Turner & CJ can easily play backup pg. Harkless can be the active type on d while Leonard can help stretch the court.

[Wizenheimer]

I know Evan Turner is getting paid a ton of money, but no way would I start him. He's best on the ball, facilitating, legit playing point guard. I don't watch a ton of Portland, but i'd start whoever is a better fit of Harkless/Crabbe next to Dame & CJ. My rotation would look like this.


Lillard (36)
McCollum (34) - Turner (28)
Crabbe (28) - Harkless (24)
Aminu (28) - Leonard (14)
Plumlee (24) - Ezeli (24)

Turner & CJ can easily play backup pg. Harkless can be the active type on d while Leonard can help stretch the court.

I tend to agree that Turner should be a bench player. I also think he should get most of his minutes at SG, otherwise the option of having 2 of Lillard-CJ-Turner on the floor most of the time (playmaking and harder to trap) will make for some awkward rotations

Crabbe should not get any significant minutes at SF....his defense and rebounding are simply too weak.

[zzaj]

I know Evan Turner is getting paid a ton of money, but no way would I start him. He's best on the ball, facilitating, legit playing point guard. I don't watch a ton of Portland, but i'd start whoever is a better fit of Harkless/Crabbe next to Dame & CJ. My rotation would look like this.


Lillard (36)
McCollum (34) - Turner (28)
Crabbe (28) - Harkless (24)
Aminu (28) - Leonard (14)
Plumlee (24) - Ezeli (24)

Turner & CJ can easily play backup pg. Harkless can be the active type on d while Leonard can help stretch the court.

It's nice to hear more and more people talk about Turner as a legitimate option at PG. That will help against the taller PGs. I really only saw/paid attention to Turner in the POs and came away impressed.

[BlazersFan2015]

PG - Damian Lillard (34) / CJ McCollum (14)
SG - CJ McCollum (20) / Allen Crabble (28)
SF - Mo Harkless (20) / Evan Turner (28)
PF - Al Fariq-Aminu (30) / Miles Leonard (18)
C - Miles Plumlee (24) / Festus Ezeli (24)

We need to flip Ed Davis for a future R1, but then again, he is locked up and Plumlee is likely to cost at least 10M per next off season, possibly even upwards of 14M. IDK. Hard decisions.

I like the idea of Lillard getting closer to 33/34 than 35/36. Not a big difference, but every little bit helps because ironmen usually dont last iron forever. This team is talented enough to reduce his minutes by 1-2 per game.

[zzaj]

Regardless of whether the PG by committee rotation of:

Lillard/CJ/Turner

ends up getting most of the minutes at the PG spot, it would have been smart to get a known physical defender specialist or a 3pt specialist at the 3rd PG position. Even though Napier didn't cost much, it's still guaranteed money. I consider that contract a great big whiff on Olshey's part. Napier does nothing well and hasn't really shown that he belongs on an NBA roster. Both Tim Frazier and Brian Roberts are better players.

[a_sensei]

Lillard (35)/ McCollum
McCollum (35)/ Crabbe (26)
Harkless (20)/ Turner (28)
Aminu (28)/ Davis (16)
Plumlee (20)/ Ezeli (16)/ Leonard (16)

I'd like to see something like this if everyone's healthy

[DaVoiceMaster]

Lillard (35)/ McCollum
McCollum (35)/ Crabbe (26)
Harkless (20)/ Turner (28)
Aminu (28)/ Davis (16)
Plumlee (20)/ Ezeli (16)/ Leonard (16)

I'd like to see something like this if everyone's healthy

This is probably pretty close. I do think one of those big guys is gonna get cut down or out all together in the rotation. I'd split the minutes with Harkless and Turner. If the Blazers move Plumlee (or one of their other bigs), then that would solve the issue up front.

[Blaze the Nugz]

It would be nice to move Plumlee for a PG. But I'm afraid that such a move would leave the front court in serious trouble when one of Ezeli or Leonard gets injured, which I fully expect to happen.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using RealGM mobile app

[Wizenheimer]

Lillard (35)/ McCollum
McCollum (35)/ Crabbe (26)
Harkless (20)/ Turner (28)
Aminu (28)/ Davis (16)
Plumlee (20)/ Ezeli (16)/ Leonard (16)

I'd like to see something like this if everyone's healthy

that might be about how it works out but I have a couple of issues with it

one is that Plumlee >>> Meyers; Davis >>> Meyers; Ezeli >>> Meyers. If Meyers is averaging as many minutes at the others, Stotts is screwing up

the other is that a back court rotation exclusively of Dame-CJ-$rabbe might be the worst defensive guard rotation in the league. I don't think it was a coincidence that Portland's season seemed to turn around about the same time Gerald Henderson started playing well. he isn't a great defender but he is a physical defender that gave the Blazers a different look. My thought is that Turner needs to get playing time at guard to shore up the perimeter defense

maybe the question is will Stotts be willing to play Turner & Harkless at the same time considering their perimeter shooting issues

[a_sensei]

Lillard (35)/ McCollum
McCollum (35)/ Crabbe (26)
Harkless (20)/ Turner (28)
Aminu (28)/ Davis (16)
Plumlee (20)/ Ezeli (16)/ Leonard (16)

I'd like to see something like this if everyone's healthy

that might be about how it works out but I have a couple of issues with it

one is that Plumlee >>> Meyers; Davis >>> Meyers; Ezeli >>> Meyers. If Meyers is averaging as many minutes at the others, Stotts is screwing up

the other is that a back court rotation exclusively of Dame-CJ-$rabbe might be the worst defensive guard rotation in the league. I don't think it was a coincidence that Portland's season seemed to turn around about the same time Gerald Henderson started playing well. he isn't a great defender but he is a physical defender that gave the Blazers a different look. My thought is that Turner needs to get playing time at guard to shore up the perimeter defense

maybe the question is will Stotts be willing to play Turner & Harkless at the same time considering their perimeter shooting issues

I think Meyers is going to get his opportunity. They didn't pay him to sit on the bench. Much of the rotation will be situational. On a team with three wings/ stretch 4s who are historically below average shooters (Turner, Aminu, Harkless) I think story's gets Leonard out there at times just to space the court.

Positions are flexible. If two of dame/CJ/AC are out there then Turner or Harkless matches up against the other team's best guard. As we know from last season back court defense will be an issue. Hopefully all three show some improvement.

[Wizenheimer]

Lillard (35)/ McCollum
McCollum (35)/ Crabbe (26)
Harkless (20)/ Turner (28)
Aminu (28)/ Davis (16)
Plumlee (20)/ Ezeli (16)/ Leonard (16)

I'd like to see something like this if everyone's healthy

that might be about how it works out but I have a couple of issues with it

one is that Plumlee >>> Meyers; Davis >>> Meyers; Ezeli >>> Meyers. If Meyers is averaging as many minutes at the others, Stotts is screwing up

the other is that a back court rotation exclusively of Dame-CJ-$rabbe might be the worst defensive guard rotation in the league. I don't think it was a coincidence that Portland's season seemed to turn around about the same time Gerald Henderson started playing well. he isn't a great defender but he is a physical defender that gave the Blazers a different look. My thought is that Turner needs to get playing time at guard to shore up the perimeter defense

maybe the question is will Stotts be willing to play Turner & Harkless at the same time considering their perimeter shooting issues

I think Meyers is going to get his opportunity. They didn't pay him to sit on the bench. Much of the rotation will be situational. On a team with three wings/ stretch 4s who are historically below average shooters (Turner, Aminu, Harkless) I think story's gets Leonard out there at times just to space the court.

Stotts didn't pay Meyers, Olshey did. Stotts may give Meyers playing time because of the court spacing, but there are some issues with that:

1) Portland played best last season with Aminu at PF and Harkless at SF. Both of those guys were superior to Meyers in PER, FT Rate, Win Shares, Win shares/48, box plus/minus, and value over replacement. So, while Meyers may be able to "space the floor" he doesn't do as much in other areas as his teammates, and gives back too much on defense. In other words, floor spacing is overrated if it is welded to bad defense and one-dimensional offense

2) Meyers can't defend PF's...that's painfully obvious. So, in order to play Meyers, then either Plumlee, Davis, & Ezeli sit, or they are the ones that end up chasing around the mobile opposing bigs; which basically takes the best interior defenders and rim protectors away from the basket....all for the sake of some floor spacing

3) Olshey made a point of telegraphing the Blazers intention to run Aminu at PF. He actually said the Blazers had some sort of "models" showing that Portland is a 53 or 54 win team with Aminu as the starting PF. Unless he was just blowing gas that does seem to indicate intent by the Blazers. Re-signing Meyers may have just been Olshey refusing to lose any asset, no matter the cost, which seems to be what this off-season came down to for Portland

Positions are flexible. If two of dame/CJ/AC are out there then Turner or Harkless matches up against the other team's best guard. As we know from last season back court defense will be an issue. Hopefully all three show some improvement.

unless Stotts adapts his offense a lot, I think the positional flexibility starts to lock up when you get to the PF/C positions. Meyers is a stretch-4 on offense but can only really defend some C's. Aminu has the flexibility to bounce between SF and PF, but none of the three C's seem to fit on the floor at the same time in that Stotts offense

[DusterBuster]

It would be nice to move Plumlee for a PG. But I'm afraid that such a move would leave the front court in serious trouble when one of Ezeli or Leonard gets injured, which I fully expect to happen.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using RealGM mobile app

Moving the teams starting C for a backup to the teams best player who'd get a max of 14 min a game (if there's no injury obviously)?

[cucad8]

It would be nice to move Plumlee for a PG. But I'm afraid that such a move would leave the front court in serious trouble when one of Ezeli or Leonard gets injured, which I fully expect to happen.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using RealGM mobile app

Moving the teams starting C for a backup to the teams best player who'd get a max of 14 min a game (if there's no injury obviously)?

Yeah, such a move makes very little sense at all.

[ebott]

Lillard/CJ
CJ/Crabbe
Turner/Harkless
Aminu/Davis
Festus/Plumlee

Those are the only players on the roster who are good enough to warrant consistent playing time, IMO.

I completely agree. Stotts is going to play to win the game. It won't be like last season where we're half trying to tank and starting a guy like Vonleh. If the players above stay healthy, nobody else is going to play. And it wouldn't surprise me if Davis gets smooshed (technical basketball insider term) out of the rotation.

[zzaj]

Lillard/CJ
CJ/Crabbe
Turner/Harkless
Aminu/Davis
Festus/Plumlee

Those are the only players on the roster who are good enough to warrant consistent playing time, IMO.

I completely agree. Stotts is going to play to win the game. It won't be like last season where we're half trying to tank and starting a guy like Vonleh. If the players above stay healthy, nobody else is going to play. And it wouldn't surprise me if Davis gets smooshed (technical basketball insider term) out of the rotation.

The problem is, Leonard got too much money to be a 3rd string C. Luckily, his shoulder injuries will probably keep him from any consistent playing time for the rest of his career and other, better players will take his minutes. Another issue? The Blazers now have two SGs that got starter $$$. They are probably trying to showcase as many of their role players as possible to make them more attractive to other teams...

But yes, if I'm Stotts I shorten the rotation to 8-10 guys, work matchups and try and Win over Develop.

[ebott]

Lillard/CJ
CJ/Crabbe
Turner/Harkless
Aminu/Davis
Festus/Plumlee

Those are the only players on the roster who are good enough to warrant consistent playing time, IMO.

I completely agree. Stotts is going to play to win the game. It won't be like last season where we're half trying to tank and starting a guy like Vonleh. If the players above stay healthy, nobody else is going to play. And it wouldn't surprise me if Davis gets smooshed (technical basketball insider term) out of the rotation.

The problem is, Leonard got too much money to be a 3rd string C. Luckily, his shoulder injuries will probably keep him from any consistent playing time for the rest of his career and other, better players will take his minutes. Another issue? The Blazers now have two SGs that got starter $$$. They are probably trying to showcase as many of their role players as possible to make them more attractive to other teams...

But yes, if I'm Stotts I shorten the rotation to 8-10 guys, work matchups and try and Win over Develop.

I don't care how much anybody got paid and I don't think Stotts will either. In a bubble, guys like Turner, Leonard, Crabbe and Harkless should play a lot morethan they will. There just aren't that many open minutes to go around. We might do some showcasing before the trade deadline, but other than that I think we're gonna see a pretty short rotation of guys Stotts believes will win us games.