DJJ

[soobias]

i know its early on , but DJJ is a keeper.
anybody that hustles the way he does and does the dirty work is a keeper imho.

[monopoman]

I really like the kid I think he is a great pairing with Covington in the starting lineup. I want to see the team try to get him a couple lobs at the rim his jumping ability is ridiculous that is probably good for 4-6 points a game at least.

I agree he was a great pickup and was worth the contract we gave him.

[Wizenheimer]

Jones and Roco have been really good on the defensive end. They are disruptive to the other team's ball and player movement and are both really good man and help defenders. And of course Jones occasionally adds a spectacular play to the entertainment value

the bad news is that so far, they have been poor and inconsistent on the offensive end of the floor. But, inconsistent shooting, and below average efficiency have been what they have established in their careers to this point (Jones for sure, although Covington has been about average).

In comparison to Aminu/Harkless, I'd say Roco/Jones look like they will bring a little more consistent defense, about the same inconsistency on offense, and worse rebounding. Unfortunately, to this point, the Blazers are a much worse defensive team, even with what Roco/Jones bring to the floor. The good news there is that Portland has played 4 good offenses that may have deflated their defensive metrics.

and, if Jones opts out of his deal this summer (and he likely will if he performs well this year), Portland will have a difficult time re-signing him because of CBA restrictions

[JasonStern]

Still wish we would have went the split MLE path with Portis and Dunn, but if the goal was to make sure we don't have a true backup PG, watching Jones has been fun.

[HoopsFanAZ]

Still wish we would have went the split MLE path with Portis and Dunn, but if the goal was to make sure we don't have a true backup PG, watching Jones has been fun.

This is an exceptional non-compliment compliment.
Well done! Well crafted.
[Not having a backup PG ... cough cough Payton Pritchard ... isn't good. Playing Simons looks like developing him as a player, not a point guard ... which leads inevitably back (for me) to GTJ. Bring in JJ Barea. I always liked his ability to get where he wants to go and scrap.]

But this is about DJJ. Yes,(and it's early) he looks like a keeper. I like him more than Will Barton ... a sacrilege to some. I always thought Will should've been a better defender than he was. Activity but ... no. DJJ is an uber athletic, shorter, poor man's Tayshaun Prince. His ceiling? I don't know. Maybe an uber athletic Tayshaun Prince. Huge maybe.

[PDXKnight]

Jones was a good addition. But I hope he doesn’t bail on that 1 + 1 deal

[JasonStern]

Not having a backup PG ... cough cough Payton Pritchard ... isn't good.

Pritchard and Flynn were both gone before the Blazers had a pick. None of the low ceiling, high floor late draft point guard prospects were probably worth spending the money to move up in the draft for versus signing someone like Napier. The Hood pay raise really put an end to any of that, as signing even a minimum backup point guard would put Portland into the luxury tax again, which is something they obviously shouldn't do.

Jones was a good addition. But I hope he doesn’t bail on that 1 + 1 deal

Indifferent. If he opts out, he's worth (to at least one team) more than what he is currently paid, making it a good signing.

[HoopsFanAZ]

Not having a backup PG ... cough cough Payton Pritchard ... isn't good.

Pritchard and Flynn were both gone before the Blazers had a pick. None of the low ceiling, high floor late draft point guard prospects were probably worth spending the money to move up in the draft for versus signing someone like Napier. The Hood pay raise really put an end to any of that, as signing even a minimum backup point guard would put Portland into the luxury tax again, which is something they obviously shouldn't do.

In a draft that is commonly thought of as having lesser talent at the top, going after additional picks is a move I always like. Trading away the Blazers 1st rounder to get RoCo was a good move. Absolutely. "Buying" a later 1st rounder to get an older player -- exactly like Pritchard -- relieves the other team of contract obligations AND brings in more NBA ready talent with that expected lower ceiling. That's a Kevin Pritchard move. It's taking a well calculated shot in a "weak" draft.

I'm not a fan of drafting lower tier PGs in general. Veterans who have produced and are available for the vets minimum are, usually, a better gamble. In the case of Pritchard, nope. His comps in the NBA make rosters and play.

[BlazersBroncos]

I'm not a fan of drafting lower tier PGs in general. Veterans who have produced and are available for the vets minimum are, usually, a better gamble. In the case of Pritchard, nope. His comps in the NBA make rosters and play.

Pritchard looks like the guy a lot thought Delladova would become IMO. Scrappy, never stopping motor, quality 3PT shooter, surprising at getting to the rim (He uses his body so well to make up for athleticism, his body control is nuts). He is showing much more than I thought at this level and I suspect he is a elite, playoff playable backup PG for his entire career. Playoff playable being the biggest note about him. A guy like Napier isn't ever going to be a plus getting minutes in a deep playoff series. I think Pritchard is someone you trust to go in and not poop the bed. Basically the inverse of Anfernee Simons.

[HoopsFanAZ]

Pritchard looks like the guy a lot thought Delladova would become IMO. Scrappy, never stopping motor, quality 3PT shooter, surprising at getting to the rim (He uses his body so well to make up for athleticism, his body control is nuts). He is showing much more than I thought at this level and I suspect he is a elite, playoff playable backup PG for his entire career. Playoff playable being the biggest note about him. A guy like Napier isn't ever going to be a plus getting minutes in a deep playoff series. I think Pritchard is someone you trust to go in and not poop the bed. Basically the inverse of Anfernee Simons.

While I have hopes for Simons (even though doubts are beginning), just seeing Pritchard outplay the other Pac12 PGs that got much more hype was good. T.J. McConnell out of Univ. of Arizona (and Duquesne) is a coach's son, has some grit, and makes rosters. He's an NBA guy. Pritchard has more true PG skills and is a better shooter (Pac12 comparison), so that's part of my opinion.

[BlazersBroncos]

He is basically a bouncier, higher motor Mo Harkless with a bit less defensive instincts and much worse 3PT shooting (So far).

If you asked me who I would rather have, Blazers era Mo or current DJJ I would say Mo. I do think he has more untapped potential than Hark ever had, but he really isnt as good a defender or shooter.

[DaVoiceMaster]

DJJ isn't a good defender?

[Soulyss]

DJJ is a decent defender, but he's almost unplayable on offense. He makes Mo Harkless look like James Harden on offense. I get people like the flash (boy he can sure fly) and hustle, which is great...

But his impact on the floor does not match his flash, He really doesn't belong starting... I suspect that they never really intended for him to start, but with Zach's injury we're a bit screwed.

[Myth]

DJJ is a decent defender, but he's almost unplayable on offense.

In Stotts offense, definitely. Though, I've completely turned on Stotts. His offense has actually gotten less creative each year (same with defense). Blazers pass around the perimeter until they have the wing they want to make a move. This may be a pure isolation move, or a basic pick and roll with Nurkic or Kanter. Essentially, we are playing 2 on 2 with 3 guys standing around. This really does not work in DJJ's favor and only benefits a potential kick out if there is a help defender. DJJ attempts to cut occasionally, unlike everybody else in Portland, but it is still not a great offensive scheme for him or the whole team really. It is an unimaginative offense that is easily predictable and will lose every time in the playoffs to a team that has a coach that can make adjustments. Watch the Phoenix Suns and watch off the ball and tell me the Portland offense is a good offense. We have decent offensive ratings because we have good offensive players, but they work their butts off for every point. No easy baskets for the Blazers. Sorry that such a small amount of this was actually about DJJ, lol.

[Epicurus]

I think you have totally missed the objectives of the WAVE offense and thus miss it many nuances. There are sites on the web that may prove useful.

Jones' problem thus far is that he is missing a much higher percentage of shots in the restricted area than he has in previous seasons. Why? I don't know, but I doubt if the muffed shots are related to the offensive scheme. Ironically, though not good, he is doing better on his threes.

[Epicurus]

DJJ is a decent defender, but he's almost unplayable on offense. He makes Mo Harkless look like James Harden on offense. I get people like the flash (boy he can sure fly) and hustle, which is great...

But his impact on the floor does not match his flash, He really doesn't belong starting... I suspect that they never really intended for him to start, but with Zach's injury we're a bit screwed.

Yes, I prefer starting Giles rather than this incarnation of Jones. Giles far more approximates, if not surpasses, Collins.

[Soulyss]

DJJ is a decent defender, but he's almost unplayable on offense.

In Stotts offense, definitely. Though, I've completely turned on Stotts. His offense has actually gotten less creative each year (same with defense). Blazers pass around the perimeter until they have the wing they want to make a move. This may be a pure isolation move, or a basic pick and roll with Nurkic or Kanter. Essentially, we are playing 2 on 2 with 3 guys standing around. This really does not work in DJJ's favor and only benefits a potential kick out if there is a help defender. DJJ attempts to cut occasionally, unlike everybody else in Portland, but it is still not a great offensive scheme for him or the whole team really. It is an unimaginative offense that is easily predictable and will lose every time in the playoffs to a team that has a coach that can make adjustments. Watch the Phoenix Suns and watch off the ball and tell me the Portland offense is a good offense. We have decent offensive ratings because we have good offensive players, but they work their butts off for every point. No easy baskets for the Blazers. Sorry that such a small amount of this was actually about DJJ, lol.

I've not "turned on Stotts" per-say, but I do think he and Dame need to sit down and figure this out. The offense is stagnant and it's because his primary ball-handlers free-lance too much and don't play enough team basketball on the offensive end. Stott's offense has more movement and passing than it shows, but Dame and CJ free style into ISO or P&R too frequently and there isn't enough movement off the ball when they start to free-lance.

Dame needs to "run the offense" a bit more, take less 35ft 3pts early in the clock and work the offense more.

[DaVoiceMaster]

DJJ just needs to continue cutting to the basket, particularly when Nurk has the ball in the high post.

[Wizenheimer]

I've not "turned on Stotts" per-say, but I do think he and Dame need to sit down and figure this out. The offense is stagnant and it's because his primary ball-handlers free-lance too much and don't play enough team basketball on the offensive end. Stott's offense has more movement and passing than it shows, but Dame and CJ free style into ISO or P&R too frequently and there isn't enough movement off the ball when they start to free-lance.

Dame needs to "run the offense" a bit more, take less 35ft 3pts early in the clock and work the offense more.

I know I come across as a CJ hater, and this may seem like more of that, but I don't think the issue is just with Dame. The problem is simply the dynamic of the Dame/CJ back court. Their dribble-mania-one-on-one-iso-fest just becomes dominant when they play together. Their bad-ball-hog-habits feed on each another

a couple of seasons ago when CJ missed 10 straight games, Dame averaged 10 assists/game during that stretch. More than that, the Blazer record was 8-2. But what was really noticeable was that suddenly, the Blazer office significantly ratcheted up ball and player movement. Dame still got his shots, but dribbling was way down and passing was way up

what is exacerbating the problem this season is the massive mistake of re-signing Melo. Further, the combo of Melo and Kanter is toxic on both ends of the floor

look at the worst 4 man lineups in terms of plus/minus points:

1 C. Anthony | D. Jones | E. Kanter | C. McCollum -44.2
2 C. Anthony | D. Jones | E. Kanter | G. Trent -37.1
3 C. Anthony | R. Hood | E. Kanter | D. Lillard -31.0
4 C. Anthony | E. Kanter | C. McCollum | G. Trent -17.9
5 C. Anthony | E. Kanter | D. Lillard | G. Trent -12.8
6 R. Hood | E. Kanter | D. Lillard | G. Trent -10.9
7 C. Anthony | R. Hood | E. Kanter | C. McCollum -10.5
8 C. Anthony | R. Hood | E. Kanter | G. Trent -7.1

then compare it to the worst 4 man lineups in terms of assist percentage:

1 C. Anthony | D. Jones | E. Kanter | C. McCollum -29.4
2 C. Anthony | D. Jones | E. Kanter | G. Trent -19.3
3 C. Anthony | D. Jones | E. Kanter | D. Lillard -14.2
4 C. Anthony | D. Lillard | C. McCollum | J. Nurkić -10.9
5 C. Anthony | R. Hood | E. Kanter | D. Lillard -9.9
6 C. Anthony | R. Covington | E. Kanter | C. McCollum -9.1
7 C. Anthony | R. Hood | E. Kanter | C. McCollum -8.5
8 C. Anthony | E. Kanter | C. McCollum | G. Trent -7.8
9 C. Anthony | R. Covington | D. Lillard | C. McCollum -5.0
10 R. Hood | E. Kanter | D. Lillard | G. Trent -4.4
11 C. Anthony | R. Covington | D. Lillard | J. Nurkić -3.9
12 C. Anthony | E. Kanter | D. Lillard | G. Trent -3.0
13 C. Anthony | R. Hood | E. Kanter | G. Trent -1.5

(those are negative assist rates compared to team average)

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/2021/lineups/

obvious common denominators between those lists

to me, it's pretty clear there is correlation between the worst Portland lineups, Melo & Kanter, and lack of ball movement. Dame and CJ depress ball-&-player-movement significantly when they are on the floor together; add in Melo, and the offense becomes remedial stagnant. Add Kanter, and it's worse. Even Dame's elite talent and CJ as hot as he's been can't elevate the offense out of that melo-morass.

another iso-heavy team, Houston, signed Melo a couple of years ago. They gave up on him and benched him after 10 games. Then traded him in January. Blazers should do the same

[soobias]

I've not "turned on Stotts" per-say, but I do think he and Dame need to sit down and figure this out. The offense is stagnant and it's because his primary ball-handlers free-lance too much and don't play enough team basketball on the offensive end. Stott's offense has more movement and passing than it shows, but Dame and CJ free style into ISO or P&R too frequently and there isn't enough movement off the ball when they start to free-lance.

Dame needs to "run the offense" a bit more, take less 35ft 3pts early in the clock and work the offense more.

I know I come across as a CJ hater, and this may seem like more of that, but I don't think the issue is just with Dame. The problem is simply the dynamic of the Dame/CJ back court. Their dribble-mania-one-on-one-iso-fest just becomes dominant when they play together. Their bad-ball-hog-habits feed on each another

a couple of seasons ago when CJ missed 10 straight games, Dame averaged 10 assists/game during that stretch. More than that, the Blazer record was 8-2. But what was really noticeable was that suddenly, the Blazer office significantly ratcheted up ball and player movement. Dame still got his shots, but dribbling was way down and passing was way up

what is exacerbating the problem this season is the massive mistake of re-signing Melo. Further, the combo of Melo and Kanter is toxic on both ends of the floor

look at the worst 4 man lineups in terms of plus/minus points:

1 C. Anthony | D. Jones | E. Kanter | C. McCollum -44.2
2 C. Anthony | D. Jones | E. Kanter | G. Trent -37.1
3 C. Anthony | R. Hood | E. Kanter | D. Lillard -31.0
4 C. Anthony | E. Kanter | C. McCollum | G. Trent -17.9
5 C. Anthony | E. Kanter | D. Lillard | G. Trent -12.8
6 R. Hood | E. Kanter | D. Lillard | G. Trent -10.9
7 C. Anthony | R. Hood | E. Kanter | C. McCollum -10.5
8 C. Anthony | R. Hood | E. Kanter | G. Trent -7.1

then compare it to the worst 4 man lineups in terms of assist percentage:

1 C. Anthony | D. Jones | E. Kanter | C. McCollum -29.4
2 C. Anthony | D. Jones | E. Kanter | G. Trent -19.3
3 C. Anthony | D. Jones | E. Kanter | D. Lillard -14.2
4 C. Anthony | D. Lillard | C. McCollum | J. Nurkić -10.9
5 C. Anthony | R. Hood | E. Kanter | D. Lillard -9.9
6 C. Anthony | R. Covington | E. Kanter | C. McCollum -9.1
7 C. Anthony | R. Hood | E. Kanter | C. McCollum -8.5
8 C. Anthony | E. Kanter | C. McCollum | G. Trent -7.8
9 C. Anthony | R. Covington | D. Lillard | C. McCollum -5.0
10 R. Hood | E. Kanter | D. Lillard | G. Trent -4.4
11 C. Anthony | R. Covington | D. Lillard | J. Nurkić -3.9
12 C. Anthony | E. Kanter | D. Lillard | G. Trent -3.0
13 C. Anthony | R. Hood | E. Kanter | G. Trent -1.5

(those are negative assist rates compared to team average)

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/2021/lineups/

obvious common denominators between those lists

to me, it's pretty clear there is correlation between the worst Portland lineups, Melo & Kanter, and lack of ball movement. Dame and CJ depress ball-&-player-movement significantly when they are on the floor together; add in Melo, and the offense becomes remedial stagnant. Add Kanter, and it's worse. Even Dame's elite talent and CJ as hot as he's been can't elevate the offense out of that melo-morass.

another iso-heavy team, Houston, signed Melo a couple of years ago. They gave up on him and benched him after 10 games. Then traded him in January. Blazers should do the same

THIS is what i've been seeing ever since they became a duo and i cant stand it.
imo and im not the biggest stott's fan , but i dont think there's much he can do about the situation because it's been too many years like this and trying to get them to change this far into their careers not going to happen and add to the fact that they play sub par defense to me = avg season after avg season.