How much better is RoCo and Nance over….

[Blazers20]

Harkless and Aminu? Plus Olshey ponied 3 picks to land RoCo and Nance and was that worth it?

[BNM]

Harkless and Aminu? Plus Olshey ponied 3 picks to land RoCo and Nance and was that worth it?

Given that Chief and Moe were long gone before we got RoCo and Nash, I'm not sure I understand the context of your question.

If you're asking how much better are RoCo and Nance than Chief and Moe right now, the answer is way, way, WAY better. Honestly, since leaving POR, both Moe and Chief have flat out sucked. They have both been passed around among multiple teams and neither has made any significant contributions anywhere they've played since leaving POR. Chief barely played for the two crap teams he's been on (ORL, CHI), Moe played a little more, but couldn't even manage to put up decent numbers on multiple crap teams (NYK, SAC).

Neither player has played a single minute of playoff basketball since leaving POR and in the two seasons since leaving they have made a combined 74 three pointers. In his one season in POR, RoCo made 135 three pointers (and did it at a much higher 3FG% than either Chief of Moe). Plus, he's better defensively than both.

So, if you're asking if were better off entering the 2021-22 season with RoCo and Nance instead of Chief and Moe, yes we are infinitely better.

If you're asking if 2021-22 RoCo and Nance will be better than 2018-19 Chief and Moe, the answer is still yes. The margin isn't quite as lopsided, but it still favors the replacements over the cast offs. Since neither RoCo or Nance actually replaced Chief or Moe, perhaps you should be asking: "How much better are RoCo and Nance over Hezonja and Tolliver" or "How much better are RoCo and Nance over Melo and DJJ".

The answer in all cases is, RoCo and Nance are better - more consistent on offense and better on defense. Given how bad Chief and Moe have flat out sucked these past two seasons, if we'd stayed the course, Dame would have demanded a trade by now. Although neither are all stars, this will be the best pair of forwards Dame has played with since Aldridge and Batum. Given the revolving **** show we've had at the forward spots since then, that's a pretty low bar to clear, but still a significant improvement.

[Goldbum]

BNM said it all.

[monopoman]

Yeah, if you talk about Harkless and Aminu vs. Roco and Nance when they were in Portland it's closer but it's obvious they benefited greatly from playing alongside Lillard.

He draws so much attention away from guys like Aminu and Harkless that they have tons of room to operate. People love to talk about the spacing Curry gives but Lillard is just about as good at that, he draws so much attention every guy on the court looks better.

[JasonStern]

Yeah. The Covington/Nance pair is significantly better than Aminu/Harkless.

Where you can start to question Olshey is "given three 1st round picks and a rookie contract Gary Trent Jr., could you acquire a better player or players than Powell, Covington, and Nance?"

[Wizenheimer]

actually, if you compare Aminu in his last year in Portland to Nance last season, it's really close and Aminu has as many advantages as Nance

https://stathead.com/tiny/WTTkI

and surprisingly, in the same season in Portland Harkless posted as good as numbers as RoCo

https://stathead.com/tiny/n33Se

(look at the advanced numbers for both)

I'd say the RoCo/Nance combo is probably better, but I think people are overrating the gap

more than that though is that the Blazers would be in the same boat, that being that they have lower usage, lower impact starters at both forward positions. That's exactly what has kept Portland a pretender for the last 6 years. Portland is weakest at the wings and stretch-4's when that has become the strength of the NBA. Contenders have two-way stars at those positions, often more than one. Portland hasn't had any since Aldridge

[HoopsFanAZ]

RoCo and Nance are better than Harkless and Aminu both then and now. And Powell is a clear upgrade as a SG/SF and Lillard and CJ have improved … Nurkic is better than what we had. This team is a better team — on paper and prior performance on other teams —than the Nurkic-less team that went to the WCF. It doesn’t make them contenders in the Western Conference, but there is no super team in the West, either.

It will be about health, becoming a team (especially the bench) and if trade winds blow to the Northwest.

[Sinobas]

Why is the question confusing? They were our starting forwards, and now RoCo/Nance look to be the top forwards on our depth chart.

Both players are considered defensive specialists, as were Harkless/Aminu, but we gave up a number of first round picks to get them.

[PDXKnight]

To me the first round pick question is lessened upon the realization that they’re all sub lotto picks. Cov/nance are better for sure which begs the question how the heck did we get to the wcf with that team?

[jbk1234]

Nance's biggest issue is durability. The Cavs were a completely different team, in a good way, when has was starting at PF for us. He does a little bit of everything well enough that he had the best on/off numbers on the team for years. He can play small ball 5, PF, or SF.

I think you guys will be pleasantly surprised with how it works out.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using RealGM mobile app

[JasonStern]

To me the first round pick question is lessened upon the realization that they’re all sub lotto picks. Cov/nance are better for sure which begs the question how the heck did we get to the wcf with that team?

Favorable matchups. The Westbrook/George Thunder team was had internal issues and George was playing injured. Denver was more talented but inexperienced, and that series still went 7 games with 3 games decided by 4 points or less and a 4OT classic. Replay that series in 2021 and Denver wins it 4-2 even with depleted wings.

[IAMZOOTED2]

I think Nance can be better than Chief on offense too. Plus, his enthusiasm and zeal are contagious. I think the whole squad gonna be having way more fun and look and act happier too.

[BlazersBroncos]

They are consiterably better, and worth the draft capital.

Nance vs Aminu isnt close. Nance is a comparable shooter (While being much less streaky), a much much better passer and a guy who brings an energy on every possession that Chief just simply didnt. We are going to love the guy.

[skoharry]

Roco and Nance are better. Better defensively and offensively.

[Wizenheimer]

again, if you compare the 2018-19 versions of Aminu/Harkless to last year's versions of RoCo/Nance, there are no real gaps in performance and production

PER: Aminu 13.2....Nance 13.2
TS%: Aminu .568....Nance .557
Reb%: Aminu 14.2%....Nance 12.7%
assist%: Aminu 6.0%....Nance 14.0%
turnover%: Aminu 9.7%....Nance 15.8%
winshare/48: Aminu .121....Nance .080
Box+/-: Aminu 0.7....Nance 0.6

*************************

PER: Harkless 13.2....RoCo 11.2
TS%: Harkless .547....RoCo .553
reb%: Harkless 10.1%....RoCo 11.1%
assist%: Harkless 7.1%....RoCo 6.8%
turnover%: Harkless 9.7%....RoCo 10.7%
winshare/48: Harkless .114....RoCo .080
Box+/-: Harkless +0.7....RoCo -0.3


really, the only real gap in any of those lines is the gap between Nance and Aminu in assist rate. And we'll see how high an assist rate Nance gets in Portland playing with the ball-dominance of Dame & CJ

the biggest disadvantage that Aminu/Harkless had was familiarity. We saw 4 years of them as the wildly inconsistent Blazer starting forwards. We were familiar with all their warts. We've only seen 1 season of RoCo and not one minute of Nance as a Blazer. RoCo was pretty inconsistent last year, especially as a shooter. I think it's safe to say that Nance is inconsistent too, we just haven't tired of his inconsistency yet. Now, I'm inclined to think that RoCo and Nance are a better pair than Aminu and Harkless were. But the gap is small, not big

all that said, the real issue with both Aminu/Harkless and Nance/RoCo is that none of them are anywhere near the zip-code of an all-star player. The NBA is strongest at the wings & stretch-4's; two-way players who are elite at one end of the floor and at least solid on the other end...that's where contenders are made and championships are won. Portland hasn't had anyone at that level since Aldridge left. And that don't have anyone close to that level right now. Further, it looks like they are going to try to get by with a 6'3 SF this season who had a worse rebounding rate than Dame & CJ; and they won't have Kanter coming off the bench and cleaning up the glass

[Myth]

RoCo and Nance combined for 1-6 shooting and 3 points in 39 total minutes. Championship here we come, baby!

[BNM]

RoCo and Nance combined for 1-6 shooting and 3 points in 39 total minutes. Championship here we come, baby!

Lol, nice sample size

From the 2021-22 NBA General Manager Survey:

* What was the most underrated player acquisition?
1. Larry Nance Jr., Portland – 28%
2. Patty Mills, Brooklyn – 17%
3. Spencer Dinwiddie, Washington – 14%
4. Lonzo Ball, Chicago – 10%
5. Kemba Walker, New York – 7%
> Also receiving votes: Alex Caruso, Chicago; DeMar DeRozan, Chicago; Andre Drummond, Philadelphia; Devonte’ Graham, New Orleans; Jeff Green, Denver; Dennis Schroder, Boston; Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans
> Last year: Serge Ibaka – 15%

[Blazers20]

My opinion is that Dame and CJ have already played with Aminu/Harkless and a combo of RoCo/Nance is equal if not slightly better. Dame and CJ has never played with a 7 footer who can shoot and attack the rim and can consistently score 15+ point per game.

[BNM]

My opinion is that Dame and CJ have already played with Aminu/Harkless and a combo of RoCo/Nance is equal if not slightly better. Dame and CJ has never played with a 7 footer who can shoot and attack the rim and can consistently score 15+ point per game.

Sounds a lot like 2018-19 Nurk. That was the season POR won 53 games and was the 3rd seed in the West. He averaged 15.6ppg that season and his .570 TS% was the highest of his career. Nurk was having a great season, and was absolutely beasting until he broke his leg.

Hopefully, we will see the return of that version of Nurk this year. One difference is this year, Nurk will likely be the 4th option on offense, behind Dame, CJ and Norm. Plus, I as previously stated, I believe 2021-22 RoCo/Nance will be better than 2018-19 Chief/Moe. I think what many here are forgetting was Jake Layman started 33 games at SF that season. While I'm not a fan of the subminiature 3-guard line-up, I think Norm Powell starting is an upgrade over Jake Layman.

[Myth]

RoCo and Nance combined for 1-6 shooting and 3 points in 39 total minutes. Championship here we come, baby!

Lol, nice sample size

From the 2021-22 NBA General Manager Survey:

* What was the most underrated player acquisition?
1. Larry Nance Jr., Portland – 28%
2. Patty Mills, Brooklyn – 17%
3. Spencer Dinwiddie, Washington – 14%
4. Lonzo Ball, Chicago – 10%
5. Kemba Walker, New York – 7%
> Also receiving votes: Alex Caruso, Chicago; DeMar DeRozan, Chicago; Andre Drummond, Philadelphia; Devonte’ Graham, New Orleans; Jeff Green, Denver; Dennis Schroder, Boston; Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans
> Last year: Serge Ibaka – 15%

I was being facetious. I’m also aware it is preseason.