RealGM

Over the last two games, it looks like Billups has been been experimenting with line ups. In his first game back, I was excited for Shaedon, but then against Memphis, he completely laid an egg.

On a similar note, Ant has been shooting close to career lows, not good for a player that hangs his hat on scoring

Also, Scoot has started showing signs of finally adjusting to the NBA.

It's clear Billups is not satisfied with the effort last night, maybe it time for a significant shake up.

My theory has been that Ant would be best suited as instant offense with the 2nd unit. As a side benefit, maybe benching him will light a fire under his butt.

I have been hoping for trades to clear salary, focus on the young guys, and hopefully gain some picks. Acknowledge that benching Ant is not the best way to increase his trade value, but watching him shoot 38% as the focus of the offense isn't doing anything positive either.

I say gits time to give Scoot a shot, and see if Ant can establish his value as a primary scorer against 2nd team defenses.

I would bench both Ant and Ayton. My starting unit would be Scoot, Deni, Camara, Grant and Timelord

Village Idiot wrote:I would bench both Ant and Ayton. My starting unit would be Scoot, Deni, Camara, Grant and Timelord

Interesting option.

I have always believed that a starting unit needs at least 3 perimeter threats for balance and spacing.

Until Ant and Shaedon can be consistent, it looks like your shooters would be

Grant, Camara, and Deni.

One of the best benefits of Grant is that he balances out Scoots inconsistent perimeter shooting. But I think the Blazers need to put Sheadon in the starting lineup to confirm if he's going to become "the guy".

Scoot,Shaedon,Avdija,Camara,Clingan

That's the real core of this team, based on our draft picks and trades and they need to get as much run as possible. I would rather play Walker or Murray over Deni, but based on what we traded for him you have to play him.

Sharpe still has to show he has the desire to be the guy

I could see the Blazers going with TL, Grant, Deni, Camara and Scoot and benching Simons
and Ayton. Perhaps with the injury to Holmgren in OKC, one of the Blazer bigs likely TL
ends up with OKC for they still have more picks they can't use

Norm2953 wrote:Sharpe still has to show he has the desire to be the guy

I could see the Blazers going with TL, Grant, Deni, Camara and Scoot and benching Simons
and Ayton. Perhaps with the injury to Holmgren in OKC, one of the Blazer bigs likely TL
ends up with OKC for they still have more picks they can't use

If Sharpe is not "the guy" the Blazers almost have to hit reset on this rebuild. The chances they get Cooper or Ace are not great, and this draft is mostly guards after them.

Butter wrote:

Norm2953 wrote:Sharpe still has to show he has the desire to be the guy

I could see the Blazers going with TL, Grant, Deni, Camara and Scoot and benching Simons
and Ayton. Perhaps with the injury to Holmgren in OKC, one of the Blazer bigs likely TL
ends up with OKC for they still have more picks they can't use

If Sharpe is not "the guy" the Blazers almost have to hit reset on this rebuild. The chances they get Cooper or Ace are not great, and this draft is mostly guards after them.

That was the question back in 2022 when Sharpe was drafted for he has all the physical talent a team would
want in a SG but was criticized for sitting out his year at Kentucky, to prepare for the 2022 draft.

I'm not fond of Kyrie Irving but he very famously was hurt for much of his only year at UK but came back and
made untold millions when he decided to play in the NCAA tournament. It's why I worry less about Scoot then
Sharpe for I would hate for the Blazers to sign him to an extension next summer in the hopes he will play
up to his talent. I remember reading how he did not stand out in the workouts for Canada's Olympic team

Case2012 wrote:Scoot,Shaedon,Avdija,Camara,Clingan

That's the real core of this team, based on our draft picks and trades and they need to get as much run as possible. I would rather play Walker or Murray over Deni, but based on what we traded for him you have to play him.

While I agree with this, until Grant is traded, he will start and Ayton starting over Clingan is not horrible, at least until Clingan gets his fitness level up to play 20+ minutes a game.

Walton1one wrote:

Case2012 wrote:Scoot,Shaedon,Avdija,Camara,Clingan

That's the real core of this team, based on our draft picks and trades and they need to get as much run as possible. I would rather play Walker or Murray over Deni, but based on what we traded for him you have to play him.

While I agree with this, until Grant is traded, he will start and Ayton starting over Clingan is not horrible, at least until Clingan gets his fitness level up to play 20+ minutes a game.

Agreed, but I like the idea of Clingan, TL and Reath

no options without Ayton?

Ayton may be the most boring big man in the league

Wizenheimer wrote:no options without Ayton?

Ayton may be the most boring big man in the league

I thought about it, but until he's traded, I think he's going to locked in.

There is the "other" option.

What I want and what Billups wants are two very separate things. Gimme:

Scoot
Sharpe
Camara
Deni
Clingan

And tank for real.

zzaj wrote:What I want and what Billups wants are two very separate things. Gimme:

Scoot
Sharpe
Camara
Deni
Clingan

And tank for real.

The irony is that lineup probably wins more games than what we currently floor.

zzaj wrote:What I want and what Billups wants are two very separate things. Gimme:

Scoot
Sharpe
Camara
Deni
Clingan

And tank for real.

This is what I want too.

BlazersBroncos wrote:

zzaj wrote:What I want and what Billups wants are two very separate things. Gimme:

Scoot
Sharpe
Camara
Deni
Clingan

And tank for real.

The irony is that lineup probably wins more games than what we currently floor.

You're probably not wrong.

If the team wanted to win, they'd start TL until he got injured or traded, backed up by Clingan.

Ayton/Simons could then go to the injured list with bone spurs or whatever and the team just
goes with whoever that really wants to play.

I really would not mind CJ/Ayton for CJ at least is a professional and would give honest effort
out there

Scoot
Shae
Deni
DA
DC

Is what I want. DC will cover all of DAs flaws and let him be the softie he truly wants to be.

He’s the one out of the vets I actually want to “work”. Screw ant and grant, their stats are sickening.

Scoot and Deni can cover much of the play making.