Toumani Camara Wins WC Defensive Player of the Month

[Shem]

https://www.kptv.com/2025/03/04/blazers-camara-named-western-conference-defensive-player-month/

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[Shem]

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[JasonStern]

You beat me to this, Shem. Was going to start a clickbait "I think it's time we move on from Camara" thread, with some "maybe we can get a protected 1st and try to find a player like Camara" opener only to tip my hat to him. Camara and Deni have exceeded my expectations and are huge reasons why we're not bottom feeders.

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[Tim Lehrbach]

Camara is great. And he's under team control beyond this contract... I think? Is he one of those RFAs who you need cap space to match?

[Tim Lehrbach]

You beat me to this, Shem. Was going to start a clickbait "I think it's time we move on from Camara" thread, with some "maybe we can get a protected 1st and try to find a player like Camara" opener only to tip my hat to him. Camara and Deni have exceeded my expectations and are huge reasons why we're not bottom feeders.

The only reason to even consider trading Camara would be if a legit star or top draft pick shakes loose. I'm talking Flagg or Harper, which isn't happening. Having Deni makes it possible to let him go in such an instance, but it would still hurt. He's been terrific, and I do think there remains offensive upside. I am not at all pessimistic about Camara. He could be an efficient, relatively high-scoring, all-defense level wing, which is just about the second most valuable archetype in the NBA next to the elite lead guard. The Blazers won't make the mistake of treating him like you satirize my approach to this roster.

[Runner300]

This rules out resigning him for a minimum vet contract...

[Shem]

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[dckingsfan]

Camara and Deni have exceeded my expectations and are huge reasons why we're not bottom feeders.

A pair of forwards that can guard multiple positions is extremely valuable. Add a C that cand defend the paint and you have a serious defense that you can build on going forward (accidental pun). I am really hoping Clingan will fit that bill.

That doesn't mean that the Blazers aren't missing a #1 option on offense. But it does bode well to move forward in a meaningful way.

Then you can look at your roster as to whom can defend. Jettison those that are unwilling or unable.

Harsh but - Sharpe and Simons can be moved or not resigned safely. Scoot is in.

Ayton can be moved or not resigned safely now.

Keep Walker on an inexpensive contract.

Now, can Cronin figure this out?

[JasonStern]

Ayton is actually a great defensive center. He just chooses not to try in ~75% of his games, which sucks as a fan. Suns fans warned us. He's a fun player to watch when he brings his A game. But, this being another rebuild season, it isn't the worst thing to have him walk down the court, stop half way, go drink some Gatorade mid-play, try to remember which direction the Blazers are facing and which team has the ball, guess at what zone he is supposed to be defending...

I hope Clingan grows into the defensive center role. I love how little his game relies on athleticism. Like a Pryzbilla or late career Sabonis. Much less likely to get injured that way, or suffer from a massive performance drop due to Old Man Time. I like Whiteside, Kanter, and RoLo, but damn. They just dropped off a cliff.

Will never understand the repeated demands to trade Sharpe and Simons. Sharpe has proven everything one should expect from a 21 year old. He just put up 25 points against what many project to be the team that wins the finals this year.

Simons is, as I keep repeating, a question that I don't think that he is going to return the value in a trade that many fans expect. If he brings back some combination of picks/prospects, sure. The league knows what he is - an undersized combo guard that strives in high usage situations. If he had high value amongst the league, you wouldn't consider trading him. On a team friendly contract, he is a great addition. If he leaves in free agency for nothing, you gain $20M+ in cap space. This isn't an Aldridge situation where you are losing an all-star player for nothing.

[dckingsfan]

...Will never understand the repeated demands to trade Sharpe and Simons. Sharpe has proven everything one should expect from a 21-year-old. He just put up 25 points against what many project to be the team that wins the finals this year.

Simons is, as I keep repeating, a question that I don't think that he is going to return the value in a trade that many fans expect. If he brings back some combination of picks/prospects, sure. The league knows what he is - an undersized combo guard that strives in high usage situations. If he had high value amongst the league, you wouldn't consider trading him. On a team friendly contract, he is a great addition. If he leaves in free agency for nothing, you gain $20M+ in cap space. This isn't an Aldridge situation where you are losing an all-star player for nothing.

Let's break it down.

First Simons. On the defensive side of the ball he is just not very good. So, he isn't going to be a two-way player. On the offensive side of the ball he is fine and getting marginally better every year. But historically, he is a net negative +/- because of the D.

Then the question of what to do with him. Can you sign him to a reasonable declining contract? Then fine. Do you have to sign him to a long-term expensive contract, then no. If no, trade him if you can get anything back, no?

Then you have Sharpe. And it is a bit of the same. An undersized SG. Can you sign him to a reasonable declining contract? Then fine. Do you have to sign him to a long-term expensive contract, then no. If no, trade him if you can get anything back, no?

As a note, would you sign both to max contracts (as they will want)? What happens to your cap situation when you have 2 players that might be #4 or #5 on a good team eating up that much cap space. If you hem and haw on this, you are right there with Cronin. This is the very problem he has created (along with Ayton and Williams). He loves them all and...

Or as Sun Tzu would say, tactics before strategy is the nose before defeat. And Cronin is reacting without any plan. Hence why you see the calls for a plan with respect to Simons & Sharpe.

[Case2012]

his post allstar numbers back up my claims earlier that Camara can be a more offensive oriented player with the right coach. It's not crazy to think if he got another 4-5 shots a game he turns into a 19-22 ppg player with all defense. That pretty much makes you a borderline all star in the NBA. A better coach and GM would see this.

I see Suggs went out for the season, only played 35 games this year after getting that insane extension for 150 million. With Camara's play, you have to imagine he gets a deal similar. The magic are in trouble, despite his injury history I think a Simons for Suggs swap makes a lot of sense and the idea of Camara and Suggs on the wings sounds tantalizing. However, we'd still need a number one on offense and I still dont think it's Sharpe. If we luck out and can add a top 3 pick, i would do it.

[JRoy]

his post allstar numbers back up my claims earlier that Camara can be a more offensive oriented player with the right coach. It's not crazy to think if he got another 4-5 shots a game he turns into a 19-22 ppg player with all defense. That pretty much makes you a borderline all star in the NBA. A better coach and GM would see this.

I see Suggs went out for the season, only played 35 games this year after getting that insane extension for 150 million. With Camara's play, you have to imagine he gets a deal similar. The magic are in trouble, despite his injury history I think a Simons for Suggs swap makes a lot of sense and the idea of Camara and Suggs on the wings sounds tantalizing. However, we'd still need a number one on offense and I still dont think it's Sharpe. If we luck out and can add a top 3 pick, i would do it.

Suggs is overpaid. Was his best year an outlier or his new norm?

Either way no way ORL moves Suggs for Simons.

[dckingsfan]

his post allstar numbers back up my claims earlier that Camara can be a more offensive oriented player with the right coach. It's not crazy to think if he got another 4-5 shots a game he turns into a 19-22 ppg player with all defense. That pretty much makes you a borderline all star in the NBA. A better coach and GM would see this.

I see Suggs went out for the season, only played 35 games this year after getting that insane extension for 150 million. With Camara's play, you have to imagine he gets a deal similar. The magic are in trouble, despite his injury history I think a Simons for Suggs swap makes a lot of sense and the idea of Camara and Suggs on the wings sounds tantalizing. However, we'd still need a number one on offense and I still dont think it's Sharpe. If we luck out and can add a top 3 pick, i would do it.

Suggs is overpaid. Was his best year an outlier or his new norm?

Either way no way ORL moves Suggs for Simons.

This. And that is going to put Orlando in a box for years to come (along with signing other of their vets to contracts that should have been lower). And if we look at Suggs this year he isn't as good as last year - difference, he is the first/second option vs. 3rd/fourth option. Deni is better than Suggs this year.

If we are paying attention, we don't do what Orlando did under this new agreement. Don't think you need to pay your vets or lose them.

And no, Camara isn't ready for a higher usage. He is getting the experience that he needs but let's not pretend that is Assist/TO ratio makes him ready to be a #2 option. Maybe if he works on his handles... but that is an if/dog/rabbit statement.

[JasonStern]

Then you have Sharpe. And it is a bit of the same. An undersized SG.

And as the Shaedon Sharpe homer, I take offense to this. Sharpe is 6'6". I saw like a decade of a 6'3" CJ McCollum play SG. And a 6'3" Norm Powell play SF. How tall exactly do you think a SG should be to not be undersized? 7'? 8'? 9'? How many of these SGs do you think exist?

[dckingsfan]

Then you have Sharpe. And it is a bit of the same. An undersized SG.

And as the Shaedon Sharpe homer, I take offense to this. Sharpe is 6'6". I saw like a decade of a 6'3" CJ McCollum play SG. And a 6'3" Norm Powell play SF. How tall exactly do you think a SG should be to not be undersized? 7'? 8'? 9'? How many of these SGs do you think exist?

I can understand taking offense at my comment(s). He measured 6′ 4.25”, I guess that isn't "undersized", my apology.
https://www.nbadraft.net/2022-nba-draft-combine-measurements/

I will say that I think he plays like he is undersized taking .423 from .231 from at the rim. Add to that he isn't all that on D, although he is improving in that regard.

Either way, do you understand the main point I was trying to convey? Does it still stand?

[Case2012]

his post allstar numbers back up my claims earlier that Camara can be a more offensive oriented player with the right coach. It's not crazy to think if he got another 4-5 shots a game he turns into a 19-22 ppg player with all defense. That pretty much makes you a borderline all star in the NBA. A better coach and GM would see this.

I see Suggs went out for the season, only played 35 games this year after getting that insane extension for 150 million. With Camara's play, you have to imagine he gets a deal similar. The magic are in trouble, despite his injury history I think a Simons for Suggs swap makes a lot of sense and the idea of Camara and Suggs on the wings sounds tantalizing. However, we'd still need a number one on offense and I still dont think it's Sharpe. If we luck out and can add a top 3 pick, i would do it.

Suggs is overpaid. Was his best year an outlier or his new norm?

Either way no way ORL moves Suggs for Simons.

This. And that is going to put Orlando in a box for years to come (along with signing other of their vets to contracts that should have been lower). And if we look at Suggs this year he isn't as good as last year - difference, he is the first/second option vs. 3rd/fourth option. Deni is better than Suggs this year.

If we are paying attention, we don't do what Orlando did under this new agreement. Don't think you need to pay your vets or lose them.

And no, Camara isn't ready for a higher usage. He is getting the experience that he needs but let's not pretend that is Assist/TO ratio makes him ready to be a #2 option. Maybe if he works on his handles... but that is an if/dog/rabbit statement.

Agreed on Suggs partially. It's a huge risk, and that contract is crazy but if he's healthy it's worth it. It's kind of predicated on us getting into the top 3. Also, you're swapping him for Simons who needs to go and Orlando needs offense. Go read the deepseek analysis on the idea in the Shaedon thread. I'm not gonna repeat all of it... You're wrong on Camara though.

I don't think you're in the gym with him everyday. He went from pick 52 to being one of the most valuable 3/d forwards in the league. Look at his post all star numbers, him getting a few more shots a game by Ayton being out has been pretty impactful. Now imagine Simons is gone next year and he's getting 17-19 shots a game after working on his shot creation all summer. The guy has star potential, he just needs tighten his handle and he clearly has a good work ethic. His assist to t/o ratio is a terrible metric to determine the future of a players career.

[dckingsfan]

Suggs is overpaid. Was his best year an outlier or his new norm?

Either way no way ORL moves Suggs for Simons.

This. And that is going to put Orlando in a box for years to come (along with signing other of their vets to contracts that should have been lower). And if we look at Suggs this year he isn't as good as last year - difference, he is the first/second option vs. 3rd/fourth option. Deni is better than Suggs this year.

If we are paying attention, we don't do what Orlando did under this new agreement. Don't think you need to pay your vets or lose them.

And no, Camara isn't ready for a higher usage. He is getting the experience that he needs but let's not pretend that is Assist/TO ratio makes him ready to be a #2 option. Maybe if he works on his handles... but that is an if/dog/rabbit statement.

Agreed on Suggs partially. It's a huge risk, and that contract is crazy but if he's healthy it's worth it. It's kind of predicated on us getting into the top 3. Also, you're swapping him for Simons who needs to go and Orlando needs offense. Go read the deepseek analysis on the idea in the Shaedon thread. I'm not gonna repeat all of it... You're wrong on Camara though.

I don't think you're in the gym with him everyday. He went from pick 52 to being one of the most valuable 3/d forwards in the league. Look at his post all star numbers, him getting a few more shots a game by Ayton being out has been pretty impactful. Now imagine Simons is gone next year and he's getting 17-19 shots a game after working on his shot creation all summer. The guy has star potential, he just needs tighten his handle and he clearly has a good work ethic. His assist to t/o ratio is a terrible metric to determine the future of a players career.

I am with JRoy, they (both Orlando and Portland) aren't going to do that swap and it would just put Portland in huge box. Nothing to see here.

Wait, I said his usage is about right for his skill THIS year (given his handles). So, yep - if he makes a leap, then next year his usage will go up. I am not hating on Camara at all on offense or defense (on offense he struggles with TOs on defense he struggles with rebounding). He has a very bright future (and I have stated this before) and I think he will continue to improve materially.

But I think you should be prepared for the very same players (and probably) the same coach returning next year. I think Camara is going to need to figure out a way to be better on the offensive end with the same usage (as he has done this season compared to his rookie season).

[DaVoiceMaster]

Has Camara won this award previously? If not, its about time he won this award. Even after his piss poor offensive game against OKC, Camara is the one player i would not move.