Summer league 2023

[zzaj]

Sharpe does look a bit lackadaisical out there. I heard in an interview that he's mostly just here because he wanted to have a chance at a SL experience, since he didn't get one last year. He even said something along the lines of "...be with my teammates, take it easy and have fun playing." He's certainly playing with the urgency of games not counting toward anything...

Oh, I hadn't heard that. Never mind my previous post, then. I still wouldn't have put him out there. What's to be gained?

His interview was on Episode 48 of Casey Holdahl’s “The Brief Case”…he mentioned also, that he’s been working on his ballhandling and wants to use SL to try things in game situations. Obviously, the guard play hasn’t really given him that opportunity so far…he certainly hasn’t looked dominant in anything.

[DusterBuster]

Sharpe does look a bit lackadaisical out there. I heard in an interview that he's mostly just here because he wanted to have a chance at a SL experience, since he didn't get one last year. He even said something along the lines of "...be with my teammates, take it easy and have fun playing." He's certainly playing with the urgency of games not counting toward anything...

Oh, I hadn't heard that. Never mind my previous post, then. I still wouldn't have put him out there. What's to be gained?

His interview was on Episode 48 of Casey Holdahl’s “The Brief Case”…he mentioned also, that he’s been working on his ballhandling and wants to use SL to try things in game situations. Obviously, the guard play hasn’t really given him that opportunity so far…he certainly hasn’t looked dominant in anything.

As someone in the stands, that’s what it looked like. He was not looking to be aggressive, he barely made any cuts to the rim. When he shot it, it was rather lax. Almost every time up the court he drifted to the 3pt corner and wasn’t even really expecting a pass. He was not looking to be dominate or get his points in any way from what I saw. When he did get it, he would usually look for the pass first or just a jumper.

So yeah, I’m not reading anything into Sharpe’s game here to take into the regular season. Really wish Scoot would have been there tho, think he would have taken the Wemby matchup pretty seriously, Shae just was going through the motions and clearly working on his passing… that was really noticeable especially early on. Had a couple cut and kicks early that were surprising.

[PDXKnight]

I think its pretty cool even though it's just sl you definitely get the vibe Scoot is a guy you notice the difference when he's not on the court. Hopefully he can make an instant impact like he is projected to be able to

[DusterBuster]

I think its pretty cool even though it's just sl you definitely get the vibe Scoot is a guy you notice the difference when he's not on the court. Hopefully he can make an instant impact like he is projected to be able to

Yep. The team looked pretty in control and directed that first game when Scoot was on the court. This game felt much more “Summer League-y”. Got a bit more settled in the second half but by and large there was no real control of pace by either team. With the first game for Houston and Portland, when Scoot and Amen we’re in, the games had pace.

I still question if Scoot is a Day 1 starter under Chauncey. I think Ant is going to still be on this team and I think he will be starting. Logically, I think the most realistic scenario here is Ant and Sharpe start at 1/2 opening night.

Hell, I could see a world in which the Blazers just take Herro back in a Dame deal because Crolshey sucks as a GM and just takes what the Heat are offering. In that world, Ant and Herro are the teams 1/2 and Scoot/Shae are the 1/2 off the bench and Portland is trying to stay competitive in the West. A lineup of…

Ant/Scoot
Herro/Sharpe/Rupert
Thybulle/Little/Murray
Grant/Walker
Jovic/Badji

Is not out of the question.

[zzaj]

Oh, I hadn't heard that. Never mind my previous post, then. I still wouldn't have put him out there. What's to be gained?

His interview was on Episode 48 of Casey Holdahl’s “The Brief Case”…he mentioned also, that he’s been working on his ballhandling and wants to use SL to try things in game situations. Obviously, the guard play hasn’t really given him that opportunity so far…he certainly hasn’t looked dominant in anything.

As someone in the stands, that’s what it looked like. He was not looking to be aggressive, he barely made any cuts to the rim. When he shot it, it was rather lax. Almost every time up the court he drifted to the 3pt corner and wasn’t even really expecting a pass. He was not looking to be dominate or get his points in any way from what I saw. When he did get it, he would usually look for the pass first or just a jumper.

So yeah, I’m not reading anything into Sharpe’s game here to take into the regular season. Really wish Scoot would have been there tho, think he would have taken the Wemby matchup pretty seriously, Shae just was going through the motions and clearly working on his passing… that was really noticeable especially early on. Had a couple cut and kicks early that were surprising.

That's cool that you are down there right now...Wemby fever! lol

I certainly noticed players were much more out of position in today's game than the last one. Seems like there were always two players out of position on every offensive play and spacing ended up wonky. Defensively, actually looked a lot better than I thought it would. They seemed to immediately fall into their different defensive schemes...rotations were so-so, and they didn't always do great against transition, but overall looked more organized on that side of the ball.

You could tell the Blazer bigs got the memo about rebounding and boxing out. They must want a job, lol...

[DusterBuster]

His interview was on Episode 48 of Casey Holdahl’s “The Brief Case”…he mentioned also, that he’s been working on his ballhandling and wants to use SL to try things in game situations. Obviously, the guard play hasn’t really given him that opportunity so far…he certainly hasn’t looked dominant in anything.

As someone in the stands, that’s what it looked like. He was not looking to be aggressive, he barely made any cuts to the rim. When he shot it, it was rather lax. Almost every time up the court he drifted to the 3pt corner and wasn’t even really expecting a pass. He was not looking to be dominate or get his points in any way from what I saw. When he did get it, he would usually look for the pass first or just a jumper.

So yeah, I’m not reading anything into Sharpe’s game here to take into the regular season. Really wish Scoot would have been there tho, think he would have taken the Wemby matchup pretty seriously, Shae just was going through the motions and clearly working on his passing… that was really noticeable especially early on. Had a couple cut and kicks early that were surprising.

That's cool that you are down there right now...Wemby fever! lol

Haha yeah. I moved down to LV a bit ago, so figured easy way to cross that off the bucket list for 50 bucks and a 15min drive. Met Rick Carlisle and JVG in the hallways.

[PDXKnight]

I think its pretty cool even though it's just sl you definitely get the vibe Scoot is a guy you notice the difference when he's not on the court. Hopefully he can make an instant impact like he is projected to be able to

Yep. The team looked pretty in control and directed that first game when Scoot was on the court. This game felt much more “Summer League-y”. Got a bit more settled in the second half but by and large there was no real control of pace by either team. With the first game for Houston and Portland, when Scoot and Amen we’re in, the games had pace.

I still question if Scoot is a Day 1 starter under Chauncey. I think Ant is going to still be on this team and I think he will be starting. Logically, I think the most realistic scenario here is Ant and Sharpe start at 1/2 opening night.

Hell, I could see a world in which the Blazers just take Herro back in a Dame deal because Crolshey sucks as a GM and just takes what the Heat are offering. In that world, Ant and Herro are the teams 1/2 and Scoot/Shae are the 1/2 off the bench and Portland is trying to stay competitive in the West. A lineup of…

Ant/Scoot
Herro/Sharpe/Rupert
Thybulle/Little/Murray
Grant/Walker
Jovic/Badji

Is not out of the question.

Herro's d rating is about 10 ppg higher than ant's. I wonder which guy has higher trade value and if either can be converted into 2 firsts?

[RTG HD]

I think its pretty cool even though it's just sl you definitely get the vibe Scoot is a guy you notice the difference when he's not on the court. Hopefully he can make an instant impact like he is projected to be able to

Yep. The team looked pretty in control and directed that first game when Scoot was on the court. This game felt much more “Summer League-y”. Got a bit more settled in the second half but by and large there was no real control of pace by either team. With the first game for Houston and Portland, when Scoot and Amen we’re in, the games had pace.

I still question if Scoot is a Day 1 starter under Chauncey. I think Ant is going to still be on this team and I think he will be starting. Logically, I think the most realistic scenario here is Ant and Sharpe start at 1/2 opening night.

Hell, I could see a world in which the Blazers just take Herro back in a Dame deal because Crolshey sucks as a GM and just takes what the Heat are offering. In that world, Ant and Herro are the teams 1/2 and Scoot/Shae are the 1/2 off the bench and Portland is trying to stay competitive in the West. A lineup of…

Ant/Scoot
Herro/Sharpe/Rupert
Thybulle/Little/Murray
Grant/Walker
Jovic/Badji

Is not out of the question.

Herro's d rating is about 10 ppg higher than ant's. I wonder which guy has higher trade value and if either can be converted into 2 firsts?

I suspect no on either getting 2 1st round picks but I would take Ant over Herro.

[PDXKnight]

Yep. The team looked pretty in control and directed that first game when Scoot was on the court. This game felt much more “Summer League-y”. Got a bit more settled in the second half but by and large there was no real control of pace by either team. With the first game for Houston and Portland, when Scoot and Amen we’re in, the games had pace.

I still question if Scoot is a Day 1 starter under Chauncey. I think Ant is going to still be on this team and I think he will be starting. Logically, I think the most realistic scenario here is Ant and Sharpe start at 1/2 opening night.

Hell, I could see a world in which the Blazers just take Herro back in a Dame deal because Crolshey sucks as a GM and just takes what the Heat are offering. In that world, Ant and Herro are the teams 1/2 and Scoot/Shae are the 1/2 off the bench and Portland is trying to stay competitive in the West. A lineup of…

Ant/Scoot
Herro/Sharpe/Rupert
Thybulle/Little/Murray
Grant/Walker
Jovic/Badji

Is not out of the question.

Herro's d rating is about 10 ppg higher than ant's. I wonder which guy has higher trade value and if either can be converted into 2 firsts?

I suspect no on either getting 2 1st round picks but I would take Ant over Herro.

If Miami can't get 4 firsts its tough

[RTG HD]

Herro's d rating is about 10 ppg higher than ant's. I wonder which guy has higher trade value and if either can be converted into 2 firsts?

I suspect no on either getting 2 1st round picks but I would take Ant over Herro.

If Miami can't get 4 firsts its tough

Good reason to wait Dame out and go into the season with him on the roster. Eventually that list of teams he is willing to play for will expand.

[DusterBuster]

I think its pretty cool even though it's just sl you definitely get the vibe Scoot is a guy you notice the difference when he's not on the court. Hopefully he can make an instant impact like he is projected to be able to

Yep. The team looked pretty in control and directed that first game when Scoot was on the court. This game felt much more “Summer League-y”. Got a bit more settled in the second half but by and large there was no real control of pace by either team. With the first game for Houston and Portland, when Scoot and Amen we’re in, the games had pace.

I still question if Scoot is a Day 1 starter under Chauncey. I think Ant is going to still be on this team and I think he will be starting. Logically, I think the most realistic scenario here is Ant and Sharpe start at 1/2 opening night.

Hell, I could see a world in which the Blazers just take Herro back in a Dame deal because Crolshey sucks as a GM and just takes what the Heat are offering. In that world, Ant and Herro are the teams 1/2 and Scoot/Shae are the 1/2 off the bench and Portland is trying to stay competitive in the West. A lineup of…

Ant/Scoot
Herro/Sharpe/Rupert
Thybulle/Little/Murray
Grant/Walker
Jovic/Badji

Is not out of the question.

Herro's d rating is about 10 ppg higher than ant's. I wonder which guy has higher trade value and if either can be converted into 2 firsts?

If Herro could get 2 firsts, I would think a deal would have been done by now.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Little disappointed about Sharpe's first couple games, where was the guy that finished the season? I know it's just preseason and people might say he wasn't taking it seriously but even so he struggled to impose his will on the game. He needs to be the guy who knows he can score 30 there and even if he doesnt at least flexes a little bit to show he can do what he wants when he wants. I'm sure its fine but you know, still wish for a little more.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Agreed. I was hoping to see something from Sharpe in SL. Did anyone notice Thybulle was in line with the Blazers players to shake hands with the Spurs players? Funny

[DusterBuster]

If anyone needs a dose of positive Blazer talk for the National Media, listen to todays Bill Simmons Podcast. It’s like a solid 10-min gushing session by Simmons and Russillo. Flower by them both complaining about the Dame Trade and crappy Heat trade offer just like we’ve all been discussing for over a week now.

[zzaj]

If anyone needs a dose of positive Blazer talk for the National Media, listen to todays Bill Simmons Podcast. It’s like a solid 10-min gushing session by Simmons and Russillo. Flower by them both complaining about the Dame Trade and crappy Heat trade offer just like we’ve all been discussing for over a week now.

Yeah, it’s felt weirdly cathartic having the national media perspective be anti-Lillard and anti-Miami…as well it should be. As somebody smarter than me stated: “In the NBA money is guaranteed, but your location is not.”

[DusterBuster]

If anyone needs a dose of positive Blazer talk for the National Media, listen to todays Bill Simmons Podcast. It’s like a solid 10-min gushing session by Simmons and Russillo. Flower by them both complaining about the Dame Trade and crappy Heat trade offer just like we’ve all been discussing for over a week now.

Yeah, it’s felt weirdly cathartic having the national media perspective be anti-Lillard and anti-Miami…as well it should be. As somebody smarter than me stated: “In the NBA money is guaranteed, but your location is not.”

It just felt good to realize that we're not the crazy ones for going "this Miami trade is horse **** from a value POV, as is Miami fans lame ass excuse for why Portland should just do it anyway and Dame's position here of only allowing the Blazers one team to move him to."

[mighty_duck]

Once they get Wemby into a more defined role within the offense, and defense, he's going to be just fine.

Devoe is not the kind of PG that I like. He has zero gravity with the ball in his hands...he can get points going to the rim, but he doesn't make anybody around him better. Give me Mays as a Scoot backup every day of the week.

I disagree.
Even if we ignore Devoe's ridiculous shooting night (as we should, it is n't sustainable), he played in control, and seems to have a knack to get people the ball right where they needed it. With better teammates, he would have had twice as many assists.
If he keeps it up, I can see him getting a call sometime this season to be a third string PG.

[zzaj]

Once they get Wemby into a more defined role within the offense, and defense, he's going to be just fine.

Devoe is not the kind of PG that I like. He has zero gravity with the ball in his hands...he can get points going to the rim, but he doesn't make anybody around him better. Give me Mays as a Scoot backup every day of the week.

I disagree.
Even if we ignore Devoe's ridiculous shooting night (as we should, it is n't sustainable), he played in control, and seems to have a knack to get people the ball right where they needed it. With better teammates, he would have had twice as many assists.
If he keeps it up, I can see him getting a call sometime this season to be a third string PG.

Eh, I won't push back on Devoe really since I've only seen him in one game...but at least to my eyes he wasn't warping any defenses. Whereas with Mays we know what his body of work looks like at 15+ minutes per game. I don't think the Blazers need a 3rd string PG if Ant is still on the team...

To your point though, the offensive sets were a mess yesterday and Devoe didn't turn the ball over much, if at all (I honestly don't remember any TOs)...so a well run offense and better spacing would certainly help him.

Also, he played waaaaay smaller than 6' 5"+ in shoes...I would have guessed he was more like 6'1.

[zzaj]

Holy cow...have any of you watched Kenneth Lofton Jr. play? He's like Barkley incarnated...dudes BBIQ is off. the. charts...

If he could get his weight down to a manageable level then that dude is for sure sticking with a team.

EDIT:

Watch on YouTube

[DaVoiceMaster]

Once they get Wemby into a more defined role within the offense, and defense, he's going to be just fine.

Devoe is not the kind of PG that I like. He has zero gravity with the ball in his hands...he can get points going to the rim, but he doesn't make anybody around him better. Give me Mays as a Scoot backup every day of the week.

I think that ship has sailed. If the Blazers had any interest in May's, wouldn't he be on their Summer League team?