Deni is a keeper... Can we all agree on that. So I ask myself, is he a PF or SF, and the bigger question... Who would pair nicely with him at the other forward position?
Like Deni a lot, he just brings intensity\effort every time he plays. The fact that he is only 3-1/2 months older than Dalton Knecht, whom many fans would have been ecstatic if POR had drafted at #14 is pretty unreal. I'd much rather have a player of Deni's skillset than Knecht. especially given the positional difference (b\c this team desperately needs shooting).
I think Deni is probably best suited as a PF, he has a very strong\thick build and his 3pt shot (32.9%) is probably a little lower than you would like for a SF, although I think one of the strengths of Deni is his positional versatility. I think given the matchup he could swing anywhere along the front line, including small ball center as he did admirably earlier this year. Put a sharp shooting 3&D SF next to him and you are set at the forward position (with Camara coming off the bench as 1st back-up at forward)
Rui, unlike Grant COULD be that guy, as he's built to play in the paint on defense, and can stretch the floor on the offensive side with a very capable 3pt shot. Plus, there aren't a whole lot of players in the league stronger and tougher than this kid. His BBIQ is actually quite high having come out of Gonzaga, and fits the Blazers culture perfectly. He also came from Washington before joining Faker Nation, so I think he and Deni may have (not sure) already played some together.
Rui is ok, I like the shooting, but he is a slightly undersized PF (smaller than Deni) who doesn't have the build like Deni to guard other bigs very effectively. What is good about him is his outside shooting, which this team needs. Could it work in POR? Deni @ SF, Rui @ PF, yes, but not ideal IMO. I would have some defensive concerns for sure
Is an interesting video that addresses trends in the league. I think Deni's best fit is as the future PF for the Blazers.
I agree, all the more reason for POR to divest from Grant sooner, rather than later. Start Deni @ PF, then start\rotate Camara\Murray\whomever until one of them or draft pick\acquired player fill that role permanently.
I am VERY surprised that Shaedon has been struggling so much with his shot this year
It's really his 3pt shot that is hurting his overall shooting %. He needs to focus more on driving\mid range, especially while he is struggling from 3pt.
99 3pt attempts already, and he is shooting 28.3%, thru 16g LY he was 31.8% (91 att), so 3.5% down.
His rookie season? Thru 16games, 42 attempts, 42.8%.
So half as many attempts and his % is 14% better. You add too that his points per 2ptFG this year are up to 1.08 (.91 LY), but predictably his points per 3ptFG are at .82 (1.0 LY, 1.08 his rookie season).
Clearly needs to focus on 2pt shooting (drives\mid range) and take fewer 3pt shots until it starts to come around (or more likely until he can work on it in the offseason).
100% correct. We need a deadly shooter to fit with team to space the floor though.
Particularly at the SF spot, at least until Sharpe\Scoot can prove they can be at minimum league average from beyond the arc,
which just makes the fascination with wing players who cannot shoot all the more bewildering.
I dont care what trends say, common sense would indicate rebounding at the 4 is pretty important. At least 8 rebounds a game ideally around 10. Maybe deni can hit that 8 number who knows but that's something that would indicate to me whether or not he could be a 4
Deni's current rebound rate per 40 is 8.8, it was 9.6 the last 2 years
This year, his ORB% is 4.1% (58% percentile), DRB% is 16.46% (73rd percentile). LY ORB% 3.6% - DRB% 19.18%
