DusterBuster wrote:d-train wrote:99.9% of the success of this offseason will be determined by how well Whiteside plays. The other acquisitions combined don't amount to much. A lot of what we want out of Whiteside is baked into the cake. We know he will rebound, block shots, and finish well around the basket out to 10'. We don't know if he will move without the ball and be an outlet for Lillard to find passing lanes. And, we don't know if he will play team defense.
So far, it's called the Butler trade. It will be interesting to see what the trade is called in 3 years.
I mean, basing off of how Whiteside played last year in a limited role for the Heat, the numbers say he should be an amazing fit for Portland. He led the league or was top 5 in a ton of stats and was just behind Lillard for PER.
Blocks Per Game, #7
Block Percentage, #2
Offensive Rebound Percentage, #3
Defensive Rebound Percentage, #1
Total Rebound Percentage, #1
Player Efficiency Rating, #16
Defensive Rating, #1
Defensive Win Shares, #12
Stats aside, the Blazers need Whiteside to move without the ball (roll hard) and play great team defense. These are areas of Whiteside's game that are big question marks.