Little

[Blazers20]

Why didn’t Stotts play Little to try and defend Tatum?

[DaVoiceMaster]

You are on a tear today. Little hurts the Blazers as much as he'd help them. I dont think we will see anyone other than the 8 players we've already seen and even Hezonja didnt play in the 2nd half. The rotation will tighten up, not loosen up. Now, if the Blazers drop another couple of games, we may see a whole lot of the young guys while Lillard, McCollum, and Nurkic sit on the bench.

[Blazers20]

I think when you don’t have strong 3 defenders someone like Little could help and the others can hide his inefficiencies

[zzaj]

I think when you don’t have strong 3 defenders someone like Little could help and the others can hide his inefficiencies

I'm not quite sure what you mean by this. Could you be clearer? While you're at explain HOW you think Little could help?

[DaVoiceMaster]

You clearly think more of Little's defensive abilities than most others on this forum.

[Blazers20]

Just saying since Portland has a real hole at the 3 spot as far as defense is concerned a player like Little should get some run to see how he does against a player like Tatum. Little had some good moments during the season.

[d-train]

Little and Simons might get some time. They haven't played because Trent is a lot better defender and shot maker than Little is, and we don't need Simons when we have Lillard and CJ.

The only reason Blazers aren't 2-0 is we missed a lot of shots we normally make. Little and Simons aren't more likely to make or get those shots.

[JasonStern]

Why didn’t Stotts play Little to try and defend Tatum?

Because Gary Trent Jr. is the only young that has proven himself worthy of "playoff" minutes. Doesn't mean Little, SImons, Hoard, Gabriel, etc. won't get a chance someday. But now...

[DaVoiceMaster]

Why didn’t Stotts play Little to try and defend Tatum?

Because Gary Trent Jr. is the only young that has proven himself worthy of "playoff" minutes. Doesn't mean Little, SImons, Hoard, Gabriel, etc. won't get a chance someday. But now...

Simon's proved you wrong today. Hahaha

[JasonStern]

Why didn’t Stotts play Little to try and defend Tatum?

Because Gary Trent Jr. is the only young that has proven himself worthy of "playoff" minutes. Doesn't mean Little, SImons, Hoard, Gabriel, etc. won't get a chance someday. But now...

Simon's proved you wrong today. Hahaha

Simons had 3 points on 25% shooting. Trent had 16 on 45% shooting.

[BlazersBroncos]

Simons had 3 points on 25% shooting. Trent had 16 on 45% shooting.

Ya, despite Simons mind bending top on / off he really didnt look that great. Trent really, really looks like he belongs as a playoff rotation guy.

I just dont think Simons is there physically or mentally yet. He sorta plays like he is asleep at times, very little sense of urgency or emotion. Hopefully that comes with time, he seems so green still. Like a freshman ball player who was good enough to play varsity but isnt there yet mentally.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Because Gary Trent Jr. is the only young that has proven himself worthy of "playoff" minutes. Doesn't mean Little, SImons, Hoard, Gabriel, etc. won't get a chance someday. But now...

Simon's proved you wrong today. Hahaha

Simons had 3 points on 25% shooting. Trent had 16 on 45% shooting.

I didn't say he played well, just that he played. I am not a Simon's fan and am ready to be done with that experiment. We have a 3 guard rotation so let's move on. Maybe trading him can help the Blazers move up in the draft?

[BlazersBroncos]

As for Little, he clearly isnt ready. He is a great kid with high character and from all reports a nice work ethic, and he has a near-ideal frame for a SF at 6'6, 225lbs, 7'2 wingspan. But the game is way too fast for him right now and despite him being by all reports smart as a whistle, having a BBall feel is completely different.

My hope is that he can develop into a OG type player. Asked to defend, rebound, make open shots and rim run at times. That would be a tremendous return for a player picked as late as Little. I doubt he ever becomes quite the defender, OG is posting a pretty crazy DBPM for a player so young, but he can be good in his own right. I dont think he is close to the talent that many compared him to coming out, Gerald Wallace. But he has nice role player potential.

Wallace may have similar testing numbers to Little but his functional, on court athleticism was just on another level. He was probably the most athletic SF in the league, sans LBJ, for a little while.

[Norm2953]

It takes guys some time for them to adjust to the pace of the game for Little didn't start at NC.

He's going to be a decent player but this year without the summer league and the four month layoff
is a bit like a redshirt year for him. I would think Little and Simons will see an uptick in their games
for both will one more season removed from their redshirt season.