skywalker33 wrote:One broadcaster noted this could be the same type of "WCF' hangover like POR went thru. At first I laughed it off but it doesn't seem so implausible right now. Add in the numerous changes on the roster and the lack of chemistry, Murray's first 5-game woes, Malone's 4-guard fascination and now MPJ's lack of COVID awareness and it could be a rough season.
Not sure a trade is necessary at this point, seems it might be rash. However, it would be an opportunity to see/develop our younger players. But that would play into my tank theory that was shot down already.
The Trailblazers had a ton of injuries, and nobody to replace the guys they lost. They lost Nurkic, Collins, and Hood early in the season after replacing Harkless, Kanter, Curry, and Turner with Bazemore, Labissiere, and Hezonja. There was a reason Melo was signed a few weeks into the season and immediately started, they had nobody else worthwhile.
People want to conflate that with us losing Plumlee, Grant, and Craig, which I do not understand. Green has been as good as Grant was all of last season except for 2 good games against the Lakers. Hartenstein has been very good in limited minutes. Whether you love or hate him Dozier has been just as effective as Craig ever was.
Our problem is much more serious problem that cannot just be fixed by waiting until next year.
Millsap has had his rebounds drop 30%, his blocks are further down, he is getting a half of steal less per game from last year, he scoring is down slightly. Those aren't even the worst part, while stats for defense are not really available yet for this year, the eye test and watching these starting PFs go off on us says that his defense is bad this year.
I don't know if Green is out of shape due to his missing so much of training camp and our 1st few games, but he looks gassed when he tries to play more than 20 mpg.
By Malone refusing to play Bol or Nnaji he is saying that neither is good enough to give any minutes too, despite it being painfully obvious that the 4 guard lineup kills us in games. Truth is after watching Bol for the few minutes he did play, I agree with Malone on him, but I think Nnaji getting minutes is best for the team long term, until we can find a suitable trade.
"advanced metrics" drive me nuts 
