FanPost

How much progression you think the Blazers will have?

Sorry for the flood of fanposts, but I'll be suggesting a thought exercise that I've suggested before, this time with a twist.

I'mma ask you fellow Blazers Fans how much do you think each and every Blazer player will evolve (or regress) and then summing it all up how much progress do you think we'll have and how this adds up.

I'll write good and bad scenarios for each player, and give them scores. Then you choose what scenario you think is likely to happen and then after adding it all we can see how pessimitic or optimistic we are. Each player has a "super-progression" scenario worth 3 points, a "slight progression" scenario that adds 1 point, and a "regression" scenario that subtracts 2 points from the score. Also, don't forget that the player can keep the same production/role, and that adds 0 points to the score.

So, pick +3, +1, +0 or -2 for each player and discuss each scenario below:

Damian Lillard

(+3) 3rd team defensive-all-nba, 1st team-all-nba, same production but more assists, no pain in the foot (explosiveness preserved)

(+1) passable defense, a little uptick in assists while maintaining the same eFG%

(-2) the same bad defense, injuries slowing his explosiveness and confidence and lowering his eFG% while he still tries to hero-ball

C. J. McCollum

(+3) All-star and 2nd team-all-nba, good defense and even better production (25PPG+), being regarded as the best shooter in the NBA

(+1) passable defense, maintaining his effectiveness and running even better the second unit, not missing a beat

(-2) defense goes downhill and opponents adjust do CJ's tricks, making him produce less PPG and eFG% while still being a threat

Jusuf Nurkić

(+3) All-star and Most Improved Player, anchoring an average Portland Defense and posting Double Doubles left and right

(+1) Continues the hot streak from last year, averaging the same numbers while meshing well and not getting injured

(-2) Injuries slow Nurkic down and hist effectiveness is way down, proving to be a weak inside scorer and defenders don't pay much respect to him

Evan Turner

(+3) MIP considerations, steady 35% 3PT shot, and the highlight spark-plug from our bench, doing it all on offense and defense (Batum who?)

(+1) Gels better with the team, evolving into our best perimeter defender and being respected from 3, enough so that defenses can't just ignore him

(-2) Becomes a disruptor in our team chemistry, and ruins our bench rotations. 3PT continues poor

Maurice Harkless

(+3) MIP considerations, steady 35% 3PT shot, our best overall defender and uses more one on one moves. Better than Wiggins/Barnes.

(+1) Gels better with the team, staying our best perimeter defender and being respected from 3, enough so that defenses can't just ignore him

(-1) Gets relegated to bench duties behind AFA and Turner, gets disgruntled and his motor isn't the same. 3PT shots get worse than 32%.

Al-Farouq Aminu

(+3) MIP considerations, steady 35% 3PT shot, doesn't dribbles the ball as much and is a threat on post/inside moves, too. Offensive rebounds skyrocket

(+1) Becomes the captain of our defense and best help defender, gets respected from 3, enough so that defenses can't just ignore him

(-1) Gets relegated to bench duties behind Harkless and Turner, gets disgruntled and his motor isn't the same. 3PT shots get worse than 32%.

Noah Vonleh

(+3) Hungry all the time, becomes THE soul of the team bringing energy every minute. Averages 15PPG even without plays designer for him and offensive rebounds a lot

(+1) Keeps the starting PF job, gels with Nurk and provides steady defense and offensive cuts, enough so to be considered an OK NBA starting power forward.

(-1) Loses the PF starting job, never develops a confident jump shot and his motor gets lower and lower

Ed Davis

(+3) Davis returns to beast mode, being the best energy spark from the bench and roasting on lesser BIGs from oposing benches. Leads the team in rebouds and can even score one-on-one to bail our bench offense

(+1) Statys healthy and provides steady bench minutes at 5-4. Rebounds and defends well while not asking for touches

(-2) Health problems arise again and Ed Davis keeps being the shadow of his former self, as last season

Meyers Leonard

(+3) Laser-focused Meyers tears the league from 3PT land off the bench, while providing good defense and REAL explosiveness. Lobs from our second unit become common, 15PPG+

(+1) Becomes a solid bench contributor and floor spacer, and defends bigs well

(-2) Stays the same up-and-down Leonard, confusing everyone (Stotts included) until he is traded despite his low stock as a trade piece

Pat Connaughton

(+3) Becomes our best SG reserve and keeps ata 38%+ 3PT percentage, while defending average and making us forget he ever played baseball

(+1) Stays in the league as a 3rd string SG, provides Okayish production in spot minutes but shows he belongs

(-2) Struggles to get playing time even after having ample oportunities, then leaves the league

Jake Layman

(+3) Shows he's not a fluke and becomes a consistend wing in our rotation, providing another 3PT threat and passable defense

(+1) Stays in the league as a 3rd stringer, but contributes on spot minutes

(-2) Get waived because he can't contribute even at SG, and the other wings are way better

Shabazz Napier

(+3) Supplants CJ as our "bench general", making our rotations more versatile and putting CJ as SG full time. Brings energy and instant offense from the bench, on 12PPG+

(+1) Improves on 3PT and defends really well against the oponents' bench PG

(-2) Makes us bring another PG because we simply don't have a good reserve PG, while his production plummets and piles on TOs

Zach Collins and Caleb Swanigan

(+3) Crack the rotation (15MPG or more) and provide flashes of excelence, steady defense and relief from our BIGs rotation

(+1) Pushes for minutes consideration and provide a lot of articles on their "potential" and how they're practicing well

(-2) Never get to show their worth, can't crack the rotation and need more development time in this crowded BIGs rotation

Anthony Morrow

(+3) Gets steady minutes and turns into a serviceable defender while being our best 3PT specialist on 12PPG+

(+1) Keeps on the rotation, giving Stotts more firepower and flexibility when he needs more 3PT threats

(-2) Age and poor defense, with regression from 3PT land make us waive Morrow

Archie Goodwin

(+3) Steals the backup PG gig and provides energy from the bench

(+1) Sticks with the team and provides spot minutes

(-2) Waived and didn't show any plus trait

So, what do you guys think? I'll give you my predictions and score below :)