He really is a good outside (15-18ft) shooter (hopefully no more 3’s) however I think he is not getting the ball in the right places for his game on offense. If I missed it forgive me but he does not get the ball in the low post unless 2 other kings and the man guarding them are there also.
A steady diet of say 5-10x per game the play should be called to get Spencer isolated with his back to the hoop down low. I have seen this kids moves as has everyone here and I think he can take 99% of centers in this league down there all the time 1v1.

but the only thing that’s going to stop him from being young is experience, which will be painful for all of us.

A few moments of good, some moments ordinary and a lot of bad. We all hoped for more, but this can’t be that unexpected.

As for all of the guys you listed, almost all of them were taken higher in their respective drafts than Spencer.

I think we all want better, but I’m not ready to give up. I might be ready to give up on the long distance shooting though. Spencer seems most comfortable and capable in the high post, I think we need to see more of him there.

at what point are they actually giving him the ball? They are posting up Jason instead, and Jason does not have the skill that Spencer has offensively on the block or at 15 feet. But the point is you don’t have to run plays for Thompson – he crashes the offensive boards and makes plays for himself, and he plays better and is more effective when offensive responsibility isn’t heaped upon him.

Spencer, on the other hand, is definitely more useful when used as a facilitator in the high post or shooting that set shot or getting the ball on the move to drive and put his skills to work. I see the main problem with Spencer is that he is not Jason Thompson, he is not a board crasher, instead he needs teammates to work with him and find him the ball. That is not happening. Evans is a little blind when he drives – he is doing great, but he should have passed instead of forcing some layups last night. Beno plays a good 2 man game with Spence, but he is usually the one taking the shot.

Certainly Hawes needs to be more assertive and do better with the opportunities he gets. But I definitely think that his teammates could do a better job of helping him get into his offense better. His defense is not too terrible, there has been some improvement, but we all know that Hawes is more offensively minded and always will be.

He was making the ‘3’ look easy. Seems like he has no confidence. His shooting touch has disappeared. I can’t put my finger on the exact problem. The league may have him scouted him better, and he has not adjusted. He is in better shape than last two years, PW is giving him every opportunity, but he is not getting it done. Regardless, he has too much size and skill to play this way. Once his confidence returns, we will see a different player.

This is bad, but I think he will work through it. I really don’t like the prospect of Okafor because I think he puts us into the playoffs, but as a really low seed. I would much rather be in Portland’s position a few years ago where they were 7th worse and ended up with Oden.
If we can add a quality big like Ed Davis or Derrick Favors and Hawes improves his game I think that puts us in championship contention instead of contention for the bottom half of the playoffs.

I think has no excuse. JT was making a whole bunch of mistakes last year, but look at him now. He is a beast at rebounds. He misses a couple shots, but his presence is felt. I don’t see anything with Hawes. He is just there.

for the way he is playing!

to have his role better defined and to get the ball in spots where he can help the team. Right now that’s not at the top of the key.

In the meantime I think he’s just going to need to hit the boards and play solid D and let the game come to him.