20 games in.. Your thoughts?

[Strenuus]

The best way I can put this: We have Dame and CJ, and a bunch of pieces from Ikea but we lost the instructions.

What the fuck happened to our team we ssaw the first week of the season? This doesn't resemble it at all.

 

[B-Roy]

We're Raptors west. Same old shit year after year.

 

[Chris Craig]

Fire Stotts

 

[H.C.]

The best way I can put this: We have Dame and CJ, and a bunch of pieces from Ikea but we lost the instructions.

What the fuck happened to our team we ssaw the first week of the season? This doesn't resemble it at all.

Expectations.
Never thought Portland wouldn't be in a dog fight to make the playoffs.
But I still believe they'll be a top 4 seed again.
This is the West, there are no easy games.
1-13 is good.

 

[EGame]

While we have had a rough last few games and without looking at the stats and all that jazz this still feels like one of our best starts to the season and usually we pick it up around after all star break. The problem is the west is very tough with a lot of good teams so losing streaks like this really hurt and will continue to hurt if we do much more of it. This game shows how important Nurk is to us and while our bench does seem better, this team still needs to figure out that CJ and Dame just aren't going to cut it.

In summary, I hope the Blazers kick everyones ass the rest of the year on the way to the championship.

 

[kjironman1]

42 wins.....

 

[BonesJones]

Terry Stotts sucks, and with Ettore Messina we'd be 16-4.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Another wasted season. Stagnation, excuses, but no meaningful change/progress. With every season my frustration grows and my love of the team atrophys.

 

[kjironman1]

Terry Stotts sucks, and with Ettore Messina we'd be 16-4.

Messina would be my first choice to replace Stotts no question.

 

[blue9]

Same team they've always been. Going nowhere. Won't go anywhere until we have a new system in place. Won't have a new system in place until we have new ownership. Buckle up - it's gonna be a LONG ride.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[Gronk Brady]

Same team that got swept by Pelicans last year... nothing will change until we either fire Stotts or trade CJ... hopefully both

 

[Scalma]

I’ll just paste what I said in the other thread since it fits here better.

Here’s my conclusion on Stotts

When things go to script, he’s fine. Since Dame and CJ are such good scorers, that’s the case more often than not.

The problem? As soon as shit hits the fan, it’s over. The strategy when Dame and CJ aren’t on? More Dame and CJ. Now, Neil hasn’t exactly given him the best roster, so it’s not all his fault, but theres no trust beyond those two players. Do we sometimes post Nurk? Sure. Do we sometimes post or pick and pop with Collins? Sure. Do we sometimes post Harkless? Sure. Do we sometimes let Stauskas create? Sure. Etc etc.

Do we do any of those things when we’re trailing? Fuckkkking NOPE. And seemingly everyone is held accountable except 0 and 3. Shit needs to change but history says it won’t, so we may as well just can him (and Olshey) now.

 

[e_blazer]

Dear Neil,

If you can’t find a forward who can consistently make a shot, there’s no point to the rest of the season.

Signed,

A fan

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Please add this as an option. This is basically how I see it...

 

[oldmangrouch]

Same team that got swept by Pelicans last year... nothing will change until we either fire Stotts or trade CJ... hopefully both

OLSHEY! What we saw early was an illusion. This roster is dysfunctional and severely under-talented. I won't even bother ranting about the negative impact of his terrible financial decisions. The purge has to start at the top or any changes will just be cosmetic.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Slightly different roster, same exact team as last year.

 

[Labinot41]

We're Raptors west. Same old shit year after year.

Raptors can win playoff Games. We are not the Raptors of the West

 

[AFully22]

Pretty much what I thought. We’ve nearly seen our high as a team, not sure if we’ve seen our low but it’s close. Somewhere in the middle of those two extremes is our true identity. Fighting for the 5-8 seed and hoping for godly performances from our guards to get past the first round.

Seems like the NBA figured us out about 3 yrs ago and unless there’s dramatic roster or coaching changes we pretty much know what the ceiling on this team is year in and year out.

 

[BrianFromWA]

the #14 seed in the West would be 1/2 game out of an Eastern Playoff Spot. We are 1.5 back of leading the conference, after losing to the #1 in the East (5th game of Road Trip), #2 in the West (6th game of road trip), and #1 in the West in this 3-game losing streak.

BTW, last 5 games Dame is shooting 29% from three on 9 a game. Chief's shooting 23% on more than 5.

(on a related note, Meyers Legend is 53/53/94 right now for a 22.1 PER.)

 

[Sheldon Shape]

It's horseshit to say Olshey hasn't given Stotts enough talent. Teams around the league are producing better results with LESS talent on their team. Olshey has done a fine job at giving Stotts what he needs to succeed. We've seen it from time to time as well. It's the coach who isn't instilling discipline in the offense and not holding his guards accountable.

 

[Scalma]

It's horseshit to say Olshey hasn't given Stotts enough talent. Teams around the league are producing better results with LESS talent on their team.

Like who? The Clippers? They may not have a Dame or CJ but they have more balance. Harrell and Lou Williams are better than anyone we have off the bench. Portland is just top heavy.

 

[Natebishop3]

Meh

 

[BonesJones]

Like who? The Clippers? They may not have a Dame or CJ but they have more balance. Harrell and Lou Williams are better than anyone we have off the bench. Portland is just top heavy.

I'd take Dame, CJ, and Nurkic over Harris, Willaims, and Harrell any day.

 

[TBpup]

I'd take Dame, CJ, and Nurkic over Harris, Willaims, and Harrell any day.

Absolutely...and as much as I don't like his constant berating of officials, I'd take Rivers over Stotts any day as well.

 

[BonesJones]

Absolutely...and as much as I don't like his constant berating of officials, I'd take Rivers over Stotts any day as well.

I'd take anyone over Stotts at this point. Beyond done with him.

 

[Scalma]

I'd take Dame, CJ, and Nurkic over Harris, Willaims, and Harrell any day.

You take those six out and you’re left with

Gallinari
Gilgeous-Alexander
Bradley
Beverley
Mbah a Moute
Gortat
Teodosic
Boban
Scott
Robinson
Wallace
Thornwell

Vs

Collins
Turner
Aminu
Harkless
Curry
Stauskas
Meyers
Layman
Trent
Simons
Baldwin
Biggie

If were looking at this strictly from a singular season viewpoint, I’m taking the Clippers.

 

[BonesJones]

You take those six out and you’re left with

Gallinari
Gilgeous-Alexander
Bradley
Beverley
Mbah a Moute
Gortat
Teodosic
Boban
Scott
Robinson
Wallace
Thornwell

Vs

Collins
Turner
Aminu
Harkless
Curry
Stauskas
Meyers
Layman
Trent
Simons
Baldwin
Biggie

If were looking at this strictly from a singular season viewpoint, I’m taking the Clippers.

They have the slight edge. Overall, we have more talent, and we should be better.

 

[beast blazer]

12-8 is the same record we had last year after 20.....if that doesn't take the wind out of your sails.

 

[BlazerBeav]

I was willing to write off the last two games, but that second half collapse tonight was a gut shot. I'm now resigned to the fact that we're no better than last season.