Game Thread 2022-23 Game #78 - BLAZERS @ TIMBERWOLVES - APRIL 2, 2023 - 12:30 PM (PDT) ROOT

[UKRAINEFAN]

Nurk IS an energy / ball movement guy. He wants to pass to cutters and throw lobs to the energy players.
He’s playing with 2 point guards who like to dribble at the 3-point line. And Billups doesn’t use Nurk like he could be used if we wanted to.

I think you might be right and maybe in a more flowing game he might be able to stay focused and energized?

 

[B-Roy]

Halfway through the fourth he told Chauncey, "coach if you don't us to win, don't put me in"

Can’t tell if seroous

 

[wizenheimer]

even though I knew it would be 'best' if the Blazers lost...I didn't care. I was pulling for a win all thru the 4th Q. The guys just played too hard and too far over their heads to lose that one

besides that, if ever a team deserved to lose a game, it was Minny. They were at home with everything to play for, Blazers had nothing to play for but pride. Billups didn't play his 2nd best available player in Watford in the 4th Q and kept 'backups' in much longer than normal. Wolves should have won going away

Minny is kind of screwed:



geeeeeeezuzzz

and how about KAT? Embiid or Jokic or Sabonis would have absolutely dominated in this game. Hell, some C like Ayton or Valunciunas would have likely dominated. KAT is overrated and this isn't the first time I've seen him essentially be a non-factor in a game he should have been dominant

* Skylar Mays actually looks like an NBA player. I hope the Blazers give him a shot in summer league and training camp

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Anyone still think KAT is the missing piece for us?

NO CATS OR KATS!

 

[Blazinaway]

Is Sharpe more impactful than Ant already?

yes, he is already at 19 showing more consistency and willingness to pass and plays way better D then Ant

 

[OneSport3]

Skylar Mays’ game reminds me a lot of Tyus Jones. Not sure if he’s as good of a shooter as Jones, but is a great facilitator. Could be a viable backup PG. Might be a guy to give a longer look to defend the Summer League Championship title.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

This kid is to good. We need to shut Him down

Only unless he's actually injured. Right now he needs quality minutes as the focal point of the offense.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I think you might be right and maybe in a more flowing game he might be able to stay focused and energized?

I think this statement is based more on hope than reality. Does Nurk really have any fight in him anymore?

 

[blazerkor]

Only unless he's actually injured. Right now he needs quality minutes as the focal point of the offense.

When I weigh out the experience he would get in the last four games against dropping a spot in the lotto, I would sit Shae. He's already shown that given the chance he is an extremely capable starter on both ends. If you want the guy to get game experience then have him play Summer League but we have to get the best pick possible.

 

[blazerfan11]

I think you might be right and maybe in a more flowing game he might be able to stay focused and energized?

Absolutely.
Look how energized Nurk was in the 4-game win streak last season. They had to shut him down.

 

[inconceivable]

Can’t tell if seroous

Chauncey said, "I dare you to get us the win. Get back in there"

"Say less, coach" Shaedon said.

And the rest is history

 

[blazerfan11]

I think this statement is based more on hope than reality. Does Nurk really have any fight in him anymore?

Yes.
Re-watch our victory in Utah.
That group had to be shut down too.
Nurk was 7-12 for 20 points.
The Blazers had 4 players score 20 or more.
That was without Jerami Grant.

 

[wizenheimer]

I think this statement is based more on hope than reality. Does Nurk really have any fight in him anymore?

not sure if it's about fight

somebody suggested it a couple of years ago but I didn't think it was true. That being that the accumulated leg injuries by Nurkic have really impacted his game. I think that person was right. When I watched Nurkic this season, he was a lot more floor-bound and a lot less mobile than he was before that seriously broken leg. He's not nearly the rim-protector he used to be. It might help if he'd shed 20-30 pounds but that's a lot more difficult as a guy approaches 30 like Nurk is

so I don't really believe he'd be better in a motion offense. He would be better on defense in drop coverage though, but Chancey doesn't utilize that scheme

 

[Samuel]

That was some hilarious unserious clutch basketball down the stretch. SloMo what’re you doing man.

 

[blazerkor]

Absolutely.
Look how energized Nurk was in the 4-game win streak last season. They had to shut him down.

I've been watching Nurk do the same dumb fucking shit for like 7 total seasons and he's not going to all of a sudden finish strong or make the easy passes. If Chauncey continues to refuse to play drop coverage at any time, Nurk's defensive greatness will continue to be wasted... the guy can't guard the perimeter or in space and when he does get away from the hoop on defense he can't recover to protect the paint.

I'm done with Nurk but I think he seems like a nice guy and wish him all of the best. Our best chance to win with Dame is to trade Ant, Nurk and a bunch of picks for an all star. That's what I want because as sick as I am of watching Nurk do the same boneheaded bullshit, I'm even more sick and tired of watching Dame play most of his minutes next to another small, defensively deficient, shoot first guard.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Ugh

 

[MickZagger]

Completely spaced that we had an earlier game today. And we won, dammit!

 

[tykendo]

NO CATS OR KATS!

Biggest cry baby in the league. Ought to be thrown out just for his whiney face. Never been a fan of him. Nice shooter, but that's about it.

 

[blazerkor]

Completely spaced that we had an earlier game today. And we won, dammit!

I hold you responsible. If you would have been paying attention I don't think the Wolves would have played so badly.

 

[tykendo]

Completely spaced that we had an earlier game today. And we won, dammit!

The fellas really brought it on both ends. They embarrassed the Timberpuppies bad today.

 

[MickZagger]

That’s some big time stuff scoring over Gobert multiple times

 

[tykendo]

Skylar Mays’ game reminds me a lot of Tyus Jones. Not sure if he’s as good of a shooter as Jones, but is a great facilitator. Could be a viable backup PG. Might be a guy to give a longer look to defend the Summer League Championship title.

I totally agree. He might be the best best backup PG we've had in a long time. I know it's a few games but he's going against playoff caliber teams. He kinda reminds me a little of Fred Van Vleet. (Not saying he's Fred). Nothing flashy, but a fine facilitator. When Dame goes out for rest, it's been a less than stellar mixed bag of facilitating. Shoot Justice Winslow was probably the best facilitator next to Dame.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Watford was the most effective player early on in the game and only ended up with 19 minutes. Other than bringing back Sharpe in the 4th.......the coaches made an effort to lose

 

[Samuel]

He might be the best best backup PG we've had in a long time.

Wow that’s depressing.

 

[Samuel]

Watford was the most effective player early on in the game and only ended up with 19 minutes. Other than bringing back Sharpe in the 4th.......the coaches made an effort to lose

It was nice seeing Sharpe out there in crunch time drawing contact and sinking clutch free throws. Useful experience he didn’t get a lot of earlier this season.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Anf might pair up well with Edwards. I wonder if there is some kind of three way possible with Towns going to Toronto and Siakam to us. We might have to give draft considerations to both teams.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Any given game in the NBA.
The level of talent between starter and end of bench player in this league really isn’t that great.
Both teams blew that game.

 

[Cugel]

Just how Dame busted OKC down to a full rebuild, these scrubs may well have accomplished the same thing to MIN. What an embarrassing loss for them. The Gobert trade in the top 10 all time worst? Go after Edwards?

 

[Samuel]

Both teams blew that game.

Minnesota looked like trash in the second half and the Blazers outhustled them all afternoon. What?

 

[Whyachi]

Conley is too old, Taurean Prince is a bust, KAT wants out. Minnesota traded all their picks. There are teams in far worse shape then Portland going into next season.