Game Thread 2022-23 Game #81 - BLAZERS @ CLIPPERS - APRIL 8, 2023 - SATURDAY - 1:00 PM (PDT) ROOT

[tykendo]

That's my point! These are the backup forwards on the contending teams in the NBA and people in here are suggesting our group is end of the bench.

Oh, OK. Sorry. I looked at that list and was less than impressed.

 

[BBert]

I’m sorry to say it, but these guys are more fun to watch as a team than Dame/Simons/Grant.

I hope they are taking notes.

 

[BBert]

19 yr old shaedon is making drive and kick reads that 29 yr old jerami grant cant.

Grant doesn't look.

 

[BBert]

These guys don't run plays. they just constantly improvise, and they are good at it.

It's fun to play that way. It's also fun to watch.

 

[BBert]

This is why I don’t put any stock into a tank game. As soon as the other team needs to play they absolutely shut them down.
Sharpe has improved this season no question but he has 2 points this quarter and the Clippers are putting this game away.

Minnesota.

 

[BBert]

I think Simons is gone this summer.

Or the best 6th man microwave we've had in forever.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I will this year’s G-League team would murder last year’s team….

 

[robe]

This, for me, is a reason to trade Lillard and go young. It is fun to watch. I don't want to have another season of slow pace, mature basketball, because for this team mature=lazy for some reason.

 

[Strenuus]

This, for me, is a reason to trade Lillard and go young. It is fun to watch. I don't want to have another season of slow pace, mature basketball, because for this team mature=lazy for some reason.

Guess you're not gonna watch for the next few years. See ya.

 

[BankTeller]

This, for me, is a reason to trade Lillard and go young. It is fun to watch. I don't want to have another season of slow pace, mature basketball, because for this team mature=lazy for some reason.

Yeah I feel like playing a few years as the OKC Thunder would be pretty fun. I also think this is probably what Chauncey’s strength is.

I’m conflicted. But ultimately, what Dame wants is what I can live with.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Like you, I'm unwilling to proclaim I've seen enough from Knox, Reddish, Eubanks, Watford, or Walker to say they are deserving of regular minutes on a contending team. Certainly they could get regular minutes on a contending team, but it would require the rest of the roster to be loaded IMO.

Dame, Grant, Ant, Sharpe, and probably Nurk are the only 5 players on this roster who I could see getting regular minutes on a contending team without requiring an abnormally loaded roster around them.

I'm certain i don't think Nurk is starter caliber. Wondering if Simons is more a 6th man. That puts two of the 5 the Blazers have in the 6-10 slot in my book.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

One thing i will give the Clippers credit for, is Westbrook is really playing more in control, and taking better shots. I didn't see any of his normal ridiculous posturing, and poor shot taking. His shots were in the flow of the game. He played smart basketball today.

It's been shown to him what happens when he doesn't.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Are you for real on this one. Hauser, nice 3 pt shooter, don't see anything else. Grant Williams, another 3 pt. shooter , but nothing else that stands out. Niang same. Bruce Brown is the only one of those guys who provides more than shooting.

Pretty sure Pat Con just recently started on a team that won the Championship and gives quite a bit more than just shooting. He was a backup.
He is head and shoulders above Knox, Walker or Eubanks and Watford.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

They're not end of the bench on a non-playoff team.

Thank You.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I'm certain i don't think Nurk is starter caliber. Wondering if Simons is more a 6th man. That puts two of the 5 the Blazers have in the 6-10 slot in my book.

So Blazers have two starters in Dame and Grant?

Hopefully Shae is also at that level next year but its very possible he needs time and will be more of a great backup next year and then a starter in year 3.

So how do Blazers add 3 starters with the MLE and ownership that wants to stay under the tax?

 

[Fairly-Hard]

So Blazers have two starters in Dame and Grant?

Hopefully Shae is also at that level next year but its very possible he needs time and will be more of a great backup next year and then a starter in year 3.

So how do Blazers add 3 starters with the MLE and ownership that wants to stay under the tax?

5 players he said. Sharpe better be a starter by next year. If he isn't they are tanking again. Of course they might be tanking for 5 or 6 more years? Maybe even 10? People around here seem to like the lottery? Maybe the majority of the fanbase does as well? It's exciting for about 30 mins a year and the Blazers seem to do well in summer league. They can Really figure it out and start the tank earlier next year? Even the game threads are equally as dramatic wanting to lose and the arguments are just as impressive. Heck they got 10 page thread out of this last game. Next year they can ride the "Fire Billups" threads.

 

[TBpup]

5 players he said. Sharpe better be a starter by next year. If he isn't they are tanking again. Of course they might be tanking for 5 or 6 more years? Maybe even 10? People around here seem to like the lottery? Maybe the majority of the fanbase does as well? It's exciting for about 30 mins a year and the Blazers seem to do well in summer league. They can Really figure it out and start the tank earlier next year? Even the game threads are equally as dramatic wanting to lose and the arguments are just as impressive. Heck they got 10 page thread out of this last game. Next year they can ride the "Fire Billups" threads.

Not sure how many people really 'like' the Lottery, but many do see it as a way to improve if you are going to live in the 1st round exit space year after year. Petrie, Walton, Drexler, Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Dame, Sharpe....all what would now be Lottery level talent and most of those in the Top-7. It sucks to be down here, but might as well make the best of it and get the best pick possible. It is the way the league is set up. The vast majority of Finals MVPs are Top-7 picks and most of those are Top-3.

For a smaller market team like Portland, we are not getting significantly better in FA'cy and only marginally better in trades. Lottery picks are where it is at. Hit a home run for the years you are there, and hope you don't have to go back again.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

This, for me, is a reason to trade Lillard and go young. It is fun to watch. I don't want to have another season of slow pace, mature basketball, because for this team mature=lazy for some reason.

I feel that way some times also. I think Billups tried for awhile to speed Lillard up and it actually worked for a few games but then when Lillard started scoring so much Billups just let it go. I think when the ball moves a lot and every guy on the team gets to shoot at least a few shots, it elevates their games.

 

[TBpup]

I feel that way some times also. I think Billups tried for awhile to speed Lillard up and it actually worked for a few games but then when Lillard started scoring so much Billups just let it go. I think when the ball moves a lot and every guy on the team gets to shoot at least a few shots, it elevates their games.

If the walk-it-up-the-court, iso approach was winning games, it would be more palatable. Since both styles were losing, I much prefer the more active, sharing of the basketball, up-tempo style.....where they have had to try to lose to actually lose games. How many of these would they have won if they were really trying to win....even with the personnel they were putting on the court?

 

[Fairly-Hard]

Not sure how many people really 'like' the Lottery, but many do see it as a way to improve if you are going to live in the 1st round exit space year after year. Petrie, Walton, Drexler, Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Dame, Sharpe....all what would now be Lottery level talent and most of those in the Top-7. It sucks to be down here, but might as well make the best of it and get the best pick possible. It is the way the league is set up. The vast majority of Finals MVPs are Top-7 picks and most of those are Top-3.

For a smaller market team like Portland, we are not getting significantly better in FA'cy and only marginally better in trades. Lottery picks are where it is at. Hit a home run for the years you are there, and hope you don't have to go back again.

Maybe they could quit miss managing the team and use their assets better? Just a thought?

 

[Fairly-Hard]

I feel that way some times also. I think Billups tried for awhile to speed Lillard up and it actually worked for a few games but then when Lillard started scoring so much Billups just let it go. I think when the ball moves a lot and every guy on the team gets to shoot at least a few shots, it elevates their games.

You can only speed the team up with Lillard if you have a center that isn't stopping to complain to refs every other play and gets his arse down the court and when you have players around him that can actually "Consistently" make shots. Then you have to have guys that can run a break. Lillard can do this but when he tries to get other involved they go on 4-5 minute droughts and he has to play hero to get them back into the game. Then he is forced to play hero to keep them in the game. Then he has to play hero to get them the win. That is why this team folds in the second half of games. Lillard needs a dominant big that can get them a basket much like you could go to Aldridge. Then they need a SG that can create. Simons can at times but Sharpe is better IMO. Then they need a playmaker off the bench. Simons could be perfect for that role. Then they need solid 3 and D guys that can lock a player down and make a timely shot.

We all know all of this! It's been gone over and talked about on this site for the last 6-7 years. The front office has mismanaged this team to death.