Game Thread 2024-25 GAME #26 - BLAZERS VS SUNS - DEC 15, 2024 - SUN - 5:00 PM - CHARGE - BLAZERVISION

[Cugel]

I don't know. I don't see a lot there. He looks to me like one of the most overhyped prospects I've ever seen. Had that one good game in the G League against Wembanyama, but he's a 6-2 screen setter.

Guy can't shoot layups left-handed. His court awareness for an NBA player is really poor.

It's really bad that we're at a point right now that if he scores 12 points we think he's had a good night.

I am not opposed to unloading him. I see his ceiling as of now as Dennis Smith

 

[HailBlazers]

Tank rolls on

 

[Bingo Bango]

Wow. A four-page game thread. I remember when they used to be in the twenties and thirties.

 

[Bingo Bango]

Tank rolls on

Forever. That’s all Portland knows how to do.

 

[wizenheimer]

What bothers me is how few minutes Deni gets, last 4 games averaging 25 min

meanwhile, Simons & Grant have averaged 37 each the last couple of games

 

[wizenheimer]

back to back drafts, Sharpe at 7 and Scoot at 3. Not nearly as optimistic about that combo as I used to be

 

[Phatguysrule]

meanwhile, Simons & Grant have averaged 37 each the last couple of games

Hopefully that's trying to boost their trade stock and at least Ant will be gone soon for a solid return.

 

[handiman]

Why in the fuck is Ant giving Canara defensive pointers

Because tank.

 

[blazerfan11]

Tank rolls on

Nothing's stopping this tank.

 

[HailBlazers]

Forever. That’s all Portland knows how to do.

Can't go back to Paul Allen and the old CBA. Unfortunately.

 

[Five Second Violation]

Wow. A four-page game thread. I remember when they used to be in the twenties and thirties.

Olshey/Cronin/Jody have done a lot over the last decade to neuter this fanbase. Sucks that the team is such an afterthought now.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I found this game much more enjoyable to watch - again without Ayton playing. Clingan and Timelord are a great center duo.

Durant missed a ton of easy jumpers in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, looked like he was a few years older than LeBron out there. Most the west opponents are going to play a bit better than Phoenix did tonight.

Concerning how our defense isn't like it was for stretches earlier this year. It's certainly better without Ayton. If Ant gets moved that will probably improve the D a lot. But Camara is making more mistakes and fouls than earlier this season.

Scoot just isn't an NBA quality PG. Not sure what we should do with him, it would be odd to put someone in the starting spot who is playing so bad. Starting to wonder if it might just be better to cut ties with him in the summer and try to find a different PG prospect or a Tyus Jones type of vet.

Sharpe has been shooting dreadful this season. His defense is also below average which doesn't make sense with his athleticism. Super concerning that he may never be a starting caliber player. I'd certainly hold onto him next season as he's had impressive flashes, but I'm not expecting him to be a long term starter let alone a star/cornerstone we were hoping for.

Would like to see more Rupert minutes as he was very good earlier this year.

Deni has been great for most of this season and has built a strong case to start.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

back to back drafts, Sharpe at 7 and Scoot at 3. Not nearly as optimistic about that combo as I used to be

Yeah that's probably the most depressing thing about the season.

The Ayton Ant Grant big3 has been super depressing too but that will end next year at the latest. Was hoping Scoot Sharpe would be a great duo for a decade. I'm not even sure either one can be a good backup.

I guess in the positives Clingan has been MUCH better than expected, Camara has been good, Deni is a very enjoyable do it all super role player. But these are all side dishes at best - we have no main.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

meanwhile, Simons & Grant have averaged 37 each the last couple of games

I wish we would cap our players at 30 minutes and have them all hustle more. We're losing all these games either way but let's at least see effort on both sides of the ball. Could use some Nate McMillan "scrappy"

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Wondering if we should consider Deni starting in place of Sharpe?

 

[Mediocre Man]

Clingan and Timelord at the 5 has to be my favorite center combo ever.

The Fuck?!

 

[AldoTrapani]

Wow. A four-page game thread. I remember when they used to be in the twenties and thirties.

Dark days.. this team is in deep shit. We don’t have a bright future at all

 

[illmatic99]

Maybe just a coincidence but it seems like ayton always misses Suns games.

 

[THE HCP]

Wow. A four-page game thread. I remember when they used to be in the twenties and thirties.

4pages? I only see 1.

 

[THE HCP]

meanwhile, Simons & Grant have averaged 37 each the last couple of games

You know WHY though right? Are you just being NAIVE?

 

[THE HCP]

Hopefully that's trying to boost their trade stock and at least Ant will be gone soon for a solid return.

Of COURSE that’s why. Yet people still complain about it.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Of COURSE that’s why. Yet people still complain about it.

We're in our 4th year of tanking.

At some point doesn't it seem insane to still have a half dozen veterans on the roster we need to be worried about playing over developing our youth - as you say to prop up trade value?

Plus all of them except Ant were acquired/resigned last offseason. It doesn't make sense for the Blazers to go about constructing a roster this way where you say they need to hold onto these useless vets for years.

 

[Blazinaway]

You know WHY though right? Are you just being NAIVE?

Problem is playing them a lot of minutes has not worked well, both of them are having poor seasons that has not helped their trade value at all

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

For some reason, I think we win this game. Phoenix looks past us. We are hungry for a win and it seems these games we are supposed to get destroyed in, we seem to do well, while we get destroyed in games we are supposed to be competitive.

Mark me down for a win on this one, as absurd as that sounds.

Jinx post!
Jinx post!

 

[wizenheimer]

Of COURSE that’s why. Yet people still complain about it.

people complain about it because it's a fucking stupid pointless strategy.

The value of Simons-Ayton-Grant won't be altered a bit by those guys playing 35 minutes instead of 25 minutes; or even having 'rest' games. There is no mystery to those guys. The other 29 teams in the league knows exactly what kind of players they are; what their strengths are, what their flaws are. It's well-known value; both good and bad. Those 3 guys have combined for 1500 games and 45,000 minutes. Another 60 games and 800 minutes won't make a damn bit of difference

showcasing players like this accomplishes nothing. Both Simons and Grant had their best games of the season, at home, against a .500 team, the Spurs , Friday night. They combined for 62 points on 34 shots. And they led their team to a loss. What has more impact on their value...the 62 points or the loss?

 

[Bingo Bango]

4pages? I only see 1.

On my phone, this is page 4 of the thread.

 

[Bingo Bango]

Dark days.. this team is in deep shit. We don’t have a bright future at all

Agreed. The Blazers are going to be mired in mediocrity for a long time. None of the players they have drafted in the last few years are going to move the needle.

 

[Bingo Bango]

back to back drafts, Sharpe at 7 and Scoot at 3. Not nearly as optimistic about that combo as I used to be

Yep. I would go so far as to say this is the best either of those guys are going to be. They’ve already peaked.