Game Thread 2024-25 GAME #48 - BLAZERS VS MAGIC - JAN 30, 2025 - THUR - 7:00 PM - CHARGE - KUNP - BLAZERVISION

[MickZagger]

When looking down at the race to the bottom you look at wins but when looking up you look at losses. We're still 3 games behind the Spurs in the standings and we have 5 more Ls than them.

We're now going to be 5.5 games behind the Warriors and Kings for that last play-in spot. I don't think we'll keep winning at this clip but I also didn't think this team would ever have a stretch of games like they've had these past seven... so I guess like everything else we'll wait and see what happens.

I was just going off memory. I peeked at the Spurs record about a week ago and we didn’t seem far behind.

 

[blazerkor]

Ayton goes 10-12 and can't draw more than 2 fouls?

Two things: he doesn't initiate contact and we know that but I noticed about two times they didn't call an and one for him and three times that a Magic defender made illegal contact with him during his shooting motion where he missed, didn't get the call and was complaining about it.

So style of play and reputation both go into his lack of free throw attempts.

 

[bemac]

By the way, I'm loving Ayton's game right now.

 

[PCmor7]

Hard to complain about that. The Blazers won big over a playoff team and it was the younger guys that keyed it.

Chauncey's really got them playing defense. They've figured something out there. Can't remember when we forced that many shotclock violations. Scoot looks very comfortable running things.

Boy, if we were of a mind to trade Ant, the Magic is a team that should be very interested. He seems to bring just what they need. Not sure if I want to just give him away, but I'd think the Magic are a deep shooter away from taking that next step.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Two things: he doesn't initiate contact and we know that but I noticed about two times they didn't call an and one for him and three times that a Magic defender made illegal contact with him during his shooting motion where he missed, didn't get the call and was complaining about it.

So style of play and reputation both go into his lack of free throw attempts.

Yeah, I was being sarcastic. Who cares if he draws fouls when he shoots 90%

 

[MickZagger]

One of the biggest reasons for our success aside from defense is Scoot. It’s not just his shot making ability, it’s the way he sets the table. The whole team plays better when he’s out there finding the open man and playing well off his teammates. As opposed to Simons who just kind of dribbles around and doesn’t involve his teammates.

Simons needs to go.

 

[riverman]

By the way, I'm loving Ayton's game right now.

He's sort of like a young, quicker Lamarcus Aldridge. I think he's a keeper

 

[bemac]

All cylinders firing, including defense. Ayton, Scooter, Sharpe, Avjida in that order. Let's play Orlando more often. It's getting harder to fire Billups.

Obviously Camara needs to be in there, but the point is, that is the team. Right there. No room for a draft pick.

 

[HailBlazers]

By the way, I'm loving Ayton's game right now.

Would resign him to a team friendly deal.

 

[illmatic99]

He's sort of like a young, quicker Lamarcus Aldridge

but worse in every single way

 

[riverman]

but worse in every single way

I think he's been really solid with a couple of clinkers...he brings way more to the team than people give him credit for in my view.

 

[bemac]

It's like The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh

 

[Pinwheel1]

Not really understanding the Anthony Black love. He is not bad, but he isn't good either.

 

[MickZagger]

These young guys don’t know what it’s like to be endeared by this city. If next year they get rolling and make the playoffs it can be the newest edition of Rip City. The Rose Garden will be rocking and there will be a buzz around the city.

Doesn’t take much with this fan base.

 

[blazerkor]

Yeah, I was being sarcastic. Who cares if he draws fouls when he shoots 90%

It's still somewhere he could get even more production. A place, like actually blocking shots instead of just altering them, where Deandre just wants to do his thing instead of maximizing all of his greatness. The dude literally has everything you need to be an MVP in this league besides the mindset.

I'm really enjoying the fact that he's been really engaged lately and I'll take it. There's just so much he is capable of and I wish he could see it or wanted it or whatever it is that's keeping him from being an MVP level player.

 

[MickZagger]

He's sort of like a young, quicker Lamarcus Aldridge. I think he's a keeper

They both certainly prefer to face up. Ayton is the better rebounder.

 

[blazerkor]

These young guys don’t know what it’s like to be endeared by this city. If next year they get rolling and make the playoffs it can be the newest edition of Rip City. The Rose Garden will be rocking and there will be a buzz around the city.

Doesn’t take much with this fan base.

Whether I'm stoked about what these wins are doing to our draft pick or not... these games are a lot more enjoyable than the blowout losses.

 

[Pinwheel1]

It's still somewhere he could get even more production. A place, like actually blocking shots instead of just altering them, where Deandre just wants to do his thing instead of maximizing all of his greatness. The dude literally has everything you need to be an MVP in this league besides the mindset.

I'm really enjoying the fact that he's been really engaged lately and I'll take it. There's just so much he is capable of and I wish he could see it or wanted it or whatever it is that's keeping him from being an MVP level player.

Yep, I do not want to trade him. If he really likes it here then maybe he will accept the fact that he needs to take a pay cut and stay.

 

[MickZagger]

Whether I'm stoked about what these wins are doing to our draft pick or not... these games are a lot more enjoyable than the blowout losses.

Yeah once you pass that threshold of not sucking enough, it’s easier to just say fuck it lets win.

 

[blazerkor]

Yep, I do not not to trade him. If he really likes it here then maybe he will accept the fact that he needs to take a pay cut and stay.

I don't think you can get fair market value for Deandre so I don't want him traded either.

Just get Ant to a better fit and the same with Jerami.

 

[riverman]

I think Rob Will has been a good influence on guys like DA even from the cheap seats when he never played. I also think Portland fans are game changing for young players. They feel that love here.

 

[Quatro44]

 

[illmatic99]

still in shock over those toumani blocks on banchero.

that second one, paolo went so hard at the rim and camara rebuked him.

you could even hear him on the broadcast scream at paolo, "blocked that bullshit again...."

love it

 

[blazerkor]

still in shock over those toumani blocks on banchero.

that second one, paolo went so hard at the rim and camara rebuked him.

you could even here him on the broadcast scream at paolo, "blocked that bullshit again...."

love it

Tou can guard at an all defense level everywhere on the court. His paint defense is elite, his perimeter defense could be the best in the game right now, he is on guys full court. Just amazing to be able to watch him defend. Really lucky to have him on our team.

 

[bemac]

Tou can guard at an all defense level everywhere on the court. His paint defense is elite, his perimeter defense could be the best in the game right now, he is on guys full court. Just amazing to be able to watch him defend. Really lucky to have him on our team.

Phoenix would be an entirely different team right now.

 

[Foxx]

Not really understanding the Anthony Black love. He is not bad, but he isn't good either.

Zero points lol

 

[blazerfan11]

Does Chauncey get any credit

He will get full credit once he puts Jerami Grant on the bench.

He did not make that decision in tonight's game.

Grant started and played 30 minutes shooting 1-5, scoring 2 points in his last fully healthy game.

Shaedon Sharpe played only 19 minutes in that game.

Then Grant still started the next game. It will never end.

We already saw Chauncey Billups send Scoot Henderson back to the bench.

What will happen to the starting spot and minutes for other players when Grant returns?

I think many people want to see a starting lineup of Scoot, Sharpe, Deni, Camara and their choice at center. (I would go with Ayton right now.)

Is Billups ever even going to put out that starting unit all on his own (if everyone is healthy)?

That seems far-fetched.

(If he is being told by Cronin whom to start, then he's off the hook.)

 

[superfly4201]

Bottom line is Ant and Grant need to get moved. Get whatever we can, 2nd rounders, salary dumps, I don’t care. As long as it frees up minutes and gives some salary flexibility I’m 100 percent for it.

 

[Phatguysrule]

Traveling Queen
Takes more steps than I've ever seen
Traveling Queen
Like those guys with the trampolines, oooh yeah
He can run, he can dri-ive
Refs miss the call every time, oooh
See him play, watch that scene
Call him the Traveling Queen

Almost perfect. To be perfect it just needs to say something about the "gather"...

 

[blazerfan11]

This team looked checked out and even for someone like me that wants a high draft pick I didn't like what I was seeing. Chauncey has this team from top to bottom completely buying in. They are hustling, they are locked in on both ends of the court.

Chauncey Billups has a team option for next season and I think it would be stupid for the team not to keep him around at least for one more year.

Let's wait until Jerami Grant is healthy again and see who he gives starting spots and minutes to.

Grant is on contract for 3 more season.

Nobody wants to see Grant and Ant playing more minutes than anyone else and starting every game.

Except Billups.

Billups sent Scoot back to the bench. Billups has Sharpe coming off the bench.

What will happen when Grant is healthy? More likely that Scoot and Sharpe will start, or less likely?

The GM should not have to make trades because the coach has some kind of brain blockage.