Game Thread 2025-26 GAME #57 - BLAZERS VS NUGGETS - FEBRUARY 20, 2026 - FRIDAY - 7:00 PM - KUNP - BLAZERVISION (3 Viewers)

[SheedSoNasty]

What did I miss?

 

[PDXFonz]

Yikes

 

[BigGameDamian]

When Tiago became the head coach people were all over his jock and now it seems as if he’s the one to blame.

 

[SwissBlazer]

When Tiago became the head coach people were all over his jock and now it seems as if he’s the one to blame.

The classic "players wins games and coach loses games". I have seen this movie before.

 

[2Fluffy4U]

I am not as pessismistic as some here..
Denver were really on a night where they fire on all cylinders.
21 of 41 for three.
Sure you can say it shows for lack of defensive effort, but I think most shots were reasonbly contested.
Denver is also very well alligned against this team - we couldn't stop Jokic - DC and Rob cant really guard him.
Deni does seem off a bit - kind of lost a step in his spring, his shot tends to be short and I think he should keep resting and recovering and only when he gets back full confidence in his movement he should return..

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Quick! Re-sign Rupert!

 

[illmatic99]

Wtf was that. Like 4 losses in one.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

At home. Twenty-four hours after the Nuggets played while the Blazers rested.

I just don't understand how the Blazers could come out and be that uncompetitive. You almost have to be not trying to be that bad.

Hey, we were ahead for about the first 5 minutes! So it wasn't when they "came out" that was the problem...

 

[Mediocre Man]

Losing happens. Embarrassing losses at home shouldn’t

 

[riverman]

I tried to watch this game but couldn't...turned it off twice and left it off before halftime. Terrible effort.

 

[kjironman1]

When Tiago became the head coach people were all over his jock and now it seems as if he’s the one to blame.

#FireStotts!

 

[kjironman1]

I am not as pessismistic as some here..
Denver were really on a night where they fire on all cylinders.
21 of 41 for three.
Sure you can say it shows for lack of defensive effort, but I think most shots were reasonbly contested.
Denver is also very well alligned against this team - we couldn't stop Jokic - DC and Rob cant really guard him.
Deni does seem off a bit - kind of lost a step in his spring, his shot tends to be short and I think he should keep resting and recovering and only when he gets back full confidence in his movement he should return..

Nobody guards Jokic. Some slow him better than others but he has way too much in his bag to stop him.

 

[Chris Craig]

Nobody guards Jokic. Some slow him better than others but he has way too much in his bag to stop him.

Blazers certainly could have guarded him better outside the arc. Lot of open threes for him. Put a hand in his face at least. Clingan was to slow to come out to the perimeter, and Williams just couldn't guard him at all.

At one point, Jokic was shooting a three and Deni was on him. Deni just walked away leaving him open to go guard someone else, like well it's not my assignment.

Inside, they should have tried to draw charges instead of wrapping themselves around him and got him in foul trouble.

 

[THE HCP]

I'm sad they cut Rupert. One of the few things I've enjoyed this season was watching him improve and gain confidence game by game. Rupes has a full bag of undeveloped skills. He's just a kid, and I'd say based on demeanor he's young for a 21 year old compared to most more mature rookies. I hope we can get him on Sidy's two-way. I would have cut Thybule considering he's practically permanently disabled and there is no way we should try to sign him this summer. Or Murray, considering he will never be able to hit a three.

Hard Hard Worker! Hope he lands on his feet!

 

[Chris Craig]

When Tiago became the head coach people were all over his jock and now it seems as if he’s the one to blame.

The Blazers have had some good games under Tiago, but when they lose, when they get blown out by 50+, the coach does not get off scot-free.

A coaches job is to figure out how best to use his team against a given opponent. You watch what the other team is doing. You make adjustments. You watch your guys, you tell them, hey we need to do this or that better or different. This is what they are doing, this is what we need to do to counter that.

When your team is struggling, it is the coaches job to inspire them and help reset them. Get them back on track.

I saw none of this last night. None of it.

 

[THE HCP]

Denver took twice as many FT’s in the first 46 second of the second half then the Blazers took in the entire first half.

Yes, that’s how it works. A team is usually rewarded for taking it to the hoop to get quality shots. Oh were you one of those that thinks the refs have it in for our Mighty Blazers?

 

[riverman]

Yes, that’s how it works. A team is usually rewarded for taking it to the hoop to get quality shots. Oh were you one of those that thinks the refs have it in for our Mighty Blazers?

I don't know about "the refs" but I know one who has it out for us...Scott Foster. Donaghy's old gambling buddy.

 

[THE HCP]

No, but that doesn't mean they need to play the worst they have ever played. I don't give a flying fuck how good Denver is. This team decided not to show up tonight. Disgraceful.

This lost is as much a hit as the 1 point lost earlier in the season. Just like a 3 point win means no less than a 25 point win. That’s how it works.

 

[THE HCP]

Did people honestly think the Blazers were supposed to win tonight?
Denver is top 5 in the league and now playing to win games.
The season changes after the break. Now games count. Denver wasn’t losing this game.

Quality post. If you thought we were winning last night, that’s on you.

 

[THE HCP]

Expect them to win no. Expect them to look like they at least cared a little yes.

They got smacked by a better team, it happens. Will happen in PHX and against Minny as well. The more talented team usually wins FAMS!

 

[riverman]

Quality post. If you thought we were winning last night, that’s on you.

I didn't think we were winning last night but I did think we'd at least be competing last night!

 

[BassPlaya]

Denver lost what...5 of 7 coming in? Lost a heart breaker the night before. They were tuned, and the Blazers looked like....well...they just came off of vacation. We weren't winning this game, but.....I would rather of seen the coach empty the bench early and set a precedent.

 

[PDXFonz]

Denver lost what...5 of 7 coming in? Lost a heart breaker the night before. They were tuned, and the Blazers looked like....well...they just came off of vacation. We weren't winning this game, but.....I would rather of seen the coach empty the bench early and set a precedent.

Yeah, that’s as good of a time as any to get players some run. Hansen should have had more than 8 minutes. At least 15 in a game like that. Whatever he does literally doesn’t matter in a game like that one. The positives will be positive, and the negatives will be inconsequential.

 

[twobullz]

Yes, that’s how it works. A team is usually rewarded for taking it to the hoop to get quality shots. Oh were you one of those that thinks the refs have it in for our Mighty Blazers?

Nope I was one who thought it was a piss pore effort by the blazers.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Nobody guards Jokic. Some slow him better than others but he has way too much in his bag to stop him.

That just made me curious as to who does the best job against him: Capela, KAT!, Steven Adams and Gobert. Enes Kanter another surprise. https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=which+center+is+the+best+defender+against+nikola+jokić

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

That just made me curious as to who does the best job against him: Capela, KAT!, Steven Adams and Gobert. Enes Kanter another surprise. https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=which+center+is+the+best+defender+against+nikola+jokić

If i was Clingan I would watch film of Adams guarding Jokic; seems like he is the one who has a body type most similar to Clingan.

 

[BonesJones]

Did people honestly think the Blazers were supposed to win tonight?
Denver is top 5 in the league and now playing to win games.
The season changes after the break. Now games count. Denver wasn’t losing this game.

They were 1.5-point underdogs and lost by 54. Denver just lost to the Clippers without Garland (and after they traded away their starting PG and C)... This team was supposed to be a top 10 defense (it still looks like one on paper) and they're 20th in aDRTG and turn the ball over far more than any other team. The bar should not be set that low.