Around the NBA Playoffs - Round Two

[BonesJones]

A shout out from me to the most underrated, underappreciated player in the NBA - Al Horford. He's not flashy and doesn't usually put up gaudy stats, but he is the anchor that holds BOS together and keeps them winning in spite of all the injuries. The guy does so many things at both ends of the floor that help his team win. I've called him the perfect chameleon player in the past for his ability to adapt to his role on both ends of the floor. The guy has proven he can play with anyone and win at a high level.

Some will say how can a guy who is a 5-time all star be considered underrated? Well, the players and coaches appreciate and respect him, but he's never been voted in by the fans. Because he doesn't have a flashy game or gaudy stats, I think most casual fans completely overlook this guy. He can play the 4 or the 5 equally well at both ends of the floor. He can score in the low post with a variety of fundamental low post moves, or he can step out and knock down the jumper all the way out to the 3-point line. He can protect the paint, but is also a great pick and roll defender. The guys just really does everything well. Not a flashy player, but a complete one. The game has changed since he came into the league, but he has adapted and remained relevant.

Brad Stevens gets a lot of credit (deservedly) for the way BOS just keeps on winning, in spite of all their injuries. I think Al Horford also deserves some of that credit.

Terry Rozier having a breakout post season is the hot new topic, but it is really Al Horford, his consistent, efficient, all around play at both ends of the floor that is at the core of Boston's continued success. With Horford, BOS won with Isiah Thomas at PG, they won with Kyrie Irving at PG and now they are winning with Terry Rozier at PG.

Experience matters. In the first two games of this series, Horford leads all players with a +39 (+18 in Game 1 and +21 in Game 2). Ben Simmons is at the opposite end of the spectrum at -44 (-21 in Game 1 and -23 in Game 2). Simmons is an amazing talent and will have a long, successful career. He is certainly a flashier player, but in this series, Horford is proving that a solid, fundamental, all around game really comes through in the post season.

I've long been a fan of Horford's game, but watching BOS defeat PHI last night, with Hordord making key plays at both ends of the floor, reminded me how good, and how overlooked by most fans, this guy is.

BNM

I’ll admit I was one of those bozos that thought the Pelicans just got hot at the right time and were a bad matchup for us, I’ve accepted now that they’re just a much better team than we are.

They’re playing equally as well against GSW as they were against us. I think it was less about how bad we were and more about how underrated this new Pelicans squad is with AD at the 5 and Mirotic at the 4. Holiday and Rondo have been super efficient.

I still think it was a combination of many things. Poor coaching, they're lack of depth isn't as much of a factor in the POs as the RS, and our roster issues. One game doesn't make it our roster only...

 

[hoopsjock]

No, Horford and Duncan, not Horford and Duncan V2.

Horford and Duncan would be a nightmare to content with at both ends of the floor, being equally effective inside or out, interchange between PF and C, passing, shooting, posting, directing the offense... They even have similar appearances and mannerisms.

I was speaking in terms of the Blazers. Of course I would love to have had Duncan and Horford.

 

[riverman]

Don't know if anyone posted it but Rondo had 21 assists in the win over GS tonight...that's insane...

 

[THE HCP]

The sad thing is, Pelicans still have no chance to beat Warriors in a series... but now Neil will use this win as an excuse to keep the status quo... so sad to be a Blazers fan right now

Curious if you are this angry in life in general? Or just when you start typing here? Honest question. I would love to have somebody find a positive post from you, ever. You married with kids?

 

[Gronk Brady]

Curious if you are this angry in life in general? Or just when you start typing here? Honest question. I would love to have somebody find a positive post from you, ever. You married with kids?

I’m not angry at all in life... but I am a lifelong Blazers fan and can’t stand how that con man Neil Olshey talked at the exit interview... so condescending towards fans. I just want to keep the truth fresh in people’s minds because so many of you are easily manipulated by that used car salesman. I don’t post here to make friends... and when things are good there is nothing to say... but when things are not good I like to get my opinions and ideas out there and debate what’s wrong and how to fix it. Sorry if you are sensitive and offended so easily

 

[THE HCP]

I don’t think these guys really need YOU to keep the “truth fresh” in their minds to be honest. You honestly live your life with the motto of “If things are good, there is nothing to say”? Wow.
The last thing I am is sensitive, and it takes a lot to offend me. You couldn’t offend me son if you tried. Me asking you a couple simple questions shouldn’t be considered being sensitive and offended either. Deep breaths bro, deep breaths.

 

[Pinwheel1]

and when things are good there is nothing to say... but when things are not good I like to get my opinions and ideas out there

Unfortunately this is pretty common and why radio talk shows, cable news, and social media do not really reflect what most people actually believe. (in sports or politics) Not saying you are a nut job but there are many nut jobs out there with an agenda who do not really want to debate, they just want to repeat their thoughts over and over until it annoys the shit out of everyone else.

Again I am not talking about you specifically, just saying that players should never read forums because the majority of discussions are based on some level of hate. As you say, when things are good...... there is nothing to say.

 

[dviss1]

The problem I am seeing is, unless you enthusiastically agree with those who think LeBron is the GOAT, you get labeled a LeBron hater. To me, calling someone the second greatest player in the 71-year history of the NBA is not a form of hatred.

I 100% believe LeBron is the greatest current player and the greatest of his generation - and he isn't done yet. The fact that he's now legitimately in the debate for the GOAT is a tribute to his continued excellence. I'm still in the Jordan is GOAT camp, but readily acknowledge LeBron is gaining on him with each passing playoff series, and may well eventually pass him.

If he does, and I come around to Camp LeBron, I'll probably get labeled a Jordan hater. Sigh...

BNM

This is not right at all IMO. I love LeBron and don't think he's the GOAT, nor do people call you a hater for saying Jordan was better. I've never seen that. I however HAVE called folks LeBron hater for doing just that, hating. They dislike LeBron and I'm tryna find a logical reason why.

 

[DDolla]

If Nurk plays for the Rockets, do we see him dunking the ball like Capella?

 

[stampedehero]

Pelicans beat the Warriors by 19! YES!!!

 

[CupWizier]

How can you feel better about getting swept with home court advantage and a top 5 payroll... this team has no future... Pelicans and Jazz can now be added to Rockets and Warriors as teams firmly ahead of Blazers.

The sky is falling the sky is falling the sky is falling.

Man, your shtick sure gets old.

 

[Gronk Brady]

The sky is falling the sky is falling the sky is falling.

Man, your shtick sure gets old.

That’s too bad you let Neil sweet talk you into thinking it was a successful season... can’t believe you don’t think either Neil, Terry, or one Of Dame or CJ should be off this team after that horrendous showing in the playoffs. You are easily manipulated by Olshey. Until there is some accountability I will keep posting about it.

If you think it’s getting old and don’t want to hear it why are you even in this forum. It’s a Blazers forum. There is nothing else to talk about but Blazers... and the most recent news regarding Blazers is that they failed miserably in the playoffs and Neil doesn’t want to hold anyone accountable for it

 

[CupWizier]

That’s too bad you let Neil sweet talk you into thinking it was a successful season... can’t believe you don’t think either Neil, Terry, or one Of Dame or CJ should be off this team after that horrendous showing in the playoffs. You are easily manipulated by Olshey. Until there is some accountability I will keep posting about it.

If you think it’s getting old and don’t want to hear it why are you even in this forum. It’s a Blazers forum. There is nothing else to talk about but Blazers... and the most recent news regarding Blazers is that they failed miserably in the playoffs and Neil doesn’t want to hold anyone accountable for it

Now you are just making shit up. Yes, this is a Blazer forum, but you post like we are the worst team in the league

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

SABAS!

I miss that guy!

 

[Gronk Brady]

Now you are just making shit up. Yes, this is a Blazer forum, but you post like we are the worst team in the league

No, I post like we are in the worst situation... right in the middle, but with a top 5 highest payroll that will be over the luxury tax next season, with half the salary cap committed to 2 undersized ISO ball gaurds, a coach who players don’t respond to, and a GM who refuses to explore change by breaking up Dame and CJ... and like I said, the playoffs were a complete disaster, and until someone pays for it I will keep posting about it... unreal that some of you are ok with no accountability... this team is going nowhere fast as constructed and with same coach

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

No, I post like we are in the worst situation... right in the middle, but with a top 5 highest payroll that will be over the luxury tax next season, with half the salary cap committed to 2 undersized ISO ball gaurds, a coach who players don’t respond to, and a GM who refuses to explore change by breaking up Dame and CJ... and like I said, the playoffs were a complete disaster, and until someone pays for it I will keep posting about it... unreal that some of you are ok with no accountability... this team is going nowhere fast as constructed and with same coach

It’s hard for me to understand why A Blazer fan would want to see Dame + CJ + Stotts + Olshey for another year. Dame and CJ are basically in there prime it’s not like they’re going to make huge jumps at this point. Stotts either isn’t being listened to by his team, or is being was way out coached by Alvin Gentry. Olshey has the Blazers in a pretty bad position salary cap wise. I understand just be patient, but I don’t know what I’m being patient for, the hope some other teams GM will screw up and take some of the Blazers over paid contracts? That maybe Nurkic and Collins will some day be good but that’ll also happen fast before Dame’s prime starts ticking away.
Hoops and Cup make some valid points, just I disagree with them at least on keeping Olshey. Stotts is a “good” coach but I think he’s too much a friend and not enough of a leader for these guys. I guess we will see if Olshey and the crew can turn things around as it seems like the core will be back.

 

[CupWizier]

It’s hard for me to understand why A Blazer fan would want to see Dame + CJ + Stotts + Olshey for another year. Dame and CJ are basically in there prime it’s not like they’re going to make huge jumps at this point. Stotts either isn’t being listened to by his team, or is being was way out coached by Alvin Gentry. Olshey has the Blazers in a pretty bad position salary cap wise. I understand just be patient, but I don’t know what I’m being patient for, the hope some other teams GM will screw up and take some of the Blazers over paid contracts? That maybe Nurkic and Collins will some day be good but that’ll also happen fast before Dame’s prime starts ticking away.
Hoops and Cup make some valid points, just I disagree with them at least on keeping Olshey. Stotts is a “good” coach but I think he’s too much a friend and not enough of a leader for these guys. I guess we will see if Olshey and the crew can turn things around as it seems like the core will be back.

Lillard and McCollum have at least another 5 solid years in them so it's not like it is now or never. Collins is 20 and Nurkic is 23 so in another year or two they should be getting close to their full potential and each have a possibility of lots of growth. Even Harkless is still young and room for growth. It's not as doom and gloom as some of you seem to think it is.

 

[BigGameDamian]

SABAS!

But we have Jusuf "Bad Boy" Nurkić.

 

[riverman]

I enjoyed this season...we played two bad games against the Pels and two that went down to the wire....Pels just blew out Golden State last night....if Paul Allen isn't worried about the cap, we definitely don't need to worry about it. We brought in Wade Baldwin IV and he was great in stretches....we have a pick and some assets...the league is pretty much all facing money crunches....what I don't get is people saying we're in some middle of the pack purgatory ...the west was tough as I've seen it this season and we got the 3rd seed....won the division...it's all good. I expect a better result next season. I'm sure the roster will be tweaked off season. Those of us who are not disgruntled with the Blazers actually have reason to be optimistic. If a Blazer fan can't find something to enjoy about this team to post about...well....I call those folks fair weather fans. Purgatory was the Felton lockout season...the Luke Babbitt show.

 

[e_blazer]

No, I post like we are in the worst situation... right in the middle, but with a top 5 highest payroll that will be over the luxury tax next season, with half the salary cap committed to 2 undersized ISO ball gaurds, a coach who players don’t respond to, and a GM who refuses to explore change by breaking up Dame and CJ... and like I said, the playoffs were a complete disaster, and until someone pays for it I will keep posting about it... unreal that some of you are ok with no accountability... this team is going nowhere fast as constructed and with same coach

So much BS in a single post. You should get some kind of prize for that.

1. Yes, the Blazers are in a position of being a high salary team, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have options to use to improve. They have exceptions and they have the ability to put together attractive trade packages.

2. Those 2 undersized “iso guards” are generally recognized around the league as one of the best backcourts in the NBA.

3. There is no evidence that the players don’t respond to Terry. Every player I have heard interviewed on the subject says he’s great to play for.

4. How is it that you’re so sure NO isn’t willing to trade CJ this summer? Based on his willingness to trade Eric Gordon from the Clippers, I’m pretty sure he’d trade CJ for the right deal. You really expect him to make some kind of announcement that he’s looking to trade the team’s second best player before there’s a deal? That would be pretty stupid.

5. The playoffs were a disaster, but we differ un our take as to what it says about the team. You think it means this team can never get out of the first round. I think it means the Pelicans were a bad matchup for the Blazers. I think if they’d drawn the Thunder, Spurs or TWolves they’d still be playing.

6. Olshey and Stotts answer to Paul Allen. They don’t owe fans like you and me squat.

 

[CupWizier]

I enjoyed this season...we played two bad games against the Pels and two that went down to the wire....Pels just blew out Golden State last night....if Paul Allen isn't worried about the cap, we definitely don't need to worry about it. We brought in Wade Baldwin IV and he was great in stretches....we have a pick and some assets...the league is pretty much all facing money crunches....what I don't get is people saying we're in some middle of the pack purgatory ...the west was tough as I've seen it this season and we got the 3rd seed....won the division...it's all good. I expect a better result next season. I'm sure the roster will be tweaked off season. Those of us who are not disgruntled with the Blazers actually have reason to be optimistic. If a Blazer fan can't find something to enjoy about this team to post about...well....I call those folks fair weather fans. Purgatory was the Felton lockout season...the Luke Babbitt show.

The beauty of sports is that success has a lot to do with timing as well and the Pelicans are a perfect example. They got it clicking at the right time. Next year that might not be the case and we could be the one that get hot at the right time. I'm convinced that the doom and gloomers will always look for the negatives. It's who they are.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

The beauty of sports is that success has a lot to do with timing as well and the Pelicans are a perfect example. They got it clicking at the right time. Next year that might not be the case and we could be the one that get hot at the right time. I'm convinced that the doom and gloomers will always look for the negatives. It's who they are.

This seems like a bit of a fallacy to ignore people of other opinions than yours by saying oh they’re just always negative that’s what they do. Couldn’t I just as easily claim that all the people who don’t want any changes are just Neil Olshey fans that are never critical of anything he does? It’s a really bad spiral to go down when you start thinking everyone with a dissenting opinion is merely just negative all the time so their opinion is less valid than yours.
I want the Blazers to compete for a championship, being the third seed wasnt a success to me when you get stomped that bad in the 1st round. Maybe Collins and Nurkic turn into a good front court during the guards prime and that’s good enough. I don’t think your just part of NO’s army, and I think it’s a little unfair for you to assume that everyone who wants change is just always negative.

I’ve spelled out my reasons for wanting change whether you agree with them or not.

 

[CupWizier]

This seems like a bit of a fallacy to ignore people of other opinions than yours by saying oh they’re just always negative that’s what they do. Couldn’t I just as easily claim that all the people who don’t want any changes are just Neil Olshey fans that are never critical of anything he does? It’s a really bad spiral to go down when you start thinking everyone with a dissenting opinion is merely just negative all the time so their opinion is less valid than yours.
I want the Blazers to compete for a championship, being the third seed wasnt a success to me when you get stomped that bad in the 1st round. Maybe Collins and Nurkic turn into a good front court during the guards prime and that’s good enough. I don’t think your just part of NO’s army, and I think it’s a little unfair for you to assume that everyone who wants change is just always negative.

I’ve spelled out my reasons for wanting change whether you agree with them or not.

"I think it’s a little unfair for you to assume that everyone who wants change is just always negative."

I never said that. My post was referring to posters who are always negative no matter what. We have all seen those types. Never happy and always complaining. Pretty much everyone wants a championship, but the reality is, only one team wins it each year but that doesn't mean one can't find some enjoyment in rooting for their team.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Sure came off that way.

Anyways, I really want to see change whether it’s one of the Guards NO or Stotts I’d support any sort of shake up to the team, I feel like personally I’ve seen the movie too many times now. Start out bad to mediocre, get hot make the playoffs get smoked in 4 or 5... PA seems to want to wait it out too so I guess that’s what we will do.

 

[CupWizier]

Sure came off that way.

Anyways, I really want to see change whether it’s one of the Guards NO or Stotts I’d support any sort of shake up to the team, I feel like personally I’ve seen the movie too many times now. Start out bad to mediocre, get hot make the playoffs get smoked in 4 or 5... PA seems to want to wait it out too so I guess that’s what we will do.

I'm convinced that the doom and gloomers will always look for the negatives. It's who they are.

Let me break it down for you

Doom and gloomers are those that constantly look at and post negative things about the team. There are posters like that and my point is, they will likely always be that way. That has NOTHING to do with posters who say they want change.

Paul Allen and Neil Olshey even said they will be looking to make the team better. I have not heard anyone say that this team will be exactly the same next year.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Paul Allen and Neil Olshey even said they will be looking to make the team better. I have not heard anyone say that this team will be exactly the same next year.

Well... what’re they supposed to say? That they’re ’ looking to make the team worse?
Thing is I don’t really believe in NO and his 5 year plan. I believe he will say anything to make him self and his “plan” sound good. To me NO comes off as a salesman and he’s been selling us how awesome he is for a few years now. You remember NO/PA gave Allen Crabbe a HUGE contract while looking to make the team better, than trade him for a trade exception that has yet to materialize into anything. They gave Evan Turner a big contract when no one else was even in the ballpark... NO has tried to spin all of those moves into how awesome he is and everything going according to plan. If that’s his plan, then I’m just not on board with it I guess.
I mean the proof will be what the team looks like next year, but I honestly don’t expect much to be different maybe a RFA leaves, the Blazers draft a guy or two but the core will probably be the same, but we will see.

 

[riverman]

This seems like a bit of a fallacy to ignore people of other opinions than yours by saying oh they’re just always negative that’s what they do.

That door swings both ways....I'm constantly tagged a homer here for cheering and it's usually a negative opinion of my optimism.....I want changes...I also want stability in the front office....Minnesota is having problems between the owner and Thibs already....Sacramento hires and fires coaches faster than a bad Italian soccer team does.....we made a huge leap defensively this season....I didn't expect to win the NW division at all or to sweep OKC.....balance requires acknowledged success as well as deficiencies....some folks around here don't have anything good to say at all about the ownership, coaching staff or roster......that's a fact. Chief is my prime example...the guy gets NO respect around here most of the time and he improves every year. Some forum members only post when we lose and spout...nah nah nananah...told you so! Gets old...........

 

[CupWizier]

That door swings both ways....I'm constantly tagged a homer here for cheering and it's usually a negative opinion of my optimism.....I want changes...I also want stability in the front office....Minnesota is having problems between the owner and Thibs already....Sacramento hires and fires coaches faster than a bad Italian soccer team does.....we made a huge leap defensively this season....I didn't expect to win the NW division at all or to sweep OKC.....balance requires acknowledged success as well as deficiencies....some folks around here don't have anything good to say at all about the ownership, coaching staff or roster......that's a fact. Chief is my prime example...the guy gets NO respect around here most of the time and he improves every year. Some forum members only post when we lose and spout...nah nah nananah...told you so! Gets old...........

Good points riverman. In the days of Oregon Live after a win the regulars would be in posting but after a loss all of a sudden new monikers or old monikers would come out of the woodworks to whine and cry. It was that way for years.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

That door swings both ways....I'm constantly tagged a homer here for cheering and it's usually a negative opinion of my optimism.....I want changes...I also want stability in the front office....Minnesota is having problems between the owner and Thibs already....Sacramento hires and fires coaches faster than a bad Italian soccer team does.....we made a huge leap defensively this season....I didn't expect to win the NW division at all or to sweep OKC.....balance requires acknowledged success as well as deficiencies....some folks around here don't have anything good to say at all about the ownership, coaching staff or roster......that's a fact. Chief is my prime example...the guy gets NO respect around here most of the time and he improves every year. Some forum members only post when we lose and spout...nah nah nananah...told you so! Gets old...........

That’s fair and I get it, I think Aminu is on a good contract. I give NO and company credit for drafting Lillard, and CJ, the trade for Nurkic turned into a really good one. I know I pointed to the “bad”, moves but I realize they have done some good too. Just personally I am ready to see a major change. I think Collins has potential to be a good pick, It looks bad that guys like Mitchell and Kuzma played well this year but the potential is there.

Anytime your calling for change there is a tendency to be over-dramatic, so if I come off as doom and gloom than I guess it is what it is, but my intention is just to say I want change and I think 3 years in a row of the same season is enough to say ok we need to do something else. Others may not see it that way, PA doesn’t seem to want to go the major shake up route and I get it

 

[riverman]

It looks bad that guys like Mitchell and Kuzma played well this year but the potential is there.

Mitchell and Kuzman were inserted into heavy rotation from the first game if I remember correctly....CJ didn't even play much his first two seasons...development is something we don't get to see in practice...Baldwin was a great move....I still think Swanigan has some Brian Grant in his game too...the kid is 19.....Collins adapted quickly for a 7 footer in a rookie season. Hard to compare him to those other two guys....different roles out of the gate.