Event Blazers (#3) vs Thunder (#6): Revenge!

[SIeepwalker]

Listen.

We're gonna kill this sorry ass team

 

[jonnyboy]

ESPN showed some prediction model (vpn or vbn or some shit) that favored Portland by a small margin. 54% I believe.

 

[illmatic99]

From Quick's article:

“We are the team that went through what we went through last year, everybody else just witnessed it. Y’all didn’t have to lose. We had to lose. We got embarrassed, y’all didn’t get embarrassed. Everybody else didn’t go through what we went through. We experienced it. This is not about what somebody has to say about our (playoff) performance, or none of that. This is about going in there and correcting it. Redeeming ourselves," said Lillard.

I really hope they learned something from that series about preparation and poise. Terry too- he got completely outclassed by a gimmicky defense and provided 0 adjustments. Everyone needs to be better this year, and everyone needs to believe that we can win.

 

[illmatic99]

Here's some history. This year is the 10th time in our franchise history where the team has won at least 53 games. 7 out of the previous 9 times, the team won at least one series in the playoffs.

 

[BBert]

Guys, I'm feeling a Blazers blowout on Sunday. Blazers 106, OKC 77. GO BLAZERS!!!! Get the confidence up and let's sweep these fools!

Jinx. Speed.

 

[TBpup]

Game 1 is the series.

 

[illmatic99]

So what's the strategy here?

OKC thrives on creating turnovers and running in transition. We have to be careful with the ball. I'd actually try to slow it down. I'd attack Westbrook as much as possible and get him in foul trouble. They're gonna trap Dame every time. I'd see if we can plug in Hood or even Leonard as the release guy.

Defensively, can we double PG from the start? I'd let Westbrook shoot 25 times a game and let him go one on one. They really don't create much for others, a lot like our team in that regard. What can't happen is letting guys like Schroder/Grant/Ferguson/Morris have much of an impact. Hiding Kanter will be key-- not necessarily against Adams one on one, but more as a rim protector in their P&R. Help defense has to be on a string. Maybe we can even try that gimmick zone that we used in the last game.

I think we'll come out firing. Everyone of significance on the roster has enough experience now and has seen playoff failure firsthand (Seth not withstanding). But the key will be Dame. If he can shoot well, we have a shot. If he has another <40 shooting percentage, we're toast. He's the one who has talked about redemption most. I really hope he can come through.

 

[BBert]

Meyers is going to have to play some to put some beef on Adams. We need Meyers to set screens and swish some threes when he's in.

Clearly Meyers is the key to the series, hahaha.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

NBA.com's series preview and prediction

 

[TBpup]

If the Blazers can get Game 1, they can win this series. Loss Game 1, and it seems like there would be very little hope.

 

[kjironman1]

Meyers is going to have to play some to put some beef on Adams. We need Meyers to set screens and swish some threes when he's in.

Clearly Meyers is the key to the series, hahaha.

@swish3 i'm thinking you would agree with this.

 

[Labinot41]

Meyers is going to have to play some to put some beef on Adams. We need Meyers to set screens and swish some threes when he's in.

Clearly Meyers is the key to the series, hahaha.

If Meyers is your key to the series, you already lost.

 

[BBert]

If Meyers is your key to the series, you already lost.

That was my subtle humor not quite coming through

 

[Labinot41]

That was my subtle humor not quite coming through

Oh sorry haha

 

[Labinot41]

If he plays, hit his fucking shoulder as often as possible

 

[Labinot41]

 

[PtldPlatypus]

If he plays, hit his fucking shoulder as often as possible

No joke. I'm usually not a huge proponent of these kinds of tactics, but it's the playoffs; it's time to pull out all the stops.

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[rotary111]

Blazers do the sweeping this time!

F OKC!

 

[BBert]

No joke. I'm usually not a huge proponent of these kinds of tactics, but it's the playoffs; it's time to pull out all the stops.

Other teams did that quite a lot to Batum after his surgery.

 

[wizenheimer]

No joke. I'm usually not a huge proponent of these kinds of tactics, but it's the playoffs; it's time to pull out all the stops.

it's standard to test the opponent for weakness. All 15 other teams in the playoffs would test PG13's shoulder by running him thru plenty of screens, especially screens designed to hit is injured shoulder, as well as blind side picks....ouch

problem is that OKC will likely not move PG off of defending Blazer SF's; and Harkless/Turner are no threats from deep so PG would probably run under all the screens instead of fighting over them. Portland doesn't run a lot of screen action for those two anyway

 

[PtldPlatypus]

it's standard to test the opponent for weakness. All 15 other teams in the playoffs would test PG13's shoulder by running him thru plenty of screens, especially screens designed to hit is injured shoulder, as well as blind side picks....ouch

problem is that OKC will likely not move PG off of defending Blazer SF's; and Harkless/Turner are no threats from deep so PG would probably run under all the screens instead of fighting over them. Portland doesn't run a lot of screen action for those two anyway

The smart move would be for PG's guy to start as the screener to force a switch of PG onto Dame or CJ, and then run him into a second screen from a big in a situation when fighting over the screen is the right play.

 

[BBert]

The smart move would be for PG's guy to start as the screener to force a switch of PG onto Dame or CJ, and then run him into a second screen from a big in a situation when fighting over the screen is the right play.

I have previously suspected you may be an evil genius.

Or at least the evil part.

 

[Eastoff]

I have previously suspected you may be an evil genius.

Or at least the evil part.

He's least evil acting person. But maybe he just controls all of his evil thoughts. Tell Terry all of your evil plans this time.

 

[Eastoff]

The OKC Dunked on podcast was a really good listen. They all called OKC in 5 or 6, but had good, fair descriptions of the series.

 

[KingSpeed]

Paul George may not play Game 1. Shoulder hurts. Listed as “day to day.”

 

[GoBlazersGo]

Paul George may not play Game 1. Shoulder hurts. Listed as “day to day.”

Shenanigans... it's more than just restaurant from the movie Super Troopers!

 

[chris_in_pdx]

Paul George may not play Game 1. Shoulder hurts. Listed as “day to day.”

He'll play

 

[XXPrimusXX]

 

[H.C.]

IDK if this has been posted anywhere but it's kinda cool imo.