Game Thread GAME# 1: BLAZERS @ SUNS - OCTOBER 18, 2017 - WEDNESDAY, 7:00 (PDT), NBCSNW

[Boob-No-More]

Would the salaries match up?

Not directly, but we could trade the Crabbe TPE for Chandler straight up, and then, since PHO would be far enough under the cap, we could trade Meyers for a top 59 protected 2021 second round pick, or similar nonsense.

We'd use up the TPE and increase our salary by about $3 million a year for the next two years. Given the depth imbalance between our front court and our backcourt, you'd have to really believe Pat Connaughton is the answer at back up SG to use up the TPE on another big man.

BNM

 

[Jade Falcon]

Oh my god that was glorious. Just watched the game on league pass and I couldn't be more excited for this season. Defense, Real fucking defense? I didn't know that was an option. Wow! The 3pt shooting was amazing, but I saw that coming. Loved seeing Dame and Nurk on the bench in the 4th, laughing and towel waving together. Let that happen frequently.

If the Blazers can play like that consistently, there is no ceiling. But I worry that having CJ back could derail the defense. I love CJ, but he's also a pretty lame defender.

I'm so excited right now. Just love these guys.

My fear is that CJ comes back and throws the chemistry off.

 

[Boob-No-More]

My fear is that CJ comes back and throws the chemistry off.

LOL, before the game everyone was worried about the lack of shooting in the starting line up without C.J. Now, were worried about the lack of chemistry with him.

BNM

 

[ripcityboy]

Which poster did I make the Patty C bet with again? I can't remember, but I'm looking good so far.

What cheese goes best with gloating, please tell me?

 

[Jade Falcon]

LOL, before the game everyone was worried about the lack of shooting in the starting line up without C.J. Now, were worried about the lack of chemistry with him.

BNM

In fairness, it's a legitimate concern. How often have we seen similar things with this team or around the NBA? Where a player comes back from even one game to throw off the chemistry of a good run or victory?

It happens more often than you think.

But....at least we know what our Bench can do if it doesn't work out. Now we have to focus on being consistent.

 

[Scalma]

Not directly, but we could trade the Crabbe TPE for Chandler straight up, and then, since PHO would be far enough under the cap, we could trade Meyers for a top 59 protected 2021 second round pick, or similar nonsense.

We'd use up the TPE and increase our salary by about $3 million a year for the next two years. Given the depth imbalance between our front court and our backcourt, you'd have to really believe Pat Connaughton is the answer at back up SG to use up the TPE on another big man.

BNM

No I don't think so.

And even if we could, I don't think we would. Can't see Olshey adding salary like that.

 

[theprunetang]

What cheese goes best with gloating, please tell me?

I think Casatica di Bufala would be a good fit. Luxurious, bloomy rind Italian Water Buffalo cheese.

 

[Boob-No-More]

No I don't think so.

And even if we could, I don't think we would. Can't see Olshey adding salary like that.

Why can't we? The Crabbe TPE is $12,969,502. We can use it to acquire any player making up to this amount + $100k. Chandler is making exactly $13 million. So, it works within the boundaries of the CBA.

But, I agree Neil probably won't use it for another big man when our front court is already crowded. If he uses it at all, it will have to be for a real difference maker.

BNM

 

[DaLong]

I think Leonard looked bad.

Having said that, he looked roughly half as bad as usual. It's still not good but he was only half as late to every play as he normally is. Progress. Half as bad, progress, hopefully.

 

[DaLong]

At first I thought about Harkless was like many of the athletic freaks that every team has, akin to Phoenix' Chriss. After watching this game, I found myself shouting repeatedly over how Harkless was every where on defense. It was a real treat to watch. I think he's a real valuable player.

 

[theprunetang]

At first I thought about Harkless was like many of the athletic freaks that every team has, akin to Phoenix' Chriss. After watching this game, I found myself shouting repeatedly over how Harkless was every where on defense. It was a real treat to watch. I think he's a real valuable player.

Totally. The whole team looks engaged defensively. But Harkless is really standing out. It was clear in pre-season that he had worked on it and it looks to be translating to games that count.

 

[Jade Falcon]

I saw something interesting in the comment section of the Sun's SB Blog:

Portland missed 46 shots, and the Suns got 23 defensive rebounds from them for 50%. The Suns missed 61 shots, and Portland rebounded 42 of them for 69%.

Wow. Credit to our rebounding. Biggie is really gonna help with that.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Boy, you can sure see how much better we are defensively without CJ.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Meyers still sucks. Why isn't Collins in there?

Apparently he had a tummy ache

 

[Jade Falcon]

Here's Blazer highlights from the game, if anyone is interested:

 

[mook]

Crazy blowout victory + First game of season = Ridiculous season stats

Gotta love Ed's 31.1 PER, or Pat's 25.9.

 

[RipCityDSCPL]

My fear is that CJ comes back and throws the chemistry off.

Yeah, I have to wonder, was the defense so great against the Suns because Turner could switch with Aminu and Harkless as well as shut down Booker because of his length or no?

 

[Jade Falcon]

Yeah, I have to wonder, was the defense so great against the Suns because Turner could switch with Aminu and Harkless as well as shut down Booker because of his length or no?

Yeah.....if it becomes apparent that that is indeed the problem with Defense, then perhaps trading CJ isn't such a bad idea. At least we know we can get a very good deal for him.

But hey....one thing at a time. Let's see how he does against Indiana. He needs to ball out for sure.

 

[e_blazer]

Boy, you can sure see how much better we are defensively without CJ.

Boy, reading through this thread, you can sure see how quick people are to jump to conclusions based on one game against a very crappy opponent.

 

[Jade Falcon]

Boy, reading through this thread, you can sure see how quick people are to jump to conclusions based on one game against a very crappy opponent.

But we absolutely cannot deny that our defense was better. And I'm not entirely sold on the fact that CJ's absence did not play a part in that; especially with the rotation that we had in his place.

Will our defense remain good when he returns this Friday? We'll just have to see.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Well if our our defense is as good as some hope then our next game is another road game against a team that just scored 140 points. Sounds like a good measuring stick to me.

 

[mook]

At the 2:06 mark. This is such an I Drink Your Milkshake move.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Boy, reading through this thread, you can sure see how quick people are to jump to conclusions based on one game against a very crappy opponent.

I was mocking those people. Phoenix is awful.

 

[Sinobas]

Comparing Pat to Thunder Dan Majerle on Talkin'Ball.

WTF...are they on here reading my posts? I just made that comparison right after the game was over.

 

[e_blazer]

But we absolutely cannot deny that our defense was better. And I'm not entirely sold on the fact that CJ's absence did not play a part in that; especially with the rotation that we had in his place.

Will our defense remain good when he returns this Friday? We'll just have to see.

The season will reveal a lot of things. The defense may well be better when Stotts plays a larger backcourt. Will Connaughton or any other guard other than Dame or CJ be able to score twenty points a night on a regular basis? The Blazers’ offense was still dominated by guard play last night. Can the front court carry more of the load? Great start to the season last night, but we need to see more before we reach any major conclusions.

 

[Sinobas]

Yeah.....if it becomes apparent that that is indeed the problem with Defense, then perhaps trading CJ isn't such a bad idea. At least we know we can get a very good deal for him.

But hey....one thing at a time. Let's see how he does against Indiana. He needs to ball out for sure.

Jimmy Butler would have almost been the perfect trade for CJ. Only risk there is him bolting in 2019.

If Anthony Davis demanded a trade, we could offer CJ.

 

[Denny Crane]

The season will reveal a lot of things. The defense may well be better when Stotts plays a larger backcourt. Will Connaughton or any other guard other than Dame or CJ be able to score twenty points a night on a regular basis? The Blazers’ offense was still dominated by guard play last night. Can the front court carry more of the load? Great start to the season last night, but we need to see more before we reach any major conclusions.

I've been saying something like this for a while. We won by 50 without CJ's scoring but with a bigger defensive minded player alongside Dame. Maybe CJ should be a super 6th man, which is no slight (a lot of championship contenders have had awesome 6th men, from Havlicek and McHale to Ginobili). I don't expect it, though.

The defense was most impressive last night, but if you think about it, we started our two best defensive forwards, a beast at both ends at C, and another of our best defenders at SG. Four of the five positions. And it showed on the scoreboard. We forced turnovers that turned into easy baskets and harassed them so badly with our defense that they shot about 20% from the field (until garbage time).

ET was absolutely brilliant at both ends of the court.

The combination of Davis and Swannigan on the 2nd unit continued the defensive pressure. Those to played extraordinarily well together.

Connaughton will surprise until the league scouts him, but he played well at both ends.

Even Leonard, in garbage time, looked like a quality NBA player.

Time to fire NO and Stotts?

Pheonix looks like an awful team, but maybe we beat a quality team by 30 instead of 50, given how we played.

This is going to be a fun season!

 

[Jade Falcon]

The season will reveal a lot of things. The defense may well be better when Stotts plays a larger backcourt. Will Connaughton or any other guard other than Dame or CJ be able to score twenty points a night on a regular basis? The Blazers’ offense was still dominated by guard play last night. Can the front court carry more of the load? Great start to the season last night, but we need to see more before we reach any major conclusions.

I agree with all of this, well said.

Jimmy Butler would have almost been the perfect trade for CJ. Only risk there is him bolting in 2019.

If Anthony Davis demanded a trade, we could offer CJ.

Davis would make us an immediate contender. If only he could stay healthy.

I would definitely welcome that trade.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

So what did I miss?

You owe Pat C. 4 lawn mows.

 

[julius]

The Suns made the Blazers look like world beaters. Let's see how they handle actual NBA teams first.