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

[The Professional Fan]

If there is any chance in hell that these dudes can frame themselves as the bad boys and actually pull it off in this day and age, that would be a massive win for us

Do I think it can happen? My gut tells me no, from a traditional point of view. However, we don’t really know what a bad boy team would or could be in the current climate of the NBA.

Would it be, like, 5 draymond’s? What would it be?

Perhaps we could define it. Just sayin’

There’s opportunity here

 

[Scalma]

If there is any chance in hell that these dudes can frame themselves as the bad boys and actually pull it off in this day and age, that would be a massive win for us

Do I think it can happen? My gut tells me no, from a traditional point of view. However, we don’t really know what a bad boy team would or could be in the current climate of the NBA.

Would it be, like, 5 draymond’s? What would it be?

Perhaps we could define it. Just sayin’

There’s opportunity here

It'll be Nurkic beating the fuck outta everyone and the other 13 guys cheering him on.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Half game out of first place in the WC feels good.

 

[BrunoSOC]

So today is the day...

 

[TBpup]

Regardless of CJ being out, this is the type of game the Blazers have to win if they are going to get near that 50-win mark. The rest of the West is just so tough, games like these are a 'must win'.

FWIW, I'd play Layman off the bench before Pat. Go a little big for once instead of always so small. Make them match up.

 

[Reep]

It'll be Nurkic beating the fuck outta everyone and the other 13 guys cheering him on.

I think Biggie is ready to mix it up right now. And, once Collins gets some weight behind him, I expect to see some hard fouls followed by honey badger attitude. I don't think Dame and CJ can be bad boys, but the 4-5 position has potential.

 

[Reep]

Regardless of CJ being out, this is the type of game the Blazers have to win if they are going to get near that 50-win mark. The rest of the West is just so tough, games like these are a 'must win'.

FWIW, I'd play Layman off the bench before Pat. Go a little big for once instead of always so small. Make them match up.

Agreed. I may be way off, but Layman just looks like a guy who could bust out and give you a Brent Barry on steroids kind of impact. Pat looks like he is peaked to me. Jake looks like he is very close to hitting the next level.

 

[kjironman1]

If there is any chance in hell that these dudes can frame themselves as the bad boys and actually pull it off in this day and age, that would be a massive win for us

Do I think it can happen? My gut tells me no, from a traditional point of view. However, we don’t really know what a bad boy team would or could be in the current climate of the NBA.

Would it be, like, 5 draymond’s? What would it be?

Perhaps we could define it. Just sayin’

There’s opportunity here

All is would take is a couple fights and a few suspensions. I would say having a suspension for the first game of the season puts them at a good pace. Now if we can get Meyers to throw down with Len tonight and maybe get someone like Layman to come off the bench and get in someones face they could get this title within the first week?

 

[kjironman1]

Agreed. I may be way off, but Layman just looks like a guy who could bust out and give you a Brent Barry on steroids kind of impact. Pat looks like he is peaked to me. Jake looks like he is very close to hitting the next level.

Disagree on Pat because he is starting to hit shots. But i sure hope you are right on Layman.

 

[Reep]

Disagree on Pat because he is starting to hit shots. But i sure hope you are right on Layman.

To be clear, I don't mean last year's Pat, but pre-season Pat. He was okay, and did hit his open shots, but his drives look like he could lose his dribble at any moment, and his slashes looked haphazard and more lucky than good. I think that is his upper end. Wish he could eventually become the next Thunder Dan Majerle, but I'm not seeing it yet. Maybe he will surprise. But, yes, Jake has the fluidity and athleticism to really be a fantastic player. Just needs consistency and aggression.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

To be clear, I don't mean last year's Pat, but pre-season Pat. He was okay, and did hit his open shots, but his drives look like he could lose his dribble at any moment, and his slashes looked haphazard and more lucky than good. I think that is his upper end. Wish he could eventually become the next Thunder Dan Majerle, but I'm not seeing it yet. Maybe he will surprise. But, yes, Jake has the fluidity and athleticism to really be a fantastic player. Just needs consistency and aggression.

Pat says he worked on his dribble big time over the summer, FWIW.

 

[Reep]

Pat says he worked on his dribble big time over the summer, FWIW.

It is much better, but he still has that Aminu-ness to it like "oh, don't . . . okay (sigh of relief)". Pat is such a great guy I would love to see him progress into Crabbe's spot. Kind of wish we could put Pat's brain in Layman's body.

 

[Mediocre Man]

It'll be Nurkic beating the fuck outta everyone and the other 13 guys cheering him on.

Then him cheering them on from the bench when he fouls out. If one does it, he's foul prone. If they all do it, it's great tough defense

 

[Mr. Robot]

this could be a tough one without CJ, hopefully well start with a win, it would be so important
one player cant replace CJ, so team will have to step up

 

[dviss1]

Regardless of CJ being out, this is the type of game the Blazers have to win if they are going to get near that 50-win mark. The rest of the West is just so tough, games like these are a 'must win'.

FWIW, I'd play Layman off the bench before Pat. Go a little big for once instead of always so small. Make them match up.

Rachel makes a great point here:

 

[Chris Craig]

To be clear, I don't mean last year's Pat, but pre-season Pat. He was okay, and did hit his open shots, but his drives look like he could lose his dribble at any moment, and his slashes looked haphazard and more lucky than good. I think that is his upper end. Wish he could eventually become the next Thunder Dan Majerle, but I'm not seeing it yet. Maybe he will surprise. But, yes, Jake has the fluidity and athleticism to really be a fantastic player. Just needs consistency and aggression.

I wish. Hes looking more like taller Dan Dickau

 

[kjironman1]

I wish. Hes looking more like taller Dan Dickau

Oh now you gotta go all "Dan Dickau" on him.... That is just bulletin board shit there. Pat drops 40 tonight!

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[Chris Craig]

Yeah and the Blazers wont have much of a bench

 

[BigGameDamian]

If there is any chance in hell that these dudes can frame themselves as the bad boys and actually pull it off in this day and age, that would be a massive win for us

Do I think it can happen? My gut tells me no, from a traditional point of view. However, we don’t really know what a bad boy team would or could be in the current climate of the NBA.

Would it be, like, 5 draymond’s? What would it be?

Perhaps we could define it. Just sayin’

There’s opportunity here

They'd have to reinvent the wheel. The whole league is as soft as a sponge.

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[PtldPlatypus]

 

[Gronk Brady]

I really don’t understand this... starting 3 players who can’t shoot?! What is Stotts thinking

 

[HolyBackboard]

I really don’t understand this... starting 3 players who can’t shoot?! What is Stotts thinking

Need defense at the 2. There's no way Pat C should be defending Booker. He's the one guy they have that could take over this game, so it's imperative we lock in on him early to ensure he doesn't get off to a hot start.

 

[Scalma]

I'm more interested in the second unit. Who gets minutes, Napier or Layman?

 

[Reep]

I really don’t understand this... starting 3 players who can’t shoot?! What is Stotts thinking

Defense and balanced scoring. I actually like this lineup, assuming you cannot have CJ. Put ET on their hotshot SG.

 

[blue9]

I really don’t understand this... starting 3 players who can’t shoot?! What is Stotts thinking

Go Tater Totts! Get your coach on!

 

[blue9]

Defense and balanced scoring. I actually like this lineup, assuming you cannot have CJ. Put ET on their hotshot SG.

Turner makes sense. Aminu does not.

 

[KingSpeed]

I really don’t understand this... starting 3 players who can’t shoot?! What is Stotts thinking

Harkless and Aminu can shoot

 

[Reep]

Turner makes sense. Aminu does not.

I can't argue that, but not sure who the perfect starter is at the PF for this game. Davis gives you less scoring. Collins could work, but is raw. Vonleh would be the best, but ...