Game Thread GAME# 1: JAZZ @ BLAZERS - DECEMBER 23, 2020 - WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM, NBCSNW

[Chris Craig]

After watching the last 4 games, all with the same outcome, it's apparent that starting Jones Jr. and Roco ain't gonna work. Neither of those guys can guard the PF position, and it leaves Nurk on an island, reducing his abilities on many levels. Being out rebounded by 19 was a kill shot. No second chance ops at all. Nurk had only 3 rebounds. He can't do it all. Time to put Carmelo(a good rebounder) back in the starting lineup. Jones Jr. is NOT a starting caliber player yet. Just isn't. I don't care if Melo's defense isn't great. He may give up 15, but atleast he scores a potential 20. YOU HAVE TO GUARDDDD HIM. Jones Jr. on defense is nothing special so far. He lost his man most of the night. He's a nice bench addition. Melo will free up Nurk to facilitate more, and get in quality positions to rebound. Melo will help get more second chance points with rebounds as well. Jones Jr., and Roco on the floor at the same time will allow teams to throw 2 to 3 guys at Dame nonstop, because neither has an offensive game, good enough, to make anyone worry about them. If you're not gonna start Melo, then start Giles next to Nurk. He is a REAL PF. Roco is a nice SF.

Putting Melo in starting lineup and moving RoCo to the SF is probably the best bet. Then a bench of CJ, Trent Jr, Jones Jr, Giles, and Kanter.

If Stotts is set on having Melo on the bench, I don't see him starting Giles which would nice. Maybe start Kanter at the 4 with Nurk at the 5.

Then you'd have CJ, Trent Jr, Jones Jr, Melo, Giles off the bench

 

[tykendo]

There's no Barkley Curse. He predicted we would get to the WCF at midseason, with Kenny Smith, the year Nurk got hurt, and we did. Jones Jr. Is not a starting caliber player, and RoCo ain't a PF. I believe Stotts, and his Staff ,will make the adjustments necessary to get the team flowing. But i guarantee you, it has nothing to do with Barkley having faith in this team.

 

[B-Roy]

Honestly, I think the NBA's game has passed Stotts system by.

You have to choose what to take away between the paint and the three. Stott's defense still tries to split the gap and take away both, and we end up taking away nothing. So it's literally wide open 3s or wide open dunks. On any given possession there is usually 1-2 players caught in "no mans land", not close enough in the paint to actually help on a drive, and not attached to his man to stop a three. CJ is the worst offender, constantly digging into the paint despite never actually contesting a drive. When the kick out goes to his man, he's always too far to actually make a contest. I don't know if this is just Stotts strategy, to pack the paint but not actually do anything, or it's just CJ having awful defensive awareness, probably a mix of both.

 

[tester551]

Charles Barkley does!

Barkley is not the sharpest tool in the shed....

 

[Natebishop3]

You have to choose what to take away between the paint and the three. Stott's defense still tries to split the gap and take away both, and we end up taking away nothing. So it's literally wide open 3s or wide open dunks. On any given possession there is usually 1-2 players caught in "no mans land", not close enough in the paint to actually help on a drive, and not attached to his man to stop a three. CJ is the worst offender, constantly digging into the paint despite never actually contesting a drive. When the kick out goes to his man, he's always too far to actually make a contest. I don't know if this is just Stotts strategy, to pack the paint but not actually do anything, or it's just CJ having awful defensive awareness, probably a mix of both.

I swear to god there was three possessions in a row where they drove and kicked to the corner and fucking CJ was in the paint every time and he had to scurry out to the wide open guy in the corner who proceeded to brick the shot. I don't understand why CJ is in the paint anyway.

 

[blazedanugz]

I’m no where near the ledge You’re all about to jump off but I have to say.....
It’s time to trade CJ. I can’t even watch him anymore. He has not improved in one aspect of his game and he seriously looks lazy out there. He is worried about scoring and that is IT. His ego is way too big for someone who has never made an all star team before. He is a below average player in every aspect of the game besides one on one scoring

 

[Tince]

I’m no where near the ledge You’re all about to jump off but I have to say.....
It’s time to trade CJ. I can’t even watch him anymore. He has not improved in one aspect of his game and he seriously looks lazy out there. He is worried about scoring and that is IT. His ego is way too big for someone who has never made an all star team before. He is a below average player in every aspect of the game besides one on one scoring

I'm not of a fan of CJ+his contract, but I like to ask this question to anyone who wants to trade him;

Do you want to get rid of CJ so badly that you're willing to take back less talent and give up young assests or picks as well? CJ's contract is a liabilty and every team in the league is likely to see it that way. That means, you're going to have to take back an equal bad liabilty (Kevin Love or Blake Griffin) or you're going to have to give up guys like Trent and picks to sweeten the deal.

We're in a horrible position to move him, sadly.

 

[tester551]

I'm not of a fan of CJ+his contract, but I like to ask this question to anyone who wants to trade him;

Do you want to get rid of CJ so badly that you're willing to take back less talent and give up young assests or picks as well? CJ's contract is a liabilty and every team in the league is likely to see it that way. That means, you're going to have to take back an equal bad liabilty (Kevin Love or Blake Griffin) or you're going to have to give up guys like Trent and picks to sweeten the deal.

We're in a horrible position to move him, sadly.

Yes for Blake.
No for Love.
Ideally we would trade him to NYK for Randle + Frank.

 

[Blazers Roy]

What really pisses me off is we start great, other team calls timeout to cool us off. They go on a run and Stotts let’s them ride out the hot streak. This is coaching, use them to stop their run right away. Tempo disruption has to be a main tool in your arsenal.

I'm so glad i made these, they come in handy every year.

 

[blazedanugz]

I'm not of a fan of CJ+his contract, but I like to ask this question to anyone who wants to trade him;

Do you want to get rid of CJ so badly that you're willing to take back less talent and give up young assests or picks as well? CJ's contract is a liabilty and every team in the league is likely to see it that way. That means, you're going to have to take back an equal bad liabilty (Kevin Love or Blake Griffin) or you're going to have to give up guys like Trent and picks to sweeten the deal.

We're in a horrible position to move him, sadly.

honestly yes. He is a ball dominant undersized SG. You see the same thing from him every year. We know what he is..I was really hoping to see something this year but it’s just not there. He misses teammates all the time and his defense is at G league level. ive always been a CJ fan but I’m pretty damn disappointed he hasn’t improved in one aspect of the game

 

[calvin natt]

I would start

Damian
Trent
Covington
Collins if healthy
Nurkic

CJ, DJJ and Carmelo off the bench. With Carmelo getting 10 mins a game unless he’s on fire. Giles has to play more. When Hood is fully healthy of course he moves back in the rotation.

 

[Chris Craig]

Anybody have a link to postgame notes

 

[Tince]

I'm so glad i made these, they come in handy every year.


View attachment 35662

I'd be interested if there is any data to back up this claim. I see a lot of fans make this claim about their coach, but I've seen a chart of what teams give up bigger runs more frequently. I kinda feel like people read these memes are start to actually believe they are factual statements.

 

[TBpup]

I'd be interested if there is any data to back up this claim. I see a lot of fans make this claim about their coach, but I've seen a chart of what teams give up bigger runs more frequently. I kinda feel like people read these memes are start to actually believe they are factual statements.

Data to back up the claim of a meme? Perhaps that might be taking it a bit too seriously...

 

[Strenuus]

I'd be interested if there is any data to back up this claim. I see a lot of fans make this claim about their coach, but I've seen a chart of what teams give up bigger runs more frequently. I kinda feel like people read these memes are start to actually believe they are factual statements.

I mean, memes are based on a fact or a trend at times...

 

[Tince]

Data to back up the claim of a meme? Perhaps that might be taking it a bit too seriously...

One of my many problems!

I've got my out of state friends asking me how you cocaine is legal in Oregon but you'll get arrested for having a plastic straw. I asked them where they heard that and they tell me it was a meme on Facebook!

 

[Tince]

I mean, memes are based on a fact or a trend at times...

I was wondering if people thought this was one of those times!

 

[Strenuus]

One of my many problems!

I've got my out of state friends asking me how you cocaine is legal in Oregon but you'll get arrested for having a plastic straw. I asked them where they heard that and they tell me it was a meme on Facebook!

You can't expect everyone to do their homework.

Its why group projects are hell.

 

[Strenuus]

I was wondering if people thought this was one of those times!

It is.

 

[Tince]

It is.

That scares me!

 

[Strenuus]

That scares me!

It shouldn't. Its been known for well over half a decade lol

 

[Tince]

It shouldn't. Its been known for well over half a decade lol

Again, another one of my problems!

Time to go over to Facebook and get my world news!

 

[Zach Collins Enthusiast]

We had no answers for Joe Ingles.
He's a lot like Doncic in that he plays slower and that's somehow effective. I think it allows him to make better decisions and he still gets to his spots. We were leading when he entered the game, I think he had like plus 30

 

[BonesJones]

After watching the last 4 games, all with the same outcome, it's apparent that starting Jones Jr. and Roco ain't gonna work. Neither of those guys can guard the PF position, and it leaves Nurk on an island, reducing his abilities on many levels. Being out rebounded by 19 was a kill shot. No second chance ops at all. Nurk had only 3 rebounds. He can't do it all. Time to put Carmelo(a good rebounder) back in the starting lineup. Jones Jr. is NOT a starting caliber player yet. Just isn't. I don't care if Melo's defense isn't great. He may give up 15, but atleast he scores a potential 20. YOU HAVE TO GUARDDDD HIM. Jones Jr. on defense is nothing special so far. He lost his man most of the night. He's a nice bench addition. Melo will free up Nurk to facilitate more, and get in quality positions to rebound. Melo will help get more second chance points with rebounds as well. Jones Jr., and Roco on the floor at the same time will allow teams to throw 2 to 3 guys at Dame nonstop, because neither has an offensive game, good enough, to make anyone worry about them. If you're not gonna start Melo, then start Giles next to Nurk. He is a REAL PF. Roco is a nice SF.

Wait, THAT'S the conclusion you came to? We were playing phenominal basketball early on. You think Covington can't guard Bojan Bogdanovic? It's 2020, not 2005.

 

[Blazers Roy]

I'd be interested if there is any data to back up this claim. I see a lot of fans make this claim about their coach, but I've seen a chart of what teams give up bigger runs more frequently. I kinda feel like people read these memes are start to actually believe they are factual statements.

Data?
I made this meme after watching almost every game since Lillard was drafted.
Momentum swings are very obvious when they're going on for entire minutes.

When i yell at my screen for a coach to take a timeout for 5 possessions and then he takes it after a 16-0 run for the other team i know something is wrong.

Look at Pop, 4 made baskets for the other team and he's taking a T.O furious at his players, even if he's up 20.

 

[Tince]

Data?
I made this meme after watching almost every game since Lillard was drafted.
Momentum swings are very obvious when they're going on for entire minutes.

When i yell at my screen for a coach to take a timeout for 5 possessions and then he takes it after a 16-0 run for the other team i know something is wrong.

Look at Pop, 4 made baskets for the other team and he's taking a T.O furious at his players, even if he's up 20.

You do realize Pop and Phil Jackson are both known for letting their teams play through runs, right? All coaches in the leauge have taken quick timeouts and allowed runs to happen without taking them. I've seen nothing factual that shows we let teams go on longer runs without timeouts than any other team... well, other than a meme.

 

[blazerkor]

Data?
I made this meme after watching almost every game since Lillard was drafted.
Momentum swings are very obvious when they're going on for entire minutes.

When i yell at my screen for a coach to take a timeout for 5 possessions and then he takes it after a 16-0 run for the other team i know something is wrong.

Look at Pop, 4 made baskets for the other team and he's taking a T.O furious at his players, even if he's up 20.

Not that I'm always happy with the way Stotts handles other teams runs and our droughts but anecdotal nonsense has no bearing on anything especially if someone else can provide statistical data but with that said... saying that you saw a chart is again just another anecdote until you provide a link to or image of said chart, so you're both kind of spinning your wheels.

 

[Blazers Roy]

You do realize Pop and Phil Jackson are both known for letting their teams play through runs, right? All coaches in the leauge have taken quick timeouts and allowed runs to happen without taking them. I've seen nothing factual that shows we let teams go on longer runs without timeouts than any other team... well, other than a meme.

You have to know when to do it. If you have a team of smart veterans and a solid system in place, then yea, you can exercise judgement and assess the situation.
Terry would even let his 2nd squad or tired players sink, it doesnt matter to him.

I strongly disagree this is Pop's policy.

 

[Titan]

Pop was the timeout king, I have watched him call plenty of early timeouts just to light a fire on his players. Phil was the only coach that I can think of that would let his teams figure it out, but this was during the time of slow it down and back to the basket style. Today’s game is all about letting the 3s fly so you can’t let a team get 3 or 4 in row cus b4 you know you down double digits. Terry taking up this old school philosophy is just one of many reasons why I think the times have just passed him by.

 

[Hoopguru]

I agree with Tyk in starting Melo at 4 and bringing DJJ/Cov off the bench as Melo is a decent rebounder and wouldn't play so much iso with the starting unit.