Game Thread Game #15 - BLAZERS VS RAPTORS - NOVEMBER 15, 2021 - MONDAY 7:00 PM (PDT) ROOT SPORTS

[Buffalo Custard]

yeah, I know. I was just trying to point out that it wasn't just Stotts that supposedly undervalued Jones

more than that though is it's pretty wacky to conclude Jones has some new found talent that Stotts couldn't find. He's only played in 9 games and he's averaged less than 17 minutes in those 9 games. He's averaging 6 points and 3 rebounds...what an all-star!!. He's only had 40 FGA and he's not going to keep shooting 82.4% on two's or carry .735 TS%

it was a stupid tweet

The tweet no doubt exagerated his offense, but that's not the point.

They knew when they acquired him that he was a good defender, but that he couldn't carry his weight on offense if they had him stand in the corner and shoot threes. So, that is exactly what Stotts did. Instead of taking advantage of what he could do well, he set him up to fail. Inflexibility? Tunnel vision? Hell if I know, and hell if I know whether Billups will be any better. What I do know is that Stotts had exceeded his shelf-life and Billups deserves a fair chance.

 

[illmatic99]

uh yeah, they’re losing. Why would they be happy?

I promise, not everything is a conspiracy.

who said anything of conspiracy? im just saying they're not having fun, even in wins. Outside of the postgame IG reposts of Nas' dunk in houston, there doesn't seem to be much joy. been like this from training camp on. just vibes im getting from the team from far away.

 

[Scalma]

If they win this one I'm betting they will look "Happy". Just wait and see. It's something in the air? They must pump happy smoke or something in the arena when they win.

and if they lose and someone dares to smile you’ll hear about how they don’t care enough. It’s a no win situation. People that look for something to complain about will find it.

 

[speeds]

Quick update on GTJ

- Toronto started the season with a double PG lineup of Fred VanVleet and Goran Dragic, then abandoned that quickly, with Dragic mostly not playing. Since then Trent has been starting at shooting guard. Toronto's lineup is unbalanced right now with three forwards and no centre on most nights
- As a starter, Trent is averaging 14 FGA and his shooting splits are .422/.351/.885. He's shooting .486 on 2PA which is up, making his eFG% over .500, but his 3P% is down from his career average
- Trent is averaging career highs in minutes, free throws, assists, and steals with increased usage
- Steals have been his trademark early this season. He is among the league leaders at 2.5 per game. Although he does take risks by diving into passing lanes, his steals have mostly come from swipes and pokes (per what I've seen). After securing the bag this offseason he seems to be buying-into the defensive system in Toronto (if he wasn't he'd be benched, so kudos)
- The Raps haven't established who eats second behind Pascal Siakam and that seems to be up for grabs with OG Anunoby's shooting splits way down from last season. One of Anunoby/Barnes/Trent will need to grab that ring as the second option on the team or VanVleet will do it himself

 

[speeds]

Chris Boucher is probably out as he didn't dress for practice

 

[Scalma]

Chris Boucher is probably out as he didn't dress for practice

He’s not a big part of their rotation and we should try and acquire him, but that would require a proactive GM so nevermind!

 

[speeds]

He’s not a big part of their rotation and we should try and acquire him, but that would require a proactive GM so nevermind!

Um...

 

[Scalma]

Um...

View attachment 42044

I mean that’s not a real sample size.

 

[speeds]

I mean that’s not a real sample size.

Everyone including Boucher is aware that things have gone badly this season. Coach called him out. He had a better game against the Sixers but otherwise has still been bad.

The frustration with Boucher this season is exemplified in this sequence:

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Reflecting on the Powell/Trent deal makes my head hurt.

Right now, Powell is probably the better player. He is more experienced and the deal saved some money. It was a win-now deal - and at the time that made sense. Less than a year later, it no longer does. Having a 3rd young player with promise would be worth way more than guys like Powell and RoCo. So would those 2 draft picks. When you make that kind of win-now deals and you don't win there is no good ending.

I'm still fine with the Powell deal. I like him on the 5 year contract more than Trent on his contract. Also, I don't know that Trent would've stayed with us for the same $ as Toronto.

Roco is different and more to your point. If the team is going to win now the roster likely needs improvements. If the team isn't going to win now the Roco trade makes no sense. Add to the fact that Roco offense has been disappointing, he is now a single digit point player after years of being in double figures, and the draft picks would have more value. Of course we are a year and a half after the trade. The side of the trade with draft picks always looks better as time goes on.

The way we are using Nance and Roco doesn't make sense. They either need to be sharing the court more so Nance is well over 20mpg; or there should've only been one of them acquired.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

but that he couldn't carry his weight on offense if they had him stand in the corner and shoot threes.

More to it than that. If he could have made a couple three's (that didn't happen) it would have opened up the defense for him to attack the rim. When he did attack the rim for a dunk he freakin missed the dunk over and over again.
That was not on coaching.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

and if they lose and someone dares to smile you’ll hear about how they don’t care enough. It’s a no win situation. People that look for something to complain about will find it.

You must know about the "Happy Smoke".

 

[Tince]

how do you feel about dame's guy publicly clowning Stotts?

Looked at DJJ's numbers and most of them are nearly the same. Less PPG this year, better FG%. Bulls are having him shoot less.

It appears the Bulls GM provided a roster where DJJ isn't a starter and only has to give them 16mpg. Looks like he wasn't worth the MLE.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

What's the word on Lillard? Is he playing?

 

[Mr. Robot]

What's the word on Lillard? Is he playing?

questionable, that usually means that player will play

im guessing he wouldve played last night if it wasnt b2b

 

[DDolla]

questionable, that usually means that player will play

im guessing he wouldve played last night if it wasnt b2b

The whole Blazer team is questionable for tonight’s game

 

[Mr. Robot]

The whole Blazer team is questionable for tonight’s game

nice one

 

[Zach Collins Enthusiast]

What disappoints me about Roco is not his offense but his defense, we have better defenders on the team, especially Snell whom we got for nothing

 

[DDolla]

OT: Can’t believe the LA Rams are doing everything to win that Super bowl. Stafford, Miller now Odell. Wish the Blazers do the same thing.

 

[Tince]

 

[BBert]

Judging from the effort, I think even the players on the team thought there would be changes this last off-season. When there weren't, they knew rolling it back again wasn't the answer no matter who the coach was. Completely uninspired effort that is not worthy of the Blazer uniform.

But...But...I was told the roster wasn't the problem.

And I believe everything I'm told.

Can you believe that?

 

[illmatic99]

What disappoints me about Roco is not his offense but his defense, we have better defenders on the team, especially Snell whom we got for nothing

Good Lord. Snell single handedly removed any chance for a come back in the fourth quarter last night. He's by far the worst defender on the team.

Roco sucks this yr but he's miles better than Snell.

 

[andalusian]

OT: Can’t believe the LA Rams are doing everything to win that Super bowl. Stafford, Miller now Odell. Wish the Blazers do the same thing.

Don't think the blazers would win the Superbowl if they had bill Walton in MVP form

 

[Mr. Robot]

it is what it is, but he should start little or larry nance jr and balance things to a certain degree

powell or cj mccollum to the bench

 

[bobf]

uh yeah, they’re losing. Why would they be happy?

I promise, not everything is a conspiracy.

You know something don’t you.

 

[bobf]

Don't think the blazers would win the Superbowl if they had bill Walton in MVP form

I think he means trade Dame for Stafford, Miller, and Odell.

 

[AldoTrapani]

Man this is how you make your star happy. You surround him by smart trades

 

[Cugel]

So does that mean Powell will start at the 2 and CJ OTB? Doubt it. Egos are hard to deal with I bet.

 

[AldoTrapani]

 

[PDXFonz]

So I guess Dame is a GTD