Game Thread Game #17 - BLAZERS VS 76ERS - NOVEMBER 20, 2021 - SATURDAY - 7:00 PM (PDT) ROOT SPORTS

[DDolla]

Anyone saw how Nance rolls when he received that pass from Dame. He don’t do what Nurk do but he actually go to the basket hard and dunk it.

 

[B-Roy]

Watch Dame explain the Nurk situation.

 

[Scalma]

leave him alone

 

[mook]

* Dame had his first 30 point game tonight, 17 games into the season (he's played 15). Last season, he he scored 30 points or better 33 times in 67 games. He also had his first double digit FT game. Last season, he had 14 double digit FT games

* I noticed in the 4th Q that for 4-5 possessions in a row CJ was bringing the ball down and 'initiating' offense. He Bricked a couple of shots and made a couple of turnovers...and the offense stalled. Billups signaled to Dame and Dame started bringing the ball up and running the offense and suddenly it was back on track. I'm still not convinced playing Dame off the ball is a good idea

* speaking of 17 games into the season...is that all it took for Chauncey to lose Nurkic?

* I don't see any reason at all why Philly would want CJ when they have Maxey and Curry. They combine for 11M in salary; CJ makes 31M

All really solid points. Maxey looks fantastic. I agree that if I were Philly I wouldn't want to pair him with CJ---it just creates the same undersized back court problems they already have and we have had for years. If a CJ for Simmons trade ever does happen, we'll need a third team involved that gives them size at SG.

I think Chauncey losing Nurk was inevitable. Billups is treating him as another role player, no more important than Nance or Zeller on many nights. It's what Nurk is, but Nurk won't like it. Especially when he's riding pine in the 4th.

That closing lineup with Nance at center is pretty nice. It seems to give up more paint points, but prevents more threes.

And things just feel less flaky on the offensive end with Nance at center. Nance will generally make the right offensive play when they double Dame---either drive it himself, or kick to CJ or Norm or Roco. Recognize who is open and react. Give up the ball and give somebody else the chance to make the big play.

Nurk often puts too much on himself when he's given the ball after Dame is doubled. He'll shoot too quickly one of his ugly flip shots, or try to make the clever pass instead of the obvious one. There's just a lack of maturity in decision making at times. It seems to be compounded late in the game. Nance doesn't have that problem.

 

[royo]

I wish Blazers had this great chemistry, that they were talking about so long instead of individuals.
For now it's Nance, that fits Billups philosophy best. Unselfish, hard working, self-confident team player. Somehow, I am pretty sure, he would be happy for his team to win Chip without him being MVP, all-star, all NBA and playing 20 mins.

 

[Labinot41]

Dame scoring 39 and getting slowly back to old Dame makes me So happy

 

[bobf]

Dame scoring 39 and getting slowly back to old Dame makes me So happy

Getting 14 FT’s is huge too. It’s impossible for Dame to get fully back without getting his free throw rate back up. You can’t replace a 90% shot any other way.

 

[bobf]

Dame scored 39 points on 27 possessions. Had he performed like his season-to-date self, he would have scored only 27 points on those same 27 possessions. Blazers score 12 less points and lose easily. Kind of shows the magnitude of Dame’s impact.

 

[stampedehero]

76ers vs. Trail Blazers - Box Score - November 20, 2021 - ESPN<

 

[Mediocre Man]

there is only one correct answer to the poll question: nurk!

I think it’s all of the above…..with the exception of “it’s too early”

 

[Orion Bailey]

Nothing would satisfy me more than a blowout win tonight. Sadly don't see that happening

solid win nonetheless though

 

[Orion Bailey]

So to this point in the season you have called Dame, CJ, Nurk, Roco, Powell Simons and Zeller
GARBAGE.
Can you tell us what player the Blazers have that you actually like and are here rooting for?

don't feed the trolls bro…

 

[royo]

Watch Dame explain the Nurk situation.

And he explained where they are with learning as well. To be honest, he put me back on my comfort chair again. I believe we going for it.

 

[Blazinaway]

don't feed the trolls bro…

Norm with his usual solid/efficient game, 11 shots and 17 pts, so nice to see Dame back, Nas another good game, I hope Ant can get back to his earlier form, Nance being Nance. Frankly with both their injury histories U think both Nurk and Nance playing 20-25 MPG is ideal, Nance I think easily accepts that role, I hope Nurk does too

 

[1 Eye Jack]

Seeing this team develop and how Billups likes to play, I see two guys who could be traded. Love Roco and Nurk but really starting to think they could be traded for more versatile big men

 

[Orion Bailey]

Norm with his usual solid/efficient game, 11 shots and 17 pts, so nice to see Dame back, Nas another good game, I hope Ant can get back to his earlier form, Nance being Nance. Frankly with both their injury histories U think both Nurk and Nance playing 20-25 MPG is ideal, Nance I think easily accepts that role, I hope Nurk does too

Nurk buying in. Cj being held accountable, Nas and Ant continuing to blossom( especially Nas)
Coach maintaining course and emphasizing defense first aNd we could make serious waves down the stretch( esp with a cj trade for an impact player with a better fit).
Im loving the direction overall.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Seeing this team develop and how Billups likes to play, I see two guys who could be traded. Love Roco and Nurk but really starting to think they could be traded for more versatile big men

Nurk has been good aNd if he can buy in to him and Nance splitting most of the minutes i think it is more a cj/ roco. Roco is just too immobile and ch is just not good enough defensively to optimize Billups plans.
i think Nurk might be okay and will def be needed against guys like howard, jokic, embeed etc.

My biggest concern about Nurk is what does he value more. Fame? Or winning?

 

[1 Eye Jack]

Nurk has been good aNd if he can buy in to him and Nance splitting most of the minutes i think it is more a cj/ roco. Roco is just too immobile and ch is just not good enough defensively to optimize Billups plans.
i think Nurk might be okay and will def be needed against guys like howard, jokic, embeed etc.

My biggest concern about Nurk is what does he value more. Fame? Or winning?

I’ve been big Nurk fan problem is he doesn’t seem to like this splitting time thought I heard he threw his mouth piece out after being taken out last night

 

[Rastapopoulos]

That’s how you do it, keep winning home games. If you do that, that’s 41 wins already

...if we hadn't lost to the Kings in the opener.

 

[julius]

...if we hadn't lost to the Kings in the opener.

Clearly if they have the 1 win on the road. 40-1 + the 1 road win equals 41 wins!

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

We need a Nurk-whisperer, a Bosnian Jack Haley.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

Nurk buying in. Cj being held accountable, Nas and Ant continuing to blossom( especially Nas)
Coach maintaining course and emphasizing defense first aNd we could make serious waves down the stretch( esp with a cj trade for an impact player with a better fit).
Im loving the direction overall.

I’m not sure I want CJ gone unless we get a shooter in return. Right now if Dame struggles CJ is more than capable of getting his shot anytime he wants.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Most coaches go small towards the end of games. If they are behind they need more 3 pt shooters on the floor. If they are ahead they need more players who can get out on the 3 pt shooters. Centers (unless they are elite) usually can't do either. At some point, I would hope Nurk would understand that. Specifically for Portland, Nance gives the Blazers an extra ball handler to go along with Dame, CJ, NP, and RoCo.

But I also liked seeing Nance and Nurk playing together for a short time. They need to build chemistry together because that combo could be an advantage against a lot of teams...which is why I think Nance needs to start.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

Almost 20 games in team and Billups seem to be finding their groove. Some nice wins against quality teams and Dame coming out of his slump. Seeing visions of what this team could be “if” everyone accepts their role.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Dame had pretty much a perfect game and we still struggled to squeak this out. Because foundationally we are flawed with CJ.

I'd give CJ and picks for an upgrade at the 4 like Siakam or Simmons. Imagine one of them and Nas as our starting forwards. Wow.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Watch Dame explain the Nurk situation.

He also explained how much mental energy it takes to learn new offensive and defensive systems but that it's getting easier bit by bit.

 

[mook]

Dame had pretty much a perfect game and we still struggled to squeak this out. Because foundationally we are flawed with CJ.

I'd give CJ and picks for an upgrade at the 4 like Siakam or Simmons. Imagine one of them and Nas as our starting forwards. Wow.

I wonder if we could pry away Siakam if we offered Nas, CJ and Ant. I really love Little, but it'd be a win-now kind of move in much the same way Gary Trent for Norm was.

Lillard, Norm, Roco, Siakam and Nurk, with Nance, Zeller and Snell on the bench. Hmm.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

I wonder if we could pry away Siakam if we offered Nas, CJ and Ant. I really love Little, but it'd be a win-now kind of move in much the same way Gary Trent for Norm was.

Lillard, Norm, Roco, Siakam and Nurk, with Nance, Zeller and Snell on the bench. Hmm.

Little has more upside than Siakam if you ask me. I wouldn’t do a straight across swap at this point. No wsy.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I wonder if we could pry away Siakam if we offered Nas, CJ and Ant. I really love Little, but it'd be a win-now kind of move in much the same way Gary Trent for Norm was.

Lillard, Norm, Roco, Siakam and Nurk, with Nance, Zeller and Snell on the bench. Hmm.

Thats a thiiin bench though and Nas is blossoming too quickly in my ipinion making that a big overpay.
Cj + roco/ant and picks should so it.

 

[Scalma]

Little has more upside than Siakam if you ask me. I wouldn’t do a straight across swap at this point. No wsy.

I love Nas, but what? Siakam is an all star/all nba type player. So what exactly do you think Nas’ ceiling is, MVP? Lol.