Game Thread GAME# 2: ROCKETS @ BLAZERS - DECEMBER 26, 2020 - SATURDAY, 7:00, NBATV & NBCSNW

[bobf]

Melo and Hood shouldn’t be playing at all.

 

[DDolla]

I can see the Blazers 0-4 to start the season

 

[riverman]

And it won't bring any added player movement on the court, and we'll struggle due to it.

Derrick Jones Jr. was the #1 cutter in the league last year according to synergy. He loves cutting. How much has he cut this game? How many designed sets have we utilized him as a cutter or lob-threat? It's depressing.

Honestly Derrick Jones Jr has made me miss Chief in a short two game sample size

 

[brooklynballer]

And this isn't even Houston's team. It's four of there rotation players who really aren't bad at all (Harden, Tucker, Wood and House who I would start over Gordon) but the rest wouldn't be in any team's rotation. This is a damn shame.

But weren’t you the one saying “it’s only one game?” The one game is about to turn into at least 4 (with losses to the two LA teams coming). Counting preseason that would make 7 L’s in a row, likely in humiliating fashion. I have no clue how anyone can defend this or that dimwit behind the bench.

 

[BonesJones]

This team cannot pass the ball all one on one. There is a chemistry problem with these players trying to mesh. GM continues to bring in people that turn out to be band aids.

Except this has been a problem for the past few years at every point in the season (early, late, in-between). When are people gonna realize it's not a personnel issue?

 

[Chris Craig]

I can see the Blazers 0-4 to start the season

1-3 in the least if they can find a way to win tonight

 

[Hoopguru]

No way Houston sends Harden to WC team unless its star for star.

 

[BonesJones]

Honestly Derrick Jones Jr has made me miss Chief in a short two game sample size

Because he's not being used properly. Dude is an elite cutter but our system doesn't utilize that. We don't play aggressive enough defense to get him out in transition. He could be good here, his shot looks improved. But he's pretty much just a bystander watching others go 1v1, and it's hard to get role players to play at peak defensive intensity if they don't feel like they're a part of the offense.

 

[brooklynballer]

we might see some player movement soon...off court though

Or how about firing the whole fucking coaching staff?! These are talented players who are getting no direction whatsoever. But hey, keep defending your boy Stotts.

 

[blazerkor]

If Melo plays another minute in this game I want Stotts fired right when he subs him in. Melo (along with Stotts' never ending green light) kill this team every second he plays.

 

[AldoTrapani]

Robert Covington cost Blazers 2 first round picks and he has like 2 points in 6 quarters

 

[Jade Falcon]

There is one positive to keep in mind here: every loss brings us closer to firing Stotts.

 

[BlazerBeav]

I like Kent....as a person. But why be such a homer and excuse maker? It just makes you sound ridiculous.

Then again, the organization let's Stotts do whatever he wants regardless of outcome and since Kent works for the 'organization', it's blind homerificness.....brutal offense and defense be damned.

He does seem like a nice guy - but I can see the game with my own two eyes, and he’s trying to tell me something else entirely is happening. It’s pissing me off more than the bad basketball, which is impressive. Just stop Jordan!

 

[AldoTrapani]

And this isn't even Houston's team. It's four of there rotation players who really aren't bad at all (Harden, Tucker, Wood and House who I would start over Gordon) but the rest wouldn't be in any team's rotation. This is a damn shame.

Now do you understand what me and @Natebishop3 been saying? This team is trash

 

[TBpup]

Honestly Derrick Jones Jr has made me miss Chief in a short two game sample size

If DJJ was #1 in cutting, and now is just told to stand in the corner, I don't think that is a player issue. Spo knew how to use him. Stotts doesn't know jack.

 

[B-Roy]

Melo is -15 and Kanter is -11

 

[beast blazer]

The blazers don't seem to have any strategy to try to create high percentage shots. Certain players seem to just want to ensure they get their numbers.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I can see the Blazers 0-4 to start the season

If it's the only way to get Neil thinking maybe we need a coaching change, I might be all for it.

 

[James lamphear]

Nothing is going to change our guards have put up 23 shots so far and we got 11 assist and 6 of them from our starting guards. The 2nd unit got 2 assist they don't even try to ge each other involved it's all iso without a lick of D.

 

[julius]

I'm tired of hearing how they haven't had time to play together. Houston has been off for what, 11 days now? They're down half a dozen players, have a brand new coach and are still playing better than Portland is.

Imagine if they had their whole team? The Blazer would be down by 30, easily.

 

[bobf]

Honestly Derrick Jones Jr has made me miss Chief in a short two game sample size

You should miss him Chief was good.

 

[blazerkor]

Now do you understand what me and @Natebishop3 been saying? This team is trash

The team isn't trash, the coach is and the defense will get better. This night is extremely frustrating and to see Stotts doing the same thing with personnel that has new strengths is fucking terrible to watch.

 

[TBpup]

There is one positive to keep in mind here: every loss brings us closer to firing Stotts.

"With the #1 pick, the Portland Trail Blazers select, Cade Cunningham, 6'8" guard out of Oklahoma St."

 

[riverman]

Or how about firing the whole fucking coaching staff?! These are talented players who are getting no direction whatsoever. But hey, keep defending your boy Stotts.

I've seen many Blazer coaching staffs....I cheer for them all...I'm cheering for Stotts right now. I think we'll make a deal with Houston though...they just might fire the coach...I'll still be here. I think lack of execution has little to do with talent....my boy doesn't coach basketball FWIW

 

[bobf]

Melo is -15 and Kanter is -11

Kanter has to play with Melo, Hood, and Ant.

 

[brooklynballer]

Now do you understand what me and @Natebishop3 been saying? This team is trash

I 100% disagree with your take. This team easily has enough talent (four top 50 players) to be a top 4 seed but consistently play below the level of their competition night in and night out. That’s not a personnel issue, that’s a coaching issue.

 

[blazerkor]

Yikes the Lakers next and they don't have half their team out.

 

[B-Roy]

Kanter has to play with Melo, Hood, and Ant.

Im singling out these two, because collectively they’ve played about 9 minutes together, and we’ve gotten absolutely creamed in those minutes. It’s blatantly obvious to everyone except Stotts that the Melo/Kanter front court cannot play together. Or at least play a limited stint.

 

[calvin natt]

Carmelo weirdly needs to either start or get cut. If he starts he won’t be able to be a black hole. He’s too smart for that. Off the bench he thinks he’s Vinnie Johnson.

 

[B-Roy]

Stotts is not putting his second unit in a position to succeed, but some shouldn’t be playing altogether.