Game Thread GAME# 2: SPURS @ BLAZERS - OCTOBER 20, 2018 - SATURDAY, 7:00 PM (PDT), NBCSNW

[dviss1]

2nd unit should be:

Curry
SAUCE
Turner
layman
Collins

 

[Driew]

Start Hark. Looked ready to go to me.

Layman kinda sucked last game. He started that whole dunk sequence by just giving the ball to LeBron. Then he finished that sequence by DYING on the screen that gave LeBron the 2nd dunk. Watch it again. Layman was the whole reason for that highlight.

Give him minutes, but they should be minutes off the bench playing against their 2nd unit.

Layman sucked but he helps space the floor much better than Moe. Idk I liked Moe coming off the bench and stifling the other team's second unit on defense. I want Layman to start for a few games to gain some confidence/rhythm.

 

[hoopsjock]

Layman sucked but he helps space the floor much better than Moe. Idk I liked Moe coming off the bench and stifling the other team's second unit on defense. I want Layman to start for a few games to gain some confidence/rhythm.

You can maybe say it was an outlier year, but Harkless shot 41.5% from 3 point land last year. Layman hasn't shown the ability to hit 3's in a game that matters so until he does there is no way you can say he helps space the floor better.

 

[PCmor7]

Until Harkless is healthy, start Layman.

The threat that he can go off shooting is going to create space for the other guys.

It also benefits him. He doesn't have to do too much, playing with the first unit. He doesn't have to press. Then, if he has a couple of good games, maybe it helps his confidence when Mo comes back and he goes back to the second team.

 

[Driew]

You can maybe say it was an outlier year, but Harkless shot 41.5% from 3 point land last year.

God I hope it wasn't an outlier year. That'd be fantastic if he could at least shoot 37% from three. I'll do backflips at over 40%!

 

[kjironman1]

You can maybe say it was an outlier year, but Harkless shot 41.5% from 3 point land last year. Layman hasn't shown the ability to hit 3's in a game that matters so until he does there is no way you can say he helps space the floor better.

You know i really didn't pay a bunch of attention to Harkless's stats from last year. He not only hit over 41% from 3 point but he also hit 54.7% from 2. He had an effective FG% at 57.7%. The key stat is he only played 59 games and started 36. I just don't remember him being out that much??? I know we had "Sulking Hark" for a while and he got benched and all. I also remember he was a big reason the team went on a 13 game winning streak. His minutes per game was way down to 21 where he was sitting at almost 29 the year before. Overall minutes played last season was almost cut in half.
Makes me wonder which Moe we will get this year? Gonna have to watch that.

 

[CupWizier]

I’m guessing it’ll be the same lineup as yesterday. Harkless is still on a minutes count. And it’s only one game, I think Layman deserves more looks.

That makes the most sense right now until Moe is off his minute restrictions. As they both are healthy then Moe will likely be the starter but I would platoon them and then see which one is having the better game to see who finishes.

 

[James lamphear]

I can like Layman starting with the 1st unit due to there know pressure on him playing on the first unit. Harkless look good with the 2nd unit especially on the defense side. Yes I know Stotts said he will start when he healthy but the team just might be better the way he has now.

 

[hoopsjock]

I can like Layman starting with the 1st unit due to there know pressure on him playing on the first unit. Harkless look good with the 2nd unit especially on the defense side. Yes I know Stotts said he will start when he healthy but the team just might be better the way he has now.

No pressure playing with the starters? I'd argue that he's feeling too much pressure trying to do well with the starters (or maybe just in general) and that his shooting issues are all mental right now due to that pressure.

Some players produce more when playing with better players because it frees them up. Some players are better with plays run for them or in the more free flowing bench unit. Then you have some players who are good enough to contribute in either scenario.

With Layman there just isn't enough data yet to say for sure which situation he does better in. The way our 2nd unit played against the Lakers that to me seems better suited for his game but it's just a guess at this point. I would like to see him with the starters if they played at a faster pace too because he is athletic. They should probably run one of those back door lob plays that they'd run for Connaughton to get him some positive momentum.

 

[Scalma]

No pressure playing with the starters? I'd argue that he's feeling too much pressure trying to do well with the starters (or maybe just in general) and that his shooting issues are all mental right now due to that pressure.

Some players produce more when playing with better players because it frees them up. Some players are better with plays run for them or in the more free flowing bench unit. Then you have some players who are good enough to contribute in either scenario.

With Layman there just isn't enough data yet to say for sure which situation he does better in. The way our 2nd unit played against the Lakers that to me seems better suited for his game but it's just a guess at this point. I would like to see him with the starters if they played at a faster pace too because he is athletic. They should probably run one of those back door lob plays that they'd run for Connaughton to get him some positive momentum.

There are positives and negatives for Layman on both units.

He fits the starters because he doesn’t need the ball in his hands and he’ll get better looks. The downside is he’s relegated to that Connaughton role where he’s an afterthought.

He fits the second unit because they’re more uptempo and share the ball. The downside is there’s also nobody defenses have to really make a concerted effort to take away, which makes scoring/getting good looks more difficult.

Harkless does a bunch of “glue” stuff with the starters but I also still think he could really expand his offensive game if he were with the second unit.

I say let Layman start at least two more games. These things tend to work themselves out anyway plus Harkless still needs time to get in game shape.

 

[Shaboid]

I voted for Moe but Stotts should start Layman until Harkless is 100%. Mostly because you can adjust after the first quarter and give Moe plenty of minutes, but also because Moe needs to get some time with the second unit just in case we have to bench his ass again.

 

[James lamphear]

No pressure playing with the starters? I'd argue that he's feeling too much pressure trying to do well with the starters (or maybe just in general) and that his shooting issues are all mental right now due to that pressure.

Some players produce more when playing with better players because it frees them up. Some players are better with plays run for them or in the more free flowing bench unit. Then you have some players who are good enough to contribute in either scenario.

With Layman there just isn't enough data yet to say for sure which situation he does better in. The way our 2nd unit played against the Lakers that to me seems better suited for his game but it's just a guess at this point. I would like to see him with the starters if they played at a faster pace too because he is athletic. They should probably run one of those back door lob plays that they'd run for Connaughton to get him some positive momentum.

My thoughts with Harkless playing with the 2nd unit is that he better rebounder then Layman. Until Zach get stronger and rebounds better then you need that can help him with that part of the game. I look at it want makes this team stronger.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I have to admit, (since I've been a bit busy the last few years), that until we played them last year I thought Bryn Forbes was Matt Leinart's and Blake Griffin's baby-momma. Don't remember him at Michigan St. or Cleveland St.

He has Yogi-Ferrell-transitioning-to-Patty-Mills potential.

 

[BrianFromWA]

and how long until LMA goes the 'Melo route--inefficiency and inability to do much else degrades him into a max-contract Boris Diaw?

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

No pressure playing with the starters? I'd argue that he's feeling too much pressure trying to do well with the starters (or maybe just in general) and that his shooting issues are all mental right now due to that pressure.

Some players produce more when playing with better players because it frees them up. Some players are better with plays run for them or in the more free flowing bench unit. Then you have some players who are good enough to contribute in either scenario.

With Layman there just isn't enough data yet to say for sure which situation he does better in. The way our 2nd unit played against the Lakers that to me seems better suited for his game but it's just a guess at this point. I would like to see him with the starters if they played at a faster pace too because he is athletic. They should probably run one of those back door lob plays that they'd run for Connaughton to get him some positive momentum.

The part I would agree with is not enough data. It seems a little early to say he has shooting issues. He took four shots in one game, all three pointers, and made one. If he had made two, he would be at 50%. So, I hope that Layman himself isn't thinking he has shooting issues.

 

[Propagandist]

Start Hark. Looked ready to go to me.

Layman kinda sucked last game. He started that whole dunk sequence by just giving the ball to LeBron. Then he finished that sequence by DYING on the screen that gave LeBron the 2nd dunk. Watch it again. Layman was the whole reason for that highlight.

Give him minutes, but they should be minutes off the bench playing against their 2nd unit.

I saw his spirit rise away on that screen...

 

[Labinot41]

Question: do you think we would have won the Game against lakers with last years roster?

 

[dviss1]

Layman sucked but he helps space the floor much better than Moe. Idk I liked Moe coming off the bench and stifling the other team's second unit on defense. I want Layman to start for a few games to gain some confidence/rhythm.

Meh. That remains to be seen. I could care less about a preseason game against Sacramento. When the lights came on, he shot horribly, looked scared, turned the ball over and looked horrible on defense. He hasn't proven to be a better shooter than Hark.

That's Moe's spot. If he's healthy, he should go. He's a much better defender than Layman.

The pressure seemed to get to Layman. We should take the pressure off and play him in the 2nd unit.

 

[42N8Bounce]

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m riding that Blazer high right now. That good feeling that sits with you for a while after a nice win. It made it even sweeter that it was the season opener, on national TV, and against the Lakers.

It’s nice to have basketball back. Now let’s beat the Spurs!

 

[riverman]

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m riding that Blazer high right now. That good feeling that sits with you for a while after a nice win. It made it even sweeter that it was the season opener, on national TV, and against the Lakers.

It’s nice to have basketball back. Now let’s beat the Spurs!

quality post!

 

[Jade Falcon]

I admit to being a little concerned about this game. As someone pointed out: LA is gonna have his way with anyone we put on him. He'll get Nurk into foul trouble if we put him on him.

The Spurs also have length; something which I don't think we have much of. Who's going to guard Gasol? He's one of those obnoxious players that seems to score on you no matter what you do to try and stop him. And the Spurs have a few of those players.

However, we do have speed and shooting ability over them. I hope Stotts utilizes that.

Anyways.....send Pussyhat Pops and LaBitch back to San Antonio where they belong. GO BLAZERS!

 

[tester551]

I admit to being a little concerned about this game. As someone pointed out: LA is gonna have his way with anyone we put on him. He'll get Nurk into foul trouble if we put him on him.

The Spurs also have length; something which I don't think we have much of. Who's going to guard Gasol? He's one of those obnoxious players that seems to score on you no matter what you do to try and stop him. And the Spurs have a few of those players.

However, we do have speed and shooting ability over them. I hope Stotts utilizes that.

Anyways.....send Pussyhat Pops and LaBitch back to San Antonio where they belong. GO BLAZERS!

LMA seems to have a bit more trouble with slightly smaller players who are quicker than him (like Aminu).

Nurk can handle Gasol.

 

[Scalma]

LMA seems to have a bit more trouble with slightly smaller players who are quicker than him (like Aminu).

Nurk can handle Gasol.

Aldridge dominated Aminu last time. I wanna see what Collins could do against him.

 

[Jade Falcon]

Aldridge dominated Aminu last time. I wanna see what Collins could do against him.

It's simple size: LMA is 6'11", Aminu is 6'8".

Not sure about Collins either. LMA is WAY stronger than Collins, and that matters.

 

[Scalma]

It's simple size: LMA is 6'11", Aminu is 6'8".

Not sure about Collins either. LMA is WAY stronger than Collins, and that matters.

Maybe, but Aldridge isn’t exactly mr. lets bang either.

 

[Jade Falcon]

Maybe, but Aldridge isn’t exactly mr. lets bang either.

So if Collins wants to win that battle, he's going to have to be quicker than LaSulk.

 

[DaLong]

Anyone have a spurstalk account I could use to read their posts that you could PM me? Thanks - it's like half the fun for me.

 

[LayneStaley]

ET will have a big game, I can feel it.
17/6/8

 

[The Professional Fan]

I’m super excited for tonight’s game

 

[KingSpeed]

ET will have a big game, I can feel it.
17/6/8

He is finally starting to look like a decent signing. I’m def an ET fan nowadays.