Game Thread GAME# 20: BULLS @ BLAZERS - NOVEMBER 29, 2019 - FRIDAY, 7:00 PM, NBCSNW

[SIeepwalker]

23/11/4 on 50% shooting. This random dude we picked up turned out pretty good

 

[SIeepwalker]

I'll say one thing, as much as I've disliked Stotts I'd rather have him over Jim Boylen any day of the week. Dude looks like a complete idiot in his interviews

 

[crandc]

Blazers crushed Bulls in their home court. You know they wanted to return the favor. Most NBA games are close, not blow outs. Blazers lost way too many close games, good to see them win one. Now, beat LA!

 

[kjironman1]

I love seeing Anthony talking to Dame, talking to Whiteside, talking to Stotts, talking to Simons.

No question the guy has been in the league and has something to give. Seems pretty willing to share his experience.

 

[kjironman1]

I never said we had another forward on our roster that should start over Hood. Our bench scored 9 points tonight, wouldn't it be nice to have a guy like him in our second unit? Second unit Rodney helped get us to the WCF.

I still don't think he's a top 30-40 forward in the league. And of course, when we were pairing him with Tolliver or Mario, we were rolling out one of the worst starting forward tandoms in the NBA, which was my original point.

If you think we should back up the brinks truck and pay Rodney high quality starter money this summer, then you value him at a different level than any NBA GM to date.

He may or may not be top 30 but right now at this point of the season he is torching teams that try to double Damian Lillard. That corner three is MONEY! Seriously how many times did we see Harkless clank that shot? How many more open looks is CJ getting because they can't help out? Defenses now not only have to respect the PF but the SF position as well.

 

[Natebishop3]

But we can keep two of Dame, CJ, Rodney, and Melo on the court at all times. We can play one of the guards and one of the forwards with the bench. Thats been what Stotts has been doing lately.

I was thinking about it and that’s really the only way we’re gonna find enough shots for those four guys anyway.

 

[stampedehero]

From our Official site:
TOP PERFORMERS
Hassan Whiteside came within a field goal of his first triple-double as a Trail Blazers, finishing with eight points, 15 rebounds and 10 blocks in 30 minutes. With 10 blocks, Whiteside surpassed the old franchise record for most in a game at nine, which had been shared by Bill Walton, Mychal Thompson, Theo Ratliff and Joel Przybilla.

Damian Lillard shot 50 percent from the field for 28 points while also handing out six assists in 36 minutes. Carmelo Anthony also shot 50 percent from the field and 6-of-7 from the free throw line to finish with 23 points to go with 11 rebounds for the double-double.

CJ McCollum went for 20 points and seven assists while Rodney Hood continued his season-long trend of shooting incredibly accurately from the field, going 7-of-12 from the field for 19 points in 36 minutes.

Zach Lavine led the Bulls with 28 points. Wendell Carter Jr. added 16 and both Lauri Markkanen and Coby White each finished with 13.

 

[kjironman1]

I was thinking about it and that’s really the only way we’re gonna find enough shots for those four guys anyway.

Doesn't really seem like anyone on the court is worried about finding shots. I only ever hear anything about it on fan sites.

 

[Natebishop3]

Doesn't really seem like anyone on the court is worried about finding shots. I only ever hear anything about it on fan sites.

Not really coming at it from that stand point. Just thinking that's the best way to put the ball into the hands of our four best scorers. We have an exceptional starting five right now. I still think we need a backup point guard. I don't know why this team is so afraid of having a decent backup for Dame.

 

[Tince]

Why cant he start and play with the 2nd unit?

I have zero problem with that, but I'm assuming you're not suggesting he plays 48 minutes a night, so I would have to see how you suggest the rotations shake out.

 

[riverman]

Ant is hitting a rookie wall....when the kid finds his shot again and Trent gets back, we'll have some bench scoring again. When your 6 man can't shoot, the bench looks bad. I want Melo starting...he can sub out and play with the second unit for scoring but the guy has earned the respect of a starting nod ...staggering the offense will be the name of the game for keeping the bench engaged

 

[Tince]

He may or may not be top 30 but right now at this point of the season he is torching teams that try to double Damian Lillard. That corner three is MONEY! Seriously how many times did we see Harkless clank that shot? How many more open looks is CJ getting because they can't help out? Defenses now not only have to respect the PF but the SF position as well.

100% agree with you! He helps us space the floor so much better than Aminu or Harkless. I don't have the numbers to back up open looks, but it feels to me that when guys like Dame drive to the hoop, that help defender is a step further away, which has a great impact.

Again, this got brought back up by another poster, and he's trying to imply because I contended Hood is not a high quality starter, that I think he's hot garbage, which I do not think. I was talking about a time when we were rolling out a forward combo of Mario/Hood or Tolliver/Hood and how that is near the worst forward combo in the league. Being able to roll out a quality lineup (talent) is the #1 factor in winning/losing, so I could never understand why people were trying to make the scheme that got us to the WCF being the problem.

 

[THE HCP]

Assist of the season!

Whoever chose that and edited that on the fly like that is surely deserving of ANOTHER Emmy. Well done FAMS!

 

[riverman]

Whoever chose that and edited that on the fly like that is surely deserving of ANOTHER Emmy. Well done FAMS!

You changing the moniker from HCP to Whoever?

 

[THE HCP]

You changing the moniker from HCP to Whoever?

C’Mon man..... THE HCP isn’t one to draw attention to his accolades and accomplishments.

 

[TBpup]

C’Mon man..... THE HCP isn’t one to draw attention to his accolades and accomplishments.

Going 3rd person would tend to contradict that statement.

 

[kjironman1]

Not really coming at it from that stand point. Just thinking that's the best way to put the ball into the hands of our four best scorers. We have an exceptional starting five right now. I still think we need a backup point guard. I don't know why this team is so afraid of having a decent backup for Dame.

Yeah. Backup PG is tough. If they are good they are looking to get a starting spot. If they aren't good? They aren't good. People are pretty spoiled having Lillard.

 

[riverman]

C’Mon man..... THE HCP isn’t one to draw attention to his accolades and accomplishments.

 

[Wade Garrett]

I hate CJ so much.

You HATE CJ....
You HATE Stotts...
You're a wonderful fan, with a fantastic understanding and approach.
Definitely a standard-bearer for all!
RipCity!!!!

 

[Scalma]

I don’t hate CJ as much as I did last year. Idk what it is, haven’t looked at the numbers but he does seem a little more open minded (relatively) to sharing the rock. I mean I’d still trade him, but I’m not actively hating him either.

 

[tlongII]

I love CJ. Great player.

 

[THE HCP]

I love CJ.....he does exactly what I expect of him on the floor. Score. Don’t expect anything else from him. I’m not a numbers guy and haven’t looked up stats, but he reminds me of Michael Redd, Rip Hamilton and Kevin Martin. Get me 20+ every night and that’s about it. Don’t plan on dimes and rebounds. Keep the other team on their heals and help out your teams best player.

 

[BonesJones]

I have zero problem with that, but I'm assuming you're not suggesting he plays 48 minutes a night, so I would have to see how you suggest the rotations shake out.

Staggering.

 

[wizenheimer]

I don’t hate CJ as much as I did last year. Idk what it is, haven’t looked at the numbers but he does seem a little more open minded (relatively) to sharing the rock. I mean I’d still trade him, but I’m not actively hating him either.

he started off the season, over-dribbling a lot and was constantly driving into traffic and turning the ball over or forcing horrible shots. But he really tapered off of those bad habits 8 or 9 games into the season, and appears to be making more of an effort to be a part of possessions instead of dominating them.

I don't know if the coaches talked to him, or Dame did, or he just examined what he was doing...maybe a combination.

 

[kjironman1]

Staggering.

I like the "Staggering" concept. But it's also a bit situational. Got to play the matchups also. We all like to see players who have the hot hand get time so that would come into play as well. Point being you can't be too rigid in player minutes. Some things will work some nights and others the next.

 

[wizenheimer]

I like the "Staggering" concept.

I liked that concept when I was in college, and I wasn't even in a fraternity

 

[CupWizier]

I liked that concept when I was in college, and I wasn't even in a fraternity

kj wasn't referring to your demeanor coming out of the bar empty handed at closing time.


just joking wizey.

 

[Labinot41]

I love CJ.....he does exactly what I expect of him on the floor. Score. Don’t expect anything else from him. I’m not a numbers guy and haven’t looked up stats, but he reminds me of Michael Redd, Rip Hamilton and Kevin Martin. Get me 20+ every night and that’s about it. Don’t plan on dimes and rebounds. Keep the other team on their heals and help out your teams best player.

Is that good from a max player? Just scoring and nothing else? I mean, when his shot is not falling, which happens a lot of time, is it good that he can't do anything else to make an impact and help the team win? let alone all those game where he keeps going 1vs4 shooting and shooting and shooting and shots the Blazers out of games. My expectation from a Max player is a lot higher

 

[THE HCP]

Is that good from a max player? Just scoring and nothing else? I mean, when his shot is not falling, which happens a lot of time, is it good that he can't do anything else to make an impact and help the team win? let alone all those game where he keeps going 1vs4 shooting and shooting and shooting and shots the Blazers out of games. My expectation from a Max player is a lot higher

Well you better change your expectations, cause his game ain’t changing anytime soon. That’s like moving to Phoenix....... not liking hot weather.......and bitching about it everyday.

 

[Blazers Roy]

Is it me or does anyone else sees shades of LaMarcus in Melo's shots and gameplay with Lillard?

Maybe Stotts can run some old Batum-Lopez pick and rolls with Hassan and Melo