Game Thread GAME# 31: PELICANS @ BLAZERS - DECEMBER 23, 2019 - MONDAY, 7:00 PM, NBATV & NBCSNW

[BonesJones]

So when are fans going to realize this is an average team as essentially half of their rotation (including three starters) are out? What team can lose three fifths of their starting lineup (and four rotation players overall) and still have playoff expectations? So any win now is the OPPOSITE of nothing, as the only *realistic* objective right now is to stay afloat (aka in the playoff race) until those players do return.

The "we lost three of five starters "narrative is so devoid of context...

We have a starting C. We don't have Nurkic, but losing him made us go get Whiteside who might be just as good as Nurkic. So we still have a starting C.

Losing Collins led us to getting Melo who's been good for us, so it's not like completely losing a starter... We replaced Collins with Melo.

We were losing to bad teams when we had Hood. He was good but we also didn't utilize him as much as we should've and his touches have been redistributed to Lillard, McCollum, and Whiteside.

 

[Scalma]

The "we lost three of five starters "narrative is so devoid of context...

We have a starting C. We don't have Nurkic, but losing him made us go get Whiteside who might be just as good as Nurkic. So we still have a starting C.

Losing Collins led us to getting Melo who's been good for us, so it's not like completely losing a starter... We replaced Collins with Melo.

We were losing to bad teams when we had Hood. He was good but we also didn't utilize him as much as we should've and his touches have been redistributed to Lillard, McCollum, and Whiteside.

The context is fine. If we had Nurkic, Whiteside would be on the second unit over Skal, who’s playing out of position. Think that’d make a major difference? And Whiteside is nowhere near Nurkic as a player anyway. He doesn’t make the same impact offensively, as Nurkic is an elite screen setter, is a much better passer, and is much more dangerous in the pick and roll. The offense is much more basic and predictable with Whiteside. Nurkic makes everyone better on both ends. And if Collins were healthy he’d be a massive upgrade to the second unit as well as that unit right now offers an open layup line for opposing teams.

 

[DUB]

Mark my words. One day I'm going to cross the lake and join you. Go Blazers!

PS, pics or it didn't happen.

Unfortunately it's not going to happen this year. Great weather, but last minute Christmas shopping got in the way. Still able to watch the Trail Blazers game though, and on the plus side, I'll now be watching it on my 65" TV instead of my phone.

 

[kjironman1]

We replaced Collins with Melo.

Ha Ha Ha.... I can see where this is going.

losing to bad teams when we had Hood.

Yeah... Without Collins and Nurk.
It's not devoid of context. The team was not playing well and was in disarray.

 

[Chris Craig]

Scott Fucking Foster

 

[H.C.]

Easy call Melo fouled him.
Lets make that call for Lillard though on the other end too please?

 

[BonesJones]

The context is fine. If we had Nurkic, Whiteside would be on the second unit over Skal, who’s playing out of position. Think that’d make a major difference? And Whiteside is nowhere near Nurkic as a player anyway. He doesn’t make the same impact offensively, as Nurkic is an elite screen setter, is a much better passer, and is much more dangerous in the pick and roll. The offense is much more basic and predictable with Whiteside. Nurkic makes everyone better on both ends. And if Collins were healthy he’d be a massive upgrade to the second unit as well as that unit right now offers an open layup line for opposing teams.

If we had Nurkic, we wouldn't have Whiteside.

If Collins was healthy, we wouldn't have Melo.

 

[BonesJones]

Given up 10 points in 2 and a half minutes. Yay.

 

[kjironman1]

CJ should have 40 tonight if they keep trying to guard hm with Ball.

 

[BonesJones]

How the fuck do you leave Ingram that open? The fuck?

 

[BonesJones]

Play some fucking defense. Holy shit.

 

[BonesJones]

Ha Ha Ha.... I can see where this is going.

Yeah... Without Collins and Nurk.
It's not devoid of context. The team was not playing well and was in disarray.

Guys we're losing to the 7-23 Pelicans cuz injuries! You see J.J. make that wide open 3? Maybe if we weren't so injured he might've missed that wide open 3! Shit! And you see Ingrams open 3? Maybe if we had Jusuf Nurkic, then Ingram would've been scared into missing! And you see that stagnant offense? If only we had our corner spot up shooter, then we'd be top 5 in assists instead of bottom 5!

 

[kjironman1]

Trent picking up where he left off. Way outta position.

 

[BonesJones]

Worst defensive quarter of the season.

 

[kjironman1]

Guys we're losing to the 7-23 Pelicans cuz injuries! You see J.J. make that wide open 3? Maybe if we weren't so injured he might've missed that wide open 3! Shit! And you see Ingrams open 3? Maybe if we had Jusuf Nurkic, then Ingram would've been scared into missing! And you see that stagnant offense? If only we had our corner spot up shooter, then we'd be top 5 in assists instead of bottom 5!

Guys it’s the first quarter and they are tied.

 

[kjironman1]

Worst defensive quarter of the season.

Over react in a game thread much?

 

[craigehlo]

Brandon Ingram is what Skal would look like with talent.

 

[BonesJones]

Last 3 possessions: 2 passes, 39 dribbles

Stottsfense!

 

[James lamphear]

We didn't come out focus and we are not good enough to take anybody lightly.

 

[BonesJones]

Over react in a game thread much?

It's not an overreaction. We've had so many defensive lapses. This is our worse defensive quarter this season because we're making stupid mental mistakes.

I'm sure it's injuries fault though.

 

[H.C.]

That was a pretty good block by Whiteside.

 

[craigehlo]

Pelicans run the same play over and over. No adjustments from the Blazers.

 

[BonesJones]

Guys it’s the first quarter and they are tied.

Yeah, but if we keep playing like this, we'll lose by 15. Note how we're down 6 now.

 

[Labinot41]

Emberrasing.

 

[BonesJones]

Fucking Simons...

 

[kjironman1]

1M nothing but air!

 

[BonesJones]

We're just relying on Dame to breakdown their defense off the dribble from a standstill.

 

[Darkwebs]

Thank Santa, Melo is back! What a steal and 3 to beat the buzzer!!!!

 

[kjironman1]

Any one else notice that the score is tied at the end of the first quarter?

 

[KingSpeed]

Alright Carmelo!!!