Game Thread GAME# 38: BLAZERS @ KINGS - JANUARY 1, 2019 - TUESDAY, 6:00 PM, NBCSNW

[riverman]

 

[ripcityboy]

hahaha....Big John is truly the Don Rickles of S2
View attachment 24025

That would make me Bob Newhart. Since I usually crack jokes at HCP's expense. It's a perfect match.

 

[BlayZa]

paging pinwheelempire

epic nurk highlight needed.

thanks.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

So the very comment you respond to says "Like that pass to Aminu" but the response is to tell the coach? This is the very same coach calling that play right?

I think it's pretty clear with most around here, Stotts doesn't really call plays. We know this from the players' comments about how the coach let's them play free aka streetball. That is why our offense is often in the shitter because the guards pound the ball and chuck. The offense going exclusively through Nurk worked the first season we had Nurk and it's working now. If we stay disciplined by going to go through Nurk, we will be a much better team. That's why our coach is an asshat. He still doesn't get it.

 

[BonesJones]

Except no

Except yes. Bailed out by the talent of his players.

 

[TBpup]

You rang FAMS?

"Difficult to work with"...classic!

 

[BonesJones]

Except no

It's not as simple as Blazers Win = Good Coaching.

I know that's the easiest way to analyze things for some people, but it's not that simple.

 

[oldfisherman]

I'll stick to cigars. Nothing lights my fire like an Ashton ESG 22 Year Salute Torpedo.

You smoke $20+ cigars?
I'm impressed. $2.75 is my upper limit.

 

[kjironman1]

I think it's pretty clear with most around here, Stotts doesn't really call plays. We know this from the players' comments about how the coach let's them play free aka streetball. That is why our offense is often in the shitter because the guards pound the ball and chuck. The offense going exclusively through Nurk worked the first season we had Nurk and it's working now. If we stay disciplined by going to go through Nurk, we will be a much better team. That's why our coach is an asshat. He still doesn't get it.

I guess you don't remember about 2-3 weeks ago when Nurk went something like 0 for 18 in one game? Maybe you don't remember this site blowing the team up. Everybody except Lillard they were saying. By the way that includes Nurkic. I know i can dig up numerous comments about Nurk "Regressing". So please tell me you are not making your assessment from what you read on this forum.
The very first sentence of your response speaks volumes.

 

[riverman]

It's not as simple as Blazers Win = Good Coaching.

I know that's the easiest way to analyze things for some people, but it's not that simple.

Coaches are like players...human...flawed...a coach in fact does coach a good game and coach a bad game...they all do..coaching a bad game doesn't make him a bad coach either...nothing around S2 is that simple ….folks here question everything and everyone. Actually it's the opposite of simple...Stotts is a players coach who gives his vets a lot of rope...one either subscribes to that culture or doesn't. Coaches who dominate their players with a heavy hand usually lose their jobs right after they lose their lockerroom...Stotts may maintain the best lockerroom in the league..I think the culture in Portland is an asset long term. When we lose folks tend to look at the short game.

 

[ripcityboy]

You smoke $20+ cigars?
I'm impressed. $2.75 is my upper limit.

There was a record collector from England who bought a copy of Frank Wilson's single Do I Love You (Indeed I Do). It was one of the rarest record in existence. The guy paid something like 2,000 pounds for it at the time. A ridiculous amount of money for LP much less a single. When a reporter asked if it was worth the money he paid for it, he stated that he played the record every day. Sometimes we forget that can be just s figure if it buys you an experience you truly cherish. Obviously I don't think I'd buy a 2,000 dollar cigar. But for somebody who knows what they are getting, a price can be just a number.

 

[riverman]

There was a record collector from England who bought a copy of Frank Wilson's single Do I Love You (Indeed I Do). It was one of the rarest record in existence. The guy paid something like 2,000 pounds for it at the time. A ridiculous amount of money for LP much less a single. When a reporter asked if it was worth the money he paid for it, he stated that he played the record every day. Sometimes we forget that can be just s figure if it buys you an experience you truly cherish. Obviously I don't think I'd buy a 2,000 dollar cigar. But for somebody who knows what they are getting, a price can be just a number.

reminds me of Robert Patrick's line in a movie he played an art forger in...his defense...it ain't art...it's autographs! Same painting without the signature is worthless to the investor but to the observer...priceless!

 

[kjironman1]

Coaches are like players...human...flawed...a coach in fact does coach a good game and coach a bad game...they all do..coaching a bad game doesn't make him a bad coach either...nothing around S2 is that simple ….folks here question everything and everyone. Actually it's the opposite of simple...Stotts is a players coach who gives his vets a lot of rope...one either subscribes to that culture or doesn't. Coaches who dominate their players with a heavy hand usually lose their jobs right after they lose their lockerroom...Stotts may maintain the best lockerroom in the league..I think the culture in Portland is an asset long term. When we lose folks tend to look at the short game.

This is a wise post.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

I guess you don't remember about 2-3 weeks ago when Nurk went something like 0 for 18 in one game? Maybe you don't remember this site blowing the team up. Everybody except Lillard they were saying. By the way that includes Nurkic. I know i can dig up numerous comments about Nurk "Regressing". So please tell me you are not making your assessment from what you read on this forum.
The very first sentence of your response speaks volumes.

You're not arguing with my opinion, you're arguing with the stats. We have a much better record when Nurk has a higher usage rate. Usage rate doesn't necessarily mean more shots so the game you speak of is irrelevant and only one game. You can continue to have blinders on all you want but the stats are on the side of running the offense through Nurk, regardless of what happened in one game against the Utah Jazz.

 

[kjironman1]

You're not arguing with my opinion, you're arguing with the stats.

Honestly not arguing at all. Just pointing out another point of view.
I don't hold the same view as some in here about Stotts. I work pretty close to a guy who is an ex Blazer and he has some very interesting views on the game and this team including Stotts. A bunch of those opinions would blow people away around here. But you are welcome to your opinion. You say i have blinders on but i would profess that it is you who has the blinders on and I'm pretty sure i'm right about that. It's got nothing to do with running the game through Nurkic. On that we both agree. The Blazers play well when they utilize all their options.

 

[riverman]

stats are on the side of running the offense through Nurk, regardless of what happened in one game against the Utah Jazz.

Problem with stats is they don't factor in intangibles. Game to game coaches have to improvise and adjust. You use the Nurk option and when it's working milk it but when it's not you change direction.

 

[kjironman1]

Problem with stats is they don't factor in intangibles. Game to game coaches have to improvise and adjust. You use the Nurk option and when it's working milk it but when it's not you change direction.

And that is exactly what doesn't seem to get looked at. The game is about matchups and who is having a good night. It's also about running a family of people that have good days and bad. We don't hear about who just stubbed their toe in the bathroom last night. We don't know who is dealing with a wife that is a total nutcase? Have you ever had a bad day because your Girlfriend was having cramps? You darn right you have. And you better not go to sleep! But don't even touch her either dammit! Stotts runs the team but coaches are doing more than calling plays. Go watch Bull Durham and think about being a professional athlete.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Honestly not arguing at all. Just pointing out another point of view.
I don't hold the same view as some in here about Stotts. I work pretty close to a guy who is an ex Blazer and he has some very interesting views on the game and this team including Stotts. A bunch of those opinions would blow people away around here. But you are welcome to your opinion. You say i have blinders on but i would profess that it is you who has the blinders on and I'm pretty sure i'm right about that. It's got nothing to do with running the game through Nurkic. On that we both agree. The Blazers play well when they utilize all their options.

Views are irrelevant to me. 7 seasons. No post-season success. These are facts. Me or anyone else can say how great Stotts is and so on, but that isn't really the point. He's just not getting it done and he's had close to a decade to do it. It's time to try something new after 7 years.

 

[BonesJones]

Coaches are like players...human...flawed...a coach in fact does coach a good game and coach a bad game...they all do..coaching a bad game doesn't make him a bad coach either...nothing around S2 is that simple ….folks here question everything and everyone. Actually it's the opposite of simple...Stotts is a players coach who gives his vets a lot of rope...one either subscribes to that culture or doesn't. Coaches who dominate their players with a heavy hand usually lose their jobs right after they lose their lockerroom...Stotts may maintain the best lockerroom in the league..I think the culture in Portland is an asset long term. When we lose folks tend to look at the short game.

A coaches job is to do more than build culture. Culture doesnt effectively gameplan for playoff opponents, nor does it make in-game adjustments, not does it diversify sets, etc.

Building culture is a strength of his, which is why he should be the coach of lottery team that's needs a change in culture. Because as a team trying to contend, you need more.

 

[Scalma]

Views are irrelevant to me. 7 seasons. No post-season success. These are facts. Me or anyone else can say how great Stotts is and so on, but that isn't really the point. He's just not getting it done and he's had close to a decade to do it. It's time to try something new after 7 years.

I think we should put CJ back on the second unit and also death doesn’t scare me anymore.

 

[riverman]

A coaches job is to do more than build culture. Culture doesnt effectively gameplan for playoff opponents, nor does it make in-game adjustments, not does it diversify sets, etc.

Building culture is a strength of his, which is why he should be the coach of lottery team that's needs a change in culture. Because as a team trying to contend, you need more.

I like Stotts ...I think he's a top shelf coach.

 

[BonesJones]

I like Stotts ...I think he's a top shelf coach.

I know you do.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I like Stotts ...I think he's a top shelf coach.

I like Stotts too. I also liked Nate and Cheeks. They were all nice guys. Sometimes in life that isn't enough.

 

[kjironman1]

Views are irrelevant to me. 7 seasons. No post-season success. These are facts. Me or anyone else can say how great Stotts is and so on, but that isn't really the point. He's just not getting it done and he's had close to a decade to do it. It's time to try something new after 7 years.

Well regardless you will get your wish by the end of this contract. Doesn't make much difference. Pretty sure there won't be much the same with this team in the next 2 years.

 

[kjironman1]

Views are irrelevant to me. 7 seasons. No post-season success. These are facts.

Lets take this response in particular.
What if i told you the NBA was an entertainment industry first and then a basketball league second in a close race for a profit and loss scheme?
What if i told you Championships are decided with the CBA and the coaches and players don't have anything to do with it?
What if i told you Good basketball isn't really exciting basketball and exciting basketball is rarely good basketball?

These are things people on fan boards rarely if ever actually understand.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

What if i told you Good basketball isn't really exciting basketball and exciting basketball is rarely good basketball?

I definitely disagree with this and I think anyone who watched Blazers' championship team or any of the Adelman teams would disagree also.

 

[handiman]

What if i told you Championships are decided with the CBA and the coaches and players don't have anything to do with it?

Then non-conspiracy theorists would expect you to explain the likes of San Antonio, Detroit, Dallas, and Cleveland. Hell, even Golden State sucked for a long time before hitting home runs in the draft. What's that have to do with the CBA?

 

[riverman]

No post-season success

he got us out of the first round for the first time in 14 years...I call that success...making the playoffs 5 years in a row with one star player and role players in the west.....and the west is a beast

 

[oldmangrouch]

he got us out of the first round for the first time in 14 years...I call that success...making the playoffs 5 years in a row with one star player and role players in the west.....and the west is a beast

I don't know if you meant to, but you just pointed out part of the conundrum here. Stotts is a better coach in the regular season than he is in the play-offs, where the scales tip toward coaches who are willing and able to adjust on the fly. The post season is like football - teams have more time to scout their opponent and come up with a specialized game plan. A team that is too predictable is at a huge disadvantage....and you can't deny that the Blazers are awfully predictable on both ends of the court.

 

[riverman]

I don't know if you meant to, but you just pointed out part of the conundrum here. Stotts is a better coach in the regular season than he is in the play-offs, where the scales tip toward coaches who are willing and able to adjust on the fly. The post season is like football - teams have more time to scout their opponent and come up with a specialized game plan. A team that is too predictable is at a huge disadvantage....and you can't deny that the Blazers are awfully predictable on both ends of the court.

I think most teams are predictable though....Golden State won three championships with a very loose gameplan...making ridiculous shots and they were actually pretty turn over prone....the difference is they made shots....when we make shots Stotts looks pretty damned good. Steve Kerr said the Blazers play a style very close to the Warriors style...I see our players go ISO crazy and stop moving the ball or shooting too early from deep in the shot clock and I blame the guards, not Stotts.