Game Thread GAME# 39: THUNDER @ BLAZERS - JANUARY 4, 2019 - FRIDAY, 7:30 PM, ESPN & NBCSNW

[Scalma]

Another point about Nurk, why does he almost exclusively have to play with Aminu? They have very little chemistry together. The little Nurk played with Vonleh was when Vonleh started to actually show something. Aminu hardly ever cuts and is used almost primarily as a spot up shooter in the half court sets. Nurk plays better with players who move off the ball like Harkless (when engaged) and Layman (probably our best slasher).

I said this in another thread, but isn't Collins taking a jump one of the few ways this team can improve without a trade? Why aren't we trying to develop a Nurk and Collins bond instead of forcing Nurk and Aminu to play together? It would be different if Nurk and Aminu were playing well off each other but I honestly can't remember a time I thought they complemented each other besides an occasional kick out for an Aminu 3. I can think of numerous times Nurk played well with Vonleh, Harkless, CJ, and Dame.

Why not give Collins and Nurk extended minutes together to at least see if there is something there to build on?

Because Stotts is only concerned about winning, so he’s going to roll with who or what he feels most comfortable with. Unfortunately we aren’t the right team for that kind of approach. We have players that need to develop if we want to get to where we want to be.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Another point about Nurk, why does he almost exclusively have to play with Aminu? They have very little chemistry together. The little Nurk played with Vonleh was when Vonleh started to actually show something. Aminu hardly ever cuts and is used almost primarily as a spot up shooter in the half court sets. Nurk plays better with players who move off the ball like Harkless (when engaged) and Layman (probably our best slasher).

I said this in another thread, but isn't Collins taking a jump one of the few ways this team can improve without a trade? Why aren't we trying to develop a Nurk and Collins bond instead of forcing Nurk and Aminu to play together? It would be different if Nurk and Aminu were playing well off each other but I honestly can't remember a time I thought they complemented each other besides an occasional kick out for an Aminu 3. I can think of numerous times Nurk played well with Vonleh, Harkless, CJ, and Dame.

Why not give Collins and Nurk extended minutes together to at least see if there is something there to build on?

Bringing up Zach just annoys me at this point. I don't get it. 3 first rounders, one was such a whiff he's in the g-league and has never even really resembled an NBA player. One is being treated as a Meyers Leonard clone though his skill set is almost totally different. The other well... who knows about Simons I honestly don't expect to even see him much next season either.

I don't believe the Blazers have the talent to be a championship contender, but I do believe they're more than talented enough to be a tough out for anyone in the playoffs and win a round too. What's irritating is they look like they still haven't figured out how to beat the same things that have beat them before. It really seems like they're on a collision course for another 1st round stomping where we'll just be happy they were competitive in "most" of the games... That said it's not all bad, Dame I believe is capable of going off and winning a round.

 

[riverman]

Nothing makes me happier than a Blazer game day! Go Good Guys and fuck all the dumb shit ...I'm going to enjoy the game!

 

[Scalma]

Bringing up Zach just annoys me at this point. I don't get it. 3 first rounders, one was such a whiff he's in the g-league and has never even really resembled an NBA player. One is being treated as a Meyers Leonard clone though his skill set is almost totally different. The other well... who knows about Simons I honestly don't expect to even see him much next season either.

I don't believe the Blazers have the talent to be a championship contender, but I do believe they're more than talented enough to be a tough out for anyone in the playoffs and win a round too. What's irritating is they look like they still haven't figured out how to beat the same things that have beat them before. It really seems like they're on a collision course for another 1st round stomping where we'll just be happy they were competitive in "most" of the games... That said it's not all bad, Dame I believe is capable of going off and winning a round.

I agree with everything here, except the last part. I don’t think anyone will let Lillard beat them in the playoffs. They will do the same exact thing the Pelicans did and sell out to stop him. They will dare CJ and the rest to beat them. The only counter Portland has is Nurkic, but I’m not confident that Stotts trusts him enough to make that adjustment permanent. It’s crazy, because Nurk is a lot more intelligent with the ball in his hands than CJ.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Another point about Nurk, why does he almost exclusively have to play with Aminu? They have very little chemistry together. The little Nurk played with Vonleh was when Vonleh started to actually show something. Aminu hardly ever cuts and is used almost primarily as a spot up shooter in the half court sets. Nurk plays better with players who move off the ball like Harkless (when engaged) and Layman (probably our best slasher).

I said this in another thread, but isn't Collins taking a jump one of the few ways this team can improve without a trade? Why aren't we trying to develop a Nurk and Collins bond instead of forcing Nurk and Aminu to play together? It would be different if Nurk and Aminu were playing well off each other but I honestly can't remember a time I thought they complemented each other besides an occasional kick out for an Aminu 3. I can think of numerous times Nurk played well with Vonleh, Harkless, CJ, and Dame.

Why not give Collins and Nurk extended minutes together to at least see if there is something there to build on?

The obvious answer: Stotts wanted to draft somebody else, Olshey forced Collins on him, and his lack of interest in developing Collins is the result.

 

[wizenheimer]

Why is Olshey so married to this version of the blazers? That’s an honest question. The roster doesn’t even fit the system his coach wants to run.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Where did hcp's post go?

 

[THE HCP]

WHoa, I just went to edit something I just posted and it’s gone?

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

WHoa, I just went to edit something I just posted and it’s gone?

I had such a witty response too.

 

[THE HCP]

Not cool whoever did that.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

 

[wizenheimer]

I don't think he is. I just think he's standing pat, trying to balance competitiveness, and flexibility, until he can make a move that puts us past the Warriors (or until they fizzle out).

there is no 'move' that would put Portland past the warriors, unless it was the Warriors GM trading Durant and Klay to Portland for CJ and Turner

and about Golden State on the fizzle-out track:

Durant 30
Curry 30
Dame 28
Klay 28
Green 28
CJ 27

when Curry & Durant are 36, Dame, Klay, & Green will be 34, and CJ will be 33 (and Nurkic will be 30)

Portland is NOT positioned to take advantage of the Warriors fizzling because they will be fizzling too

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

there is no 'move' that would put Portland past the warriors, unless it was the Warriors GM trading Durant and Klay to Portland for CJ and Turner

and about Golden State on the fizzle-out track:

Durant 30
Curry 30
Dame 28
Klay 28
Green 28
CJ 27

when Curry & Durant are 36, Dame, Klay, & Green will be 34, and CJ will be 33 (and Nurkic will be 30)

Portland is NOT positioned to take advantage of the Warriors fizzling because they will be fizzling too

I think if anything takes down GS early it will be internal things. Curry's Ankles, I think you already see his foot quickness has taken a toll. Attitudes and Ego's. KD and Draymond are definitely uhh sensitive (is that the right word...?) guys. Then the other thing is attrition, most of those guys have played a ton of minutes and gone deep into the playoffs every year, the money they have to pay the stars has already hurt their depth too. I'm not saying GS's run is over, not even close. I'm just saying I think there are some signs they may be slowing down already, and what eventually takes them down will probably be more in terms of just internal combustion.

 

[James lamphear]

Stotts was ask a question about Zach in his development and I believe he said look at some of players that got drafted in that draft. I think he see it as Zach is not developing as fast as some those players.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Stotts was ask a question about Zach in his development and I believe he said look at some of players that got drafted in that draft. I think he see it as Zach is not developing as fast as some those players.

Maybe if I dont know Stotts used him in a way that made sense with his skills... *shrugs*

 

[BigGameDamian]

Not cool whoever did that.

 

[Strenuus]

Not cool whoever did that.

lol. it was me. That was a baiting post as well as what could be construed as a personal insult.

You're my boy, and you know that it doesn't exclude you.

 

[THE HCP]

lol. it was me. That was a baiting post as well as what could be construed as a personal insult.

You're my boy, and you know that it doesn't exclude you.

The person the post was aimed at talks down to people almost every single post. You should be aiming your editing powers his direction son not mine.

 

[Strenuus]

The person the post was aimed at talks down to people almost every single post. You should be aiming your editing powers his direction son not mine.

Did you call me son?! :MARIS61:

Anyway, We've done that as well, but you're not exempt from it happening to you every now and then too, son!

#FAMS

 

[tlongII]

there is no 'move' that would put Portland past the warriors, unless it was the Warriors GM trading Durant and Klay to Portland for CJ and Turner

and about Golden State on the fizzle-out track:

Durant 30
Curry 30
Dame 28
Klay 28
Green 28
CJ 27

when Curry & Durant are 36, Dame, Klay, & Green will be 34, and CJ will be 33 (and Nurkic will be 30)

Portland is NOT positioned to take advantage of the Warriors fizzling because they will be fizzling too

Durant won’t be with the Warriors next year so you’re wrong.

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

You should ask to be on the team Kingspeed! Oh, you say that wont work or happen? Well, that attitude will take you far...

It isn't bad advice to try. Sure neither one of you is gonna make the team. You probably won't get what your asking for either but it might be worth a shot.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

The person the post was aimed at talks down to people almost every single post. You should be aiming your editing powers his direction son not mine.

With the amount of crap we pile your direction seems a little hypocritical to be insulted by something like that. It definitely wasnt meant as a compliment though.

 

[Strenuus]

It's not going to happen. Not gonna waste my time trying.

Honestly, you are a media source and you are trying to broaden your brand. I think it would be super worthwhile to be persistent on asking for credentials.

I think of it how twitch is, a bit. People will e-mail twitch to ask for partnership (the exclusive group that must meet a high criteria) well before they are eligible... but when they keep working and keep striving and keep asking, they remember that and it may give them a leg up because they show persistence.

Pinwheel Empire had to start from somewhere... I don't know if they get credentials, but still. People had to start from somewhere to get credentials

 

[THE HCP]

Did you call me son?! :MARIS61:

Anyway, We've done that as well, but you're not exempt from it happening to you every now and then too, son!

#FAMS

You obviously didn’t get the same memo that Denny, Sly and myself got. I won’t blame you, you’re kinda new around here.

 

[Strenuus]

You obviously didn’t get the same memo that Denny, Sly and myself got. I won’t blame you, you’re kinda new around here.

Well, I'm new to you...

-Insert MS. HCP joke here-

 

[THE HCP]

@SlyPokerDog please call your dogs off.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

@SlyPokerDog please call your dogs off.

We either need to have a knife fight or 3pt shooting contest between @KingSpeed, @BonesJones, and @HCP.

 

[BonesJones]

We either need to have a knife fight or 3pt shooting contest between @KingSpeed, @BonesJones, and @HCP.

3pt shooter contest between HCP+Kingspeed vs. Me.

 

[BonesJones]

It isn't bad advice to try. Sure neither one of you is gonna make the team. You probably won't get what your asking for either but it might be worth a shot.

Maybe not but we have to sort out other things.

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

Maybe not but we have to sort out other things.

That's cool. Don't put the cart before the horse.