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

[TorturedBlazerFan]

We need to have a couple sets to deal with exactly this. Invite the trap, have outlets in specific places where Dame can actually get the ball out of the trap, then have those outlets take the ball downhill. Their teammates should be in strategic spots to take advantage of the rotating defense, and if they're in the same spots, then it's an easy read for Moe or Aminu when they're attacking the rim.

But instead, we just run Dame into a trap, and then guys don't know what the hell to do, or where to be. And Stotts is like "Uhhh, more pick n roll?"

Yes there needs to be sets for it, but has Dame ever thought of just trying to split the trap once in a while, everytime they come he gets on his heels like he's never seen it before...

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

We JUST won 2 overtime games on the road!!

Yeah if you read the read the rest of the post they won two overtime games when their guards started hitting shots...

 

[oldmangrouch]

Whyd we stop going to Nurk and running side pick n rolls?

Terry?

Nurk and Layman were shooting well, so he took the ball out of their hands and made sure CJ (who was shooting poorly) got his contractually guaranted number of shots.

Hell, it makes as much sense as anything at this point. The Blazers had to work really hard to blow this game.

 

[tlongII]

Dame fucked up. He had Nurk diving to the hoop for an easy 2 at the end.

 

[Scalma]

If MeJ did anything else well it wouldn't be so bad. He did get 5 assists tonight but it seems like ages since he's done that so it's certainly an outlier. Bad defense, stagnating offense, almost abject refusal to pass the ball to wide-open teammates on most nights.

I just don't see how someone who balances out this roster more doesn't improve the team.

For all the shit I give CJ, I hate stotts even more for enabling him.

 

[Scalma]

Nurk and Layman were shooting well, so he took the ball out of their hands and made sure CJ (who was shooting poorly) got his contractually guaranted number of shots.

Hell, it makes as much sense as anything at this point. The Blazers had to work really hard to blow this game.

This happens literally every game. No matter how bad CJ is shooting it feels like Stotts has it in his brain that they have no chance to win unless he gets going. Hell sacrifice everyone not named Lillard to force feed him. It’s a joke.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I was quite encouraged in the first half. We weren't pulling away from them but, hey, they are a damn good team. Harkless continued his good play, we were using Nurk and he was doing great; we were making good passes. Then we went away from that in the second half These are things that have happened a lot this season and previous seasons. Coaches need to talk about it and set up situations in practice to replicate this pressure, maybe six defenders? They need to call timeout or take Nurk out when he gets too excited and slow him down and remind he needs to stick to the simple stuff, stick to facing the basket. I think this team can still be fixed.

 

[BonesJones]

Yes there needs to be sets for it, but has Dame ever thought of just trying to split the trap once in a while, everytime they come he gets on his heels like he's never seen it before...

Maybe that's something Stotts could mention to him. He needs to figure out something.

 

[riverman]

Two pts from a lob or curl or layup would have had the same result.even with a foul..we needed 4pts..the miracle ending would be making a 3 with the and 1 from a foul on the shot...it was the only option to force OT....of course we didn't run a play in the paint with 4 seconds on the clock

 

[BonesJones]

Dame fucked up. He had Nurk diving to the hoop for an easy 2 at the end.

Shouldn't have came to that. Its hard to make the right read in such high intensity situations like that. They were swarming.

 

[KingSpeed]

This happens literally every game. No matter how bad CJ is shooting it feels like Stotts has it in his brain that they have no chance to win unless he gets going. Hell sacrifice everyone not named Lillard to force feed him. It’s a joke.

CJ has hit a lot of big shots in recent close wins, esp in OT.

 

[BonesJones]

Two pts from a lob or curl or layup would have had the same result...the miracle ending would be making a 3 with the and 1...it was the only option to force OT....of course we didn't run a play in the paint with 4 seconds on the clock

No, we still had a timeout left. We couldve fouled or gotten a steal afterwards and still had a chance because we still had a timeout. Better than a halfcourt heave.

 

[BonesJones]

CJ has hit a lot of big shots in recent close wins, esp in OT.

Only when were already winning.

 

[BonesJones]

I was quite encouraged in the first half. We weren't pulling away from them but, hey, they are a damn good team. Harkless continued his good play, we were using Nurk and he was doing great; we were making good passes. Then we went away from that in the second half These are things that have happened a lot this season and previous seasons. Coaches need to talk about it and set up situations in practice to replicate this pressure, maybe six defenders? They need to call timeout or take Nurk out when he gets too excited and slow him down and remind he needs to stick to the simple stuff, stick to facing the basket. I think this team can still be fixed.

It can be fixed but it won't be. Need a new head coach for that.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I was quite encouraged in the first half. We weren't pulling away from them but, hey, they are a damn good team. Harkless continued his good play, we were using Nurk and he was doing great; we were making good passes. Then we went away from that in the second half These are things that have happened a lot this season and previous seasons. Coaches need to talk about it and set up situations in practice to replicate this pressure, maybe six defenders? They need to call timeout or take Nurk out when he gets too excited and slow him down and remind he needs to stick to the simple stuff, stick to facing the basket. I think this team can still be fixed.

I somehow deleted half that; here is what it was supposed to be I think.
was quite encouraged in the first half. We weren't pulling away from them but, hey, they are a damn good team. Harkless continued his good play, we were using Nurk and he was doing great; we were making good passes. Then we went away from that in the second half. We didn't play through Nurk, we didn't pass, They put on some pressure, Lillard didn't take care of the ball, Nurk started posting up too far out and missed putbacks cuz he was too excited. He seems to play best when he is calm. These are things that have happened a lot this season and previous seasons. Coaches need to talk about it and set up situations in practice to replicate this pressure, maybe six defenders? They need to call timeout or take Nurk out when he gets too excited and slow him down and remind he needs to stick to the simple stuff, stick to facing the basket. I think this team can still be fixed.

 

[KingSpeed]

Only when were already winning.

Not true. He hit a big shot tonight in that last run tonight. He also hit go ahead to take lead vs Dallas in OT.

 

[BonesJones]

This happens literally every game. No matter how bad CJ is shooting it feels like Stotts has it in his brain that they have no chance to win unless he gets going. Hell sacrifice everyone not named Lillard to force feed him. It’s a joke.

Meanwhile, Russ was abusing Layman. Shit, maybe we shouldve tried Layman instead of CJ to guard Russ in the post and still provide some shooting and a lob threat.

 

[BonesJones]

Not true. He hit a big shot tonight in that last run tonight. He also hit go ahead to take lead vs Dallas in OT.

Yet, you wont talk about his misses.

 

[hoopsjock]

Another thing that I've mentioned before...

When we need a stop and know we are going to call a timeout after that possession, why don't we put a defensive lineup in the game?

 

[BonesJones]

Another thing that I've mentioned before...

When we need a stop and know we are going to call a timeout after that possession, why don't we put a defensive lineup in the game?

Because that's too complicated. Hahaha.

 

[kjironman1]

Two pts from a lob or curl or layup would have had the same result.even with a foul..we needed 4pts..the miracle ending would be making a 3 with the and 1 from a foul on the shot...it was the only option to force OT....of course we didn't run a play in the paint with 4 seconds on the clock

Uh oh.... Someone was watching the game again.

 

[BonesJones]

I just hate it because this team has the potential to be a top 3 seed and challenge for the WCF, but it wont because of our coaching. That's why it frustrates me so much.

 

[BonesJones]

Uh oh.... Someone was watching the game again.

LOL.

 

[Scalma]

Another thing that I've mentioned before...

When we need a stop and know we are going to call a timeout after that possession, why don't we put a defensive lineup in the game?

Let’s not get too complex

 

[riverman]

face it...you can pick this loss apart all you want but when we shoot 29% from deep, we aren't going to win many games...

 

[brooklynballer]

I was quite encouraged in the first half. We weren't pulling away from them but, hey, they are a damn good team. Harkless continued his good play, we were using Nurk and he was doing great; we were making good passes. Then we went away from that in the second half These are things that have happened a lot this season and previous seasons. Coaches need to talk about it and set up situations in practice to replicate this pressure, maybe six defenders? They need to call timeout or take Nurk out when he gets too excited and slow him down and remind he needs to stick to the simple stuff, stick to facing the basket. I think this team can still be fixed.

Or just fire the fucking coach?

 

[KingSpeed]

Yet, you wont talk about his misses.

Can’t hit them all.

 

[Scalma]

Can’t hit them all.

He tries real hard to miss them all.

 

[hoopsjock]

Playing against PG13 and Westbrook and then tomorrow against Harden...

Lets send our best guard defender down to the G-League so no one can question why Stotts doesn't put him in!

I was joking earlier but now it pisses me off. If Harkless is out tomorrow it makes no sense.

 

[Scalma]

Playing against PG13 and Westbrook and then tomorrow against Harden...

Lets send our best guard defender down to the G-League so no one can question why Stotts doesn't put him in!

I was joking earlier but now it pisses me off. If Harkless is out tomorrow it makes no sense.

You know that saying about the definition of insanity? The blazers are a living embodiment of that.

Nothing
Will
Ever
Change