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

[BonesJones]

The. the set isnt good enough... or they know coming.

Another thing could be to have Aminu up top with C.J. or Dame setting the cross screen, then Aminu screening down for Dame or C.J. if Aminus defender is completely off of him, then Dame or CJ should be open on the screen since his defender isnt there to help.

If not, Aminu flashes towards the elbow and has the middle of the floor open to attack after Nurkic has cleared out.

 

[kjironman1]

Isnt Nurkic bigger... Also Nurkic is a better passer than LMA. Theres no reason that they couldnt figure out a way to get Nurk the ball closer to the basket than what they did in the 2nd half.

That was with Robin Lopez who could also hit a shot. And LMA would have been the ball handler in the screen.

 

[BonesJones]

No No No. Rolo is the Center. And Aldridge can shoot the ball from anywhere. Apples and Oranges.

That would be like saying why would Nurks man clog the cross screen.

Yeah i can talk basketball to yo.

Facepalm.

Nurkic would get the cross screen like Aldridge did. Aldridge would be able to get good post position. Rolo would be like Aminu in this situation, as the other big that's not receiving the cross-screen....

 

[DUB]

On top of the 30ft screens against trapping with no answer, here's 7 other issues:

Not hedging, trapping, or doing something about PG.

Not trying to attack Russ and draw another foul after he had 3 fouls in the 2nd and got left in.

Letting Russ go 1v1 against C.J. in the post...

Not feeding Nurkic at all the 2nd half (cross screen set?)

Not looking to play in transition until late in the 4th.

Not holding Dame and C.J. accountable for their shot selection.

Not freeing Dame off the ball in sets during the 4th and trying to free him up.

Yes, if we're make more shots, we still win. But shooting is variable. The better thing to do would be to fix the things I listed above.

Honest question. Have you ever attended an event like Stotts answering fans questions at Buffalo Wild Wings, or tried to get press credentials for True Blazer Fan; so you can pose these questions to Stotts?

If not, why not? If you have, what was the outcome?

 

[BonesJones]

That was with Robin Lopez who could also hit a shot. And LMA would have been the ball handler in the screen.

You think Robin Lopez is more of a shooting threat than Aminu?

Smh.

 

[BonesJones]

Honest question. Have you ever attended an event like Stotts answering fans questions at Buffalo Wild Wings, or tried to get press credentials for True Blazer Fan; so you can pose these questions to Stotts?

If not, why not? If you have, what was the outcome?

I havent. Stotts doesnt deserve to get grilled because he took time out of his day to answer questions from fans. I also dont think I'd get a legitimate answer, and I dont think itd change anything.

If BlazersEdge cant have Press Credentials, than True Blazer Fan definitely wouldn't be able to. Especially not with Olshey.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

That was with Robin Lopez who could also hit a shot. And LMA would have been the ball handler in the screen.

Aminu is a better shooter than Robin Lopez, also has much deeper range.
Getting a big into post position is as old basketball is. If they cant figure out how to get Nurk closer to the basket when they go in to him. Thats actually really does say a lot about their ability to draw up plays. Whether its through a cross screen or any other number of plays. If the excuse is well Aminu is playing the 4 so our big cant get position closer than 15-18 feet away then that is a problem...

 

[kjironman1]

If not, Aminu flashes towards the elbow and has the middle of the floor open to attack after Nurkic has cleared out.

It might work but the problem i see is Aminu is not a threat to score flashing across anywhere. Certainly not from mid range and the defense wouldn't respect it. So that leaves Nurk on an Island alone with two defenders and looking for an out or possibly someone else under the basket? Aminu can drive to the rim. He has shown that. But a midrange shot would be hard to swallow.

 

[kjironman1]

Aminu is a better shooter than Robin Lopez, also has much deeper range.
Getting a big into post position is as old basketball is. If they cant figure out how to get Nurk closer to the basket when they go in to him. Thats actually really does say a lot about their ability to draw up plays. Whether its through a cross screen or any other number of plays. If the excuse is well Aminu is playing the 4 so our big cant get position closer tha. 15-18 feet away then that is a problem...

I disagree with this. Aminu can shoot when set. In all the games i have watched him i could count on one hand how many times i have seen him hit a midrange shot he has created.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

It might work but the problem i see is Aminu is not a threat to score flashing across anywhere. Certainly not from mid range and the defense wouldn't respect it. So that leaves Nurk on an Island alone with two defenders and looking for an out or possibly someone else under the basket? Aminu can drive to the rim. He has shown that. But a midrange shot would be hard to swallow.

So run Harkless as the screener put Aminu on opposite corner where you want Nurk set up?

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I disagree with this. Aminu can shoot when set. In all the games i have watched him i could count on one hand how many times i have seen him hit a midrange shot he has created.

How many times did rolo create his own jump shot... This isnt a situation where Aminu is being asked to create a shot.

 

[BonesJones]

Who would've known that a 35% 3pt shooter at the PF spot would ruin so many basic offensive actions...

 

[kjironman1]

I havent. Stotts doesnt deserve to get grilled because he took time out of his day to answer questions from fans. I also dont think I'd get a legitimate answer, and I dont think itd change anything.

If BlazersEdge cant have Press Credentials, than True Blazer Fan definitely wouldn't be able to. Especially not with Olshey.

Wow.... I just don't know what to say.
That's it for me tonight. Take care.

 

[BonesJones]

Wow.... I just don't know what to say.
That's it for me tonight. Take care.

Have a good night.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

kj, Im not sure were getting anywhere. Its probably time I go to bed. I think overall this game was bad on the players on the coaches, whatever lots of ugly stuff went on. In terms of the 2nd half and Nurk they didnt work at all to get him good starting position, the entry passes were all way away from the basket. I think no matter who is out there with him theres ways schematically to get him closer to the basket. If they want to play through him consistantly they’ll need to figure out how to do that.

 

[DUB]

If BlazersEdge cant have Press Credentials, than True Blazer Fan definitely wouldn't be able to. Especially not with Olshey.

Ah OK, I don't know the ins, and outs of press credentials, and it seems even more complicated in the current media market.

I havent. Stotts doesnt deserve to get grilled because he took time out of his day to answer questions from fans.

You're a fan. You have questions. Why shouldn't he answer them? Sure he doesn't deserve to be "grilled", but surely he can handle more than softball questions. I'm sure you can phrase your questions in a respectable way, and deliver them with a respectable tone. Can't you?

I also dont think I'd get a legitimate answer, and I dont think itd change anything.

Sure, but neither will ranting on here, and you still do that, so why not direct you frustration towards the cause?

Plus, maybe Stotts will wake up in the middle of the night before a series deciding playoff game, with an epiphany to set a cross screen for Nurkic, and have no idea where the inspiration for it came from... but you'll know.

 

[DUB]

Just to clarify, I'm not trying to be facetious. I think you have legitimate questions, and I'm wondering how they can be posed to Stotts. Because these are the type of technical questions that coaches should be asked after games.

 

[THE HCP]

So my man almost had a triple double..... now is that good or bad? I keep getting confused.

 

[CupWizier]

So my man almost had a triple double..... now is that good or bad? I keep getting confused.

View attachment 24071

Your man? You have a man?

 

[stampedehero]

OKC beat the Lakers in their house by 7. Can we do the same to them and defend our house? Sure we can.……I predict CJ will score over 21.

Al-Farouq Aminu A. Aminu F 33 16 6 - 11 2 - 2 2 - 5 15 2 0 0 0 3
Moe Harkless M. Harkless F 24 5 2 - 9 0 - 0 1 - 3 8 1 1 3 0 2
Jusuf Nurkic J. Nurkic C 30 22 9 - 14 4 - 6 0 - 0 8 1 3 1 2 1
CJ McCollum C. McCollum G 32 10 4 - 15 0 - 0 2 - 6 2 5 0 0 1 3
Damian Lillard D. Lillard G 36 23 7 - 19 8 - 9 1 - 8 0 8 2 0 4 4
BENCH P MIN PTS FGM-A FTM-A 3PM-A REB AST STL BLK TO PF
Evan Turner E. Turner - 24 6 2 - 5 2 - 2 0 - 0 6 9 0 0 3 2
Meyers Leonard M. Leonard - 18 7 3 - 6 0 - 0 1 - 2 3 3 0 1 1 2
Seth Curry S. Curry - 16 3 1 - 7 0 - 0 1 - 5 3 1 0 0 0 0
Zach Collins Z. Collins - 15 6 2 - 2 2 - 2 0 - 0 4 0 0 0 0 0
*Jake Layman J. Layman - 12 11 5 - 7 0 - 0 1 - 2 1 0 0 0 1 0
Nik Stauskas N. Stauskas DNP
Anfernee Simons A. Simons DNP
Gary Trent Jr. G. Trent Jr. DNP

Oklahoma City Thunder
Thunder
111

Portland Trail Blazers
Trail Blazers
109




49
Rebounds
50




18
Assists
30




6
Blocks
5




9
Steals
6




40-94
Field Goals
41-95




23-26
Free Throws
18-21




8-25
Three Pointers
9-31




10
Turnovers
12

It was the Westbrook/Paul show. Losing by two @ home hurts. Our bench needed one more guy to step up and help or CJ to score more than 10. I like what Dame,Nurk and the Chief brought to the court.

 

[BonesJones]

Ah OK, I don't know the ins, and outs of press credentials, and it seems even more complicated in the current media market.


You're a fan. You have questions. Why shouldn't he answer them? Sure he doesn't deserve to be "grilled", but surely he can handle more than softball questions. I'm sure you can phrase your questions in a respectable way, and deliver them with a respectable tone. Can't you?


Sure, but neither will ranting on here, and you still do that, so why not direct you frustration towards the cause?

Plus, maybe Stotts will wake up in the middle of the night before a series deciding playoff game, with an epiphany to set a cross screen for Nurkic, and have no idea where the inspiration for it came from... but you'll know.

The one time I've heard of Stotts answering questions, I couldn't go. I have league Tuesday, Wdnesday, Thursday. The BWW events are usually on a Tuesday, from what I've seen.

 

[BonesJones]

Just to clarify, I'm not trying to be facetious. I think you have legitimate questions, and I'm wondering how they can be posed to Stotts. Because these are the type of technical questions that coaches should be asked after games.

I agree. But our media has been softened by none other than Neil Olshey. The media is either too scared to ask hard hitting questions for that reason, or they're not basketball savvy/don't think of such things.

 

[KingSpeed]

I agree. But our media has been softened by none other than Neil Olshey. The media is either too scared to ask hard hitting questions for that reason, or they're not basketball savvy/don't think of such things.

Ask for press credentials and be persistent.

 

[BonesJones]

Ask for press credentials and be persistent.

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

 

[jlprk]

Sure it can happen. Tell 'em jlprk sent you.

 

[KingSpeed]

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

That attitude will take you far.

 

[TBpup]

@stampedehero When someone off the bench was lighting it up and contributing, he only got 12 minutes.... and put up 11 points.

Layman came out and hit his first 3 shots in just over a minute. .. then didn't get another look till towards the end of his shift. His shots barely even hit the net. He was obviously 'On'. Why not call something to take advantage of that until he cools off?

It's things like that which are on Stotts.

 

[BonesJones]

That attitude will take you far.

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

 

[hoopsjock]

kj, Im not sure were getting anywhere. Its probably time I go to bed. I think overall this game was bad on the players on the coaches, whatever lots of ugly stuff went on. In terms of the 2nd half and Nurk they didnt work at all to get him good starting position, the entry passes were all way away from the basket. I think no matter who is out there with him theres ways schematically to get him closer to the basket. If they want to play through him consistantly they’ll need to figure out how to do that.

I'm not so sure they even want or care to figure out how to get Nurk better shots. Stotts has made comments after recent games that are head scratching in regards to Nurk's play.

Stottsfense has worked best when he has a big that can shoot mid range over the top of a smaller defender when switched on a pick and roll like Aldridge and Nowitzki. The only reason it's worked the last few years without Aldridge is that Dame and CJ can be elite scorers in just about any set. In his offense the center is often used as a screener and to crash the offensive boards. That is why guys like Ed, RoLo, and Chandler were so efficient.

What I think is going on with Nurk is that Stotts is trying to fit him in his system that isn't entirely designed for his skillset instead of designing a new system to best utilize his abilities. You can see this a lot in football right now where some of the veteran coaches are being run out of the game because they refuse to adapt their schemes to best utilize their QB. I don't see a lot of creativity or new wrinkles designed to maximize Nurk.

To be fair, it can be difficult to change your offense mid-season but then I have to question why it appeared as if there were going to be new wrinkles in preseason and all of those have now been abandoned. After the playoffs last year it's frustrating to watch them struggle in the same situations without a counter to it. I just think both Olshey and Stotts are being stubborn about CJ having to be our 2nd best player. I think it's time to shape the team and the offense around Dame and Nurk not Dame and CJ. Until that consciously happens I don't think they are even trying to feature Nurk.

 

[hoopsjock]

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?