Game Thread GAME# 43: BLAZERS @ WIZARDS - JANUARY 16, 2017 - MONDAY, 11:00 AM (PDT), CSNNW

[Fez Hammersticks]

"Trust the process." - Neil Olshey

 

[KingSpeed]

For a team that is talent deficient (which I thought then, and I think is becoming evident now) sacrificing the lifeblood of a small market team (the draft) for a temporary thrill was (and is) an "unmitigated disaster."

It's about competing for championships in my opinion, either in the present or the hope of the future. Getting stuck with a team that seems to have a .500 ceiling and is also locked into a lot of money isn't an outcome anybody should be happy with.

If my opinions bother you I invite you to put me on ignore.

Then you should be happy with how we are playing. Make up your mind. Do you want us to win or lose? Seems like they're damned if they do, damned if they don't with you.

 

[KingSpeed]

Nolan Smith had something like a -18 in 3 or 4 minutes once. We wondered if that was possible then as well.

It was like 2 minutes and 15 seconds, something like that. I remember it well.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Then you should be happy with how we are playing. Make up your mind. Do you want us to win or lose? Seems like they're damned if they do, damned if they don't with you.

So, it's two separate issues: In a game thread I'm usually posting "in the moment" and just sort of post in reaction to whatever I'm watching. In other more analytical threads I tend to pull back and take a longer view. So, no, I wouldn't say I'm "happy" with the way they are playing and also I thought it was a strategic error to give up a 1st round pick last year, but the state of the team is what it is, so I'm realistic about what probably needs to happen next.

Given the state of the roster and the amount of money they have tied up in long-term deals and their prospects of getting better organically, I think they need talent however they can get it. A trade for a "star" seems unlikely if they aren't willing to part with CJ or Lillard and free agency is out of the question, so if they get lucky and find that guy with a decent lottery pick this year, then I think it's a start in the right direction.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Any thoughts about Quick's tweets after the game last night?

No

 

[BlayZa]

tbh i do giggle at the fact we've got the defending champs number when we play them, yet pretty much everyone else has ours.

such a weird scenario.

 

[illmatic99]

If we lose badly tonight, I don't think Terry makes it thru this road trip.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

If we lose badly tonight, I don't think Terry makes it thru this road trip.

George Karl is available.

 

[e_blazer]

If we lose badly tonight, I don't think Terry makes it thru this road trip.

If the Blazers lose tonight, Stotts absolutely deserves to be fired immediately.

There isn't a game until tomorrow.

 

[TBpup]

In all seriousness, what if the Blazers were to go 0-4 on this road trip? I don't expect that, but if it happened, does Stotts lose his job? If not (at which point the Blazers would be 18-28), exactly what would it take for Stotts to be let go? If they go 1-3 but their only win is against the hapless 76'ers, is that grounds for dismissal or just par for this season so far?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

In all seriousness, what if the Blazers were to go 0-4 on this road trip? I don't expect that, but if it happened, does Stotts lose his job? If not (at which point the Blazers would be 18-28), exactly what would it take for Stotts to be let go? If they go 1-3 but their only win is against the hapless 76'ers, is that grounds for dismissal or just par for this season so far?

I don't think Olshey does that. Coaching will be decided by our next GM after Olshey leaves to replace Phil Jackson in NY.

 

[e_blazer]

I don't think Olshey does that. Coaching will be decided by our next GM after Olshey leaves to replace Phil Jackson in NY.

I hear they have bitchin' valet parking in NYC.

 

[illmatic99]

If the Blazers lose tonight, Stotts absolutely deserves to be fired immediately.

There isn't a game until tomorrow.

SMH. Ok, but my point remains.

If we lose badly tomorrow.

I don't necessarily support this, but if following the NBA closely for 20 yrs has taught me anything, it's that coaches are always the first scapegoat.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I hear they have bitchin' valet parking in NYC.

Valet parking is Yuge in NY.

 

[Minstrel]

Olshey doesn't seem like the type to fire a coach midseason. He seems more deliberate than that especially since, as recently as this past season, Stotts was considered a Coach of the Year candidate. I think Stotts will at least get all of this season and maybe next season, too.

 

[handiman]

as recently as this past season, Stotts was considered a Coach of the Year candidate.

Coaches of the Year historically get fired the next season. So, would that make Stotts a Firing of the Year candidate this season?

 

[TBpup]

Coaches of the Year historically get fired the next season. So, would that make Stotts a Firing of the Year candidate this season?

It's odd how often that happens within a couple of years.

 

[blue9]

If we lose badly tonight, I don't think Terry makes it thru this road trip.

Oh pleasepleaseplease let that be the case!

 

[chzbrgr]

Coaches of the Year historically get fired the next season. So, would that make Stotts a Firing of the Year candidate this season?

We would have to be bad I mean really bad like a historically bad Defense, have effort and preparedness issues, we'd also have to be getting blown out regularly.... Ok I can see what you're getting at...

 

[JDC]

Watched the first half of the 1st quarter before my internet crapped out on me but that's all I needed to see. I'm not even going to get into the offense, but it's sad that we're still seeing to the same defensive mistakes being made, namely communication on screens and switches and matching up in transition. Plumlee being asked to front Gortat was also on odd decision and was the reason for Beal's straight line drive to open the game and Markieff's three on the Aminu over-help.

Credit Washington's screen setting to free up Bradley Beal though. On Beal's first 3, CJ got bumped off the first screen and then tried to cheat the 2nd on a floppy set and Markieff set another good one on a pin down in semi-transition to free Beal for another 3.

Funny enough, that start could've even have been worse if it wasn't for Plumlee's defense around the rim. Forced Gortat into a tough shot in the post, then came over to block his hook shot with Harkless matched up with him in transition. He probably got away with a foul on the last play I saw, but he did great job contesting Otto Porter's layup after he beat Harkless down the floor in transition. That defensive sequence Lillard had against Wall was nice to see as well.

Interested to see how they respond tomorrow.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I don't necessarily think the team's play is Stotts' fault, but I'm not sure he's helping any.

Will Olshey fire him if they go 0-4? I doubt it, but if he did it wouldn't be the first time that a GM pinned under-performance on a coach -- It's tough to fire players on guaranteed contracts, and GMs usually don't fire themselves.

 

[illmatic99]

In all seriousness, what if the Blazers were to go 0-4 on this road trip? I don't expect that, but if it happened, does Stotts lose his job? If not (at which point the Blazers would be 18-28), exactly what would it take for Stotts to be let go? If they go 1-3 but their only win is against the hapless 76'ers, is that grounds for dismissal or just par for this season so far?

Olshey doesn't seem like the type to fire a coach midseason. He seems more deliberate than that especially since, as recently as this past season, Stotts was considered a Coach of the Year candidate. I think Stotts will at least get all of this season and maybe next season, too.

Think the biggest issue here might be that Terry just got a 3 yr extension this past summer and is on contract til 2020. After handing out so much $ to players, Paul Allen might balk at the idea of eating more $.

 

[e_blazer]

In all seriousness, what if the Blazers were to go 0-4 on this road trip? I don't expect that, but if it happened, does Stotts lose his job? If not (at which point the Blazers would be 18-28), exactly what would it take for Stotts to be let go? If they go 1-3 but their only win is against the hapless 76'ers, is that grounds for dismissal or just par for this season so far?

The last time the Blazers fired a coach mid-season was Nate McMillan, and he was fired because he'd totally lost the team. I don't see a parallel to the current situation. The team's players, especially the top two players, are firmly on board with Stotts as head coach. Don't see it happening. If the Blazers miss the playoffs after last summer's spending binge, I wouldn't be surprised to see both Olshey and Stotts get the axe next summer.