Game Thread GAME# 44: BLAZERS @ NUGGETS - JANUARY 13, 2019 - SUNDAY, 5:00 PM, NBCSNW

[BonesJones]

Pointing out things that Stotts did well doesn't necessarily negate things he did poorly. It is possible for a coach to have both good and bad aspects of his game plan and execution.

Which is funny, because I've given Stotts credit for multiple things. How often has KJ criticized him, or agreed with someone criticizing him? And we want to talk about trying to push biased narratives...

 

[TBpup]

This was a HUGE opportunity for the Blazers to get a win against the conference leader. Not only were they playing their 5th game in 7 nights, they were with out a starter and 2 of their top 8 rotation players.

That is what makes Stotts coaching even more frustrating frustrating.

 

[illmatic99]

This was a HUGE opportunity for the Blazers to get a win against the conference leader. Not only were they playing their 5th game in 7 nights, they were with out a starter and 2 of their top 8 rotation players.

That is what makes Stotts coaching even more frustrating frustrating.

We were in a 4 of 7 stretch and on the road while missing a key starter too. I don't see the point in repeatedly saying this. We missed a good opportunity by Terry's decision making and Nurk's general stupidity, but it's not like we had some massive schedule advantage.

 

[tlongII]

Unfortunately I didn't see the game. Looking at some highlights it seems Jokic was very good. Nurk was in foul trouble and I'd like to know if his fouls were legitimate?

 

[TBpup]

We were in a 4 of 7 stretch and on the road while missing a key starter too. I don't see the point in repeatedly saying this. We missed a good opportunity by Terry's decision making and Nurk's general stupidity, but it's not like we had some massive schedule advantage.

Right....so they played 25% more games than we did in the same period. So we had 50% more days off in the same stretch as they did.

Harkless - 5.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists
G. Harris- 16.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists
T. Lyles - 9.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists

Harkless is an easy #3 in that list in terms of impact. So yes we were missing a player but 'key' may be a stretch....especially since we seem to play much better and have a higher winning percentage with Layman as a starter. Then we were missing a bench player who admittedly shows up on some nights and completely disappears on others.

 

[hoopsjock]

Outside of Layman, the other 4 starters shot 36.1% (22/61). The bench actually played well on the road. These are the types of games we have to win if we want to take that next step. In year 4 of this team we shouldn't be happy with moral victories. It's perfectly okay to question the poor decision making of the coach.

Layman is the type of player that when he's on he can score in bunches. For those defending Stotts how can you justify Layman only getting 18 minutes when all the other starters are struggling?

 

[kjironman1]

Pointing out things that Stotts did well doesn't necessarily negate things he did poorly. It is possible for a coach to have both good and bad aspects of his game plan and execution.

Of course. I totally agree. There are things that didn't go well. But that doesn't mean he didn't try them.

 

[calvin natt]

Thats not true at all though. I do give Stotts credit when he does good things. I was just saying that the closing minutes of that particular game wasnt really coaching. You are building up your own narrative too that I some how hate stotts so much that I will bash him whenever things go bad and when they go good I will never give him credit for those things. I do in fact give him credit for things.

I dont blame Stotts everytime they lose a close game.

So the closing minutes weren’t coaching? But I read in this thread that it was coaching to have Nurk in there? Which is it? Damian took a bad shot with 3 seconds left because of Stotts right? But for 47 mins and 57 seconds they were ahead or toe to toe with the best record in the West. Was that coaching?

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

So the closing minutes weren’t coaching? But I read in this thread that it was coaching to have Nurk in there? Which is it? Damian took a bad shot with 3 seconds left because of Stotts right? But for 47 mins and 57 seconds they were ahead or toe to toe with the best record in the West. Was that coaching?

Just because you "read" in this thread doesn't mean I said it. Sure I thought they made some coaching mistakes in this game, but I never once said they lost because of coaching.

 

[Hoopguru]

Right....so they played 25% more games than we did in the same period. So we had 50% more days off in the same stretch as they did.

Harkless - 5.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists
G. Harris- 16.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists
T. Lyles - 9.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists

Harkless is an easy #3 in that list in terms of impact. So yes we were missing a player but 'key' may be a stretch....especially since we seem to play much better and have a higher winning percentage with Layman as a starter. Then we were missing a bench player who admittedly shows up on some nights and completely disappears on others.

So what is Brad Stevens problem?

 

[Scalma]

Lots of real well thought out posts here.

 

[Hoopguru]

Again, If you were to survey the coaches and players they'd have Terry Stotts in the Top third, hands down.
Its fine to criticize a coach as its our right as a fan but also give a coach credit when its due.
Most in here that chastise Neil for not providing quality players or a balanced roster, are the same ones raining on Stotts continually. Id say Terry has done a decent job with decent results over the last few years with the deck he's been dealt. Yep, got to get out of the first round as the weighting is certainly this year.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Did you perhaps missed that Evan Turner was also out there ?

Right. Even though he was the inbounder, it took away the option of the inbounder passing in, then stepping in and taking a pass back and shooting. With three seconds plenty of time for that.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

And considering how Denver was guarding the three point line at the end, another good play would have been to pass to a guy in the key, and then he passes out to someone on the three point line. With the passer behind the Denver defenders, would have been a lot harder for them to defend. Plenty of time for that play also.

 

[bobf]

That is exactly what Stotts did last night. They were trying to get him to shoot mid range or pass out when he got in close. Jokic had a good game but if he misses one or two of the mid range the Blazers win that game.

I only saw most of second half and Nurk was already in foul trouble so I didn't get to see exactly how we played him. So then, I agree with the strategy we used. Make him make shots, hopefully fatigue becomes a factor. He's a great scorer but he's also a great passer, so better that than a bunch of wide open three point shots and layups. May not have worked this game, but that's a one game sample and nothing actually "works" against elite offensive players.

 

[kjironman1]

And considering how Denver was guarding the three point line at the end, another good play would have been to pass to a guy in the key, and then he passes out to someone on the three point line. With the passer behind the Denver defenders, would have been a lot harder for them to defend. Plenty of time for that play also.

In 3 seconds? No. Not plenty of time.

 

[kjironman1]

So the closing minutes weren’t coaching? But I read in this thread that it was coaching to have Nurk in there? Which is it? Damian took a bad shot with 3 seconds left because of Stotts right? But for 47 mins and 57 seconds they were ahead or toe to toe with the best record in the West. Was that coaching?

That is pretty much the spot on post. Were they in the game at the end or what? Could they have won that game? What else is a coach to do?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

That is pretty much the spot on post. Were they in the game at the end or what? Could they have won that game? What else is a coach to do?

Have a better gameplan or in-game decision-making that results in the team leading late rather than trailing?

 

[Blazers Roy]

Not a huge fan of Zach Collins, but i wanted him to play instead of Nukic during those last ~4 minutes.
Nurkic was really occupied with his ego, his rivalry with Jokic,the refs and it was a very obvious problem...I don't know why Stotts doesn't use some discipline at times.

And that last play...This isn't the 1st time our last attempt is so transparent and pointless, Lillard from 30'...surprise surprise.

 

[hoopsjock]

So the closing minutes weren’t coaching? But I read in this thread that it was coaching to have Nurk in there? Which is it? Damian took a bad shot with 3 seconds left because of Stotts right? But for 47 mins and 57 seconds they were ahead or toe to toe with the best record in the West. Was that coaching?

That is pretty much the spot on post. Were they in the game at the end or what? Could they have won that game? What else is a coach to do?

Yay! Let's be happy that we almost beat the vaunted Nuggets! Just to be so close should be considered just as good as a win! It was such good coaching to even have them in a position to tie the game at the end! There is no room for improvement! We just need to make shots we normally hit!

 

[DDolla]

Question... Is Jamal Murray better than CJ?

 

[blue9]

Yay! Let's be happy that we almost beat the vaunted Nuggets! Just to be so close should be considered just as good as a win! It was such good coaching to even have them in a position to tie the game at the end! There is no room for improvement! We just need to make shots we normally hit!

Define "normally".

 

[illmatic99]

Question... Is Jamal Murray better than CJ?

meh, I think they're about the same. Which says a lot about how crappy CJ has become.

 

[wizenheimer]

Lots of real well thought out posts here.

I must not have been posting

 

[hoopsjock]

Define "normally".

In case it wasn't clear my post was sarcastic and I didn't feel the need to make it green font.

That is an excuse I hear all the time. If so and so just makes a shot they normally hit, we win!

 

[kjironman1]

Yay! Let's be happy that we almost beat the vaunted Nuggets! Just to be so close should be considered just as good as a win! It was such good coaching to even have them in a position to tie the game at the end! There is no room for improvement! We just need to make shots we normally hit!

Yawn

 

[wizenheimer]

That is an excuse I hear all the time. If so and so just makes a shot they normally hit, we win!

 

[HailBlazers]

Unfortunately I didn't see the game. Looking at some highlights it seems Jokic was very good. Nurk was in foul trouble and I'd like to know if his fouls were legitimate?

Not all of them no. A lot of ticky tack fouls throughout the game.

 

[THE HCP]

Not mad. It happens losing happens.

Of course it does. Thats what I'm saying. We win a couple we are headed to the finals, we lose a couple season over. This place never changes.

 

[kjironman1]

He didnt try 6 different looks. He doubled maybe once. Once again making stuff up because you like Stotts so you dont want to admit when he does a bad job.

Without even watching the game again i can come up with 4 right off the top of my head. By the way using a different player would be considered a different look. He has Nurk on him alone-1 He had Nurk and Aminu down low- 2 He had Nurk and Turner-3 He used CJ from the back side 4. I would also add the period he had Meyers in but that won't count in your mind. Then there was Aminu alone seeing if he could out quick Jokic- ooops that's 5 or is that 6? Wait a minute???? I have not even looked at film yet.

Then if you read my original post is said "as many as 6" seems like i low balled my estimate.