Game Thread GAME# 47: BLAZERS @ PISTONS - MARCH 31, 2021 - WEDNESDAY, 4:00, NBCSNW

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Who should start at SF?

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We can get Norman more looks if we play faster. But increasing the pace will only result in even more defensive troubles for this team.

The shot distribution needs to change a bit. Tonight was OK. Dame with 19, CJ with 16. Nurk looks like Marc Gasol out there on the high post finding cutters and shooting only when he has to. And Roco highly efficient in his 10 looks.

But Melo with 13 sticks out like a sore thumb. Those no pass possessions where he takes contested fadeaways are just not necessary with the kinda offensive weapons we have.
 
OneSport3 said:
Milwaukee on Friday will be the true litmus test to see where this team is truly at.
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Maybe. I won’t freak out if we lose though. First game back after a road trip has been tough for us in the past.
 
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tlongII said:
They are looking good. Anybody that thinks we don’t have a chance in the playoffs is just plain wrong.
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we played some really shit teams on this trip. But some signs of defense in longer spurts
 
tlongII said:
Maybe. I won’t freak out if we lose though. First game back after a road trip has been tough for us in the past.
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True, the first home game after a long road trip are usually difficult spots but they need to make it competitive. The last time they played Milwaukee they got run out of the gym. And the last time they faced a team with a winning record, Dallas embarrassed them at home.
 
Reading the recent game threads I swear we must have just gone 0 for 4. Yes these wins were against shitty teams, but a 4-0 road trip is great and just like sex I will take it any day of the week and twice on Sundays.
 
tlongII said:
Lol who is saying that? We had a 4-0 road trip. We traded for Powell. And Nurk is back.
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And we beat 4 sub par teams.

We are playing none of these teams in the playoffs.

If we don't defend, we will lose in the playoffs.

And stotts is to blame.
 
Strenuus said:
And we beat 4 sub par teams.

We are playing none of these teams in the playoffs.

If we don't defend, we will lose in the playoffs.

And stotts is to blame.
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Well we’re going to find out. I’d like to get Zach back, but I think we have plenty enough talent to make a deep playoff run.
 
Strenuus said:
And we beat 4 sub par teams.

We are playing none of these teams in the playoffs.

If we don't defend, we will lose in the playoffs.

And stotts is to blame.
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No. It's because Olshey didn't get Stotts a backup point guard.
 
I really don't know what's to not be encouraged about. At the very least, fans should enjoy what they've seen and give it a chance to percolate a bit. We just added a major piece and brought back two major pieces.

Even if you want to play Debbie Downer, you have to admit the Blazers are a lot tougher to defend now. They can score in more ways, they are a more consistent shooting team, there's less likelihood of going through prolonged droughts because we are able to attack the basket with the dribble or the pass and the depth means some scoring has trickled down to the second unit ... even if they get outplayed, they should be able to score and defend enough not to put us in a huge hole.

Defensively, we create turnovers, we get steals and we block shots. I think we created as many shot-clock violations this road trip as we have all year. And the big defensive plays allow the Blazers to utilize another weapon they haven't much before: transition.

I think teams with a lot of length could give us issues, or obviously a team with multiple superstars, but I'm willing to give a benefit of the doubt to what I've seen the last few games, because it's not like anyone is out there on some crazy hot streak that's not maintainable. If anything, individually our guys have done less while the team has done more.
 
This game never felt like the outcome was in doubt. It was like watching them work on some things and then in the second half they just said "OK, enough of this" and they stepped on the Pistons' throats and suddenly it was a 20-point difference without anyone erupting offensively. Just played good defense, got stops, moved the ball at the other end, got good shots pretty much every possession, told Detroit "thanks for playing" and flew back to Portland.
 
PCmor7 said:
This game never felt like the outcome was in doubt. It was like watching them work on some things and then in the second half they just said "OK, enough of this" and they stepped on the Pistons' throats and suddenly it was a 20-point difference without anyone erupting offensively. Just played good defense, got stops, moved the ball at the other end, got good shots pretty much every possession, told Detroit "thanks for playing" and flew back to Portland.
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Yeah that was what i was feeling also watching it. Just never really felt like the Pistons could win that game.
 
Nurk's timing and discipline defensively has been really uneven, but like the flow and different dynamic his passing has given the offense. We become a lot less predictable with him and lineup. He's been more patient as a finisher too.

Norm is blending in well. Yeah there have been stretches where he's been stuck in the corner, but I think the more time he has with the team and as Terry figures out how he wants to mix and match lineups we're going to start to see the full extent of what he can bring.

Really like that he gives us another good chaser and point of attack defender as well. Gary had his moments in these areas, but Norm's lateral quicks and length are a step above.

Still not sure about this roster in the playoffs. The Melo fit is even tougher for me with Powell in the fold. Would be more excited if I was confident in having a healthy Zach by the playoffs. He has a valuable skillet at 5 vs the best teams.
 
Cugel said:
You can't complain at being 11 games over 500. Look at Boston. Stevens is as good as gone. BUT he is far better than Terry. I am confused.
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Different fanbases, different expectations. Boston fans expect championships. Portland fans are happy to make the playoffs.

And if you truly are confused if Stevens is better than Stotts, I don't know what to tell you. If both Stevens and Stotts were fired today, look at how many teams would go after Stevens and how many would go after Stotts. That's how you would find your answer.
 
OneSport3 said:
Different fanbases, different expectations. Boston fans expect championships. Portland fans are happy to make the playoffs.

And if you truly are confused if Stevens is better than Stotts, I don't know what to tell you. If both Stevens and Stotts were fired today, look at how many teams would go after Stevens and how many would go after Stotts. That's how you would find your answer.
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Stotts would be hired immediately. He is well respected around the league. Stevens has 2 All Stars and can’t coach them to .500 ball. In the EAST. Stotts is much more successful and that’s all that matters.
 
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