Game Thread GAME# 49: BLAZERS @ LAKERS - JANUARY 31, 2020 - FRIDAY, 7:30 PM, ESPN & NBCSNW

[SIeepwalker]

Great win despite Stotts playing Mario for whatever reason

 

[stampedehero]

Regular Season
Jan 31, 10:30 PM ET
Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Source:MSN sports

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
127 - 119
LOS ANGELES LAKERS

(22-27)
FINAL
(36-11)
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
POR 38 22 43 24
LAL 36 26 34 23

Leading Players




Damian Lillard
48
Points


Anthony Davis
37




Hassan Whiteside
12
Rebounds


Anthony Davis
15




Damian Lillard
10
Assists


LeBron James
10

WIN!!!!!!

 

[CupWizier]

Great win despite Stotts playing Mario for whatever reason

Uh foul trouble as Gabriel fouled out in a short timr, Biggie was close behind and no Melo. Maybe you didn't notice but the lakers are very big on the front line.

 

[kjironman1]

I thought we would get annihilated tonight, but i am extremely happy to say i was wrong! Its a great day to be a Blazer!!!

Deep down most of us thought they would get annihilated. But there was one who called it! @Neil O. Shyster showed no fear whatsoever!

 

[SIeepwalker]

Uh foul trouble as Gabriel fouled out in a short timr, Biggie was close behind and no Melo. Maybe you didn't notice but the lakers are very big on the front line.

Maybe you didn't notice Mario got his ass cooked and bricked shot the whole time he was on the floor (while also gifting free points with and ones and fouling jump shooters) while Nas was sitting his ass on the bench. Playing Nas and Mario the same number of minutes is criminal.

 

[SIeepwalker]

Man, Wenyen's stat line looks TERRIBLE but I mostly liked what I saw

 

[hoopsjock]

Dame just took Howard's old Superman cape.

Hey, Dwight still thinks he needs that for the dunk contest!

 

[illmatic99]

I can't believe Dame did that. On that stage, given those circumstances.

Ridiculous.

 

[TBpup]

Man, Wenyen's stat line looks TERRIBLE but I mostly liked what I saw

Neither Wenyen nor Ariza had a good looking stat line....but their were a lot of contributions that were very postive.

For Gabriel, imagine your first ever NBA start...against the best PF in the game today. And he showed no fear.

 

[kjironman1]

Uh foul trouble as Gabriel fouled out in a short timr, Biggie was close behind and no Melo. Maybe you didn't notice but the lakers are very big on the front line.

Yeah but Little was sitting there available. Now here is the thing. Mario is getting roasted but he did have two WIDE OPEN looks from three that were right there. They didn't fall. If those shots fall the Blazers blow that game open in the fourth and Stotts looks like a genius. Also Mario is a decent FT shooter at 83%. No reason to believe he could not have hit both his free throws. Possible 8 points turned into 1 point. If he gets 5 nobody is roasting Mario or Stotts decision to play him right now.
You kind of have to look at who was in the game. While Kuzma was in Stotts decided to go with Mario after Gabriel fouled out. Kuzma is 6-8 and a bit slower. It was a mismatch in the Blazers favor as Mario was able to get open looks. The Lakers went to Daniels and Mario then was able to draw that foul. Unfortunately he missed one.
I wonder if Little would have worked better all around? I personally would have gone with the rookie because at this point giving him a chance to explode in a game that big could have huge benefits to his entire career. Just think if he gets those looks and drops them!

 

[CupWizier]

Maybe you didn't notice Mario got his ass cooked and bricked shot the whole time he was on the floor (while also gifting free points with and ones and fouling jump shooters) while Nas was sitting his ass on the bench. Playing Nas and Mario the same number of minutes is criminal.

I also noticed that we won.

 

[kjironman1]

Neither Wenyen nor Ariza had a good looking stat line....but their were a lot of contributions that were very postive.

For Gabriel, imagine your first ever NBA start...against the best PF in the game today. And he showed no fear.

He showed no fear yes. But he fouled out in 12 minutes went 0-3, got one rebound. He was way out of his league. Between him and Biggie you have 10 of 22 fouls. Add Mario and Little and you get 15 Fouls.
Gabriel will be a project. Great tools to work with. But players like that will take 2-3 years to develop.

 

[CupWizier]

No.

No? You did mention McCollum? You should have.

 

[CupWizier]

He showed no fear yes. But he fouled out in 12 minutes went 0-3, got one rebound. He was way out of his league. Between him and Biggie you have 10 of 22 fouls. Add Mario and Little and you get 15 Fouls.
Gabriel will be a project. Great tools to work with. But players like that will take 2-3 years to develop.

This forum has a tendency to over hype end of bench players rather than just let them develop.

 

[kjironman1]

This forum has a tendency to over hype end of bench players rather than just let them develop.

They do indeed. Got to figure if Melo is there he doesn't see the court. If Collins/Hood/Nurk are available does he dress down for this game? I guess so because there is a roster spot. Blazers do have a towel he can waive.

 

[bobf]

Great win despite Stotts playing Mario for whatever reason

Hopefully showcasing him for a trade to Sacramento.

 

[kjironman1]

 

[kjironman1]

I guess Kuzma was just gonna hope he missed that.

 

[Hoopguru]

Whiteside definitely the most under-appreciated Blazer in a long time.

Yet many in here want him traded because he doesn’t fit?

 

[illmatic99]

 

[TBpup]

Nice crossover...bu at 6-18.....at some point, something had to go in, right?

 

[kjironman1]

Yet many in here want him traded because he doesn’t fit?

It seems some are starting to question getting rid of a good player but of course all our cap specialists out there say he must go. I'm torn on this?
Personally i just cannot see getting rid of a player of that caliber that wants to be here. Money you say? I ask you. What would Paul Allen do?

 

[kjironman1]

Nice crossover...bu at 6-18.....at some point, something had to go in, right?

Yeah. He was off but it was not for lack of good looks. I also noticed he was asking to be switched onto Lebron. Couple times he converted.

 

[Hoopguru]

Too soon to say.... bring on the 8th seed?

Not at all!
These guys are playing with heart and urgency!
Against some pretty tough odds with all the injuries! I’m impressed with the addition of two vets that have helped. I’ve always thought Trent was a steal in the draft, he’s so determined to make it and he has an NBA body.
I think we’ve played more road games so far than most in the WC.

 

[Hoopguru]

Baze was a trade, not a signing, and, when it was done, it made sense, because, at the time, we had Rodney playing the starting 3, and we had Zach, so we had two 7-footers inside and a 6-8 wing. We needed a backup guard, and Baze in a lot of ways seemed a better fit than the guy traded for him, Evan Turner.

When the injuries happened, we got really small, and it turned out Bazemore just wasn't the fit it appeared he might be when he was acquired. Getting Ariza and a lottery ticket like Gabriel actually was an amazing return, in hindsight. Of course, I still am holding my breath that Ariza's play holds up at 34.

Both Melo and TA are starters in a team with Dame, coaxed by one of the most respected players coach, they are having fun and feel a new lease on their careers!
It kind of like Pelosi getting all excited about the Green New Deal and her feaktionship with the newbie squad gals!

 

[Hoopguru]

It seems some are starting to question getting rid of a good player but of course all our cap specialists out there say he must go. I'm torn on this?
Personally i just cannot see getting rid of a player of that caliber that wants to be here. Money you say? I ask you. What would Paul Allen do?

I’m certain if Dame wants him here he will be here. Jodie looks at Dame like the Buss family looked at Kobe.

 

[James lamphear]

Uh foul trouble as Gabriel fouled out in a short timr, Biggie was close behind and no Melo. Maybe you didn't notice but the lakers are very big on the front line.

That big reason he foul out due to Davis but he also gave Davis fits and I like how stay in front of him. But Davis just to big and strong for him. But let him guard not has big he probably won't foul out.

 

[CupWizier]

That big reason he foul out due to Davis but he also gave Davis fits and I like how stay in front of him. But Davis just to big and strong for him. But let him guard not has big he probably won't foul out.

What people need to understand is that Gabriel at this stage is simply a project with some potential but still needs lots of work before he's close to being a rotational player. i'm willing to let the kid learn but I think some in the forum need to temper their enthusiasm as he would likely be in street clothes if we had Skal, Collins and Nurkic dressed down.

 

[James lamphear]

They do indeed. Got to figure if Melo is there he doesn't see the court. If Collins/Hood/Nurk are available does he dress down for this game? I guess so because there is a roster spot. Blazers do have a towel he can waive.

Sure your right but that goes a lot of these players that playing right now. Swanigan Mario Gabriel and if Hood didn't go down your properly not even seen Trent. So in a way the injuries has shown what these kids what they can due and makes us deeper for the future. I miss one Little of those players. Yes injuries have hurt but it was not bad thing either. These young guys starting to score some points now too and been on this turn around.

 

[wizenheimer]

It's fine, you just have to chill.

says the guy with a slathered-up killer Rottweiler as his avatar

Lillard is Jordan slash Kobe. Best player on planet. And hezonja is worst player in nba. Never seen a worse player than him

Dame & Hezonja = balanced attack