Game Thread GAME# 49: BLAZERS @ THUNDER - JANUARY 22, 2019 - TUESDAY, 5:00 PM, NBATV & NBCSNW

[kjironman1]

Contenders overcome it. We had two days off before this back to back. A back to back shouldnt mean 20+ turnovers.

Sure. Keep thinking that. The very best teams in the league all have bad games on the second of B2B's with travel time included. Every team falls prey to this when the schedule goes this way. The Blazers travel more than any team in the league. This isn't and excuse. It's fact.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Sure. Keep thinking that. The very best teams in the league all have bad games on the second of B2B's with travel time included. Every team falls prey to this when the schedule goes this way. The Blazers travel more than any team in the league. This isn't and excuse. It's fact.

If I had nothing better to do, I'd go back over the past 5 years or so to see how often teams played road back to backs with game 1 in Denver or Utah, and game 2 at another .500 or better team. I'm willing to bet there wouldn't be very many victories.

 

[wizenheimer]

Dame played 40 mins on the second night of a back to back after having played 36 the night prior. He hasn't had a single night off this year. And these are HARD minutes. He's facing like a hundred pick and rolls every night. Not necessary, Terry. We have enough knowledge about over-use injuries that this shit shouldn't happen. Reminds me of how Boogie got hurt last year.

Same with Nurk. 32 and 37 minutes. Or CJ 38 and 38.

there's definitely something to this IMO

and it may go quite a distance in explaining why Portland 'overachieves' in the regular season and falls flat in the playoffs

just look at what Dame did last season. He was his usual self over the first 30 games; he then 'rested' in 7 games out of 9 due to a minor injury. Shortly after he came back, he went into super-star mode and carried Portland to 3rd seed. And while in that mode, he had the time off during all-star break. Sure looks like the only break he's going to get is during all-star week. And like you pointed out, Dame is burning thru a lot of reserves because opponents are forcing him into physical situations, possession after possession.

You can be certain that opposing western conference coaches see the value in wearing Lillard down during the regular season. Meanwhile, Stotts can't seem to see the forest thru the trees and is investing everything into securing every possible regular season win. It's short-sighted

 

[tykendo]

The Bench went back to being mediocre, plain and simple. And Chief couldn't hit a shot if his life depended on it. Dame, Nurk, and CJ were playing their collective arses off. The difference in the game was OKC's supporting cast came to play. Ferguson couldn't miss. Jake's shot went south last night, but I liked that he still contributed in other ways. For the Blazers to beat the top teams, they can't have those kind of performances from the bench. It's the same for OKC. Had their supporting cast played like the Blazers' , they would have lost as well. It's not dire, but the bench MUST become more consistant. They need to start setting better picks for Curry to get open looks. Zach needs to wake the "F" up! If his shot isn't falling, do other things. Hustle on double teams, and get back to make a difference. He's standing around too much. Meyers is Meyers. Up and down. I Like Jake's progression, but if Neil can add a quality piece for the bench , get it down.

 

[tykendo]

Even his off game was fine. He wasn’t hesitating and none of his shots were really forced. The offense just flows better when he’s out there. Teams don’t respect Harkless and he’s too limited and passive to rely on night in and night out. I’m not even hating, that’s just the reality, with his entire career as evidence.

Jake, to me, needs MORE minutes going forward. Moe, is Moe (engaged, excellent, mope city not good). I liked that Stotts played Jake with the starters late. That needs to continue.

 

[wizenheimer]

Sure. Keep thinking that. The very best teams in the league all have bad games on the second of B2B's with travel time included. Every team falls prey to this when the schedule goes this way. The Blazers travel more than any team in the league. This isn't and excuse. It's fact.

yes, it's a fact generically, but in this specific case, it's also an excuse. OKC was on a b2b as well; their b2b was a little easier, it's true....

But:

* Portland played 3 games in 6 nights and their travel was Portland --> Utah --> OKC (2 flights; 1950 miles)

* OKC played 4 games in 6 nights and their travel was OKC --> LA --> Philly --> NY --> OKC (4 flights; 5600 miles)

it's just about impossible to argue that Portland had the more difficult week with more travel....so yeah, excuses

 

[tykendo]

Lolol

The Tool, A.K.A. Westbroke is a piece of work. I love that Nurk is getting under his skin. Nurk ain't afraid of "Roid Rage".

 

[tykendo]

yes, it's a fact generically, but in this specific case, it's also an excuse. OKC was on a b2b as well; their b2b was a little easier, it's true....

But:

* Portland played 3 games in 6 nights and their travel was Portland --> Utah --> OKC (1950 miles)

* OKC played 4 games in 6 nights and their travel was OKC --> LA --> Philly --> NY --> OKC (5600 miles)

it's just about impossible to argue that Portland had the more difficult week with more travel....so yeah, excuses

That's fair. Again, Nurk, Dame, and CJ came to play. Their supporting cast was still stuck on the tarmac.

 

[CupWizier]

If I had nothing better to do, I'd go back over the past 5 years or so to see how often teams played road back to backs with game 1 in Denver or Utah, and game 2 at another .500 or better team. I'm willing to bet there wouldn't be very many victories.

NBA improved the schedule this year, but what they need to take into effect is teams in different time zones. We are the only division that has divisional games in 3 different time zones. With Seattle moving to OKC several years ago, realignment should have been done then as no way does OKC belong in the NW division. Portland and Phoenix could switch places and it would improve immensely

 

[PtldPlatypus]

NBA improved the schedule this year, but what they need to take into effect is teams in different time zones. We are the only division that has divisional games in 3 different time zones. With Seattle moving to OKC several years ago, realignment should have been done then as no way does OKC belong in the NW division. Portland and Phoenix could switch places and it would improve immensely

By my math, we play 30 games against the East, leaving 52 v the West. 16 of those are in division, leaving 36 against the other 10 teams in the conference, meaning we play 6 of them 4 times and 4 of them 3 times. So, realignment would essentially affect a maximum of 4 games per year, realistically closer to 2. I don't think that the impact on the team's travel would be significant.

 

[tlongII]

The Tool, A.K.A. Westbroke is a piece of work. I love that Nurk is getting under his skin. Nurk ain't afraid of "Roid Rage".

Nurk is like Honey Badger. He don't give a fuck.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Sure. Keep thinking that. The very best teams in the league all have bad games on the second of B2B's with travel time included. Every team falls prey to this when the schedule goes this way. The Blazers travel more than any team in the league. This isn't and excuse. It's fact.

All true, but I would offer this caveat - the 3 guys who should have been the most tired were the only ones who played reasonably well.

 

[CupWizier]

By my math, we play 30 games against the East, leaving 52 v the West. 16 of those are in division, leaving 36 against the other 10 teams in the conference, meaning we play 6 of them 4 times and 4 of them 3 times. So, realignment would essentially affect a maximum of 4 games per year, realistically closer to 2. I don't think that the impact on the team's travel would be significant.

The furthest team in our division is now almost 2000 miles away and the closest is 760 miles. By going to the pacific we would be 962 mile away from the furthest and closest would be 580 miles away.

Current divisions
to Salt Lake City 760 miles
to Denver 1240 miles
to Minnesota 1729 miles
to OKC 1910 miles
total 5,640 miles

Pacific Division
to Sacramento 580 miles
to San Francisco 635 miles
to LAC 960 miles
to LAL 960 miles
total 3135 miles

5000 miles in difference when you factor in twice at each location on the road in the respective divisions and then factor in the time zone changes and it is definitely a disadvantage for Portland being in the NW as opposed to the Pacific. Phoenix is almost half the distance to OKC than Portland is and also much closer to Denver as well as Salt Lake City. It definitely adds up and by going to the Pacific it brings the playing field a little more even. The east coast has a definite advantage as look at how close teams like NY, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Toronto are to each other.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

The furthest team in our division is now almost 2000 miles away and the closest is 760 miles. By going to the pacific we would be 962 mile away and closest would be 580 miles away.

Current divisions
to Salt Lake City 760 miles
to Denver 1240 miles
to Minnesota 1729 miles
to OKC 1910 miles
total 5,640 miles

Pacific Division
to Sacramento 580 miles
to San Francisco 635 miles
to LAC 960 miles
to LAL 960 miles
total 3135 miles

5000 miles in difference when you factor in twice at each location on the road in the respective divisions and then factor in the time zone changes and it is definitely a disadvantage for Portland being in the NW as opposed to the Pacific. Phoenix is almost half the distance to OKC than Portland is and also much closer to Denver as well as Salt Lake City. It definitely adds up and by going to the Pacific it brings the playing field a little more even. The east coast has a definite advantage as look at how close teams like NY, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and Toronto are to each other.

Again, we already play all the Pacific division teams 3 or 4 times anyway. Realignment would simply mandate that we play those teams 4 times, and play the teams who are our current division opponents only 3 times 40% of the time. So as I demonstrated in my prior post, this would only affect 2 road games on our schedule over the course of the season.

 

[THE HCP]

Gonna prop my own Tweet here:



(Also, Westbrook has only won 9/20 matches vs Dame all time.)

You think this tweet deserves props? Russ wasn't telling Dame, "Hey my team always beats yours!"
He was informing Mr. Lillard that HE has been killing him for years. Goes to show Westbrook's mentality. He is all about himself and not the team. But it's just like at the parks growing up, he doesn't care his team loses, he is just reminding Dame that he gets his. Russ is Russ, love him or hate him.

 

[Scalma]

You think this tweet deserves props? Russ wasn't telling Dame, "Hey my team always beats yours!"
He was informing Mr. Lillard that HE has been killing him for years. Goes to show Westbrook's mentality. He is all about himself and not the team. But it's just like at the parks growing up, he doesn't care his team loses, he is just reminding Dame that he gets his. Russ is Russ, love him or hate him.

If the triggered turtle was so worried about individual matchups he should guard Dame himself the entire game instead of letting guys like Roberson and George draw the assignment instead.

 

[James lamphear]

The Bench went back to being mediocre, plain and simple. And Chief couldn't hit a shot if his life depended on it. Dame, Nurk, and CJ were playing their collective arses off. The difference in the game was OKC's supporting cast came to play. Ferguson couldn't miss. Jake's shot went south last night, but I liked that he still contributed in other ways. For the Blazers to beat the top teams, they can't have those kind of performances from the bench. It's the same for OKC. Had their supporting cast played like the Blazers' , they would have lost as well. It's not dire, but the bench MUST become more consistant. They need to start setting better picks for Curry to get open looks. Zach needs to wake the "F" up! If his shot isn't falling, do other things. Hustle on double teams, and get back to make a difference. He's standing around too much. Meyers is Meyers. Up and down. I Like Jake's progression, but if Neil can add a quality piece for the bench , get it down.

Collins had 6 boards last night and 4 of them was on the offensive end in 12 minutes of play. I don't where he was standing around. He also 2-3 for 4 points and assist to Leonard.

 

[James lamphear]

You think this tweet deserves props? Russ wasn't telling Dame, "Hey my team always beats yours!"
He was informing Mr. Lillard that HE has been killing him for years. Goes to show Westbrook's mentality. He is all about himself and not the team. But it's just like at the parks growing up, he doesn't care his team loses, he is just reminding Dame that he gets his. Russ is Russ, love him or hate him.

I don't know thinking about he always have the upper hand I remember last a couple time when the Blazers beat them he got so mad Dame not only was Dame was getting the best of him and his team losing that he thru a fit and check his self out of the game. Russ probably have lost more games in the 4th QT for his selfish play then ever has in career.

 

[Jade Falcon]

Lolol

I love Nurk, but he got utterly destroyed in that tweet. Perhaps he shouldn't trash talk after a loss when the Blazers are 0-2 against them this year.

 

[Scalma]

I love Nurk, but he got utterly destroyed in that tweet. Perhaps he shouldn't trash talk after a loss when the Blazers are 0-2 against them this year.

Perhaps you should try hiding your Nurkic hate better, it’s getting boring. “I love Nurk” lmao get outta here I don’t think there’s anyone quicker to jump on him the minute he has some adversity on this forum than you.

 

[Jade Falcon]

Perhaps you should try hiding your Nurkic hate better, it’s getting boring. “I love Nurk” lmao get outta here I don’t think there’s anyone quicker to jump on him the minute he has some adversity on this forum than you.

.......you have me mistaken for someone else. Nurk is my favorite player on this team. Are you thinking of my dislike of Collins?

Get your facts straight before you jump up my asshole, thanks.

 

[Haakzilla]

...forgive if this was posted earlier, but this shit is funny (still hate Westbrook no matter what)!

 

[Scalma]

.......you have me mistaken for someone else. Nurk is my favorite player on this team. Are you thinking of my dislike of Collins?

Get your facts straight before you jump up my asshole, thanks.

Yeah he’s your favorite player until he has a bad game and then it’s trade him for Whiteside. Do I still have the wrong guy or are you just generally that reactionary with everything else as well?

 

[Jade Falcon]

Yeah he’s your favorite player until he has a bad game and then it’s trade him for Whiteside. Do I still have the wrong guy?

....yes, you do. I've never said anything of a sort.

 

[wizenheimer]

in case anyone is interested, here's the laughing contest between Westbrook and Nukic. It's pretty funny...turn up your volume:

 

[Scalma]

in case anyone is interested, here's the laughing contest between Westbrook and Nukic. It's pretty funny...turn up your volume:

They bleeped out Nurks “fuck outta here” after he blocked the shot, which is probably what led to Westbrook’s fake laugh. I love it.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Fuck I am looking at the next two OKC match ups. We play them again in Feb on another back to back on the road. Then, after a 7 game east coast road trip, we only have 1 night off before our home game against them. That pisses me off. Essentially a 8 game road trip.

 

[Jade Falcon]

Fuck I am looking at the next two OKC match ups. We play them again in Feb on another back to back on the road. Then, after a 7 game east coast road trip, we only have 1 night off before our home game against them. That pisses me off. Essentially a 8 game road trip.

Fuck this league. I'm tired of being the league's whipping boy. They don't even bother to show our highlights in reels of plays on ESPN.

 

[HailBlazers]

You think this tweet deserves props? Russ wasn't telling Dame, "Hey my team always beats yours!"
He was informing Mr. Lillard that HE has been killing him for years. Goes to show Westbrook's mentality. He is all about himself and not the team. But it's just like at the parks growing up, he doesn't care his team loses, he is just reminding Dame that he gets his. Russ is Russ, love him or hate him.

And you wonder why we've given him so much hate over the years? Speaking of which, @Boob-No-More where you been?

 

[THE HCP]

And you wonder why we've given him so much hate over the years? Speaking of which, @Boob-No-More where you been?

I know he was upset with a couple guys on here and their posting styles and said he was taking time off. Always loved him trying to give me shit about my boy Russ.