Game Thread GAME# 51: HAWKS @ BLAZERS - JANUARY 26, 2019 - SATURDAY, 7:00 PM, NBCSNW

[twobullz]

The bench kind of wilted on a night it would have been nice if someone would have stepped up. Glad they were able to pull it out. Moe and Aminu the biggest +'s tonight at +24

 

[James lamphear]

Trent had 34 tonight in his game tonight and that's 3 thirty point game in a row for him.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

[Hater]Of course in Dame's absence, "MeJ" does his best Westbrook impersonation snagging a triple-double.
[/hater]

 

[BonesJones]

Glad for CJ.....but it only reinforces the point I've been trying to make for years now. CJ can not be at his peak with Dame. They just get in each other's way a bit. Can still be good but not both at their best.

Why not? CJ could play like this next to Dame if he decided to.

 

[Darkwebs]

 

[DUB]

CJ after getting drenched: “Real mature.”

Yeah CJ, you’re too cool to get a soaking.

I swear the most animated he got during that interview was when he got asked about wine.

I don’t know what’s up with him lately. I assumed it was due to his shooting slump, and that a good performance or two would break him out of it, but maybe it’s something deeper, and he needs a longer break from basketball.

I dunno, he just seems off; almost depressed or something.

 

[oldmangrouch]

An interesting game indeed. You can only take so much from a win over the Hawks, but there were some positive things on display tonight.

And since I have been critical of CJ, I will gladly acknowledge that this is one of the best rebounding and playmaking games of his career. Clearly, he can do more than just shoot when he puts his mind to it.

And kudos to Curry as well.

 

[TBpup]

Why not? CJ could play like this next to Dame if he decided to.

But that may be even worse. He's not deciding to until it is only his show?

 

[riverman]

CJ after getting drenched: “Real
mature.”

Yeah CJ, you’re too cool to get a soaking.

I swear the most animated he got during that interview was when he got asked about wine.

I don’t know what’s up with him lately. I assumed it was due to his shooting slump, and that a good performance or two would break him out of it, but maybe it’s something deeper, and he needs a longer break from basketball.

I dunno, he just seems off; almost depressed or something.

He needs to play in the east where he'll be an allstar and have his own team....we're looking at a guy who really wants a Batman role after a career as Robin

 

[blazerkor]

Why not? CJ could play like this next to Dame if he decided to.

Then Dame doesn't have the ball in his hands enough. We are best when Dame has the ball and is facilitating the offense. CJ could play more pick and roll instead of iso but he wouldn't get enough possessions to be as productive as he was tonight. This game proves that CJ is better without Dame and we know that Dame would be better without CJ especially if CJ was replaced by a spot up shooter.

 

[DUB]

The first one, before Seth went to the corner and got the ball back.

Ah OK , I went back and watched it (multiple times just to be sure) and you’re right, CJ did throw his arms up in annoyance/disappointment when Curry dribbled instead of shooting.

 

[KingSpeed]

Playoff Watch: we are 5 games ahead of 9 seed

 

[KingSpeed]

I like having both Dame & CJ long term in a playoff series. CJ takes pressure of Dame.

 

[BlayZa]

i think CJ and Dame on the court are just too aware of each other and play to each other. maybe dame passes more, CJ does more team ball etc
with CJ out, Dame probably turns up likewise - are they likely to do it at the same time? probably not.

Can they work together? absolutely. will they ever be as dominant as they could be without each other? again, probably not.

I'm glad moe is hitting some form, ive long thought to get anywhere we really need a key top level player in the backcourt, a wing hybrid, and a front court player.

if we could upgrade SF with CJ trade i still think it's worth exploring, it'd just free everything up a little more and spread the threat around more.

If we could get a non-mental Jimmy Butler we'd be lethal(er)

 

[Jade Falcon]

CJ after getting drenched: “Real
mature.”

Yeah CJ, you’re too cool to get a soaking.

I swear the most animated he got during that interview was when he got asked about wine.

I don’t know what’s up with him lately. I assumed it was due to his shooting slump, and that a good performance or two would break him out of it, but maybe it’s something deeper, and he needs a longer break from basketball.

I dunno, he just seems off; almost depressed or something.

I've noticed this too. Can't say I blame him.....I think he's starting to see that it's not going to work long-term with him and Dame together. That, and perhaps he's hearing mutterings about how bad he's been shooting and how torn the fanbase is about him.

 

[kjironman1]

Always good to get another win even when they are ugly wins.

That was kind of an ugly win. Hope some of the bumps and bruises heal up. Glad some people stepped up and Dame got a game to heal a bit. I'm sure he needed it. Lillard rarely takes any games off.

Congrats to Seth for getting selected to the Three Point contest. He has earned it.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Playoff Watch: we are 5 games ahead of 9 seed

I just looked at the standings. We are wedged in between OKC and Houston - both of whom have played 3 fewer games than we have. That seems odd. It is late enough in the season I wouldn't expect that big a difference.

 

[DUB]

I think he's starting to see that it's not going to work long-term with him and Dame together.

It could definitely be this.

That, and perhaps he's hearing mutterings about how bad he's been shooting and how torn the fanbase is about him.

He should quit basketball if it's because of this. No player should care at all what the fans think of him/her. They should only care what the coach, and their team mates think of them. Everyone else's opinion is just external noise.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Glad for CJ.....but it only reinforces the point I've been trying to make for years now. CJ can not be at his peak with Dame. They just get in each other's way a bit. Can still be good but not both at their best.

Yeah I still disagree with this theory. This game by CJ did not impress me anymore than many others this year. He is not a point guard and should not be in charge of running an offense on a regular basis. Every player has his role and that is not CJ's. No matter who he plays with he will never be "the guy".......not on a playoff team. He is a Robin and nothing will change that. And I see nothing wrong with his current "peak". I like what he brings now even if it is not every night. You need lots of scorers, and he is a good one. He and Dame play well together when surrounded by complementary players. Just keep adding more to the puzzle.

 

[DUB]

He needs to play in the east where he'll be an allstar and have his own team....we're looking at a guy who really wants a Batman role after a career as Robin

You could be right. He'd definitely be an All-Star if he played in the East with a team of his own. He'd get so many highlights on ESPN. Who in the East is looking for an All-Star to build a team around, or at least just to sell some tickets while they remain mediocre? Brooklyn maybe? They seem to be assembling a team of former Trail Blazers.

 

[Pinwheel1]

He should quit basketball if it's because of this. No player should care at all what the fans think of him/her. They should only care what the coach, and their team mates think of them. Everyone else's opinion is just external noise.

That is complete bullshit. Players are human and no matter what it does effect them when they are getting bashed continually by the home team fans. They can not help but be sensitive about it. (and resentful)

 

[TBpup]

I like having both Dame & CJ long term in a playoff series. CJ takes pressure of Dame.

Recent history doesn't exactly back that theory up.

 

[kjironman1]

Why does our GM want Prince? He sucks.

Can you clue me in on this? How did you find out Neil Olshey wants Prince? Have i missed something? And what is with all the Lin talk? Don't the Blazers have enough guards?

 

[Darkwebs]

Can you clue me in on this? How did you find out Neil Olshey wants Prince? Have i missed something? And what is with all the Lin talk? Don't the Blazers have enough guards?

It was rumors.

Did you see this thread from a few days ago?
http://www.sportstwo.com/threads/taurean-prince-rumor.340203/unread

 

[Pinwheel1]

Recent history doesn't exactly back that theory up.

Again it takes more than just two players for a team to succeed in the playoffs. You need a minimum of 4 offensive options IMO on the court together.

 

[DUB]

That is complete bullshit. Players are human and no matter what it does effect them when they are getting bashed continually by the home team fans. They can not help but be sensitive about it. (and resentful)

Coach's and team mate's opinions are the only opinions that matter, therefore players should ignore every other opinion. If they can't ignore other opinions (which I understand, sometimes things can get to you no matter how hard you try to ignore them) then they should make efforts not to hear those opinions. Unless fans are booing at games, they won't even know how the fans feel.

 

[Darkwebs]

 

[Pinwheel1]

Coach's and team mate's opinions are the only opinions that matter, therefore players should ignore every other opinion. If they can't ignore other opinions (which I understand, sometimes things can get to you no matter how hard you try to ignore them) then they should make efforts not to hear those opinions. Unless fans are booing at games, they won't even know how the fans feel.

Yeah but in the day of internet it is impossible. Even LBJ and Kobe, two of the greatest of all time, got caught up in it. Both refused to shoot the ball in a playoff game just to prove a point....... after getting criticized about shooting too much.

 

[kjironman1]

It was rumors.

Did you see this thread from a few days ago?
http://www.sportstwo.com/threads/taurean-prince-rumor.340203/unread

Okay. Thanks. No i missed reading that one. Most of the trade threads are pretty redundant so i pretty much skip them?

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Ah great now Dame can get a triple-double, they can have 3 players do it and go lose in the 1st round to the Lakers like that 1988-89 team did. That's grand.