Game Thread GAME# 56: JAZZ @ BLAZERS - FEBRUARY 21, 2016 - SUNDAY, 6:00 PM (PST), CSNNW

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

They wouldn't have played him anyways and he walk this summer as a free agent. It's an example of why you don't want too many players with similar experience. They had Harris, Gordon, Fournier, Frye and Hezonja all getting forward minutes. Harkless was the odd man out. He had a bad attitude there which is a concern I have with him here long term. But he's had some awesome plays this year and looks like a hell of a steal. Olshey can really find high level players on the discount rack.

The attitude issue is because he is confident in his abilities imo. Also, Jacque Vaughn couldn't coach worth a lick... Hark is every bit as talented as Tobias Harris imho.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Funny cuz I was pretty sure the Jazz were getting all the calls tonight. Can't even think of a borderline call going Portland's way.

That Plumlee out of bounds was a good call, but required a nuanced take to get right; I feel like that was a borderline call (i.e., would you expect a ref to make that call right every time?) that went our way.

 

[jlprk]

Harkless was the odd man out. He had a bad attitude there which is a concern I have with him here long term.

Where did you read that?

 

[Natebishop3]

Funny cuz I was pretty sure the Jazz were getting all the calls tonight. Can't even think of a borderline call going Portland's way.

Well the refs DO call more than just fouls

 

[B-Roy]

http://weareutahjazz.com/lockedonja...cke-and-pelton-review-great-game-in-portland/

Locke, the jazz announcer and kevin Pelton discuss the game.

Locke has always been a solid analyst even though he's a radio guy.

 

[hawaiianjazzfan]

Gobert was pretty poor tonight at giving up the basket after a block, but usually he's pretty good at getting the rebound or blocking it to another player. This is what makes Gobert as valuable as he is:

http://stats.nba.com/tracking/#!/player/defense/?sort=DEF_RIM_FG_PCT&dir=-1&CF=MIN*G*15|BLK*G*1

Also if you go to Nylon Calculus he saves the most points per game in the NBA (which does include, usually getting the rebound after a block).

Players shoot 39.2% at the rim when Gobert plays which is almost 3% better (which is HUGE) than the next closest starter. He's the only defender that allows under 40%, which is better than Hibbert and Ibaka's best years as a rim protector. Last year he was number 1 as well. Compare that to someone like Whiteside who has a huge lead in BPG but gives up 48% at the rim (which as you can see in the link is lower than players like both Lopez's, Giannis and rookie Porzingis). Gobert is very selective about the shots he tries to block and doesn't go after everything. He fouls at an extremely low rate for a shot blocker and a lot of times will just go straight up as opposed to chasing blocks like Hassan. He's also number 1 in defensive plus minus and top 10 in defensive rating. He has missed 20 games this season but the Jazz are 20-14 when he plays.

Gobert struggles against Portland, I don't know why but he is one of the 10 best rebounders in the NBA by rebound rate but never seems to rebound well against Portland.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Gobert was pretty poor tonight at giving up the basket after a block, but usually he's pretty good at getting the rebound or blocking it to another player. This is what makes Gobert as valuable as he is:

http://stats.nba.com/tracking/#!/player/defense/?sort=DEF_RIM_FG_PCT&dir=-1&CF=MIN*G*15|BLK*G*1

Also if you go to Nylon Calculus he saves the most points per game in the NBA (which does include, usually getting the rebound after a block).

Players shoot 39.2% at the rim when Gobert plays which is almost 3% better (which is HUGE) than the next closest starter. He's the only defender that allows under 40%, which is better than Hibbert and Ibaka's best years as a rim protector. Last year he was number 1 as well. Compare that to someone like Whiteside who has a huge lead in BPG but gives up 48% at the rim (which as you can see in the link is lower than players like both Lopez's, Giannis and rookie Porzingis). Gobert is very selective about the shots he tries to block and doesn't go after everything. He fouls at an extremely low rate for a shot blocker and a lot of times will just go straight up as opposed to chasing blocks like Hassan. He's also number 1 in defensive plus minus and top 10 in defensive rating. He has missed 20 games this season but the Jazz are 20-14 when he plays.

Gobert struggles against Portland, I don't know why but he is one of the 10 best rebounders in the NBA by rebound rate but never seems to rebound well against Portland.

That's interesting. Gobert is a really good player and it was interesting to see how the defense on the Jazz improved once he was given more minutes last season.

Thanks for posting and welcome!

 

[hawaiianjazzfan]

Just to give you an idea Gobert's previous 5:

13.2 ppg, 12.8rpg, 2.4 bpg, 2 apg.

Against the Blazers this year (he was injured for 2 of the games):

5.5ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.5bpg, shooting 36%.

By far his worst against any team...

He seems to struggle against 2 teams, Portland and Sacramento and that is because they are really physical with him especially on rebounds. This is his first year as a full time starter so hopefully he will work on his strength in the offseason, he's still really young.

 

[Natebishop3]

Just to give you an idea Gobert's previous 5:

13.2 ppg, 12.8rpg, 2.4 bpg, 2 apg.

Against the Blazers this year (he was injured for 2 of the games):

5.5ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.5bpg, shooting 36%.

By far his worst against any team...

He seems to struggle against 2 teams, Portland and Sacramento and that is because they are really physical with him especially on rebounds. This is his first year as a full time starter so hopefully he will work on his strength in the offseason, he's still really young.

You guys have a really talented team, but it seems to me that you're lacking a go-to-guy, which is ultimately why you lost tonight. Hayward is a talented player, but he doesn't strike me as the kind of guy that you give the ball to and clear out. Am I wrong? Do you have someone on your team that you feel confident can get you buckets when you need them most? It seemed like you were trying to feed Favors at the end. Can Exum be that guy?

 

[hawaiianjazzfan]

That's interesting. Gobert is a really good player and it was interesting to see how the defense on the Jazz improved once he was given more minutes last season.

Thanks for posting and welcome!

Thanks! I became a fan (well except when you play us) of the Blazers once you drafted Dame. I helped out with the Rugby team at Weber State and got to meet him a few times and he is legitimately one of the coolest dudes. I have a bunch of Poly family from Portland as well and have been to a few Blazer games when I visit up there. Diehard Jazz fan and these teams are both on their ways up so I'm sure we'll see y'all in the playoffs in the future.

 

[hawaiianjazzfan]

You guys have a really talented team, but it seems to me that you're lacking a go-to-guy, which is ultimately why you lost tonight. Hayward is a talented player, but he doesn't strike me as the kind of guy that you give the ball to and clear out. Am I wrong? Do you have someone on your team that you feel confident can get you buckets when you need them most? It seemed like you were trying to feed Favors at the end. Can Exum be that guy?

Totally agree, last year we tied with the Suns for the most losses by 5 or more points. Honestly, Hayward tries to be the man at the end of the game but he isn't dependable and has a ton of turnovers in the clutch (just like his pass out of bounds near the end). Honestly, our biggest hope is with Rodney Hood. When the offense runs through him at the end we do much better, but he needs to be more assertive. Hayward wants to be the man, but most Jazz fans feel like Hood is better at the end and may end up being the better player. Hood was injured most of his rookie year so this is really his first time playing this much, he is our biggest hope but still has a ways to go to be anywhere close to the top closers in the game.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Totally agree, last year we tied with the Suns for the most losses by 5 or more points. Honestly, Hayward tries to be the man at the end of the game but he isn't dependable and has a ton of turnovers in the clutch (just like his pass out of bounds near the end). Honestly, our biggest hope is with Rodney Hood. When the offense runs through him at the end we do much better, but he needs to be more assertive. Hayward wants to be the man, but most Jazz fans feel like Hood is better at the end and may end up being the better player. Hood was injured most of his rookie year so this is really his first time playing this much, he is our biggest hope but still has a ways to go to be anywhere close to the top closers in the game.

I love Rodney Hood, I think he is going to be better than Wiggins. He definitely was the guy who scared me most offensively and defensively on the perimeter for the Jazz. When does Burks come back btw? I feel like he is a big key for the Jazz.

 

[Natebishop3]

Totally agree, last year we tied with the Suns for the most losses by 5 or more points. Honestly, Hayward tries to be the man at the end of the game but he isn't dependable and has a ton of turnovers in the clutch (just like his pass out of bounds near the end). Honestly, our biggest hope is with Rodney Hood. When the offense runs through him at the end we do much better, but he needs to be more assertive. Hayward wants to be the man, but most Jazz fans feel like Hood is better at the end and may end up being the better player. Hood was injured most of his rookie year so this is really his first time playing this much, he is our biggest hope but still has a ways to go to be anywhere close to the top closers in the game.

How about Exum?

 

[Strenuus]

Thanks! I became a fan (well except when you play us) of the Blazers once you drafted Dame. I helped out with the Rugby team at Weber State and got to meet him a few times and he is legitimately one of the coolest dudes. I have a bunch of Poly family from Portland as well and have been to a few Blazer games when I visit up there. Diehard Jazz fan and these teams are both on their ways up so I'm sure we'll see y'all in the playoffs in the future.

If you read through this thread, you'll see a few posts saying "We're gonna meet these guys (Utah) in the playoffs, and it's gonna be a dogfight."

But what a fun ride that would be... this game was so much fun. Win or lose, both teams showed A LOT tonight.

 

[hawaiianjazzfan]

I love Rodney Hood, I think he is going to be better than Wiggins. He definitely was the guy who scared me most offensively and defensively on the perimeter for the Jazz. When does Burks come back btw? I feel like he is a big key for the Jazz.

Burks will be huge for us off the bench, I believe he was 2nd in ppg from the bench when he went down (Paul Pierce flagrantly fouled him, which caused his leg to break). He won't be back for another 2 weeks at least I believe.

 

[ripcityboy]

They wouldn't have played him anyways and he walk this summer as a free agent. It's an example of why you don't want too many players with similar experience. They had Harris, Gordon, Fournier, Frye and Hezonja all getting forward minutes. Harkless was the odd man out. He had a bad attitude there which is a concern I have with him here long term. But he's had some awesome plays this year and looks like a hell of a steal. Olshey can really find high level players on the discount rack.

Well. I can recommend some Mindfulness techniques for him if he stays.

 

[hawaiianjazzfan]

How about Exum?

Everyone was excited by the work Exum did in the summer. He played in one summer league game ( I know, it's summer league) against Marcus Smart and had 20 points, 5 reb, 5 assists and then landed on someone's ankle and then when he went to play for Australia we were devastated by his ACL injury against Slovenia. He looked much stronger after the summer and had put in a lot of work. Coming off this injury he kinda has to start all over again. He's running and doing some drills already but he is still a few months away. I'm trying to temper my expectations from him. He will be our best perimeter defender in the future and was the other reason our defense was so good the last half of the season with his length, offensively he has the quick first step and already is our best passer, but he needs to tighten up his dribble and show he can handle the contact going to the rim, if he can do that he can be scary, but that is a lot to work on, I do have more confidence in this coaching staff with player development than Corbin.

 

[KingSpeed]

Looking like I might win $1100 from UncleTy. The Blazers only need to go 19-7 the rest of the way. That's actually possible now. Plus, I told. HCP we'd be closer to 55 wins than 23 wins and he mocked me for it. We only need to go 11-15 for me to be right.

 

[KingSpeed]

huh?

It said Portland 58, Utah 0 on the screen after the game.

 

[ripcityboy]

Everyone was excited by the work Exum did in the summer. He played in one summer league game ( I know, it's summer league) against Marcus Smart and had 20 points, 5 reb, 5 assists and then landed on someone's ankle and then when he went to play for Australia we were devastated by his ACL injury against Slovenia. He looked much stronger after the summer and had put in a lot of work. Coming off this injury he kinda has to start all over again. He's running and doing some drills already but he is still a few months away. I'm trying to temper my expectations from him. He will be our best perimeter defender in the future and was the other reason our defense was so good the last half of the season with his length, offensively he has the quick first step and already is our best passer, but he needs to tighten up his dribble and show he can handle the contact going to the rim, if he can do that he can be scary, but that is a lot to work on, I do have more confidence in this coaching staff with player development than Corbin.

Yeah. Exum's got quite a bit of hype behind him. The Lakers were trying to ooze their way ahead in the draft to pick him up. Shades of a Kobe type steal. I was pleased as punch when they failed. But I am pleased when anything bad happens to LA. Talk about schadenfreude!

 

[WillG]

Nice game from CJ - Iced those FT's at the end.

Gotta hand it to Utah - they played some tough defense.
Their coach, Synder, coached a great game too.

If not for Dame going beserkswish3longtime - they'd have pulled it off. . .

 

[B-Roy]

Thanks! I became a fan (well except when you play us) of the Blazers once you drafted Dame. I helped out with the Rugby team at Weber State and got to meet him a few times and he is legitimately one of the coolest dudes. I have a bunch of Poly family from Portland as well and have been to a few Blazer games when I visit up there. Diehard Jazz fan and these teams are both on their ways up so I'm sure we'll see y'all in the playoffs in the future.

Really cool to see other teams fans perspectives!

But are you sure you don't want to write a 20 page essay of questionable content like some other teams fans?

 

[illmatic99]

Best records vs. western conf:

GS: 30-3
SA: 27-5
OKC: 27-5
CLE: 17-5
POR: 23-15

 

[Draco]

Gobert 36 minutes
Plums 30 minutes

Gobert 3-8 (1-4 ft)
Plums 3-8 (3-6 ft)

Gobert 8
Plums 9 rebounds

Gobert 2
Plums 6 assists

Gobert 0 steals 3 TO
Plums 2 steals 1 to

Gobert 5 blocks
Plums 1

Sure this is only one game. But I have watched Utah quite a bit and other than Block shots I have to ask, is Gobert really that much better than Plumlee? I think it is closer than some of you think. I guess it comes down to how much value one puts on a center who blocks shots vs a center who can dribble and pass.

Gobert is a beast. He definitely has struggles against us more than other teams. I think a big part of it is the Lillard/CJ duo getting the Jazz defense out of position. Its so unique to have two guys who can dribble, penetrate, pass and shoot. Even with his struggles Gobert may have been the Jazz best player last night, he really impacted a lot of shots in the paint. Its only his first year starting and he's much younger than Plumlee.

Wow. 29-27 with 26 games to go. Impressive.

We've beaten the Vegas Win Total Odds. I say we start focusing on that 200-1 bet now.

View attachment 7989

One site has our odds at 850-1! Thats insane. Winning the West is 250-1. If I could find odds like that I may bet on it. We could easily upset a team like the Clippers in round 1 then someone gets an injury on the Warriors or whatever and we back our way into the WCF. I'd make a big hedge bet on the other team and lock in a massive profit regardless of us getting swept or whatever in the WCF.

I swear the guy is just extremely overrated. He has zero offensive game. He block shots, but at least 2-3 of those blocks were immediately followed by the same player getting the ball back and scoring.

Sometimes he reminds me of Russell Westbrook; just in the sense their such unique physical specimens. A few of his blocks and defensive plays are like watching an alien play basketball. He's so young too. He rates very well on advanced stats and Utah's defense became elite when he took over Kanters spot. I think he struggles with CJ/Dame duo and maybe just the Stotts style of offense.

Gobert tweeted this after the game presumably about tonight's officiating:

So nice of him for feeling guilty with all the BS calls they got.

I feel like a moron because I wanted to put $500 down on that bet, but was too lazy/chicken.

Yeah I was gonna put one down too but its kind of hard; locks up money for so long. Plus if Lillard gets injured or whatever reason we really struggle; I got to put up with losing money and watching my favorite team struggle though an entire NBA season.

Everyone was excited by the work Exum did in the summer. He played in one summer league game ( I know, it's summer league) against Marcus Smart and had 20 points, 5 reb, 5 assists and then landed on someone's ankle and then when he went to play for Australia we were devastated by his ACL injury against Slovenia. He looked much stronger after the summer and had put in a lot of work. Coming off this injury he kinda has to start all over again. He's running and doing some drills already but he is still a few months away. I'm trying to temper my expectations from him. He will be our best perimeter defender in the future and was the other reason our defense was so good the last half of the season with his length, offensively he has the quick first step and already is our best passer, but he needs to tighten up his dribble and show he can handle the contact going to the rim, if he can do that he can be scary, but that is a lot to work on, I do have more confidence in this coaching staff with player development than Corbin.

Sucks he losses a whole year. Good thing is ACL's have full long term recovery.

 

[BBert]

This is the most fun Blazer team to watch in my fandom.

The Sheed teams were good enough to win a championship, and likely would have (along with the Kings) if the NBA hadn't been in the middle of the most blatantly corrupt period in it's history. So that was fun, to a point.

Aside from actually winning the championship with the Walton/Lucas team, which is unbeatable, the Drexler/Kersey/Porter/Buck teams were great fun to watch and cheer for.

This team, or at least some future version of it, may surpass them all.

Here's to eternal hope.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I've been getting flashbacks to January 1990 the last few games. These guys really feel like world beaters right now.

 

[Draco]

The Sheed teams were good enough to win a championship, and likely would have (along with the Kings) if the NBA hadn't been in the middle of the most blatantly corrupt period in it's history. So that was fun, to a point.

Aside from actually winning the championship with the Walton/Lucas team, which is unbeatable, the Drexler/Kersey/Porter/Buck teams were great fun to watch and cheer for.

This team, or at least some future version of it, may surpass them all.

Here's to eternal hope.

The 54 win Roy team was a lot of fun; and had such a promising potential future. I had a lot of fun watching last years team before Wes wen't down, we were right there. The one crappy thing about the Sheed teams is it seemed almost tainted since we outspent every other team in the league. The Drexler team was the best but as it was when I started rooting for the Blazers I didn't have any perspective at the time.

 

[BBert]

I mean.... we did shoot 15 more attempts than them.... but they also were fouling Harkless, Davis, and Plumlee like crazy.

Reminds me when I was a kid and Ralph Miller coached the Beavers. The Beavers would get the lead and the other coach would send in his goon squad to purposely foul the Beavers to try to get the ball back. So the Beavers would shoot more free throws than them. So the next coach would work the media about how the refs always let the Beavers shoot more free throws, then he'd send in the goon squad and purposely send the Beavers to the line over and over. Then the next coach and the next. If you foul a lot, especially on purpose, the other team is going to shoot more free throws.

 

[B-Roy]

Blazers are 14-3 in their last 17 games, going from 15-24 to 29-27.

In this stretch they have 8 wins against playoff teams:

OKC
Jazz (twice)
Houston (twice)
Memphis
Charlotte
Golden State

 

[Natebishop3]

Reminds me when I was a kid and Ralph Miller coached the Beavers. The Beavers would get the lead and the other coach would send in his goon squad to purposely foul the Beavers to try to get the ball back. So the Beavers would shoot more free throws than them. So the next coach would work the media about how the refs always let the Beavers shoot more free throws, then he'd send in the goon squad and purposely send the Beavers to the line over and over. Then the next coach and the next. If you foul a lot, especially on purpose, the other team is going to shoot more free throws.

Exactly. It backfired on them when Davis and harkless started making their free throws.