Game Thread Game #57 - BLAZERS VS KNICKS - FEBRUARY 12, 2022 - SATURDAY - 2:00 PM (PDT) ROOT SPORTS

[Hoopguru]

It's nice having multiple wings that can dribble and pass again.

Opens up your transition game and really helps the flow offensively when you have more than 1-2 guys in the lineup that can attack an advantage and keep the play moving.

I've always been a Winslow fan. You have to build lineups around his skill set a bit and idk if he's a playoff player, but I'd hold on to him.

Winslow plays a bit like PJ Tucker too me. Very physical, good passer and relentless down low. Not the shooter PJT is but probably better defensively and he's younger.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I have never shaved my head or chewed tin foil. Now, game recap?

 

[TBpup]

Man the defense by Hart and Winslow in these 2 clips.... both guys keeping their man with the ball in front of them. I forgot what that looked like. This is the stuff that I've missed for the better part of a decade

For years, we have talked about how better defense with a little more size and length, while giving up some offense, would be just fine with CJ being traded. This is a VERY small sample size, but you can completely see the difference in defense, intensity, ball movement, etc. And these are just back=up guys who might be role players in the future.

CJ is a tremendous scorer, but he takes away from the rhythm of any offensive flow, and he requires others to continually cover him on defense. As a teammate, it is tough to be engaged, when you are consistently ignored when you are wide open, and then expected to cover for the guy on defense, that just ignored you on offense.

This is a work in progress, but already much more enjoyable to watch, regardless of the results. Since we weren't a contender with the way it was, I prefer this.

 

[Hoopguru]

Last week or so I heard Billups in interview mention how he like the way Phoenix played and their balance between D and good ball movement.
Im thinking he may like to use our guards like Phoenix, good ball movement w/CP being a distributor and then even scorer when needed. I know he like's to get Book & Bridges going and the big guy has a few ran for him but gets a lot of put backs.
If Dame and Simons (Simons their Booker) get a connection with hopefully a new legit seasoned 6'7-8" SF that can produce, then you have Winslow, Hart and others having an impact and probably Nurk.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

One of the best shows I have ever seen was Hansel & Gretel done as an opera at the Met.
Absolutely fantastic.

I was in that at Eugene Opera back in the 89s.

 

[Wade Garrett]

That’s laying it in a little thick don’t you think?

Thicker than the incorrect knee-jerk reactions most of this board had initially when the trades were announced???
I don't think so.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

For years, we have talked about how better defense with a little more size and length, while giving up some offense, would be just fine with CJ being traded. This is a VERY small sample size, but you can completely see the difference in defense, intensity, ball movement, etc. And these are just back=up guys who might be role players in the future.

CJ is a tremendous scorer, but he takes away from the rhythm of any offensive flow, and he requires others to continually cover him on defense. As a teammate, it is tough to be engaged, when you are consistently ignored when you are wide open, and then expected to cover for the guy on defense, that just ignored you on offense.

This is a work in progress, but already much more enjoyable to watch, regardless of the results. Since we weren't a contender with the way it was, I prefer this.

To back up what you're saying with some numbers, last 2 games were wins (though both at home):
team had 26 assists vs Lakers, 29 vs. Knicks.

We've only had 26 or more assists 14 times this season. We're averaging 22.8/game.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

 

[SIeepwalker]

Holy shit I love this team.

Josh Hart is nice man.

 

[PCmor7]

Great players make great teams

How many "great" players did last year's finalists have?

I think what you are saying is the old thinking and it largely held true, but I think we're finding now that if you have one really great player and a bunch of solid/good players, great teams make great players. The teams with the most great players now haven't really looked all that great.

 

[Mediocre Man]

How many "great" players did last year's finalists have?

I think what you are saying is the old thinking and it largely held true, but I think we're finding now that if you have one really great player and a bunch of solid/good players, great teams make great players. The teams with the most great players now haven't really looked all that great.

Well Lebron and AD won two years ago

Giannis won last year

it goes on. The best teams usually have the best players. Landing great talent is better than teaching average talent to be better

 

[wizenheimer]

How many "great" players did last year's finalists have?

I think what you are saying is the old thinking and it largely held true, but I think we're finding now that if you have one really great player and a bunch of solid/good players, great teams make great players. The teams with the most great players now haven't really looked all that great.

I'm not sure what "great" means. Is it 'elite'?. The Bucks had an elite player and two all-star level players, with one having been named to the all-defense teams 3 times

The Suns had a couple of great players in Paul and Booker

but both teams were balanced; top-10 in defense, top-6 in offense, and top-4 in net differential. That's because they had 2 way players and the balanced rosters that complemented their great players extremely well

that's a checklist that Portland hasn't come close to:

) defensive and offensive balance - nope
) top-10 in defense - nope
) top 5 in net differential - nope
) solid to great 2-way players - nope
) balanced rosters -nope
) rosters that complemented their great player - nope

that's actually an anti-checklist of olshey failure

 

[blazerfan11]

Call it what it is: when Dame comes back he’s gotta be a lot better defensively, because that’s the only way the pairing with Ant will work. Ant at least shows a want to and has more physical tools, especially when he’s defending point guards. So again for that pairing to work, Dame needs to be better. Luckily Billups prioritizes that end of the floor. And Dame has it in him, we’ve seen enough flashes of him defensively. And I trust he will buy in. But if he doesn’t...we gotta do what we gotta do. I actually wouldn’t be surprised if he leaned out this summer and came into camp next year in the *cliche* best shape of his life.

H

Last week or so I heard Billups in interview mention how he like the way Phoenix played and their balance between D and good ball movement.
Im thinking he may like to use our guards like Phoenix, good ball movement w/CP being a distributor and then even scorer when needed. I know he like's to get Book & Bridges going and the big guy has a few ran for him but gets a lot of put backs.
If Dame and Simons (Simons their Booker) get a connection with hopefully a new legit seasoned 6'7-8" SF that can produce, then you have Winslow, Hart and others having an impact and probably Nurk.

Nassir little isn't the weak spot on our roster. Is he going to be a bench player and we pay more money for the starter? I'd rather use that for the PF position.

 

[Idog1976]

Anfurnace...I LOVE IT!

 

[BBert]

The crowd is more into this ragtag group than when we had our full team at the beginning of the year.

Me too

 

[MickZagger]

Winslow plays a bit like PJ Tucker too me. Very physical, good passer and relentless down low. Not the shooter PJT is but probably better defensively and he's younger.

When I think of Tucker I think of the prototype D and corner 3 player. Let the iso guys do their magic and he’ll be waiting in that corner on offense for the catch and shoot trey.

 

[Hoopguru]

H

Nassir little isn't the weak spot on our roster. Is he going to be a bench player and we pay more money for the starter? I'd rather use that for the PF position.

Good point. I guess it would depend who they target and who they are able to swing a deal with.
Naz could also be involved in a trade. I like Naz, its to bad he's dealt with all the recent injuries.

 

[Hoopguru]

When I think of Tucker I think of the prototype D and corner 3 player. Let the iso guys do their magic and he’ll be waiting in that corner on offense for the catch and shoot trey.

And Winslow dosent have that three down for sure.