Game Thread GAME# 65: THUNDER @ BLAZERS - MARCH 7, 2019 - THURSDAY, 7:30 PM, TNT

[KingSpeed]

I hate playing the "well other teams are doing this so it's okay that the Blazers aren't winning either" card.

All your post shows me is that the Blazers last 2 games have been a colossal failure considering if they won those two games they'd be all alone in 3rd place with a 2 game lead on OKC and 1.5 up on Houston while only being 2.5 games behind Denver (with 2 games against them remaining). So instead of sitting in great shape with 17 games left we now have no margin for error to even get home court in the 1st round.

No margin of error?? We’re behind one game and have the tiebreaker vs Houston.

 

[KingSpeed]

I've made it clear I don't care how other teams are playing. I care that the Blazers have lost 3 of 4. Instead of having a legit shot at the 2 seed we are now a game behind that team that has lost 5 of 7.

We were 3 or 4 games BEHIND OKC and now we are only 1 game behind. We are gaining ground in the big picture.

 

[KingSpeed]

WB won though...

Kelly Oubre Jr is better than Giannis. Cuz well, the Suns won.

 

[riverman]

I hate playing the "well other teams are doing this so it's okay that the Blazers aren't winning either" card.

I really prefer my take to be "the west is a fucking beast and really nobody gets a cream puff ride to the playoffs here"

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Kelly Oubre Jr is better than Giannis. Cuz well, the Suns won.

I'd rather have Dame than WB, but come on using last night's game to say one has passed the other especially when the one LOST. No one was talking about Kelly Oubre Jr who's a role player and Giannis, that's called a strawman and you know it.

edit: also I think Dame would even say none of those points matter without the win. Dame's awesome, and I'm glad he's a Blazer. Just don't agree that last night proved Dames better.

 

[TBpup]

They have the best record in the West

Both are true. They are the best record in the West....are far behind what they have been in the past.

 

[hoopsjock]

We were 3 or 4 games BEHIND OKC and now we are only 1 game behind. We are gaining ground in the big picture.

And if we didn't blow the last 2 games we'd be 2 games up on OKC and all alone in 3rd just 2 games behind Denver (and we play them twice). We threw away a golden opportunity by playing stupidly.

 

[KingSpeed]

Both are true. They are the best record in the West....are far behind what they have been in the past.

Far behind? They only won 59 games last year.

 

[KingSpeed]

And if we didn't blow the last 2 games we'd be 2 games up on OKC and all alone in 3rd just 2 games behind Denver (and we play them twice). We threw away a golden opportunity by playing stupidly.

There are still 17 more golden opportunities. I bet we get 2 seed if we win them all.

 

[BonesJones]

Far behind? They only won 59 games last year.

What about the year before that?

 

[Blazers Roy]

Just watched the game.

IMO if Collins took minutes from Aminu and Kanter then we could have won this game.

Too many easy shots at the rim, ZERO deterrence factor, too many Aminu bricks, we could use more toughness.

And i'm FAR from being a huge Zach Collins fan.

 

[SIeepwalker]

They swept us in the regular season but we'll sweep them in the playoffs !

 

[Orion Bailey]

Ummm 6-4 in the last 10 is not a record to brag about.

Even when 7 were on the road?

 

[Orion Bailey]

Majority of you guys get so angry during the game it seems. You ever just sit back and enjoy, or is it always critique mode. Just curious.

Bravo and very well said as I have said similar things. I have no idea how anyone can not enjoy this team this year. I can only give one like but it's really 100.

Ive never understood this thought?

Is it not possible to enjoy the game and still want to discuss how we could have done better? Why is it just assumed that if someone critiques a play, they arent enjoying the game???

In terms of my music, i fucking love it. I love writing, performing and all the work that goes into being a somgwriter/musician. But i HAVE to be critical of myself and my bandmates if i want to reach the level of success im driving for.

Same can go for hobbies and passions. Why cant one be critical of something he/she enjoys/loves????

 

[CupWizier]

Ive never understood this thought?

Is it not possible to enjoy the game and still want to discuss how we could have done better? Why is it just assumed that if someone critiques a play, they arent enjoying the game???

In terms of my music, i fucking love it. I love writing, performing and all the work that goes into being a somgwriter/musician. But i HAVE to be critical of myself and my bandmates if i want to reach the level of success im driving for.

Same can go for hobbies and passions. Why cant one be critical of something he/she enjoys/loves????

You totally misunderstood my post to HCP. Seems to be the norm with some of you lately.

 

[bobf]

Well the Thunder won, and WB plays for them...

Ok but HE didn’t beat Dame...

I'd rather have Dame than WB, but come on using last night's game to say one has passed the other especially when the one LOST. No one was talking about Kelly Oubre Jr who's a role player and Giannis, that's called a strawman and you know it.

edit: also I think Dame would even say none of those points matter without the win. Dame's awesome, and I'm glad he's a Blazer. Just don't agree that last night proved Dames better.

"Who won the game" is just about the last thing you should use to decide who has surpassed who. Kingspeed's example illustrates the absurdity of doing that. You can not even just look at who scored more points or who was more efficient. That can just be hot/cold single-game variance.

What I am talking about is the fact that Dame looked way more dominating in an overall basketball sense, in terms of creating quality shots for himself and teammates. Westbrook does not look like he can physically overwhelm the way he used to.

That was my observation from watching that game. Now I've gone back and checked the stats and they agree. While Dame has made increment improvements, Westbrook appears to be borderline falling off the cliff.

Westbrook
2018-2019 APM +2.38 PER 20.8 <-- just "ok"
2017-2018 APM +5.16 PER 24.7 <-- dominant
2016-2017 APM +6.27 PER 30.6 <-- total dominance
2015-2016 APM +7.85 PER 27.6 <-- total dominance
2014-2015 APM +7.08 PER 29.1 <-- total dominance

Dame
2018-2019 APM +4.41 PER 23.7
2017-2018 APM +4.90 PER 25.2
2016-2017 APM +3.14 PER 24.1
2015-2016 APM +1.31 PER 22.2
2014-2015 APM +3.77 PER 20.7

Dame's TS% is a consistent 59% for the past three years, Westbrook's has dipped below 50%, 175th among guards. That's pretty bad.

So my observation that Dame has surpassed Westbrook still looks spot on to me.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Ok but HE didn’t beat Dame...


"Who won the game" is just about the last thing you should use to decide who has surpassed who. Kingspeed's example illustrates the absurdity of doing that. You can not even just look at who scored more points or who was more efficient. That can just be hot/cold single-game variance.

What I am talking about is the fact that Dame looked way more dominating in an overall basketball sense, in terms of creating quality shots for himself and teammates. Westbrook does not look like he can physically overwhelm the way he used to.

That was my observation from watching that game. Now I've gone back and checked the stats and they agree. While Dame has made increment improvements, Westbrook appears to be borderline falling off the cliff.

Westbrook
2018-2019 APM +2.38 PER 20.8 <-- just "ok"
2017-2018 APM +5.16 PER 24.7 <-- dominant
2016-2017 APM +6.27 PER 30.6 <-- total dominance
2015-2016 APM +7.85 PER 27.6 <-- total dominance
2014-2015 APM +7.08 PER 29.1 <-- total dominance

Dame
2018-2019 APM +4.41 PER 23.7
2017-2018 APM +4.90 PER 25.2
2016-2017 APM +3.14 PER 24.1
2015-2016 APM +1.31 PER 22.2
2014-2015 APM +3.77 PER 20.7

Dame's TS% is a consistent 59% for the past three years, Westbrook's has dipped below 50%, 175th among guards. That's pretty bad.

So my observation that Dame has surpassed Westbrook still looks spot on to me.

No kidding but the post was literally this game showed me that Dame surpassed WB or something like that. I think Dame is better then WB, but that particular game isnt a gauge of that. Especially when Dame lost.

 

[Orion Bailey]

You totally misunderstood my post to HCP. Seems to be the norm with some of you lately.

Then clarify yourself? Seems to me you pretty much backed up his opinion that if one critiques a game or play, they aren't also enjoying the game?

Are you not one of a few on here who regularly gets on those who are critical of the team? Do you not call people like @BonesJones @TBpup @hoopsjock and some others out for your assumption of them not enjoying things because they are critiquing or questioning play calling and what not?

Listen, I'm all about being positive and have made that stance clear long before you started posting regularly, so don't get me wrong.

However I appreciate the critique immensely. It brings views I may not have seen. Whether I agree or disagree.

For you, it seems that if you don't hear that all is peachy keen and smelling of roses when people discuss the Blazers, then they aren't a fan and should find something else to do.

Why is it so hard to understand that some people learn from each other as they discuss other options not used and how they could potentially be a better call, or a better substitution or what not, than what had transpired in the game?


This is a forum to discuss the Blazers and as much as I love being positive, I totally get the negative too. More people should become more accepting of more than one opinion or stance. Its how we learn and grow.

 

[bobf]

No kidding but the post was literally this game showed me that Dame surpassed WB or something like that. I think Dame is better then WB, but that particular game isnt a gauge of that. Especially when Dame lost.

Yeah, the game showed it. Damian LOOKED significantly better because he IS better. Who won is 99.9% irrelevant so there is no "especially".

 

[CupWizier]

Then clarify yourself? Seems to me you pretty much backed up his opinion that if one critiques a game or play, they aren't also enjoying the game?

Are you not one of a few on here who regularly gets on those who are critical of the team? Do you not call people like @BonesJones @TBpup @hoopsjock and some others out for your assumption of them not enjoying things because they are critiquing or questioning play calling and what not?

Listen, I'm all about being positive and have made that stance clear long before you started posting regularly, so don't get me wrong.

However I appreciate the critique immensely. It brings views I may not have seen. Whether I agree or disagree.

For you, it seems that if you don't hear that all is peachy keen and smelling of roses when people discuss the Blazers, then they aren't a fan and should find something else to do.

Why is it so hard to understand that some people learn from each other as they discuss other options not used and how they could potentially be a better call, or a better substitution or what not, than what had transpired in the game?


This is a forum to discuss the Blazers and as much as I love being positive, I totally get the negative too. More people should become more accepting of more than one opinion or stance. Its how we learn and grow.

Save the lecture and quit trying to make it about me.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Yeah, the game showed it. Damian LOOKED significantly better because he IS better. Who won is 99.9% irrelevant so there is no "especially".

That game showed a lot of things, not who was better between Dame and Russ though. Who’s a better overall player needs more than A game.

 

[bobf]

That game showed a lot of things, not who was better between Dame and Russ though. Who’s a better overall player needs more than A game.

That was not just any single game. It was a huge game, and both players were playing all out. That single game is in the context of what we already know about both players. We already know Dame is the much more efficient scorer. In the past, Westbrook more than made up for that by physically overwhelming you. He couldn't do that to Dame like he used to. Without that he is inferior. Dame showed he now the more dominating player, and not in a hot-shooting way as Westbrook was actually more hot that game. Dame was more dominating in general, in a repeatable way. He was able to create better shots for himself & teammates.

 

[Orion Bailey]

Save the lecture and quit trying to make it about me.

Thanks for clarifying yourself.


Tantrum town is down the hall.....

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

That was not just any single game. It was a huge game, and both players were playing all out. That single game is in the context of what we already know about both players. We already know Dame is the much more efficient scorer. In the past, Westbrook more than made up for that by physically overwhelming you. He couldn't do that to Dame like he used to. Without that he is inferior. Dame showed he now the more dominating player, and not in a hot-shooting way as Westbrook was actually more hot that game. Dame was more dominating in general, in a repeatable way. He was able to create better shots for himself & teammates.

Such a huge game but the winner is irrelevant. We know Dames a better shooter, both players shot pretty well.
I said I think Dame is better but that game didnt prove that at all. The last time they played WB had 21-14-11 and won did that prove WB was better? Or the time they met before that when WB had 29-14-10 and they also won.

 

[CupWizier]

Thanks for clarifying yourself.


Tantrum town is down the hall.....

You are welcome.

lol, you crack me up So i choose to not engage in your attempt at an argument i am thus having a tantrum? You need to work on your trolling buttercup

 

[Orion Bailey]

You are welcome.

lol, you crack me up So i choose to not engage in your attempt at an argument i am thus having a tantrum? You need to work on your trolling buttercup

You said you were misunderstood. I asked you to clarify yourself, with some up and up comments. You responded with "spare the lecture".


and I'm the troll.... and a buttercup....

You are literally incapable of having a mature discussion.


Fucking funny.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Sometimes I think a few of us wake up for the day and think, “I wonder if I can make @SlyPokerDog ban me today”.

 

[bobf]

Such a huge game but the winner is irrelevant. We know Dames a better shooter, both players shot pretty well.
I said I think Dame is better but that game didnt prove that at all. The last time they played WB had 21-14-11 and won did that prove WB was better? Or the time they met before that when WB had 29-14-10 and they also won.

Yes, the winner is irrelevant, because it depends on so many factors besides the players in question. You already know that. I knew we were lost that game the minute Nurk was gone and Kanter was in. I knew would would not be able to stop them from scoring.

Anyone can have some great stat games (especially Russ). I didn't give Damian's stat line as my reason for saying what I said. Damian likely won't repeat that for a long long time. I was looking at the actual play and seeing that Damian is simply more dominating, able to create better shots for himself, and Russ doesn't look like the same player he was.

If that game didn't show it then I guess I just made a lucky guess, right? Because I hadn't looked at Russ' stats to know he is going downhill.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Sometimes I think a few of us wake up for the day and think, “I wonder if I can make @SlyPokerDog ban me today”.

It's amazing to me how people who are so fanatical about their team that they join an online community can get so upset with others who are here for the same reason. First step in conflict resolution is finding common ground. In other words, they're all Blazer fans. That right there should be enough to not try to destroy each other. It's not like this is a Lakers and Blazers forum. Just Blazers.

 

[BonesJones]

Then clarify yourself? Seems to me you pretty much backed up his opinion that if one critiques a game or play, they aren't also enjoying the game?

Are you not one of a few on here who regularly gets on those who are critical of the team? Do you not call people like @BonesJones @TBpup @hoopsjock and some others out for your assumption of them not enjoying things because they are critiquing or questioning play calling and what not?

Listen, I'm all about being positive and have made that stance clear long before you started posting regularly, so don't get me wrong.

However I appreciate the critique immensely. It brings views I may not have seen. Whether I agree or disagree.

For you, it seems that if you don't hear that all is peachy keen and smelling of roses when people discuss the Blazers, then they aren't a fan and should find something else to do.

Why is it so hard to understand that some people learn from each other as they discuss other options not used and how they could potentially be a better call, or a better substitution or what not, than what had transpired in the game?


This is a forum to discuss the Blazers and as much as I love being positive, I totally get the negative too. More people should become more accepting of more than one opinion or stance. Its how we learn and grow.

Maybe he doesn't like that we're the best basketball players on this forum?