Game Thread GAME# 67: BLAZERS @ MAGIC - MARCH 20, 2015 - FRIDAY, 4:00 PM (PST), CSNNW

[OneLifeToLive]

Except they are road games and they are never a gimmie.

Losing 1 ok. But 2 to two subpar and let me make this clear, eastern conference teams is unacceptable.

 

[EGame]

lol I didn't bait anyone. You did it yourself by choosing to quote and respond to me first because I suggested Aldridge may explore his options after this season in which you instantly told me to "stop it, were making the playoffs." I didn't say we weren't making the playoffs, but my confidence in this team is shaky at best knowing how tough the western teams are and how bad some of our players have been. Things can change, but as of now I'm slightly concerned and an early exit is possible, again pointing out how tough the west is.

What I still can't understand is if the magic and heat are tough by your terms, how are you very confident against west playoff teams not named the spurs or grizzlies? I think maybe the only team i would be confident is against houston since stotts owned McHale last time, but who knows.

 

[santeesioux]

I wonder if Nic hurt his wrist again. He's back to being so hesitant with taking the open shots it's maddening. We can't have him only taking 5 shots per game.

Don't want to be hurt for team France in a couple months!

 

[EGame]

Nope, all we're getting is ps3 remasters on the ps4 like God of War 3 these days.

yeah I saw that. I'm still happy with my PS4 especially for the amount of japanese games that eventually will be localized, but it has had plenty of delays with there first party studios. I just pray Persona 5 is still released this year and not next.

 

[MAS RipCity]

I wonder if Nic hurt his wrist again. He's back to being so hesitant with taking the open shots it's maddening. We can't have him only taking 5 shots per game.

We can't have RoLo only taking three shots a night either. Those two need to start clicking again with the Pick & RoLo.

 

[KingSpeed]

Strenuus is jinx. Said we'd lose to Toronto and Memphis and win the other 3.

 

[Strenuus]

Strenuus is jinx. Said we'd lose to Toronto and Memphis and win the other 3.

 

[H.C.]

lol I didn't bait anyone. You did it yourself by choosing to quote and respond to me first because I suggested Aldridge may explore his options after this season in which you instantly told me to "stop it, were making the playoffs." I didn't say we weren't making the playoffs, but my confidence in this team is shaky at best knowing how tough the western teams are and how bad some of our players have been. Things can change, but as of now I'm slightly concerned and an early exit is possible, again pointing out how tough the west is.

What I still can't understand is if the magic and heat are tough by your terms, how are you very confident against west playoff teams not named the spurs or grizzlies? I think maybe the only team i would be confident is against houston since stotts owned McHale last time, but who knows.

It's like I'm talking to Kingspeed.....
First off an early exit for any team is possible. Even the Warriors...
Secondly I said we're making the playoffs meaning Aldridge will be staying. To say he should consider leaving like you did and basing it off of THREE straight losses is silly. Which is why I told you to stop it. Maybe you're baising it off of sense the all-star break.
Obviously you're looking @ the entire season. lol
I've already answered your last question and won't repeat myself.
Once again, feels like i'm talking to Kingspeed.

so if miami and orland are apparently tough teams, yet the west is a much tougher conference especially the 7 other playoff teams, how is it they are a cakewalk? lol nice logic.

Bait

 

[riverman]

Well I thought we were tanking to meet the Clippers in the 1st round, maybe I was right.

 

[MAS RipCity]

Hope not! Outside of Memphis, LAC is the team we should try to avoid the most. CP3 goes off and the Clippers double Dame at every opportunity.

 

[Strenuus]

"On to the next one... on to the next one... aw aw aw on to the next one."

 

[EGame]

lol just going around in circles. what does any other teams chances of an exit early have anything to do with this conversation? Nothing. Nothing at all. This is about the Blazers. And yes if the Blazers have an early exit, Aldridge should consider it. I don't want him to and would be sad to see it, but have you seen what he's been working with? This hasn't been since the all star break this has been since January when Dame was in his slump, when batum was garbage and wes was inconsistent. When our bench was limited. Jump to now and it is more of the same with some nice wins mixed in. Lillard has been better, but his 3 point shot is still shit and Batum still chooses his games when he feels like being aggressive and lackluster with regards to scoring.

Just because we make the playoffs doesn't guarantee anything. I very much want Aldridge to stay, but know that the possibility of the worst is always there especially if the rest of our team doesn't perform.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

lol just going around in circles. what does any other teams chances of an exit early have anything to do with this conversation? Nothing. Nothing at all. This is about the Blazers. And yes if the Blazers have an early exit, Aldridge should consider it. I don't want him to and would be sad to see it, but have you seen what he's been working with? This hasn't been since the all star break this has been since January when Dame was in his slump, when batum was garbage and wes was inconsistent. When our bench was limited. Jump to now and it is more of the same with some nice wins mixed in. Lillard has been better, but his 3 point shot is still shit and Batum still chooses his games when he feels like being aggressive and lackluster with regards to scoring.

Just because we make the playoffs doesn't guarantee anything. I very much want Aldridge to stay, but know that the possibility of the worst is always there especially if the rest of our team doesn't perform.

I'll give you a reason why he should consider leaving. I look at teammates like Nic, I'm not sure if it's ditsiness or what. But there is something missing or just wrong there. He has more to give. A lot more. LA could have used the help last two games and he jars like Nic are no where to be found. I'm not sold it matters to Nic either. I believe he is fine win or lose.

I made a comment last night that I hope LA senses that his teammates want it as bad as he does. He's made two sincere efforts to pull out the victory two games in a row and I can't say the same for some of his teammates.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I went out to dinner with the GF. Looks like I picked a good night to miss the game.

 

[barfo]

I went out to dinner with the GF. Looks like I picked a good night to miss the game.

Look, it's ok to have a special diet, but I don't think you need to refer to it as 'The Gluten Free'. It doesn't make dining alone less pathetic.

barfo

 

[Sinobas]

I went out to dinner with the GF. Looks like I picked a good night to miss the game.

How was dinner with the Godfather?

 

[rasheedfan2005]

I went out to dinner with the GF. Looks like I picked a good night to miss the game.

did you sniff butts before or after?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Look, it's ok to have a special diet, but I don't think you need to refer to it as 'The Gluten Free'. It doesn't make dining alone less pathetic.

barfo

 

[SlyPokerDog]

How was dinner with the Godfather?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

did you sniff butts before or after?

 

[Kaydow]

Lillard has fallen off a cliff.

He got thoroughly worked over by Payton tonight. EP looked like GP driving around Dame, or running around him to grab offensive boards/put-backs. Maybe Lillard is tired. He's once again in the top 5 in minutes played, and leads the league in millage (distance ran around the court). But he's clearly lost confidence in his shot. Down 7 with under 4 minutes he gets a WIDE open look from 3 but instead swings it to Afflalo who's covered? On Jan 11 we were 30-8 and Dame is in the MVP conversation. Since that point we've gone 14-15, and Damian Lillard has made 27% of his 3's. It's not the only reason we've struggled, but that's supposed to be our closer. When he's not making shots, particularly deep 3s in crunch time, we're just not very good. Did we really think "elite defense" was going to be our calling card? We don't force t/o's and we pretty much willingly give up open mid range jumpers and hope that the other guys miss. Sometimes it works, but we don't exactly make anyone's offense feel uncomfortable on that end of the court - we're not the Grizz. We need to be efficient offensively to beat anybody, and we just haven't been since Jan 11th . . . despite some pretty heroic efforts by LA. Paging #O, where are you?

 

[kjironman1]

Losing 1 ok. But 2 to two subpar and let me make this clear, eastern conference teams is unacceptable.

Guess that's the way you see it. That's fine with me but really what "TWO" subpar teams are we talking about here? Sure can't be the Wizards because winning in DC is tough for any team in the league. I am sure you are more informed than to think Miami is "Subpar". That team has players and a coach that has won multiple championships. If you are simply thinking the "East" has something to do with it then again i know better than you being that uninformed. It's a 3 game losing streak and it is happening on a long road trip that a couple games got away. They will find a rhythm and get some wins. Tough losing Kaman tonight. Hope it wasn't too serious.

 

[blue32]

0-5 from 3PT range, what the fuck has happened to Dame..

Ever since those fucking shoes, no joke guys.... no joke.

 

[Strenuus]

I went out to dinner with the GF. Looks like I picked a good night to take HCP's wife out while he's out of town.

Fixed.

I mean, lets be real here.

 

[KingSpeed]

0-5 from 3PT range, what the fuck has happened to Dame..

Ever since those fucking shoes, no joke guys.... no joke.

At one point in the 4th, Aldridge had the ball at the top of the key and Lillard was wide open for three right next to him. Aldridge didn't give him the ball. Not only has Lillard lost confidence in himself but his teammates have too.

 

[Strenuus]

At one point in the 4th, Aldridge had the ball at the top of the key and Lillard was wide open for three right next to him. Aldridge didn't give him the ball. Not only has Lillard lost confidence in himself but his teammates have too.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

[QUOTE="kjironman1, post: 3582425, member: 2832] I am sure you are more informed than to think Miami is "Subpar". .[/QUOTE]

They're 32-36 and in the eastern conference.

'Subpar' might be too kind.

 

[S550]

He got thoroughly worked over by Payton tonight. EP looked like GP driving around Dame, or running around him to grab offensive boards/put-backs. Maybe Lillard is tired. He's once again in the top 5 in minutes played, and leads the league in millage (distance ran around the court). But he's clearly lost confidence in his shot. Down 7 with under 4 minutes he gets a WIDE open look from 3 but instead swings it to Afflalo who's covered? On Jan 11 we were 30-8 and Dame is in the MVP conversation. Since that point we've gone 14-15, and Damian Lillard has made 27% of his 3's. It's not the only reason we've struggled, but that's supposed to be our closer. When he's not making shots, particularly deep 3s in crunch time, we're just not very good. Did we really think "elite defense" was going to be our calling card? We don't force t/o's and we pretty much willingly give up open mid range jumpers and hope that the other guys miss. Sometimes it works, but we don't exactly make anyone's offense feel uncomfortable on that end of the court - we're not the Grizz. We need to be efficient offensively to beat anybody, and we just haven't been since Jan 11th . . . despite some pretty heroic efforts by LA. Paging #O, where are you?

He's an ok pg. Nothing more. He's just a slightly overrated point guard who just had a really hot start to a career. But in all honesty he's nothing to fear. He'll have a very long and solid career, but to expect him to became a franchise player is a little too crazy.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

He's an ok pg. Nothing more. He's just a slightly overrated point guard who just had a really hot start to a career. But in all honesty he's nothing to fear. He'll have a very long and solid career, but to expect him to became a franchise player is a little too crazy.

Here to make friends I take it...

 

[OneLifeToLive]

He got thoroughly worked over by Payton tonight. EP looked like GP driving around Dame, or running around him to grab offensive boards/put-backs.

Guess Dame knew what he was talking about when he was hyping him before the draft last year.