Game Thread GAME# 7: BULLS @ BLAZERS - JANUARY 5, 2021 - TUESDAY, 7:30, NBATV & NBCSNW

[calvin natt]

He's not getting fired

He might not. I’m just saying coaches do get fired and get replaced by an assistant. Happens every year every sport.

 

[B-Roy]

Since the Stotts era began opposing teams have been hitting 3’s at a much higher clip against us than their averages

because our players never close out. They just think having someone within 3 feet of a defender means it’s a guarded shot because that’s how synergy tracks whether a shot is open or not. Tonight, I counted the number of times Nurk, Dame and CJ put up their hands on a shot instead of just standing there. Almost every time their hands was up they forced a miss. Every time the hand was down it went in. Extreme example, but fairly true after watching this team for years.

And yes, Dame and CJ are the worst offenders. And they also play the most minutes, so it’s completely unsurprising why teams shoot well against us.

 

[AldoTrapani]

lmao

 

[wizenheimer]

well, that was fuggin ugly

by the way, the Portland bench combined for 72 minutes and had 2 assists....both by Kanter. That's a questionable offense

 

[Pinwheel1]

92 3pt attempts between the two teams. Absolutely horrible basketball to watch.

 

[illmatic99]

because our players never close out. They just think having someone within 3 feet of a defender means it’s a guarded shot because that’s how synergy tracks whether a shot is open or not. Tonight, I counted the number of times Nurk, Dame and CJ put up their hands on a shot instead of just standing there. Almost every time their hands was up they forced a miss. Every time the hand was down it went in. Extreme example, but fairly true after watching this team for years.

And yes, Dame and CJ are the worst offenders. And they also play the most minutes, so it’s completely unsurprising why teams shoot well against us.

it's systemic. the defensive culture is just not there. comes from a lack of accountability.

 

[kjironman1]

He might not. I’m just saying coaches do get fired and get replaced by an assistant. Happens every year every sport.

Nate Tibbetts isn't much better is he?

 

[julius]

They absolutely deserved to lose this game.

I’m still waiting to get exciting about this season. Feels a bit like last year so far. Nurk looked a bit better this game so that’s progress. Dame doesn’t quite have it yet. Hopefully it’s just rust and not an injury issue.

it totally does feel like last year. No passion, no fire, stupid play, lazy dumb passes, predictable offense and excuses galore.

wake me when the team plays like they give a shit.

 

[kjironman1]

10-10 the first 20 games. Would love to see 12-8.

 

[MickZagger]

Ponder this:

 

[kjironman1]

it totally does feel like last year. No passion, no fire, stupid play, lazy dumb passes, predictable offense and excuses galore.

wake me when the team plays like they give a shit.

The Bulls played like they gave a shit. How about the T-Wolves?

 

[BlazerRx]

We settle for contested 3 point shots early in the shot clock way too often. Why not move the ball around and then settle for the contested shot if we are forced to near the end of the shot clock.

Our offense seems like it puts too much emphasis on 3 point shots. The majority of our set plays seem to be to get a 3pt shot and when they are falling thats great but when they are not why cant we run some plays that get guys drives to the basket?

I miss seeing ball movement that leads to dunks or easy layups and am kinda tired of all the 3pt chucking, but I guess thats the way of the NBA now.

 

[illmatic99]

Are you fucking kidding me? This is his response?



WE PLAYED THE EXACT SAME WAY ALL GAME. the shots just went in in the first half.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Have always thought Porter Jr would fit nicely here. 19 points, 13 rebounds and 4-7 from '3'. Nice game from a role player who plays solid D.

Terry would just park him in the corner and have him only wait for threes.

 

[BlazerBeav]

He said he liked the fourth quarter offense. He was good with it, shots just didn't go down.

 

[PCmor7]

I've hit my comfort level of acceptance. My expectations for this team are pretty low now. I see the convergence of a lot of negative aspects that have coalesced and I don't really have a great deal of hope this assemblage of players, coaches, and front office can overcome it. It isn't insurmountable, but I've been seeing a lot of the same mistakes being made for years; when you see a pattern, believe it.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Stotts is running the Blazers like the president is running the country.

If you're okay with how the Blazers are playing, you have self-esteem issues.

 

[B-Roy]

Speak of Nate McMillan in Indiana:

Pritchard had the balls to fire him after winning every season he was coach. He even had a built in excuse last year with the injury to Oladipo.

Also, for those that argue coaching doesn't matter: The Pacers play entirely different this year on offense. Results TBD, but saying coaching can't affect the game is just wrong.

 

[wizenheimer]

Stotts is running the Blazers like the president is running the country.

I wish they both had about the same amount of time left on the job

 

[Sheldon Shape]

I wish they both had about the same amount of time left on the job

Maybe they do?

 

[handiman]

Ponder this:

25% vs 0%. It may not be a great reason, but it's a reason.

 

[Cugel]

That is inexcusable. Garbage basketball. Does Stotts even try? I don't think he cares. Either that or he thinks that's the best way to play . Take your pick. Laughing stock of the West for sure. The entire team should all be ashamed.

Why all the talk about Dame being a great leader? Leading to where? Mediocrity? If Dame is the leader then he deserves some of the blame. Frankly I am getting sick of all the Lillard hype from the portland media.

And coaching???

"They made some shots".

 

[MickZagger]

Trent should have got more burn tonight.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

I don't understand the criticism of playing Melo and Kanter together. Maybe defense is bad but offense is A++. We built the big lead when those two guys came in during the first half.

 

[tester551]

There is something incredibly unlikable about the team this year.

It's the same movie that we've seen for the first 5 years

 

[BlazerBeav]

Their +/- is TERRIBLE Eric.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

If it gets us closer to Stotts FINALLY being let go, then I'm okay with losing to these scrubs.

Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

So you know, as someone who actually IS insane and works with people who are insane, I get offended when someone says that. My bipolar disorder has nothing to with doing the same thing over and over again. And doing the same thing over and over again CAN yield different results. We've won 3 games and lost 4. Same team, same offense, same defense, same coach, same players, different results every other night.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Their +/- is TERRIBLE Eric.

Their defensive rating is terrible. But they bring a lot on the offensive end and that is often overlooked. Like I said, when we played our best tonight, both of them were on the floor. Nurk was awful at the start of the game and DJJ couldn't hit a shot, including a dunk.

 

[TBpup]

It's a much bigger picture than just the last 7 games.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

It's a much bigger picture than just the last 7 games.

Last year, we had an entirely different team.