Game Thread GAME# 71: MAVERICKS @ BLAZERS - MARCH 20, 2019 - WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM, NBCSNW

[BonesJones]

Blazers now have a 45% chance at a Top 3 Seed and a 70% chance at HCA

http://www.playoffstatus.com/nba/trailblazersstandings.html

Make that 46% at Top 3 and 71% at HCA

 

[BonesJones]

I don't know? Seems like Stotts does know how to use these guys.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles...-starting-backcourt-for-2018-19-season#slide3

He has his pros and cons.

 

[kjironman1]

He has his pros and cons.

We could always look for something better for sure. However using what he has is what he has to do at this point. I'm kind of on the fence about the whole thing. This back court is pretty good. I still think if this team has "game changing " Moe Harkless the Blazers are very tough to beat.

 

[BonesJones]

We could always look for something better for sure. However using what he has is what he has to do at this point. I'm kind of on the fence about the whole thing. This back court is pretty good. I still think if this team has "game changing " Moe Harkless the Blazers are very tough to beat.

You're on the fence about Stotts? I thought you were a big fan of his.

It depends on the post-season, and if he's able to make the adjustments required to win series and if he's able to get the team to play the style of basketball that's conducive for postseason success.

If he's not able to do so once again, then we'll lose in the first round and I just don't see how we could justify bringing him back.

 

[Scalma]

Yeah boy we beat the Mavs and Lillard was the clear best player on the floor.
Offense looked sooooo good against the Mavs, and Portland was not too bad defensively either.
Portland is elite!
Wait what is the Mavs record?...
Nevermind.
Portland beat Indiana too!
Wait they were without their best player and the offense struggled at times because Sarge took Lillard away at times?
Nevermind........

Look both CJ & Lillard are capable of doing more than they're asked if one is MIA. That's what we've seen.
Yes CJ is not the best defender especially during the regular season. In fact there are times where it does not look like he's even trying on defense during the regular season.
Yes I wish CJ would not only look for teammates more when Lillard is out.
But Lillard & CJ complement one another offensively.

Stotts however seems incapable of getting both to play at a high level at the same time. I've gave up on Stotts ever being able to achieve this.
Stotts however is more than capable of getting both to score at a high level at the same time.
Right now I just want Stotts to realize Portland will go as far as Nurk takes them in the playoffs.
When Nurk is scoring and dishing assists Portland is dangerous because Nurk is a two way player then.
CJ & Lillard will always get theirs. Stotts needs to coach and make sure Nurk gets his.
Simply because this season there won't be an excuse available for Stotts 'It's on Nurk to be aggressive'. As Nurk has been aggressive all season and played like a star all year.

That’s now at least the second time I’ve seen the suggestion that Portland struggled at times because CJ wasn’t there, as if the blazers never let other teams back in the game with CJ around.

Also, how do they compliment each other? They both need the ball in their hands. CJ is awful defensively, while Dame hovers around the edges of average. An actual complimentery player to Dame would be someone with the profile of Wes. Above average size and defense. Doesn’t need the ball. CJ is a luxury. He’s most valuable to Portland in a trade (might happen) or as a sixth man (will never happen.)

Anthony Davis will be moved this offseason. Lamarcus Aldridge might be moved. Blake Griffin might be moved. They’d all fit Portland better than CJ.

 

[kjironman1]

You're on the fence about Stotts? I thought you were a big fan of his.

It depends on the post-season, and if he's able to make the adjustments required to win series and if he's able to get the team to play the style of basketball that's conducive for postseason success.

If he's not able to do so once again, then we'll lose in the first round and I just don't see how we could justify bringing him back.

On the fence about Dame/CJ back court. They are good. But there are issues with size and defense. There is a blessing and a curse at the same time. The reference to Stotts is that he has to coach the players he has. Players have strengths and weaknesses.

 

[hoopsjock]

If we got a young, shut down, three and D shooting guard for him we would be a much better team. That really is all we need. Dame and Nurk are a killer combo. If we had defense and floor spacing to go with a Dame/Nurk core then we would be in contention.

Any suggestions as to who that guy would be?

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Any suggestions as to who that guy would be?

How would you feel about Tim Hardaway Jr. as our starter at sg?

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

When I see Zach and Meyers next to each other I think, I really hope Zach Fills out like Meyers did. If Zach works hard and gets that big he's going to be really, really good.

 

[hoopsjock]

How would you feel about Tim Hardaway Jr. as our starter at sg?

I would feel like we had a huge downgrade.

Edit: Dallas also can't trade a 1st round pick for like 7 years so they really have nothing useful.

We would need another trade first.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I would feel like we had a huge downgrade.

I have no idea what his numbers are like but it seems like he's a decent 3 point shooter and when he wants to be an ok defender too. I'm having problems coming up with "realistic" upgrades, especially if the criteria has to be a 3 and d guy.

 

[hoopsjock]

I have no idea what his numbers are like but it seems like he's a decent 3 point shooter and when he wants to be an ok defender too. I'm having problems coming up with "realistic" upgrades, especially if the criteria has to be a 3 and d guy.

Career 34.3% from 3. This year is just under that. Also his FG% is under 40%. He's not a good defender either.

Definitely not the guy we need.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Career 34.3% from 3. This year is just under that. Also his FG% is under 40%. He's not a good defender either.

Definitely not the guy we need.

Josh Richardson?

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Career 34.3% from 3. This year is just under that. Also his FG% is under 40%. He's not a good defender either.

Definitely not the guy we need.

The Problem is for as much as I have issues with CJ at times and I have been very open to the idea of trading him. It seems like it gets forgotten that he's still pretty good.

 

[hoopsjock]

The Problem is for as much as I have issues with CJ at times and I have been very open to the idea of trading him. It seems like it gets forgotten that he's still pretty good.

I think the best option if trading CJ if the goal would be to trade CJ for a forward or in a 3 way trade where a team like Washington decides to trade Beal but probably wouldn't want CJ.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Any suggestions as to who that guy would be?

Did a quick BBRef search for guards 6'4" or taller with 3P% of at least 36% and a positive DBPM. Not a whole lot of options. Danny Green would be perfect.

http://bkref.com/tiny/n4bA3

 

[hoopsjock]

I think the best option if trading CJ if the goal would be to trade CJ for a forward or in a 3 way trade where a team like Washington decides to trade Beal but probably wouldn't want CJ.

Something like CJ to Detroit, Drummond and picks to Washington, and Beal to Portland.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Did a quick BBRef search for guards 6'4" or taller with 3P% of at least 36% and a positive DBPM. Not a whole lot of options. Danny Green would be perfect.

http://bkref.com/tiny/n4bA3

View attachment 25269

Marcus Smart is shooting 36% this year? Wow.
If Danny green was younger he would be pretty awesome here.

 

[hoopsjock]

Did a quick BBRef search for guards 6'4" or taller with 3P% of at least 36% and a positive DBPM. Not a whole lot of options. Danny Green would be perfect.

http://bkref.com/tiny/n4bA3

View attachment 25269

And I'm guessing if we opened up the Full-MLE we could easily be in the mix for Green.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

And I'm guessing if we opened up the Full-MLE we could easily be in the mix for Green.

I'm not advocating for standing pat, but I really want to see if Simons or Trent have anything. I am bad at this, but I thought Trent has a bit of Wes Matthews in him (not as good yet), but I really like his game. He's already got an NBA body too.

 

[hoopsjock]

An outside the box option could be to target a guy like Zhaire Smith who would be a rookie next year since he hasn't played at all this year. He shot 45% from 3 his one year at Texas Tech. The only problem is he's not a bigger guard than CJ so we'd likely have the same defensive problems. His value might not be super high right now.

I'd also still like to steal Mikal Bridges from Phoenix if they keep Oubre and Josh Jackson.

 

[CupWizier]

I'm not advocating for standing pat, but I really want to see if Simons or Trent have anything. I am bad at this, but I thought Trent has a bit of Wes Matthews in him (not as good yet), but I really like his game. He's already got an NBA body too.

It's hard to say with Trent still being so young and Mathews was a 4 year college player. It will be interesting to see where Trent jr will be in a few years. Also what's interesting is that Mathews only shot 34% from the 3 during his career and it was said by someone in this forum that wasn't very good and nothing to indicate he would become a good 3 point shooting. Guess that isn't such a good predictor.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

It's hard to say with Trent still being so young and Mathews was a 4 year college player. It will be interesting to see where Trent jr will be in a few years. Also what's interesting is that Mathews only shot 34% from the 3 during his career and it was said by someone in this forum that wasn't very good and nothing to indicate he would become a good 3 point shooting. Guess that isn't such a good predictor.

Matthews had a really key ingredient and I think Trent has it too. Passion. Matthews was / is such a hard worker, he wanted it and was willing to work harder then everyone else for it. Every year Matthews made himself better at something, he even learned how to dribble enough to not be terrible at it. I think Trent has that similar work ethic.

 

[Hoopguru]

An outside the box option could be to target a guy like Zhaire Smith who would be a rookie next year since he hasn't played at all this year. He shot 45% from 3 his one year at Texas Tech. The only problem is he's not a bigger guard than CJ so we'd likely have the same defensive problems. His value might not be super high right now.

I'd also still like to steal Mikal Bridges from Phoenix if they keep Oubre and Josh Jackson.

I would think the Suns would move at least one of them. Would you trade Jake in a package for Bridges or Kelly O?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

It's hard to say with Trent still being so young and Mathews was a 4 year college player. It will be interesting to see where Trent jr will be in a few years. Also what's interesting is that Mathews only shot 34% from the 3 during his career and it was said by someone in this forum that wasn't very good and nothing to indicate he would become a good 3 point shooting. Guess that isn't such a good predictor.

Of course, Wes was a 38% shooter from 3 his rookie year, so he's probably not particularly analogous to other college 34% shooters who don't enjoy the same sort of immediate pro success.

 

[CupWizier]

Marcus Smart is shooting 36% this year? Wow.
If Danny green was younger he would be pretty awesome here.

Problem with Danny Green like you said is his age and he also doesn't set others up as his assist numbers are poor and his rebounding for a guy 6'6" isn't any better than MCollum's.

 

[CupWizier]

Of course, Wes was a 38% shooter from 3 his rookie year, so he's probably not particularly analogous to other college 34% shooters who don't enjoy the same sort of immediate pro success.

I guess my point was that numbers in college don't necessarily translate how a player will be in the pro game as it has been shown that some are able to make the transition and some don't, but the stats aren't always the best way to assess their pro ability. In Mathews case, it was hard work, determination and a little chip on his shoulder of not being drafted that drove him to his success.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I guess my point was that numbers in college don't necessarily translate how a player will be in the pro game as it has been shown that some are able to make the transition and some don't, but the stats aren't always the best way to assess their pro ability. In Mathews case, it was hard work, determination and a little chip on his shoulder of not being drafted that drove him to his success.

Point taken and valid.

 

[hoopsjock]

I would think the Suns would move at least one of them. Would you trade Jake in a package for Bridges or Kelly O?

Jake is a free agent so it really isn't a realistic option to trade him.

 

[Hoopguru]

Jake is a free agent so it really isn't a realistic option to trade him.

Forgot he's a FA!