Game Thread GAME# 77: HEAT @ BLAZERS - APRIL 2, 2016 - SATURDAY, 7:00 PM (PDT), CSNNW

[TBpup]

That is ridiculous. Duncan was winning MVP awards. He completely carried that team. Dame has great teammates too.

Sure he was but if you think the Blazers have ANYONE on their roster anywhere near David Robinson's stature, you might want to check the use of the word "ridiculous". Then again, I appreciate your fanaticism and didn't expect reason.

 

[KingSpeed]

In 2001-02, Duncan played 82 games and averaged 26 ppg, 13 rpg, 4 apg, and 2.5 bpg. Talk about carrying a team. Dame doesn't have to do that much.

 

[Natebishop3]

In 2001-02, Duncan played 82 games and averaged 26 ppg, 13 rpg, 4 apg, and 2.5 bpg. Talk about carrying a team. Dame doesn't have to do that much.

Putting up great stats doesn't automatically equal "carrying."

Did Jordan carry the Bulls for 82 games a season?

 

[KingSpeed]

Sure he was but if you think the Blazers have ANYONE on their roster anywhere near David Robinson's stature, you might want to check the use of the word "ridiculous". Then again, I appreciate your fanaticism and didn't expect reason.

Robinson was wayyyy past his prime in 2002.

 

[KingSpeed]

Putting up great stats doesn't automatically equal "carrying."

Did Jordan carry the Bulls for 82 games a season?

Yes

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Putting up great stats doesn't automatically equal "carrying."

Did Jordan carry the Bulls for 82 games a season?

Offensively? Maybe.

 

[TBpup]

Putting up great stats doesn't automatically equal "carrying."

Did Jordan carry the Bulls for 82 games a season?

Silly poster. Don't bring reason and balance into this conversation...lol.

 

[Draco]

Tim played a lot back then but didn't have NEARLY the burden to carry as Dame does now. That takes a toll. He had Robinson and Avery Johnson, Sean Elliot etc and later Parker, Ginobilli and now Kawhi and LA. Anyone who has played high level basketball will tell you that is a HUGE difference in wear and tear on you both physically and mentally.

I disagree; Pop is learning like everyone else and didn't realize what an opportunity there was to increase the effectiveness of players with proper rest throughout the season. If Duncan had been in his 20's the last few years Pops would've been resting him. Not to the extent he does now; but it would be the same as how he plays LaMarcus where he sat him out 6 games this season and plays him 30.5 mpg.

 

[KingSpeed]

Duncan had to do more than Dame on both sides of the floor.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Duncan had to do more than Dame on both sides of the floor.

Duncan is a top 10 player ever too. A little bit different.

 

[DreamKillah]

OK, I was glad to see the win, but this game was kinda boring. . . .

 

[TBpup]

Duncan is a top 10 player ever too. A little bit different.

Quite right. Regardless of what he did, he had a DPoY type player behind him in Robinson, a versitile SF in Elliot and a veteran PG leader in Johnson....certainly not all by himself. Veterans Terry Porter and Steve Kerr, mismatch type Malik Rose. The cupboard was not exactly bare.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

If Lillard were 2 1/2 feet shorter he would literally be half the player Duncan is.

Food for thought.

 

[Daweez04]

And some how telling the players to intentionally lose will get you rings?

Again, that makes no sense. Learning to win, learning to work together, to achieving a goal, is more important.

You want 15 players to lose to gain a draft pick for a player that has just as good a chance at being a bust as they do being a meaningful contributor. We're gaining far more by having these 15 players work together, fight together, and exceed all reasonable expectations.

You're trying so hard to shit all over the success of this season but the reasons you're giving for doing it makes no sense.

So much truth in this. The development of Harkless, Crabbe and CJ doesn't happen if you are telling them not to win, because they are playing their hardest and trying to learn. So you sacrifice 3 guys who are major contributors for a draft pick that may or may not turn into anything (and soon as you get out of top 5, it drops off dramatically in any year).

 

[ripcityboy]

Wait?! Are you telling me it's NOT better to tank every year because it creates a treadmill of lowered expectations while reinforcing a potential losing atmosphere in the locker room?

 

[42N8Bounce]

Nice win tonight! Man, CJ is good.

My two favorite plays:
- Plumlee steal and breakaway dunk.
- Henderson's massive dunk.

41 wins so far, with 5 more games to play. Back to a season high 5 games over 500!

 

[42N8Bounce]

At one point after a time out was called, CJ took his time going to the bench and was waving his arms encouraging the crowd to cheer. I love seeing that from players. Engaged with the fans. After his performance tonight, he certainly deserved the applause.

 

[Scalma]

Harkless is so awesome. His style really compliments CJ and Lillards. He should be the starter next year as well. Get a real center, another shooter and were set.

 

[dreamcloud]

Man if Harkless just works on his open three, our starting unit would be so lethal with him.

 

[Strenuus]

Man if Harkless just works on his open three, our starting unit would be so lethal with him.

The thing is, I think he will. Now that he knows he'll have a rotational role, I think he REALLY works.

I'm surprised it took Stotts this long to put him in the Starting lineup... he's been money since he has. LOVE IT.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I'm surprised it took Stotts this long to put him in the Starting lineup.

Maybe it was Harkless who worked and earned his place in the starting lineup vs something that Stotts just gave to him.

 

[Strenuus]

Maybe it was Harkless who worked and earned his place in the starting lineup vs something that Stotts just gave to him.

It's most likely, but I saw this in Harkless from day 1, so I dunno.

And damnit, Dog! No dog treat for you!

 

[KingSpeed]

Duncan is a top 10 player ever too. A little bit different.

That's the whole point. Duncan did more for Spurs and still played 82 games.

 

[KingSpeed]

Quite right. Regardless of what he did, he had a DPoY type player behind him in Robinson, a versitile SF in Elliot and a veteran PG leader in Johnson....certainly not all by himself. Veterans Terry Porter and Steve Kerr, mismatch type Malik Rose. The cupboard was not exactly bare.

Lillard isn't doing it all by himself either. There is a lot of talent on our roster.

 

[KingSpeed]

Harkless is so awesome. His style really compliments CJ and Lillards. He should be the starter next year as well. Get a real center, another shooter and were set.

What do you have against Plumlee? He's the best center for our team.

 

[KingSpeed]

By the way, don't look now, but we're the hottest team in the NBA!

 

[Draco]

Harkless is Jerome Kersey. Great comparison. Ed Davis is Buck Williams.

Been so impressed with CJ. Could make an argument CJ has been better than Dame. He picks his spots to take shots better as evident by his higher percentages. He doesn't jack up low percentage three's early in the clock 8 feet behind the line. He plays slightly better defense. He is more consistent game to game with fewer terrible shooting nights. He paces himself better health wise for the year. Been so impressed with him. Glad to see his critics eating crow who said he can't play PG or start.

It's his first big minute year and he likely keeps improving. If you give Lillard the nod this year still think you have to put CJ this year above Dames first year as a starter. Going to have some great friendly competition as our best guard in the decade ahead. Their both so unselfish and care for the other guy too.

 

[Eastoff]

Harkless is Jerome Kersey. Great comparison. Ed Davis is Buck Williams.

Been so impressed with CJ. Could make an argument CJ has been better than Dame. He picks his spots to take shots better as evident by his higher percentages. He doesn't jack up low percentage three's early in the clock 8 feet behind the line. He plays slightly better defense. He is more consistent game to game with fewer terrible shooting nights. He paces himself better health wise for the year. Been so impressed with him. Glad to see his critics eating crow who said he can't play PG or start.

It's his first big minute year and he likely keeps improving. If you give Lillard the nod this year still think you have to put CJ this year above Dames first year as a starter. Going to have some great friendly competition as our best guard in the decade ahead. Their both so unselfish and care for the other guy too.

So is Cj the Glyde?

 

[Draco]

Stars win most of their titles when they are older.

[Study] At what age an NBA player reaches his peak?

• 27 Years & 2 months is the average age of a NBA player in his most productive season.

Lillard should still be a great player throughout his contract. But compared to similar players he's close to his peak now and will start to decline after two years. The notion we are 3+ years away from him starting his prime is false; historically speaking.

 

[Tunchi]

Harkless is Jerome Kersey. Great comparison. Ed Davis is Buck Williams.

Been so impressed with CJ. Could make an argument CJ has been better than Dame. He picks his spots to take shots better as evident by his higher percentages. He doesn't jack up low percentage three's early in the clock 8 feet behind the line. He plays slightly better defense. He is more consistent game to game with fewer terrible shooting nights. He paces himself better health wise for the year. Been so impressed with him. Glad to see his critics eating crow who said he can't play PG or start.

It's his first big minute year and he likely keeps improving. If you give Lillard the nod this year still think you have to put CJ this year above Dames first year as a starter. Going to have some great friendly competition as our best guard in the decade ahead. Their both so unselfish and care for the other guy too.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Cj is much much much more consistent than Dame. Dame is just the higher profile player so obviously DESERVELY gets the attention.

But all in all like you said Cj is much more consistent than Dame and really barley has "famine" type of shooting nights where dame will have one every 4 or 5 games.