Game Thread GAME# 79: BLAZERS @ NUGGETS - APRIL 5, 2019 - FRIDAY, 7:30 PM, ESPN & NBCSNW

[KingSpeed]

No Nurkic
No C.J.
We're not using Dame off the ball trying to get him looks at all
We're not ISOing him at all (which is weird)
We're running a bunch of movement and screens in his area and Denver is just loading up on him
All our pick n roll is from the top, with none on the side
We're not pushing enough in transition where he could attack a defense that wasn't set

Basically what we see in the post-season every year. He hasn't had a chance to get going. Harden wouldn't have done anything in this structure and against this defense.

CJ and Nurk were in playoffs. You’re right that we should have him play off ball like Warriors do with Curry.

 

[julius]

I haven't visited game threads for a while. It's negative af in here.

There is a lot of posts during the game threads, especially when the team is playing bad or losing, that make it very easy to avoid this place.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Good way to look at it


But I want the W

Well thats really the beauty of it, if they dont lose connection with them they can still get the W. The early lead on the road down all those pieces vs a really good team wasnt going to stick.

 

[Dom McBlazer]

So we've dropped the ball at the rim and whiffed on several layups and dunks, Dame isn't doing anything, the refs are bending us over pretty good, and they can only get ahead by 4. Pfft. Denver sucks.

They're fools gold. I don't see them winning a 7-game series against either the Warriors or Rockets.

 

[kjironman1]

The last few weeks? Seriously, what in the fuck are you talking about Tunchi? I know you hate Dame, but this is ridiculous.

He just got player of the week if i remember?

 

[Propagandist]

He just got player of the week if i remember?

I know, right? wth.

 

[LuckyShot]

No Nurkic
No C.J.
We're not using Dame off the ball trying to get him looks at all
We're not ISOing him at all (which is weird)
We're running a bunch of movement and screens in his area and Denver is just loading up on him
All our pick n roll is from the top, with none on the side
We're not pushing enough in transition where he could attack a defense that wasn't set

Basically what we see in the post-season every year. He hasn't had a chance to get going. Harden wouldn't have done anything in this structure and against this defense.

I mean... Harden would run into the nearest defender and snap his head back and get FTs enough times until the defense backed off and let him hit a few 3s. That is unless he was doing it in a Blazers Jersey...

 

[BonesJones]

CJ and Nurk were in playoffs. You’re right that we should have him play off ball like Warriors do with Curry.

Those were 2 of 7 reasons. But yeah we need to do something other than high pick n roll.

 

[BonesJones]

I mean... Harden would run into the nearest defender and snap his head back and get FTs enough times until the defense backed off and let him hit a few 3s. That is unless he was doing it in a Blazers Jersey...

Exactly.

 

[H.C.]

But they played in playoffs last year and Dame was shut down.

AD is the best defensive big sense KG.
Stotts has the need to force lillard to play in traffic.
We'd have a 5-6 point lead if players would finish at the rim. ET & Lillard have found multiple people and players are bringing the ball down or blowing easy layups

 

[KingSpeed]

He just got player of the week if i remember?

Yes

 

[wizenheimer]

It's the Dame stuff that has me perplexed. People complain about Damian Lillard?!? I think perhaps he's earned a little leeway AND the game isn't over.

no shit...if it wasn't for Dame being Dame, the Blazers would have about 37 wins and we'd be talking about lottery balls

but apparently, people expect him to be a machine who never has a flat game. The load he's carrying is huge and I'd be surprised if he isn't fatigued at this point in this season

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Dame has been in an interesting position we havent seen him in his entire career. He has legitimate offensive weapons to play with. Hood, Kanter, Curry, CJ, Nurk, Heck Harkless when he’s feeling like it. I think what weve seen recently is a Dame that is more willing then ever to pick his spots and let other guys get going. Sometimes it looks like he’s not trying, but I think its because weve seen him when he knows he has to score for so long.

 

[BonesJones]

@KingSpeed Games like this is why I'll never be a huge Stotts supporter. Just pay attention to how Dame's being used and the scoring opportunities he's getting. He's not in a position to succeed right now.

 

[KingSpeed]

AD is the best defensive big sense KG.
Stotts has the need to force lillard to play in traffic.
We'd have a 5-6 point lead if players would finish at the rim. ET & Lillard have found multiple people and players are bringing the ball down or blowing easy layups

You are right about that. So many missed layups. I’m hoping Stotts gives Simon another try in third quarter, let him build confidence.

 

[LuckyShot]

They're fools gold. I don't see them winning a 7-game series against either the Warriors or Rockets.

Nah.

 

[KingSpeed]

@KingSpeed Games like this is why I'll never be a huge Stotts supporter. Just pay attention to how Dame's being used and the scoring opportunities he's getting. He's not in a position to succeed right now.

Okay

 

[BonesJones]

no shit...if it wasn't for Dame being Dame, the Blazers would have about 37 wins and we'd be talking about lottery balls

but apparently, people expect him to be a machine who never has a flat game. The load he's carrying is huge and I'd be surprised if he isn't fatigued at this point in this season

People expect him to constantly score 1 on 4 off of high pick n roll against good defenses. Some people don't know how to look past the box score and pay attention to basketball.

 

[julius]

It's funny that some times people seem to forget that the team the Blazers are playing are good. Like, you know, the Nuggets.

 

[LuckyShot]

You are right about that. So many missed layups. I’m hoping Stotts gives Simon another try in third quarter, let him build confidence.

I thought the kid did alright outside of letting Plumlee rip him.

 

[BonesJones]

Okay

I'm curious to hear what you think after this next half.

 

[BonesJones]

It's funny that some times people seem to forget that the team the Blazers are playing are good. Like, you know, the Nuggets.

The Nuggets aren't playing well.

 

[Chris Craig]

What four Blazers head coaches, have coached Rasheed Wallace?

 

[Propagandist]

All I know is Evan Turner has a lot of work to do to keep up with expectations...

 

[H.C.]

More minutes for aminu and hood in the second half. No minutes for Simons and Nards.

Aminu needs to follow sap.
And for the love of God fucking let Lillard play off the ball a bit

 

[Labinot41]

Labinot was upset when we were up double digits because Dame wasn't going 1 on 3. Lmao.

Lol, thats just not true. I'm upset because dame looks disinterested.

 

[Dom McBlazer]

Nice start, Lillard.

 

[kjironman1]

Those were 2 of 7 reasons. But yeah we need to do something other than high pick n roll.

The High Pick n Roll is a good play about 1/5 of the time. You cannot try to run it 4 or 5 times in a row. Teams will smoke you every time they see it.

 

[BonesJones]

More minutes for aminu and hood in the second half. No minutes for Simons and Nards.

Aminu needs to follow sap.
And for the love of God fucking let Lillard play off the ball a bit

More minutes for Hood. I still feel like Simons can be helpful.

 

[BonesJones]

The High Pick n Roll is a good play about 1/5 of the time. You cannot try to run it 4 or 5 times in a row. Teams will smoke you every time they see it.

Exactly. Why not just run it to the side?