Game Thread GAME# 79: BLAZERS @ ROCKETS - APRIL 5, 2018 - THURSDAY, 5:00 PM (PST), NBCSNW

[Shaboid]

In order to ensure better and more efficient swish3 shooting Baldwin IV should be given about 20 minutes per game. He has proven to shoot swish3s at a 75% clip. His additional 5 swish3s per game can help the Blazers get their 15 needed to win

This is gold!

 

[BonesJones]

you mean the same guy you said didn't belong on an NBA court? ....nah...not start him....develop him though...he's got skills

It was obvious sarcasm.

You don't speak objectively my man, every take on every Blazer is positive. That's fine, but you should stop giving those who are objective crap for not matching your unconditional positivity.

 

[hoopsjock]

A few things about this game...

I went back with a stopwatch and timed the Rockets last possession. It takes 5.1 seconds for Paul to throw the ball in. It should have been a 5 second call and the Blazers should have gotten the ball back with the score tied. The ref counting it was a full second behind with each of his arm motions as he counted.

CJ is a really good player and a vital part of this team. Some of you seem to be forgetting that this team was 5-2 without Dame earlier in the season. The Rockets whole game plan was to stop CJ. Yes, he had a bad game as he does sometimes and his shot seems to be off recently but I'll take my chances with guys like him that can create their own shot in a league where not a lot of players can. There is a reason why a guy like Durant says he is one of the toughest guys to stop. He does over dribble and forces shots but that is something he can work on. Keep in mind he's not a true PG.

I love the peskiness of Baldwin's defense. I also love the fact he was pissed they didn't win and that he got in Harden's head. I definitely want to see more of him on the court. I don't really want to lose Napier for nothing (which is why I wanted to trade him at the deadline) but Baldwin could show that he is expendable. Baldwin's length makes it much more likely he'd be better for this team going forward. Keep in mind Napier has had some pretty nice games this season too though. Maybe they can find a way to keep both, we'll see.

Caleb Swanigan is only 20 years old and is a rookie. I don't get how anyone can write him off as a non-NBA player. He isn't the prototypical new age NBA big man who is skinny and athletic but he has skills. He can develop post moves. Some of you were calling him stupid, I don't see a stupid player, I see someone making mistakes because he's trying to hard to make the most of his minutes. He'll settle down with more minutes.

Lastly, I don't understand why this team doesn't play more "chaotic" especially when Dame is out. Take more chances on defense. Get out and run. PC, Baldwin, Layman, Collins, Leonard, Turner, Napier, and Harkless are all better players in a more uptempo offense in my opinion. I think Dame would be good either way, same with CJ. That is 2/3 of the team.

 

[BonesJones]

Just pretend he was our pick at 26 and Biggie was a second rounder and all is good.

And pretend Papagiannis was an undrafted FA.

 

[Jade Falcon]

Acknowledge your point, but just so you know, it's been TWO solid games from Baldwin. That doesn't sound like
a lot, but he's really only been given 2 real chances. Check this out:

My apologies, I thought it was one game, not two.

Still....now I want to see him do it consistently. And if that means CJ has to ride the pine for a while, then so be it. Tired of his bullshit bricks and turnovers anyways.

 

[BonesJones]

A few things about this game...

I went back with a stopwatch and timed the Rockets last possession. It takes 5.1 seconds for Paul to throw the ball in. It should have been a 5 second call and the Blazers should have gotten the ball back with the score tied. The ref counting it was a full second behind with each of his arm motions as he counted.

CJ is a really good player and a vital part of this team. Some of you seem to be forgetting that this team was 5-2 without Dame earlier in the season. The Rockets whole game plan was to stop CJ. Yes, he had a bad game as he does sometimes and his shot seems to be off recently but I'll take my chances with guys like him that can create their own shot in a league where not a lot of players can. There is a reason why a guy like Durant says he is one of the toughest guys to stop. He does over dribble and forces shots but that is something he can work on. Keep in mind he's not a true PG.

I love the peskiness of Baldwin's defense. I also love the fact he was pissed they didn't win and that he got in Harden's head. I definitely want to see more of him on the court. I don't really want to lose Napier for nothing (which is why I wanted to trade him at the deadline) but Baldwin could show that he is expendable. Baldwin's length makes it much more likely he'd be better for this team going forward. Keep in mind Napier has had some pretty nice games this season too though. Maybe they can find a way to keep both, we'll see.

Caleb Swanigan is only 20 years old and is a rookie. I don't get how anyone can write him off as a non-NBA player. He isn't the prototypical new age NBA big man who is skinny and athletic but he has skills. He can develop post moves. Some of you were calling him stupid, I don't see a stupid player, I see someone making mistakes because he's trying to hard to make the most of his minutes. He'll settle down with more minutes.

Lastly, I don't understand why this team doesn't play more "chaotic" especially when Dame is out. Take more chances on defense. Get out and run. PC, Baldwin, Layman, Collins, Leonard, Turner, Napier, and Harkless are all better players in a more uptempo offense in my opinion. I think Dame would be good either way, same with CJ. That is 2/3 of the team.

With Swanigan, I think he'll always be a defensive liability and I dont see how his offense will ever outweigh that.

 

[hoopsjock]

With Swanigan, I think he'll always be a defensive liability and I dont see how his offense will ever outweigh that.

Sure, he'll never be an intimidating shot blocker but a key part of being a good defensive big is simply knowing where to be on the floor. I don't see why he has to be pigeon holed into not being able to do things like double team at the appropriate time (which he did a couple times tonight), know when to help and when to rotate on the back side when someone else helps, and use that wide frame to keep other teams off the glass. I'm not saying he will become a defensive stopper but a lot of it is mental. Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut aren't the most athletic guys but one game against the Blazers there was a sequence where it was a good 10 possessions in a row that they both made perfect reads on when to switch and the other one would rotate and be in the right spot and I remember thinking man these two just get it on defense and anyone can be a good defender if they are smart off the ball. I think Swanigan is big enough to be an okay post defender. Obviously we don't want him switching out onto guards in pick and rolls but Nurk doesn't get caught on an island very often so it is possible.

 

[BonesJones]

Sure, he'll never be an intimidating shot blocker but a key part of being a good defensive big is simply knowing where to be on the floor. I don't see why he has to be pigeon holed into not being able to do things like double team at the appropriate time (which he did a couple times tonight), know when to help and when to rotate on the back side when someone else helps, and use that wide frame to keep other teams off the glass. I'm not saying he will become a defensive stopper but a lot of it is mental. Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut aren't the most athletic guys but one game against the Blazers there was a sequence where it was a good 10 possessions in a row that they both made perfect reads on when to switch and the other one would rotate and be in the right spot and I remember thinking man these two just get it on defense and anyone can be a good defender if they are smart off the ball. I think Swanigan is big enough to be an okay post defender. Obviously we don't want him switching out onto guards in pick and rolls but Nurk doesn't get caught on an island very often so it is possible.

Draymond is athletic on defense in terms of being a quick jumper amd sliding his feet, amd Bogut is a 7 footer, so neither are good comparisons. Caleb can't move his feet fast enough to stay in for of perimeter players, is too short to defend against shots out of the post, and is too unathletic to provide good rim protection. He can be mediocre at best if he's always in the right place. You need told as well.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

where's Sly would be my question?

He's been at the coast. Site Admins get vacation too.

 

[Mediocre Man]

He's been at the coast. Site Admins get vacation too.

Is that why things have been running so smoothly?

 

[kjironman1]

Is that why things have been running so smoothly?

This message endorsed by @PtldPlatypus

 

[Scalma]

Aggrevates me to no end.

I watched the game again and CJ misses so many wide open teammates, specifically on pick and rolls, that it’s actually impressive how tunnel visioned he is. I would hate playing with him.

 

[Eastoff]

No but Harden is now called, Baldwin's bitch

How about Baldwin's gimp? No aliteration I realize

 

[illmatic99]

Stotts did something!

 

[theprunetang]

Stotts did something!

I'm not a Stotts hater and actually really like him, but if you watch his post game conference, it seems like that defense wasn't as much planned as it was just Poison IV making that happen.

 

[kjironman1]

Stotts did something!

I did notice that. Then he actually tweaked it mid game. Came off the top but with different players.
Then he realized that the kind of energy to do it was not there with the starters. Or maybe it was just Turner not quite being as quick as Baldwin. CJ was getting pounded on offense and many times he was still getting up on the other end as the play evolved. The bench guys simply had more energy and it stands to reason that doubling off the top took more of it. I also noticed that the Rockets starters wore down as the game went on. The passes were not so crisp and the shots started to fall just short.
Yeah Stotts didn't quit with his strategy and he almost pulled it off.

 

[kjironman1]

I'm not a Stotts hater and actually really like him, but if you watch his post game conference, it seems like that defense wasn't as much planned as it was just Poison IV making that happen.

Stotts had to put him in and recognize it was working well. He found something that was working. That is what coaches do. Got to give him credit.

 

[illmatic99]

I can't get over how good Baldwin looked. Why the hell did MEM just let him go?

 

[theprunetang]

Stotts had to put him in and recognize it was working well. He found something that was working. That is what coaches do. Got to give him credit.

I give Stotts credit for sticking with the lineup that was playing hard and making things happen. You know he only played Wade because we were short handed though.

With that said, the post game reactions from Stotts and Lillard lead me to believe that we will see Poison IV with minutes very soon.


He looked like Tony Allen with a jump shot.

 

[TBpup]

Lol look at that length. Wade is gonna be a defensive terror. And in a league full of perimeter stars...that’s big time.

6'11 1/2" wingspan with a 38" max vertical. The kid has talent and if he has matured, you have to like what he has the ability to bring.

Our Draft this summer is looking better because basically you can treat Baldwin and PapaG as Draft picks. Who knows if we are able to get anyone any better or more ready to contribute.

 

[TBpup]

Stotts had to put him in and recognize it was working well. He found something that was working. That is what coaches do. Got to give him credit.

True....but Baldwin had even better offensive production in the Memphis game and was rewarded with a nice 4 minutes of garbage time over the next 3 games.

 

[illmatic99]

True....but Baldwin had even better offensive production in the Memphis game and was rewarded with a nice 4 minutes of garbage time over the next 3 games.

http://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/...kes-impact-might-reverberate-through-playoffs

With dogged defense that harassed James Harden and Chris Paul into two turnovers each – all of them at or behind halfcourt – Baldwin just might have entered the conversation for playoff minutes.

“What he did tonight was exceptional,’’ coach Terry Stotts said. “To be able to pick up (defense) like that is something we haven’t done and it’s something we can use going forward.’’

From the bench, injured star Damian Lillard said his mind immediately flashed to visions of the postseason.

“That’s playoff level,’’ Lillard said. “Playoff level, man.’’

It was during a first-quarter timeout that Lillard said he pulled Baldwin aside.

“I told him he can really impact this game, that it could be a coming out party for you,’’ Lillard said

“I think he showed that he can come in and impact the game,’’ Lillard said. “Playing against two elite offensive players, two stars in this league and he comes in no fear, picking up full court – making them turn the ball over, frustrating them, impacting the game.

“And it wasn’t like he did it for a short period of time. He did it every minute he was on the floor. That’s something we can add to our team, something that can make us a better team. Now we have a guy on the perimeter who can really defend and lock up. He could really make us a better team.’

When dame says you play, you play.

 

[TBpup]

When dame says you play, you play.

Quote the Raven. It is spoken.

 

[H.C.]

There is no fucking way Meyers can get his shot off in 0.8 seconds.

Nards could get his shot off in .8 seconds. The coaching staff and we fans just need to encourage him to do so.
This will lead to him making 50% of swish3s and The Blazers getting a championship.

 

[H.C.]

A few things about this game...

I went back with a stopwatch and timed the Rockets last possession. It takes 5.1 seconds for Paul to throw the ball in. It should have been a 5 second call and the Blazers should have gotten the ball back with the score tied. The ref counting it was a full second behind with each of his arm motions as he counted.

Refs don't use a stopwatch.
Therefore there is no reason why you should.

 

[hoopsjock]

Refs don't use a stopwatch.
Therefore there is no reason why you should.

5 seconds is 5 seconds. I counted the same way the ref did and got to 5 before Paul threw it in too. I think the ref stops for a moment each time Paul almost throws it and then stops.

 

[H.C.]

5 seconds is 5 seconds. I counted the same way the ref did and got to 5 before Paul threw it in too. I think the ref stops for a moment each time Paul almost throws it and then stops.

If the ref got to 5 motions of his arm and did not call a violation then yes you have a point.
Otherwise, 5 seconds is not 5 seconds.



It's not an inbounds play, but this clearly shows 6-7 seconds going off the clock, in the time it takes the ref to do 5 motions.
5 seconds is not 5 seconds.

 

[riverman]

You don't speak objectively my man, every take on every Blazer is positive.

this is a very subjective post.......and no....I don't find a lot of objectivity in many of your basketball posts. you have so many meltdowns in the first quarter of a game that it's gotten silly .you say things like..we're going to lose.....Stotts sucks, Olshey sucks....on and on....Swanigan you really bashed....then claim obvious sarcasm? not buying it but it's all good....show me a game thread where you don't instigate a long argument with someone about a Blazer player or coach dude...it's what you do...being negative isn't being objective. really though....I'm going to cheer on whether it annoys you or not

 

[SportsAndWhine]

5 seconds is 5 seconds. I counted the same way the ref did and got to 5 before Paul threw it in too. I think the ref stops for a moment each time Paul almost throws it and then stops.

It’s a five count not five seconds. I got heated about this a couple years ago but dviss clarified. Same with theee in the key; it’s a count not seconds because frankly refs aren’t robots and the key is bigger than it was when the rule was created.

 

[THE HCP]

5 seconds is 5 seconds. I counted the same way the ref did and got to 5 before Paul threw it in too. I think the ref stops for a moment each time Paul almost throws it and then stops.

Nurk also hammered Capella in the first quarter as he went up for a shot and it wasn’t called. And our new big man PapaWhatever NAILED Black on the play that led to Swanagin’s break jumper. It swas also not called. You could go back and forth with this kinda thing all day long. Things tend to even themselves out.