Game Thread GAME# 8: PELICANS @ BLAZERS - NOVEMBER 1, 2018 - THURSDAY, 7:30 PM (PDT), TNT

[KingSpeed]

The four playoff games against the Pelicans, CJ was the leading scorer. We all know how those turned out, so I’ll take the balanced scoring of this year’s team. CJ will get out of his slump eventually, and then the wins will come easier.

To those complaining about the Blazers not playing well, I’d point out that winning ugly is essential to a good season. The Blazers are 6-2 this year as compared with 4-4 at the same point last season.

And both losses was just barely losses. A bounce here or a bounce there and we're 8-0.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Our defensive efficiency is pretty much identical compared to last year..

OK, serious question from one of the stat challenged. You say or defensive efficiency is pretty much the same as last year. Are you refering to some concrete measure like PPG, or is this efficiency relative to the rest of the league? In other words, are we really at the same level - or do we just look like we are because everybody else is also giving up more points?

 

[Pinwheel1]

The four playoff games against the Pelicans, CJ was the leading scorer. We all know how those turned out, so I’ll take the balanced scoring of this year’s team. CJ will get out of his slump eventually, and then the wins will come easier.

To those complaining about the Blazers not playing well, I’d point out that winning ugly is essential to a good season. The Blazers are 6-2 this year as compared with 4-4 at the same point last season.

Well said. I do feel more comfortable when I know we can win the ugly ones too. As a fan those ugly games are hard to watch, but afterwards I like it. I think it gives them more confidence winning close ones. Since most games are close.

 

[oldmangrouch]

And both losses was just barely losses. A bounce here or a bounce there and we're 8-0.

That may be a fair description of the Washington game, but not Miami. The Blazers just flat played lousy for extended periods of that game.

 

[Gronk Brady]

CJ didn’t take as many shots as he usually does and Blazers finish with a season high 25 assists... coincidence?

 

[hoopsjock]

CJ didn’t take as many shots as he usually does and Blazers finish with a season high 25 assists... coincidence?

Isn't this what some of you guys want if he's not shooting well? He only took 8 shots tonight and didn't jack up 25. He definitely needs to find a way out of his slump but I do appreciate him not jacking up a bunch of shots tonight.

 

[hoopsjock]

The pick and roll defense by the guards tonight is leaving our bigs on an island trying to cover for their bullshit.

Tonight?

 

[hoopsjock]

If cj got waived, i think we'd be better off without him.

What great basketball knowledge!

 

[BlazerBeav]

I'm fine winning ugly by double digits. If that's how they the wins have to come, I'll be fine with another 74 of them. That said, the whistles completely killed any excitement in the arena. Bad, bad officials.

 

[DollaBel]

Man when did Chuck start having legitimately respectable basketball opinions, he must be actually watching the games now

 

[hoopsjock]

Nurk has been really patient when finishing inside lately. Its working.

Nurk had 20 points on 9 shots with 9 rebounds.

Last game was 22 points on 10 shots with 10 rebounds.

Yet reading through this game log all I see is what trash he is and how soft he is. What the fuck do some of these people want him to do? He's even shooting free throws at almost 80%. Those are All-Star numbers if he keeps those up but yeah he sucks.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Nurk had 20 points on 9 shots with 9 rebounds.

Last game was 22 points on 10 shots with 10 rebounds.

Yet reading through this game log all I see is what trash he is and how soft he is. What the fuck do some of these people want him to do? He's even shooting free throws at almost 80%. Those are All-Star numbers if he keeps those up but yeah he sucks.

He was pretty much a non-factor in the first half. Wasn't it something like 6 of his 7 FGs came in the second half? What many of us are complaining about is his lack of consistency. He tends to fluctuate from a rock solid presence to invisible. Calling him trash is over the top - but far too often he does play soft.

 

[BonesJones]

What great basketball knowledge!

These people bro...

 

[BonesJones]

OK, serious question from one of the stat challenged. You say or defensive efficiency is pretty much the same as last year. Are you refering to some concrete measure like PPG, or is this efficiency relative to the rest of the league? In other words, are we really at the same level - or do we just look like we are because everybody else is also giving up more points?

Points per possession given up (Defensive Rating).

 

[James lamphear]

I am not worried about CJ offense but what irritated me is his passing skills. For a guard he is below average passer.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Points per possession given up (Defensive Rating).

Thanks.

 

[BonesJones]

I am not worried about CJ offense but what irritated me is his passing skills. For a guard he is below average passer.

Weve known this since we drafted him.

 

[hoopsjock]

He was pretty much a non-factor in the first half. Wasn't it something like 6 of his 7 FGs came in the second half? What many of us are complaining about is his lack of consistency. He tends to fluctuate from a rock solid presence to invisible. Calling him trash is over the top - but far too often he does play soft.

I went back and checked the play-by-play summary. He had 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in the first half. So no, you're wrong, that isn't invisible.

 

[BonesJones]

When they were showing highlights from the game, after a cut of Nurkic declaring "This is our house!", Chuck started clowning on Nurk/Blazers, saying the Pelicans kicked Portland's ass in the playoffs ("took their peanut butter and jelly sandwich, took their lunch money, and even took a pair of their Jordans"), so Nurk has no business of shouting "This is our house."

But then he got serious and said, "They're good, though, Ernie", referring to the Blazers. He then agreed with a comment Lillard made about our bench being much improved this year.

Ernie then asked, "With a healthy Anthony Davis, who's a higher seed? (Blazers or Pels)

Barkley then said without hesitation, "The Blazers."

Ernie: "Really?"

Barkley: "Yeah. The Blazers got it all!"

Then Chuck said he worries about our toughness, though. However, he believes we will have a better record than the Pels.

Shaq then said, "They (Blazers) remind me of the Wizards. They have 2 guards, sometimes they play phenomenal together, and sometimes we say we need to break them up."

Barkley then responded: "The Blazers are a much better team than the Wizards."

To which Shaq agreed.

Kenny said he felt that Dame and CJ do produce consistently in the regular season, and that the playoffs sweep of the Blazers was an anomaly based on 2 guards who felt underrated (Rondo and Holiday). And then agreed that the Blazers would be a much better regular season team than the Pelicans.

The only national media members that have a clue.

 

[hoopsjock]

He was pretty much a non-factor in the first half. Wasn't it something like 6 of his 7 FGs came in the second half? What many of us are complaining about is his lack of consistency. He tends to fluctuate from a rock solid presence to invisible. Calling him trash is over the top - but far too often he does play soft.

And this is exactly my point. There is this weird perception even in games when he is dominant that he isn't doing much. I don't get what people want.

 

[BonesJones]

Nurk had 20 points on 9 shots with 9 rebounds.

Last game was 22 points on 10 shots with 10 rebounds.

Yet reading through this game log all I see is what trash he is and how soft he is. What the fuck do some of these people want him to do? He's even shooting free throws at almost 80%. Those are All-Star numbers if he keeps those up but yeah he sucks.

He's averaging 22 & 14 per 36 on over 53% shooting (which includes some 3 attempts) and a much improved FT%. He's been very solid.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I went back and checked the play-by-play summary. He had 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in the first half. So no, you're wrong, that isn't invisible.

I stand corrected.

 

[Rozay]

Only thing with Nurk this year is his defense took a hit but other than that offensively he’s much improved. He’s doing good so far..

 

[perkinsfor3]

Havent watched this game - how did Caleb look?

 

[Labinot41]

I am not worried about CJ offense but what irritated me is his passing skills. For a guard he is below average passer.

He had several passes that were just mind bogglingly terrible for an nba guard. We always knew he was a liability defensively, but now he's stinking it up on offense too

 

[Drttimmy]

Havent watched this game - how did Caleb look?

He and ET had a nice play, where ET drove the lane drawing 2 defenders and threw a behind the back pass to the trailer Caleb who then finished. Caleb has nifty little skills around the basket and he must have large mittens because they seem to swallow the ball when he grabs it. Handy for rebounding and fighting off flying hand swats. I noticed him more than when Leonard lags around the court. The star of the game was Julius Randle though and I'm sure the game thread has lots of comments regarding.

 

[stampedehero]

Baldwin the 4th and Simons only played two minutes for a combined two points. What is with Meyers! Did Terry make him a Bench dweller?
Otherwise, beating the Pelicanos is almost as good as a Houston beat down.

 

[H.C.]

It's a real conundrum why Nurk struggles to defend two players at the rim.
Why can't he defend the lob and block the runner? Fucking slacker.
If only he was AD.
Wait, AD just switches in that situation.
Well maybe Stotts will change..... HA Stotts changing. HAHAHA.

 

[crandc]

I wonder if there are People outside of Portland and new Orleans fanbase watching this Game

Watching in California

 

[BonesJones]

I dont know a nice way to say this, but whether the stats say they’re playing good defense or not when I watch them it is so easy to see a very bipolar defensive team. Yes they go through stretches of good defense (especially with Zach), but they go through stretches of playing some of the laziest defense too. Mental errors, no communication, not getting the defensive rebound to finish it off just lot of little things.

Oh, they might be more inconsistent, or giving up better shots that the other team is missing more of, or struggling in other aspects that's yet to result in an overall decline, but the outcome hasn't been worse.