Game Thread GAME# 8: TIMBERWOLVES @ BLAZERS - JANUARY 7, 2021 - THURSDAY, 7:00 PM, NBCSNW

[kjironman1]

CJ getting subbed out twice in the 1st half is becoming the norm, which is odd.

I like it.
For a time they went with Dame, Nurk, Trent, RoCo, Jones.
It seems Stotts is toying with either Dame or CJ instead of both as much as he used to. Subtle but effective change. Keeps both a bit fresher and reduces minutes a bit. Allows both to lead the offense.

 

[kjironman1]

Dame is definitely gunning it tonight. haven't seen him this quick with the trigger and hut his shots this much all season

The thing I am noticing is when he pulls the trigger quick without thinking he is money.

 

[kjironman1]

Ant could’ve had 5 assists in the 4th if players made wide open shots. I noticed he was making a big effort on D to move his feet and stay in front of his man. Seems Ant plays way better if he makes some shots. Once he goes 0-4 he starts getting in his own head.

I noticed this also. It seems like he is making a concerted effort on defense. he is trying to put it all together. Sometimes it effects his offense which is to be expected.

 

[kjironman1]

Trent plays much better alongside CJ and Dame.

Of course. This is the case with a bunch of players. Teams defend Dame and CJ. 3rd and 4th option should look good.

 

[TBpup]

Blazers did what they should have....pound a terrible team missing their best player. Hope this can carry over to a team that is even a decent Playoff team. Dame went nuts from a production/efficiency standpoint and got a nice 4th quarter rest.

Would like to see Jones/RoCo get more than a combined 8 shots in a blowout as we will need more from them against quality teams.

 

[illmatic99]

more of this kinda surprise trapping. why do we not do it more often

 

[OneSport3]

Fucking cracks me up the same people who just blast this team simply DISAPPEAR during games like this. Crickets! Gone! At least be consistent and give credit when it's due......it will give your critiques more credibility, trust me.

Credit? You beat a terrible team ranked 30th in the league in defensive efficiency (by the way, was the only team ranked below us) without their superstar player. Like Chris Rock said, you don't get credit for doing what you're supposed to do!

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

So is Stotts still a bad coach? Not sure how this works.

Yeh, he is still a bad coach; I only said he is not a terrible coach.

 

[Natebishop3]

Dame went nuts from a production/efficiency standpoint and got a nice 4th quarter rest.

It shows what Dame can do against a team that doesn't know how to trap/deny him open looks.

 

[Tince]

So is Stotts still a bad coach? Not sure how this works.

This is how it works.

Good one game performance against a bad team - meaningless
Good one game performance against the NBA champs - one off
Bad one game performance against a bad team - very telling
Bad one game performance against Utah - worst team ever

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think it is safe to say this team can fall in love with the 3 pt shot at times and forget about other options.
Good to see Dame attack the rim a little more last night (along with his 3s) but of course Minnesota does not have much of a rim protector. Fans are not exactly enamored with Melo but he is one of the few on the team (maybe the only one ) who can effectively post his man up. Nurk is ok at it but he does tend to have the ball knocked away when he backs players down. Kanter also struggles with putting the ball on the floor

 

[Natebishop3]

I think it is safe to say this team can fall in love with the 3 pt shot at times and forget about other options.

One slight addition to this, the team falls in love with CONTESTED and/or difficult three point shots. We don't move the ball around nearly enough to find the open man. When we DO, we tend to shoot a much higher percentage. That ball movement could also lead to easier buckets for guys like Jones and Nurk.

Our ball movement has, for a while now, been one of the worst in the league.

 

[BonesJones]

This is how it works.

Good one game performance against a bad team - meaningless
Good one game performance against the NBA champs - one off
Bad one game performance against a bad team - very telling
Bad one game performance against Utah - worst team ever

You're so disingenuous.

 

[wizenheimer]

Actually, applying all tiebreakers, we are 7th.

oh great....a joke apparently needs to be adjusted for accuracy

 

[Tince]

You're so disingenuous.

I'm sorry you feel that way. Never want you to feel like you should post about me personally instead of disputing the content directly.

 

[Tince]

One slight addition to this, the team falls in love with CONTESTED and/or difficult three point shots. We don't move the ball around nearly enough to find the open man. When we DO, we tend to shoot a much higher percentage. That ball movement could also lead to easier buckets for guys like Jones and Nurk.

Our ball movement has, for a while now, been one of the worst in the league.

I wish they made these advanced analytics available by team, as they do exist. It would be fun to compare our PPP based off of number of passes per possession. Would also be interesting to compare to other teams.

Are you drawing this conclusion based off anything more than your perception from watching the games? Not saying you're wrong, just curious if you have any data behind it.

 

[Tince]

Interesting chart from the 2016-17 season:

 

[wizenheimer]

This is how it works.

Good one game performance against a bad team - meaningless
Good one game performance against the NBA champs - one off
Bad one game performance against a bad team - very telling
Bad one game performance against Utah - worst team ever

good joke I guess, if that's what it was...but since you're a big Stotts advocate.....

the vast majority of criticisms of Stotts aren't based on one game, or 10 games, or 20 games. They are based upon the 8+ seasons, the 712 Blazer games he's coached, his 20-36 playoff record in Portland, and the manners in which his systems succeed, and the ways they fail. That's 8+ seasons and over 700 games when we have seen the decisions he makes, and the adjustments he implements; when we have watched his rotations; when we hear his explanations...and his excuses

a good game here or a bad game there doesn't make a season. Neither does a stretch of good wins or a stretch of bad losses. A season makes a season, and that includes the playoffs. We have 8 of those to judge Stotts by, and now, 8 games this season

knowing all that, ridiculing the critics as if they weakly vacillate in their views depending on a win or a loss is a bit loopy. I don't think the Stotts critics are that shallow

 

[Tince]

good joke I guess, if that's what it was...but since you're a big Stotts advocate.....

the vast majority of criticisms of Stotts aren't based on one game, or 10 games, or 20 games. They are based upon the 8+ seasons, the 712 Blazer games he's coached, his 20-36 playoff record in Portland, and the manners in which his systems succeed, and the ways they fail. That's 8+ seasons and over 700 games when we have seen the decisions he makes, and the adjustments he implements; when we have watched his rotations; when we hear his explanations...and his excuses

a good game here or a bad game there doesn't make a season. Neither does a stretch of good wins or a stretch of bad losses. A season makes a season, and that includes the playoffs. We have 8 of those to judge Stotts by, and now, 8 games this season

knowing all that, ridiculing the critics as if they weakly vacillate in their views depending on a win or a loss is a bit loopy. I don't think the Stotts critics are that shallow

For the record, I'm not a big Stotts advocate. I've stated on many occasions, I'm indifferent on him and feel the general impact coaches make on teams adavancing far is very low in comparison to roster talent and make-up. If he got fired tomorrow, I would lose zero sleep over it, and if the roster remained unchanged, I would continue to have the same expectations of our next coach.

We have had 8 seasons to judge Stotts. I believe those teams have made the playoffs 7 times, including multiple trips out of the first round, and a WCF appearance. I'm not sure how many other coaches could say that while only having 1 all-star on their roster. I'm assuming not many. Because of that, I find it hard to think he's horrible. I also do not think he's the best.

 

[BonesJones]

good joke I guess, if that's what it was...but since you're a big Stotts advocate.....

the vast majority of criticisms of Stotts aren't based on one game, or 10 games, or 20 games. They are based upon the 8+ seasons, the 712 Blazer games he's coached, his 20-36 playoff record in Portland, and the manners in which his systems succeed, and the ways they fail. That's 8+ seasons and over 700 games when we have seen the decisions he makes, and the adjustments he implements; when we have watched his rotations; when we hear his explanations...and his excuses

a good game here or a bad game there doesn't make a season. Neither does a stretch of good wins or a stretch of bad losses. A season makes a season, and that includes the playoffs. We have 8 of those to judge Stotts by, and now, 8 games this season

knowing all that, ridiculing the critics as if they weakly vacillate in their views depending on a win or a loss is a bit loopy. I don't think the Stotts critics are that shallow

Exactly.

 

[Blazers Roy]

So is Stotts still a bad coach?

 

[wizenheimer]

We have had 8 seasons to judge Stotts. I believe those teams have made the playoffs 7 times, including multiple trips out of the first round, and a WCF appearance..

ok then...playoffs are the gauge I guess

Stotts has a .344 winning percentage in the playoffs

Stan Albeck .409
Bernie Bickerstaff .364
Rick Adelman .503
Scott Brooks .522
Brett Brown .462
Mike Budenholzer .500
Rick Carlisle .476
Dwayne Casey .382
Mike D'antoni .491
Vinny Del Negro .345
Billy Donovan .439
Mike Dunleavy .535
Alvin Gentry .567
Lionel Hollins .488
Mike Malone .485
Quin Snyder .382
Tom Thibideau .429
Brad Stevens .507
Stan Van Gundy .527
Frank Vogel .573
Mike Woodson .391

there were some coaches with worse playoff records, but I thought that list would give a good gauge of what we can judge Stotts by

now, I know you gave credit to Stotts for just making the playoffs for 7 straight years. I guess, if that's the +/- gauge you want to use, then he stacks up well. But I think that's the big problem. If just making the playoffs becomes the line for an acceptable season you've signed up for mediocrity.

for chrissakes, Rick Adelman had a .522 playoff record as a Blazer HC and actually won the WCF twice. Yet, he was fired after 6 seasons because management saw that his time had run it's course. Stotts is in his 9th season. And how many other coaches on that list were given less time than Stotts after better results? All of them?

IMO, Stotts needs to go. It's past due. The Blazers are stagnant in their offense and their defense. They are stuck with a style and mired in a philosophy

 

[kjironman1]

ok then...playoffs are the gauge I guess

Stotts has a .344 winning percentage in the playoffs

Stan Albeck .409
Bernie Bickerstaff .364
Rick Adelman .503
Scott Brooks .522
Brett Brown .462
Mike Budenholzer .500
Rick Carlisle .476
Dwayne Casey .382
Mike D'antoni .491
Vinny Del Negro .345
Billy Donovan .439
Mike Dunleavy .535
Alvin Gentry .567
Lionel Hollins .488
Mike Malone .485
Quin Snyder .382
Tom Thibideau .429
Brad Stevens .507
Stan Van Gundy .527
Frank Vogel .573
Mike Woodson .391

there were some coaches with worse playoff records, but I thought that list would give a good gauge of what we can judge Stotts by

now, I know you gave credit to Stotts for just making the playoffs for 7 straight years. I guess, if that's the +/- gauge you want to use, then he stacks up well. But I think that's the big problem. If just making the playoffs becomes the line for an acceptable season you've signed up for mediocrity.

for chrissakes, Rick Adelman had a .522 playoff record as a Blazer HC and actually won the WCF twice. Yet, he was fired after 6 seasons because management saw that his time had run it's course. Stotts is in his 9th season. And how many other coaches on that list were given less time than Stotts after better results? All of them?

IMO, Stotts needs to go. It's past due. The Blazers are stagnant in their offense and their defense. They are stuck with a style and mired in a philosophy

Those sweeps hurt when it comes to record and win percentage for sure. A coach can look a bunch better getting a couple sweeps under his belt as well.

 

[calvin natt]

Raise your hand if you would be upset, disappointed, mad, if Stotts was fired today? I am guessing the number is very low. Not everyone is a "Stotts apologist" just because the blame is spread around or we don't think he sucks as much as others. If he was fired today, I would be excited about the next one and the new look. If he stays, oh well, we could do far worse - we could get a lesser coach (yes, they are out there), we could get someone who doesnt mesh with certain players, who the hell knows. I am not indifferent to many things, usually have a hard stance, but on this one, I guess I would lean towards a new start with a new coach and hope Neil makes a good pick, which i think he would.

 

[kjironman1]

Raise your hand if you would be upset, disappointed, mad, if Stotts was fired today? I am guessing the number is very low. Not everyone is a "Stotts apologist" just because the blame is spread around or we don't think he sucks as much as others. If he was fired today, I would be excited about the next one and the new look. If he stays, oh well, we could do far worse - we could get a lesser coach (yes, they are out there), we could get someone who doesnt mesh with certain players, who the hell knows. I am not indifferent to many things, usually have a hard stance, but on this one, I guess I would lean towards a new start with a new coach and hope Neil makes a good pick, which i think he would.

I am a fan of the Blazers.
I recognize the accomplishments and strengths as well as the weaknesses of Terry Stotts.
If Terry Stotts were fired I would immediately start looking at who they hired and would be looking to hope he was a good choice.
I would wish Terry well and hope he has success in whatever future position he finds as I know he would find one quickly. Or would at least be offered one.

In the end I would continue to support my team and root for the players and coaches involved.

 

[Labinot41]

Fucking cracks me up the same people who just blast this team simply DISAPPEAR during games like this. Crickets! Gone! At least be consistent and give credit when it's due......it will give your critiques more credibility, trust me.

Dude you dissapear each time the Blazers lose. Why should i wake up in the middle of the night to watch a game against the worst team in the league? For sure the Blazers won but this game was pretty much meaningless. And yeah Stotts is stil a bad coach, you must be pretty dumb or the biggest homer if you really think that a W against the Timberwolves without Towns change anything than what we have seen in the past few years from Stotts, his coaching sucks come playoff time, Dame makes him look good when he goes supernova but if you look at the schemes you will see that Stotts isn't a good Coach, but that's probably too hard for you.

 

[Tince]

ok then...playoffs are the gauge I guess

Stotts has a .344 winning percentage in the playoffs

Stan Albeck .409
Bernie Bickerstaff .364
Rick Adelman .503
Scott Brooks .522
Brett Brown .462
Mike Budenholzer .500
Rick Carlisle .476
Dwayne Casey .382
Mike D'antoni .491
Vinny Del Negro .345
Billy Donovan .439
Mike Dunleavy .535
Alvin Gentry .567
Lionel Hollins .488
Mike Malone .485
Quin Snyder .382
Tom Thibideau .429
Brad Stevens .507
Stan Van Gundy .527
Frank Vogel .573
Mike Woodson .391

there were some coaches with worse playoff records, but I thought that list would give a good gauge of what we can judge Stotts by

now, I know you gave credit to Stotts for just making the playoffs for 7 straight years. I guess, if that's the +/- gauge you want to use, then he stacks up well. But I think that's the big problem. If just making the playoffs becomes the line for an acceptable season you've signed up for mediocrity.

for chrissakes, Rick Adelman had a .522 playoff record as a Blazer HC and actually won the WCF twice. Yet, he was fired after 6 seasons because management saw that his time had run it's course. Stotts is in his 9th season. And how many other coaches on that list were given less time than Stotts after better results? All of them?

IMO, Stotts needs to go. It's past due. The Blazers are stagnant in their offense and their defense. They are stuck with a style and mired in a philosophy

Very fair opinion.

I would expect guys like Rick Adelman who had triple the all-stars on his roster to have a better winning percentage. MVPs and multiple all-stars appears to be a trend for most the coaches with very high playoff winning percentages.

I think where we disagree is you think a coaches record should be looked at without regard to the number of top level players on his roster. I think roster talent plays a HUGE role in the success of teams/coaches.

 

[Tince]

Raise your hand if you would be upset, disappointed, mad, if Stotts was fired today? I am guessing the number is very low. Not everyone is a "Stotts apologist" just because the blame is spread around or we don't think he sucks as much as others. If he was fired today, I would be excited about the next one and the new look. If he stays, oh well, we could do far worse - we could get a lesser coach (yes, they are out there), we could get someone who doesnt mesh with certain players, who the hell knows. I am not indifferent to many things, usually have a hard stance, but on this one, I guess I would lean towards a new start with a new coach and hope Neil makes a good pick, which i think he would.

Very well said!

 

[Tince]

ok then...playoffs are the gauge I guess

Stotts has a .344 winning percentage in the playoffs

Stan Albeck .409
Bernie Bickerstaff .364
Rick Adelman .503
Scott Brooks .522
Brett Brown .462
Mike Budenholzer .500
Rick Carlisle .476
Dwayne Casey .382
Mike D'antoni .491
Vinny Del Negro .345
Billy Donovan .439
Mike Dunleavy .535
Alvin Gentry .567
Lionel Hollins .488
Mike Malone .485
Quin Snyder .382
Tom Thibideau .429
Brad Stevens .507
Stan Van Gundy .527
Frank Vogel .573
Mike Woodson .391

there were some coaches with worse playoff records, but I thought that list would give a good gauge of what we can judge Stotts by

now, I know you gave credit to Stotts for just making the playoffs for 7 straight years. I guess, if that's the +/- gauge you want to use, then he stacks up well. But I think that's the big problem. If just making the playoffs becomes the line for an acceptable season you've signed up for mediocrity.

for chrissakes, Rick Adelman had a .522 playoff record as a Blazer HC and actually won the WCF twice. Yet, he was fired after 6 seasons because management saw that his time had run it's course. Stotts is in his 9th season. And how many other coaches on that list were given less time than Stotts after better results? All of them?

IMO, Stotts needs to go. It's past due. The Blazers are stagnant in their offense and their defense. They are stuck with a style and mired in a philosophy

Just curious, what do you think of this coach with the following past 6 seasons with the same team:

43% playoff winning percentage
Averaged 1 all-star per season (1 season with 2 all-stars)
1 conference final
1 semi final
3 first round
1 missed playoffs

Time to fire him?

 

[blazerboy30]

ok then...playoffs are the gauge I guess

Stotts has a .344 winning percentage in the playoffs

Stan Albeck .409
Bernie Bickerstaff .364
Rick Adelman .503
Scott Brooks .522
Brett Brown .462
Mike Budenholzer .500
Rick Carlisle .476
Dwayne Casey .382
Mike D'antoni .491
Vinny Del Negro .345
Billy Donovan .439
Mike Dunleavy .535
Alvin Gentry .567
Lionel Hollins .488
Mike Malone .485
Quin Snyder .382
Tom Thibideau .429
Brad Stevens .507
Stan Van Gundy .527
Frank Vogel .573
Mike Woodson .391

Do you happen to have data regarding their playoff seeding? I would expect a coach to have a very low playoff winning percentage if they consistently enter the playoffs with the 7 or 8 seed.