Game Thread GAME# 80: NUGGETS @ BLAZERS - APRIL 7, 2019 - SUNDAY, 6:00 PM , NBCSNW

[BonesJones]

Fine. I’ll stop talking to you and about you. Please don’t insult me.

I haven't insulted you, and won't. Putting me on ignore would be easiest for you.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Aminu is easily the most underrated player on our team.

His defense is elite. His rebounding is great. His three point shooting is solid. He’s clutch. His chemistry and spacing is excellent. He’s ultra-focused and humble.

Losing aminu would be a huge mistake.

I think Aminu and Harkless can play roles for a very good team and even championship quality teams. I know Ive kind of already said this, but Im not sure a championship quality team can Start both though. I think you need a more consistent forward offensively. To go next to one of them.

I think Aminu’s on ball defense is elite and his team defense (rotations, being in the right spots, help defense), is not elite more like “ok”. Again I like Aminu overall I think he’s solid and you can tell he has worked to get better at things he’s been bad at in the past.

 

[BonesJones]

I think Aminu and Harkless can play roles for a very good team and even championship quality teams. I know Ive kind of already said this, but Im not sure a championship quality team can Start both though. I think you need a more consistent forward offensively. To go next to one of them.

I think Aminu’s on ball defense is elite and his team defense (rotations, being in the right spots, help defense), is not elite more like “ok”. Again I like Aminu overall I think he’s solid and you can tell he has worked to get better at things he’s been bad at in the past.

A championship caliber team cant start both. Would love to upgrade Moe

 

[Nurkalicious]

I think Aminu and Harkless can play roles for a very good team and even championship quality teams. I know Ive kind of already said this, but Im not sure a championship quality team can Start both though. I think you need a more consistent forward offensively. To go next to one of them.

I think Aminu’s on ball defense is elite and his team defense (rotations, being in the right spots, help defense), is not elite more like “ok”. Again I like Aminu overall I think he’s solid and you can tell he has worked to get better at things he’s been bad at in the past.

If it’s between aminu and harkless, We keep aminu and get rid of harkless. Not even close.

Aminu is part of the Nurkic/Dame/CJ chemistry.

 

[hoopsjock]

rest before the playoffs is more important. The nuggets did us a solid. Hopefully we can win this game by the third quarter and rest CJ and Dame.

Dame needs to play more minutes and work harder for better conditioning but also needs to rest?

Pick a lane.

 

[Nurkalicious]

Dame needs to play more minutes and work harder for better conditioning but also needs to rest?

Pick a lane.

I never said dame “needs to play more minutes”

I said he’s not capable of playing entire games like some other elite superstars. Hence, the reason we need rest.

This isn’t hard. You’re just going out of your way to try to call me out.

 

[stampedehero]

STARTERS P MIN PTS FGM-A FTM-A 3PM-A REB AST STL BLK TO PF
Moe Harkless F 22 4 2 - 2 0 - 0 0 - 0 5 0 0 0 1 4
Al-Farouq Aminu F 27 23 8 - 13 6 - 7 1 - 4 11 0 0 1 1 1
Enes Kanter C 27 11 5 - 13 1 - 2 0 - 0 13 1 1 0 3 3
CJ McCollum G 25 9 3 - 13 2 - 2 1 - 5 6 6 1 0 0 3
Damian Lillard G 38 30 9 - 19 7 - 7 5 - 11 6 5 0 0 1 1
BENCH P MIN PTS FGM-A FTM-A 3PM-A REB AST STL BLK TO PF
Rodney Hood - 26 11 4 - 7 2 - 3 1 - 2 3 3 0 0 3 1
Seth Curry - 24 11 5 - 9 0 - 0 1 - 4 2 0 0 1 2 0
Evan Turner - 21 8 1 - 4 6 - 8 0 - 0 6 6 2 1 2 1
Zach Collins - 19 6 3 - 7 0 - 0 0 - 1 4 1 1 2 3 1
Jake Layman - 12 2 1 - 2 0 - 0 0 - 1 2 0 0 0 0 1

Source MSN sports

 

[kjironman1]

Aminu is easily the most underrated player on our team.

His defense is elite. His rebounding is great. His three point shooting is solid. He’s clutch. His chemistry and spacing is excellent. He’s ultra-focused and humble.

Losing aminu would be a huge mistake.

Now this is a very fair assessment. Couple years ago i would have questioned the comment because his offensive side of the ball was lacking. But he has worked hard on a few issues i have had with him. Teams cannot simply quit guarding him and sag off to cruise passing lanes because he is more likely to make a shot when the game is on the line in crunch time. His ball handling is still a work in progress but there is no question it has gotten better.
The part where i see the biggest improvement is the decision making. He is making an extra pass that is leading to better looks for others.

 

[James lamphear]

Aminu is easily the most underrated player on our team.

His defense is elite. His rebounding is great. His three point shooting is solid. He’s clutch. His chemistry and spacing is excellent. He’s ultra-focused and humble.

Losing aminu would be a huge mistake.

Aminu is easily the most underrated player on our team.

His defense is elite. His rebounding is great. His three point shooting is solid. He’s clutch. His chemistry and spacing is excellent. He’s ultra-focused and humble.

Losing aminu would be a huge mistake.

I don't think his defense is elite but it pretty good but I think he has lost a step on that side of the ball and I think you find away to resign him but really depends on olshey thinking though if olshey wants continue Zach growth you might see him go somewhere else like a Davis last year off season. But we will see this will tough off season for olshey in decision making.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I never said dame “needs to play more minutes”

I said he’s not capable of playing entire games like some other elite superstars. Hence, the reason we need rest.

This isn’t hard. You’re just going out of your way to try to call me out.

I think we're just going to disagree with this so it's probably just a conversation we shouldn't dwell on but I think Dame is "capable" of playing more minutes. Against Brooklyn (that's a depressing game to bring up) He played 48 minutes. It was a double OT game but he still played 6 more minutes than the next closest player. I actually think the problem is somewhat the opposite, I think they need to depend on him less, you get better production from your stars when they aren't forced to, "do it all" and to play ridiculous minutes all the time. I'd rather he was playing 33-34 minutes a game instead of 37ish. Very few NBA players play more than him, the Rap on Harden has always been he plays a ton and is running on fumes in the playoffs. I actually think what he's done this year is better for him and the team, the fact his assists have gone way up and he's forcing a lot fewer BAD shots is good, he still can get his, but the team is evolving beyond just, "Dame please save us", and that to me is what we should want as Blazer fans. Last night was really the 1st time in a while his shot selection was really bad (especially early).

 

[Chris Craig]

Please do. I’ve been getting shit for defending aminu forever and as recently as... a couple hours ago in this same damn thread.

Forever? You've been here less than a month and have only been posting since Thursday/Friday

 

[TBpup]

Forever? You've been here less than a month and have only been posting since Thursday/ Friday

Reality is not some people's friend.

 

[SlyPokerOwl]

Please do. I’ve been getting shit for defending aminu forever and as recently as... a couple hours ago in this same damn thread.

Youve been getting shit for defending him "forever"? You've had an account for 16 days, of which 147 of your posts have come since Thursday morning, and were in the game threads for games 79 and 80. Which means that "forever" has been a grand total of 5 days.

This seems to be the pattern of the fan of another team, who comes into a forum trying to rile up the fan base. It's a little too coincidental that you come in and start talking crap about Damian (including but not limited to rather dumb and contradictory complaints too), and then defend Aminu, coming off as someone who actually has only seen a handful of plays involving him (Aminu, while a good defender, is not a vital part of the teams future).

But what do I know. I'm just an Owl.

I'd wager a bet you're just a fan of another team who thinks this is a good way to waste time.

 

[Chris Craig]

Youve been getting shit for defending him "forever"? You've had an account for 16 days, of which 147 of your posts have come since Thursday morning, and were in the game threads for games 79 and 80. Which means that "forever" has been a grand total of 5 days.

This seems to be the pattern of the fan of another team, who comes into a forum trying to rile up the fan base. It's a little too coincidental that you come in and start talking crap about Damian (including but not limited to rather dumb and contradictory complaints too), and then defend Aminu, coming off as someone who actually has only seen a handful of plays involving him (Aminu, while a good defender, is not a vital part of the teams future).

But what do I know. I'm just an Owl.

I'd wager a bet you're just a fan of another team who thinks this is a good way to waste time.

The Warriors? Too bad they are going down hill. Probably won't even win it this year. Half the team will be gone next year. He might have to become a Lakers fan again..

 

[illmatic99]

I'd wager a bet you're just a fan of another team who thinks this is a good way to waste time.

Utah.

 

[Chris Craig]

Utah.

No he is from San Diego

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

No he is from San Diego

Padres!

 

[hoopsjock]

I agree, but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt that he is indeed a new account.
He might know a lot about basketball, but so do other people. So posting like he is, isn't going to make people want to continue to read his posts.
It's going to get people to use a certain function on this site.

Any legit new member wouldn't post in this manner. There are 3 types of "new" members to forums.

1) Troll

2) Someone that is using a burner account or had to get a new name because they were kicked off.

3) A normal person who talks basketball and doesn't immediately go after certain posters.

 

[Chris Craig]

Any legit new member wouldn't post in this manner. There are 3 types of "new" members to forums.

1) Troll

2) Someone that is using a burner account or had to get a new name because they were kicked off.

3) A normal person who talks basketball and doesn't immediately go after certain posters.

Generally, new posters are cautious and friendly. They want to fit in.

 

[Chris Craig]

I find it interesting that a member named Nurkalicious hasn't said much of anything about Nurkic.

He has gone after Bones (and others) over Dame and Aminu. Which player is next? Should we take bets?

 

[PCmor7]

Almost everyone on the entire team is like that.

Not to Zach's level. You can pretty much count on what you are going to get night-in, night-out from every other player on this team. Even Enes and Rodney now that they've had time to acclimate.

You know what moves they favor. You know where on the floor they need to get to have a good shot. You know what is going to get them into trouble when they start doing it. You know what kind of an effort you are going to get. Pretty consistently.

I never feel that way with Zach. One night he is money from 3. The next night he is shooting rockets off the backboard from 5 feet away. One night his hands look terrific. The next night he might as well have hooks. One night he's blocking everything. The next night he is fouling everything.

About the only thing I can be sure to get from him is him swearing so loudly when he messes up that every mic in the Moda Center can pick it up.

There really are nights where I see him make two bad plays really early and I just feel his head isn't into it and I just hope we don't have to rely on him that night because it's like having a sixth player on the other team.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Just for the record; I think Nurkalicious hasn't been on here before. He just sounds different. I think he has something to contribute and may actually want to get along with people. I would make a suggestion , Nurk, be careful about exaggerating and try not to be too defensive. (I know that's tough for me too).

 

[Nurkalicious]

Youve been getting shit for defending him "forever"? You've had an account for 16 days, of which 147 of your posts have come since Thursday morning, and were in the game threads for games 79 and 80. Which means that "forever" has been a grand total of 5 days.

This seems to be the pattern of the fan of another team, who comes into a forum trying to rile up the fan base. It's a little too coincidental that you come in and start talking crap about Damian (including but not limited to rather dumb and contradictory complaints too), and then defend Aminu, coming off as someone who actually has only seen a handful of plays involving him (Aminu, while a good defender, is not a vital part of the teams future).

But what do I know. I'm just an Owl.

I'd wager a bet you're just a fan of another team who thinks this is a good way to waste time.

still bitching about comments from days ago...?

“Aminu is not a vital part of the teams future.”

Chief has been the most consistent player besides Dame in the post-Aldridge era. Your guess is I’m a fraud? My guess is you’re a bandwagon fan who doesn’t know much at all about Chief.

 

[Nurkalicious]

Generally, new posters are cautious and friendly. They want to fit in.

Gee wiz Batman. Maybe you are the baddies and your forum isn’t remotely friendly and will alienate a new user for one comment about beloved perfect work-ethic Lillard...

“We’ve obsessively berated the new user for the past 4 days and accused him of being a troll/fraud without engaging with him in a respectful manner once. I can’t understand why he isn’t being more friendly!”

 

[Nurkalicious]

I find it interesting that a member named Nurkalicious hasn't said much of anything about Nurkic.

He has gone after Bones (and others) over Dame and Aminu. Which player is next? Should we take bets?

I haven’t mentioned the player who broke his leg and hasn’t played in weeks, nor is expected to play for another year.

Highly suspicious!!

 

[Nurkalicious]

Forever? You've been here less than a month and have only been posting since Thursday/Friday

Its almost like you can be a blazer fan outside of this angry forum.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Gee wiz Batman.

How'd you know he was wearing a Batman jersey yesterday? Was a video of our pickup game posted?

 

[Nurkalicious]

I think we're just going to disagree with this so it's probably just a conversation we shouldn't dwell on but I think Dame is "capable" of playing more minutes. Against Brooklyn (that's a depressing game to bring up) He played 48 minutes. It was a double OT game but he still played 6 more minutes than the next closest player. I actually think the problem is somewhat the opposite, I think they need to depend on him less, you get better production from your stars when they aren't forced to, "do it all" and to play ridiculous minutes all the time. I'd rather he was playing 33-34 minutes a game instead of 37ish. Very few NBA players play more than him, the Rap on Harden has always been he plays a ton and is running on fumes in the playoffs. I actually think what he's done this year is better for him and the team, the fact his assists have gone way up and he's forcing a lot fewer BAD shots is good, he still can get his, but the team is evolving beyond just, "Dame please save us", and that to me is what we should want as Blazer fans. Last night was really the 1st time in a while his shot selection was really bad (especially early).

Again it’s not even about minutes. I’d be fine with Lillard playing 30 MPG if he was moving on offense and playing hard on defense. He doesn’t. He conserves energy on many plays. He doesn’t have the conditioning to play 48 min effectively like Kobe could.

Hint:

“He’s not as good as Kobe” ~=~ “he sucks!”

 

[Nurkalicious]

How'd you know he was wearing a Batman jersey yesterday? Was a video of our pickup game posted?

Pls tell me this is a joke

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Pls tell me this is a joke

Nah, just a happy coincidence, I guess.