Game Thread GAME# 81: BLAZERS @ NUGGETS - APRIL 9, 2018 - MONDAY, 6:00 PM (PST), NBCSNW

[Chris Craig]

we average 106.0 a game. This is not a game you "learn" This is a game where everything went wrong no matter what we did and you throw the tape into the fire and move onto the next game.

Thats the last four games

 

[TBpup]

The most frustrating thing is you know Stotts isn’t going to call out CJ. He has no problem calling out Nurkic (even when he plays well!) but god forbid he says anything about that black hole we have at SG.

That is one thing I totally respect about Popovich. He calls/called out everyone all the way up to Tim Duncan. It made everyone accountable. When CJ goes keeps going 1-on-3....Stotts doesn't do a thing. Pop would bench his ass.

 

[DDolla]

Sure we made the playoffs but we are not advancing to the 2nd round. Even OKC can sweep us if we meet them.

 

[Jade Falcon]

My lord, did Stotts really just say he thought they played well tonight?

What is he supposed to say? "I make horrible adjustments during time outs that don't work....and oh, by the way....CJ? Totally overrated."

I would love that, but it ain't gonna happen.

 

[EGame]

That is one thing I totally respect about Popovich. He calls/called out everyone all the way up to Tim Duncan. It made everyone accountable. When CJ goes keeps going 1-on-3....Stotts doesn't do a thing. Pop would bench his ass.

It makes a player, superstar or role player, think about how to change his play up in order to help the team. By not getting any sort of scolding to CJ it doesn't feel like hes doing anything wrong so he doesnt have anything to ponder over.

 

[Strenuus]

I don't go there as a fan CC...I try to find something to cheer for....angst and sports don't sit well with me...it's entertainment....

I'm laughing. It's entertainment for me, too, but frustration is also there. You can be frustrated and voice it and have it still "not affect you". It can go both ways.

People get frustrated and voice it. There's really nothing wrong with it. As long as it doesn't get personal to anyone else on the forum, they have free reign to express it.

If they think the team sucks, it sucks to them. The only way that changes is if the team is playing better. 0-4 on a trip is going to make a lot of people voice it. Saying Nurk beasted tonight is a positive, but if people want to overlook it, they can. It's their prerogative. It's the beauty of being a human. Differences!

 

[kjironman1]

I miss enjoyable game threads...this place has changed...we used to laugh around here

Losing streaks have a tendency to do that.

 

[Strenuus]

It makes a player, superstar or role player, think about how to change his play up in order to help the team. By not getting any sort of scolding to CJ it doesn't feel like hes doing anything wrong so he doesnt have anything to ponder over.

Yep. Enabling is a hell of a drug.

 

[Chris Craig]

I don't go there as a fan CC...I try to find something to cheer for....angst and sports don't sit well with me...it's entertainment....

I try too man. Its hard. Blazers are a laughings stock right now. Its frustrating. At least we still have a chance at the 3rd abd our last game is at home.

 

[Scalma]

It makes a player, superstar or role player, think about how to change his play up in order to help the team. By not getting any sort of scolding to CJ it doesn't feel like hes doing anything wrong so he doesnt have anything to ponder over.

The scary part is evidently CJ charts every shot he takes. Think about that. That means he’s either extremely selfish to continue taking the shots he does, or he’s just fucking stupid. Not sure which is worse.

 

[Strenuus]

The scary part is evidently CJ charts every shot he takes. Think about that. That means he’s either extremely selfish to continue taking the shots he does, or he’s just fucking stupid. Not sure which is worse.

I'd so be okay with trading CJ, but I don't know how we get someone that can give us the potential like he can and balance our roster.

 

[rotary111]

I know Baldwin (probably) isn't the second coming of Jesus.... but he's on somewhat of a roll especially on defense.

We didn't think that could be helpful or at least worth trying for a few minutes at least?

 

[blue9]

My lord, did Stotts really just say he thought they played well tonight?

Well, they did execute his game "plan" as well as could be expected.

 

[Chris Craig]

They had 12 more free throws than we did. Why am I not suprised.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

It makes a player, superstar or role player, think about how to change his play up in order to help the team. By not getting any sort of scolding to CJ it doesn't feel like hes doing anything wrong so he doesnt have anything to ponder over.

I’m not sure criticism even registers with CJ. As he has boldly stated in the past, he’s a shooter and that’s why he makes the big bucks. The only way to change the situation (because I don’t think you can change this particular player) is to bench him (and keep him there) or trade him. Personally, I’m fine with either option.

 

[blue9]

I know Baldwin (probably) isn't the second coming of Jesus.... but he's on somewhat of a roll especially on defense.

We didn't think that could be helpful or at least worth trying for a few minutes at least?

No. Clearly there's no room on this roster for a two-way player!

 

[TBpup]

I'd so be okay with trading CJ, but I don't know how we get someone that can give us the potential like he can and balance our roster.

Kawhi Leonard....who is not happy in SA. How much prayer, crossed fingers or 4-leaf clover will it take?

 

[Scalma]

I know Baldwin (probably) isn't the second coming of Jesus.... but he's on somewhat of a roll especially on defense.

We didn't think that could be helpful or at least worth trying for a few minutes at least?

Nah. Shabazz and Pat are proven NBA players, why would Terry bench them?!?!

 

[SportsAndWhine]

I’ve got you all beat; I’ve already given up on NEXT season!

 

[H.C.]

Turner took shots at the Refs tonight in the locker room.

 

[Strenuus]

Nah. Shabazz and Pat are proven NBA players, why would Terry bench them?!?!

Playing Pat at this point is the dumbest move he's made all year. And he's made some dumb moves. lol.

I know Wade isn't proven, but Pat hasn't proven anything since February.

 

[TBpup]

Nah. Shabazz and Pat are proven NBA players, why would Terry bench them?!?!

No green font needed.

 

[riverman]

Blazers are a laughings stock right now.

last road trip of a long season....I don't see the team as a laughing stock...I see them as tired...playing at altitude..and shooting without legs....it's not like we've lost to bad teams other than Dallas really...Denver has put up big scores for this stretch...we defended really well and couldn't shoot tonight...get the next one...Go Blazers!

 

[Strenuus]

last road trip of a long season....I don't see the team as a laughing stock...I see them as tired...playing at altitude..and shooting without legs....it's not like we've lost to bad teams other than Dallas really...Denver has put up big scores for this stretch...we defended really well and couldn't shoot tonight...get the next one...Go Blazers!

lol.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Wow. I haven't been this angry in a while. Terry Stotts needs to really go. I'm done with him. He's a choker who doesn't hold his players accountable (outside of Nurk) and would rather keep Pat Connaughton in his rotation instead of Wade Baldwin who is a clearly better player. Yes, keep shooting threes. How much chucking must we do before we learn to get better and higher percentage shots? We have a low IQ coach. Seriously.

 

[Darkwebs]

Turner took shots at the Refs tonight in the locker room.

And I bet he missed all of those shots.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

And I bet he missed all of those shots.

Now THAT is funny.........

 

[blue9]

The scary part is evidently CJ charts every shot he takes. Think about that. That means he’s either extremely selfish to continue taking the shots he does, or he’s just fucking stupid. Not sure which is worse.

I posit another hypothesis: He doesn't have an effective system to play within. Any drive he makes opens up a passing lane to Aminu or....Turner. That's what he's working with. So, given the circumstances, I guess I'm fine with him shooting semi- to heavily-contested shots. Relying on Aminu/Turner to hit 3s to win the game is not a good strategy.
CJ is a smart mother fucker. Perhaps too smart for his own good. Whereas Dame will make the "right" pass for a bad shot, CJ says "fuck it - Aminu/Turner shouldn't be shooting 3s!" Both are right. As the leader Dame needs to trust those under him. As a wingman CJ doesn't have that responsibility, and needs to trust himself.
Next season if we have a capable PF I expect CJ to be a much better player. But right now - especially with Mo out - he's playing with two other starting-caliber players and two guys who are DEEP bench players.

 

[riverman]

I'm going to take a few shots as well...I'll make every one...

 

[Darkwebs]

Now THAT is funny.........

Sorry, I usually try to be positive, but man, I'm so salty right now. 4-game losing streak during a crucial stretch run?