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

[BonesJones]

It’s ok he’ll turn it around, he’s proven.

We need someone better than Pat and AC. Someone that can attack and shoot. Someone like...

Will Barton.

%#$@

 

[SynTax]

I think Stotts is a pretty mediocre coach, but I dunno how that matters. Lillard wants him here, so he'll get to stay.

A bigger issue is the fact that we had 10 assists on 31 made baskets (0 assists off the bench), to 22 assists on 31 made baskets. A lot of that is the fact that we don't have good secondary talent. It's kinda hard to fault Dame and CJ for chucking a bit when their wings are Aminu and Turner (who combined to go 1-12 on mostly open 3s). Teams just take away the PNR and double the hell outta Dame/CJ. Our bench sucks. The only other player on our roster who has been good lately is injured.

The fact is, this team isn't playing with much talent. If we get Harkless back at 100% come playoffs, I like our chances in any first round match-up, even if we lose home court. If we don't, we can expect Aminu and Turner to chuck us to a first round exit.

 

[BonesJones]

I think Stotts is a pretty mediocre coach, but I dunno how that matters. Lillard wants him here, so he'll get to stay.

A bigger issue is the fact that we had 10 assists on 31 made baskets (0 assists off the bench), to 22 assists on 31 made baskets. A lot of that is the fact that we don't have good secondary talent. It's kinda hard to fault Dame and CJ for chucking a bit when their wings are Aminu and Turner (who combined to go 1-12 on mostly open 3s). Teams just take away the PNR and double the hell outta Dame/CJ. Our bench sucks. The only other player on our roster who has been good lately is injured.

The fact is, this team isn't playing with much talent. If we get Harkless back at 100% come playoffs, I like our chances in any first round match-up, even if we lose home court. If we don't, we can expect Aminu and Turner to chuck us to a first round exit.

We can move the ball by having cuts to the rim with subsequent ball/player movement.

Stotts offense lacks in cuts towards the rim.

 

[Strenuus]

It's like the same 5 people putting all their woes on Baldwin not playing more.
C'mon now they guy did play some good defense for a stretch. Then he did make a couple shots. But he also got schooled by Ginobili. So it's not like he is gonna get minutes before the rotational guys that have been there all season. He needs to be used i agree but it's like these same people want him playing 20-25 mins a game.

I'd be good with 6 minutes! Those 6 minutes Pat stunk up the joint. Thats all i'm askin!

 

[tykendo]

He isn't the one missing free throws or open threes

But he is the one who could substitute a sharp defender who has a nice shot in for a cold shooting 2 guard who thinks he's Curly Neal of the Globetrotters. On a night when no one could hit open shots from the perimeter, a smothering defender could have gotten steals that led to open break shots at the hoop. We sat in disbelief as CJ time and time again thinks he's a hotdog dribbling sensation, who likes to take on three defenders, and then drives in and ignores open teammates. Stotts totally had blinders to this act again.

 

[Scalma]

Silver lining is golden state has incentive to beat Utah tomorrow. If Utah gets third seed they would play the warriors in the second round, assuming Houston advances as well. Nobody wants to play Utah.

 

[Scalma]

But he is the one who could substitute a sharp defender who has a nice shot in for a cold shooting 2 guard who thinks he's Curly Neal of the Globetrotters. On a night when no one could hit open shots from the perimeter, a smothering defender could have gotten steals that led to open break shots at the hoop. We sat in disbelief as CJ time and time again thinks he's a hotdog dribbling sensation, who likes to take on three defenders, and then drives in and ignores open teammates. Stotts totally had blinders to this act again.

My favorite CJ moment was when he stole the ball and had Collins next to him on the fast break and decided to run right into Zach’s lane. He made the layup but because he did that, it was a contested shot instead of an easy dump off to Zach for a layup or dunk. Selfish prick.

 

[SynTax]

We can move the ball by having cuts to the rim with subsequent ball/player movement.

Stotts offense lacks in cuts towards the rim.

Teams are just taking away passing lanes. It's pretty easy to do when you're okay with either Turner or Aminu chucking a three instead. There's more cutting with Hark, because he opens up the court. Even then, I'd agree there's not enough. But again, Dame likes Stotts, so Stotts will probably be here a long while.

And don't get me wrong - I'm anti-Stotts. I dislike his inability to adapt to anything and the fact that he wants bad offensive players taking jump shots. But the fact stands that we have really poor overall talent. Hopefully next year Zach can earn that four spot, and we get a healthy Harkless back. Aminu off the bench is a much more valuable player than Aminu starting at the four, in my opinion.

 

[riverman]

Have you asked Dame or Ed Davis personally what they think of stotts... off camera and off the record? Because we'll never get a true answer otherwise.

sad outlook Stren...I've heard them praise him many times...publicly..you can water that down but I wouldn't understand why you'd want to..guys are invested in the team and the city....what's not to like?

 

[HolyBackboard]

After taking a little time to let that one digest by watching a little Brooklyn Nine Nine, here are my thoughts:

• Jusuf Nurkic is starting to look like the player we all hoped we would become after last spring's outbreak of Nurk Fever. He's becoming more patient in the post, the accuracy of his shots in the paint has improved, and he's dominating the paint on both ends of the floor. On this road trip alone, he's shooting a staggering 29/45 -- 64.4% -- from the field, scoring 14.8 points, pulling down 13.8 boards, and adding in a blocked shot per contest for good measure. Yet, Coach Stotts is only playing him 30 minutes per night over the course of these last four games and Nurk's attempting just 11 FGAs. While everyone else is slowing down, our Bosnian Beast is revving up.
  
• Coach Terry Stotts is panicking. He looked like Thibs out there tonight, playing every starter not named Nurkic 34+ minutes on the end of a long four-game road trip in the altitude of the Mile High City. Where's the trust in the bench? Swanigan provided incredible minutes in the 2nd, especially on defense, Shabazz, sans his 2-10 outing, was a hound once again on defense, and our spark plus Ed Davis only gets 15 minutes of run.
• More Stotts. We will never win a championship with him at the helm. If there's such thing as being "too much" of a player's coach, it's him. Every single player on the team has the green light which leads to some of the most undisciplined offense I can remember watching as a Trail Blazers fan. Why are we running sets for Evan Turner? Why is Aminu hoisting up EIGHT triples? Why does Collins shoot from 3 every single time he touches the ball without one thought of moving it around for a better possession? And why in the hell can he not figure out how to incorporate Jusuf Nurkic into the offense? There is zero accountability for a poor shot. We should have beat that Denver team by 15+ points tonight but we got reckless on offense and continued to jack up three after three. Sound familiar?
• While we did attempt 33 3-pointers, that's been in line with our averages from the months of February, March, and now April. A lot of those looks were good but the ball didn't drop. Personally, I'd like to see the team adapt in-game and realize Denver had zero rim protectors (like every team we faced on this trip) and attack the paint with the opportunity for free throws but these are the Portland Trail Blazers and this is their brand of basketball. Until Terry Stotts moves away from the 3-point philosophy or a new coach is hired, this is who we are. We will live and die by the 3-point shot. And the way it's going right now, start planning those vacations at the end of April because it's going to be an incredibly quick postseason exit.

 

[Strenuus]

sad outlook Stren...I've heard them praise him many times...publicly..you can water that down but I wouldn't understand why you'd want to..guys are invested in the team and the city....what's not to like?

We're old enough to understand public statements mean nothing.

LMA told us a lot, too.

If my FRIEND says something to me, that's different.

Public figures? Nothing to trust about them unless I hear it without any publicity.

I'm not naive. lol.

 

[tykendo]

Well let's win on Wed

No doubt about it. There is no other option. Win and get ready to KICK ARSE! Might as well stay positive. Shots gotta fall sooner or later, don't they? Go Blazers!!

 

[riverman]

We're old enough to understand public statements mean nothing.

sad outlook...trust is not a sign of immaturity or a character flaw...it is a choice. everyone has a truth meter...sometimes we get fooled but I listen to Dame and Ed talk about the team and I get no caution lights or red flags....comes with age...intuition ..Dame is not Lamarcus....bad comparison

 

[tykendo]

Dame is about to go Bob Knight on a chair. I can see it on his face.

He looked truly tired tonight. We all know how great he is, but sometimes it's nice when the other guys pick him up. Tonight needed to be one of those nights.

 

[tester551]

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.

Sometimes there is addition by subtraction.

 

[BigGameDamian]

 

[tester551]

The fact that you could make an argument for any of the three yet he still sees 0 minutes....lol.

And I bet he doesn’t play Wednesday either. Thanks for playing Wade see you next year.

We're going to need him to help contain Mitchell

 

[Scalma]

We're going to need him to help contain Mitchell

Lol Stotts is gonna let Mitchell go off on CJ and do absolutely nothing about it.

 

[tester551]

I think Baldwin should play because:
1.) He defends well
2.) He wants to attack the paint over settling for jumpshots
3.) He moves the ball well.

That's just my opinion. Don't yell at me!

Give it a few months, & Stotts will coach that right out of him

 

[tester551]

Hell, CJ said it himself in his sit down with Chris Haynes that Sotts hates some of the things he does and would like to see him continue to better balance his creativity and playing within the team concept.

Where was that quote at?

Also, actions speak louder than words. If Stotts has issues with his play, sit his ass down.

 

[Scalma]

Where was that quote at?

Also, actions speak louder than words. If Stotts has issues with his play, sit his ass down.

If Terry called out CJ in private, it didn’t work.

 

[BonesJones]

Silver lining is golden state has incentive to beat Utah tomorrow. If Utah gets third seed they would play the warriors in the second round, assuming Houston advances as well. Nobody wants to play Utah.

Except beating Utah doesn't mean anything. If Utah beats us ON wednesdq y, they get the 3 seed, no matter if they lose against Golden State or not.

 

[BonesJones]

After taking a little time to let that one digest by watching a little Brooklyn Nine Nine, here are my thoughts:

• Jusuf Nurkic is starting to look like the player we all hoped we would become after last spring's outbreak of Nurk Fever. He's becoming more patient in the post, the accuracy of his shots in the paint has improved, and he's dominating the paint on both ends of the floor. On this road trip alone, he's shooting a staggering 29/45 -- 64.4% -- from the field, scoring 14.8 points, pulling down 13.8 boards, and adding in a blocked shot per contest for good measure. Yet, Coach Stotts is only playing him 30 minutes per night over the course of these last four games and Nurk's attempting just 11 FGAs. While everyone else is slowing down, our Bosnian Beast is revving up.
  
• Coach Terry Stotts is panicking. He looked like Thibs out there tonight, playing every starter not named Nurkic 34+ minutes on the end of a long four-game road trip in the altitude of the Mile High City. Where's the trust in the bench? Swanigan provided incredible minutes in the 2nd, especially on defense, Shabazz, sans his 2-10 outing, was a hound once again on defense, and our spark plus Ed Davis only gets 15 minutes of run.
• More Stotts. We will never win a championship with him at the helm. If there's such thing as being "too much" of a player's coach, it's him. Every single player on the team has the green light which leads to some of the most undisciplined offense I can remember watching as a Trail Blazers fan. Why are we running sets for Evan Turner? Why is Aminu hoisting up EIGHT triples? Why does Collins shoot from 3 every single time he touches the ball without one thought of moving it around for a better possession? And why in the hell can he not figure out how to incorporate Jusuf Nurkic into the offense? There is zero accountability for a poor shot. We should have beat that Denver team by 15+ points tonight but we got reckless on offense and continued to jack up three after three. Sound familiar?
• While we did attempt 33 3-pointers, that's been in line with our averages from the months of February, March, and now April. A lot of those looks were good but the ball didn't drop. Personally, I'd like to see the team adapt in-game and realize Denver had zero rim protectors (like every team we faced on this trip) and attack the paint with the opportunity for free throws but these are the Portland Trail Blazers and this is their brand of basketball. Until Terry Stotts moves away from the 3-point philosophy or a new coach is hired, this is who we are. We will live and die by the 3-point shot. And the way it's going right now, start planning those vacations at the end of April because it's going to be an incredibly quick postseason exit.

As one of the most objevtive, soumd-minded posters, you definitely see what I see in Stotts, even though I can't explain it as well as you can.

Or maybe I can see what you see.

Either way, a lot of posters realize where he's lacking and I believe it's from a place of wisdom, not overemotionalism (is that a word..?) and your analysis further confirms that, in my opinion.

 

[Cippy91]

If we can’t beat Utah Wednesday then I give up. They will be coming off a back to back and the game is home

 

[hoopsjock]

Can someone explain to me two rules violations and why they weren't called differently?

1) Mike Malone running onto the court while we have a fast break forcing the officials to stop the play. How is this just a technical? It should have been an automatic ejection. I know this isn't the rule but they should have treated it like both a technical foul and a clear path foul. If this isn't treated like a more serious infraction Stotts should just do this once a game to stop a fast break at key moments. What a complete joke! Also, I'm not sure who it is but there is a Denver player that leaves the bench to come onto the court to try and control him.

2) Plumlee fouled Nurkic in the last two minutes away from the ball (the elbow to the head). Away from the play fouls in the last two minutes of any quarter are supposed to be one free throw and the ball. Are they actually trying to say that the foul was on the ball and part of the play? It was a 3 point game at this point so we should've been given a free throw and the ball. Instead they called it just a regular foul with Nurk shooting two free throws.

Edit: @dviss1

 

[Strenuus]

sad outlook...trust is not a sign of immaturity or a character flaw...it is a choice. everyone has a truth meter...sometimes we get fooled but I listen to Dame and Ed talk about the team and I get no caution lights or red flags....comes with age...intuition ..Dame is not Lamarcus....bad comparison

You're right, Dame is not Lamarcus. I do trust dame more than Lamarcus.

I still don't believe what they say about a coach or a player is the truth unless it's off the record. That's the difference.

 

[Strenuus]

Can someone explain to me two rules violations and why they weren't called differently?

1) Mike Malone running onto the court while we have a fast break forcing the officials to stop the play. How is this just a technical? It should have been an automatic ejection. I know this isn't the rule but they should have treated it like both a technical foul and a clear path foul. If this isn't treated like a more serious infraction Stotts should just do this once a game to stop a fast break at key moments. What a complete joke! Also, I'm not sure who it is but there is a Denver player that leaves the bench to come onto the court to try and control him.

2) Plumlee fouled Nurkic in the last two minutes away from the ball (the elbow to the head). Away from the play fouls in the last two minutes of any quarter are supposed to be one free throw and the ball. Are they actually trying to say that the foul was on the ball and part of the play? It was a 3 point game at this point so we should've been given a free throw and the ball. Instead they called it just a regular foul with Nurk shooting two free throws.

For part two, I think you're confusing away from the play fouls (intentional) with incidental. Also, the other time that happens is on a dead-ball inbounds. I'm pretty sure that's how it goes.

The first one... yeah, I commented on that during the game... that's almost always an ejection. Weird that it wasn't.

 

[THE HCP]

I’m done with the “shit”. You don’t handle criticism (constructive or otherwise) worth beans. You’re the frickin’ expert based on a year of playing community college ball and the rest of us don’t know squat. You’re always calling others out but you can’t handle being called out yourself. Thanks for making this a fun place to come to.

Man, don’t let that angry little jonesbones guy ruin this place for you. Almost sounds like you want to quit this place because of him. Wouldn’t be the first time he’s made somebody leave because of his behavior.

 

[hoopsjock]

For part two, I think you're confusing away from the play fouls (intentional) with incidental. Also, the other time that happens is on a dead-ball inbounds. I'm pretty sure that's how it goes.

The first one... yeah, I commented on that during the game... that's almost always an ejection. Weird that it wasn't.

No, I'm not confusing it. Any foul that is not part of a basketball play is considered an intentional foul in the last 2 minutes of every quarter. The only possible explanation is that they are saying Nurk was rolling as part of the pick and roll but that is complete bullshit. Otherwise why wouldn't players just "accidentally" elbow or run into a guy like DeAndre Jordan off the ball. A few years ago, a Blazer player (might have been Meyers Leonard with a smart play, ha ha ha) intentionally fouled Jordan while he was setting a pick in the last two minutes of a game. Since he was setting a pick it was considered part of the basketball play and just the normal two free throws were given to Jordan. The play tonight was completely different. Nurk had set a pick but had left the area with the ball and wasn't part of the play for several seconds before being fouled.

 

[Strenuus]

No, I'm not confusing it. Any foul that is not part of a basketball play is considered an intentional foul in the last 2 minutes of every quarter. The only possible explanation is that they are saying Nurk was rolling as part of the pick and roll but that is complete bullshit. Otherwise why wouldn't players just "accidentally" elbow or run into a guy like DeAndre Jordan off the ball. A few years ago, a Blazer player (might have been Meyers Leonard with a smart play, ha ha ha) intentionally fouled Jordan while he was setting a pick in the last two minutes of a game. Since he was setting a pick it was considered part of the basketball play and just the normal two free throws were given to Jordan. The play tonight was completely different. Nurk had set a pick but had left the area with the ball and wasn't part of the play for several seconds before being fouled.

Oh, I see where you're at. Unfortunately, I was listening to radio so I didn't actually see the play. (I was trying to watch it, but it was really crappy, so I just went with radio)