Game Thread GAME# 82: JAZZ @ BLAZERS - APRIL 11, 2018 - WEDNESDAY, 7:30 PM (PDT), ESPN & NBCSNW

[PtldPlatypus]

LOL!! @dviss1--I saw this tweet and thought of you and your love for the Jazz' uniforms.

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

Poll Results: Will the Blazers end the regular season with a 5-game losing streak?
Members who voted for 'Yes'

• Natebishop3
• Nikolokolus
• brooklynballer
• santeesioux
• EGame
• DaLincolnJones
• blue9
• bodyman5000 and 1
• BUNTA
• stampedehero
• Orion Bailey
• Chris Craig
• Road Ratt
• Five Second Violation
• Labinot41
• SportsAndWhine
• Titan
• tykendo

I'll just put this right here..

You're welcome.

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

Reverse Jinx

Me too. In fact I voted and then realized the jinx possibility and changed my vote. Honest to God.

 

[CupWizier]

LOL!! @dviss1--I saw this tweet and thought of you and your love for the Jazz' uniforms.

I figured Utah was on a budget this year and bought a bunch of old Houston Astros uniforms and made them into basketball jerseys.

 

[dviss1]

Poll Results: Will the Blazers end the regular season with a 5-game losing streak?
Members who voted for 'Yes'

• Natebishop3
• Nikolokolus
• brooklynballer
• santeesioux
• EGame
• DaLincolnJones
• blue9
• bodyman5000 and 1
• BUNTA
• stampedehero
• Orion Bailey
• Chris Craig
• Road Ratt
• Five Second Violation
• Labinot41
• SportsAndWhine
• Titan
• tykendo

I'll just put this right here..

@Mediocre wasn't on that list?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I figured Utah was on a budget this year and bought a bunch of old Houston Astros uniforms and made them into basketball jerseys.



View attachment 20105

Yup yup--I referenced those last night as well while we were debating the merits of the Jazz' "life-savers" look.

Suffice to say that I am not a fan.

 

[dviss1]

We have no one who can guard Davis. This won't be easy

Who's gonna guard Dame?

 

[dviss1]

Shoutout to Sly and the flock of zeros at the meet and greet! Brought us some good mojo!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@PtldPlatypus told y'all about his presence at games.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Who's gonna guard Dame?

Rondo and Holiday are both decent defensively. This will not be a cakewalk. Recall that the Bulls were all set to upset the Celtics in the first round last year until Rondo got hurt. He's not as good as in his prime, but he knows how to play in the playoffs.

 

[illmatic99]

Who's gonna guard Dame?

Jrue has a better shot at slowing Dame than Aminu has at slowing AD.

 

[dviss1]

Jrue has a better shot at slowing Dame than Aminu has at slowing AD.

Guess we'll agree to disagree. The ONLY thing that stops Dame is himself.

There you go doubting...

We're gonna SMASH these MFs...

 

[dviss1]

Rondo and Holiday are both decent defensively. This will not be a cakewalk. Recall that the Bulls were all set to upset the Celtics in the first round last year until Rondo got hurt. He's not as good as in his prime, but he knows how to play in the playoffs.

I sense doubt. I have none. Dame is gonna average 30+ for the series and we'll win in 6.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I sense doubt. I have none. Dame is gonna average 30+ for the series and we'll win in 6.

#SpeakItIntoExistence

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Jrue has a better shot at slowing Dame than Aminu has at slowing AD.

Maybe. But, we've had some very competitive games in the playoffs against GS and others. Now, we have a new weapon in
the Nurk/Dame pick and roll. That + HCA makes these playoffs particularly interesting for me as a Blazers fanatic.

 

[illmatic99]

Maybe. But, we've had some very competitive games in the playoffs against GS and others. Now, we have a new weapon in
the Nurk/Dame pick and roll. That + HCA makes these playoffs particularly interesting for me as a Blazers fanatic.

I was all in on wanting the Pellies, but feel like this series will be tougher than expected. AD might drop 40 every night. And their pace is ridiculous. As long as we keep the guys like Moore, Hil, Miller etc from dropping 10 threes on us, we should be alright.

That, and Aminu will get left WIDE OPEN throughout the playoffs. And unfortunately, we need him to make his shots to advance.

I do think we'll have an advantage in coaching however. Gentry did beat us in 2010 but Stotts is no Sarge.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I was all in on wanting the Pellies, but feel like this series will be tougher than expected. AD might drop 40 every night. And their pace is ridiculous. As long as we keep the guys like Moore, Hil, Miller etc from dropping 10 threes on us, we should be alright.

That, and Aminu will get left WIDE OPEN throughout the playoffs. And unfortunately, we need him to make his shots to advance.

I do think we'll have an advantage in coaching however. Gentry did beat us in 2010 but Stotts is no Sarge.

I wanted the Pels and we got them. But...... I'm still a Nervous Nelly. If we start 2-0, we'll be good. If not, freaking-A.

 

[crandc]

Blazers played this like a playoff games. What they need. Pelicans won't roll over; the Blazers can beat them but not a cakewalk. Play like they did last night, they'll be fine.

 

[tlongII]

It will be a tough series, but I agree that Davis can't beat us by himself. We need to limit their other players. With Nurk, Ed, and Zach we're going to be tough inside. I think Nurk has really stepped up his play the last 20 games or so. This will be a fun ride.

 

[rotary111]

If you thought Dame took over during the season.... wait til the playoffs.

The man is going to put this team on his back!

 

[Hoopguru]

Rip City!
Youngest team in WC offs will be taking their next step in beating Pels in 6.
Bingo Bango Bongo Baby....

 

[Boob-No-More]

I think Nurk has really stepped up his play the last 20 games or so.

Here's his pre and post all star game splits:



Modest increase in scoring, but significant improvement in FG%, REB, BLK and +/-.



Huge improvement in OFFrtg, DEFrtg and NETrtg. Again, the advanced stats show the significant improvement in his rebounding from 16.8 (slight above average) to 21.1 (elite) TRB%.

Also, he apparently ate a lot more pie after the all star break...

BNM

 

[blue9]

I sense doubt. I have none. Dame is gonna average 30+ for the series and we'll win in 6.

6? Shit, let's get this done in 5!

 

[dviss1]

A few caveats:

Dame LIT THEM UP showing he's ready for playoff basketball. Here's his line

Donovan Mitchell was held to 6-23 last night.
Shabazz had a short leash.
Baldwin basically split time with Shabazz. This indicates he will see some playoff time. I LOVE this for his development. He's got that dog in him.
Yusuf was a +2 on Gobert meaning:

Add Pts/Rebs/Ast/Blk/Stl

Jusuf = 30
Gobert = 28

This also means... @Chris Craig

I WIN THE CAPTION CONTEST FOR THE SEASON!!!

 

[THE HCP]

A few caveats:

Dame LIT THEM UP showing he's ready for playoff basketball. Here's his line
View attachment 20114
Donovan Mitchell was held to 6-23 last night.
Shabazz had a short leash.
Baldwin basically split time with Shabazz. This indicates he will see some playoff time. I LOVE this for his development. He's got that dog in him.
Yusuf was a +2 on Gobert meaning:

Add Pts/Rebs/Ast/Blk/Stl

Jusuf = 30
Gobert = 28

This also means... @Chris Craig

I WIN THE CAPTION CONTEST FOR THE SEASON!!!

I wouldn’t mind throwing Baldwin out there to hound Jrue while he tries to set up their offense.

 

[dviss1]

I wouldn’t mind throwing Baldwin out there to hound Jrue while he tries to set up their offense.

I'd make him pick up, chest to chest, 94 feet.

 

[THE HCP]

I'd make him pick up, chest to chest, 94 feet.

Yessir. ANd do it at a random time to. Yank CJ a couple minutes into the first and let Wade get up on Holiday for a couple trips up and down. They would not see that coming. Maybe throw them off a bit.

 

[Chris Craig]

The Dog Days Are Over!

Sorry @SlyPokerDog

 

[Lanny]

Utah is the best Defense Team in the League, CJ's Shooting has been awful. I have no Confidence in him right now

He's not having a great year shooting. But he's made a few absolutely incredible shots. Shots that you'd have to compare to Lillard.

 

[BonesJones]

Yessir. ANd do it at a random time to. Yank CJ a couple minutes into the first and let Wade get up on Holiday for a couple trips up and down. They would not see that coming. Maybe throw them off a bit.

I wouldn't even yank CJ neccesarily. They could run 3 guard lineups which would be the best option for running off turnovers that Baldwin might create. The Pelicans play E'Twaun Moore, Darius Miller, and Solomon Hill at SF. CJ and Dame could guard those guys.

Definitely like the idea of throwing Baldwin out there to surprise New Orleans and pressure Holiday. At best, we score off turnovers and create some momentum to end a quarter. If not, hopefully it would cause them to struggle getting into their offense and cause them to struggle getting the ball to AD before the shot clock dwindles down and then even if they do, they'd be working against said shot clock.

Playoffs are like a game of chess between head coaches. Baldwin could be a very valuable chess piece that changes the whole complexion of the game.

 

[DDolla]

OMG CJ hahaha