Game Thread GAME# 9: LAKERS @ BLAZERS - NOVEMBER 2, 2017 - THURSDAY, 7:30 (PDT), TNT

[e_blazer]

I thought the Blazers won the game last night. I guest from all the bitching around here I must be wrong.

I was encouraged that the "Big Three" finally looked like one last night. Nurk has had two positive games in a row. Dame and CJ are still shooting below their averages, so there's obviously room for improvement when they finally start clicking. The defense was about what you'd expect given that the best defender, Aminu, is out for a couple of weeks.

Yeah, there's reason for Monday morning quarterbacking on the defensive sets that let the Lakers get two clean looks at threes at the end of the game. Lillard taking an iso-three to get the win? Looked to me like the Lakers were choosing to stick with man defense and denying anything going towards the hoop. Dame did what Dame often does and we got the win. I wasn't aware that there were style points awarded or that they affect the win-loss record.

 

[Darkwebs]

that last play was so good, that even Kuzma looked surprised by the good look he got

What a genius idea by Stotts! Shock the opposing players into missing it. Kuzma was so stunned in disbelief, he couldn't concentrate on making the shot.

hm

“Portland went to some junk defense, which you should,” Walton said. “There’s point seven, only threes, they were all around the three-point line so it took us out of the play we were actually running. But I’m glad that they figured out a way to manipulate what was going on to get someone a good look. It was Lonzo taking it out and Kuzma, two rookies, they had the confidence and, again, I’ll take Kuz taking that shot at the end of the game, too.”

Stotts knew that calling the most unexpected, the worst defensive scheme would totally discombobulate their offense. Stotts is a defensive mastermind, I tell ya.

 

[calvin natt]

To pin every single move that the players do on Stotts means that players don’t ever go rogue and do their own thing. And this we know is clearly not true. Who knows, Stotts could have specifically told someone to do xyz for Kuzma. Then the player/s did something else. Now you can say well then they don’t listen to their coach so he still needs to go. Fine. But that’s different than Stotts is an idiot. He isn’t.

 

[Blazers Roy]

Oh like last night when it was a relatively easy floater?

I don't know if you remember, but the Spurs lost a championship to the Heat partly because at clutch time, Duncan missed a little bunny shot he made a million times.

Solid play does not guarantee 100% success rate, but it does increase your odds of winning.

The big problem with our YOLO play at clutch - we went for this crazy shot so many times in the past that it has become predictable. What's the advantage of choosing to perform a high risk play which has no surprise factor?

 

[Mr. Robot]

What a genius idea by Stotts! Shock the opposing players into missing it. Kuzma was so stunned in disbelief, he couldn't concentrate on making the shot.

thats what Im saying, props where props are due

 

[tlongII]

Every year I've done predictions I've been within 5 games? of their actual record. I expect the same for this year as well.
Yeah you were out of line, because overall record isn't just about what one team does. It's also about what other teams do.
How many years running have you predicting Minn would be in the playoffs? Finally looks like you might be right...

The only reason why Portland finishing 3-10 is realistic is because GSW & Spurs are the clear elite of the West.
Then you have Rockettes & zombieSonics as the favorites for HCA. But realistically they're not THAT much better than 5 other teams in the 2nd tier.
The teams 3-10 have to play the same teams as Portland does. Being that these teams aren't elite it's not unrealistic to think they could struggle with the same teams Portland does.

The Spurs aren't elite any more. Watch the game, then post!

 

[Pinwheel1]

My main complaint with Stotts on the last play was IF he had a timeout left, he should have used it.
I bitched about Hark not being ready, but he did hustle to get back to take away the Pope option in the corner after he was "blocked". But when you only have one defender and 3 of their 4 players in one area....you got a possible matchup problem.

 

[theprunetang]

Nick Young is fake news.

You can choose your own nickname and catchphrase, but it just makes you look like a narcissist.

Of course you can pick your own nickname. Is anyone using their own name here on S2?

 

[Scalma]

I don't know if you remember, but the Spurs lost a championship to the Heat partly because at clutch time, Duncan missed a little bunny shot he made a million times.

Solid play does not guarantee 100% success rate, but it does increase your odds of winning.

The big problem with our YOLO play at clutch - we went for this crazy shot so many times in the past that it has become predictable. What's the advantage of choosing to perform a high risk play which has no surprise factor?

That's one way of not answering my question.

 

[THE HCP]

The Spurs aren't elite any more. Watch the game, then post!

Check back with us in April sir.

 

[Shaboid]

Of course you can pick your own nickname. Is anyone using their own name here on S2?

Funny story, I'm actually using a nickname that was given to me as an iteration of a nickname (Shitbird) that was given to me after I tried to give myself a nickname.

 

[dviss1]

Maybe Luke Walton isn't a good coach if he didn't see that we defended the play horribly.

I'm sure he's a much better coach than you. I think it's hilarious when people who probably haven't coached have takes like this.

 

[Blazers Roy]

That's one way of not answering my question.

Fine. Here's your answer:

No. Driving into 3 guys including Gobert for a floater\layup was not a "solid move".


If you're Lillard and you look at Gobert, does it look like he's focused on defending his man? or is he waiting to block your attempt?


I understand this is a stressful situation and i'd even be ok with him going for the midrange shot after he created space from his man, but this right here is plain hero ball.

I believe Stotts actually HAS the answers, how many times we've seen him draw up creative,successful inbounds plays in the first 3 quarters?
But when it's last minute in the 4th he turns into coach Smiley and his only play is "pass it to Will"...i mean Lillard.

 

[THE HCP]

Didn't see this posted......Aminu out 2-3 weeks

 

[Scalma]

Fine. Here's your answer:

No. Driving into 3 guys including Gobert for a floater\layup was not a "solid move".
View attachment 16846

If you're Lillard and you look at Gobert, does it look like he's focused on defending his man? or is he waiting to block your attempt?
View attachment 16847

I understand this is a stressful situation and i'd even be ok with him going for the midrange shot after he created space from his man, but this right here is plain hero ball.

I believe Stotts actually HAS the answers, how many times we've seen him draw up creative,successful inbounds plays in the first 3 quarters?
But when it's last minute in the 4th he turns into coach Smiley and his only play is "pass it to Will"...i mean Lillard.

Taking a high percentage floater that took all of a mans 7'8 wingspan to get to isn't "hero ball." It's ok to give credit to the other guy. He made a play that only he can make.

 

[Nate]

Of course you can pick your own nickname. Is anyone using their own name here on S2?

Cough.

 

[Blazers Roy]

Taking a high percentage floater that took all of a mans 7'8 wingspan to get to isn't "hero ball." It's ok to give credit to the other guy. He made a play that only he can make.

Fine, going for a floater on the best shot blocker in the league is a smart move.

 

[Mr. Robot]

Taking a high percentage floater that took all of a mans 7'8 wingspan to get to isn't "hero ball." It's ok to give credit to the other guy. He made a play that only he can make.

nope, CJ did the same thing last night and he got blocked
it was stupid play by Dame, he should know Gobert will be there, he should know better

 

[kjironman1]

Of course you can pick your own nickname. Is anyone using their own name here on S2?

I been using my name for so long on multiple sites that i guess people just think that is my name now. Yes i even answer to it.

 

[kjironman1]

Fine. Here's your answer:

No. Driving into 3 guys including Gobert for a floater\layup was not a "solid move".
View attachment 16846

If you're Lillard and you look at Gobert, does it look like he's focused on defending his man? or is he waiting to block your attempt?
View attachment 16847

I understand this is a stressful situation and i'd even be ok with him going for the midrange shot after he created space from his man, but this right here is plain hero ball.

I believe Stotts actually HAS the answers, how many times we've seen him draw up creative,successful inbounds plays in the first 3 quarters?
But when it's last minute in the 4th he turns into coach Smiley and his only play is "pass it to Will"...i mean Lillard.

Even more so.... Look at the picture a little closer. Look at Nurkic sitting there waiting for a dish. It would have been game over!

 

[Blazers Roy]

Even more so.... Look at the picture a little closer. Look at Nurkic sitting there waiting for a dish. It would have been game over!

That's my point, Gobert has been eyeballing Lillard for too long. Lillard didn't make the "read".

 

[theprunetang]

Funny story, I'm actually using a nickname that was given to me as an iteration of a nickname (Shitbird) that was given to me after I tried to give myself a nickname.

This is perfect.

 

[tlongII]

Check back with us in April sir.

I will be happy to. Kawhi is a great player, but the rest of that team is a joke. And an old joke at that.

 

[kjironman1]

That's my point, Gobert has been eyeballing Lillard for too long. Lillard didn't make the "read".

Nurkic was sitting there waiting. That pass is made by CP3, Curry, Harden, even Rubio. Dame has got to see that.

 

[Mr. Robot]

Nurkic was sitting there waiting. That pass is made by CP3, Curry, Harden, even Rubio. Dame has got to see that.

he saw that, hes not blind, and even if he didnt, he should know hell be there, that was the play coach wanted... but hero ball it was

 

[Scalma]

nope, CJ did the same thing last night and he got blocked
it was stupid play by Dame, he should know Gobert will be there, he should know better

Nope.

 

[Scalma]

I will be happy to. Kawhi is a great player, but the rest of that team is a joke. And an old joke at that.

Yeah ok. They also have one of the greatest coaches of all time. They'll win at least 50 games as usual.

 

[calvin natt]

“Drive the ball right at Gobert and score over him”

- No one ever

 

[THE HCP]

I will be happy to. Kawhi is a great player, but the rest of that team is a joke. And an old joke at that.

You think the Spurs are a "joke"? Shit, then what are we?
They will win 50+ games and you think they are a "joke". Wow.

 

[theprunetang]

Cough.

Props, sir!