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

[illmatic99]

The more I look at that play the more I see what the idea was. Guard the three point line. In that situation we should've just taken Nurkic out and put Turner in. Forget trying to tip the inbounds pass just guard the three point line with 5 dudes.

ET was in there, guarding the 3pt line like he should. I just don't get what the point of CJ was in the corner guarding no one. It's not like Lonzo had time to inbound the ball and get it back. No need to even be there. Just find a guy and switch all picks.

 

[tester551]

Why Stotts keeps playing them both in game on the line defensive possession just speaks to his stubbornness and lack of defensive acumen. He got testy last night when asked about the defense.

Can someone provide additional details? What happened? What was the question?

 

[Scalma]

ET was in there, guarding the 3pt line like he should. I just don't get what the point of CJ was in the corner guarding no one. It's not like Lonzo had time to inbound the ball and get it back. No need to even be there. Just find a guy and switch all picks.

Then Connaughton, whatever.

I think CJ was guarding the corner in case they ran someone there? Stupid either way.

 

[illmatic99]

Can someone provide additional details? What happened? What was the question?

Much ado about nothing. At the end:

 

[Mr. Robot]

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

 

[TBpup]

Can someone provide additional details? What happened? What was the question?

It was reported he was testy about it. This video he seems to be laughing it off and maybe slightly irritated. Still a very legitimate question.

http://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/video/stotts-not-interested-your-questions-about-defense

 

[Blazer4ever]

I cant

It's a zone around the 3 point line, that's probably how Stotts described the play. no doubt our defensive strategy is lacking

 

[crandc]

Fuck fuck fuck late start TNT games. I went out on couch and did not know what happened until this morning. Thank you, HCP, for posting video because you know all the sports media will just show Fakers.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Absolutely no one! With 0.7 seconds left, there is no time to close out. You have to stay with your man and be in his space. HORRIBLE defense by both guards. Why Stotts keeps playing them both in game on the line defensive possession just speaks to his stubbornness and lack of defensive acumen. He got testy last night when asked about the defense. Really? From a team that had almost zero 3-pt threat, you let them have a layup line to the tune of 55%.

Why is it always the guards that we bitch about? It was Kusma and Lopez that killed us all night. Look at Harkless on that play. He doesn't even look like he was ready for the play to start. Granted Kuzma cracked blocked him to get open but he does not seem aware of his surrounding.

I do agree that Stotts needs his best defenders out on a last shot attempt. Aminu if healthy would have been been out there. Davis might have been a better option last night since they were camped out on the line. But CJ was not the problem on that last shot.

 

[julius]

Why is it always the guards that we bitch about? It was Kusma and Lopez that killed us all night. Look at Harkless on that play. He doesn't even look like he was ready for the play to start. Granted Kuzma cracked blocked him to get open but he does not seem aware of his surrounding.

I do agree that Stotts needs his best defenders out on a last shot attempt. Aminu if healthy would have been been out there. Davis might have been a better option last night since they were camped out on the line. But CJ was not the problem on that last shot.

They're the stars, and easier targets. The team isn't playing horrible because of Damian or CJ, or even CJ's bad defense. It's the lack of production and or threat of offense from the PF and SF spots, capped with their lack of defense.

 

[Reep]

I confess I turned off the game in the 4th after watching the inept offense dribble into double teams three times in a row and look like a rec league offense. I don't know what happened to our ball handling and movement, which I thought were strengths, but we looked slow and unprepared. Blazers didn't deserve the win IMHO and got outplayed by the L@kers and luck won the day. It kills me to say that, but it was worse to watch it.

I tend to overreact, but I would be very tempted to split up the backcourt, give Layman a shot at SF, try Biggie as a starter, and anything else I had to do to light a fire under that team. UGLY. Over the last several games this team looks like 10-12 in the West.

 

[illmatic99]

They're the stars, and easier targets. The team isn't playing horrible because of Damian or CJ, or even CJ's bad defense. It's the lack of production and or threat of offense from the PF and SF spots, capped with their lack of defense.

I've given up on Harkless. It's year 6 for him and he still isn't even a threat. Aminu for all his faults at least tries and looks like he gives a shit. Same with Turner.

Getting Collins/Caleb to become something on offense would go a long way. And if we aren't going to address this in the short term with a trade, we need to play these guys and expedite their development.

 

[Blazer4ever]

Why is it always the guards that we bitch about? It was Kusma and Lopez that killed us all night. Look at Harkless on that play. He doesn't even look like he was ready for the play to start. Granted Kuzma cracked blocked him to get open but he does not seem aware of his surrounding.

I do agree that Stotts needs his best defenders out on a last shot attempt. Aminu if healthy would have been been out there. Davis might have been a better option last night since they were camped out on the line. But CJ was not the problem on that last shot.

Harkless was surrounded with 3 offensive players, I think most of all he looks confused. The even more interesting player is the one out of the picture to start the play, at first I thought he was guarding a player one-on-one but then you see all Lakers players are in the frame

 

[kjironman1]

I was talking about his shit-tier defense, not his offense in my original "Pat Can-not-gonna-get-it-done" call out.

I don't know? I watched him keep tabs on his man. Locked Brewer down and Hart was pretty much kept in check. Problems were coming from Ingram and Kuzma. Forward positions.

 

[Trackjack]

The alignment has to be coaching.
I think it's poor coaching, so whomever came up with it needs to sit the fuck down.
But it's coaching.
No player would come out of the timeout and set in that alignment without being told to by coaching.

I understand what it was supposed to do but gimme a break.

Number 1 Ingram should been call for illegal back screen on Dame on that play.

 

[Bob Dobalina]

Damn, this place is a bit nuttier than normal this season it seems........ I told you to watch those unrealisticsly high standards you lay on these guys preseason. Setting yourself up for a long frustrating season instead of just enjoying watching our boys play each night.

I hear ya about keeping expectations in check, it can get out of control. However, is it "unrealistic" to expect the team to hold a team such as the Lakers to less than 55% shooting? Or keep Ricky Rubio from dropping 30? I think that's where a lot of the frustration is coming from. Seemingly reasonable expectations are falling short, so it's not all unrealistic IMHO.

 

[Denny Crane]

Damn, this place is a bit nuttier than normal this season it seems........ I told you to watch those unrealisticsly high standards you lay on these guys preseason. Setting yourself up for a long frustrating season instead of just enjoying watching our boys play each night.

#64wins

 

[Scalma]

I've given up on Harkless. It's year 6 for him and he still isn't even a threat. Aminu for all his faults at least tries and looks like he gives a shit. Same with Turner.

Getting Collins/Caleb to become something on offense would go a long way. And if we aren't going to address this in the short term with a trade, we need to play these guys and expedite their development.

Harkless is who he is and we should trade him while he still has some value and age on his side. His effort pisses me off. I've payed more and more attention to him recently and it's really pathetic. I wouldn't even care about his offensive struggles if he just played hard like he did that first game against Phoenix.

Maybe while he's still here we should get him engaged more. It could just be a mental thing where he needs to feel involved. Feed him in the post a couple of times early and see what happens. I don't know, but he needs to step up.

 

[THE HCP]

Didn't you tell the story that you talked to him personally and he likes Lillard time because it's about his family? I remember that distinctly because thats the story I remember every time I hear Lillard time.

You know what, I was half asleep when I posted that, you are correct. I did ask and he said Lillard time.......I like DameTime better.....trying to change his mind.

 

[Trackjack]

I got give Dame credit for his defense against Ball last night he basically shut his ass down good job Dame.

 

[THE HCP]

What about that 'win' qualifies it as 'nice'?

That it isn't in the L column. April 17th this will count just as much as the opening night Suns win.

 

[Denny Crane]

I didn't read the whole thread, but...

Vonleh is back

Nurk hit 12-20 with 5 boards (weak, but...) and 5 assists, 3 steals, 28 points.

 

[THE HCP]

I confess I turned off the game in the 4th after watching the inept offense dribble into double teams three times in a row and look like a rec league offense. I don't know what happened to our ball handling and movement, which I thought were strengths, but we looked slow and unprepared. Blazers didn't deserve the win IMHO and got outplayed by the L@kers and luck won the day. It kills me to say that, but it was worse to watch it.

I tend to overreact, but I would be very tempted to split up the backcourt, give Layman a shot at SF, try Biggie as a starter, and anything else I had to do to light a fire under that team. UGLY. Over the last several games this team looks like 10-12 in the West.

Wow, I didn't think real true fans would ever NOT watch a game or turn it off. Surprising.

 

[THE HCP]

I hear ya about keeping expectations in check, it can get out of control. However, is it "unrealistic" to expect the team to hold a team such as the Lakers to less than 55% shooting? Or keep Ricky Rubio from dropping 30? I think that's where a lot of the frustration is coming from. Seemingly reasonable expectations are falling short, so it's not all unrealistic IMHO.

But stuff like this happens every now and then during a long season. If this team was as jam packed with talent as most think (or did a month ago) we would be able to withstand 30 from Rubio for example. Plain and simple this team is playing about where they should in my opinion. I actually feel like The HCP was the only one on here who enjoyed Dame's clutch game winning shot. It ridiculous. There were some on here last night who actually complained about the shot selection of a GAME WINNING SHOT!

 

[Denny Crane]

But stuff like this happens every now and then during a long season. If this team was as jam packed with talent as most think (or did a month ago) we would be able to withstand 30 from Rubio for example. Plain and simple this team is playing about where they should in my opinion. I actually feel like The HCP was the only one on here who enjoyed Dame's clutch game winning shot. It ridiculous. There were some on here last night who actually complained about the shot selection of a GAME WINNING SHOT!

The best part was the L*kers lost.

 

[Cippy91]

But stuff like this happens every now and then during a long season. If this team was as jam packed with talent as most think (or did a month ago) we would be able to withstand 30 from Rubio for example. Plain and simple this team is playing about where they should in my opinion. I actually feel like The HCP was the only one on here who enjoyed Dame's clutch game winning shot. It ridiculous. There were some on here last night who actually complained about the shot selection of a GAME WINNING SHOT!

Because the dame haters will continue to bitch about his shot selection even though that’s just his shot. I actually would of rather him take the same shot the other night against Utah as opposed to challenging gobert. I don’t think dame is perfect obviously but he seems to be the one keeping the team alive every season when people criticize him the most

 

[Scalma]

Because the dame haters will continue to bitch about his shot selection even though that’s just his shot. I actually would of rather him take the same shot the other night against Utah as opposed to challenging gobert. I don’t think dame is perfect obviously but he seems to be the one keeping the team alive every season when people criticize him the most

Dame is the reason we overachieve every season.

 

[THE HCP]

Because the dame haters will continue to bitch about his shot selection even though that’s just his shot. I actually would of rather him take the same shot the other night against Utah as opposed to challenging gobert. I don’t think dame is perfect obviously but he seems to be the one keeping the team alive every season when people criticize him the most

I believe fans are taking Dame for granted. We would never be in 3/4 of our games without him. I'll live and die by Dame. Kid has more heart than any player I've been around. he cans shoot whatever shot whenever I feel.

 

[Boise Blazer]

 

[THE HCP]

I am very curious to see if the most critical members on here that blast our players and coaches the most, are the ones that predict the highest wins before the season starts? I don't have time to look, but pick out the 10-15 guys on here that bitch and complain no matter what and see where they thought we'd finish. Or the people midway thru the game thread talking about trading so in so after a bad game. Those seem like the people who will just never be happy if we don't win 60 games.

People crack on me saying how can you be so negative when you work for the team. How can you post this crap. You will never see me blast our players and coaches and it's NOT because of who signs my checks, it's because I feel I look at our rosters over the years realistically. I know people hate that term, but thats how I feel. I have never in my life EVER felt there was such thing as a bad win, as a player or fan, that fucking crazy talk. A W is a W.