Game One Forensic Fan Post-game

[The_Lillard_King]

Nic had more than twice as many rebounds as the two starting big men combined.

 

[BBert]

Denny/S2 u better hope the blazers turn it around quick cause if and when they are lotto bound by mid December it's gonna feel like August in here on game threads

Disagree. Game threads are twice as long on bad nights than on winning nights.

 

[blue9]

1. Lotta jump shots from both, mostly in rhythm, but definitely not the result of great ball and player movement.

2. I didn't see much zone, but wasn't watching the game all that closely. Mostly it seemed like Plumlee surprised them and they got beaten on pick and rolls a lot.

3. Batum grabbed a lot of inside boards from what I can remember. Solid effort on that end, but utterly passive on offense and wasn't especially notable on defense outside of a few highlight plays.

4. Lopez was an utter non-factor. Didn't board, got switched out onto guards a fair number of times, had trouble being an inside presence and just generally looked like a non-contributor on the floor.

Good assessment. While the LMA/Lillard jumpers weren't necessarily forced (some were), they didn't come from ball movement either. They were fairly stagnant shots.

Nic did a great job of coming to the ball for rebounds. He did a poor job of initiating offense - but he still did it better than anyone else last night. I think he got taken out of the game early by whoever was guarding him. He was blanketed while running around screens, and when he did get the ball he was doubled early. His defense was mostly average but there was a short stint in the 4th where he was on Dragic and shut him down. Then Stotts put him on Bledsoe and the lead once again ballooned.

Lopez was a huge disappointment.

 

[craigehlo]

You have basically described the majority of NBA wings in a half court set. No doubt it would be nice to always have two players on the court who can create their own shot. I think the lack of these types of players is why many teams will end up going with two pGs in the back court. Phoenix was smart to get Bledsoe and move in that direction.

My hope is CJ and Lillard can be that tandem.

 

[magnifier661]

Good assessment. While the LMA/Lillard jumpers weren't necessarily forced (some were), they didn't come from ball movement either. They were fairly stagnant shots.

Nic did a great job of coming to the ball for rebounds. He did a poor job of initiating offense - but he still did it better than anyone else last night. I think he got taken out of the game early by whoever was guarding him. He was blanketed while running around screens, and when he did get the ball he was doubled early. His defense was mostly average but there was a short stint in the 4th where he was on Dragic and shut him down. Then Stotts put him on Bledsoe and the lead once again ballooned.

Lopez was a huge disappointment.

I don't know what game you were watching but dragic scored at will on batum. I was hoping all game he would smother dragic like he did to curry but that never happened. We had no answer for dragic, with Matthews and batum sharing duties on him, plain and simple!

 

[BBert]

But I heard how playing for France this year made him such a better player.

Sarcasm aside, I didn't quite get that take. My impression was he had a pretty crappy summer season overall, was very inconsistent, but came up big in the championship game. I really do think he's burned himself out with year-round competition his entire career.

 

[BBert]

You have basically described the majority of NBA wings in a half court set. No doubt it would be nice to always have two players on the court who can create their own shot. I think the lack of these types of players is why many teams will end up going with two pGs in the back court. Phoenix was smart to get Bledsoe and move in that direction.

This is why we miss CJ already. I think being that guy off the bench, and for spells next to Damian, is going to be his niche in the NBA.

 

[BBert]

Nic had more than twice as many rebounds as the two starting big men combined.

And he was scrapping for those rebounds. He is the consumate glue guy. It would be a lot more pleasant around here if fans would accept his game and his contributions to the team, and not demand 18-point nights from him every game.

 

[Natebishop3]

As most of you know, I don't really care about wins because I want them to tank, but here are a few things that are alarming to after 1 game and even through the pre season

Aldridge 4 rebounds
Lillard 2 assists (Only averaged 3.7 pre season)
26 3PtA / 24 points in the paint
19 assists by the team

None of those is how to play winning basketball

This is not a bridge jumping post. it's simply an observation of one game

Aldridge is what he is. I'm not expecting him to change at this point.

Lillard is concerning though. I know he's a better distributor than this. He has completely gone away from passing the ball this season (including the preseason), and I don't think it's because people are missing shots. I just think he's shooting more. He's an amazing scorer, possibly the best pure scorer on our team, but we need a point guard. Without someone running the offense, it will significantly hinder Aldridge's ability to get post position.

 

[RoyToy]

And he was scrapping for those rebounds. He is the consumate glue guy. It would be a lot more pleasant around here if fans would accept his game and his contributions to the team, and not demand 18-point nights from him every game.

Expectations go up when you make $11M per.

People aren't satisfied with Nic looking lost on offense just like they aren't satisfied with Aldridge only grabbing 4 rebounds.

If Nic can't score again PJ Tucker and Gerald Green, that's a problem.

 

[Natebishop3]

Expectations go up when you make $11M per.

People aren't satisfied with Nic looking lost on offense just like they aren't satisfied with Aldridge only grabbing 4 rebounds.

If Nic can't score again PJ Tucker and Gerald Green, that's a problem.

So I'm just curious, if Nic averaged something like 10 points, 5 assists, and 8 boards for the season. Would you be unhappy?

 

[RoyToy]

So I'm just curious, if Nic averaged something like 10 points, 5 assists, and 8 boards for the season. Would you be unhappy?

He'd have to play amazing defense. Last I checked, Nic doesn't play amazing defense.

And no, 10pts isn't anywhere near enough. With the lack of scorers on this team there's no reason for him not to average at least 15ppg.

 

[Natebishop3]

He'd have to play amazing defense. Last I checked, Nic doesn't play amazing defense.

And no, 10pts isn't anywhere near enough. With the lack of scorers on this team there's no reason for him not to average at least 15ppg.

The rebounds don't matter to me as much because they're essentially zero sum. There are only so many to go around, but the assists equate out to more points. If he averaged 5 assists per night, that's ten more points that he helped contribute to the Blazers total. How many small forwards average 5 or more assists per game?

I don't care as much about his scoring anymore. We have Lillard, we have Aldridge, and hopefully Matthews will find his stroke again. I like that Batum fills box scores.

 

[magnifier661]

So I'm just curious, if Nic averaged something like 10 points, 5 assists, and 8 boards for the season. Would you be unhappy?

I would be pretty fucking pissed, unless Lillard and Aldridge are both scoring over 25. There is absolutely no reason for batum to score +14.

 

[Natebishop3]

I would be pretty fucking pissed, unless Lillard and Aldridge are both scoring over 25. There is absolutely no reason for batum to score +14.

You guys seem so fixated on buckets. Assists equal points. If Batum hands out 7 assists tonight, but only scores 10, he still contributed to 24 total points in the Blazers total score.

Assists = points

I would rather Nic take high percentage shots and play within the offense. Could he be more aggressive? Yes, but the guy does so much more than score points. He passes, he rebounds, he blocks shots, he gets steals. The game isn't just about scoring buckets.

 

[RoyToy]

The rebounds don't matter to me as much because they're essentially zero sum. There are only so many to go around, but the assists equate out to more points. If he averaged 5 assists per night, that's ten more points that he helped contribute to the Blazers total. How many small forwards average 5 or more assists per game?

I don't care as much about his scoring anymore. We have Lillard, we have Aldridge, and hopefully Matthews will find his stroke again. I like that Batum fills box scores.

Then he shouldn't be making $11M per year. At that point he's hurting the team by not producing enough.

Again, no reason for Nic not to average at least 15ppg.

 

[Natebishop3]

Then he shouldn't be making $11M per year. At that point he's hurting the team by not producing enough.

Again, no reason for Nic not to average at least 15ppg.

So by your rationale, the only thing that matters is ppg. Either he gets his ppg up to 15, or he isn't worth 11 million, is that right?

 

[Nikolokolus]

Points per game isn't the only thing that matters, but given the paucity of scoring options outside of LaMarcus and Lillard, this team definitely needs more from Nico.

 

[RoyToy]

So by your rationale, the only thing that matters is ppg. Either he gets his ppg up to 15, or he isn't worth 11 million, is that right?

It's a part of it, yes.

$11M per year. Of course I expect scoring to go with other aspects of his game. Olshey is paying him to be a big time contributor.

 

[Natebishop3]

Points per game isn't the only thing that matters, but given the paucity of scoring options outside of LaMarcus and Lillard, this team definitely needs more from Nico.

The huge gaping hole right now is Wes. I have a very hard time complaining about the guy who grabbed 13 boards, handed out 4 assists, and notched a steal and a block. The whole point of the shooting guard is to score points, and Wes has not been getting it done since the beginning of the preseason.

 

[RoyToy]

The huge gaping hole right now is Wes. I have a very hard time complaining about the guy who grabbed 13 boards, handed out 4 assists, and notched a steal and a block. The whole point of the shooting guard is to score points, and Wes has not been getting it done since the beginning of the preseason.

Batum had 4 turnovers to go with those 4 assists.

 

[Natebishop3]

It's a part of it, yes.

$11M per year. Of course I expect scoring to go with other aspects of his game. Olshey is paying him to be a big time contributor.

It's a part of it, but you're saying that 15 ppg is more important to you than 10 ppg, 5 assists, and 8 boards. I would like to see him score more, but I also recognize that he's contributing in other ways.

 

[Natebishop3]

Batum had 4 turnovers to go with those 4 assists.

We only had 13 turnovers for the game, so turnovers were not a problem. Guys like Nash and Kidd always led the league in turnovers. When you handle the ball, you have turnovers. Part of the game.

 

[RoyToy]

Wes: 3-9, 9pts/7reb/4asts/1 TO
Nic: 3-9, 7pts/13rebs/4asts/4 TO

Both were burned on defense all night.

 

[RoyToy]

It's a part of it, but you're saying that 15 ppg is more important to you than 10 ppg, 5 assists, and 8 boards. I would like to see him score more, but I also recognize that he's contributing in other ways.

You think I have him averaging 15/0/0 or something?

 

[magnifier661]

You guys seem so fixated on buckets. Assists equal points. If Batum hands out 7 assists tonight, but only scores 10, he still contributed to 24 total points in the Blazers total score.

Assists = points

I would rather Nic take high percentage shots and play within the offense. Could he be more aggressive? Yes, but the guy does so much more than score points. He passes, he rebounds, he blocks shots, he gets steals. The game isn't just about scoring buckets.

Problem... He isn't shooting a high % last season and not that good this season so far. But honestly, it's not about buckets. It's about team buckets.

Like I said, if Aldridge and Lillard are averaging +25 each, then batum's scoring wouldn't be such an issue. But realistically, maybe +21.

 

[Natebishop3]

You think I have him averaging 15/0/0 or something?

He has been putting up more rebounds and assists and less scoring.

I asked if you would be okay with 10 ppg, 5 assists, 8 boards.

He isn't going to average 15 ppg, 5 assists, and 8 boards. How many people in the league are actually capable of that? Chris Paul? LeBron?

My point is, would it be acceptable if he had less scoring, but higher boards and assists. For you, obviously it would not be okay. For me, I'm fine with it as long as he shoots a decent percentage, which last night he did not.

 

[RoyToy]

The problem with Nic's assist numbers?

He passes up open shots to get them. His assist numbers are inflated because he's so damn passive. He's not actually being this great creator on offense, he's just turning down shots he should be taking.

 

[Natebishop3]

Problem... He isn't shooting a high % last season and not that good this season so far. But honestly, it's not about buckets. It's about team buckets.

Like I said, if Aldridge and Lillard are averaging +25 each, then batum's scoring wouldn't be such an issue. But realistically, maybe +21.

The problem right now is that we can't have both Wes and Nic sucking at scoring the ball. They both shot 3-9 from the field last night. Paired with our shitty bench play, we just didn't have enough scoring to beat Phoenix. I'm fine with Nic scoring less if he's going to contribute in other ways, but Wes needs to step up.

 

[RoyToy]

The problem right now is that we can't have both Wes and Nic sucking at scoring the ball. They both shot 3-9 from the field last night. Paired with our shitty bench play, we just didn't have enough scoring to beat Phoenix. I'm fine with Nic scoring less if he's going to contribute in other ways, but Wes needs to step up.

LOL

Wes: 3-9, 9pts/7reb/4asts/1 TO
Nic: 3-9, 7pts/13rebs/4asts/4 TO