GAME THREAD: BLAZERS @ MAVERICKS - 1/18/2014, SATURDAY, 5:30 PM (PST), KGW

[Strenuus]

Maybe I wasn't paying too much attention

Yeah, the worst one was when Ellis dropped the shoulder and got the call... and Matthews did the same thing the very next play and got called for the offensive foul. That's when he got the T, too, I believe.

 

[Strenuus]

Just an FYI - Tied for the most wins on the road with SA. 15-5 ( SA is 15-3)

 

[Draco]

The Mavericks' 16-point loss to the Trail Blazers tonight (127-111) is their worst home loss this season. Their worst home loss was previously a 14-point loss (110-96) to the Nuggets on Nov. 25.
ESPN Stats & Information

 

[BBert]

It was a little frustrating at the end to watch us blow that huge lead, but I don't think anyone as worried we were going to actually lose.

I'm thankful they had such a big lead that Stotts could give the subs a shovel and a pick and see what they'd do with them. Nothing beats experience. Now they can turn it into a teachable moment. I frankly don't know what the beef is. We won and the scrubs got some game time. Win-win.

 

[Draco]

I think everyone should just ignore the 4th. 'Tone said it best, those guys all feel terrible with their play. But the Mavs were doing a crazy full court press. The Blazers bench was in a really tough spot, they only had one ball handler on the floor and they were supposed to run some clock on each possession. That is a dangerous recipe. Stotts wanted to see if they could work through adversity on their own. If the problem this team faces in the future is the bench losing a huge margin on 38 point leads I'll be ecstatic.

Its not a real NBA situation that will in anyway impact the success or failures of this team, its irrelevant.

 

[Strenuus]

I'm thankful they had such a big lead that Stotts could give the subs a shovel and a pick and see what they'd do with them. Nothing beats experience. Now they can turn it into a teachable moment. I frankly don't know what the beef is. We won and the scrubs got some game time. Win-win.

Yep. Some just came on too soon, and didn't let it sink in that we owned them for 3 quarters and ran a practice for most of the 4th. No one should honestly be worried about playing scrubs. I'm just glad we were in a situation to put them in at all! And still win!

 

[BrianFromWA]

It gives Stotts a chance to build a hellfire-and-brimstone film session into a day off after a win where we were up almost 40.

 

[Strenuus]

I think everyone should just ignore the 4th. 'Tone said it best, those guys all feel terrible with their play. But the Mavs were doing a crazy full court press. The Blazers bench was in a really tough spot, they only had one ball handler on the floor and they were supposed to run some clock on each possession. That is a dangerous recipe. Stotts wanted to see if they could work through adversity on their own. If the problem this team faces in the future is the bench losing a huge margin on 38 point leads I'll be ecstatic.

Its not a real NBA situation that will in anyway impact the success or failures of this team, its irrelevant.

Exactly. There is nothing from that 4th quarter that will ever effect any close games ever, since those guys will never be in it.

 

[illmatic99]

It WAS Kurt Thomas!

 

[OneLifeToLive]

Starters were absolutely dominant tonight. Might be the best I've seen a Blazer group since the early 90's. That includes Pippens teams.

What took place in the fourth wouldn't have happened if Stotts would have kept a starter or two in the lineup. Nic and Wes? It's too bad. Stotts rested his faith on these guys and they just couldn't deliver. But Terry probably learned something

 

[illmatic99]

Check out Joel with monster screen on the weakside.

Gorgeous ball movement btw. Had those guys scrambling on D. The Pacers and possibly the Heat (when they want to) are the only teams with the patience to defend through that many passes in a single possession.

 

[Strenuus]

Rewatching the game.


I remember someone saying "Did Dirk put his mouthpiece in his sock?"

The answer is yes.

 

[RR7]

Rewatching the game.


I remember someone saying "Did Dirk put his mouthpiece in his sock?"

The answer is yes.

I've seen quite a few of our guys do that throughout the years. Always disgusting.

 

[Strenuus]

One thing I've seen with Lillard on the bench is he is always in the game, cheering everyone on. I just watched the CJ 3 go in, and Dame is up yelling "YEAH CJ!"

It's good to see that from the ROY.

 

[Strenuus]

Watching that replay of the Matthews T and the Offensive foul... Bennett Salvatore looks like he was pissed at matthews and was just waiting to unleash it. It looked like a grudge call. He looked pissed.

 

[Sinobas]

Or he could just play the starters! Then we win by 50. They were up by fucking 38! You expect your scrubs against other scrubs to hold that big of a lead. They didn't. It wasn't the wrong move just because it didn't work out tonight.

Well he did have to play the starters. See if Stotts ever uses that lineup again. I seriously don't see how anyone can argue that it wasn't a dumb lineup, the result speaks for itself. If he hadn't pulled him they would have blown the whole god damn 40 point lead and lost the game.

 

[Strenuus]

Well he did have to play the starters. See if Stotts ever uses that lineup again. I seriously don't see how anyone can argue that it wasn't a dumb lineup, the result speaks for itself. If he hadn't pulled him they would have blown the whole god damn 40 point lead and lost the game.

That's the thing. No one was arguing it wasn't a stupid line up. We were just pointing out that them blowing some of the lead had no bearing on how our actual day to day rotation was tonight.

That line up stunk. That's why we'll probably never see it again, even if it a blowout. Stotts is a smart man, he tinkers with things.

 

[BrianFromWA]

speaking of lineups tonight:

Erik Gundersen ‏@blazerbanter 2h
Blazers starting line-up was absolutely dominant tonight. O-Rtg: 137.7, D-Rtg: 86.8 in 20 minutes.
Retweeted by David Vanterpool

 

[WillG]

When Batum takes it to the hoop, instead of his usual passive stat padding way, the Blazers go to another level.

McCollum looks good so-far. He looks quite comfortable considering it's his first couple of games. Color me impressed.

 

[julius]

When Batum takes it to the hoop, instead of his usual passive stat padding way, the Blazers go to another level.

McCollum looks good so-far. He looks quite comfortable considering it's his first couple of games. Color me impressed.

Agreed on both. While I like how Batum plays, I wish he'd be a little more aggressive. The give and go with LaMarcus should be utilized more.

 

[maxiep]

My favorite stat of the night: Dallas goes on a 25-2 run and is still down 15 points.

What an ass whipping.

 

[WillG]

Agreed on both. While I like how Batum plays, I wish he'd be a little more aggressive. The give and go with LaMarcus should be utilized more.

Batum almost has the complete package. If he spent an offseason working on his handle and his body & explosiveness - he would be one of the absolute top players in the league.

As it is, most nights he seems content to cruise, auto-piloted by that considerable talent of his.

 

[maxiep]

Batum almost has the complete package. If he spent an offseason working on his handle and his body & explosiveness - he would be one of the absolute top players in the league.

As it is, most nights he seems content to cruise, auto-piloted by that considerable talent of his.

At this point, I think we need to accept Nico for who he is. Yes, he has the whole package. However, he doesn't have the mental makeup of someone who can lead a team and be counted on to dominate night in and night out. Instead, he's like basketball caulk; he fills in all the little cracks. Bottom line, he's a much more stable Lamar Odom.

 

[julius]

Batum almost has the complete package. If he spent an offseason working on his handle and his body & explosiveness - he would be one of the absolute top players in the league.

As it is, most nights he seems content to cruise, auto-piloted by that considerable talent of his.

Yeah, and I'm not that upset/concerned about it. The funny thing is, Nic is just 25. He can still improve. Whether or not he will, I can't say.

 

[Natebishop3]

At this point, I think we need to accept Nico for who he is. Yes, he has the whole package. However, he doesn't have the mental makeup of someone who can lead a team and be counted on to dominate night in and night out. Instead, he's like basketball caulk; he fills in all the little cracks. Bottom line, he's a much more stable Lamar Odom.

And I'm totally fine with that. He's the perfect third wheel. He might even get an All-Star game at some point, but he brings everything you want from a third guy. He can pass, he plays defense, he can score, and he has to be one of the best rebounding small forwards in the league. I'm completely content with who Nic is at this point. No point in lamenting what he could be. Some nights he'll be aggressive on offense, but most nights he'll flirt with a triple double and that's it. I'm cool with that.

 

[Sinobas]

I just wish we could have completed the boot-stomping till the end, but I guess the Dallas starters were embarassed enough. Payback for them running of the court giggling like little girls when they beat us at the Rose Garden. And how did the Blazers take the victory? Just nonchalantley walk of the court.

 

[julius]

They need to do this against Miami, Houston and OKC.

 

[Blazer4ever]

I'm simply proud of this team, the way they play together is just what I want to see from any team. Just saw the recap this time but enjoyed it deeply, I feel like I have faith in this team, we've had some great moments (I remember a win at Dallas that was our 13th in a row) but not for a long time have I felt so much like they just get the job done, not by embarrassing anyone but simply with confidence that earns them respect. The highlights showed Dirk's expression going to the locker room, it was of disbelief and respect, it made me proud.