GAME THREAD: BLAZERS @ NUGGETS - DECEMBER 2, 2014; TUESDAY, 6 PM (PST), KGW

[Mediocre Man]

I'm assuming it's because cancer's a motherfucker.

It is, but he was fired after he won coach of the year that year.

To Eric's question, the roster is awful after their GM went to Toronto. IMO he is easily the best front office guy in the league

 

[illmatic99]

Is Stotts the best coach at drawing out of bounds plays?

After Pop, ya. I'd put Terry above Doc and Carlisle in that regard.

 

[julius]

Best part of the night......... The damn team bus wouldn't start! Everybody was jammed into 1 bus like we were heading out on a field trip!

Sent from my Baller-Ass 5.5" iPhone 6+......... FAMS

You always look like you're taking a constipated shit when you make that face

 

[BlazerCaravan]

It is, but he was fired after he won coach of the year that year.

Well that's practically a tradition, it happens so often...

 

[BlazerCaravan]

You always look like you're taking a constipated shit when you make that face

It's because he can't find the button with his giant ape hands, and gets confused.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

So would you roll the dice this summer and try to sign him to a max deal?

As long as we don't actually renounce anyone's bird rights until he makes a decision, then yeah, in a heartbeat.

 

[BBert]

You nailed it! Well said! Nico had 3 steals along with his 13 dimes and shutdown their shooters when it counted. That end play to Rolo was perfect!

Any lack of respect for what Batum provided in this game (including wisely not taking a bunch of shots when he's not shooting well) is either ignorance, hate, or both.

 

[BBert]

Best part of the night......... The damn team bus wouldn't start! Everybody was jammed into 1 bus like we were heading out on a field trip!

Sent from my Baller-Ass 5.5" iPhone 6+......... FAMS

Is that Sly sitting next to you?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Is that Sly sitting next to you?

That's mean.

 

[BBert]

Ha,ha.

Rolo with the photo bomb too. The guy makes one game winner....

 

[Pinwheel1]

Any lack of respect for what Batum provided in this game (including wisely not taking a bunch of shots when he's not shooting well) is either ignorance, hate, or both.

I love what Batum adds to this team. No doubt I appreciate his importance. However.......The ally oop pass he threw to Wes in the last two minutes from 25 ft was insane. He needs to stop trying to make the "spectacular" passes. At least in crunch time.

 

[illmatic99]

I love what Batum adds to this team. No doubt I appreciate his importance. However.......The ally oop pass he threw to Wes in the last two minutes from 25 ft was insane. He needs to stop trying to make the "spectacular" passes. At least in crunch time.

He knew it too. He pointed to the bench the instant he threw that pass, acknowledging his mistake.... yet he still threw it. smh. He needs to find his shot back, but the assists are nice.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

After last night his PER is back up to an even 12.

His TS% (again) dropped a few points though.

 

[Blazinaway]

He knew it too. He pointed to the bench the instant he threw that pass, acknowledging his mistake.... yet he still threw it. smh. He needs to find his shot back, but the assists are nice.

I don't want to downplay or forget Nics assists or defense, however we NEED some consistent scoring from him and his offense has been simply awful, g0tta have a little "balance' from him and his position as we get from Wes

 

[magnifier661]

I don't want to downplay or forget Nics assists or defense, however we NEED some consistent scoring from him and his offense has been simply awful, gptta have a little "balance' from him and his position as we get from Wes

He just needs to get that 3 pointer up to his career average and you will have no complaints from me.

But honestly, if I had a choice, I would much rather have the assist and defensive Batum than the spot up shooter Batum.

In fact, maybe he should work on his mid range and attack the basket game. It's a easier shot to make, plus he may get to the line more.

 

[Blazinaway]

He just needs to get that 3 pointer up to his career average and you will have no complaints from me.

But honestly, if I had a choice, I would much rather have the assist and defensive Batum than the spot up shooter Batum.

In fact, maybe he should work on his mid range and attack the basket game. It's a easier shot to make, plus he may get to the line more.

yeah it may work "ok" in the reg season but if you want to move on in the playoffs he can't be an offensive black hole which frankly is sorta what he is right now, teams can ignore him as far as a shooting threat goes until he proves he can make a shot and that ain't a good thing

 

[magnifier661]

yeah it may work "ok" in the reg season but if you want to move on in the playoffs he can't be an offensive black hole which frankly is sorta what he is right now, teams can ignore him as far as a shooting threat goes until he proves he can make a shot and that ain't a good thing

But if he develops the slashing game, it wouldn't be such a black hole. Also, that slashing will only help to improve his assists as well. If he can make the defense second guess, then more help will come, which leaves guys open.

I honestly think our team's missing piece is a slashing wing. A guy that can score or get to the line when needed. I think Batum has the best opportunity and ability to be that guy.

 

[Blazinaway]

But if he develops the slashing game, it wouldn't be such a black hole. Also, that slashing will only help to improve his assists as well. If he can make the defense second guess, then more help will come, which leaves guys open.

I honestly think our team's missing piece is a slashing wing. A guy that can score or get to the line when needed. I think Batum has the best opportunity and ability to be that guy.

if if fukkin IF! Come on Mags how many years has he played now and you want him to now develop a slashing game? (LOL) Besides his passing I can make a case he has not improved at all and in fact at least this year he has regressed, you simply have to consider offense. He's been a career 45% shooter overall, this yr he is at 37%, this in not a "small drop off" it is huge! I can count on Wes to improve and work on something in the offseason and from history I cannot count on Nic to do that, and whatever the reason it does not matter, it is the end result that matters.

 

[BBert]

I love what Batum adds to this team. No doubt I appreciate his importance. However.......The ally oop pass he threw to Wes in the last two minutes from 25 ft was insane. He needs to stop trying to make the "spectacular" passes. At least in crunch time.

Yes. That was a bad pass. I think he forgot who he was passing it too, LOL. All of us, especially Batum wished he could have that one back.

Batum wasn't the only player to make a bad decision or have a bad shooting night, but on this board, he is the mostly likely to get roasted for every single mistake or missed shot. So defend him I will.

Nico had 13 assists to 2 turnovers, 3 steals, some timely rebounds and many good defensive plays. I think that's what's refered to as finding other ways to help your team win even when you aren't shooting well.

Count me as one who thinks his shooting woes begin with his knee. He's gotta find his shot for the Blazers to get far in May. That's a long time from now.

 

[magnifier661]

if if fukkin IF! Come on Mags how many years has he played now and you want him to now develop a slashing game? (LOL) Besides his passing I can make a case he has not improved at all and in fact at least this year he has regressed, you simply have to consider offense. He's been a career 45% shooter overall, this yr he is at 37%, this in not a "small drop off" it is huge! I can count on Wes to improve and work on something in the offseason and from history I cannot count on Nic to do that, and whatever the reason it does not matter, it is the end result that matters.

The same thing was said to me about Aldridge and his rebounding. Things can change and nic is still 26-27 years old. It's not like he's over the hill bro.

And let's be real here. He was shooting decent until his injury. It's not like he went on this slump fully healthy

 

[Blazinaway]

The same thing was said to me about Aldridge and his rebounding. Things can change and nic is still 26-27 years old. It's not like he's over the hill bro.

And let's be real here. He was shooting decent until his injury. It's not like he went on this slump fully healthy

"lets be real" huh? well being real is being honest and Wes-Dame-LMA are always working on their game in the offseason, and as much as you "wish" it Nic does not, so all U got is a dream

 

[Blazinaway]

The same thing was said to me about Aldridge and his rebounding. Things can change and nic is still 26-27 years old. It's not like he's over the hill bro.

And let's be real here. He was shooting decent until his injury. It's not like he went on this slump fully healthy

and BTW LMA's rebounding improvement is mostly because of Rolo being here as LMA said in an interview just the other day

 

[BBert]

Batum is never going to average 20 ppg or have a 20 PER. He doesn't need to, to help this team in significant ways. And I'm OK with that.

He does need to get healthy and get his shooting stroke back. He made a lot of clutch 3s last season and in the playoffs. Not so much this year, so far.

I sincerely wish the guy would STOP playing on the French team every damn summer.

 

[magnifier661]

and BTW LMA's rebounding improvement is mostly because of Rolo being here as LMA said in an interview just the other day

Does that even matter? Do I need to pull all the replies everyone said to me that Aldridge will never ever average 10 rebounds a game? In fact, I bet many would probably argue that his rebounding would probably drop with a traditional center in the mix, saying that center would grab most the boards.

 

[magnifier661]

"lets be real" huh? well being real is being honest and Wes-Dame-LMA are always working on their game in the offseason, and as much as you "wish" it Nic does not, so all U got is a dream

I'm against him playing over seas as well, but wouldn't that be "working on your game?" I mean he's still playing at a higher level, which would be better practice then working by yourself.

 

[Blazinaway]

I'm against him playing over seas as well, but wouldn't that be "working on your game?" I mean he's still playing at a higher level, which would be better practice then working by yourself.

U apparently think Nic is playing at a higher level and I don't, and playing in the summers and wearing yourself out IMO is NOT improving his game

 

[magnifier661]

U apparently think Nic is playing at a higher level and I don't, and playing in the summers and wearing yourself out IMO is NOT improving his game

He absolutely is playing at a higher level. He's playing against Euro pro players. That's at a higher level than practicing at home or in the gym. Why would you think that isn't?

 

[Blazinaway]

He absolutely is playing at a higher level. He's playing against Euro pro players. That's at a higher level than practicing at home or in the gym. Why would you think that isn't?

what? so you think that so far this season Nic is playing at an overall higher level than the past few seasons, if that is the case then lets just stop disagreeing because we are of two very differing opinions. Stats from past 2 years suggest his assists are barely up (5.2 this yr vs 5.0 prev 2 yrs), rebounding similar but shooting percentage has crashed to 37% from 2 yr avg near 44% and PPG down to 8.6 vs prev. 2-yr avg of 13.6, 3 point shooting at a horrible 23% from avg of 36.5. IMO all these stats clearly show an overall DECLINE

 

[riverman]

I want Nic guarding the hot hand in any close game. Chris Paul, Ty Lawson, Afflalo, whoever is a mismatch for Dame. Nic is the epitome of a team player. His shot will come around. We can't keep throwing players under the bus when they have shooting slumps. It's a long season. Without Nic, we don't beat the Rockets in the playoffs last season

 

[tlongII]

Nico will be fine. It's still early in the season and I expect his shot will come back before too long.