GAME THREAD: RAPTORS @ BLAZERS - FEB. 1st, 2014, SATURDAY, 7:00 PM, CSNNW

[KingSpeed]

The strength of our starters is a positive and not something to beat over the head of the bench. We are the best offensive team in the league. We are 34-13. We are scoring enough points. The problem when we lose is defense, something Freeland and Robinson did well tonight.

 

[KingSpeed]

Nate would have a point if we were a team that only scores 97 a game and needs more scoring to win games.

 

[Natebishop3]

The strength of our starters is a positive and not something to beat over the head of the bench. We are the best offensive team in the league. We are 34-13. We are scoring enough points. The problem when we lose is defense, something Freeland and Robinson did well tonight.

Well, but here's the problem that I see, when your starters have to carry almost all of the scoring load, it tires them out. They run out of gas. We definitely have a better bench than last year, but it's one of those things where the starters have to do all of the heavy lifting on offense. I don't think that's a recipe that can work long term. All of the really good teams have someone who can come in off the bench and score. We still don't really have that. You're right, it's unfair to say we have no bench because we do have guys that play their roles. Freeland isn't a scorer. He's a rebounder and a defender. That's what he does. What I actually meant is that we still have no scoring on our bench, and that concerns me.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Nate would have a point if we were a team that only scores 97 a game and needs more scoring to win games.

To be fair, that was our previous two games... though ironically, I think the bench did rather well in those two.

 

[Natebishop3]

To be fair, that was our previous two games... though ironically, I think the bench did rather well in those two.

Yup. The bench did their job and the starters laid an egg in those last two games. Against Golden State, if even ONE of our stars had been scoring, I think we win that one going away. Total fluke that everyone on the starting unit was ice cold, but that's just an example of when our starters simply can't put up the production that we've come to expect.

 

[KingSpeed]

Thanks for the good discussion, Nate. You plugged me in.

 

[Natebishop3]

Thanks for the good discussion, Nate. You plugged me in.

Team played great for three quarters. Glad to see Dame playing like a star again. LA had another huge game. I love seeing our starters score like this.... I just know they can't do it every game. Not very often we see Nic with 18 points.

 

[Pinwheel1]

No doubt we could use one guy to come off the bench and score consistently, but with 4 starters who all need their shots during the course of one game, when they are in with the subs, they are shooting.

Toronto had one guy (Patterson) who scored more than 2 pts tonight off the bench.

 

[jlprk]

As Olshey watches the game, I wonder what he's thinking, and what defenders he'd like to pick up at this month's deadline.

 

[Pinwheel1]

As Olshey watches the game, I wonder what he's thinking, and what defenders he'd like to pick up at this month's deadline.

Tonight I would have tried letting Watson harass Lowery for a few minutes, with Nic on DeRosan.

 

[jlprk]

My favorite player I designated before the season! Shades of Petteri Koponen! Don't make me cry!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Jason Quick ‏@jwquick Wesley Matthews on what it's like to see coach Terry Stotts mad. "His face gets red and it looks like Peyton Manning calling out OMAHA"

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Whew!

 

[Sinobas]

Notice they started the came off with Nic on Lowry. I've often wondered if Stotts was ever going to make that a full time move. It seems when the Blazers want to "up" their defense, they put nic on the PG. So why not just do that all the time?

And Watson...he must be a shade of his former self, because the Blazers seem very hesitant to use him.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

Notice they started the came off with Nic on Lowry. I've often wondered if Stotts was ever going to make that a full time move. It seems when the Blazers want to "up" their defense, they put nic on the PG. So why not just do that all the time?

And Watson...he must be a shade of his former self, because the Blazers seem very hesitant to use him.

I've been wondering the same thing. I thought Watson would be getting at least some minutes this season during meaningful junctures of a game.

 

[Natebishop3]

I've been wondering the same thing. I thought Watson would be getting at least some minutes this season during meaningful junctures of a game.

There's simply no time for him. Not unless you cut back Mo's minutes (which I'm okay with.)

 

[BBert]

...LA had another huge game....

He did. OTOH: He shot 8-22. I don't know how many jump shots he missed in the third and fourth quarters, but it was a lot, especially late. Just like it seems like Dame has stopped making threes, it seems like Aldridge has been shooting like crap.

The good news is: 11-14 from the free throw line. Free throws = Good. That typically shows he must have been taking the ball to the basket (I couldn't see, only listen). But those turn around fade-aways: pretty when they go in, not so helpful when you miss five in a row, in nearly consecutive possessions.

Of course the other good news is his rebounds. Part of me wonders if he noticed all the hype Love gets for garbage rebounds, and Shaq (and most fans) only care about stats. Whatever the reason, a 15 rebound night almost seems average lately.

 

[BBert]

Notice they started the came off with Nic on Lowry. I've often wondered if Stotts was ever going to make that a full time move. It seems when the Blazers want to "up" their defense, they put nic on the PG. So why not just do that all the time?

And Watson...he must be a shade of his former self, because the Blazers seem very hesitant to use him.

Let's say someone like, oh I don't know, Carmelo wanted to walk on with the Blazers and win a ring (unlikely, but hypothetically), I'd be happy with Nico at SG. And Watson: yeah, I am surprised he never plays. I think we need PG defense and a steadier playmaker more than we need Mo's offense.

 

[Natebishop3]

Let's say someone like, oh I don't know, Carmelo wanted to walk on with the Blazers and win a ring (unlikely, but hypothetically), I'd be happy with Nico at SG. And Watson: yeah, I am surprised he never plays. I think we need PG defense and a steadier playmaker more than we need Mo's offense.

He makes so much. It would be hard to swing that deal. I've thought about it though. Adding Melo with Dame and LA would be interesting.

 

[Pinwheel1]

And Watson...he must be a shade of his former self, because the Blazers seem very hesitant to use him.

The thought has also crossed my mind, but I find it hard to believe. He looked fine last year and in the very limited minutes this year he looks to still be quick enough to harass other PG's.

I just think Terry has it in is mind what the rotation should be for them to win. And is reluctant to cut Mo's minutes in fear it would have a negative effect. Maybe it will work itself out, but I see no reason for trading for a defensive minded PG right now. Because he wouldn't play either.

 

[BBert]

He makes so much. It would be hard to swing that deal. I've thought about it though. Adding Melo with Dame and LA would be interesting.

Yeah, no way Anthony gives up that much cheddar, if even for one year, to be under paid and playing in Portland.

 

[blue32]

He did. OTOH: He shot 8-22. I don't know how many jump shots he missed in the third and fourth quarters, but it was a lot, especially late. Just like it seems like Dame has stopped making threes, it seems like Aldridge has been shooting like crap.

The good news is: 11-14 from the free throw line. Free throws = Good. That typically shows he must have been taking the ball to the basket (I couldn't see, only listen). But those turn around fade-aways: pretty when they go in, not so helpful when you miss five in a row, in nearly consecutive possessions.

Of course the other good news is his rebounds. Part of me wonders if he noticed all the hype Love gets for garbage rebounds, and Shaq (and most fans) only care about stats. Whatever the reason, a 15 rebound night almost seems average lately.

Dame was what 1-4 from 3? I hope his stroke comes back.

 

[Sinobas]

I don't think another 1 on 1 scorer would help us much. This team could really use an upgrade at backup PG. Get a PG that would play better with Damian.

Some potential targets next year: Shaun Livingston, Ramon Sessions, Darren Collison, Ridnour, Hinrich, Maynor.

 

[maxiep]

Yeah, no way Anthony gives up that much cheddar, if even for one year, to be under paid and playing in Portland.

I could see Melo going to the Clips or Rockets

 

[rasheedfan2005]

He did. OTOH: He shot 8-22. I don't know how many jump shots he missed in the third and fourth quarters, but it was a lot, especially late. Just like it seems like Dame has stopped making threes, it seems like Aldridge has been shooting like crap.

The good news is: 11-14 from the free throw line. Free throws = Good. That typically shows he must have been taking the ball to the basket (I couldn't see, only listen). But those turn around fade-aways: pretty when they go in, not so helpful when you miss five in a row, in nearly consecutive possessions.

Of course the other good news is his rebounds. Part of me wonders if he noticed all the hype Love gets for garbage rebounds, and Shaq (and most fans) only care about stats. Whatever the reason, a 15 rebound night almost seems average lately.

15 rebounds almost seems suck when he had 11 in the first quarter.

 

[BBert]

Wow. Four rebounds in three quarters? That's epically bad.