Grades: Blazers Pacers

[Blazer Fanatic]

There's no worse form of sports journalism than when writers make the infamous “Grade” articles. It’s THE LAZIEST way to solicit discussion and the most arbitrary means of assessment – and it’s time we turned the tables. I decided to grade what writers on NBA.com had to say about Portland’s recent win over Indiana. Let’s do this!

“Portland-Indiana on Monday.
What’d that tell you about the Blazers?
About the Pacers?”

The game Monday told me I need to start staying up later more often for post-prime-time viewing of the Blazers on League Pass (though my alibi is iron-clad on this one, having sat through three overtimes at United Center Monday). It tells me I literally dare not sleep on Portland anymore. But it also tells me coach Terry Stotts was right in dismissing any notion of “statement game” in December. The Pacers arrived and left with the league’s best record, are several years beyond Portland in their life cycle as a contender and remain the more serious threat for May and June. Finally, it tells me I’ll want to be in Indianapolis on Feb. 7 when the Blazers show up there too.

F
This guy basically admits he didn’t study, let alone attend class. Tempting to give this guy an “incomplete” with a promise to try next time, but we’ve all heard this BS before, and this kid is as entitled as they come writing for NBA.com.

It told me the Blazers could stand up in the face of Indiana’s physical, rugged defensive game. It told me the Pacers were on the hind end of a back-to-back went the distance before losing a scorecard decision.

F
The Blazers won because the Pacers were tired? I’ve heard this before. “My dog ate my homework.” The Blazers were on the 2nd of a back-to-back and got into Portland 5 hours after the Pacers. Thanks for wasting my time. See you next semester.

First about the Pacers: A complete ball club, team-oriented, unselfish, defensive-minded. They’ve got a bona fide superstar on the wing, a very good big man in the middle, steady point guard play and now reserves that fit all the aforementioned descriptions. As for the Blazers, what a young core they’ve got being led by a mature, level-headed All-Star in LaMarcus Aldridge. With a bright coach, the addition of guard Mo Williams popping off the bench and that hostile homecourt edge, watch out. Portland very quickly has emerged as one of the most fun teams in the league to watch.

C-
First, you should always start out with your strongest point when writing a short essay. If YOUR strongest point is actually the weakest point, you’re just bull shitting your way along. This could have easily been an F, as you could only name 1 off-season acquisition, and 1 starter, but I don’t want to see you next semester.

It didn’t tell me anything about the Pacers. A road loss on the second night of a back-to-back against a team playing well is nothing set against what had come the previous four weeks. Indy proved itself to be a serious threat in the East last season and is doing the same this season. But it was telling for Portland. While this has been a playoff team from opening night, wins like Monday can’t help but build confidence. Beating arguably the best team in the league after trailing the first three quarters and shooting 47 percent and scoring 106 points on that defense is a real benchmark about where the Trail Blazers are in December.

C
Congratulations. You have succeeded in doing the bear minimum, bullshitting your way through with generic, face-saving skepticism. You’ve clearly drawn from your experience of covering your cold sore with a balaclava to write this heap of concealer amidst your piss poor, pre-season predictions.

It told me that the Blazers’ offense is legit. It was a fast-paced game, but they scored 106 points against the No. 1 defense in the league on the second night of a back-to-back. They’re a jump-shooting team, but that’s OK, because they can really shoot and Terry Stotts has them doing some cool stuff offensively. It also told me that Paul George is a top-five player. He was already a top-10 defender before this season and he has made such a leap offensively that he brings more to the table – when you consider both ends of the floor – than anybody but LeBron James and Kevin Durant. He’s in the 3-4-5 mix with Chris Paul and Dwight Howard.

D
It wasn’t a fast paced game. Indiana played their game at their pace. But I said this test wasn’t going to cover stats so... moving on. You must have attended the same study group as Fran Blinebury (not sure why I’m just noticing this, but what an unfortunate name), again completely unaware that the Blazers also were playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and arrived in Portland 5 hours after Indiana. Portland can shoot and do cool stuff? Shut the front door! No mention of LaMarcus Aldridge, but you managed to talk about 4 players that were not even playing on either the Blazers or Pacers. Name dropping doesn’t impress me, but you did mention the word “legit” even if it was only about Portland’s offense. Great job! See you next semester.

That Monday night showdown in Portland between the Trail Blazers and Pacers was an absolute showcase of two up-and-coming teams (“young” is probably no longer an appropriate term for either bunch) that have all the ingredients you need for contender. The Blazers snuck up on all of us. Neil Olshey has put together a balanced group that has star power (Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge) and quality role players (Wes Matthews, Nic Batum, Robin Lopez, Thomas Robinson, etc.) that fit together perfectly. Terry Stotts has done a fine job managing the process for all involved. I picked the Pacers to be the Miami Heat’s biggest hurdle this season after watching them push the Heat to the brink in the Eastern Conference finals last season. They are, as they say, exactly who I thought they were. Paul George is a superstar in training and his supporting cast (yes, supporting cast) is as solid as it gets. The other thing I love about the Pacers is they embrace every challenge the way they did Monday night’s game. They don’t run from a good showdown. That’s a great quality to have in a contender. It reminds me of the way Oklahoma City played on their way up. Statement games early in the NBA season are often rendered useless by All-Star Weekend. Injuries and other circumstances tend to have that effect on these things. But I have a feeling that showcase Monday night will be referred to again, perhaps for both teams, at some point down the line.

A-
You seemed to take my remedial study group to heart as you actually mentioned LaMarcus Aldridge (albeit in parenthesis). Thomas Robinson is arguably the weakest bench player of the 4 rotation guys to play, and “etc.” means the difference between an “A-“ and an “A”. I have hope for you still.

I came away thinking that as great as Indiana has been this season, they could still use one more piece — a perimeter player, ideally. I could see them using a veteran guard who can control the flow of a game and really control an offense. I’m not sure who that player should be, but I just got an incomplete feeling watching them play. As for Portland, my main question is one civic leaders there have talked about for a while: sustainability. Can the Blazers keep up their terrific outside shooting all season? And, more importantly, can they continue to capture the heart and hustle they showed against Indiana?

F
Is making a statement in the form of a question really journalism? Now, go get your shine box and try again next semester.

That game said that both teams are for real. I had no doubt about the Pacers, the best team in the league right now, but the Blazers proved once again they are among of the elite in the West. I still think they’re not deep enough to make a long run in the postseason, but their starting five is playing amazing basketball right now and they’ve earned the right to dream.

B+
Your lack of faith is disturbing. More disturbing, I didn’t realize there were any NBA players that were Italian. With heavy hitters like, Bargnani, Belinelli, Gallinai, can you blame me? And although they claim Reggie Jackson, I’m calling BS, because he grew up in the UK and US and holds US citizenship. Anyway, this is probably my “soft heart” grade of the semester. Just put a good word in for me with the new Pope and we’ll call it even.

When Aldridge got a solid paint-zone partner, he really performed like Dirk three years ago. With Robin Lopez in the post, Aldridge has had to play five fewer minutes a game this year, and it’s liberated his offensive talent. The Blazers’ starting lineup was one of 5 the league’s best 5-man groups last season — it’s not shocking that they become much better, when they added so many weapons on the bench. George, in such a short time, has become a superstar talent. We know that. Going forward, the Pacers may need to explore sending George Hill to the bench, with his low efficiency. To me, Watson seems more suitable for the lineup of George-Hibbert-West-Lance.

A
China? CHINA?!?! FUCKING CHINA?!?!?! No wonder they’re taking all our jobs. FML Anyway, well done. I guess there is some truth to that whole “Asian kid” stereo-type.

The Blazers are for real, it seems. After they’ve upgraded their bench I wondered why most experts didn’t even see them making the playoffs. So far they’ve shown an improved defense, most notably Damian Lillard. Their offense has always been good. With the deeper roster they can now overcome weak games from one or a couple of their starters, the can play different styles and they have two legit stars in Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge. It might be too much to declare them contenders, but the Blazers can scare lots of teams. The Pacers, on the other hand, are still the best team in the East.

A
Clearly this guy took this class before when it was call "The Dallas Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzski." He’s probably been reading too much ESPN and Blazers Edge since that time, which explains the skepticism, but it’s not his fault there there’s so much crap journalism in sports. Wunderbar, und Aufwiederzehn.

 

[Mediocre Man]

So basically anything good about Portland got an a, and everything else got a D or F.

Outstanding thread.

 

[julius]

So basically anything good about Portland got an a, and everything else got a D or F.

Outstanding thread.

I think the problem here is, fans tend to have issues with writers who just phone in their work. It's difficult to pay attention to most if not all teams, and easier to pay attention to the one you're covering (or the one ESPN basically forces everyone to think is great). So when a writer says that Indiana was on the 2nd of a "back to back", it is lazy writing. Portland was also on the 2nd of a back to back. Are the Lakers as tough as the Clippers? Maybe not, but the game was later, on the road and yes the 2nd game for Portland is a home game, it's still the first of a back to back for Portland.

I don't think it's asking too much or writers to actually do their homework (no pun intended) when it comes to their career/job choice. Anyone can say cliches and look at the box score and write an article about the game. Well, obviously not anyone, I'm being sarcastic.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

I think the problem here is, fans tend to have issues with writers who just phone in their work. It's difficult to pay attention to most if not all teams, and easier to pay attention to the one you're covering (or the one ESPN basically forces everyone to think is great). So when a writer says that Indiana was on the 2nd of a "back to back", it is lazy writing. Portland was also on the 2nd of a back to back. Are the Lakers as tough as the Clippers? Maybe not, but the game was later, on the road and yes the 2nd game for Portland is a home game, it's still the first of a back to back for Portland.

I don't think it's asking too much or writers to actually do their homework (no pun intended) when it comes to their career/job choice. Anyone can say cliches and look at the box score and write an article about the game. Well, obviously not anyone, I'm being sarcastic.

A+

 

[Eastoff]

“ect.” means the difference between an “A-“ and an “A”.

The phrase is Et Cetera, and abbreviated ETC like the original writer you quoted used properly.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

The phrase is Et Cetera, and abbreviated ETC like the original writer you quoted used properly.

F Worst contribution ever. I fixed the typo just for you. Now, go get your shine box.

 

[Strenuus]

So basically anything good about Portland got an a, and everything else got a D or F.

Outstanding thread.

This is what I'm thinking.

People have a right to their reservations to the team, we really haven't proved anything in terms of years prior.

However, that said, this is fun as hell and I'm just staying in the moment and enjoying it. The writers are paid to be skeptical. It sells papers (gets hits, moreso)..

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

This is what I'm thinking.

People have a right to their reservations to the team, we really haven't proved anything in terms of years prior.

However, that said, this is fun as hell and I'm just staying in the moment and enjoying it. The writers are paid to be skeptical. It sells papers (gets hits, moreso)..

B

Quoting a troll is never a good idea. See julius' take for how to interpret my post and get an A+. If people don't think this thread is hilarious, that's OK. But it is hilarious, and responding with anything that suggests otherwise is just asking for a failing grade.

 

[Nate4Prez]

Repped. Made me laugh. Great stuff.

 

[Strenuus]

B

Quoting a troll is never a good idea. See julius' take for how to interpret my post and get an A+. If people don't think this thread is hilarious, that's OK. But it is hilarious, and responding with anything that suggest otherwise is just asking for a failing grade.

I knew what you were going for, for the record, before I saw Julius' post. I dunno, I'm just enjoying this ride, and they are going to say what they are going to say, ignorant or not. It's part of being an up and comer.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

Repped. Made me laugh. Great stuff.

A

Keep the apple. lol

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Repped. Made me laugh. Great stuff.

Yeah..very well done. Good stuff BBF

 

[BlazerWookee]

Not bad, for a girl...

(lights fuse, runs away, giggling maniacally...)

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

Not bad, for a girl...

(lights fuse, runs away, giggling maniacally...)

WOW! LOL

A+ No explanation required.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

Yeah..very well done. Good stuff BBF

A

I didn't have much hope for this group, but these comment are encouraging.

 

[jlprk]

That Monday night showdown in Portland between the Trail Blazers and Pacers was an absolute showcase of two up-and-coming teams (“young” is probably no longer an appropriate term for either bunch) that have all the ingredients you need for contender. The Blazers snuck up on all of us. Neil Olshey has put together a balanced group that has star power (Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge) and quality role players (Wes Matthews, Nic Batum, Robin Lopez, Thomas Robinson, etc.) that fit together perfectly.

A-

F. Learn the difference between "who" and "that." To avoid overuse of "that," try "which." The new slang "snuck" has sneaked into the lexicon. Include the article "a" when writing an article.

That Monday night showdown in Portland between the Trail Blazers and Pacers was an absolute showcase of two up-and-coming teams (“young” is probably no longer an appropriate term for either bunch) who have all the ingredients you need for a contender. The Blazers sneaked up on all of us. Neil Olshey has put together a balanced group which has star power (Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge) and quality role players (Wes Matthews, Nic Batum, Robin Lopez, Thomas Robinson, etc.) who fit together perfectly.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

F. Learn the difference between "who" and "that." To avoid overuse of "that," try "which." The new slang "snuck" has sneaked into the lexicon. Include the article "a" when writing an article.

This isn't an English class, so as long as I can understand the meaning, I award credit. lol I treat them like elementary school kids. Sad I have such low expectations, but I'd never get to the point if I focused on anything but basketball.