How can you not be thrilled right now?

[KingSpeed]

We are much improved than last year. Harkless is better. Turner has become a positive off the bench that we didn't have last year. Dame is better. Our record is better. Our defense the last two games has been near elite. Even Utah couldn't stop Miami from scoring 111. We held them to 92. And we don't even have all of our players. 8 of our next 9 games are on the road. Let's get out there and go at least 5-4. That would set us at 16-14 and then we can make our big run.

Go Blazers!!!!

 

[BlazerBeav]

Thrilled is a bit much, but encouraged compared to this time last week. Hopefully Aminu's return can spark a successful road trip.

 

[theprunetang]

Thrilled is a bit much, but encouraged compared to this time last week. Hopefully Aminu's return can spark a successful road trip.

Any word on when he comes back? He hasn't been great this year, but he definitely helps out defense.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[RipCityDSCPL]

We are much improved than last year. Harkless is better. Turner has become a positive off the bench that we didn't have last year. Dame is better. Our record is better. Our defense the last two games has been near elite. Even Utah couldn't stop Miami from scoring 111. We held them to 92. And we don't even have all of our players. 8 of our next 9 games are on the road. Let's get out there and go at least 5-4. That would set us at 16-14 and then we can make our big run.

Go Blazers!!!!

Do you not feel the least bit silly for all the hate you gave Turner early in the season now?

 

[KingSpeed]

Do you not feel the least bit silly for all the hate you gave Turner early in the season now?

Definitely.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

Still, that Miami team is chalk full of D-Leaguers. I'm glad we won, but it doesn't prove much. I really hope it's a step in the right direction, though. You're right about Turner and Crabbe has even come to life in the last two.

 

[DUB]

We are much improved than last year.

I don't know if we're currently better than we were at the end of last season, but we're definitely better than we were at this point last season; and we have the potential to be better than we were at the end of last season.

Harkless is better.

Agreed. I love seeing inexperienced players fulfilling their potential. His play has improved, as his confidence has improved. It's great seeing the coaching staff placing him in a position to succeed, and him grasping his opportunity. I bet Dame is loving Moe's play, seeing how he took Moe under his wing last season. I can't find the article, but does anyone else remember an article from last season (I have a feeling it was around All-Star break) where Dame inspired Moe?

Our defense the last two games has been near elite.

I don't know about elite, but it's definitely improved. Our effort, if not (maybe) effectiveness is definitely better. Where does our defence over the last two games rank with the better defensive teams in the NBA? Throw some numbers at me.

And we don't even have all of our players. 8 of our next 9 games are on the road. Let's get out there and go at least 5-4. That would set us at 16-14 and then we can make our big run.

I haven't even looked at who we're playing on these road trips, but that kind of a schedule does make it a very important part of our season, momentum wise. Who do we play for our one game at home? That game could play a very important part in our confidence for the second half of this block.

 

[DUB]

I haven't even looked at who we're playing on these road trips, but that kind of a schedule does make it a very important part of our season, momentum wise. Who do we play for our one game at home? That game could play a very important part in our confidence for the second half of this block.

I just checked. Bulls (A), Bucks (A), Griz (A), Pacers (A), Clips (A), Thunder (H), Nugs (A), Warriors (A), Kings (A).

That's tough. I'd be extremely happy with 5-4.

 

[PDXFonz]

Still, that Miami team is chalk full of D-Leaguers. I'm glad we won, but it doesn't prove much. I really hope it's a step in the right direction, though. You're right about Turner and Crabbe has even come to life in the last two.

Dragic and Whiteside aren't bad. But Johnson & Johnson need some no tears baby shampoo after the shit they pulled tonight.

 

[KingSpeed]

I just checked. Bulls (A), Bucks (A), Griz (A), Pacers (A), Clips (A), Thunder (H), Nugs (A), Warriors (A), Kings (A).

That's tough. I'd be extremely happy with 5-4.

Me too. As for throwing numbers at you, how about this? The Utah Jazz are supposed to be a great defensive team but they allowed the Heat to score 111 IN UTAH. We held those same Heat to 92.

 

[DUB]

Do you not feel the least bit silly for all the hate you gave Turner early in the season now?

I don't think that KS was wrong in his earlier opinion that ET was playing badly, and a major cause of our losses. But I do think that KS wasn't patient enough, in that he was calling for ET to be traded ASAP. All players/teams need time to gel.

 

[KingSpeed]

I wonder what changed for Turner. He was playing AWFUL and now he's damn well playing GREAT.

 

[THE HCP]

3-6 on this upcoming stretch

 

[DUB]

Me too. As for throwing numbers at you, how about this? The Utah Jazz are supposed to be a great defensive team but they allowed the Heat to score 111 IN UTAH. We held those same Heat to 92.

I get that all the NBA experts/writers believe that the Jazz are apparently a "great" defensive team, but they play at a slow pace. We were a "great" defensive team during the "Nate years", but all of us here know that that was only because of the glacier pace that we played. I dunno, are the Jazz really that good defensively?

 

[DUB]

3-6 on this upcoming stretch

I think we can do better, but I'd take it. I hope the players have more confidence than I do.

 

[DUB]

I wonder what changed for Turner. He was playing AWFUL and now he's damn well playing GREAT.

Confidence? Knowing where his teammates are going to be/what they're going to do when he has the ball. Did Stotts tell ET that he doesn't have to shoot the three? Create for your teammates first, score second?

He definitely is playing his natural game, relaxing, not forcing it. Maybe Stotts convinced ET that we acquired him for who he is, not because we wanted to shoehorn him into our system.

Maybe that's it? Early in the season ET was trying to fit into our system, or Stotts was trying to fit ET into our system. Now our system has adapted to utilise ET's skill set.

 

[Strenuus]

I'm not thrilled my work has made me miss the last 4 flipping games, including Monday's.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Still, that Miami team is chalk full of D-Leaguers. I'm glad we won, but it doesn't prove much. I really hope it's a step in the right direction, though. You're right about Turner and Crabbe has even come to life in the last two.

Miami isn't a great team, however they are well coached and have arguably the best defensive big man in the league clogging the lane.

 

[julius]

I'm happy. Doctor Who comes out this month and the Star Wars movie is out in less than 2 weeks.

 

[BlazerBeav]

Dragic and Whiteside aren't bad. But Johnson & Johnson need some no tears baby shampoo after the shit they pulled tonight.

Dragic, against the Trailblazers, is usually very good. Whiteside, man, not only is he not bad - he's quickly becoming the best center in the league. I was sitting next to a couple of guys from LA last night at the game, and we were talking about how well Whiteside would fit in Portland. It was depressing watching him dominate in the paint.

 

[Sinobas]

What is so thrilling about mediocrity?

 

[Nikolokolus]

This team has shown it can beat bad teams, but hasn't proved it can beat good teams. When the second bit turns, then I'll be "thrilled."

 

[riverman]

I wonder what changed for Turner. He was playing AWFUL and now he's damn well playing GREAT.

21 games on a new team, in a new system....I knew he could play better...he's talked about it...his shooting slump seems to have passed. Was thrilled to see AC finally put a stamp on a win.

 

[KingSpeed]

3-6 on this upcoming stretch

Hahahaha no

 

[KingSpeed]

I get that all the NBA experts/writers believe that the Jazz are apparently a "great" defensive team, but they play at a slow pace. We were a "great" defensive team during the "Nate years", but all of us here know that that was only because of the glacier pace that we played. I dunno, are the Jazz really that good defensively?

they hold their opponents to worst FG% in league

I'm not thrilled my work has made me miss the last 4 flipping games, including Monday's.

Too bad. Last 2 were great.

This team has shown it can beat bad teams, but hasn't proved it can beat good teams. When the second bit turns, then I'll be "thrilled."

We beat Utah and Memphis. But that's not the point. The team has improved.

 

[Tunchi]

What is so thrilling about mediocrity?

Thank you lol

 

[Orion Bailey]

I wonder what changed for Turner. He was playing AWFUL and now he's damn well playing GREAT.

Good passers cant implement their skills until they know where the receivers are going to be. good passers can pass on the move with the receiver also on the move, but you HAVE to know each other well for that to be successful and not be turnovers and miss communication.
Getting to know the different players sweet spots, where they like the ball takes time. Harkless likes it in one spot. Crabbe another. Dame anywhere.

To me, it just looks like Evan is getting to know his teammates.

 

[BonesJones]

Dragic, against the Trailblazers, is usually very good. Whiteside, man, not only is he not bad - he's quickly becoming the best center in the league. I was sitting next to a couple of guys from LA last night at the game, and we were talking about how well Whiteside would fit in Portland. It was depressing watching him dominate in the paint.

I wonder if he'll be available at the trade deadline this year.

 

[Blazers Roy]

Man, Whiteside saying his 2nd choice was POR was depressing.
We could be thrilled about Blazers being a 2nd tier team right now instead of taking comfort in beating other struggling teams.