Opening night! 10/31/2012 Lakers @ Blazers - Game Thread!

Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

So much scoring balance. Love the versatility of this squad so far.
 
Really tough roadie coming up, but for tonight, you couldn't ask for more.
 
Matthews had 22/2/2 (on just 11 shots) with 4 steals - big 4!

What's crazy is I totally forgot how well Matthews did! Such a great team effort. 13/10 from Hickson. Our Starting 5 did great:103 points.

...wouldn't mind a bench though.
 
Hickson is playing a great game right now though. He's rebounding, cleaning it up inside, and playing tough defense. Can't ask for more from the guy.
 
Now it's time to see the Blazers play some other teams.

They always get up to play the Lakers at home.
 
Starters all brought their "A" games tonight. Stotts did a good job hiding the bench with his rotations. He mixed in a little Pavlovich, Jefferies, Smith and Leonard, but they were on the court with starters, so Blazers avoided going through the big droughts that we'd go through with Nate McMoron's rotations. I can see why he chose Pav and Jefferies over the other players, they are smart, confident, and under control.

The Blazers did a mini-choke job at the end with 4 miss FTs in a row, silly turnovers, and forced shots. But I"m sure Blazer basketball is not going to be this pretty all year. Though I don't think this squad is going to fall apart like last year's crew. I think this team is good enough to contend for the 8th spot.
 
Hickson is playing a great game right now though. He's rebounding, cleaning it up inside, and playing tough defense. Can't ask for more from the guy.

And he was going against Dwight Howard. Dwight kept this game respectable for the Lakers, because the Blazers really outplayed them at all other positions. The Lakers looked old, tired, and slow tonight.
 
Great point about the rotations: very smart by Stotts; we'll do better when Price returns and we can keep Nolan's butt on the pine.
 
I just can't wait until Price is back because I'm sick of seeing Nolan.
 
I wonder what Lillards stats would've been under Nate
 
I love reading Lakersground.com after a game like this. :ghoti:

Reading the opening of their game day thread, it doesn't look like they came into this game too cocky. They know their history in Portland.
 
I'll be curious to see if Barton, Claver, Babbitt, and Freeland get off the bench any time soon. Personally, I think it's OK to try and set things up early in the season, building as much chemistry as possible with the starting lineup and maximizing Lillard's opportunity to succeed (and Leonard) but at some point you wonder if they need to see what they have with these guys.
 
I knew Pavolic was a solid shooter and a decent defender. His passing however has surprised me. He will be a steady influence off the bench. JJ also impressed me. He worked his ass off against the best front line in basketball.

Lillard played great for his first game, and still only gave a glimpse of how much better he will get.
 
I'll be curious to see if Barton, Claver, Babbitt, and Freeland get off the bench any time soon. Personally, I think it's OK to try and set things up early in the season, building as much chemistry as possible with the starting lineup and maximizing Lillard's opportunity to succeed (and Leonard) but at some point you wonder if they need to see what they have with these guys.

If I'm Freeland, I'm wondering why I came over from Europe.
 
I'll be curious to see if Barton, Claver, Babbitt, and Freeland get off the bench any time soon. Personally, I think it's OK to try and set things up early in the season, building as much chemistry as possible with the starting lineup and maximizing Lillard's opportunity to succeed (and Leonard) but at some point you wonder if they need to see what they have with these guys.

You underestimate the Power of the Injury Side.
 
I'll be curious to see if Barton, Claver, Babbitt, and Freeland get off the bench any time soon. Personally, I think it's OK to try and set things up early in the season, building as much chemistry as possible with the starting lineup and maximizing Lillard's opportunity to succeed (and Leonard) but at some point you wonder if they need to see what they have with these guys.

I don't think they'll see the court unless there's an injury or foul trouble. Price, Jefferies, Pavlovich and Leonard will get all the backup minutes. Nolan Smith might play a little backup 2. I think the Blazers are done with Babbit. Freeland is a capable player, but Portland wants to develop Leonard, and Jefferies is a bit quicker on defense.
 
Trail Blazers PR ‏@TrailBlazersPR Damian Lillard joins Oscar Robertson and Isiah Thomas as only players in NBA history with at least 20 points and 10 assists in NBA debut.

Those other two didn't amount to much but hopefully Lillard bucks the trend.

Failton last year never had a game of 23 & 11. He did have a 30 point night once (6 assists) but his season high in assists was only 12.

Loved Lillard, Batum, Wes, and JJ after he got it going. Aldridge started hot, then cold, which is fine, but what I didn't like was that he didn't have a single rebound until almost half time. At half he also didn't have a single FT, and I hadn't seen a single post-move that resulted in scoring in the paint. Not even an attempt. He needs to get tougher is what I'm saying, but fortunately he won't have to go against Superman every night.

Smith and Jeffries were serviceable, Meyers did alright considering he goes against D-ho in his first professional game, and Sasha's 7 point spurt was really really important. Overall though I'd like more from the bench, pretty surprised Freeman didn't get in.

Glad I didn't bet on this game, I'd have lost everything. Fun game to watch.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top