Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 1, GAME 1: BLAZERS @ CLIPPERS - 4/17/16, SUNDAY, 7:30 PM (PDT), TNT & KGW

[BlazerCaravan]

As much as I hate LA he is a dominant player

A dominant player enforces his will on the game. Other than when Houston game planned to let him, LA has not done that in the playoffs.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Watched the game over at Lanny's house so I didn't get to experience the awesomeness of the game thread.

Who is to blame (in the forum) for this loss and how many days should I ban them?

Not me; I did all my chores.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Not me; I did all my chores.

 

[Tunchi]

This is a nightmare. We gave our 1st-round pick to watch this. I'm switching right now to D-League re-runs, even if I can't find Montero and Alexander.

Well...

 

[Tunchi]

It's 1-0. The 20 point deficit does not carry over. Relax

This was a must win for the Clips to keep homecourt and they did it.

But they still have to win on Wednesday

 

[HolyBackboard]

That game sucked, as do all Blazer losses. A non competitive second half. I know we missed a lot of open looks early, but dang, that high double team on Dame shouldn't be so effective all game long. We should have been able to exploit it enough to force them to make a slight change. Hope to see some adjustments next game and steal one on the road.

When Plumee goes 1/6 from the field, Portland has no chance at countering their double on the pick and roll. He should pick it up in Game 2 and Davis and Kaman opened the floor up a *little* bit, but the reality is ... Portland needs either a 3rd scoring option on the wing or a better center to help negate the strategy the Clippers employed tonight on Lillard and McCollum.

 

[PDXFonz]

Watched the game over at Lanny's house so I didn't get to experience the awesomeness of the game thread.

Who is to blame (in the forum) for this loss and how many days should I ban them?

You for not being here clearly

 

[dviss1]

Stotts should try the Davis Plumlee lineup. Just saying it's had effectiveness against the clippers before.

Hark was fine until those 2 bullshit fouls.

 

[BonesJones]

It's 1-0. The 20 point deficit does not carry over. Relax

This was a must win for the Clips to keep homecourt and they did it.

But they still have to win on Wednesday

Since when did you become the voice of reason?

 

[dviss1]

What a piece of crap.

 

[Chris Craig]

It's 1-0. The 20 point deficit does not carry over. Relax

This was a must win for the Clips to keep homecourt and they did it.

But they still have to win on Wednesday

Welcome to the dark side!!!

 

[Chris Craig]

I've lost no faith in this Blazer team...we can win this series...it'll just have to be in 5 instead of 4

 

[Tunchi]

Since when did you become the voice of reason?

I told u once the playoffs started I have no choice but to not complain anymore. Obviously I didn't want this as everybody knows and today's game was exactly why I found it pointless but hey now we're here so I might as well just go with it and start preparing for plan B

 

[Strenuus]

Welp, there went the sweep.

 

[SIeepwalker]

Well, we lost, but at least the refs were good and Aminu shot well, so that's a good sign for the next game

 

[PDXFonz]

Well, we lost, but at least the refs were good and Aminu shot well, so that's a good sign for the next game

Good is being generous. Its weird, like they weren't horrible, but at the same time they made some of the worst calls I could imagine (like letting an opposing player make up your mind for you on an out of bounds, when you clearly weren't looking).

 

[kjironman1]

But even when we had dominant players the past two seasons with LA, Dame, and Batum/Wes we never really forced the action.

Sure they did. Game after game LaMarcus was absolutely the most dominant player on the court. They forced the pick and pop and the left block almost way too much. when the other team doubled which was usually the case they passed out to the 3 for Wes.
Defensively they forced teams to shoot the mid range consistently. They had strong perimeter defenders who ran shooters off the line.
Those things IMO are controlling a game. This team lacks those types of plays. Like him or hate him LMA was a worth a bucket when the team needed one quite often. Batum and Wes were very solid defenders and Lopez could alter shots at the rim.

 

[handiman]

Well, we lost, but at least the refs were good and Aminu shot well, so that's a good sign for the next game

Wait, what? They not only dared him to shoot, but they basically ignored him on the perimeter. And Aminu happily obliged, jacking up ugly 3's all game and over-dribbling into turnovers several times. His defense and rebounding were good, but his shooting was the main reason LAC could be so aggressive on CJ and Dame. Aminu needs to think "swing the ball" first and "shoot" second when he's left open like that. Drive and kick, learn the value of a couple dribbles and stepping in for a make-able shot, anything.

 

[kjironman1]

Welp, there went the sweep.

You just could not resist could you?

 

[SIeepwalker]

Good is being generous. Its weird, like they weren't horrible, but at the same time they made some of the worst calls I could imagine (like letting an opposing player make up your mind for you on an out of bounds, when you clearly weren't looking).

Wait, what? They not only dared him to shoot, but they basically ignored him on the perimeter. And Aminu happily obliged, jacking up ugly 3's all game and over-dribbling into turnovers several times. His defense and rebounding were good, but his shooting was the main reason LAC could be so aggressive on CJ and Dame. Aminu needs to think "swing the ball" first and "shoot" second when he's left open like that. Drive and kick, learn the value of a couple dribbles and stepping in for a make-able shot, anything.

Come on, it was obvious sarcasm

 

[kjironman1]

Come on, it was obvious sarcasm

Sometimes it's hard to catch when it's true...Aminu was 2-8 from 3... Harkless going 0-3 from distance didn't help either.
There is a Swish3 thread that pretty much says these two should not be throwing up those kinds of shots. Pretty much ended up Brick3's.....

 

[handiman]

Come on, it was obvious sarcasm

Okay, but definitely not obvious.

Sometimes it's hard to catch when it's true...Aminu was 2-8 from 3... Harkless going 0-3 from distance didn't help either.

Aminu's impact was much worse than even 2-8 indicates. He didn't hit until late, and was extremely errant early. By that point, LAC had already established control of the game by ignoring him, and a couple makes did nothing to turn the tide.

 

[B-Roy]

Okay, but definitely not obvious.



Aminu's impact was much worse than even 2-8 indicates. He didn't hit until late, and was extremely errant early. By that point, LAC had already established control of the game by ignoring him, and a couple makes did nothing to turn the tide.

Aminu has to shoot well. I'm sorry but the Clippers aren't going to change their defense until you punish them for it. You're not winning a series if Dame has to go against double teams every single game.

We are less talented than the Clippers. It is just the truth. So in that sense you need some guys to play above their abilities. Aminu can cut down on some of the ridiculous drives, but he has to keep shooting the wide open 3s.

 

[HailBlazers]

Sure they did. Game after game LaMarcus was absolutely the most dominant player on the court. They forced the pick and pop and the left block almost way too much. when the other team doubled which was usually the case they passed out to the 3 for Wes.
Defensively they forced teams to shoot the mid range consistently. They had strong perimeter defenders who ran shooters off the line.
Those things IMO are controlling a game. This team lacks those types of plays. Like him or hate him LMA was a worth a bucket when the team needed one quite often. Batum and Wes were very solid defenders and Lopez could alter shots at the rim.

Yea he really hung us out to dry. Exactly the type of piece we're missing.

 

[illmatic99]

I'm actually encouraged. We shot like shit in the first half and even had a lead. Second half got away from us when we lost focus as they increased their intensity. Final score doesn't mean anything and our guys get that. We win on Wed, and it puts massive pressure on them.

I think forcefeeding Mo against Redick was our strategy and it worked until he got into foul trouble.

Changes for game 2:
1. Aminu has to become a credible threat. Give him a look early to be the release on the trap. If he's missing, get Kaman in there and move every player down a position.
2. Defensive rotation has been garbage. There is no helping the helper. Gotta change that.
3. CJ needs to get some looks off the ball. He likes to dribble before shooting too much. Just come around curls and jack shots.
4. Throw at least a few traps on CP on the defensive end! Double him with Harkless. Doc should not get away with starting the 0 offensive talent in Mbah A Moute!

 

[handiman]

Aminu can cut down on some of the ridiculous drives, but he has to keep shooting the wide open 3s.

No, he needs to continue shooting wide open shots that he can make. Teams used to dare Kersey to shoot but he became reliable in the midrange game. You didn't see him jacking up deeper shots that were outside his comfort zone. Aminu is a victim of today's thinking that the 3 pointer is the best shot in basketball. Take a couple steps in if you can't hit it consistently!!!

 

[B-Roy]

No, he needs to continue shooting wide open shots that he can make. Teams used to dare Kersey to shoot but he became reliable in the midrange game. You didn't see him jacking up deeper shots that were outside his comfort zone. Aminu is a victim of today's thinking that the 3 pointer is the best shot in basketball. Take a couple steps in if you can't hit it consistently!!!

Aminu has no midrange game. Didn't have one all season and airballed a wide open 2 yesterday.

 

[illmatic99]

No, he needs to continue shooting wide open shots that he can make. Teams used to dare Kersey to shoot but he became reliable in the midrange game. You didn't see him jacking up deeper shots that were outside his comfort zone. Aminu is a victim of today's thinking that the 3 pointer is the best shot in basketball. Take a couple steps in if you can't hit it consistently!!!

Fwiw, I distinctly remember a play when he got the offensive rebound and threw up a 15' baseline J, and barely hit the net with his airball. He's a pretty crappy shooter period.

 

[blue32]

Fwiw, I distinctly remember a play when he got the offensive rebound and threw up a 15' baseline J, and barely hit the net with his airball. He's a pretty crappy shooter period.

FWIW, I've seen more games with Aminu throwing up airballs than not. So last night was cringe-worthy from him.

* Dame (and coaches) needs to figure out the fucking trap/double team; I am not sure how our coaches can't get this resolved as its been employed against us so many times and is overly effective. Dame and CJ just lose their shit when they get doubled.

* Aminu (see above)

* Hark tough game for the foul trouble. But I liked his energy and hustle.

* Plums .....

* CJ needs to come off various screens; hey IDK, maybe like what Redick was doing to us all night?


I've never been a true 100% fan of Stotts, but I can safely say he was out coached tonight. We need to re-learn how to set and work with screens. The screens we set are completely bypassed by the defense, vs the ones the Clips set (regardless of the moving shit by DJ). The double team strategy, or lack thereof, and then the overall offense was just lackluster. Get some motion, get some cuts, do something instead of sitting around by the three line all night.

 

[TBpup]

Aminu has no midrange game. Didn't have one all season and airballed a wide open 2 yesterday.

He airballed a wide-open '3' as well so I guess it's Pick your Poison. Aminu can hit shots at time but he is not the type of knock-down shooter that is going to ease the pressure off of Dame and CJ...he's just not that type of player. Portland just really doesn't have that type of player right now.