Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 1, GAME 2: BLAZERS @ LAKERS - AUGUST 20, 2020 - THURSDAY, 6:00 , ESPN & NBCSNW

[illmatic99]

I didn't watch the second half - how bad is Dame's finger?

Dislocation on his non-shooting hand. meh

 

[CupWizier]

Honest question do you guys really feel like winning the championship in the bubble is the same as winning it in a normal year? I get everyone is playing by the same rules but that’s part of the problem, zero HCA makes this championship tainted imo. Sure I’d like to win it but won’t it have the same feel as the strike season, or worse? I’m glad Dame is showing up and gaining some more respect around the league but I’m not losing any sleep over not winning the bubble championship.

No

 

[wizenheimer]

Hell Naw. This team got us on CLAMPS!

we get that you're about the most 'doom-and-gloom' Blazer poster here. You've earned that mantle

but can you at least move on from the word "clamps"? Vary your verbiage; phase-in; use it a few times; then phase-away

 

[wizenheimer]

Dame needs to play off the ball more. More of CJ bringing the ball up, handing off to Nurk and then cutting off of him.

the goal of the 'Dame-denial' defenses we've seen for 5 straight year in the playoffs is to take the ball out of Dame's hands. I don't think Portland conceding that to the defense is a good idea

in fact, we saw the Blazers try what you're suggesting just 2 years ago against the Pelicans. CJ & Nurkic were healthy; the Pels took Dame out of the offense; CJ took the opportunity to score while Nurk ran high post sets. It didn't do any good. That's because CJ's shoulders are too narrow. He can't consistently carry the team and make teammates better like Dame can. Not even close. The Pels swept

I'll suggest the answer for Portland to this 'stop-Dame' defense: it's not on the roster. It isn't CJ and it isn't Nurkic and it isn't Melo.

Memphis was really the first to set the template 5 years ago in the playoffs. They used Tony Allen and Courtney Lee as on-Dame defenders, and used Gasol, Koufos and Green as often-trappers. They crushed the Blazers 4-1, and the only game that Portland won was when Dame scored 32 on high efficiency. Meanwhile CJ had his 'break-out' series and it didn't do a damn bit of good

this is the type of defense Portland eventually runs into in the playoffs, and they fail every damn time. The Grizz used it; the Warriors used it; the Pels used it. And last night, the Lakers adjusted into it after losing game 1. In case you're keeping track, in the playoffs, the Blazers are now 2-21 against that defense when an opponent commits to it. And they've lost 13 in a row

the benefits of using it are just too attractive. To start with, it's employed against a 6'2 guard, so both speed and length are impediments for the target. And if you're successful, you take away Portland's best scorer and the only player who can consistently run the offense and create mismatches. A 2-for-1 parlay bet

what Portland needs is a Lebron or a PG13 or a Kawhi or a DWade or a Giannis. They need another elite level ball-handler who is in the 6'7-6'10 range to punish defenses for hedging heavily toward Dame. CJ isn't the answer, Nurkic isn't the answer, Evan Turner wasn't the answer, Hezonja isn't the answer, Simons isn't the answer. Olshey has tried to cheap-screw his way into a solution while sheltering his favorites and that's simply failed

 

[B-Roy]

what Portland needs is a Lebron or a PG13 or a Kawhi or a DWade or a Giannis. They need another elite level ball-handler to punish defenses for hedging heavily toward Dame. CJ isn't the answer, Nurkic isn't the answer, Evan Turner wasn't the answer, Hezonja isn't the answer, Simons isn't the answer. Olshey has tried to cheap-screw his way into a solution while sheltering his favorites and that's simply failed

He's on the roster already. His name is Pascal Sia-I mean Wenyen Gabriel.

 

[James lamphear]

Our biggest problem in that game was really not a lot of energy by our bigs. LA came in with a lot of energy and I thought exactly what they did. Our 2nd biggest problem is CJ just not playing team ball. His shot wasn't going in and he was forcing thing a lot. Not using his screens properly. We must get Nurk involved more in the offense especially he might be best passer in the floor. The real problem we really have we don't have enough horses what I mean we just not deep due to our injuries or other things. I believe LA will probably win the series just because our lack depth but until we start playing team basketball it could get ugly. The blame for this is little bit every fault how play last night. Don't get wrong I am not CJ hater but last he only looking for his when he had ball that not going to work if they have any chance of winning.

 

[CupWizier]

He's on the roster already. His name is Pascal Sia-I mean Wenyen Gabriel.

Hey, Gabriel is a fun story, but i hope your post was dripping with sarcasm. Comparing him to all stars and some future HOF players is pretty hilarious.

 

[BonesJones]

Killjoy

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Dame was trapped vs Memphis and in Game 1 and Dame figured it out. We will be fine.

 

[kjironman1]

So now with Collins out for the season. Gabriel will get some good run.

 

[CupWizier]

Wow, the sky is falling the sky is falling. What a forum. After first game the same ones now painting doom and gloom were praising the team and we were going to knock off the lakers. And now we lose a game and the world is coming to an end. We nay have some of the best fans but this forum continually reminds me that we have some of the worst as well.

 

[blazerkor]

Wow, the sky is falling the sky is falling. What a forum. After first game the same ones now painting doom and gloom were praising the team and we were going to knock off the lakers. And now we lose a game and the world is coming to an end. We nay have some of the best fans but this forum continually reminds me that we have some of the worst as well.

Yeah, when the series started I thought we had a pretty good chance to win it but I did think the Lakers had a little better chance than us. Then after the first game I thought we had the edge on them. Now I'm back to thinking they may have the slight advantage but by no means are we out of this thing. So I am a bit of a captive of the moment but not quite as much as some. We can definitely hit more of our open shots than we did, even though we haven't to this point I know we can out rebound the Lakers and definitely not give up so many offensive boards, Dame will do better than he did in game three and so will pretty much everyone else (except Ant) and there is no fucking way the Lakers shoot from three like that again. So yeah, the sky isn't falling and we have a great chance to win this series.

 

[kjironman1]

Yeah, when the series started I thought we had a pretty good chance to win it but I did think the Lakers had a little better chance than us. Then after the first game I thought we had the edge on them. Now I'm back to thinking they may have the slight advantage but by no means are we out of this thing. So I am a bit of a captive of the moment but not quite as much as some. We can definitely hit more of our open shots than we did, even though we haven't to this point I know we can out rebound the Lakers and definitely not give up so many offensive boards, Dame will do better than he did in game three and so will pretty much everyone else (except Ant) and there is no fucking way the Lakers shoot from three like that again. So yeah, the sky isn't falling and we have a great chance to win this series.

It's exactly why i don't do predictions or prediction threads. As you can see if you predict they will win you are a complete homer and are not being realistic at all. If you happen to say they will lose or things don't look good you have lost your fandom. Quitter!

 

[Buffalo Custard]

OK, there are some really hostile posters here.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

OK, there are some really hostile posters here.

They're nicer when the Blazers win.

And welcome! Nice to have you here.

 

[Buffalo Custard]

They're nicer when the Blazers win.

And welcome! Nice to have you here.

Thank you!

 

[wizenheimer]

OK, there are some really hostile posters here.

 

[riverman]

OK, there are some really hostile posters here.

welcome! Just so you know, there is an ignore button if you click on someone's avatar their posts will disappear whenever you log on....a hostility filter ...but be warned...game threads here can be and usually are toxic.