Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 1, GAME 2: BLAZERS @ NUGGETS - MAY 24, 2021 - MONDAY, 7:00 , TNT & NBCSNW

[wizenheimer]

The NBA had far and away the worst defensive rating in history this year as offenses continue to be even more efficient, so while we can compare our defensive stats to other teams this year I don't see a reason to rank it to historical seasons.

Fans want a major shake-up because they get frustrated watching a team that doesn't contend. Very few teams contend, its rare, I've accepted it most likely won't happen but if it does that would be awesome. Dallas won a title with some unexciting acquisitions after many years of mediocrity, and not doing the shakeups many fans wanted.

We played much of the season with Enes Kanter as our starting center, so of course our defense was shit. Kanter and Melo were 3rd and 4th on the team in minutes. It really amazing we won as much as we did with such a terrible defense. We needed those guys to create offense when there was no CJ, no Nurk, and DJJ starting.

With our current starting lineup our defense has been solid and offense has stayed spectacular.

so, on one hand you say that the defensive rating isn't as bad as the number because defensive ratings are trending down. On the other hand you want to point to the offensive rating without noting that offensive ratings are trending up in an exact ratio to the downwards trend of defense. In other words, if the defense isn't as bad as it seemed statistically, than the offense isn't as good as it seemed either...no?

your more limited point is true, defensive ratings have trended down for a while now although the big drop this year seems to have an added Covid bump

as for Kanter, in terms of defensive rating his impact did not go in the direction you think. He had a defensive rating of 113 vs the team's 116 rating. His impact was to move the team rating in a positive direction. But then big men, unless they are absolute sieves on defense tend to have better numbers. Obviously, this points to the stat having some noise, as almost all stats do, especially defensive ones

 

[Hoopguru]

I watched the the Knicks yesterday and was not all that impressed with their defense, they hit the boards well but they also allowed way to much penetration. The knock on Thibs is he works his players way to much in the reg season and lose stamina in the offs.

 

[BlazerBeav]

Capacity at Moda raised to 8,000 for this week's games.

 

[James lamphear]

so, on one hand you say that the defensive rating isn't as bad as the number because defensive ratings are trending down. On the other hand you want to point to the offensive rating without noting that offensive ratings are trending up in an exact ratio to the downwards trend of defense. In other words, if the defense isn't as bad as it seemed statistically, than the offense isn't as good as it seemed either...no?

your more limited point is true, defensive ratings have trended down for a while now although the big drop this year seems to have an added Covid bump

as for Kanter, in terms of defensive rating his impact did not go in the direction you think. He had a defensive rating of 113 vs the team's 116 rating. His impact was to move the team rating in a positive direction. But then big men, unless they are absolute sieves on defense tend to have better numbers. Obviously, this points to the stat having some noise, as almost all stats do, especially defensive ones

A lot goes in the defense rating one category is rebounding in that rating where excel in majority of the time. But overall his defense is bad but rebounding helps that rating.

 

[Shaboid]

I wonder if the fans in Denver are going to boo Melo again. I hope they do, it worked well.

 

[Natebishop3]

We really can't count on Melo to be as hot today as he was on Saturday. Hoping that Norm can step up a bit more in this game.

 

[DameLill379]

We really can't count on Melo to be as hot today as he was on Saturday. Hoping that Norm can step up a bit more in this game.

Exactly. He’s a little hot & cold as it often shows. He can get hot at any point in the game as can Dame/CJ, so there’s that, but we need a full team effort on both sides of the court regardless. That game was much closer than the scoreboard represented.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

so, on one hand you say that the defensive rating isn't as bad as the number because defensive ratings are trending down. On the other hand you want to point to the offensive rating without noting that offensive ratings are trending up in an exact ratio to the downwards trend of defense. In other words, if the defense isn't as bad as it seemed statistically, than the offense isn't as good as it seemed either...no?

your more limited point is true, defensive ratings have trended down for a while now although the big drop this year seems to have an added Covid bump

as for Kanter, in terms of defensive rating his impact did not go in the direction you think. He had a defensive rating of 113 vs the team's 116 rating. His impact was to move the team rating in a positive direction. But then big men, unless they are absolute sieves on defense tend to have better numbers. Obviously, this points to the stat having some noise, as almost all stats do, especially defensive ones

The Blazers had one of the best offenses in the NBA last season with Brooklyn. I didn't say they had one of the best offenses of all time, so no.

Kanter's defensive statistical rating you list show how worthless that stat is. Kanter's offensive rating was also 8 points better than Lillard, by those stats he should be in the MVP discussion if not the favorite.

 

[BonesJones]

This has just become such an interesting phenomenon around here. The SAME EXACT people who have been just absolutely killing our Blazers this year for EVERYTHING from our defense to our coach are the EXACT SAME ones who, since we found out we were playing Denver, are preaching how we should win this series hands down, no questions asked. How we are favorited and anything but a sweep is an embarrassment? I’m so confused by this. Why in the fuck if we have the WORST coach in the NBA and the WORST defensive EVER......should we make the playoffs, let alone “easily beat” the #3 seed? PLEASE somebody explain. According to most, we weren’t even supposed to make the playoffs, right?
Said it before, say it again......preseason I think I said 42 wins, 7th or 8th seed and a 1st round exit.
#CLOWNTOWN

I would explain it to you but you wouldnt listen.

 

[ABM]

I'm assuming a Blazer win tonight would seal the deal for the fellas in road red & black.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

Nobody but Curry contributed to the success of his team this season. Outside of your three players, one would have to look at Chris Paul.

Hate them both, but these two were MVP’s if the “team game of basketball” is one measures the award.

Had Dame not gotten hurt / banged up and experienced his mid-season funk, then Dame would be in the conversation along with Curry and Paul.

 

[Natebishop3]

This has just become such an interesting phenomenon around here. The SAME EXACT people who have been just absolutely killing our Blazers this year for EVERYTHING from our defense to our coach are the EXACT SAME ones who, since we found out we were playing Denver, are preaching how we should win this series hands down, no questions asked. How we are favorited and anything but a sweep is an embarrassment? I’m so confused by this. Why in the fuck if we have the WORST coach in the NBA and the WORST defensive EVER......should we make the playoffs, let alone “easily beat” the #3 seed? PLEASE somebody explain. According to most, we weren’t even supposed to make the playoffs, right?
Said it before, say it again......preseason I think I said 42 wins, 7th or 8th seed and a 1st round exit.
#CLOWNTOWN

Injuries.

If the Nuggets had Murray this would be a very different series.

 

[BlazerBeav]

Injuries.

If the Nuggets had Murray this would be a very different series.

As a Blazers fan, I have not one fuck to give for another team suffering injuries.

 

[wizenheimer]

A lot goes in the defense rating one category is rebounding in that rating where excel in majority of the time. But overall his defense is bad but rebounding helps that rating.

that's not really correct as far as I know

whether it's defensive or offensive rating/efficiency the definition of a possession is the same. The quick and dirty formual for possessions is FGA - Off. Rebounds + turnovers + (0.4 X FTA).

if you want your head to spin a little:



if you look at it closely, both formulas are trying to mimimze the impact of rebounding

obviously, rebounding has an impact on the won/loss record, even if it doesn't on efficiency

 

[Natebishop3]

As a Blazers fan, I have not one fuck to give for another team suffering injuries.

Whether you have fucks to give or not, he asked why we're suddenly favored to win the series and the answer is injuries. No fucks required.

 

[wizenheimer]

The Blazers had one of the best offenses in the NBA last season with Brooklyn. I didn't say they had one of the best offenses of all time, so no.

Kanter's defensive statistical rating you list show how worthless that stat is. Kanter's offensive rating was also 8 points better than Lillard, by those stats he should be in the MVP discussion if not the favorite.

it's no big deal but it seems like you're doing it again...that is finding virtue in the offensive rating because Portland had a good one, and dismissing the defensive rating because Portland had a bad one. You do know that the formula is the same for both ratings?

I mean, if Kanter's offensive rating shows the stat is flawed, how much sense does it make to turn around and brag about Portland's offensive rating?

 

[wizenheimer]

Injuries.

If the Nuggets had Murray this would be a very different series.

very likely....in Murray, Barton, and Dozier, Denver is missing 42 points and 10 assists. Murray is also their best one-on-one option

 

[Tince]

Will do, sir! Already placed a bet on Portland winning the series, won my bet from the last game, and will be putting money on Portland winning every game for the rest of the series!

I hope you go 4 for 4 then!

 

[blazedanugz]

Feels like a CJ game tonight

 

[Pinwheel1]

very likely....in Murray, Barton, and Dozier, Denver is missing 42 points and 10 assists. Murray is also their best one-on-one option

I pointed out that Murray was a big loss at the time of his injury, especially at the end of games. But the consensus here seemed to be that Jokic and Porter would benefit from his absence. And they did play well without him. But he is a big loss no doubt.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

it's no big deal but it seems like you're doing it again...that is finding virtue in the offensive rating because Portland had a good one, and dismissing the defensive rating because Portland had a bad one. You do know that the formula is the same for both ratings?

I mean, if Kanter's offensive rating shows the stat is flawed, how much sense does it make to turn around and brag about Portland's offensive rating?

Offensive rating for a team is a very good stat. Allocating it to individual players is a joke.

 

[blazedanugz]

It’s funny to me people out keep adding Dozier into the “who there missing” category.
If he was playing it wouldn’t make a difference. We’d still win this series by the same amount of games

 

[stampedehero]

As a Blazers fan, I have not one fuck to give for another team suffering injuries.

After Nurk was injured, I can sympathize with this logic.

 

[wizenheimer]

Offensive rating for a team is a very good stat. Allocating it to individual players is a joke.

it's not a joke but for sure there are better stats to use. I've said before here, several times, that when it comes to individual ratings, about the only thing worth gauging is if a player is better or worse than his team. And the stat should not be used to compare a player from one team to another.

I only mentioned Kanter to point out that he's not making Portland's defensive rating worse

 

[garbagetime]

Bro..... what is this?

Bro, my bro, it is the truth. That is all I preach-----the truth. Heed my word!!!

 

[garbagetime]

I wonder if the fans in Denver are going to boo Melo again. I hope they do, it worked well.

Maybe rather than boo him, they should encourage some Nugget to guard him. What the hell did they expect with no one in his face.

 

[garbagetime]

very likely....in Murray, Barton, and Dozier, Denver is missing 42 points and 10 assists. Murray is also their best one-on-one option

This is why I don't understand how some people, in and out of the media, are trying to make like this is a real series. It is the pros versus the peewees and the peewees ain't gonna win a damn game.

 

[Haakzilla]

...

...refusing to vote in poll until you add a 4th option

 

[crandc]

Expect Denver to come out strong. If Portland doesn't panic they will overtake. I still think close game.

But if the Blazers want to blaze the Nuggets out of the arena I won't complain.

 

[bobf]

how is blazers beating the nuggets considered to be an "upset", do people even know what "upset" means

upset would be if the suns beat the lakers, if celtics beat the nets, if wizards beat the 76ers and if mavs beat the clippers

all other series can go either way and it wouldnt be an upset

In general I agree, but the Suns are better than the Lakers.