Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 1, GAME 2: PELICANS @ BLAZERS - APRIL 17, 2018, TUESDAY, 7:30 PM (PDT), TNT & NBCSNW

[SIeepwalker]

If you consider shots by Aminu and Turner to be "good shots", then sure - I might buy it. And yeah, Dame would normally make a higher percentage of those shots. From a statistical POV we way underperformed. But no - regardless of whether the shots were open, or even who was taking the shots, it was clear we had NO CLUE as to what we wanted to do offensively. Everything we did was a mess - even when it resulted in an open jumper. We stumbled into those jumpers because every "play" (I use that term very loosely) was broken.

It says it's adjusted for who's taking the shots.
read the article THEN post.

 

[blue9]

It says it's adjusted for who's taking the shots.
read the article THEN post.

And I said regardless of who or where the shots came from, we way under-performed. And that our offense was crap.

 

[kjironman1]

And I said regardless of who or where the shots came from, we way under-performed. And that our offense was crap.

The offense is "Crap" because they had wide open shots. This is what you are saying.
The shots didn't fall. That is not the offense. That is the players. When the players hit shots the offense is fine.
Now maybe you don't like the type of shots they took or the players taking the shots? That would be something completely different. But for this team the way it is currently constructed with the players they have i just don't see a different offense available. This is a conversation for this summer. Not right now in the middle of a playoff series.

 

[kjironman1]

You're really gonna make me rewatch this, aren't you?

Doris on ESPN kept mentioning how exhausted AD and Mirotic were in the fourth quarter. Maybe we'll wear them out with our off ball motion and constant cutting. What pisses me off is that the movement never actually leads to direct passes for easier shots. Seems like motion just to run around.

But that's besides the point. It's no coincidence that guys like CJ/Dame/Moe/and in the past Mo Will and Nico were among league leaders in miles traveled during the game.

So you didn't see Pat make two uncontested dunks?
He also made a couple 3's if i am correct?
Then there was Aminu finally hitting a corner wide open look after 4 passes?
The shots and movement were there. CJ actually passed the ball more than i have seen him pass in quite a while. In the fourth he made a nifty pass to Dame setting him up for an open look at a three which he finally drained also.
Then there was Bazz. He had like 3 good passes to open players that clanked away the shot.
Dame hit Nurk on a number of good set up passes but Nurk was fouled on a couple of them that didn't convert.

Yeah. Go back and watch the game. Now that you know who won you might be a little more objective. Was it perfect? Absolutely Not! Far from it. But the shots didn't fall. If they did the floor would have opened up for easier looks. I get it. You are a huge fan and want better. But this is what we got right now. They are playing hard and they are giving their all. Got to respect the effort they all put forward on defense. It's what kept them in the game and ultimately led to the offense waking up a bit.

 

[H.C.]

So, I'm not sure if you guys talk about it yet, but things coach Stotts said in this interview were just disturbing to me. First there's a q going something like this:

"25 sec left after timeout and Lillard got the ball. What was the plan?"
coaches answer: "I wanted to get the ball in his hands.... Going for a quick two, quick score, whatever he can create."

Whatever he can create? I'm not expert, but really, that's the plan for last 25 sec in playoff game?

And second question was about Nurk not getting enough shots and if this will change in second game. Stotts said "that's kind on him. He's got the decision to make.." And it was something like: If he can somehow get to the ball, he can shoot.

I must say that both statements are shocking for me. Can we win a playoff series with kind of "So, here is the ball, you guys do something, lets go!" coach attitude?

Some of the reactions from this forum after games get tiring.
It's Stotts job to put his players in a position to succeed.

Stotts got Lillard the ball, and instead running a pick and roll or offense which brought more defenders to the ball all night.
He chose to let Lillard iso in a 1 point game with 25s left.
Lillard instead of take the easy layup, decided to try and get to the free throw line.... Somewhere the refs clearly weren't going to send him all night.

If you want to talk about what in the world was Stotts doing in the 3rd quarter by not calling a time out. That's fine.
If you want to talk about what in the world was Stotts thinking by allowing Portland to go for the 2 twice with 8.8s to go. That's fine.
But asking why is Stotts letting Lillard iso in a 1 possession playoff game with 25s to go.... Is just a non-topic.

 

[kjironman1]

Some of the reactions from this forum after games get tiring.
It's Stotts job to put his players in a position to succeed.

Stotts got Lillard the ball, and instead running a pick and roll or offense which brought more defenders to the ball all night.
He chose to let Lillard iso in a 1 point game with 25s left.
Lillard instead of take the easy layup, decided to try and get to the free throw line.... Somewhere the refs clearly weren't going to send him all night.

If you want to talk about what in the world was Stotts doing in the 3rd quarter by not calling a time out. That's fine.
If you want to talk about what in the world was Stotts thinking by allowing Portland to go for the 2 twice with 8.8s to go. That's fine.
But asking why is Stotts letting Lillard iso in a 1 possession playoff game with 25s to go.... Is just a non-topic.

I absolutely agree about the refs never going to give Lillard that foul. He should have simply shot the 2 and took the 0ne point lead without having to foul Davis and trusted that the defense would hold.
Hindsight however is indeed 20/20

 

[Labinot41]

 

[BonesJones]

Some of the reactions from this forum after games get tiring.
It's Stotts job to put his players in a position to succeed.

Stotts got Lillard the ball, and instead running a pick and roll or offense which brought more defenders to the ball all night.
He chose to let Lillard iso in a 1 point game with 25s left.
Lillard instead of take the easy layup, decided to try and get to the free throw line.... Somewhere the refs clearly weren't going to send him all night.

If you want to talk about what in the world was Stotts doing in the 3rd quarter by not calling a time out. That's fine.
If you want to talk about what in the world was Stotts thinking by allowing Portland to go for the 2 twice with 8.8s to go. That's fine.
But asking why is Stotts letting Lillard iso in a 1 possession playoff game with 25s to go.... Is just a non-topic.

I had no problem with that Dame play. Screen n roll would've been a bad idea there, for the reasons you stated.

 

[Reep]

I would guess he won't see time until NO. If they can take game 2 without him, then all the better. But, I cannot wait until he gets back. I hope he changes the game and can really contribute without having too much rust.

 

[DDolla]

Next season Dame and CJ need to improve their flopping. If your shots are not falling, they need to learn how to flop like Harden and get to the line. Need to get free points and slows the game down.

 

[BonesJones]

Next season Dame and CJ need to improve their flopping. If your shots are not falling, they need to learn how to flop like Harden and get to the line. Need to get free points and slows the game down.

No. Dame doesn't need to look to draw fouls. He gets the most calls when he drives to score, and he and CJ are never gonna get Harden calls.

 

[Lanny]

My anger from last nights has finally subsided... I removed the listing for my tickets and will go to game 2 to support team... but if this roster/coach has another showing like game 1, then changes have to be made in off season IMO... more specifically, trade CJ to balance roster and/or look for a coach that is not so player friendly and holds players accountable.

It was Maurice Cheeks that was overly friendly. There's your bad guy.

 

[Lanny]

Next season Dame and CJ need to improve their flopping. If your shots are not falling, they need to learn how to flop like Harden and get to the line. Need to get free points and slows the game down.

Harden has an arsenal of dirty tricks much like All World Free had to draw fouls. i.e. Grab your opponent and pull him down on you or the under/over arm swing when shooting a shot that you don't intend to go in but rather just to draw the foul. I don't know about you but I don't want Lillard or CJ resorting to dirty tricks.

Edit: However, I don't mind them slowing down on a drive when the defender is following close behind so you can get that defender to run into you.

 

[Lanny]

You don't know what you're talking about. Guard heavy? We only have one decent SG. CJ.

I've seen Evan Turner play the shooting guard before and he was pretty good at it. He can almost always make a deadly jumper when posting up at that position.

 

[BrunoSOC]

Moe Harkless needs to play

 

[deiondeion]

But you're not talking basketball.
You said Nurk has no one to guard. Then in the same post.. went on to say Nards might play because of matchups.
Literally contradicts yourself.
You're posts aren't worth reading.
You quoted me, could've left it alone. Instead you tried to 'talk basketball' with me.
Then you get upset when someone laughs at your post.

Don't read my posts, I frankly don't care.
But don't expect everyone on this forum to sugar coat their posts to you.

you assumed because I said "Nurkic cannot keep up" it meant "Nurkic is unplayable." This is not true at all. It does mean that AD has a mismatch (but it's like with almost every other team). My point in going big with Collins, Aminu, and Nurkic is that you can keep Nurkic on AD but can still play help defense with another big. Youre essentially saying "every time AD touches the ball we will have 2 bigs on him, and we dare someone else to try to make us pay." you increase your defense & rebounding while probably seeing a dip in your offensive production

or by going small with 3 guards, you can still have Nurkic out there. again the matchup is probably better with someone like Collins or Aminu but Nurkic isnt bad. at that point, the Blazers would have Dame/CJ/Bazz on the court against Rondo/Jrue/Moore. Guess what? Blazers win that matchup. They can shoot and/or get to the rim, which would force AD to help out giving Nurkic some easy baskets. essentially increasing yall's offensive production while seeing a dip in the defense and rebounding


I'm giving you another chance for a fun/insightful discussion, don't blow it

 

[roroyo]

Some of the reactions from this forum after games get tiring.
It's Stotts job to put his players in a position to succeed.

Stotts got Lillard the ball, and instead running a pick and roll or offense which brought more defenders to the ball all night.
He chose to let Lillard iso in a 1 point game with 25s left.
Lillard instead of take the easy layup, decided to try and get to the free throw line.... Somewhere the refs clearly weren't going to send him all night.

If you want to talk about what in the world was Stotts doing in the 3rd quarter by not calling a time out. That's fine.
If you want to talk about what in the world was Stotts thinking by allowing Portland to go for the 2 twice with 8.8s to go. That's fine.
But asking why is Stotts letting Lillard iso in a 1 possession playoff game with 25s to go.... Is just a non-topic.

I see where you comming from, but:
Damian (how I see it) was going for the foul. He wasn't going strong to the rim, as he obviously can, he wasn't going for Dame Time 3pointer, what he can obviously do. He choose to go for a foul. So IMO, it was on Stotts to tell him what to do, instead of "get the ball to Damian and WHATEVER he can create".
Yes, I've got problem with this kind of coaching.

And second thing - what about Nurk? Since you here, maybe you can tell me what Stotts idea of "guys were scrambling around" (I dont know if I used rite word for what he was actually saying) is? No plays for Nurk. He just has to get the ball in the paint (How?) and then make a decision.
I consider myself a player more than a coach, therefore I think you may clarify this for me as well.

 

[H.C.]

I see where you comming from, but:
Damian (how I see it) was going for the foul. He wasn't going strong to the rim, as he obviously can, he wasn't going for Dame Time 3pointer, what he can obviously do. He choose to go for a foul. So IMO, it was on Stotts to tell him what to do, instead of "get the ball to Damian and WHATEVER he can create".
Yes, I've got problem with this kind of coaching.

And second thing - what about Nurk? Since you here, maybe you can tell me what Stotts idea of "guys were scrambling around" (I dont know if I used rite word for what he was actually saying) is? No plays for Nurk. He just has to get the ball in the paint (How?) and then make a decision.
I consider myself a player more than a coach, therefore I think you may clarify this for me as well.

You're entitled to your opinion on the coaching, but it's a coaches job to put their players in a position to succeed. Not tell them what shots to shoot.
As a player, you take what the defense gives you. A coach is supposed to put you in a position to succeed.
Stotts put Lillard in a position to play 1 on 1 basketball in a 1 4 flat.
Which then got Lillard an opportunity to get a good look at a bunny runner/layup.
I'm sure if the defense gave Lillard space for three, he would've took that shot. Instead they crowded him and he went right by the defender.
Out of a time out you can't say to a player. 'I want you to take this shot only'. What if the defense takes that shot away? Especially being down 1 with 25s to go...

I've answered this question about Nurk multiple times over the course of the year. I guess I'll repeat myself again........................................................
At the start of the year, Nurk was complete ass with his back to the basket.
He'd have turnover, after turnover, after turnover, after turnover, after turnover, after bad shot, after bad shot, after turnover, after turnover.
This forum was up in arms, saying how shit Nurk is... And a bunch of other stuff. There was even a thread which compared Nurk to Meyers Leonard.
Even when Nurk started to play better.
He still wasn't taking advantage of match ups in the post. See Harrison Barnes checking him.
Therefore to get the most out of Nurk, coaches adjusted.
Nurk was put in the Center of the floor with a p&r dominate guard. Allowing Nurk to make decisions. On either the kick to a corner, or try to get to the rim.

It's been reported by the blazers media non-stop this year.
The whole team is basically blue in the face asking Nurk to go strong to the rim.
Yet the very first shot he took in g1, was a flip shot and a miss.
He got his own rebound, and then finished it. But raised his hand, knowing he should've tried to break the rim.

I get it, AD can't match Nurk's strength.
But I'm not sure if giving the ball to Nurk in the post 15-20 times against the best big in the league is the answer.
Yes you have to test it, and go to it from time to time. But Nurk is able to be sped up by the defense. Which forces him into flop shots or turnovers.

 

[roroyo]

Ok, thx. I'm still saying that IMO Lillard was goin for a foul and Stotts should tell him not to do this. "Try to do this or this or this. Do not go for a foul, cos we can assume, that it is very risky with those officials."
Maybe Stotts did it, but IMO he should not tell media on press conference that he wanted ball in Dame's hands to "create whatever he can". And thats because this is high school lvl of coaching not NBA stuff.

 

[Lanny]

That was the point. Neither will Deandre Jordan or Rudy Gobert.

I wasn't challenging anything you said. Think of it as a sort of embellishment. I should have left off the "

Ok, thx. I'm still saying that IMO Lillard was goin for a foul and Stotts should tell him not to do this. "Try to do this or this or this. Do not go for a foul, cos we can assume, that it is very risky with those officials."
Maybe Stotts did it, but IMO he should not tell media on press conference that he wanted ball in Dame's hands to "create whatever he can". And thats because this is high school lvl of coaching not NBA stuff.

I'm gonna presume that was Lillard's idea.

 

[kjironman1]

Please tell me people actually watched Popovich last night in his interview after the game.
In a nutshell he said he was very happy with his teams effort. He also said every team makes mistakes through a game and sometimes teams simply don't make shots. They get all the looks and the shots just don't fall. That is the game.
This was his response after the Warriors won going away and were clearly the better team on the court. He also said he couldn't be happier with the effort and ability Aldridge has shown not only during that game but the entire season.

"Gotta Make Shots"

 

[kjironman1]

Just went on line to look and see what tickets might be available for the game tonight.
There are an unusually large amount of unsold tickets for a playoff game available. Literally huge swaths of 100 level tickets in the corners unsold going for around $200. I'm thinking losing game one didn't help ticket sales a bit.
One thing seems weird? I thought round one game tickets were the same price as regular season prices?

 

[SIeepwalker]

$200 lmao, that's ridiculous

 

[kjironman1]

$200 lmao, that's ridiculous

For a playoff game? 100 level? Not sure about that?

 

[Labinot41]

I think we lose this Game if the Plan is to make the shots we missed in the 1st Game. We need much more than that

 

[kjironman1]

Now the $100 300 level tickets? That seems ridiculous.

 

[SIeepwalker]

For a playoff game? 100 level? Not sure about that?

I just can't fathom paying $200 to go see a sport game

 

[kjironman1]

I just can't fathom paying $200 to go see a sport game

Well there is that. But i took my wife to Burgerville last week and got sticker shock. $30 dollars at the drive through.

 

[Chris Craig]

Gameday baby yeah! Excited. I will be at the game tonight with @Orion Bailey. Blazers gonna win!

 

[Gronk Brady]

I just can't fathom paying $200 to go see a sport game

I paid $250 for seats that are 7 rows off the floor tonight... I’d rather go to one game in really nice seats than 10 games in nose bleeds at $25 per ticket... yeah it’s overpriced but I just go to a couple games a year... watch the rest on my big screen in HD at home