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

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What/who was the primary reason for Game 1's loss?

  • Total voters
    75
  • Poll closed .
Mediocre Man said:
This is the second best thread that could have happened
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Without any snark (you can do it), I am curious which you would prefer (or other)--that the team crash and burn and rebuild to something better and stronger, or for the existing team to figure it out and progress to a higher level of basketball?
 
Reep said:
Without any snark (you can do it), I am curious which you would prefer (or other)--that the team crash and burn and rebuild to something better and stronger, or for the existing team to figure it out and progress to a higher level of basketball?
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Something in between.

IMHO, this team, as built, is not a title contender.

Right now, like what seems like forever, we are stuck in purgatory. Fringe playoff team....don't give me 3 seed BS either. While it's great 3 games separated us and the 9th seed.... it's great for some fans, but not me.
 
If Meyers sees another meaningful second of court time this game, I'm gonna freak the fuck out.
 
Mediocre Man said:
Something in between.

IMHO, this team, as built, is not a title contender.
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I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone around here who has claimed that the Blazers are ready to contend for the title this year.

Right now, like what seems like forever, we are stuck in purgatory. Fringe playoff team....don't give me 3 seed BS either. While it's great 3 games separated us and the 9th seed.... it's great for some fans, but not me.
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The way the West is stacked right now, there are two obviously superior teams and then about 8 others who could finish in any order depending upon health and a few breaks. That's not likely to change in the next year or two, barring LeBron deciding to take his talents for peanuts to one of the other 7 teams. The Blazers are in the same position as those other 8 teams: trying to improve without much in the way of cap space to do it.

Given that reality, the question is what does Olshey do? Your position over the past few years has always been the same: trade away what stars we do have for draft picks and rebuild through the draft. Olshey's plan seems to be to garner whatever assets he can, make the team as competitive as possible and win as many games as possible while guys like Nurkic and Collins mature, and be poised to make a trade that improves the team whenever one becomes available. I'm in favor of that plan.
 
Mediocre Man said:
Something in between.

IMHO, this team, as built, is not a title contender.

Right now, like what seems like forever, we are stuck in purgatory. Fringe playoff team....don't give me 3 seed BS either. While it's great 3 games separated us and the 9th seed.... it's great for some fans, but not me.
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Until this team moves to Maine, we’re not making the finals, no matter how many moves we make.
 
honkicracker said:
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.
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roroyo said:
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.
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I don't know if you guys saw Inside the NBA on TNT after the Spurs/Warriors game last night but Barkley and Shaq discussed Nurkic after showing about five specific plays in which he got the ball in the middle of the key. Barkley said (this will all be paraphrasing) that the Blazers need to get him more than 7 shots in a game. Shaq pointed out that he should have taken a lot more shots if he'd be more aggressive attacking the hoop when he gets the ball. Barkley countered by saying that every example they showed he made the right basketball play and that if he is passing out to wide open shooters those shooters need to just make those shots. Shaq said he shouldn't ever pass the ball in those situations. Barkley again reiterated that he made the correct basketball play in every situation they showed. He then pointed out that it's not Nurkic's game to take several dribbles to get to the basket and that the gameplan needs to be designed to get him the ball in positions where he can score better and still give him the opportunities to pass out to open shooters as well. Shaq again disagreed and said it was just Nurk not being aggressive enough when he has the ball. Barkley agreed that he needed to be more aggressive but that his passing was really good and it's not his fault if guys aren't hitting their shots when he makes a good pass.

It was a really interesting conversation and one in which I agree with Barkley. Nurkic missed four shots in the game. Two of those four he got his own rebound and scored. One of the four Turner got the rebound and scored. I can't remember the 4th miss, I think it was on a 15 foot jump shot. He was 5 for 5 from the line. 11 points on 7 shots is good efficiency. The plays they showed on TNT should have resulted in about 5 assists. If other guys were hitting their shots he would've had close to a triple-double plus 2 blocks, instead he had 0 assists. How much different are we looking at him if he goes for 11 and 11 with 5 assists in a win?
 
hoopsjock said:
I don't know if you guys saw Inside the NBA on TNT after the Spurs/Warriors game last night but Barkley and Shaq discussed Nurkic after showing about five specific plays in which he got the ball in the middle of the key. Barkley said (this will all be paraphrasing) that the Blazers need to get him more than 7 shots in a game. Shaq pointed out that he should have taken a lot more shots if he'd be more aggressive attacking the hoop when he gets the ball. Barkley countered by saying that every example they showed he made the right basketball play and that if he is passing out to wide open shooters those shooters need to just make those shots. Shaq said he shouldn't ever pass the ball in those situations. Barkley again reiterated that he made the correct basketball play in every situation they showed. He then pointed out that it's not Nurkic's game to take several dribbles to get to the basket and that the gameplan needs to be designed to get him the ball in positions where he can score better and still give him the opportunities to pass out to open shooters as well. Shaq again disagreed and said it was just Nurk not being aggressive enough when he has the ball. Barkley agreed that he needed to be more aggressive but that his passing was really good and it's not his fault if guys aren't hitting their shots when he makes a good pass.

It was a really interesting conversation and one in which I agree with Barkley. Nurkic missed four shots in the game. Two of those four he got his own rebound and scored. One of the four Turner got the rebound and scored. I can't remember the 4th miss, I think it was on a 15 foot jump shot. He was 5 for 5 from the line. 11 points on 7 shots is good efficiency. The plays they showed on TNT should have resulted in about 5 assists. If other guys were hitting their shots he would've had close to a triple-double plus 2 blocks, instead he had 0 assists. How much different are we looking at him if he goes for 11 and 11 with 5 assists in a win?
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Nurk has a bit of this Nic Batum attitude. I don't necessarily hate it, but it just needs to be different in the playoffs. He needs to understand that him going up strong for a dunk attempt (and possibly drawing a foul against their only real big) is a better option than passing to a wide open Turner on the wing for three.

We used to call it KYP in rec ball. Know your personnel. Don't pass it to Turner for three even if he is wide open. He's got years of basketball instincts telling him to make the right play-- hard to undo all that in one game.
 
hoopsjock said:
I don't know if you guys saw Inside the NBA on TNT after the Spurs/Warriors game last night but Barkley and Shaq discussed Nurkic after showing about five specific plays in which he got the ball in the middle of the key. Barkley said (this will all be paraphrasing) that the Blazers need to get him more than 7 shots in a game. Shaq pointed out that he should have taken a lot more shots if he'd be more aggressive attacking the hoop when he gets the ball. Barkley countered by saying that every example they showed he made the right basketball play and that if he is passing out to wide open shooters those shooters need to just make those shots. Shaq said he shouldn't ever pass the ball in those situations. Barkley again reiterated that he made the correct basketball play in every situation they showed. He then pointed out that it's not Nurkic's game to take several dribbles to get to the basket and that the gameplan needs to be designed to get him the ball in positions where he can score better and still give him the opportunities to pass out to open shooters as well. Shaq again disagreed and said it was just Nurk not being aggressive enough when he has the ball. Barkley agreed that he needed to be more aggressive but that his passing was really good and it's not his fault if guys aren't hitting their shots when he makes a good pass.

It was a really interesting conversation and one in which I agree with Barkley. Nurkic missed four shots in the game. Two of those four he got his own rebound and scored. One of the four Turner got the rebound and scored. I can't remember the 4th miss, I think it was on a 15 foot jump shot. He was 5 for 5 from the line. 11 points on 7 shots is good efficiency. The plays they showed on TNT should have resulted in about 5 assists. If other guys were hitting their shots he would've had close to a triple-double plus 2 blocks, instead he had 0 assists. How much different are we looking at him if he goes for 11 and 11 with 5 assists in a win?
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I swear to god if Moe ends up being the reason we are great (again) I’m going to laugh all the way through my aneurysm. Because he probably makes two of those shots.
 
kjironman1 said:
Now the $100 300 level tickets? That seems ridiculous.
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I have a question because I see this in Moda and never at the other arenas I've been to.

WTF is Standing Room Only for a basketball game?

Do you actually have to stand for 3 hrs?
 
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yuyuza1 said:
I have a question because I see this in Moda and very never at the other arenas I've been to.

WTF is Standing Room Only for a basketball game?

Do you actually have to stand for 3 hrs?
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I don't know if it is what it used to be, but a looooong time ago, my mom and I bought these. It was standing against the wall just behind the 100 level. It was really fun because they didn't cost as much, you had a great view, and standing wasn't so bad as long as you could lean against the wall. Not sure if it is the same, but I would do it again if it was . . . and I didn't live in SoCal.
 
yuyuza1 said:
Nurk has a bit of this Nic Batum attitude. I don't necessarily hate it, but it just needs to be different in the playoffs. He needs to understand that him going up strong for a dunk attempt (and possibly drawing a foul against their only real big) is a better option than passing to a wide open Turner on the wing for three.

We used to call it KYP in rec ball. Know your personnel. Don't pass it to Turner for three even if he is wide open. He's got years of basketball instincts telling him to make the right play-- hard to undo all that in one game.
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Yeah, I get that but this is also the NBA where if you are that big of a liability that Nurk shouldn't pass you the ball wide open then you probably shouldn't be on the floor or like @BonesJones has suggested Turner should cut to the basket for a layup or dunk instead of camping outside. Both Turner and Aminu did have some really good stretches shooting the 3 ball this year too. If they can't hit a few open shots we're in trouble anyway.
 
Mediocre Man said:
Something in between.

IMHO, this team, as built, is not a title contender.

Right now, like what seems like forever, we are stuck in purgatory. Fringe playoff team....don't give me 3 seed BS either. While it's great 3 games separated us and the 9th seed.... it's great for some fans, but not me.
Click to expand...

I agree with this in part. I do think there is a very narrow window for this team to be great, but it involves Nurk developing his dark side and being more aggressive, Moe being more aggressive on offense (think Kersey), and Collins stepping up more on both ends as he and his body matures. If any two of those don't happen, then I think we are doomed to first or second round KOs for the next many years until Dame time comes to a close.

It would help if CJ could develop his inner Dame in terms of improvement. Just when I think Dame is topped out he seems to surprise me with something new--every year. CJ could use some of that. If not, then I hope they move him for a 2 who can.
 
Reep said:
I don't know if it is what it used to be, but a looooong time ago, my mom and I bought these. It was standing against the wall just behind the 100 level. It was really fun because they didn't cost as much, you had a great view, and standing wasn't so bad as long as you could lean against the wall. Not sure if it is the same, but I would do it again if it was . . . and I didn't live in SoCal.
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I see these for $30 a piece on Stubhub now. If it really is in the 100 level, that's not a bad deal. But it does say "upper level" on the ad.

I'm surprised they're allowed to sell these kinda things. $30 to stand way up by the ceiling sounds painful.
 
roroyo said:
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.
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So the 3rd best free throw shooter in the entire league should be told not to try and draw a foul? Dame is an All-NBA player and super clutch. He made a bad decision. No one scores every time with the game on the line. You don't tell a guy like Dame what to do in those situations, he knows.
 
yuyuza1 said:
Nurk has a bit of this Nic Batum attitude. I don't necessarily hate it, but it just needs to be different in the playoffs. He needs to understand that him going up strong for a dunk attempt (and possibly drawing a foul against their only real big) is a better option than passing to a wide open Turner on the wing for three.

We used to call it KYP in rec ball. Know your personnel. Don't pass it to Turner for three even if he is wide open. He's got years of basketball instincts telling him to make the right play-- hard to undo all that in one game.
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Deering is that you? Sorry, a buddy from college always talked about KYP while we balled at the rec.
 
yuyuza1 said:
Nurk has a bit of this Nic Batum attitude. I don't necessarily hate it, but it just needs to be different in the playoffs. He needs to understand that him going up strong for a dunk attempt (and possibly drawing a foul against their only real big) is a better option than passing to a wide open Turner on the wing for three.

We used to call it KYP in rec ball. Know your personnel. Don't pass it to Turner for three even if he is wide open. He's got years of basketball instincts telling him to make the right play-- hard to undo all that in one game.
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Totally true, and also, if that was Moe on the wing, he hits those shots. So in a game or two, the technique that NO thinks was a total win for them (force Nurk to pass out of a double) will not work the same way.
 
kjironman1 said:
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"
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Pop told LMA he would do everything in his power to increase his trade value for the summer, because LMA wants out. He's not going to badmouth LMA in an interview two games before their off season begins.
 
yuyuza1 said:
Here's Zach Lowe weighing in: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23207443/zach-lowe-nba-playoff-game-2-watch-round-1
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What if we changed Lillard's play rotation, to ALWAYS be in when Davis rests. Hell, Lillard would play 48 a night if he was allowed to, so maybe do it. Lots of rest in the first round. If Davis has to be in the game to stop Lillard, make Davis play 48 minutes.

A super back-of-the-napkin estimate of effort based on size and weight tells me that AD would play the equivalent of 56 minutes if he had to play the same 48 minutes Dame does. It would wear him out more than it would wear out Dame.
 
This is a must win game, drop this and the Blazers will join the Nuggets for a happy summer.
 
DDolla said:
This is a must win game, drop this and the Blazers will join the Nuggets for a happy summer.
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Do you have me on ignore like JinxSpeed? You've posted this 3 times and each time I mentioned to you that you have to win 4 times for a series to be over. I can shoot you a LINK on how it works son if you need.
 
roroyo said:
"So, here is the ball, you guys do something, lets go!"
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nah..Stotts says...here's the play...and options A, B and C......get a good shot. We didn't get a good shot...fact is we choked under pressure and all this happened in 9 seconds...another fact...Pelicans did an incredible job on defense for the last 24 seconds of the game....we got beat...even though I kinda like this winning thing...I'm not that shook up over losing game one...it's a dogfight series..Stotts has drawn up winning plays in the clutch for us many times...one doesn't work out and folks put him on the chopping block....8 teams lose every night.
 
HCP said:
Do you have me on ignore like JinxSpeed? You've posted this 3 times and each time I mentioned to you that you have to win 4 times for a series to be over. I can shoot you a LINK on how it works son if you need.
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Only 3 teams in the history of the NBA came back to win it after dropping the first two games at home and YES the Blazers will be the 4th one
 
There ya go new guy. Thats the attitude we like to see around here. #GoldStarForYou
 
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