Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 1, GAME 2: THUNDER @ BLAZERS - APRIL 16, 2019, TUESDAY, 7:30 PM, TNT & NBCSNW

[Reep]

Adams is "solid". I still think he is overrated defensively as he does not have the quickest of feet to block a lot of shots or get a lot of rebounds. Solid in those areas (9.5 boards per game and 1 block) but nothing special.

But I also think he is being under utilized on offense. Maybe because he is too slow to run with Westbrook and George. But if I were them I would go to him a lot more.

I hate to even bring this up, but why the heck isn't he getting 15 attempts per game? The go to him early, he kills us efficiently, and then they just stop. I don't understand that.

 

[HailBlazers]

I hate to even bring this up, but why the heck isn't he getting 15 attempts per game? The go to him early, he kills us efficiently, and then they just stop. I don't understand that.

Neither do OKC fans.

 

[SIeepwalker]

GREAT news Blazers fans !



Paul George answer to what the team need to do when the 3s aren't falling ? "Keep shooting"

YES PLEASE

 

[Pinwheel1]

I hate to even bring this up, but why the heck isn't he getting 15 attempts per game? The go to him early, he kills us efficiently, and then they just stop. I don't understand that.

I know it was almost like their strategy was to go to him early to get Kanter out of the game , and then stopped when they accomplished their goal.
Maybe he tires easily and his shot stops falling.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

GREAT news Blazers fans !



Paul George answer to what the team need to do when the 3s aren't falling ? "Keep shooting"

YES PLEASE

I think there will be at least one game in OKC that the thunder get hot and make shots. They arent a great three point shooting team but right now their percentage is soooooo bad.

 

[illmatic99]

I know it was almost like their strategy was to go to him early to get Kanter out of the game , and then stopped when they accomplished their goal.
Maybe he tires easily and his shot stops falling.

We have 0 rim protection, and i truly mean absolutely NONE. How they haven't exploited this is beyond me.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

We have 0 rim protection, and i truly mean absolutely NONE. How they haven't exploited this is beyond me.

Well, we have a little, if our blocked shots don't get called goaltends.

 

[illmatic99]

Well, we have a little, if our blocked shots don't get called goaltends.

I also can't get over how horrific Collins has looked on both ends of the floor. When Meyers is so substantially better than you and it isn't even close, you have some problems. Dude needs to get out of his own head. He had one really nice bl0ck on WB last night and was largely invisible outside of it. The opportunity is right there for him and he's blowing it.

 

[Pinwheel1]

We have 0 rim protection, and i truly mean absolutely NONE. How they haven't exploited this is beyond me.

Agreed although Zach had 3 blocks and Meyers' goal tending was close. Hark is doing his part as well. But to your point, OKC should be attacking attacking attacking.....

 

[Cugel]

I don't know if Adams has to stamina to shoot well deep in the game. He burns out fast it seems. It doesn't help that the rest of the team is compelled, presumably by coaches, to shoot threes.

I could see him out further west though

 

[illmatic99]

Here's a blast from the past (@TBpup has a few comments in that thread)

The Portland Trail Blazers worked out six more prospects at the Tualatin practice facility on Thursday in advance of the 2013 NBA Draft. Pittsburgh center Steven Adams and French center Rudy Gobert, both seen as potential lottery picks, were among the workout participants.

Blazers owner Paul Allen was in attendance at the workout. Allen previously attended workouts for Georgia guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Lehigh guard C.J. McCollum and Indiana center Cody Zeller.

Wish we had worked out Giannis.

 

[TBpup]

My buddy D69 was so high on Gobert. Had him in his Top 3 the year he as drafted. Really liked Steven Adams as well. He has been a wealth of Draft knowledge over the years and picked guys like Giannis WAY ahead of where they actually went in the Draft. He was also one of the few who wanted Durant over Oden. He is who convinced me to hold the Durant sign at the Blazers Draft party.

Thanks D for making me look good. That was all you.

 

[B-Roy]

I also can't get over how horrific Collins has looked on both ends of the floor. When Meyers is so substantially better than you and it isn't even close, you have some problems. Dude needs to get out of his own head. He had one really nice bl0ck on WB last night and was largely invisible outside of it. The opportunity is right there for him and he's blowing it.

There was a play in the 4th quarter of last game where Zach did not know the play at all and you could hear Stotts's screaming "ZACH ZACH, GO" on the sidelines while CJ dribbled the ball at halfcourt for like 10 seconds. They blew the possession and on the next one and Stotts immediately yanked Zach for Meyers.

Imagine getting pulled for Meyers because you can't remember the plays. I don't think he actually played that bad overall last night, he had some good possessions. But with Nurk out you certainly expect a little bit more out of last years lottery pick...

 

[B-Roy]

We have 0 rim protection, and i truly mean absolutely NONE. How they haven't exploited this is beyond me.

Not true. The Blazers run 3 guys in the paint when George and Westbrook penetrate. They are defending by committee. Sure Kanter isn't a good rim protector, but when Mo and Chief are also down their with their long arms it's not always easy to get a shot up. Blazers are forcing the kickout and basically asking Grant, Ferguson etc. to beat us with open 3s and they're blowing it. It's kind of similar to how teams just leave Harkless and Aminu open all game but Dame and CJ have found other ways to score the ball.

 

[illmatic99]

Not true. The Blazers run 3 guys in the paint when George and Westbrook penetrate. They are defending by committee. Sure Kanter isn't a good rim protector, but when Mo and Chief are also down their with their long arms it's not always easy to get a shot up. Blazers are forcing the kickout and basically asking Grant, Ferguson etc. to beat us with open 3s and they're blowing it. It's kind of similar to how teams just leave Harkless and Aminu open all game but Dame and CJ have found other ways to score the ball.

They're not attacking nearly as enough as they should. If they get our wings into foul trouble early, they'll start getting straight drives to the rim. The pull up/step back outside shots are just giving us a massive advantage.

 

[B-Roy]

They're not attacking nearly as enough as they should. If they get our wings into foul trouble early, they'll start getting straight drives to the rim. The pull up/step back outside shots are just giving us a massive advantage.

I'm watching the whole game and George had some nice drives in the first half but literally someone always comes over when George starts penetrating. They play tight to take away George's 3s and force him to attack, then force the pass outs. They're doubling on every drive and while you can theoretically power through and try to score on all those possessions it really takes a toll to do it every possession. Like Dame can attack double teams and score on them but through the course of a game he doesn't because it's just not realistic.

He can beat the first defender every time because of how tight they're playing him but when two guys come over the right play is to pass it and not force up shorts.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I also can't get over how horrific Collins has looked on both ends of the floor. When Meyers is so substantially better than you and it isn't even close, you have some problems. Dude needs to get out of his own head. He had one really nice bl0ck on WB last night and was largely invisible outside of it. The opportunity is right there for him and he's blowing it.

There was a play in the 4th quarter of last game where Zach did not know the play at all and you could hear Stotts's screaming "ZACH ZACH, GO" on the sidelines while CJ dribbled the ball at halfcourt for like 10 seconds. They blew the possession and on the next one and Stotts immediately yanked Zach for Meyers.

Imagine getting pulled for Meyers because you can't remember the plays. I don't think he actually played that bad overall last night, he had some good possessions. But with Nurk out you certainly expect a little bit more out of last years lottery pick...

Explains the one frustration I had with how the Blazers were using (or not using) Collins. He scored a couple times with nice moves down low, and I thought to myself, "Why don't they feed Zach down low and let him go to work in the post a little." Immediately after he came out, they gave Kanter a post touch (which he missed), and I thought to myself, "Would've been nice to try that with Zach".

But if he doesn't actually know the playbook the way he should, then it would make sense that he's not getting possessions.

 

[illmatic99]

I'm watching the whole game and George had some nice drives in the first half but literally someone always comes over when George starts penetrating. They play tight to take away George's 3s and force him to attack, then force the pass outs. They're doubling on every drive and while you can theoretically power through and try to score on all those possessions it really takes a toll to do it every possession. Like Dame can attack double teams and score on them but through the course of a game he doesn't because it's just not realistic.

He can't beat the first defender every time because of how tight they're playing him but when two guys come over the right play is to pass it and not force up shorts.

I need to re-watch tonight when I get home. Is Terry actually coaching a specialized defense? He's outcoaching Donovan.

 

[B-Roy]

I need to re-watch tonight when I get home. Is Terry actually coaching a specialized defense? He's outcoaching Donovan.

Harkless is always trailing George on the PnR while someone helps on the weak side and Kanter or whoever drops in the paint. They're game planning HARD for PG. They are mostly playing Russ straight up. Once PG is in the paint there are 3 guys around him.

It's the right move though, George is definitely the one that killed us in the regular season. Also, he says he's healthy, but maybe he's just not. He's kind avoiding contact but we're missing Nurk and at least George is playing.

Also there were a few possessions where Hark and Aminu played him straight up and just picked his pocket. So maybe they're in his head.

 

[B-Roy]

Explains the one frustration I had with how the Blazers were using (or not using) Collins. He scored a couple times with nice moves down low, and I thought to myself, "Why don't they feed Zach down low and let him go to work in the post a little." Immediately after he came out, they gave Kanter a post touch (which he missed), and I thought to myself, "Would've been nice to try that with Zach".

But if he doesn't actually know the playbook the way he should, then it would make sense that he's not getting possessions.

I don't think Zach is actually good in the paint. I hold my breath when he gets catches in the paint. Easily pushed around and Stotts has been trying to match him up with Noel instead of Adams.

He's definitely not posting up Adams I don't care what anyone says.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I don't think Zach is actually good in the paint. I hold my breath when he gets catches in the paint. Easily pushed around and Stotts has been trying to match him up with Noel instead of Adams.

He's definitely not posting up Adams I don't care what anyone says.

Nah, I wasn't talking about against Adams. That would be embarrassing. I think he was actually matched up against Morris at that point.

Either way, he wasn't getting those touches. It's clear nobody trusts him to work down low. He's gonna have to earn that, and he hasn't yet.

I'm looking forward to (hopefully) seeing him and Skal as a frontcourt pairing next year. I think if they work together and develop some chemistry, they could be a very exciting and effective duo.

 

[andalusian]

I don't think Zach is actually good in the paint. I hold my breath when he gets catches in the paint. Easily pushed around and Stotts has been trying to match him up with Noel instead of Adams.

He's definitely not posting up Adams I don't care what anyone says.

There are two things here - Zach's footwork in the paint is fantastic. He definitely is not as strong as the older, bigger guys - but to say that he is not good in the post is just wrong. If you look at his EFG% from 10 ft and under - he is at 60%, EK is at 59.1 - the kid can score down there, or at least, he does not try to if it is not a good shot. (BTW, both are actually better than Nurk near the basket).

 

[riverman]

Adams is "solid". I still think he is overrated defensively as he does not have the quickest of feet to block a lot of shots or get a lot of rebounds. Solid in those areas (9.5 boards per game and 1 block) but nothing special.

But I also think he is being under utilized on offense. Maybe because he is too slow to run with Westbrook and George. But if I were them I would go to him a lot more.

I think Adams is Rolo….same game

 

[TBpup]

There was a play in the 4th quarter of last game where Zach did not know the play at all and you could hear Stotts's screaming "ZACH ZACH, GO" on the sidelines while CJ dribbled the ball at halfcourt for like 10 seconds. They blew the possession and on the next one and Stotts immediately yanked Zach for Meyers.

Imagine getting pulled for Meyers because you can't remember the plays. I don't think he actually played that bad overall last night, he had some good possessions. But with Nurk out you certainly expect a little bit more out of last years lottery pick...

It was sad to see him spend the first 15 seconds of the shot clock with his hands out in the, "what am I supposed to be doing" position. You would think he would know by know.....go set a pick for Dame or CJ. Not rocket science.

 

[riverman]

There are two things here - Zach's footwork in the paint is fantastic. He definitely is not as strong as the older, bigger guys - but to say that he is not good in the post is just wrong. If you look at his EFG% from 10 ft and under - he is at 60%, EK is at 49.1 - the kid can score down there, or at least, he does not try to if it is not a good shot.

He needs to keep the ball higher in the post on catches so guys like Paul George don't just take it out of his hands...he gets loose holding the ball too low sometimes

 

[illmatic99]

This picture needs to get posted more because it's so damn funny/great!

View attachment 25639

Gary Payton in that right corner is not impressed.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Gary Payton in that right corner is not impressed.

Has someone photoshopped his scowl onto Mckayla Maroney's body yet (or vice versa)? Seems like something the internet would be all over.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think Adams is Rolo….same game

Good comparison. Both great at setting picks and blocking the other teams big man out, which increases the rebounds for their teammates.
Neither a big time shot blocker but both good at taking up lots of space around the rim.

 

[Cugel]

Anyone have a link to a recent update on Kanter's health? All I heard on Sirius NBA is basically that Blazers suck now that Kanter is hurt.

 

[TBpup]

Has someone photoshopped his scowl onto Mckayla Maroney's body yet (or vice versa)? Seems like something the internet would be all over.

Yes Please.