Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 1, GAME 3: BLAZERS @ PELICANS - APRIL 19, 2018, THURSDAY, 6PM PDT, NBATV & NBCSNW

[THE HCP]

Need a little proof? Go back and look at who made the game threads for all of our playoffs series ending losses since we’ve been over here at S2. I’ll wait.

BUMP

 

[tester551]

It's over.

 

[NolaVoodooBoy]

Thanks for the comments.
I think most of us agree with your statements.
Do you have that Rondo quote somewhere? I was thinking about that during game 2. The anouncers were talking about Rondo & how he is a coach on the floor & breaks down film - etc. I was sitting there thinking, I bet Rondo looks at our offensive sets and thinks to himself that Portland is like shooting fish in a barrel.

This is just the one from the pregame show today. I will dig up more. He also kinda tossed a little shade after game one he said Dame texted CJ after the game but he had Ad, Jrue and a few others in the film room studying game film as soon as the game was over.

 

[NolaVoodooBoy]

Thanks for the comments.
I think most of us agree with your statements.
Do you have that Rondo quote somewhere? I was thinking about that during game 2. The anouncers were talking about Rondo & how he is a coach on the floor & breaks down film - etc. I was sitting there thinking, I bet Rondo looks at our offensive sets and thinks to himself that Portland is like shooting fish in a barrel.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...ns-hold-off-blazers-97-95-in-game-1/33857963/

 

[BonesJones]

Hey guys. Not here to talk shit or anything. Just my observation of the style of play for the blazers. Again Dame and CJ do not compliment each other at all and yes Dame is part of the problem but he is still a stud and a great player but if he is going to be a score first point guard you need someone to balance it out the same way we got Rondo to take the pressure off of Jrue and let him play off the ball and take advantage of his scoring and defence. Next is that system. It's very predictable it's basically 3 plays with different sets and Rondo himself said it himself. He calls out the play that you guys are running in our terminology so we can adjust our defense accordingly. We had the exact same problem the year we got blown out the building in the playoffs against the warriors. That's why we Fired Monty Williams as soon as the playoffs we're over for us and hired Gentry from the warriors coaching staff. Now it's more motion, ball movement and curls and cutting to the basket and he wants fast pace. Most Iso teams can't keep up the pace we run for the whole game and you see the results in game two the blazers we're absolutely winded by the middle of the 3rd. Iso ball is just to easy to defend and game plan against.

This has been my exact observation and why I think Stotts needs to go.

 

[BonesJones]

We agree to disagree on that then. A coach has to work with the players he has. I would go more with Personnel and then changing you way he coaches for the people he was dealing with.
Look tonight if Aminu and Harkless blistered the Pels like Mirotic did the Blazers then this game is way different. The lanes open up. Dame gets more room. The passing gets easier. The doubles and triples loosen up. In my opinion it's personnel not coaching.

Any type of personell has the ability to run sets with basket cuts, ball movement, etc. Anyone can try to run in transition. So why dont we?

 

[BonesJones]

Bullshit. One of the reasons we are last in fastbreaks is BECAUSE we have Lillard. He just doesnt run. He also is hellbent on taking the hero shot. The guy is all about marketing. Why else would a sane person wear those stupid shirtless suits on the sideline.
He's all talk, and no walk.
If only he was as selective with his shots as he is with his effort.

Stupid post.

Lillard loves pullup 3s, especially in transition. You think Dame is really the reason we don't run?

Then why don't we run when he's not in the game? We're no faster with him OFF THE FLOOR.

Selective wth his effort? Do you not pay attention to the fucking games? Dude has to do more than anyone, and consistently does. That takes more effort than anyone else has to give.

He's all about marketing? Then why the fuck hasn't he forced his way out of little ass Portland yet?

Some of y'all make up the most rediculous BS...

 

[NolaVoodooBoy]

Yeah I must admit you guys are better off with a new coaching staff. Apparently he cancelled the morning shoot around the morning of the game to rest. But the Pels held their shoot around. Both teams arrived in Nola the same time. Might be a reason we looked sharp. It's our home so we are much more used to the baskets than the visiting team.

 

[BonesJones]

Yeah I must admit you guys are better off with a new coaching staff. Apparently he cancelled the morning shoot around the morning of the game to rest. But the Pels held their shoot around. Both teams arrived in Nola the same time. Might be a reason we looked sharp. It's our home so we are much more used to the baskets than the visiting team.

Lmao. Pathetic.

All we do is stand around and shoot jumpshots... yet we need to rest, why? And if all we do os shoot jumpers... why wouldn't we go to shoot around?

 

[Mediocre Man]

I see some post saying we dont know what we are doing, but thats not correct.

We are a non passing team, and other teams KNOW what we are doing.

 

[rotary111]

Spent the evening with friends at the Illani casino last night and only glanced at the screen when I could. Really not sure how I'm gonna watch this game but I know I have to. I could feel everyone's pain as I started reading the game thread. Pretty sure I stopped sometime in the first quarter. Ugh.

Hopefully nobody jumped off a bridge.

I can't wait to get my hopes up next season....Oh wait we have to suffer through another game.

 

[Nhawz]

So this is what it feels like to have nuts on your forehead.... kinda sucks... imagine if boogie was in the lineup. GS would revive a set on their foreheads as well.

 

[Nhawz]

If Dame has a problem trading CJ or anyone else on the team and is gonna cause problems over it trade him too. He isn’t Kobe fucking Bryant. This roster needs another STAR not more decent role players.

It is clear that our backcourt is easily contained, and down right destroyed by an elite Defensive backcourt. This series has written the book, created a 60 min vhs, and a PowerPoint presentation that is currently being viewed by the rest of the league on how simple it is to smother Portland’s offense. I love the fuck out of our guys, other than Meyers Leonard. But since that power point, that was very precise and detailed when assembled, has been viewed by all, we have to make moves. Love Cj but if he could headline a deal for kawhi, done. Hope Neil can finally put something together soon, otherwise we’re moving on

 

[Lukee]

I love Dame, my favourite player and it's not even close. But if he tryes to defend or start making problems because we might trade CJ or fire Stotts then he can fuck off too. He's loyal, that really great. But he's not bigger than Blazers. So, he better shut up and work over summer.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Damn--good point. If the Blazers don't win game 3, I'm on board with an HCP game thread for game 4.

Sooo...yeah... The way this team is playing, they're not worthy of a @Darkwebs game thread.

Far as I'm concerned, go for it @HCP.

 

[theprunetang]

By the way, we have gotten our asses kicked in every game so far, and I'm not disputing that. But, have you noticed how many times the Pelicans are allowed to get away with kicked balls? I swear that half of our turnovers in game 3 were the result of kicked balls that weren't called. Like, at all. And we would do the same thing, and get called for it.

With that said, our coaching has completely failed to prepare the team for the defense that is coming at it. We have deserved to lose every game so far. I'm not trying to make ref excuses, just so you know. But the calls have been shit when it comes to kick balls so far

 

[Bob Dobalina]

Spent the evening with friends at the Illani casino last night and only glanced at the screen when I could. Really not sure how I'm gonna watch this game but I know I have to. I could feel everyone's pain as I started reading the game thread. Pretty sure I stopped sometime in the first quarter. Ugh.

Hopefully nobody jumped off a bridge.

I can't wait to get my hopes up next season....Oh wait we have to suffer through another game.

I actually considered going to Illani last night too. But the hope of a Blazer awakening stopped me. How was it? Wasn't Hit Machine there for a free concert?

 

[kjironman1]

Any type of personell has the ability to run sets with basket cuts, ball movement, etc. Anyone can try to run in transition. So why dont we?

They do run sets that have cuts to the basket when they have players on the court that can do it. Pat does it all the time. Harkless does it on occasion. You watched Leonard doing it as soon as he got in the game with Napier. But the starters Aminu, CJ, and Nurk don't work like that. Not to mention Lillard seems to be more about trying to keep the ball secure.

So your point that ANY TYPE of Personnel has the ability to run sets seems rather delusional at best. Sure they can but not at this level of play against these players. I can run sets that have cuts to the basket and have ball movement in transition. But that doesn't mean i should? How many times have we seen Aminu dribble the ball off his fucking knee? He is a three and D player at best. Spot up shooter and rebounding put back scorer. He is very good at those things but Nobody anywhere wants to see him put the ball on the floor and try to create or run a break. CJ seems to run a one man break every time he goes down the court. It can be 3 on 1 but he ain't gonna pass the ball. Bank on that. I'm not even gonna get into Nurkic trying to dribble a ball??? He does fine on a Pick and roll seems like he is finally starting to realize he is 7 foot tall and can actually dunk. There might be hope? He also seems like he can pass the ball pretty good and is getting better. But why did Leonard seem more dominant in his 10 mins of play? Because of the players he had with him, and the players he was playing against! Bones you know as much about the game as most posters on here. But there is a fundamental lack of respect from you for not only Stotts but the entire team when it comes to seeing what they are doing. You don't play at this level or against players like Anthony Davis. They are out of this world talented. Even guys you seem to bash day in and day out like Meyers Leonard would totally dominate in any league i have ever even thought about playing in. I feel some perspective is needed when statements that include "Any Type of Personnel" are made.

 

[rotary111]

I actually considered going to Illani last night too. But the hope of a Blazer awakening stopped me. How was it? Wasn't Hit Machine there for a free concert?

Not sure if they were there or not. We just met for dinner. I live right around the corner from there so it's great for dinner/drinks and a show. Plenty of big screens in the bars to watch any sport on the tube. If you haven't been, you should. It's a nice place if you ask me.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Lmao. Regular season is pointless if you can't succeed in the playoffs, and if other teams were as healthy as us, we'd be the 7th or 8th seed. We're not built for the playoffs and it's mostly pur coaching staff. Our coaching staff is what's regressed.

I think you're identified the symptom, but not the cause, at least not entirely. Yes, Stotts hasn't shown much ability to make adjustments, but this is also a roster that leans very heavily on two small guards to create offense for themselves. Sometimes Nurkic shows flashes, but he's not a consistent weapon on offense and when panic sets in, it's all hero-ball, all the time with Damian and CJ because they don't believe they can rely on their other teammates to produce points. A harder-nosed coach than Stotts might be able to curb that, but I'm betting that it would take somebody of Popovich's stature to demand that kind of accountability, because both Damian and CJ would have to really trust that giving up the ball and passing more would lead to success.

This team needs roster changes and coaching changes.

 

[DDolla]

The home court advantage got us 4 more extra embarrassing games lol... believe me, that’s just sad.

 

[kjironman1]

The home court advantage got us 4 more extra embarrassing games lol... believe me, that’s just sad.

Do you think Dame has had a chance to see something he has not seen and learned from it? How about the rest of the team?
Point is no experience is a bad experience if you don't die and you learn from it.

 

[tester551]

Do you think Dame has had a chance to see something he has not seen and learned from it? How about the rest of the team?
Point is no experience is a bad experience if you don't die and you learn from it.

So far, it doesn't appear that the correct lessons are being learned by Dame or Stotts.

 

[DDolla]

Do you think Dame has had a chance to see something he has not seen and learned from it? How about the rest of the team?
Point is no experience is a bad experience if you don't die and you learn from it.

Check Dame stats before and after he became a father. The last time he played well was on the road against the Pelicans. Maybe he don’t get enough rest... just my opinion.

 

[kjironman1]

Check Dame stats before and after he became a father. The last time he played well was on the road against the Pelicans. Maybe he don’t get enough rest... just my opinion.

Well i guess it could be? But really that isn't even an issue because he ain't gonna not be a father any time soon.

 

[kjironman1]

So far, it doesn't appear that the correct lessons are being learned by Dame or Stotts.

Learn something every day bro. That's life. Learning is a life long process. Three most basic needs to be successful are reliability, good work ethic, and a positive attitude. Dame and Stotts have all three. They will be just fine.

 

[hoopsjock]

Check Dame stats before and after he became a father. The last time he played well was on the road against the Pelicans. Maybe he don’t get enough rest... just my opinion.

You're forgetting the Utah game.

 

[kjironman1]

You're forgetting the Utah game.

I also don't prescribe to the tired because of the kid thing. Dame lives with enough family. His mother his sister and his girlfriend are all over that. Dame gets plenty of rest at home. Kid or no kid.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

I can only speak for myself but....what a difference a day makes! The fact that that day is 420 has helped to soften the sharper edges of my disappointment. I highly (okay, okay, strongly) recommend it......hey, whatever it takes.

 

[hoopsjock]

Do you think Dame has had a chance to see something he has not seen and learned from it? How about the rest of the team?
Point is no experience is a bad experience if you don't die and you learn from it.

Yo KJ, my problem with it is that after Game 3 we shouldn't still be hearing Dame talk about it like the first two games didn't happen. I'm not trying to bash Dame but he just doesn't look right mentally out there. I think he's getting okay looks for playoff basketball he's just really struggling. The turnovers are the thing that is killing me though. He's usually pretty careful with the ball. That is why we get away with virtually no fast break points or easy baskets. That is also why we can still compete in games where we shoot poorly because at least we get shots most possessions.

Dame has to learn how to play without the pick and roll. Stotts (or whoever is the coach) needs to design an offense that can counter if a team takes that away. You know what's not a good idea? Running pick and roll over and over again with Dame as he gets blitzed and turns the ball over. How about playing Dame off the ball? How about letting him go at his defender without a pick? He's gotten decent shots in those situations (for him at least) but he hasn't been making them. After the team turned the ball over 6 out of 7 plays in a row last night there we were running another pick and roll with Dame and Ed Davis. Then after the game Quick says the players seem like they can't figure out what the problem is just like pre-Nurk last year. It's called the playoffs. You have to step your game up or the season is over.

I'm not trying to knock Dame, he's an amazing player and I hope he spends his entire career in Portland. Honestly though after all the talk about being snubbed for All-Star games and not getting the recognition he deserves this is why he won't be a lock for that in the future and probably won't ever make 1st team All-NBA again (if he gets it this year). People remember what you did in the playoffs. He can have another MVP level season next year but the voters will remember that he didn't perform when it mattered. One of the reasons I love Dame though is that he is the type that will fight instead of run away like Aldridge did. After being in the playoffs 5 straight years though there is no more excuses about the talent around you or that they focus their defense on you. I can maybe see that excuse up until this year but he has to be better.