Game Thread PLAYOFFS: ROUND 1, GAME 3: NUGGETS @ BLAZERS - MAY 27, 2021 - THURSDAY, 7:30, NBATV & NBCSNW

[BBert]

Blazers missed many wide open threes

True. There were a number of threes in the fourth quarter that I expected to go in. But alas. They did not.

 

[wizenheimer]

...can't make this shit up!

pretty funny

he's right, game 2 defense was really really bad giving up a defensive rating of 132.7

but last night, the Blazers gave up a rating of 127.0. Their regular season average was 116.0. Remember the days when defenses got better in the playoffs?

 

[B-Roy]

True. There were a number of threes in the fourth quarter that I expected to go in. But alas. They did not.

Whole game. Almost all of CJs threes were wide open, but 3/10 won’t cut it.

That’s not really my biggest issue though. Last night we should have won if we shot even near our averages. We got good shots. Defensively though, it’s the same mess as we saw in the beginning of the season. Same mistakes, where guys are completely clueless on what they are supposed to be doing. Coaching not helping with his rotations. It’s clear the guys are just completely unprepared on that side of the floor. I had a bit of optimism that we may make some noise in the playoffs give how well we ended the season, especially against a depleted Denver and possibly a weakened Lakers. This team though, even if they get past Denver (which they definitely still can), will get swept by a Laker team with LeBron on one ankle.

 

[THE HCP]

So it’s NOT just us.

 

[Haakzilla]

So it’s NOT just us.

Crowder is the cream of that crop and the only one starting -- I wonder if he was pursued at all?

 

[James lamphear]

They have a bench. We apparently don't.

Isn't that having depth on your team.

 

[handiman]

I lack the basketball knowledge to understand why, in a three point shooting league, the Blazers completely sell out on guarding the paint, leaving the corner three, that any high schooler can make, wide open. Also we are always having to sprint out to an open three point shooter, leaving another three point shooter unguarded. I guess I don't understand modern basketball.

You sound like you're auditioning for an imminent job opening.

 

[Tince]

So when Stotts said he's going to do things differently this year and personnel was brought in to help that change but then the coach goes "sike, we're just gonna go back to running the old stuff so it looks like I have no good players," that is on the GM for not fixing it?

I can't speak for Stotts. Maybe he and the players realized the new players weren't good enough so it made more sense for the last month to go back to what he's had more success with.

Olshey certainly hasn't committed to building a roster around defense, nor as Stotts done a good job with defense. When your point of attack defenders suck, and you play half a season with the worst defensive big in the league, combined with a coach with no long term defensive success; I'm not sure why anyone would be surprised by this outcome.

The DJJ signing was another failure in a long list of subpar signings that don't move the needle. I've been on record that switching around marginal wings around Dame isn't going to be enough. I'm fine that Stotts will be gone this summer because it should speed up the process if people realizing that this isn't a contending roster.

 

[Tince]

Bruh you really think a coach can just say "I want them" and a GM can AUTOMATICALLY make it happen?! Shit doesn't work like that bro. Olshey and Stotts work together but you can't just snap your fingers and get whoever you want.

Not what I said, bruh.

 

[wizenheimer]

I'm fine that Stotts will be gone this summer because it should speed up the process if people realizing that this isn't a contending roster.

I think most people know that

there are 3 or 4 posters who seem to need to talk about a talented contender-level roster in order to blame Stotts for failing to deliver a contender. It's an unbalanced roster with significant holes and awkward fits. I can't see any real logic in arguing Stotts is a failure while being enthusiastic Olshey apologists

I say all that as someone who believes Stotts should have been fired after the Pels series...by a new GM

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Monte' Morris is the Blazer-killer. Can't be mad because he's representing Flint.

Sigh. I think Mike Malone has worked out that he should be playing Morris instead of Campazzo.

 

[Strenuus]

Sigh. I think Mike Malone has worked out that he should be playing Morris instead of Campazzo.
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He doubled his career playoff high lol.