BassPlaya
Puntificator
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- Oct 24, 2022
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I notice we don't do this here, so I am going to go for it anyway. I watched the game and had so many observations, I have had to read everyone else's thoughts to re-compile my own. Not it order....just random memory.
But first, for me it's about the feeling I get while watching this team against serious competition. First and foremost, I am a glass half full fan. Always have been. If you have read any of my posts, you know I believe that enjoying whatever team you follow and in whatever sport, is a choice. No matter where the team is at in their growth, ascension, nose dive, or tear down...you can still enjoy it. To blames one's fan experience on the actions of your team, is a choice. enough about that.
The Blazers this season look like they belong. Oh...they had their moments the last two years where they belonged for a stretch of plays, or maybe even a game, but it seemed to always come from the other team having a night where they were off, injured players, or it was at a less important part of their season. Both the preseason and now the start of the regular season, I am seeing those good teams like the Nuggets, or Warriors, or Clippers...really dig in and try to put us away like they used to...and they're literally surprised at how hard that is to do now. That in itself, is magic.
I think my favorite thing that happened last night, was the long ball to DC on a fast break. No way does he get down there last year, especially considering the time it was in the game, and the fact that he was the de facto center. But how quick he handled the ball and make the layup? Huge leap from last year. Huge. Him and Camara....when they get pissed, they get even. I like that.
Shaedon's block of that shot late in the fourth brought me out of my seat. He Thybullized that guy. That was just a glimpse of the late fourth quarter skills he's going to bring to the team. He is still a very young guy, but he is slowly starting to put that freakish athleticism to work in a smarter way. The only thing that stands in his way, is himself.
Grant. I was down on Grant last season. Didn't spend much time talking about it, but it was fairly obvious that there was more than just things you could blame on scheme, or substitutions. He is flat out different this year. I did not expect this on any level. His length is seriously hard to defend, especially when we wants to get to the basket. And he is not afraid to do it against the best in the NBA. As of right now, him and Jru are the two guys that have the ability to slump bust the team out of a lull offensively.
Speaking of Jru, what in intelligent basketball player. Wow. He is historically smart. It's like he knows where you are going to scratch...before you even itch. I am delighted to see him embrace the team and the circumstances into which he has been traded to. Now, we're seeing his smile, his wicked game, and his excitement of sharing it with his brothers. Big time get. His effect on the younger players goes way beyond his actual in-game play. Thanks, Joe. You were playing 3-D chess, to trade Anfernee for a player who plays 3-D chess.
Kris Murray. Where do I start? I have been a backer since day one. There has been a lot of negative chatter about him. See, the thing is, Kris is a different cat. He is not a fake it until you make it guy. He's at the other end of the spectrum. He's a methodical, plodding, realist. He doesn't display what he can do, until he is sure he can do it. Obviously, that's not fast enough for most fans. But here is the thing....once he does it.....that's his new floor. I remember the first time he was left open and he just took the ball at the rack and did a very....careful...two handed stuff. I could see in his manner, he was like...ok, I can do that. A few jams later, and he's adding force to it. Because it's now part of his game, and he's looking for it. I don't think we're even close to where his floor will end up, but make no mistake, he is going to eventually become a player teams have to game plan for. It's coming.
Blake freaking Wesley. I read a post on Edge where someone called him the Lord of Chaos. I like that. Dude is stupid fast. He's got speed, smarts, and a bit of junk yard dog. In a half dozen games, he has made his presence felt. When he comes in the game, I now expect things will happen. I did not see this coming when he was acquired. He enhances what we already have energy wise from Camara and Deni. I do expect to see him rotate in when games are on the line and a stop is needed.
Boxy. I nicknamed him bobcat, because dealing with him is like fighting a bobcat in a phone booth. His ability to give the team the minutes he did last night after getting that shitty 5th foul? Epic. Those minutes were huge. He has that ability to channel his frustrations and anger, into production. He is the poster child of this team's defensive identity. When he hits those 3's, it's just icing on the cake.
Your thoughts?
But first, for me it's about the feeling I get while watching this team against serious competition. First and foremost, I am a glass half full fan. Always have been. If you have read any of my posts, you know I believe that enjoying whatever team you follow and in whatever sport, is a choice. No matter where the team is at in their growth, ascension, nose dive, or tear down...you can still enjoy it. To blames one's fan experience on the actions of your team, is a choice. enough about that.
The Blazers this season look like they belong. Oh...they had their moments the last two years where they belonged for a stretch of plays, or maybe even a game, but it seemed to always come from the other team having a night where they were off, injured players, or it was at a less important part of their season. Both the preseason and now the start of the regular season, I am seeing those good teams like the Nuggets, or Warriors, or Clippers...really dig in and try to put us away like they used to...and they're literally surprised at how hard that is to do now. That in itself, is magic.
I think my favorite thing that happened last night, was the long ball to DC on a fast break. No way does he get down there last year, especially considering the time it was in the game, and the fact that he was the de facto center. But how quick he handled the ball and make the layup? Huge leap from last year. Huge. Him and Camara....when they get pissed, they get even. I like that.
Shaedon's block of that shot late in the fourth brought me out of my seat. He Thybullized that guy. That was just a glimpse of the late fourth quarter skills he's going to bring to the team. He is still a very young guy, but he is slowly starting to put that freakish athleticism to work in a smarter way. The only thing that stands in his way, is himself.
Grant. I was down on Grant last season. Didn't spend much time talking about it, but it was fairly obvious that there was more than just things you could blame on scheme, or substitutions. He is flat out different this year. I did not expect this on any level. His length is seriously hard to defend, especially when we wants to get to the basket. And he is not afraid to do it against the best in the NBA. As of right now, him and Jru are the two guys that have the ability to slump bust the team out of a lull offensively.
Speaking of Jru, what in intelligent basketball player. Wow. He is historically smart. It's like he knows where you are going to scratch...before you even itch. I am delighted to see him embrace the team and the circumstances into which he has been traded to. Now, we're seeing his smile, his wicked game, and his excitement of sharing it with his brothers. Big time get. His effect on the younger players goes way beyond his actual in-game play. Thanks, Joe. You were playing 3-D chess, to trade Anfernee for a player who plays 3-D chess.
Kris Murray. Where do I start? I have been a backer since day one. There has been a lot of negative chatter about him. See, the thing is, Kris is a different cat. He is not a fake it until you make it guy. He's at the other end of the spectrum. He's a methodical, plodding, realist. He doesn't display what he can do, until he is sure he can do it. Obviously, that's not fast enough for most fans. But here is the thing....once he does it.....that's his new floor. I remember the first time he was left open and he just took the ball at the rack and did a very....careful...two handed stuff. I could see in his manner, he was like...ok, I can do that. A few jams later, and he's adding force to it. Because it's now part of his game, and he's looking for it. I don't think we're even close to where his floor will end up, but make no mistake, he is going to eventually become a player teams have to game plan for. It's coming.
Blake freaking Wesley. I read a post on Edge where someone called him the Lord of Chaos. I like that. Dude is stupid fast. He's got speed, smarts, and a bit of junk yard dog. In a half dozen games, he has made his presence felt. When he comes in the game, I now expect things will happen. I did not see this coming when he was acquired. He enhances what we already have energy wise from Camara and Deni. I do expect to see him rotate in when games are on the line and a stop is needed.
Boxy. I nicknamed him bobcat, because dealing with him is like fighting a bobcat in a phone booth. His ability to give the team the minutes he did last night after getting that shitty 5th foul? Epic. Those minutes were huge. He has that ability to channel his frustrations and anger, into production. He is the poster child of this team's defensive identity. When he hits those 3's, it's just icing on the cake.
Your thoughts?
