Powell starting?

[Eli Vance]

I missed the game, how did that look? It just sounds like a mess playing 3 short scoring guards. 41 points allowed in the 1st quarter. I don't see how you can take Jones out of the starting lineup. Maybe Stotts is experimenting but it doesn't seem viable.

 

[e_blazer]

I missed the game, how did that look? It just sounds like a mess playing 3 short scoring guards. 41 points allowed in the 1st quarter. I don't see how you can take Jones out of the starting lineup. Maybe Stotts is experimenting but it doesn't seem viable.

The Blazers were expecting Toronto to go with their 3-guard lineup, but that didn't materialize because Lowry didn't play. Powell got in foul trouble early, so he had to sit after about the first 5 minutes of the first quarter.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I missed the game, how did that look? It just sounds like a mess playing 3 short scoring guards. 41 points allowed in the 1st quarter. I don't see how you can take Jones out of the starting lineup. Maybe Stotts is experimenting but it doesn't seem viable.

Well, we were up 17-14 halfway through the 1st quarter. So IMO starting 3 guards was not the issue in this game defensively.
And we held them to 10 points in the 3rd so I don't think starting them in the 3rd was an issue either.

On a side note, damn Chris Bocher has continued to get better. Wish we had him on our bench.

 

[Chris Craig]

I missed the game, how did that look? It just sounds like a mess playing 3 short scoring guards. 41 points allowed in the 1st quarter. I don't see how you can take Jones out of the starting lineup. Maybe Stotts is experimenting but it doesn't seem viable.

Stotts has said he may or may not continue to start Powell. I don't think we got to see that lineup at its best against Toronto. Powell was in foul trouble and Dame and CJ were off. If Dame,CJ, and Powell are all on that's a nightmare lineup for opponents.

 

[Natebishop3]

Stotts has said he may or may not continue to start Powell. I don't think we got to see that lineup at its best against Toronto. Powell was in foul trouble and Dame and CJ were off. If Dame,CJ, and Powell are all on that's a nightmare lineup for opponents.

It's beyond annoying that CJ has never taken on the Jamal Crawford role on this team. He is perfectly suited for it. Dame and Norm should be starting and CJ should be coming off the bench playing both guard roles.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

It's beyond annoying that CJ has never taken on the Jamal Crawford role on this team. He is perfectly suited for it. Dame and Norm should be starting and CJ should be coming off the bench playing both guard roles.

CJ does play the Crawford role. He just plays the first 5 minutes of the game too.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

Well, we were up 17-14 halfway through the 1st quarter. So IMO starting 3 guards was not the issue in this game defensively.
And we held them to 10 points in the 3rd so I don't think starting them in the 3rd was an issue either.

On a side note, damn Chris Bocher has continued to get better. Wish we had him on our bench.

Always really liked Boucher.

 

[wizenheimer]

On a side note, damn Chris Bocher has continued to get better. Wish we had him on our bench.

it's not every day you see a player like him

he's 3rd in the NBA in block percentage while shooting over 41% on three's. He's a modern NBA PF/C in that 40% of his shots are at the rim where he converts at a 70% clip (Kanter converts at a 71% rate); and 40% of his shots are from three. He rebounds at a 15% rate which is pretty good for somebody who spends as much time outside as he does. And he has a really low turnover rate. He leads the raptors in PER, TS%, defensive rating, winshares/48, and BPM. And his FT rate would rank 2nd on Portland, just behind Dame.

he's just about everything the most optimistic Zach lover could hope for. He is 28 though, so his upside is probably close to tapped

 

[Hoopguru]

Was hoping that Harry would be able to play the role of inside out big, that has a shot and can board/BS's, but he's injury prone.

 

[Chris Craig]

Was hoping that Harry would be able to play the role of inside out big, that has a shot and can board/BS's, but he's injury prone.

And Stotts prefers to use proven players/veterans.

 

[brooklynballer]

And Stotts prefers to use proven players/veterans.

I actually don’t think Stotts has a strategy at all. Just seems to take a shotgun approach to everything and see what sticks.

 

[PHXBlazer1]

Powell is big enough to play the 3 with his wingspan..start him

 

[BlayZa]

6-2, 6-3 & 6-3

imposing 1-2-3 i look forward to some interesting post ups

 

[Wizard Mentor]

6-2, 6-3 & 6-3

imposing 1-2-3 i look forward to some interesting post ups

It'll never work

6'1" + 6'3" + 6'2 (Vinnie Johnson) seemed to work OK. We're just missing Dennis Rodman...

 

[wizenheimer]

Vinnie Johnson came off the bench, he wasn't a starter at SF; Joe Dumars was a 5-time all-NBA defender who appeared in 6 all-star games. Thomas appeared in 12 all star games and was named 5 times to the all-NBA teams; Detroit rotated Mark Aguirre and Rodman at SF. And the Pistons had a top-3 defense in an age when defense was king

Rodman was named to the all-defensive first team 7 times, led the league in rebounding 4 times, and was top-3 seven times. Laimbier led the league in rebounding twice and was top-5 five different times

Those Pistons teams had 6 different players that combined for 33 all-star games. That's correct, 33. Portland has one who has appeared in 6. So yeah, obviously the height of Dumars/Thomas means the height of Dame/CJ/Powell should have no issues

I'll assume you were kind of joking

 

[Labinot41]

One thing is pretty obvious to me, that Norman will struggle a little bit to get shots, because of Dame and CJ.

 

[James lamphear]

One thing is pretty obvious to me, that Norman will struggle a little bit to get shots, because of Dame and CJ.

It's the same thing I been saying for awhile it's really don't matter who you lineup with Dame and CJ there still going get there 40 plus between them last game they had 37. Two years ago I went back what our record was when both of them to over 40 shots and under 40 shots. Over 40 shots we had a loosing record under shots we had winning record. We got enough shooters on this team where Dame should have double figure assist in majority of the games and CJ and Dame has least 40 shots a game.

 

[Hoopguru]

It's the same thing I been saying for awhile it's really don't matter who you lineup with Dame and CJ there still going get there 40 plus between them last game they had 37. Two years ago I went back what our record was when both of them to over 40 shots and under 40 shots. Over 40 shots we had a loosing record under shots we had winning record. We got enough shooters on this team where Dame should have double figure assist in majority of the games and CJ and Dame has least 40 shots a game.

There was a time where the pg distributed the ball and wasnt counted on to be the #1. 2 guards have always been in the mic for FGA.
When Curry and Thompson were killing it it was the same thing with then getting most attempts. I guess you cant argue it as its been effective and Dame has put himself in contention for MVP.
I believe we are last in the league for assist.

 

[Labinot41]

There was a time where the pg distributed the ball and wasnt counted on to be the #1. 2 guards have always been in the mic for FGA.
When Curry and Thompson were killing it it was the same thing with then getting most attempts. I guess you cant argue it as its been effective and Dame has put himself in contention for MVP.
I believe we are last in the league for assist.

Dames last 5 games or so pretty much killed his chances of becoming an MVP this year. It’s either Jokic or Harden. Since that Dallas blowout his shooting been terrible

 

[Hoopguru]

Dames last 5 games or so pretty much killed his chances of becoming an MVP this year. It’s either Jokic or Harden. Since that Dallas blowout his shooting been terrible

Why would five games make that much of a difference? Harden and Jokic have had subpar games too.

 

[kjironman1]

Dames last 5 games or so pretty much killed his chances of becoming an MVP this year. It’s either Jokic or Harden. Since that Dallas blowout his shooting been terrible

Until he goes for 40+-40+ and 50+ three games in a row.

 

[Labinot41]

Why would five games make that much of a difference? Harden and Jokic have had subpar games too.

Because even before he just had outside chances. Jokic is dominating in every stat category and Harden since that trade is a monster and winning games for Brooklyn by his own without KD and Kyrie averaging 26/11/9

 

[Hoopguru]

Because even before he just had outside chances. Jokic is dominating in every stat category and Harden since that trade is a monster and winning games for Brooklyn by his own without KD and Kyrie averaging 26/11/9

I think it's Jokic's to lose.

 

[kjironman1]

Personally i think for the most part the MVP award is a team award. If players pick up a bunch of lose ends. Making shots that lead to assists. Defensive stops that help overall defensive rating. Open up the court for Dame to thrive he will in fact win a bunch of games to end this season.
All this adds up to a better team and a better record. Dame being the Leader is then looked at in a much better light.
He has this year and maybe 1 or 2 more years to get this or he will be on the decline and it will probably be out of reach.
Another issue is Luka is lurking. That dude is obviously going to be in the conversation as well as Jokic for a number of years.

 

[wizenheimer]

it's actually the last 4 games that Dame has been shooting like Bazemore. I know it's an 'excuse', but IIRC, Dame's shooting problems started right after a player (was it Josh Richardson?) landed on his knee in a scramble. Dame hasn't had his normal lift on jump shots or his regular burst on dribble drives. I'd like to see him get the next 3 games off; that would give him a 9 day break from action

 

[Labinot41]

it's actually the last 4 games that Dame has been shooting like Bazemore. I know it's an 'excuse', but IIRC, Dame's shooting problems started right after a player (was it Josh Richardson?) landed on his knee in a scramble. Dame hasn't had his normal lift on jump shots or his regular burst on dribble drives. I'd like to see him get the next 3 games off; that would give him a 9 day break from action

That sounds good, if we have Ambitions to be a great Team, we should beat the Pistons and OKC without Dame, no excuse. That bucks game is already a L. First game after long road trip and they have been kicking our asses for years

 

[kjironman1]

That bucks game is already a L.

Oh boy!
I hope i get to repost this. Home game after a days rest and only the second game in 5 days with Nurk and CJ back and the addition of Powell.
That game is far from a guaranteed loss.
I'm not a betting man but if I were I'd put $100 down on the Blazers for that one. Lets see what the odds are by the end of the week?

 

[Labinot41]

Oh boy!
I hope i get to repost this. Home game after a days rest and only the second game in 5 days with Nurk and CJ back and the addition of Powell.
That game is far from a guaranteed loss.
I'm not a betting man but if I were I'd put $100 down on the Blazers for that one. Lets see what the odds are by the end of the week?

You're a brave man KJ

 

[kjironman1]

You're a brave man KJ

I watched the Clippers absolutely dismantle the Bucks last night. Blazers have just as many weapons against them as the Clippers did in that game.
Clippers beat them badly without PG or Beverly but had 4 players with 20 or more points. Crazy part was the Bucks were getting to the line.

 

[calvin natt]

I watched the Clippers absolutely dismantle the Bucks last night. Blazers have just as many weapons against them as the Clippers did in that game.
Clippers beat them badly without PG or Beverly but had 4 players with 20 or more points. Crazy part was the Bucks were getting to the line.

Blazers always bad first game back from road trip. Havent looked it up, but I always pay attention to it, its crazy how many times they come back and you think 'great, back home, get some wins' and they lose.