Game Thread Preseason Game #1: Nuggets @ Blazers - Veterans Memorial Coliseum

[kjironman1]

I thought we looked like shit. Doesn't matter though because it's preseason and we have a bunch of new guys. I think we'll be ready for the season opener.

Yeah. It was to be expected.

 

[illmatic99]

Also curious to see how David Vanterpool's departure affects Simons' development.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I'm missing the game because my wife is insisting on finishing season 3 of the Durrells in Corfu...don't ask

My Family and Other Animals was one of my favorite books growing up and I kind of hate what they did with it. The mother was not a sexy youngish love interest, she was just comic relief (and a bit of an alcoholic).

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I thought we looked like shit.

Have to agree. The Nuggets played without their best player (who is a genuine MVP candidate) and didn't break a sweat. We've got all our hopes hanging on Simons and Porter is like Durant Jr.

Helps that they actually have a POINT GUARD ON THE BENCH, something we haven't had in years.

Doesn't matter though because it's preseason and we have a bunch of new guys. I think we'll be ready for the season opener.

Hm. I think we MIGHT kick into gear after the All-Star break.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

The Whiteside + pick for Otto Porter idea is a drum I'm gonna be beating for the next few months, bear with me.

I'm with you, except I have the terrible feeling that if we got Porter he'd turn out to be Evan Turner.

 

[illmatic99]

I'm with you, except I have the terrible feeling that if we got Porter he'd turn out to be Evan Turner.

Why is that? He's a career 40.5% 3pt shooter, of which 93% of his makes have been assisted. He's the definition of a corner catch and shoot guy, which is essentially all we would ever ask of him on offense. Just having him run to the wings and corners alone would improve our spacing immensely.

And he can swing to 3/4 on defense and somewhat help with the likes of Bron/PG/Kawhi/et al alongside Bazemore/Hood/Nurk.

If CHI would just comply, I can't find a more perfect fit.

 

[kjironman1]

Also curious to see how David Vanterpool's departure affects Simons' development.

I been wondering that pretty much all summer. @Chris Craig had a pretty good answer on his site.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Nate McMillan would say we should have won this game. We had two more rebounds than them, two less turnovers and shot six more free throws. Unfortunately, Nate, we only shot 20% from three.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Nate McMillan would say we should have won this game. We had two more rebounds than them, two less turnovers and shot six more free throws. Unfortunately, Nate, we only shot 20% from three.

And like 33% overall lol

 

[hoopsjock]

The one thing I agreed with @BonesJones last night on his stream was Pau’s role in the half court could be extremely important for the second unit. Using his passing and ability to make plays could be their best option in the half court.

The one thing? He he.

 

[Jon]

Dude is 19 and super raw. It's to be expected. Nothing wrong with having a project big on your team.

so, another Meyers?

 

[James lamphear]

One of the greatest typos/autocorrects I've ever seen. He will henceforth be known as "Anthony Rollover".

That was pretty bad of me.

 

[B-Roy]

That could be an option, but getting Hassan to actually make contact on his screens would also do wonders. How can a guy that big barely touch defenders on screens? Just looked lazy, on both ends.

I really hope for his sake that what we saw last night was because of his ankle.

This is a problem Hassan has had his entire career. At this point I’m more inclined to believe it’s his own issue rather then give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

[noknobs]

I don't know what he did over the off-season but that was the best Meyers has looked in a long time.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

The one thing? He he.

You heard me!... you read it! Lol
It was definitely the thing I agreed with the most. That wasnt like dead obvious (at least to me). Lol

 

[PtldPlatypus]

That was pretty bad of me.

No, it was perfect. I loved it.

 

[illmatic99]

One of the greatest typos/autocorrects I've ever seen. He will henceforth be known as "Anthony Rollover".

Those were some of the worst airballs I've ever seen in an NBA game.

He actually backs a company that makes tech to track shot trajectory, arch, etc. His display yesterday can't be good for business.

 

[THE HCP]

I'm guessing it's because it's a national TV game and the lighting and glare.

@THE HCP you got any info on this?

When we played the Suns in the MC during the 40th Anniversary season, the curtains were up. Not sure why they didn't do it again.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

When we played the Suns in the MC during the 40th Anniversary season, the curtains were up. Not sure why they didn't do it again.

Curtains were down.

 

[theprunetang]

so, another Meyers?

You never know with a project big. I would suggest just letting the guy be who he is for a bit and see if he improves. It's not that hard. Not like you need your 15th man to play anyways.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Not sure we even ran an offense. The starters just seemed to go through the motions in their 15 minutes together. (Although Zach played hard)
But overall when you play 17 players in a game.....that's what you often get.

 

[THE HCP]

Curtains were down.

I consider that the Curtains UP. I believe they pull them up from up above.

 

[illmatic99]

Not sure we even ran an offense. The starters just seemed to go through the motions in their 15 minutes together. (Although Zach played hard)
But overall when you play 17 players in a game.....that's what you often get.

They referenced after the practices last week that they only focused on defense. Wonder if they've even put in any sets

 

[riverman]

They referenced after the practices last week that they only focused on defense. Wonder if they've even put in any sets

They all said they haven't put in any sets yet...just simple reads

 

[Jon]

You never know with a project big. I would suggest just letting the guy be who he is for a bit and see if he improves. It's not that hard. Not like you need your 15th man to play anyways.

in this case, 20th, lol

 

[Jon]

so last night i posted on the blazers forum FB page:

"fire everyone and blow up the team. might as well sell it. season over"

there were soooo many people who took me serious, it was unbelievable. woke up this morning to the admin deleting my post.

people on that page need a sense of humor.

 

[wizenheimer]

- Chicago will not want to pay Porter what he will want this summer with their glut of forwards.

he has a PO of 28.4M....would Portland even want to pay that or sign him to a new deal?

if he opts in, the Blazers would be at 120M in guaranteed salary and that's only for 8 players. That's 4M over the projected cap and only about 17-18M below the tax line. And the NBA is talking about lowering the projection because of the potential loss of revenue from the China controversy

and it wouldn't include Hood, Bazemore, Skal, or Hezonja, and I suspect Portland has a wink & nod agreement with Hood for a sizable bump in pay

that would very likely put them over the tax line for the 3rd straight season, meaning they'd be in the repeater tax when Dame's and CJ's next contracts kick in at 75M for just the two of them

 

[theprunetang]

in this case, 20th, lol

True. But comparing an undrafted rookie to a late lotto pick isn't exactly fair to Brown. Nothing should be expected to him and anything he becomes is just gravy, if we do indeed keep him.

 

[kjironman1]

so, another Meyers?

If that dude ever makes $40 million in this league i would be highly surprised. If he ever even makes a team he will have come a long way.

 

[kjironman1]

I don't know what he did over the off-season but that was the best Meyers has looked in a long time.

Meyers Leonard Pulled in 11 boards and scored 5 in 24 mins as a starter against the Spurs last night.
The real story was Jones, Dragic, Herro and Waiters in a blowout win. The Heat second unit is no joke at all.
Winslow, Robinson and Butler in the starting unit Haslem and Olynyk sat out.
Something tells me the Heat will be very good this year. Meyers will be a big part of that.