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

[riverman]

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.

He went 4 for 7 from 3 their first game....he's going to feast in the east

 

[e_blazer]

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.

I have to admit to a little buyer's remorse last night. After watching Whiteside's "performance", I found myself wondering if a Collins/Leonard/Gasol center rotation wouldn't look a lot better than what we saw on the court. My better angels are telling me that it's going to take some time, but man, that was ugly.

 

[riverman]

Whiteside has a gimpy ankle and didn't want a setback in a meaningless game...Collins played with a sore middle finger...they'll be better. Pau is really going to help Zach and Skal bigtime

 

[noknobs]

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.

‘‘Twas simply a joke, I’m actually gonna miss the goofy bastard.

 

[kjironman1]

‘‘Twas simply a joke, I’m actually gonna miss the goofy bastard.

I figured as much. I was just picking up conversation on Meyers because the guy has been doing well. I think he will have a good year if he stays healthy.

 

[theprunetang]

I figured as much. I was just picking up conversation on Meyers because the guy has been doing well. I think he will have a good year if he stays healthy.

I also think he will have a good year, and will most likely play the most minutes of his career. I'm happy for him. Yeah, he's goofy and a bit out of touch with reality, but he never stopped working his ass off to improve, even when he was literally playing like the human embodiment of dog shit with a Johnny Bravo haircut. Count me as someone who loves a good redemption story through hard work and perseverance.

 

[hoopsjock]

If the Blazers were playing the Heat last night, Meyers would've dropped 60 on us with how open we were leaving the 3 point shooters.

 

[Labinot41]

Is it to early to be concerned about Whiteside?

 

[tlongII]

Is it to early to be concerned about Whiteside?

Yes.

 

[hoopsjock]

Is it to early to be concerned about Whiteside?

Double Yes

 

[GhostOfPGA]

Lol it was a preseason game

 

[kjironman1]

Is it to early to be concerned about Whiteside?

Gonna say "yes" it's too early with a disclaimer. You play like you practice. Last night was practice. He needs to play tougher in my opinion. It can bleed over into regular games.

 

[Lanny]

Never heard of him. Plus, I'm sure he sleeps in 'til Noon.

Sleeping in 'till noon is great. All us government workers do it.

 

[Lanny]

Collins injured his middle finger during practice? Why is he flipping off teammates?

I injured my middle finger once. It never had a chance to heal because of the way other people drive.

 

[Wade Garrett]

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.

Hoping Meyers shines in Miami.

 

[BBert]

@Darkwebs doesn't waste his time with preseason games.
Nor should he.

The HCP does preseason games.

Then he gets cut when the regular season starts.

Sad.

 

[BBert]

Yep. And if someone has a bad shooting night, we should trade them immediately for draft picks.

Bye-Bye Bazemore then....

 

[BBert]

I thought the first team played really good D; Tolliver on the second team, his D is not good.

So to sum up: Tolliver.....is not good.

 

[BBert]

Tolliver looks bad. That shot is Aminu-like right now.

Worse. At least Aminu gathered and looked at the basket, and shot when open.

 

[BBert]

Is it too early to complain about the refs? Lol

I did not love the foul that was called by the ref who was behind the Denver player and could not possibly see the ball get swiped out of his hand cleanly. Ref literally called a foul he didn't, and couldn't, see, and not just because it wasn't a foul. Because his view was blocked. I have to shake my head when they do that. Why, Why, would a ref make a call when he can't see the call he made?

 

[BBert]

What sort of creature died on Nurkic's head?

Bosnian Muskrat, I think?

 

[BBert]

Trent's never impressed me.

Preach. I just don't get the love this guy gets. He'll be lucky to get a second contract.

 

[BBert]

What does Trent do well?

Call his own number?

Oh, wait. That's bad.

NM

 

[BBert]

I didn’t know Nassir had a handle like that tbh. It’s preseason but I don’t remember either Harkless or Aminu pulling a move like that off, like ever. He won’t be in the rotation but Stotts will give him a shot at some point while he tinkers with lineups.

Aminu has pulled off a few whirling dervish moves around the basket. The difference is, Aminu was completely fucking out of control and lucky the shot went in.

That move by NAS was the play of the game, and he made it look like a stroll in the park.

 

[theprunetang]

Aminu has pulled off a few whirling dervish moves around the basket. The difference is, Aminu was completely fucking out of control and lucky the shot went in.

That move by NAS was the play of the game, and he made it look like a stroll in the park.

Nas also dribbled it with his head up. Haha

 

[JDC]

Like some have already noted, Zach's jumper looks much smoother. Which is huge since he'll be playing further away from the basket than he did last year.

Also looked calmer guarding out on the perimeter and did a better job closing out to the side of shooters to avoid fouling.

Still looks like he never be much of a self creator on offense minus the occasional face up opportunity, but that's perfectly fine. Still can be a solidly positive player overall without that.

Can't wait to see how he looks with Gasol. Would also like him to lose a little weight / tighten up which I think we'll see over the course of the year, much like we saw with him after summer league last year.

Didn't look quite as explosive around rim off two as both a finisher and more importantly, protecting the rim with that extra weight.

Will also help him in situations where he's the low man helping out on the weakside then having to x out and close out to shooters, which he'll be forced to do a lot more of playing PF.

 

[Scalma]

Zach = Ibaka imo. Will never be a focal point offensively but can knock down shots and defend at a high level.

 

[BonesJones]

Brown was horrid.

Huh? He looked good considering. Couple nice defensive plays and a couple nice finishes.

 

[Scalma]

Huh? He looked good considering. Couple nice defensive plays and a couple nice finishes.

I watched the fourth quarter specifically for Brown and his length was causing problems both on shots and in passing lanes. He’s obviously not ready right now, he still looks super raw offensively, but he’s worth a two way contract and I’d be surprised if he didn’t get one. He can be a solid backup next year.

 

[BonesJones]

I watched the fourth quarter specifically for Brown and his length was causing problems both on shots and in passing lanes. He’s obviously not ready right now, he still looks super raw offensively, but he’s worth a two way contract and I’d be surprised if he didn’t get one. He can be a solid backup next year.

For sure. I was noting on my post-game stream (shameless plug) that I think he makes a ton of sense as a long-term project due to his length and long-term potential that Perrentas, Coupain, and Blevins don't have. If he bulks up-long term I could see him being a poor man's Whiteside (similar length and they move the same way IMO). If we don't give him at least a two-way contract I'll be disappointed.