Game Thread Preseason Game #1 Suns @ Trail Blazers Game Thread

Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Register Log in

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)
So Harkless and Aminu coming off the bench interesting.
 
I'm going to try and do some pregames and see if the old schedule will allow this year. As usual it's tough to do a pregame on a pre-season game because really this is all about development. As per usual Stotts won't play anyone more than a half game here to begin with but you will see the rookies get some chances as well as the guys fighting for that 15th spot.

One thing that stands out this year is the the Blazers do indeed have quite a few guys coming back from last year so i should have a jump start on the blazers at least. As usual the first 10-15 games define a team and and opposing teams will be a work in progress.



Right now the Suns are formidable with Devin Booker and Eric Bledsoe at the guard positions. They still have the wily old veteran at center with Tyson Chandler with Alex Len back also. Those two can cause any team to have to make some adjustments. Suns also come out with Marquese Chriss and Dragon Bender at the Power forward position. Both can shoot and are very mobile. Their biggest question mark is the small forward position with both TJ Warren and the rookie Josh Jackson vying for starting minutes

The Suns are a mess injury wise though with Brandon Knight, Davon Reed and Jared Dudley all out with significant injuries. The Blazers seem to be rather healthy at this point getting Moe back but both Vonleh and Napier are out however, their respective injuries are not serious.

Of course Ed Davis and Meyers Leonard are looking to make a good showing in a real game situation. They both dealt with shoulder injuries last year and need to have some good success early to make a good case for minutes. My thinking is Davis will have a big impact backing up Nurkic and he will most certainly be the difference maker this season if he can stay healthy. Meyers is always a dark horse it seems but we can all hope right?

Biggest Question this year for the Blazers is the Power Forward position. Look for Swanigan to make a good case for minutes if he can stay on the court and not foul too much. This is also the case for Collins. Both are rookies and going up against real NBA caliber players might take a bit to get used to. Little things will be used against them in ways they are simply going to have to learn. Also Refs in the NBA call the game different than in college. My thinking is Collins might need to keep his head in order to stay on the court. He has shown he has a temper. NBA players will get the book on him and exploit it if he lets them. I think the main thing here is to get Aminu back playing off the bench at the 3 more than the 4. Aminu can guard multiple positions so as we all know there will be a time and place for him. Just not sure i want him as the Blazers starting Power Forward.



Pick to click this game is Nurkic.

If the Blazers are able to really utilize him the way he was working for them last year you should see a very solid game from him.



Go Blazers!

Kjironman is a fan!!!
 
HCP said:
Funny thing is, I have so much time off from May - Halloween, I looked up being an Uber driver......said I didn't qualify, my car is too old!
Click to expand...

What? I pictured you driving a fat-cat Audi or Lexus.
 
I actually don't think Nurkic will play that much. Time to showcase Meyers baby.
 
HCP said:
Funny thing is, I have so much time off from May - Halloween, I looked up being an Uber driver......said I didn't qualify, my car is too old!
Click to expand...

Silly. We all admire your ability to keep a '67 Rambler running.

Did you tell them about your Yugo?!?
 
Not a huge fan of the lineup. I know Noah is out, but I like Noah and Mo next to Nurk for their movement towards the rim. Mo had some easy dunks when Nurk found him slashing to the hoop.
 
e_blazer said:
What? I pictured you driving a fat-cat Audi or Lexus.
Click to expand...
I do drive an Audi. A 4.2L A6 It's just mor than 8 years old or whatever their cutoff is. I honestly was going to do it. I never work in July, thought it might be fun.
 
We never did see Ed with Nurk. I think his style of play is perfect to play along side the big man. Cleaning up misses. Offensive putbacks. Waiting for the dish when Nurk gets doubled. All the stuff Noah was doing. I think he is capable. And who knows, maybe Stotts has been playing them together in training camp and liked what he saw.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top