Game Thread PRESEASON GAME# 2: KINGS @ BLAZERS - DECEMBER 13, 2020 - SUNDAY, 6:00, NBCSNW

[Wizard Mentor]

After 2 games, Giles is leading the team in ppg, rpg (by a lot), spg (by a lot)

 

[Buffalo Custard]

Good question. I like Giles better than Kanter overall. I think Collins & Giles are best suited to play the backup 5. Nurk should play 28mpg. Leaving 20 minutes for Kanter, Collins, and Giles. If our opponent has some big bruiser in, playing Giles could be problematic in those games. I don't like any of them at the 4, unless we're playing a team that is going big at the 4.

I'm not ready to wave the white flag on Collins (like some), but I do think Giles has a greater skill-set than him. Contract situations would make me want to give Collins more of a look though.

Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if Giles is better suited than Collins to deal with stretch 4s. At this point, however, that is mostly guess work. He has to stay healthy or the entire debate is moot!

 

[Tince]

Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if Giles is better suited than Collins to deal with stretch 4s. At this point, however, that is mostly guess work. He has to stay healthy or the entire debate is moot!

Agree & agree... For me, I'm far more concerned about the quality of our #2-#4 players than I am #9-#11, which is why you won't see me freaking out over the playing time of those guys.

 

[tlongII]

Based on what?

Zach has more range.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I don't know about all this Giles infatuation at this point?
I just don't see much all that special. Kanter showed he was way stronger around the rim and set brick wall screens. Not a knock on Giles, Kanter has been doing that for a while in this league. We also watched the offense gel and then they even took the lead while Kanter was on the floor. Then Stotts paired Giles and Kanter together it didn't work out well with Giles playing the 4. Stotts pulls Kanter and the Blazers immediately quit scoring. Again not entirely Giles's fault. the team went cold from everywhere for a while. He just doesn't seem to be able to work well on the offensive end ?
I'm going to reserve judgement on Giles just yet. Lets see how teams play him? Maybe he can get that mid range to fall consistently?

Preseason game #2 The HCP called it a loss from the beginning. Who knows? Maybe he's right about the game threads?
I'm gonna reserve judgement there also.

In the first half, he was a + 8. (Only Blazer with a plus +/- in the first half) You put him in there with the starters and he looks much better. He is very active. I agree Kanter played well in the 3rd, but still how long have we struggled against 3 pt shooting centers? Nurk, Whiteside, Kanter....never came close to guarding them out there. Get him minutes because he will be needed against ADavis

 

[Scalma]

He looked good on the 3 he shot tonight. One thing about Giles is he looks to be able to cover bigs on the perimeter.
We need his combination of athleticism and size. He should get minutes because of this. He is certainly quicker than Nurk, Kanter, and Collins. He also looks pretty smart out there. Not a lot of stupid turnovers, so I think Terry will trust him.

I love his hands. It’s immediately evident. Fact that he can also play the four will allow him to have a role even when Zach returns. I know I’ve said it before, but Kanter is a liability against a bunch of teams defensively, so Giles may just take the backup center job as well.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I love his hands. It’s immediately evident. Fact that he can also play the four will allow him to have a role even when Zach returns. I know I’ve said it before, but Kanter is a liability against a bunch of teams defensively, so Giles may just take the backup center job as well.

Yeah, they can't be more different. Both will be effective in certain situations.
I just love the thought of finally pressuring teams when needed. Trent, Jones, Covington, Giles with Dame could be fun to watch
when we are down.

 

[Buffalo Custard]

I love his hands. It’s immediately evident. Fact that he can also play the four will allow him to have a role even when Zach returns. I know I’ve said it before, but Kanter is a liability against a bunch of teams defensively, so Giles may just take the backup center job as well.

One thing I would add - Giles has good hands, but he plays defense with his feet. That sets him apart (in a good way) from Zach "if it moves foul it!" Collins.

 

[Paine Tablet]

One thing I would add - Giles has good hands, but he plays defense with his feet. That sets him apart (in a good way) from Zach "if it moves foul it!" Collins.

That's odd because that's one of the biggest knocks on Giles is his propensity to foul ala Collins.

 

[Tince]

That's odd because that's one of the biggest knocks on Giles is his propensity to foul ala Collins.

Yes... the larger sample size would tell you Giles is not a better defender than Collins. Unless you are going off the theory that Stotts is coaching him up so well on the defensive end that he's much improved. I'm not one of those people.

 

[Scalma]

18.5 ppg
13.5 rpg
2.5 spg
2.0 apg
1.5 bpg
58% FG
80% FT

I don’t know about all this Giles infatuation?

 

[blazerkor]

18.5 ppg
13.5 rpg
2.5 spg
2.0 apg
1.5 bpg
58% FG
80% FT

I don’t know about all this Giles infatuation?

Those stats should read per scrimmage not per game.

 

[Scalma]

 

[Scalma]

Hey Neil I think you should sign a point g

Neil:

 

[Natebishop3]

Hey Neil I think you should sign a point g

Neil:
View attachment 35505

neil would say “look we have a backup point guard and his name is CJ..... Elleby.

 

[THE HCP]

Do I waste my time with an ,”I told you so!”

Who gets the L here tonight? Stotts or the guy who started this thread?

 

[AldoTrapani]

Do I waste my time with an ,”I told you so!”

Who gets the L here tonight? Stotts or the guy who started this thread?

Big bro you called it smh

 

[James lamphear]

I want to see him and Zach Collins battle for that rotation spot...I'm not sure Giles doesn't win that battle

All this battling I will tell you this more likely Giles is battling Kanter for minutes at the backup center position and Zach is probably going to play backup 4 minutes. I don't be surprised if Giles and Zach on the floor together.

 

[James lamphear]

One thing I would add - Giles has good hands, but he plays defense with his feet. That sets him apart (in a good way) from Zach "if it moves foul it!" Collins.

Most Zach fouls come contesting shots at the rim. Also Zach make people change there shots at the rim. Giles and Zach are two different types of players. Both players are high energy guys that I like.

 

[kjironman1]

After 2 games, Giles is leading the team in ppg, rpg (by a lot), spg (by a lot)

Minutes per game also No?

 

[kjironman1]

18.5 ppg
13.5 rpg
2.5 spg
2.0 apg
1.5 bpg
58% FG
80% FT

I don’t know about all this Giles infatuation?

C'mon. Biggie had a good game against the Kings also, so did Simons. That wasn't even preseason. Lets see how teams scout and play him when he is on the court in a real game?
Again not knocking him at all because he put out the effort. But the thread seems a bit over the top right about now. Remember, the Kings just put a beat down on the Blazers playing their scrubs also.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Minutes per game also No?

No, he's 4th in mpg:
https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/preseason/team/Portland-Trail-Blazers/24/stats

btw, if we throw out Rodney and Nurk because they only played 1 game each, then he's also
tied for 1st in bpg, and 4th apg.

 

[kjironman1]

No, he's 4th in mpg:
https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/preseason/team/Portland-Trail-Blazers/24/stats

btw, if we throw out Rodney and Nurk because they only played 1 game each, then he's also
tied for 1st in bpg, and 4th apg.

Honestly not ragging on Giles at all. He did put in a bunch of effort. I am impressed. I am also hoping he is our diamond in the rough this year. Just gonna hold judgement at this point. Wishing him all the best! Keeping expectations in line.

 

[Pinwheel1]

C'mon. Biggie had a good game against the Kings also, so did Simons. That wasn't even preseason. Lets see how teams scout and play him when he is on the court in a real game?
Again not knocking him at all because he put out the effort. But the thread seems a bit over the top right about now. Remember, the Kings just put a beat down on the Blazers playing their scrubs also.

I don't think it is over the top for the simple reason that he is showing explosive athleticism at a position where we have not had any
for a while. Nurk and Kanter are better centers, but they can't cover the perimeter....at all. Nice to see that we have someone on the roster with size who can help with a double team and be quick enough to get back to his man.

If the Blazers were a franchise that did not have a history of bigs getting hurt then I would say he might not play much......but we don't. The more the merrier.

 

[Scalma]

I agree that it’s probably too early to go all in on Giles, but the guy has objectively had a better nba career than Collins so far, so he’s not some nobody either. He’s had performances like these last two in the regular season. He’s not perfect, there are some concerns, health and foul trouble for example, but I also think some of the hype is warranted. He should have a role this season.

 

[Hoopguru]

I think SAC full strength is a damn good team.
They are very fast and their passing last night was impressive. They drive and kick much better than we do at this point. Their 1st round draft pick looks solid.
Go look at heir roster, it's impressive .

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I watched Brooks play for the Ducks and Elleby seems to have a similar game and body type...he needs coaching ...I think Ernie Kent coached him in Washington

I think Ernie just had him as a freshman. BTW, Elleby is only 20; I don't know why I put 21 yesterday.

 

[kjironman1]

I think SAC full strength is a damn good team.
They are very fast and their passing last night was impressive. They drive and kick much better than we do at this point. Their 1st round draft pick looks solid.
Go look at heir roster, it's impressive .

You know i was thinking that a little bit also. They are not going to be the push overs that they have been. Thinking they will also have Whitside. We know he does protect the rim and he will be playing for another contract.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Honestly not ragging on Giles at all. He did put in a bunch of effort. I am impressed. I am also hoping he is our diamond in the rough this year. Just gonna hold judgement at this point. Wishing him all the best! Keeping expectations in line.

I'm sympathetic - not because I don't believe in his talents and abilities, but because I'd like to see him be healthy for an extended period.

 

[Hoopguru]

You know i was thinking that a little bit also. They are not going to be the push overs that they have been. Thinking they will also have Whitside. We know he does protect the rim and he will be playing for another contract.

If you look at their current roster they got depth too. With 3/4 upcoming stars.