Game Thread PRESEASON GAME# 3: BLAZERS @ NUGGETS - DECEMBER 16, 2020 - WEDNESDAY, 6:00, NBCSNW

[tester551]

The expectations seemed unrealistic given that not much had really changed. Stotts is still the coach, Dame will still go super-nova at times, and CJ will still be a mostly Iso player forcing everyone else to basically turn into a spectator.

What is slightly different is now Melo is coming off the bench so to justify his legacy, seems to think he has to jack it up at every opportunity regardless of what opportunities or mismatches a teammate may have. So now you have a ball stopper on the first unit (CJ) and one on the 2nd unit (Melo). That doesn't lead to vast amounts of cohesive play. And if Trent doesn't think he is going to see the ball anytime soon, any guesses as what he is going to do with it when he does get it?

Getting a couple of defensive oriented wings to try and cover the shortcomings of CJ, Melo, Kantor, Dame at times, a less than 100% Hood, and Simons if he ever plays is optimistic at best.

Dame can still save this team on any given night, but outside of that, it is painful to watch and doesn't exactly inspire confidence in vast improvement.

We only have ourselves to blame to thing things might be that much different when the foundation remains the same.

The absolute high watermark for the team this year will be fighting for the 4/5th seed. I expect to see this team fighting for the 6/7/8/9th seeds.
The team has improved, but they are nowhere near a legit contender.... most likely a exit in the first round playoffs.

 

[tester551]

If Melo only wants to dominate the ball/scoring without getting others involved, its a huge problem.

I'm not sure why anyone would expect anything different from Melo. As the saying goes, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks".

 

[e_blazer]

Man, this place produces some of the most knee-jerk overreactions I've ever seen. It's why I seldom venture into game threads.

 

[wizenheimer]

Man, this place produces some of the most knee-jerk overreactions I've ever seen. It's why I seldom venture into game threads.

this is nothing....you should check out a game thread in a football forum

 

[blazerkor]

Man, this place produces some of the most knee-jerk overreactions I've ever seen. It's why I seldom venture into game threads.

I agree with you that most in here are prone to crazy hyperbolic reactions on a game to game (let along pre-season game to pre-season game) basis. The only excuse I would offer to you is that it may cause people trauma induced flashbacks to last season when we see a team making threes like that. Is anecdotal evidence ever reliable? No. Does a game that reinforces previous terrible statistics scare even level headed fans? Yes. Should a pre-season game after virtually no training camp mean anything to anyone? Probably not.

 

[James lamphear]

Just finished up watching the game is biggest concern on the 2nd unit is at defense side of the ball. You got CJ Trent Hood Kanter Melo. You got one good defender and average defender maybe in Hood but other 3 plainly just bad defenders I don't what defense you use. Kanter you can't have this guy switching at all he will get blown by everytime.

 

[e_blazer]

Just finished up watching the game is biggest concern on the 2nd unit is at defense side of the ball. You got CJ Trent Hood Kanter Melo. You got one good defender and average defender maybe in Hood but other 3 plainly just bad defenders I don't what defense you use. Kanter you can't have this guy switching at all he will get blown by everytime.

I don't see Stotts doing a full second unit switch. He'll rotate guys in and out to keep things balanced. There will be nights where Kanter will be unplayable because of the quickness of the opposing center and then he'll use Giles or Collins.

 

[James lamphear]

I don't see Stotts doing a full second unit switch. He'll rotate guys in and out to keep things balanced. There will be nights where Kanter will be unplayable because of the quickness of the opposing center and then he'll use Giles or Collins.

What I see with this defense and happened in the bubble our bigs was switching on smaller guy and that's was happening last with Kanter and he was getting eaten a live. I see Zach had some success with doing it and he did get got drive by he was still buick enough to challenge the shot at the basket. Nurk seem lost little bit on his lateral quickness and Giles has have blown by when he gets to far out too.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

 

[blazerkor]

 

[HailBlazers]

Supposedly assists don't factor so much into winning....but to see one team get 39 assists, move the ball, move players, cut, and get open look after open look, compared to...

Dribble, dribble, dribble, pound the rock, jab step, crossover, fadeaway jumper.

One seems like it would be more successful and certainly is more enjoyable to watch.

As for it 'just being pre-season', it's also 'just pre-season for the Nuggets.

Which would you rather look like? And it's not like they had roster changes as well.

Unfortunately that's a... Difficult Decision.