Game Thread SEEDING GAME# 1: GRIZZLIES VS BLAZERS - JULY 31, 2020 - FRIDAY, 1:00 PM, NBCSNW & NBATV

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Which was the more favorable schedule for the Blazers to make the Playoffs?

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Portland2014 said:
it would have been cool to see this team with also Hood and Ariza

Melo saved our ass
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this brings up some interesting alternate universe questions. Would signing Melo and trading for Ariza have happened if Hood would have stayed healthy?

I really doubt the Blazers would have signed Melo, even though there was a hole at PF with Zach out. I may have the sequence wrong since I'm not looking it up but I think Portland gained a roster slot after Hood's injury, then signed Melo.

of course, it's to the point now that if Dame went to Olshey and asked him to sign Melo anyway, Olshey may have complied. I think Dame has that much gravity in the Blazer organization...as he should. Dame is not a top-5 player in the NBA, IMO, but there seems little doubt he is the best team leader in the league. I think that's due to his integrity; and to his loyalty to his teammates and to his franchise. And maybe a little of it is he has great political instincts. Anyway, I'm not convinced Melo would be on the team if Hood was healthy

as for Ariza, that trade with the Kings was simply too good to pass up. Bazemore was a bad fit and Tolliver was a big on-floor negative. Ariza was a significant upgrade at either forward position and added a level of versatility Portland really needed. Besides all that, Vlade Divac has become Olshey's safe space for minor trades

in any event, if the Blazers had a healthy Hood and Ariza right now in that bubble, they'd be a definite threat to win it all if Dame is healthy and hitting shots

Portland2014 said:
Nurk seem more athletic than before the injury
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I don't know about that; he looked pretty damn good in the month or two before he broke his leg. He does appear to be carrying less weight now and that might make him quicker. He flashed a couple of 'first-step' moves in the game that were awesome.

he's still only 25, so that's relatively young for a 7' big man. We may be watching him come into his own as he matures, if that makes any sense

I'm trying to think of the C's that are better right now (ignoring the fact that Nurkic needs to stay healthy and build a longer resume); there's Embiid and Jokic; probably Gobert; maybe KAT, maybe not. Nurk has to be up there somewhere between 3rd and 6th or 7th depending on where you rate guys like Drummond & Vucevic.

Portland2014 said:
Gary Trent Jr seems more and more like the new Wesley Matthews
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there are some differences in their games, but yeah, if Trent keeps this level of play going

I'd still give Matthews a significant edge on defense. Trent has intensity but Matthews was much better in fundamentals. But then Matthews had 4 years of development at Marquette under a defensive-minded coach. Trent will never have that advantage. But Trent, in his 2nd season, seems to have a little more going for him offensively than Matthews did.

but Matthews was the main "glue" factor for Portland. He became integral. I'll never forget the defense Matthews played against Harden in that 2014 series

*********************************************

in any event, how great is it to be talking basketball again instead of talking Covid, or trump, or Sly's bad habits?
 
wizenheimer said:
this brings up some interesting alternate universe questions. Would signing Melo and trading for Ariza have happened if Hood would have stayed healthy?

I really doubt the Blazers would have signed Melo, even though there was a hole at PF with Zach out. I may have the sequence wrong since I'm not looking it up but I think Portland gained a roster slot after Hood's injury, then signed Melo.

of course, it's to the point now that if Dame went to Olshey and asked him to sign Melo anyway, Olshey may have complied. I think Dame has that much gravity in the Blazer organization...as he should. Dame is not a top-5 player in the NBA, IMO, but there seems little doubt he is the best team leader in the league. I think that's due to his integrity; and to his loyalty to his teammates and to his franchise. And maybe a little of it is he has great political instincts. Anyway, I'm not convinced Melo would be on the team if Hood was healthy

as for Ariza, that trade with the Kings was simply too good to pass up. Bazemore was a bad fit and Tolliver was a big on-floor negative. Ariza was a significant upgrade at either forward position and added a level of versatility Portland really needed. Besides all that, Vlade Divac has become Olshey's safe space for minor trades

in any event, if the Blazers had a healthy Hood and Ariza right now in that bubble, they'd be a definite threat to win it all if Dame is healthy and hitting shots



I don't know about that; he looked pretty damn good in the month or two before he broke his leg. He does appear to be carrying less weight now and that might make him quicker. He flashed a couple of 'first-step' moves in the game that were awesome.

he's still only 25, so that's relatively young for a 7' big man. We may be watching him come into his own as he matures, if that makes any sense

I'm trying to think of the C's that are better right now (ignoring the fact that Nurkic needs to stay healthy and build a longer resume); there's Embiid and Jokic; probably Gobert; maybe KAT, maybe not. Nurk has to be up there somewhere between 3rd and 6th or 7th depending on where you rate guys like Drummond & Vucevic.



there are some differences in their games, but yeah, if Trent keeps this level of play going

I'd still give Matthews a significant edge on defense. Trent has intensity but Matthews was much better in fundamentals. But then Matthews had 4 years of development at Marquette under a defensive-minded coach. Trent will never have that advantage. But Trent, in his 2nd season, seems to have a little more going for him offensively than Matthews did.

but Matthews was the main "glue" factor for Portland. He became integral. I'll never forget the defense Matthews played against Harden in that 2014 series

*********************************************

in any event, how great is it to be talking basketball again instead of talking Covid, or trump, or Sly's bad habits?
Click to expand...
We signed Melo after Collins went down. It was quickly realized that no one else could step up to starting PF. Melo played with Hood for like 10 games I believe.
Only center who are clearly better than Nurkic right now is Embiid and Jokic. Simply because they have played a lot more. Nurkic is way better than Gobert on offense while Nurkic at least isn’t that far behind on defense. KAT would be one of the best if he actually was on a winning team but since he doesn’t impact winning his rating is much lower. Drummond is like Whiteside, all stats no impact. Vucevic ain’t bad but still ain’t better than Nurkic. So at the end Nurkic, when healthy, is actually arguably a top 3 center in the league
Trent is gonna be a special player.
 
I think Nurk is better than Jokic and Embiid. It’s close, but he’s better in my opinion.
 
His legs are like tree trunks. Very difficult to get thru his screens.
 
tlongII said:
I think Nurk is better than Jokic and Embiid. It’s close, but he’s better in my opinion.
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I do too. But the rest of the nba won’t necessarily agree with that, at least not yet. If Nurkic can consistently keep having games like he had last night, then there’s no doubt that he’s the best center in the league, if not then definitely the most impactful
 
damianlillard said:
I do too. But the rest of the nba won’t necessarily agree with that, at least not yet. If Nurkic can consistently keep having games like he had last night, then there’s no doubt that he’s the best center in the league, if not then definitely the most impactful
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WHAT!?!?! The BEST center in the league. C’Mon man.
 
Watching Bam Adebayo reminds me of Nurkic. Very similar players in terms of how they impact the game.
 
tlongII said:
Absolutely. He just needs to stay healthy. He can impact the game in so many ways.
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Embiid....Jokic....Gobert. They all can impact the game in "so many ways". Nurkic is not alone in that. Embiid and Jokic are ahead of Nurkic right now; and Gobert is a two-time DPOY. Nurk has to maintain a high level for a year or two to be in that class, IMO
 
tlongII said:
Absolutely. He just needs to stay healthy. He can impact the game in so many ways.
Click to expand...
I don’t think anybody is saying he can’t impact the game......but better than EVERY OTHER CENTER IN THE LEAGUE is just nonsense in my opinion.
 
THE HCP said:
I don’t think anybody is saying he can’t impact the game......but better than EVERY OTHER CENTER IN THE LEAGUE is just nonsense in my opinion.
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No it’s not. He’s the most massive center in the league right now and he’s got skills.
 
Scalma said:
Portland was a +10 when Nurk and Whiteside played together with dame, CJ, and Melo. Of course it’s a limited sample but not bad considering Whiteside didn’t play particularly well.

Melo looked good at the three but I wouldn’t say Kyle Anderson was much of a test. It’ll be interesting to see how they defend Boston. Do you put Melo on Tatum? This is where Zach’s versatility comes into play. I could see them going zone as well since Boston isn’t that great of a shooting team.
Click to expand...

Not having Ariza sucks but perhaps Trent can be better?
 
tlongII said:
His legs are like tree trunks. Very difficult to get thru his screens.
Click to expand...

KindSpeed would say that's racist, comparing a white player to an inanimate object...

I've said it before, Nurk needs to prove he can stay healthy at the end of the season and contribute in the playoffs before he can be categorized as an elite center. This Covid restart business may be a blessing in disguise for him, "resting" through the season and getting rolling in time for play to resume.
 
handiman said:
KindSpeed would say that's racist, comparing a white player to an inanimate object...

I've said it before, Nurk needs to prove he can stay healthy at the end of the season and contribute in the playoffs before he can be categorized as an elite center. This Covid restart business may be a blessing in disguise for him, "resting" through the season and getting rolling in time for play to resume.
Click to expand...

I agree he needs to stay healthy. But I believe what I see with my own eyes. He’s elite.
 
AmirIcon said:
Not having Ariza sucks but perhaps Trent can be better?
Click to expand...

Not having Ariza is painful to think about. Not saying we would have won the championship, but damn he is exactly what we are missing on D. (long and savvy on the wing)

Little has the same wingspan (7'2") and I am excited about his long term potential. But he in the playoffs he will make rookie mistakes and will get "rookie respect" from the refs when guarding the superstars in this league. Regardless Stotts needs to play him because if they do make the playoffs they will need his 6 fouls against LeBron.

As for Trent, he was huge yesterday, and against most teams, he will be fine at SF. But not against the Lakers.
 
wizenheimer said:
this brings up some interesting alternate universe questions. Would signing Melo and trading for Ariza have happened if Hood would have stayed healthy?

I really doubt the Blazers would have signed Melo, even though there was a hole at PF with Zach out. I may have the sequence wrong since I'm not looking it up but I think Portland gained a roster slot after Hood's injury, then signed Melo.

of course, it's to the point now that if Dame went to Olshey and asked him to sign Melo anyway, Olshey may have complied. I think Dame has that much gravity in the Blazer organization...as he should. Dame is not a top-5 player in the NBA, IMO, but there seems little doubt he is the best team leader in the league. I think that's due to his integrity; and to his loyalty to his teammates and to his franchise. And maybe a little of it is he has great political instincts. Anyway, I'm not convinced Melo would be on the team if Hood was healthy

as for Ariza, that trade with the Kings was simply too good to pass up. Bazemore was a bad fit and Tolliver was a big on-floor negative. Ariza was a significant upgrade at either forward position and added a level of versatility Portland really needed. Besides all that, Vlade Divac has become Olshey's safe space for minor trades

in any event, if the Blazers had a healthy Hood and Ariza right now in that bubble, they'd be a definite threat to win it all if Dame is healthy and hitting shots



I don't know about that; he looked pretty damn good in the month or two before he broke his leg. He does appear to be carrying less weight now and that might make him quicker. He flashed a couple of 'first-step' moves in the game that were awesome.

he's still only 25, so that's relatively young for a 7' big man. We may be watching him come into his own as he matures, if that makes any sense

I'm trying to think of the C's that are better right now (ignoring the fact that Nurkic needs to stay healthy and build a longer resume); there's Embiid and Jokic; probably Gobert; maybe KAT, maybe not. Nurk has to be up there somewhere between 3rd and 6th or 7th depending on where you rate guys like Drummond & Vucevic.



there are some differences in their games, but yeah, if Trent keeps this level of play going

I'd still give Matthews a significant edge on defense. Trent has intensity but Matthews was much better in fundamentals. But then Matthews had 4 years of development at Marquette under a defensive-minded coach. Trent will never have that advantage. But Trent, in his 2nd season, seems to have a little more going for him offensively than Matthews did.

but Matthews was the main "glue" factor for Portland. He became integral. I'll never forget the defense Matthews played against Harden in that 2014 series

*********************************************

in any event, how great is it to be talking basketball again instead of talking Covid, or trump, or Sly's bad habits?
Click to expand...
Melo was signed before Hood went down. Dame/CJ/Hood/Melo/Hassan was a very good offensive lineup before Hood got hurt.
 
AmirIcon said:
Not having Ariza sucks but perhaps Trent can be better?
Click to expand...

I love Trent but we’re gonna miss Arizas length against guys like Tatum, for example. Ariza also had the versatility to play the four against certain teams, Boston for example lol. Man I wish we had him and Hood. Outside a backup point, we’d be SET.
 
handiman said:
KindSpeed would say that's racist, comparing a white player to an inanimate object...

I've said it before, Nurk needs to prove he can stay healthy at the end of the season and contribute in the playoffs before he can be categorized as an elite center. This Covid restart business may be a blessing in disguise for him, "resting" through the season and getting rolling in time for play to resume.
Click to expand...
White people were not bred to be slaves that were bought and sold. There’s a difference.
 
Scalma said:
I love Trent but we’re gonna miss Arizas length against guys like Tatum, for example. Ariza also had the versatility to play the four against certain teams, Boston for example lol. Man I wish we had him and Hood. Outside a backup point, we’d be SET.
Click to expand...

If we were smart, we'd be playing Wenyen Gabriel and Nassir Little. We have defensive players. We just don't have a coach who prioritizes it.
 
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