SPURS @ BLAZERS - GAME THREAD - 11/02/2013, 7:00 PM - KGW - HOME OPENER

[Natebishop3]

I meant it only half tongue-in-cheek, and in a semi-endearing way. Mo is a chucker, pure and simple. I think that's what he's supposed to do, although I haven't personally asked Stotts if that's true. Tonight Mo-Chuck was on. Let's hope he has more games like tonight. At least he takes his shots within the flow of the game, and he's also willing to pass, unlike a certain Craw-chuck whom I despise.

I'm totally just speculating, but I think he has the green light to shoot. He's one of the only guys on the bench who can create their own shot, and he has been huge in the two wins. We desperately needed that scoring off the bench.

 

[BBert]

I'm totally just speculating, but I think he has the green light to shoot. He's one of the only guys on the bench who can create their own shot, and he has been huge in the two wins. We desperately needed that scoring off the bench.

I definitely agree we need a guy like that off the bench. I thought we drafted CJ to be that guy. Then we lucked into Mo. Then CJ got hurt. Then Mo kind of sucked in preseason and in Phoenix. Mo is coming on the last two games though, so I'm breathing a sigh of relief. I can't wait to get CJ healthy and see if the rumors about how good he looked pre-season had merit.

 

[Natebishop3]

I definitely agree we need a guy like that off the bench. I thought we drafted CJ to be that guy. Then we lucked into Mo. Then CJ got hurt. Then Mo kind of sucked in preseason and in Phoenix. Mo is coming on the last two games though, so I'm breathing a sigh of relief. I can't wait to get CJ healthy and see if the rumors about how good he looked pre-season had merit.

Mo definitely sucked against Phoenix, but I thought he did well in preseason.

9 points, 7 assists against Phoenix
11 points, 7 assists against Utah
17 points, 3 assists against Utah
10 points, 4 assists against LAC
17 points, 5 assists, 5 boards against SAC
11 points, 7 assists against GSW

I think he's struggled with turnovers and he isn't shooting a great percentage, but he's definitely producing off the bench. That's really all we can ask right now.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Once CJ is back he will take a lot of the bench scoring pressure off Mo and make him a lot better.

 

[BBert]

OK, thanks. That's better than I thought. I remembered he'd had some turnover problems but I didn't know the rest. The assists are nice.

 

[mgb]

Yeah but isn't that true for almost all teams? (When their shots are not falling)

As for the transition points allowed, I agree it needs to get better. But A lot of it has to do with the tempo they are playing. SA rarely gives up that many points, or scores that many. So maybe the tempo is a factor. Not sure to be honest.

Ya but if most of our shots are outside it's more likely shots are not going drop in more games than a team that shoot more inside shots. I would like to see us take it inside more.

 

[Natebishop3]

OK, thanks. That's better than I thought. I remembered he'd had some turnover problems but I didn't know the rest. The assists are nice.

Well, he did have some shooting problems and too many TOs.

3-10 shooting against Phoenix with 5 turnovers
4-10 shooting against Utah with 4 turnovers
8-13 shooting against Utah with 3 turnovers
3-11 shooting against LAC with 6 turnovers
5-13 shooting against SAC with 4 turnovers
3-7 shooting against GSW with 6 turnovers

So over the course of the preseason, he averaged 4.6 turnovers and he shot 26-62 for 42%.

 

[THE HCP]

Was this HCP's music choice?

HELL NO!!!!!!

 

[julius]

Back from the game. I'm really disappointed in all of the empty seats. In the last five home openers, there have been very few to none. Crowd wasn't even really into it like normal until the second half. Is it Moda Health? Japan's radiation? Legal pot just across the river?

Some of it might've been the Timber game being on TV, but I think most of it is that a lot of fans in Portland are front runners.

I think a lot of it is just a changing market. Games that aren't easy to view really makes the semi-fringe fans disappear. The fringe fans are the ones who buy tickets to finish filling out the RG, but usually are not very knowledgeable. So when they don't see many games on TV or see much about the team, they don't go.

I do think the Timbers game had a bit of a role. Maybe not a LOT of people, but the option for a casual fan to rather watch the Timbers game on TV vs going to a Blazer game, might be a reason.

Plus, it's not like the team really built up a good reputation/feeling after last year.

 

[Sinobas]

Yeah but isn't that true for almost all teams? (When their shots are not falling)

As for the transition points allowed, I agree it needs to get better. But A lot of it has to do with the tempo they are playing. SA rarely gives up that many points, or scores that many. So maybe the tempo is a factor. Not sure to be honest.

Yes, but the main dif is that Portland has ranked near the bottom of the league in fast break points, and points in the paint. Now to counter balance that we have a lot of players who can score.

 

[GrandpaBlaze]

Miami is 1-2 and on a 2 game losing streak.

If the playoffs ended today, we'd be in. It means nothing, but I'll take it any way.

if the playoffs ended today the season would be over and we'd be "in"? In what? Jubilation? A very long summer vacation?

I wait with baited breath, if the playoffs ended today, who won the championship?

Gramps...

 

[magnifier661]

Rewatching this I noticed Lopez really hustling! It was such a good sight

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I know many of you don't think it's a sport, but I wonder if many people were paying more attention to the Timbers and their first MLS playoff game in Seattle.

Before the game the RG announced their free wi fi service this year. I spent the first quarter trying to stream the Timber game while watching the Blazers (never could get the stream going . . . I can barley text in the RG much less stream)

Being at the game I thought the crowd was into the game. But there were a lot of empty seat, especially for the spurs on opening night.

After the game my Clipper tickets for 12/26 on stub hub . . . there is such bittersweet feeling that goes with selling those tickets.

Waiting for a line up of Williams, Barton, Wright, T-Rob and Leonard

 

[Pinwheel1]

oK I just finished watching the game again. What struck me the most was Duncan's shot selection. He takes a lot outside jumpers too. He started out hot, but it did not last. Including an air ball from the top of the key.

Also with our discussions about our abundance of jump shots, I have been paying more attentions to the shot selections of other teams. Not really seeing much of a difference. Last night we shot 20 threes. Most teams last night shot over 20. Also most teams in general shoot a lot of jumpers. Lebron of course is an exception as he can get to the basket almost anytime he wants, and is strong enough to take the constant contact.

But over all I am not seeing much of a difference in our style of offense compared to everyone else.

 

[Natebishop3]

oK I just finished watching the game again. What struck me the most was Duncan's shot selection. He takes a lot outside jumpers too. He started out hot, but it did not last. Including an air ball from the top of the key.

Also with our discussions about our abundance of jump shots, I have been paying more attentions to the shot selections of other teams. Not really seeing much of a difference. Last night we shot 20 threes. Most teams last night shot over 20. Also most teams in general shoot a lot of jumpers. Lebron of course is an exception as he can get to the basket almost anytime he wants, and is strong enough to take the constant contact.

But over all I am not seeing much of a difference in our style of offense compared to everyone else.

We were giving him that shot, so he was taking it. I think they were also trying to pull Lopez away from the basket because he was guarding Duncan.

 

[Pinwheel1]

We were giving him that shot, so he was taking it. I think they were also trying to pull Lopez away from the basket because he was guarding Duncan.

Kind of like other teams giving LMA that shot? The difference being LMA makes it look easy.

 

[Natebishop3]

Kind of like other teams giving LMA that shot? The difference being LMA makes it look easy.

Aldridge is a much better pure shooter than Duncan.

 

[Strenuus]

Aldridge is a much better pure shooter than Duncan.

Duncan is the best PF in the history of the game, and the only one I have ever seen continually have the "kiss the glass" shot, but was it me or did about half his shots hit the front rim and fall straight down?

 

[Pinwheel1]

Aldridge is a much better pure shooter than Duncan.

I agree. But our fans give him shit for taking them. I don't think SA fans complained about Duncan's patinated bank shots over the year from 12-15 feet.

 

[julius]

Duncans shot looked flat, or awkward.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Duncans shot looked flat, or awkward.

I think he was surprised how open he was all game lol

 

[Natebishop3]

Duncan is the best PF in the history of the game, and the only one I have ever seen continually have the "kiss the glass" shot, but was it me or did about half his shots hit the front rim and fall straight down?

He is arguably the best power forward, and he can definitely shoot, but I still think Aldridge is a better pure shooter.

 

[Strenuus]

He is arguably the best power forward, and he can definitely shoot, but I still think Aldridge is a better pure shooter.

Oh, I agree with that!

 

[mgb]

It look like to me we kept Duncan just out of his comfortable range.

 

[Draco]

We actually play LeBron well. Heck, we play the Heat well. Still, I'd trade our big three just for LeBron.

I think if last year at the start of the playoffs if Lebron switched to any other playoff team for any other player he would've still won the title. He had arguably the best season in the history of the NBA.

 

[BrianFromWA]

He is arguably the best power forward, and he can definitely shoot, but I still think Aldridge is a better pure shooter.

out of curiosity, why?
In the mid-range (10-15') they go back-and-forth year-by-year (though LMA's never had as good a season as any of Duncan's Top 3), Duncan's variance is higher (he's shot 49% on year and 37% the next, where LMA's consistently 40-43%).

In the "high-post" (16'-23') Duncan's been better than LMA every year LMA's been in the league except 2009-10 (where it was 41.2%-40.4%). LMA's consistent...every year he's been between 39.0% and 42.8%. Duncan's been as low as 34% earlier in his career and as high as 48%.

LMA has the edge in FT% (78%-69% for career). Neither shoot enough 3's for it to matter, but it's 20%-18% LMA.

What are you basing "better pure shooter" off of?

 

[Natebishop3]

out of curiosity, why?
In the mid-range (10-15') they go back-and-forth year-by-year (though LMA's never had as good a season as any of Duncan's Top 3), Duncan's variance is higher (he's shot 49% on year and 37% the next, where LMA's consistently 40-43%).

In the "high-post" (16'-23') Duncan's been better than LMA every year LMA's been in the league except 2009-10 (where it was 41.2%-40.4%). LMA's consistent...every year he's been between 39.0% and 42.8%. Duncan's been as low as 34% earlier in his career and as high as 48%.

LMA has the edge in FT% (78%-69% for career). Neither shoot enough 3's for it to matter, but it's 20%-18% LMA.

What are you basing "better pure shooter" off of?

My opinion

 

[BrianFromWA]

Am I the only one compulsively clicking re-load page to see if the Forensic Fan's post for tonight's game is up yet?

Sorry, BC. Spotty internet here, and for the next couple of weeks until I get home. I'm working on it right now.

 

[FromWayDownTownBang]

Great hard fought win against a quality opponent.

 

[mgb]

Great hard fought win against a quality opponent.

I totally agree!