The Closers

[Natebishop3]

I love that lineup that Stotts is using right now at the end of games. Dame, AA, Wes, Nic, and LA. The perimeter defense with that lineup is just insane. I'm really looking forward to that lineup in the playoffs. If we get Houston again, that lineup is going to be huge when the Rockets can't have Howard in at the end of the game.

 

[HailBlazers]

The perimeter defense with that lineup is just insane. I'm really looking forward to that lineup in the playoffs.

Indeed! Been thinking this myself. Lineup is built for the playoff grind.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I love that lineup that Stotts is using right now at the end of games. Dame, AA, Wes, Nic, and LA. The perimeter defense with that lineup is just insane. I'm really looking forward to that lineup in the playoffs. If we get Houston again, that lineup is going to be huge when the Rockets can't have Howard in at the end of the game.

If I were McHale, I'd counter with Beverly, Harden, Brewer, Ariza, and Smith. I'd argue that group can offer an equally effective perimeter defense.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think some people have been underwhelmed with AA so far, but I think he brings a lot of intangibles that aren't showing up in a box score.

Before we acquired Afflalo, who on our bench would you have left in the game at the end to help win a close one?

Blake? No.
Kaman? No.
CJ? God no.

Maybe Dorell if he was on, but that's so few and far between. I think AA is still finding his groove in the offense. He's playing some solid d, he's drawing fouls, and he's not making stupid decisions. I think the guy is just happy to be here.

 

[Natebishop3]

If I were McHale, I'd counter with Beverly, Harden, Brewer, Ariza, and Smith. I'd argue that group can offer an equally effective perimeter defense.

I think Smith would get sonned by Aldridge.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I think Smith would get sonned by Aldridge.

Dunno--Smith has historically played pretty good defense on Aldridge. Their head-to-head numbers aren't too far apart.

 

[Natebishop3]

Dunno--Smith has historically played pretty good defense on Aldridge.

Maybe when he was younger and more athletic, but the current iteration of Aldridge would take Smith in the post and make him eat cornflakes.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

If I were McHale, I'd counter with Beverly, Harden, Brewer, Ariza, and Smith. I'd argue that group can offer an equally effective perimeter defense.

Thats a chaos group, not a good on ball (besides Bev and Ariza) group like ours.

 

[BlazerWookee]

If I were McHale, I'd counter with Beverly, Harden, Brewer, Ariza, and Smith. I'd argue that group can offer an equally effective perimeter defense.

Harden? Defense? Yeah, not so much...

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

It'll be situational but its nice to have. Won't really be super effective against a Memphis, but against a Golden State it'll be good.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Harden? Defense? Yeah, not so much...

Someone who hasn't been watching the Blazers might think the same thing about Lillard.

Both are greatly improved this year.

 

[riverman]

I really don't see us facing Houston in the playoffs. They'll get bounced in the first round I think by a lower seed than us

 

[Natebishop3]

I really don't see us facing Houston in the playoffs. They'll get bounced in the first round I think by a lower seed than us

If things stay as they are, we are facing Dallas with HCA.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Worst case scenario is we get the spurs or thunder in the first round.

 

[magnifier661]

If I were McHale, I'd counter with Beverly, Harden, Brewer, Ariza, and Smith. I'd argue that group can offer an equally effective perimeter defense.

McHale already uses that a lot already.

The difference would be how assertive Batum is. He would have such an opportunity to be "that guy" in this line-up. It's built for him to shine and us Dame as a decoy most the time.

 

[Natebishop3]

Worst case scenario is we get the spurs or thunder in the first round.

I think we can beat the Thunder. I would rather not face San Antonio in the first round. I think Dallas is a good matchup.

 

[magnifier661]

Someone who hasn't been watching the Blazers might think the same thing about Lillard.

Both are greatly improved this year.

I agree. Harden decided to play d this season. I can't knock him for that anymore

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I think we can beat the Thunder. I would rather not face San Antonio in the first round. I think Dallas is a good matchup.

If OKC is fully healthy they're just better than us.

 

[magnifier661]

I think we can beat the Thunder. I would rather not face San Antonio in the first round. I think Dallas is a good matchup.

We got OKCs number now. Stotts knows how to play mind games on Westbrick

 

[Natebishop3]

If OKC is fully healthy they're just better than us.

We went 2-2 last year against the Thunder, and this is a better team. What makes you think they're better than us?

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

The Thunder are a better team than last year. I was really surprised how deep the team is now.

They got a lot of new depth. Kanter and Agustin are tremendous pickups. Kendrick Perkins was a definite weak point for them, now they have a front court of Ibaka, Kanter, Stephen Jackson and Collison. Not to mention McGary who burned portland.

They have really solid wings in Morrow, Singler, Lamb...not a fan of Waiters but he can occassionally put points up.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think some people have been underwhelmed with AA so far, but I think he brings a lot of intangibles that aren't showing up in a box score.

Before we acquired Afflalo, who on our bench would you have left in the game at the end to help win a close one?

Blake? No.
Kaman? No.
CJ? God no.

Maybe Dorell if he was on, but that's so few and far between. I think AA is still finding his groove in the offense. He's playing some solid d, he's drawing fouls, and he's not making stupid decisions. I think the guy is just happy to be here.

Blake played well at the end of games before we got AAA. I would rather have AAA in there because of his size, but Steve is a better ball handler.

However I would not exactly say AAA is not making any stupid decisions. Forcing the ball into Kaman yesterday TWICE with passes that were not even close was not bright. Obviously those type of things are going to happen while new teammates learn to play with one another, but none the less he has had a few bad turnovers.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

We went 2-2 last year against the Thunder, and this is a better team. What makes you think they're better than us?

Their roster is better than ours. They have two top 5 players, insane front court depth and some decent backup guards. We have a good starting five, one good bench player and a bunch of easily replaceable/underused players.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

The X-factor with OKC is Scott Brooks is a bad coach.

 

[Natebishop3]

Their roster is better than ours. They have two top 5 players, insane front court depth and some decent backup guards. We have a good starting five, one good bench player and a bunch of easily replaceable/underused players.

The simple fact is that I don't think they will win with Westbrook and Durant. They don't mesh well together at all. If they did, they would have already won a championship. Kanter was a nice pickup, Augistin is meh, and Singler is another one of those overrated white guys that everyone always talks about. He looked like complete shit against us the other night.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

The simple fact is that I don't think they will win with Westbrook and Durant. They don't mesh well together at all. If they did, they would have already won a championship. Kanter was a nice pickup, Augistin is meh, and Singler is another one of those overrated white guys that everyone always talks about. He looked like complete shit against us the other night.

The only thing that really prevented the Thunder from winning already is the spurs, LeBron and injuries

 

[bulls_with_booz]

To chime in here, as a Bulls fan, I would trade Taj for a good perimeter defender with a shooting stroke (Afflalo) in a heartbeat. That small ball isn't very small. LMA is a big dude who's always been a PF/C and Batum is like 6'8-6'9 with long arms.

 

[Natebishop3]

The only thing that really prevented the Thunder from winning already is the spurs, LeBron and injuries

I still think they would be better off trading Westbrook. I'm sure they would never do it, but his value is at an all-time high and they could probably pull in a monster haul. They need to make Durant the focus of that team so he doesn't leave in free agency.

 

[bulls_with_booz]

Can't believe I'm saying this but the Spurs aren't looking good. Had some injuries early on, but Parker's sudden decline is something to keep our eyes on.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Can't believe I'm saying this but the Spurs aren't looking good. Had some injuries early on, but Parker's sudden decline is something to keep our eyes on.

Their run is likely done unless their role guys like Mills, Diaw and Belinelli go off in the playoffs again. If that happens then they may just get a 6th. There is seriously no way to beat that team when every shot they get is open.