Game Thread WEST FINALS, GAME 3: WARRIORS @ BLAZERS - MAY 18, 2019, SATURDAY, 6PM, ESPN (2 Viewers)

[GhostOfPGA]

I actually think Harkless and Aminu are pretty restrictive at times. They are so uncomfortable handling the ball and most importantly passing when they dribble.

THIS.

This is why the trap is so damn effective against Dame, he’s obviously uncomfortable passing to Harkless or Aminu when they stay at the key when the double comes because they cannot dribble, pass, OR shoot 15-18 footers.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

The use them as movers off the ball, not as guys that just stand in the corner.

They have tried a lot of things with those guys sometimes they are cutters, sometimes they put. one of them in the center of the court as the outlet, fact is they are pretty bad on offensive most of the time.

 

[kjironman1]

The use them as movers off the ball, not as guys that just stand in the corner.

You cannot pass to Aminu as a mover off the ball. he is a total trainwreck. You cannot pass the ball to harkless anywhere other than under the basket because all he can make is a dunk.
Simply put using them as movers off the ball is a silly notion.

 

[GhostOfPGA]

Bro you’re F’ing ugly I’d shut the F up.

Lol you’re a 48 year old man telling other dudes they’re ugly... come on man

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Bro you’re F’ing ugly I’d shut the F up.

Come on man, dont get into insulting people, lets just talk basketball...

 

[kjironman1]

They have tried a lot of things with those guys sometimes they are cutters, sometimes they put. one of them in the center of the court as the outlet, fact is they are pretty bad on offensive most of the time.

We are talking flat out TRAINWRECK with the ball in his hands Aminu is. Come on now. Everyone watching holds their breath when Aminu starts to dribble drive. say it ain't so? I dare ya?

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

We are talking flat out TRAINWRECK with the ball in his hands Aminu is. Come on now. Everyone watching holds their breath when Aminu starts to dribble drive. say it ain't so? I dare ya?

I thought Aminu got a lot better handling the ball this year, but its still a work in progress.

 

[Phatguysrule]

I still think this season along with the playoffs is a success.

Big time. You can't expect this team to get further than the Western Conference Finals. You can hope, for sure. You could even get lucky and have 2 or 3 extra guys go off for a series and maybe beat GS in 6. But we'd have had to win the first game.

This has been a successful season.

To improve on this we need to make some moves or some other guys need to step up to all star caliber.

 

[GhostOfPGA]

We are talking flat out TRAINWRECK with the ball in his hands Aminu is. Come on now. Everyone watching holds their breath when Aminu starts to dribble drive. say it ain't so? I dare ya?

This is all I see when Aminu gets a head of steam with the ball...

 

[wizenheimer]

Dame was playing matador defense in both 2nd halfs and looked like he barely cared in the 4th tonight if he didnt “quit” he was sure doing a good impersonation of one who quit.

I dunno, honestly without Dame they arent here to begin with, but man he has been bad in this series and most of the Denver series too. Is it really just trap him hard and thats all it takes...?

the playoffs coming into tonight's game:

PER:

Damian Lillard 21.6 CJ McCollum 17.9 Enes Kanter 16.7 Rodney Hood 16.1 Maurice Harkless 14.4 Zach Collins 14.0 Al-Farouq Aminu 11.5 Meyers Leonard 10.2 Seth Curry 9.5 Evan Turner 8.5

TS:

Rodney Hood .641 Zach Collins .599 Damian Lillard .574 Enes Kanter .555 Maurice Harkless .541 CJ McCollum .529 Seth Curry .529 Meyers Leonard .492 Al-Farouq Aminu .480 Evan Turner .358

winshares/48:

Rodney Hood .146 Damian Lillard .139 Enes Kanter .108 Maurice Harkless .100 Zach Collins .089 CJ McCollum .079 Meyers Leonard .064 Al-Farouq Aminu .061 Seth Curry .060 Evan Turner .039

box plus/minus:

Damian Lillard 5.3 Maurice Harkless 3.3 Zach Collins 2.4 Rodney Hood 1.1 Enes Kanter 0.8 CJ McCollum 0.8 Al-Farouq Aminu 0.6 Seth Curry 0.5 Evan Turner -1.8 Meyers Leonard -2.4

I'm not saying he's been playing well. I'm saying the bile focused at Dame is short-sighted. If he was playing as badly, for as long, as many here are claiming, those numbers above would look a hell of a lot different.

let me anticipate and argument that some will want to make: that Dame's numbers are skewed by how he played against OKC. That's probably true...Portland doesn't win that series without Dame. But it's because of that series that Denver schemed their defense to stop Dame. They were doing the same thing that the Warriors are now doing...they just didn't have the type of perimeter or interior defenders that the Warriors have

against Denver, CJ & Portland's supporting players were able to pick up the slack enough to help win the series. And the fact is that Dame did not play as badly in that series as some here are arguing

but now, against the Warriors, CJ is playing worse than Dame is and the supporting players aren't getting it done, although Meyers had a good effort tonight

Dame is a 6'2 guard with decent but not elite speed and a good burst. He's not an elite ball-handler either. He's simply not going to beat the Warrior double teams and traps, and the other Blazers are not nearly talented enough to pick up the slack left when Dame is shut down

Portand is outclassed in this series...that's pretty clear. And the Blazers are worn down...that's also pretty clear. Those aren't excuses, just reality

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

the playoffs coming into tonight's game:

PER:

Damian Lillard 21.6 CJ McCollum 17.9 Enes Kanter 16.7 Rodney Hood 16.1 Maurice Harkless 14.4 Zach Collins 14.0 Al-Farouq Aminu 11.5 Meyers Leonard 10.2 Seth Curry 9.5 Evan Turner 8.5

TS:

Rodney Hood .641 Zach Collins .599 Damian Lillard .574 Enes Kanter .555 Maurice Harkless .541 CJ McCollum .529 Seth Curry .529 Meyers Leonard .492 Al-Farouq Aminu .480 Evan Turner .358

winshares/48:

Rodney Hood .146 Damian Lillard .139 Enes Kanter .108 Maurice Harkless .100 Zach Collins .089 CJ McCollum .079 Meyers Leonard .064 Al-Farouq Aminu .061 Seth Curry .060 Evan Turner .039

box plus/minus:

Damian Lillard 5.3 Maurice Harkless 3.3 Zach Collins 2.4 Rodney Hood 1.1 Enes Kanter 0.8 CJ McCollum 0.8 Al-Farouq Aminu 0.6 Seth Curry 0.5 Evan Turner -1.8 Meyers Leonard -2.4

I'm not saying he's been playing well. I'm saying the bile focused at Dame is short-sighted. If he was playing as badly, for as long, as many here are claiming, those numbers above would look a hell of a lot different.

let me anticipate and argument that some will want to make: that Dame's numbers are skewed by how he played against OKC. That's probably true...Portland doesn't win that series without Dame. But it's because of that series that Denver schemed their defense to stop Dame. They were doing the same thing that the Warriors are now doing...they just didn't have the type of perimeter or interior defenders that the Warriors have

against Denver, CJ & Portland's supporting players were able to pick up the slack enough to help win the series. And the fact is that Dame did not play as badly in that series as some here are arguing

but now, against the Warriors, CJ is playing worse than Dame is and the supporting players aren't getting it done, although Meyers had a good effort tonight

Dame is a 6'2 guard with decent but not elite speed and a good burst. He's not an elite ball-handler either. He's simply not going to beat the Warrior double teams and traps, and the other Blazers are not nearly talented enough to pick up the slack left when Dame is shut down

Portand is outclassed in this series...that's pretty clear. And the Blazers are worn down...that's also pretty clear. Those aren't excuses, just reality

Hey Im saying they dont get here without Dame, but he isnt playing well and he’s turning the ball over way too much.

 

[Phatguysrule]

I guess...?

And that's not saying anything real terrible about those guys. They just aren't as good as Green. They aren't all-stars.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

This is the guy that just said he played upper level college ball and he coached for a while?
I'm calling bullshit right here right now. That dude is 5-5 maybe 5-6 at best.

The forehead might give him a couple inches lol

 

[James lamphear]

Anyone bashing Dame should go to Oakland. Not Dame.

When Leonard bad everyone goes after him matter fact any player on this team does bad people say something about it and to me Dame is no exception to this none all. When players does good they get knowledge especially from me. Dame is a good player no doubt about it but right now he is under performing 2 out these first 3 in the WCF championship hell so is CJ.

 

[James lamphear]

I actually think Harkless and Aminu are pretty restrictive at times. They are so uncomfortable handling the ball and most importantly passing when they dribble. They have some good games here and there but I think they are by far the worst starting forwards left in the playoffs, and hopefully Zach makes a big jump and takes Aminu’s minutes (even if he’s back).

I already see Zach has out play Aminu in these playoffs and you can see Stotts has really had lost trust in Aminu especially his offensive.

 

[wizenheimer]

This is the guy that just said he played upper level college ball and he coached for a while?
I'm calling bullshit right here right now. That dude is 5-5 maybe 5-6 at best.

do you really think that was a serious post? I was just thinking ...bad joke

looking back...is that him trying to 'prove' he wasn't ugly?

LOL if it was. I mean....is anybody really that oblivious?

 

[Chris Craig]

Boy you’re just full of BS tonight. Let me ask you about this small market conspiracy BS. How did San Antonio win there titles or Milwaukie which
I bet will win a title this year. It’s all about having the best team and players no matter what city you play in.

Full of BS tonight? What else have I said that is "BS". I don't think its BS. San Antonio is not a small market. They had Popovich. They got star players. Milwaukee won in the 70's. They may win again this year but they are in the east.

Yeah best players. The best players don't cone to Portland in FA. The Stars stay away from here. Its been that way. It will continue to be. I love this team. I'd love for them to win it all. I just dont see it. I don't expect it.

 

[Chris Craig]

No other team would play Aminu at the PF.

 

[kjironman1]

When Leonard bad everyone goes after him matter fact any player on this team does bad people say something about it and to me Dame is no exception to this none all. When players does good they get knowledge especially from me. Dame is a good player no doubt about it but right now he is under performing 2 out these first 3 in the WCF championship hell so is CJ.

I completely understand the frustration and where you are coming from.
But just for a second take a look back.
We all know that if a couple shots fall in game two the blazers win that game.
If that happened then the burden would be on the warriors to adjust.
If anyone would have hit a shot in game 3 again this game is different. Dame put the ball in leonards hands a number of times and meyers found an open man. Those shots did not fall like we all know they can.
Again if those shots are falling then lillard gets breathing room.
Sure he has to adapt. he also tried a few logo shots that didn't go. If those fall the game is different also.
Just saying there are a number of things that have to happen for Lillard to have an open look.

 

[Phatguysrule]

When Leonard bad everyone goes after him matter fact any player on this team does bad people say something about it and to me Dame is no exception to this none all. When players does good they get knowledge especially from me. Dame is a good player no doubt about it but right now he is under performing 2 out these first 3 in the WCF championship hell so is CJ.

They are underperforming because a world class defense can zero in on them.

 

[THE_BLAZE70]

This is the guy that just said he played upper level college ball and he coached for a while?
I'm calling bullshit right here right now. That dude is 5-5 maybe 5-6 at best.

Lol 6’ 2 “ PG. Full tear of ligaments in my right ankle was never able to plant again without it turning. Subsequently went into to weight training and MMA became a personal trainer. I’m now 240 lbs at 3% BF. After 10 years of BJJ became a brown belt and my main disciple is Muay Thai in which I’m at a highly competitive level. Also a physique model for extra income. Do you want to meet up to call my BS.

 

[THE_BLAZE70]

This is all I see when Aminu gets a head of steam with the ball...

Now I have to admit that made me laugh.

 

[GhostOfPGA]

No other team would play Aminu at the PF.

That’s false, no other team would start him though.

 

[joeBlazers]

NO. Beating Westbrook is not enough.
He stunk against Nuggets and Warriors.

should he get a supermax? I mean that should IMO only go to the very top tier NBA players or it will hamstring your team - should Dame get it?

 

[kjironman1]

do you really think that was a serious post? I was just thinking ...bad joke

looking back...is that him trying to 'prove' he wasn't ugly?

LOL if it was. I mean....is anybody really that oblivious?

The whole thing was weird?
But yes i think he was trying to call Bones ugly and he is a brand new member so it's pretty obvious he was someone Bones pissed off at some point i'm thinking?

I could be totally wrong on that. Just the way i read it. So i jumped in and called him short. I like short people but as the song goes... "Short People got nobody....."

 

[SlyPokerDog]

There were some people were fucking hammered tonight at the game. Including one guy in Blazer gear was being removed by security took his beer and threw it in the crowd. Not sure what he said or did but the entire Blazer bench was pointing him out to security.

 

[James lamphear]

I completely understand the frustration and where you are coming from.
But just for a second take a look back.
We all know that if a couple shots fall in game two the blazers win that game.
If that happened then the burden would be on the warriors to adjust.
If anyone would have hit a shot in game 3 again this game is different. Dame put the ball in leonards hands a number of times and meyers found an open man. Those shots did not fall like we all know they can.
Again if those shots are falling then lillard gets breathing room.
Sure he has to adapt. he also tried a few logo shots that didn't go. If those fall the game is different also.
Just saying there are a number of things that have to happen for Lillard to have an open look.

There no ifs in basketball it only you do it or don't it that just bottom line. To me the word if for excuse why someone didn't accomplish something on the court.

 

[calvin natt]

There were some people were fucking hammered tonight at the game. Including one guy in Blazer gear was being removed by security took his beer and threw it in the crowd. Not sure what he said or did but the entire Blazer bench was pointing him out to security.

I saw that. Crazy.

 

[MarAzul]

Do you want to meet up to call my BS.

What is the prize?

 

[kjironman1]

Lol 6’ 2 “ PG. Full tear of ligaments in my right ankle was never able to plant again without it turning. Subsequently went into to weight training and MMA became a personal trainer. I’m now 240 lbs at 3% BF. After 10 years of BJJ became a brown belt and my main disciple is Muay Thai in which I’m at a highly competitive level. Also a physique model for extra income. Do you want to meet up to call my BS.

Brother you don't want to haggle with me. I give a rats fucking ass about your Muay Thai. But i would love to meet anytime. I'll buy the coffee or whatever. You name the place and time. I work week days from 6 to about 4. Are you in Portland?