What's going on here?

[Stevenson]

I really couldn't and didn't watch hardly any Blazer ball until the last two weeks. So wtf is different about this team now? Now they were unwatchable at the beginning of the season. They are fun to watch and winning. Same team. I don't get it.

 

[illmatic99]

they're playing good defense. and scoot is figuring out some things.

also keep in mind we're catching a lot of these teams on the 2nd night of b2bs right before the AS break. lot of our opponents are on fumes right now.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

Things are clicking. Kinda like what happened to Phoenix a while back. They were terrible until the suddenly were not.

 

[blazerkor]

I think Chauncey has this team playing incredible defense and I see no reason why they won't continue to. A lot of our guys are also getting downhill on offense and it's just putting a lot of pressure on opponents on that end of the court too. That should be sustainable as well.

What isn't sustainable (and I'll be happy if I'm wrong) is this recent win percentage. We're 7-1 over our last 8 games... maybe winning 60% of our games could possibly be sustainable for the rest of the season but probably closer to 50% and definitely not 87.5%. .875 is up there with the 95-96 Bulls and just a little under the 15-16 Warriors.

I do think being a really tough team to win against is sustainable based on the youth athleticism and good attitudes of so many players on this team... combined with Chauncey's philosophies.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

All five starters and two off the bench were in double figures last night. On offense, they are moving the ball and playing to each others strengths. On defense, benching Sharpe while calling out his play sent a message.

Hate it for our draft position but definitely makes it easier to watch games.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Somehow, Scoot learned to shoot and stop turning the ball over.
Somehow, Blazer vets learned to play D.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

Watching this team grow has been enjoyable. Next few days are going to be interesting. I could honestly see us standing pat till summer.

Players and even coach are making decisions a lot tougher.

is Billups better coach than we thought and he’s just now getting a group that fits his coaching style. The offensive sets out of timeouts are damn good many ending in dunks or at least good looks. I’ve always thought that was a sign of good coach. Although Billups probably isn’t drawing up those plays lol

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Somehow, Scoot learned to shoot and stop turning the ball over.
Somehow, Blazer vets learned to play D.

Yes, I think there are three key players behind this turnaround. In order of importance:
1. Anfernee. I have never seen him so engaged. His offense is back to where it has been, but his passing and his defense have never been this good.
2. Scoot. The shooting has just opened up his game exponentially.
3. Ayton. He's...actually good?

Question is, will this mean Cronin will want to stand pat or sell high? If the former, I have a feeling Anfernee's game might drop off after the trade deadline. I hope I'm wrong, though, because right now he's better than Shaedon in almost every respect, without that just being a massive slam against Shaedon.

 

[andalusian]

The defense is awesome - but there is actually secondary movement off the ball and secondary picks to free people for passes - which is something we have not seen before. Last night were a couple of these where Grant was setting a secondary pick for DA which left DA free to roll to the hoop and get an uncontested pass from the ball handlers (Ant, Scoot). We did not have that earlier in the year.

It's fun to watch this team all of a sudden.

 

[THE HCP]

We still blaming Chauncy for not being a good coach? Just checking?

 

[blazerfan11]

We still blaming Chauncy for not being a good coach? Just checking?

The team right now is 20-29. Was he a good coach when they lost 5 in a row, 4 in a row at home, in January?

Was he a good coach when they lost 6 in a row in December, which included a 42-point blowout to the Utah Jazz at home?

 

[Everything Beagle]

We still blaming Chauncy for not being a good coach? Just checking?

I thought NBA coaches were just glorified babysitters and had no effect on the game. Is that still true?

 

[THE HCP]

The team right now is 20-29. Was he a good coach when they lost 5 in a row, 4 in a row at home, in January?

Was he a good coach when they lost 6 in a row in December, which included a 42-point blowout to the Utah Jazz at home?

That’s just it FAMS….he’s the SAME coach. I was just checking, because I don’t see anybody giving props for the wins. Can’t blame for the losses and NOT give credit for the wins. Not how it works.

 

[Everything Beagle]

That’s just it FAMS….he’s the SAME coach. I was just checking, because I don’t see anybody giving props for the wins. Can’t blame for the losses and NOT give credit for the wins. Not how it works.

I'll be honest, I mostly don't like him because he's ugly.

 

[THE HCP]

I thought NBA coaches were just glorified babysitters and had no effect on the game. Is that still true?

They deserve as much credit as they do blame son.

 

[Everything Beagle]

Did anyone actually say that NBA coaches are just "glorified babysitter?"

Or are those your actual thoughts?

HCP has gone on and on in the past about how coaches have minimal effect on the players out there.

 

[Everything Beagle]

They deserve as much credit as they do blame son.

Yes ma'am.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Yes, I think there are three key players behind this turnaround. In order of importance:
1. Anfernee. I have never seen him so engaged. His offense is back to where it has been, but his passing and his defense have never been this good.
2. Scoot. The shooting has just opened up his game exponentially.
3. Ayton. He's...actually good?

Question is, will this mean Cronin will want to stand pat or sell high? If the former, I have a feeling Anfernee's game might drop off after the trade deadline. I hope I'm wrong, though, because right now he's better than Shaedon in almost every respect, without that just being a massive slam against Shaedon.

I see no reason why it should drop off. They are all playing well right now. Everyone has upped their game defensively (to various degrees) They all seem to have a good attitude and are supportive of one another. They are having fun for the first time as Blazers. I think Deni is the key, he just needs to stay healthy. They seem to be following his example.

 

[blazerfan11]

I see no reason why it should drop off. They are all playing well right now. Everyone has upped their game defensively (to various degrees) They all seem to have a good attitude and are supportive of one another. They are having fun for the first time as Blazers. I think Deni is the key, he just needs to stay healthy. They seem to be following his example.

Deni and the improved shooting of Scoot has helped a lot. Both of them are instigators of energy and team play.

 

[Everything Beagle]

I see no reason why it should drop off. They are all playing well right now. Everyone has upped their game defensively (to various degrees) They all seem to have a good attitude and are supportive of one another. They are having fun for the first time as Blazers. I think Deni is the key, he just needs to stay healthy. They seem to be following his example.

I don't believe in Ayton or Simons. In January they looked like Marcus Camby and Raymond Felton out there. Did they really find their spark right before the trade deadline coincidentally? It's a mirage.

 

[blazerfan11]

I don't believe in Ayton or Simons. In January they looked like Marcus Camby and Raymond Felton out there. Did they really find their spark right before the trade deadline coincidentally? It's a mirage.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with both of them. I think if Ayton gets the ball enough on the move with his footwork / foot speed taken advantage of, that he can remain mentally and physically involved on both ends of the floor.

It the Blazers go back to a stagnant offense and Ayton is left standing around with nobody passing to him, I think that's on the Blazers as much as Ayton.

If Simons is missing shots and acting as a turnstile on defense, will Billups pull him immediately? Or make sure he gets his 30 minutes (actually 33.7 mpg in January) no matter?

Based on what we've seen in the past, Simons will get his starting position and minutes no matter. It'll be something to look for to see if things have changed.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I don't believe in Ayton or Simons. In January they looked like Marcus Camby and Raymond Felton out there. Did they really find their spark right before the trade deadline coincidentally? It's a mirage.

This makes no sense to me. Most players play worse before the trade deadline because they are distracted. If they were playing for a new contract then sure. The fact that they have all stepped up their game at the same time tells me......yes it is a coincidence.

 

[Everything Beagle]

This makes no sense to me. Most players play worse before the trade deadline because they are distracted. If they were playing for a new contract then sure. The fact that they have all stepped up their game at the same time tells me......yes it is a coincidence.

That would be cool!

 

[KingSpeed]

I don't believe in Ayton or Simons. In January they looked like Marcus Camby and Raymond Felton out there. Did they really find their spark right before the trade deadline coincidentally? It's a mirage.

Ayton is nothing like Camby. Camby was a much better shot blocker. And Camby was a good player for us so I don’t see your point.

 

[Everything Beagle]

Ayton is nothing like Camby. Camby was a much better shot blocker. And Camby was a good player for us so I don’t see your point.

I meant the “stopped trying” part

 

[THE HCP]

HCP has gone on and on in the past about how coaches have minimal effect on the players out there.

Because some on here go on and on that it’s Billups fault because so in so turns the ball over or airballs a 3 or can’t get a rebound.

 

[THE HCP]

I meant the “stopped trying” part

Remember WHO you are replying to FAMS.

 

[Cugel]

To tell you the truth I haven’t a clue what the organization is trying to do moving forward. I don’t see any deals being made. If Luka only is worth a frp how are PORs players bringing anything back of value. aint happening.

 

[Natebishop3]

To tell you the truth I haven’t a clue what the organization is trying to do moving forward. I don’t see any deals being made. If Luka only is worth a frp how are PORs players bringing anything back of value. aint happening.

Luka isn’t only worth a first round pick. On the open market he would have been worth a lot more. The Mavs are stupid.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Enjoy it now while we can. Because I heard on the radio that we have the worst post All Star break record of all teams the past few seasons. I suspect that will be the case again here soon. Lots of mysterious injuries & we’ll be rolling out a G league roster.