Will Crash play tonight?

[maxiep]

Isn't it also that Joel and Dante have to also pass their physicals before Wallce can play for us?

Of course, but they're not leaving town until Saturday. Where's the time pressure? We're in a playoff race. Neither team should be allowed to drag its heels.

 

[maxiep]

Serious question: Since the trade hasn't been finalized, Joel and Dante are still ours, right? Why can't we play them? If Charlotte doesn't like it, they can rush the physicals. The risk of injury for 10 minutes of play each is remote.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Joe Freeman BlazerFreeman

Who will play center behind LA tonight? Batum. And, yes, that's for real.

I think we should play Babbitt at center for 10 minutes tonight. What's the worst that could happen?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Serious question: Since the trade hasn't been finalized, Joel and Dante are still ours, right? Why can't we play them? If Charlotte doesn't like it, they can rush the physicals. The risk of injury for 10 minutes of play each is remote.

I think it's part of the CBA on trades that all involved players are basically in a neutral zone for their own protection and the protection of the teams involved to prevent any injuries of the components of the deal. Besides, we're Portland; do you really think MJ would let us play either Joel or Dante knowing our curse?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I think we should play Babbitt at center for 10 minutes tonight. What's the worst that could happen?

A loss, and a good Blazer rolling his ankle on Babbitt's foot.

 

[RR7]

The risk of injury for 10 minutes of play each is astronomical.

Fixed. Let's be serious. This is our team we're talking about.

 

[MIXUM]

BlazerFreeman
Batum on the possibility of guarding Nene tonight: "Cant’ say I’m ready, but I got to," he said, laughing.
3 minutes ago via web

 

[BlazerCaravan]

BlazerFreeman
Batum on the possibility of guarding Nene tonight: "Cant’ say I’m ready, but I got to," he said, laughing.
3 minutes ago via web

Right, like we're gonna go man-to-man with LMA actually not playing center because he's announced as a Power Forward in the introductions... LMA has shown he's now strong enough to keep Nene from running roughshod on us (a few plays in the last Denver game really impressed me on how strong LMA has become; he kept Nene from backing down quite well)

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Right, like we're gonna go man-to-man with LMA actually not playing center because he's announced as a Power Forward in the introductions... LMA has shown he's now strong enough to keep Nene from running roughshod on us (a few plays in the last Denver game really impressed me on how strong LMA has become; he kept Nene from backing down quite well)

I think he's talking about if/when LA sits. The Freeman tweet said Nic is playing center behind LA.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I think he's talking about if/when LA sits. The Freeman tweet said Nic is playing center behind LA.

Batum isn't starting?! Also, I fully expect LMA to play 44 minutes tonight, because we'll want to actually win this game.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Batum isn't starting?! Also, I fully expect LMA to play 44 minutes tonight, because we'll want to actually win this game.

I'm sure he's starting at 4, and playing 5 when LA sits. What I wonder is: who will be playing the 4 when Nic is manning the pivot? Matthews?

 

[Minstrel]

Batum isn't starting?! Also, I fully expect LMA to play 44 minutes tonight, because we'll want to actually win this game.

I'm sure he is, but the claim is that he's going to shift over to center when LMA is on the bench...

This should be interesting.

 

[Minstrel]

What I wonder is: who will be playing the 4 when Nic is manning the pivot? Matthews?

Roy? High post big man, good passer and shooter after all.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I'm sure he is, but the claim is that he's going to shift over to center when LMA is on the bench...

This should be interesting.

Miller or Wesley would be more equipped to handle Nene than Batum... they're just stronger.

 

[Minstrel]

Miller or Wesley would be more equipped to handle Nene than Batum... they're just stronger.

They don't have nearly the reach. Batum is going to have to muscle up, no question, but Miller or Matthews would just be shot over as though they weren't there. Batum has the length to actually challenge a shot out of the post.

And there's no doubt that Portland will be bringing hard double teams when Batum is playing Nene. He's not going to be singled up.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Miller or Wesley would be more equipped to handle Nene than Batum... they're just stronger.

Again, go with Babbitt. He put 185 up 15 times at the combine; that's more than Derrick Favors did and equal to Jeff Pendergraph.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

They don't have nearly the reach. Batum is going to have to muscle up, no question, but Miller or Matthews would just be shot over as though they weren't there. Batum has the length to actually challenge a shot out of the post.

And there's no doubt that Portland will be bringing hard double teams when Batum is playing Nene. He's not going to be singled up.

Yeah, I definitely see us playing a double-the-post zone. Babbitt might see time because of his height, and Armon because of his peskiness in an attempt to steal the ball from Nene before he makes a move.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Nic at center........... that is Don Nelson type shit! We are gonna score 150 tonight!

and give up 165.

 

[BBert]

What bugs me is that the Blazers didn't already have an eager big body earmarked for signing in case of a trade. They should already have a list of available big bodies and should have someone flown in and signed to a 10-day contract by now.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

What bugs me is that the Blazers didn't already have an eager big body earmarked for signing in case of a trade. They should already have a list of available big bodies and should have someone flown in and signed to a 10-day contract by now.

Those guys always get eaten alive by opposing starters (if they were good enough to stop Nene, they wouldn't be in the D-League), and they never know the defensive scheme (we'll be using a lot of zone tonight) without at least two practices. We might as well just let Denver start the game by having Nene shoot 12 free throws and save ourselves $20K.

 

[KingSpeed]

I started a thread about this when it was announced that Marks was part of the deal. Why haven't we found another center?? This is ridiculous.

 

[mook]

lol. We're going to get creamed tonight unless Aldridge has an insane game. This team is just ridiculously undermanned up front.

 

[Minstrel]

lol. We're going to get creamed tonight unless Aldridge has an insane game. This team is just ridiculously undermanned up front.

Batum will shut Nene down. Just you watch.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I'm sure he is, but the claim is that he's going to shift over to center when LMA is on the bench...

This should be interesting.

Actually, LA just said in an interview that nobody will be playing center tonight. We're starting 2 power forwards, and only bringing guards off the bench. No centers--ever.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Actually, LA just said in an interview that nobody will be playing center tonight. We're starting 2 power forwards, and only bringing guards off the bench. No centers--ever.

I commend LMA for his good sense. Clearly when (if?) Oden comes back next year he'll be playing a lot of "large ball" 4.

 

[andalusian]

We will be the opposite of GSW - the all-PF line-up.

 

[Minstrel]

Actually, LA just said in an interview that nobody will be playing center tonight. We're starting 2 power forwards, and only bringing guards off the bench. No centers--ever.

Sounds good to me. I don't see any reason to have a special disabled list spot called "center."

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Actually, LA just said in an interview that nobody will be playing center tonight. We're starting 2 power forwards, and only bringing guards off the bench. No centers--ever.

Okay, that's some funny shit. I wonder if HCP can get Mark Mason to announce three forwards instead of 2 forwrds and 1 center!

 

[Nikolokolus]

Okay, that's some funny shit. I wonder if HCP can get Mark Mason to announce three forwards instead of 2 forwrds and 1 center!

I know this is going to sound facetious, but I'm dead serious when I say I think the team should change everything next year (introductions, programs, media, website, whatever) to "small power forward" and "large power forward." It's time.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I know this is going to sound facetious, but I'm dead serious when I say I think the team should change everything next year (introductions, programs, media, website, whatever) to "small power forward" and "large power forward." It's time.

Hehe, I agree. Maybe "Lead Power Forward" and "Rhythm Power Forward"?

But yeah, something has to change to get rid of the curse.