#36 - Pistons-Blazers - 7pm ET

[MortSahlfan]

We just keep finding ways to win. Great win!

[Absolutia]

Making it to .500 the hard way.

[whitehops]

man it's really a rollercoaster with this bunch (not complaining at all). go down big against two mediocre teams that have their best players out and pull out close wins, yet blow out an above .500 team in minnesota.

honestly just happy that they are at the point where they can play down to their competition/coast and rally and still win.

[Snakebites]

It’s distinctly possible for our pick to be lower than 13 (the protection on the pick.) All it requires is for us to not have the lowest record among play-in teams (and that’s assuming we lose the play-in). If that happens we could lose the pick this season. Still a lot of season left to play of course.

I’m not saying the team should do something about that. To the contrary, I’m firmly in the “let’s win as many games as possible camp”. But folks who said it couldn’t happen, IMO, are wrong.

I think the development and experience we’re getting as a team is well worth that, regardless.

[zeebneeb]

.500

Unbelievable.

[whitehops]

It’s distinctly possible for our pick to be lower than 13 (the protection on the pick.) All it requires is for us to not have the lowest record among play-in teams (and that’s assuming we lose the play-in). If that happens we could lose the pick this season. Still a lot of season left to play of course.

I’m not saying the team should do something about that. To the contrary, I’m firmly in the “let’s win as many games as possible camp”. But folks who said it couldn’t happen, IMO, are wrong.

I think the development and experience we’re getting as a team is well worth that, regardless.

if we're anywhere near the play-in/outside the top 10 i hope we do convey our pick. our guys will have learned how to actually compete and if the pick conveys it would free trajan up to deal future first round picks if he wanted.

[Snakebites]

It’s distinctly possible for our pick to be lower than 13 (the protection on the pick.) All it requires is for us to not have the lowest record among play-in teams (and that’s assuming we lose the play-in). If that happens we could lose the pick this season. Still a lot of season left to play of course.

I’m not saying the team should do something about that. To the contrary, I’m firmly in the “let’s win as many games as possible camp”. But folks who said it couldn’t happen, IMO, are wrong.

I think the development and experience we’re getting as a team is well worth that, regardless.

if we're anywhere near the play-in/outside the top 10 i hope we do convey our pick. our guys will have learned how to actually compete and if the pick conveys it would free trajan up to deal future first round picks if he wanted.

It’s a long season. There’s really no way to know how our team and especially our depth will hold up over 82 games.

We’ve won a couple of unimpressive games recently between Portland and Charlotte. But even those were improvements. Last years team would have rolled over to those same opponents after starting like that.

But we’re .500 at a later point in the year than I think anyone expected.

It’s a good “problem” to have if we can manage it. These kids really needed a better season after what they endured last season.

[Mr Peanut]

I don't watch many Blazers games so this is a small sample size reaction, but Scoot Henderson looks terrible. Just a complete bust. It's still early in his career so never say never but it's very possible he ends up with a Killian type career - out of the NBA after his rookie contract.

[Uncle Mxy]

"If it ain't rough, it ain't right."
-Mr. Big Shot

[zeebneeb]

I don't watch many Blazers games so this is a small sample size reaction, but Scoot Henderson looks terrible. Just a complete bust. It's still early in his career so never say never but it's very possible he ends up with a Killian type career - out of the NBA after his rookie contract.

The start of his career, is really reminding me of Billups. It may take him several years before he figures it out, and lands somewhere, that fits.

[NYPiston]

It’s a long season. There’s really no way to know how our team and especially our depth will hold up over 82 games.

We’ve won a couple of unimpressive games recently between Portland and Charlotte. But even those were improvements. Last years team would have rolled over to those same opponents after starting like that.

But we’re .500 at a later point in the year than I think anyone expected.

It’s a good “problem” to have if we can manage it. These kids really needed a better season after what they endured last season.

They did crush a healthy Wolves team sandwiched in there so that should be noted. All a part of the learning to win process, these close games they were losing on the regular as recently as earlier this season so there's some clear growth happening. Now maintaining this over the long haul of a season will be the next step, a step I'm not quite sure they're ready for especially without Ivey but it'll be fun to watch either way.

[JRoy]

I don't watch many Blazers games so this is a small sample size reaction, but Scoot Henderson looks terrible. Just a complete bust. It's still early in his career so never say never but it's very possible he ends up with a Killian type career - out of the NBA after his rookie contract.

You’re right.

Scoot is small, nothing special as an athlete and unskilled.

Bust.

[MortSahlfan]

“It’s huge, man. It’s huge,” Jalen Duren said of getting to .500 nearly midway through the season a year after going 14-68. “Guys who have been here, me, Deuce (Cade Cunningham), Stew (Isaiah Stewart), J.I. (Jaden Ivey), A.T. (Ausar Thompson), Sass (Marcus Sasser) – guys who’ve been through the ups and downs of our short careers and now getting here and being .500, it’s huge. We just want to keep building on it. Long season to go, but this is a great starting point, starting off the new year undefeated. We’re going to keep growing, keep pushing, keep building.”

[Kalamazoo317]

More consistency from Duren would play a huge role in that

[breezypeezy]

More consistency from Duren would play a huge role in that

Still listen to that winning attitude from the 19 year old man. We are building the culture, you set the fixed line when you climb the 8000 meter peaks, we are setting the fixed line.

[zeebneeb]

Duren is 21 now. I agree with both though. More consistency, and I love the passion!

Still don't want to get my hopes up though. The upcoming schedule, is pretty rough. Without Ivey, its gonna be a slog at times to score, and run plays. Cade has been up to the task so far, but he's gonna get worn down playing 38-40mpg at some point.

[MortSahlfan]

“Cade Cunningham said it best, they different. … I’ve been able to go against some dudes in my career, and those two guys, man, they’re just pure athleticism.” —LeBron James on playing against Amen and Ausar Thompson

[MotownMadness]

Tobias has really stepped it up since the Ivey injury

[Mr Peanut]

I don't watch many Blazers games so this is a small sample size reaction, but Scoot Henderson looks terrible. Just a complete bust. It's still early in his career so never say never but it's very possible he ends up with a Killian type career - out of the NBA after his rookie contract.

You’re right.

Scoot is small, nothing special as an athlete and unskilled.

Bust.

I hope I'm wrong, I'm rooting for the guy. I was one of the many who thought Charlotte made a mistake by drafting Miller over him. I just struggle to see him panning out at the moment.