Game 2: Portland vs Golden State 7 00pm KUNP/ RipCitytv

[Wizenheimer]

about Sharpe: since the beginning of his 2nd season I've been arguing he should pattern his game more like DeMar DeRozan and less like Devin Booker

DeMar DeRozan is a 6-time all-star and a 3-time All-NBA selection and his career 3pt attempt rate is 10.6%. Sharpe's rate is 42.8%

on the other hand, DeRozan's career 2ptFG% is 48.9% and his career at-the-rim conversion rate is 66.6%. Meanwhile, Sharpe's career 2ptFG% is 53.3% and his career conversion rate at the rime is 69.7%. Sharpe is even better at the things DeRozan is known for than DeRozan is. Sharpe should be doing more of it, and chucking three's is the opposite of what Sharpe should be doing

I get that the NBA has changed over the course of DD's career, but his type of game is still very effective. Until Sharpe elevates his 3pt conversion rate, he should be playing to his strengths, and that's not chucking three's hoping for the best

I really bollided the format of that post bad

[BlazersBroncos]

Alot to like and comment on from this game but the first thing I want to do is eat crow on Kris. He looked like a legit role playing rotational forward last night and if he can build on that we are looking REALLY pretty at the forward spot depth wise. Seems like one of those development stories where a guy comes into the league expected to be X (Here a high volume 3PT floor spreading swing forward) and end up being Y (Switchy defensive forward who makes his money with motor and cuts). I hope he can continue to grow.

Honestly, the only real negative that stood out last night was Sharpe continuing to settle. Otherwise that was potentially the most 'complete' game I have seen from a Blazers squad in god knows how long.

[Village Idiot]

Steve Kerr was really complimentary of the Blazers roster and play-style in his post-game presser:

"The Trail Blazers just dominated us tonight. Took us out of everything. They were on fire. They were fantastic and they deserved it, obviously."

Dismissing Fatigue: He was specifically asked about his team's fatigue, as it was the second game of a back-to-back, but he dismissed that as an excuse.

"Tonight was not about that. It was about Portland and what they built and the length and athleticism and the style of play. I would be embarrassed to sit here and blame fatigue when a team just came out and took it to us."

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

[Sinobas]

I'm starting to like Kris Murray. I considered him to be a boderline nba player/1st round bust. But he's developing into a nice all-round player.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I gotta see Murray do this more often. If he does, I will be stoked because I was ready to right him off after last season.

Sharpe has a decent drive and pull up jumper from like 15 feet. I want to see more of that and less of him cranking 3 pointers.

[Walton1one]

Don’t make me have to defend that loathsome individual named Olshey, who had a far better record (.556 vs .348) as a GM than Cronin could ever wish for.

And before I even see a response of “But they were rebuilding”.

Need I remind you that the teams that Cronin led as GM started/gave heavy usage to guys like Grant, Simons, Ayton, Williams/Thybulle (when they were healthy), Jrue, and next year Dame, so don’t even try to tell me that they’re rebuilding when they clearly we’re never doing that. He just sucks at his job, plain and simple.

Lastly, congrats to Murray, but let’s not overreact to a marginal NBA player who in his 3rd year finally showed something of relevance. Might be worth waiting to see how he performs throughout the year before we anoint him even worthy of a 1st round pick?

[mighty_duck]

I'm starting to like Kris Murray. I considered him to be a boderline nba player/1st round bust. But he's developing into a nice all-round player.

I was seriously miffed when I heard we picked up Murray's option for next year at $5m on Tuesday. After last season, he didn't look like an NBA player.
The first two games of the season have taken some of the sting out of that.
$5m is still too rich IMO (he's worth a vet minimum if he keeps this up), but it's not like we have cap space next year. And maybe there's still some growth potential.

[DusterBuster]

Don’t make me have to defend that loathsome individual named Olshey, who had a far better record (.556 vs .348) as a GM than Cronin could ever wish for.

And before I even see a response of “But they were rebuilding”.

Need I remind you that the teams that Cronin led as GM started/gave heavy usage to guys like Grant, Simons, Ayton, Williams/Thybulle (when they were healthy), Jrue, and next year Dame, so don’t even try to tell me that they’re rebuilding when they clearly we’re never doing that. He just sucks at his job, plain and simple.

Lastly, congrats to Murray, but let’s not overreact to a marginal NBA player who in his 3rd year finally showed something of relevance. Might be worth waiting to see how he performs throughout the year before we anoint him even worthy of a 1st round pick?

There's genuinely going to be nothing that could happen that will make you change your tune on Cronin. They could win the chip and you'll still find a reason why Cronin sucks.

Your record part also doesn't hold much water considering Olshey NEVER had to go through a rebuilding year with his tenure with the Blazers. And that had far less to do with the rosters he put together vs being lucky enough to have Dame Lillard - a top 75 player of all time.

But whatever, you do you bro.

[Walton1one]

And who chose that path? Was Cronin not the GM when he decided to draft Scoot at #3, therefore leading to the trade of Dame?

You can’t have it both ways DB.

And now, however, many years later here we are in a scenario where Dame is now back on the team and they traded for Jrue and now Scoot is likely the odd man out?

So is that the master plan? Trading Scoot away to chase maybe 2 years of misguided glory with Jrue and Dame? That is laughable

And again, my original point stands. You can’t call it rebuilding when you’re starting/playing vets heavy minutes, he was clearly playing two timelines, he still is.

I’m not the one with blinders on here, Olshey was a repulsive figure, but the bottom line is he led a team that was far better in his tenure than Cronin has done in FOUR years, of his own doing, and still fans like you want to defend him

The good news is, unless Dundon is a complete idiot, Billups has done one positive thing during his tenure, making sure that Cronin goes down with him

[Walton1one]

Read on Twitter

While we are having discussions about whether Yang is however to never years away, look what Old Fisherman’s boy was up to tonight via POR generous charity of course

[zzaj]

Read on Twitter

While we are having discussions about whether Yang is however to never years away, look what Old Fisherman’s boy was up to tonight via POR generous charity of course

He isn't just ol'fish's boy...that's who I wanted at #11 too. This is the first game that Coward really hit from 3...but there's so much to like in his game. He would have been a great pickup...same age as Sharpe--which is kinda crazy.

[Wizenheimer]

Read on Twitter

While we are having discussions about whether Yang is however to never years away, look what Old Fisherman’s boy was up to tonight via POR generous charity of course

He isn't just ol'fish's boy...that's who I wanted at #11 too. This is the first game that Coward really hit from 3...but there's so much to like in his game. He would have been a great pickup...same age as Sharpe--which is kinda crazy.

there were a lot of us who had pointed at Coward as the best bet. Obviously, it's way too early to jump to any conclusions about the draft. But the drafting of a project C like Yang is still a highly questionable decision after adding Clingan last season; of course, I'm not nearly as impressed with Yang as many are. Drafting Coward would have made for a pretty crowded wing rotation, but he has the potential to be a lights-out perimeter shooter; Blazers could use that. He'd also be nice to have next year if the Blazers lost Thybulle in free agency

[oldfishermen]

Read on Twitter

While we are having discussions about whether Yang is however to never years away, look what Old Fisherman’s boy was up to tonight via POR generous charity of course

He isn't just ol'fish's boy...that's who I wanted at #11 too. This is the first game that Coward really hit from 3...but there's so much to like in his game. He would have been a great pickup...same age as Sharpe--which is kinda crazy.

Got to give zzaj credit, he found Coward first.

I became interested in Coward after reading zzaj's player writeup on him. The more I looked into Coward, the more he became my top pick @11. He has the high level of "it" factor. Similiar to how I felt about wanting to draft Donovan Mitchell, when he was avaliable at our pick.

[zzaj]

Read on Twitter

While we are having discussions about whether Yang is however to never years away, look what Old Fisherman’s boy was up to tonight via POR generous charity of course

He isn't just ol'fish's boy...that's who I wanted at #11 too. This is the first game that Coward really hit from 3...but there's so much to like in his game. He would have been a great pickup...same age as Sharpe--which is kinda crazy.

Got to give zzaj credit, he found Coward first.

I became interested in Coward after reading zzaj's player writeup on him. The more I looked into Coward, the more he became my top pick @11. He has the high level of "it" factor. Similiar to how I felt about wanting to draft Donovan Mitchell, when he was avaliable at our pick.

I whiffed on Mitchell…

Looking back at my 2017 notes, I have “will be able to score at the NBA level” “too short for a SG. wide frame, but who does he defend?” “seems to have a ‘me-first’ temper” “+7 inch wingspan”… I think I must have written this just after the combine. I had him going 22nd to the Nets. Whoops. lol

Relatedly, Demin has been having some quietly good games for a rookie. I wasn’t sure about him…
I’m sure the NBA wants to give ROY to Flagg, but I think Edgecombe, Ace and even (believe it or not) Queen have a shot at it. I’ve been surprised and liked what I’ve seen from Fears, too…I think he’s going to be really good, but expected him to struggle more at his ridiculously young age and size playing PG…

I had Yang going late first round/early second. I liked the China footage I saw in january…he has a deliberateness that reminded me of late-stage Sabonis. I still think given time Yang will be a serviceable player, but likely a career backup. It’s my belief that his BBIQ will be his calling card. Kinda like Queen, he’ll need a certain type of situation to really thrive and I doubt he’ll ever get big minutes of that in the NBA.

[Walton1one]

Yeah, I am not buying into a 2-game sample of Jerami hype.

I was looking over his stats, oh yep, there it is, 2 rebounds/2 assists, 3 rebounds/1 assist. If he’s not scoring he’s worthless. He’s basically a 6’9 version of Simons. Still has blinders on when he gets the ball, that will grow tiresome to watch over the year, as it has every year he’s been here

Paying $30 million for a one trick pony, who can’t even consistently do that every night

[JasonStern]

Obligatory Yang was a punt. The Blazers got a future 1st trading down to pick him. Can't judge it until we see what the future 1st lands via draft or trade. Team for sale and you draft a "big in China" name. I get it. Just hope the draft capital doesn't go towards landing rentals of the next Robert Covington and Nance Jr.

Obligatory trade Grant before his early season stats come down. Won't happen, but you can hope...

But the main reason I am posting is to give a hat tip to Tiago Splitter. Really like him as an interim coach. Hope he gets a chance to earn a long term job. The forum friends that follow EuroLeague were really happy for him and said the Blazers made a great choice. And he comes across in interviews like that friend I'd have when I'd go out, drink too much, then have him squeeze me on the shoulder hard and tell me deadpan "Stop."