Game 11: Portland @ Charlotte 2:00PM

[amcoolio]

It's interesting seeing Batum so aggressive and into a game. And for him to have 20 1st half points. I haven't seen Nic score within that type of rate since Lillard's rookie year.

Ever since the France tragedy Batum has hit everything he's shot. Divine intervention?

Also he's starting to realize he needs to be the #1 option for the Hornets to win. You guys had reliable scorers and multiple options, we really don't. Despite Al's first half he has really regressed this season

[DeBlazerRiddem]

At work and cant watch the game today, but man what is with our lack of assists? Is there no ball-movement?

[Wizenheimer]

It's interesting seeing Batum so aggressive and into a game. And for him to have 20 1st half points. I haven't seen Nic score within that type of rate since Lillard's rookie year.

Batum has a 22.1% usage rate and a FT Rate of .284. Last year in Portland, he had a 14.6% usage rate and a .163 FT Rate. If what you claim is true about Aldridge's sensitivity and the way the staff was catering to it, maybe a major reason why Batum deferred his offense in Portland wasn't because of his nature but rather because of the team dynamic with Aldridge and Lillard

[Wizenheimer]

At work and cant watch the game today, but man what is with our lack of assists? Is there no ball-movement?

ball movement isn't great, but Lillard has had to look to score a lot and he's the only play-maker. Tough to carry both burdens.

[Shem]

I guess it's one of those nights where Al Jefferson could shoot it backwards and still swish it!

[Shem]

I'm serious, someone needs to keep track of how many bricks there are when CJ sets a guy up for an open shot all season. I now just assume the ball is going to brick in those situations and shocked if it actually goes in.

[Shem]

There's another brick.

[Dame Lizard]

It's interesting seeing Batum so aggressive and into a game. And for him to have 20 1st half points. I haven't seen Nic score within that type of rate since Lillard's rookie year.

Batum has a 22.1% usage rate and a FT Rate of .284. Last year in Portland, he had a 14.6% usage rate and a .163 FT Rate. If what you claim is true about Aldridge's sensitivity and the way the staff was catering to it, maybe a major reason why Batum deferred his offense in Portland wasn't because of his nature but rather because of the team dynamic with Aldridge and Lillard

I think it was largely a case of Batum not being able to hit a barn door. The dude was simply hopeless shooting last season.

[Dame Lizard]

We know that Cliff Alexander is a bit of a 1 dimensional player, he's a great rebounder (and a good shotblocker when in position), but that's about it.

Why is he required to be setting the screens on offense, essentially preventing him from being able to do the one thing he excels in?

Edit: to be fair I suppose he probably sets better screens than Ed Davis, and Davis is also a good offensive rebounder, so fair enough I guess.

[Moonbeam]

This is an unexpected comeback.

[Dame Lizard]

This is an unexpected comeback.

Let's hope it continues so we can achieve the competitive loss!

[Shem]

Congrats on Baby Uncle Cliffy with his first NBA points.

[Dame Lizard]

Cody Zeller with the "45 degree diagonal" verticality..... nice call ref!

[Masterfully]

Semi competitive loss.

[The Sebastian Express]

A non-quit competitive loss!

Also yay Noah and Cliff

[Dame Lizard]

Crabbe and Plumlee were our only players who had a good game really. Vonleh played pretty decently as well, which is good to see after a pretty uninspiring stretch of games.

Props to Stotts for playing the young guys. Wonder whether he goes back to Kaman vs Spurs though. I'd probably guess so. Kaman actually played semi-decently the other night and didn't get a single minute, so I'm guessing he was deliberately left out of this game.

[zzaj]

IMO, Crabbe has played well enough that he's deserving of more playing time and a slightly larger role. He has been pretty consistent shooting the basketball the past few games. I'd like to see Stotts draw some thing up for him specifically to see if he can emerge as a consistent 13-15 point scorer.

[Wizenheimer]

It's interesting seeing Batum so aggressive and into a game. And for him to have 20 1st half points. I haven't seen Nic score within that type of rate since Lillard's rookie year.

Batum has a 22.1% usage rate and a FT Rate of .284. Last year in Portland, he had a 14.6% usage rate and a .163 FT Rate. If what you claim is true about Aldridge's sensitivity and the way the staff was catering to it, maybe a major reason why Batum deferred his offense in Portland wasn't because of his nature but rather because of the team dynamic with Aldridge and Lillard

I think it was largely a case of Batum not being able to hit a barn door. The dude was simply hopeless shooting last season.

yeah, I wasn't talking about his shooting percentage last year but rather his habit of deferring to Aldridge , Lillard, and Matthews. That went on for a couple of years before his injuries last season

[Wizenheimer]

next 4 games:

@ San Antonio
@ Houston
vs Los Angeles Clippers
@ Los Angeles Lakers

will Blazers be on an 8 game losing streak when the visit the Lakers?

[Moonbeam]

next 4 games:

@ San Antonio
@ Houston
vs Los Angeles Clippers
@ Los Angeles Lakers

will Blazers be on an 8 game losing streak when the visit the Lakers?

Seems pretty likely. As long as players continue to develop (impressed by Crabbe and encouraged by Vonleh in this one), I don't mind.