Game 49: Portland vs Phoenix 7:00pm Chargetv and KUNP

[PDXKnight]

One would obviously much rather see the young guys playing more minutes but this team definitely flipped a switch unlike anything we've seen in a few years so at least there's some life in the franchise

Deni, Camara, Sharpe and Scoot are getting minutes.

Meanwhile ant, Grant, ayton continue to hog up the starter minutes. I know those guys are all playing particularly deni and Camara (deservedly so). The lack of direction from Cronin is mind numbing however

[zzaj]

Man, I know Nurk has regressed...but he's GOT to be better than that dude on the Suns. Is it that bad down in PHX?

[m0ng0]

the sky is falling we've won 7 of 8 what is wrong with you people? It's like you WANT to suck forever so you can play fantasy basketball around here everyday.

[Norm2953]

Phoenix looks to be a team that is need of a rebuild, for the wheels have come off and they
have no draft picks

Meanwhile the Blazers are playing well and perhaps they can get something worthwhile for
their vets.

[Norm2953]

Man, I know Nurk has regressed...but he's GOT to be better than that dude on the Suns. Is it that bad down in PHX?

Go over to the Suns board. They see Ayton and Camara on the Blazers while they have Nurk and Grayson
Allen. Seeing Camara must gall the Suns fans

[monopoman]

Blazers just keep winning games, we will see when this stretch ends if they can put this out to like 18-2 or something over the last 20 games in a few weeks that would be insane.

[Shem]

Go over to the Suns board. They see Ayton and Camara on the Blazers while they have Nurk and Grayson
Allen. Seeing Camara must gall the Suns fans

The Suns board did you say? Okay!

Man, if we lose to this group....

This team **** sucks. Getting embarassed by Portland. Portland is a bad offense and we are down 20 n pace t give up 130. Worst half of the season imo. Team of pussies

At least we won DA trade.

But seriously 42p/17r for DA/Camara vs 3/4 for Allen/Nurk. Exchange those including the three picks ? A lot better than get another overpaid primadonna on his last legs.

Really don't care if the Blazers are 7-1 the last 8 games, this team stinks and if the Suns played at least 50% defense they would've won. Pissed away another game like they did the T Wolves. Pathetic defense

[JRoy]

Blazers just keep winning games, we will see when this stretch ends if they can put this out to like 18-2 or something over the last 20 games in a few weeks that would be insane.

The 12th pick this year will be a superstar.

4d chess my man.

[sunsbg]

Congrats on the win guys. Beat us one more time next game before the trade deadline so we can blow it up. Thanks!

[Norm2953]

Congrats on the win guys. Beat us one more time next game before the trade deadline so we can blow it up. Thanks!

You guys need to trade Durant

[Case2012]

Meaningless wins cursing us to remain on the treadmill. Wouldn't get their pick back to build around Dame abd wasted his prime. Then won't properly tank by retaining overpaid veterans to stifle the development of the players they drafted to rebuild. This team has been fun but they lack a true star still.We have a real chance at Flagg, Harper and Bailey. Malpractice here by this garbage organization once again. Oh and **** the lakers. Insane.

[DusterBuster]

Hey cool, closing in on win 20 pre ASB led by the vets and the youth showing signs of development are thankfully back on the bench!

Chauncey made sure everything was right in the world!

[dckingsfan]

This no longer feels like a small sample size of better play by the Blazers. And players and coaches aren't meant to worry about draft picks. That part is on the FO, full stop.

It seems like moving to a bigger starting lineup has been a game changer. Playing Deni at SG is "interesting" and he is now at 159 assists against 111 TOs. It seems like Grant/Camara also seem to benefit from this as he is sporting a ridiculous 20.3 DRB% from SG/SF kind of the weaknesses of Grant/Camara. I honestly didn't think this move would work out.

It also seems to have given the bench a lot more punch. I am sure Sharpe isn't too happy about the situation, so there is that.

Scoot is breaking out. There is no other way to see it (IMO). I am still very encouraged by Clingan on the defensive end. He is rebounding really well and the shot blocking goes without saying. I feel he is going to be able to shoot the 3 effectively over time giving him pick 'n pop to go with pick 'n roll.

[zzaj]

This no longer feels like a small sample size of better play by the Blazers. And players and coaches aren't meant to worry about draft picks. That part is on the FO, full stop.

It seems like moving to a bigger starting lineup has been a game changer. Playing Deni at SG is "interesting" and he is now at 159 assists against 111 TOs. It seems like Grant/Camara also seem to benefit from this as he is sporting a ridiculous 20.3 DRB% from SG/SF kind of the weaknesses of Grant/Camara. I honestly didn't think this move would work out.

It also seems to have given the bench a lot more punch. I am sure Sharpe isn't too happy about the situation, so there is that.

Scoot is breaking out. There is no other way to see it (IMO). I am still very encouraged by Clingan on the defensive end. He is rebounding really well and the shot blocking goes without saying. I feel he is going to be able to shoot the 3 effectively over time giving him pick 'n pop to go with pick 'n roll.

Clingan has to stop passing up open 12 footers first…I have a feeling he’s being coached to pass.

[dckingsfan]

This no longer feels like a small sample size of better play by the Blazers. And players and coaches aren't meant to worry about draft picks. That part is on the FO, full stop.

It seems like moving to a bigger starting lineup has been a game changer. Playing Deni at SG is "interesting" and he is now at 159 assists against 111 TOs. It seems like Grant/Camara also seem to benefit from this as he is sporting a ridiculous 20.3 DRB% from SG/SF kind of the weaknesses of Grant/Camara. I honestly didn't think this move would work out.

It also seems to have given the bench a lot more punch. I am sure Sharpe isn't too happy about the situation, so there is that.

Scoot is breaking out. There is no other way to see it (IMO). I am still very encouraged by Clingan on the defensive end. He is rebounding really well and the shot blocking goes without saying. I feel he is going to be able to shoot the 3 effectively over time giving him pick 'n pop to go with pick 'n roll.

Clingan has to stop passing up open 12 footers first…I have a feeling he’s being coached to pass.

Interesting... he certainly isn't taking any FT line jump shots is he. I didn't get that from watching the games.

I like that he is shooting 15% of his shots from 3, that bodes well, IMO. If he starts hitting those shots and develops something that is reliable in the 3-10 foot area, he could be really special on offense. You can see he hasn't hit many mid-range shots. Guessing it isn't a coaching issue but a confidence issue?

Code: Select all

Distance PCT of shots  PCT
0-3           .680    .680
3-10          .150    .136
10-16         .014    .000
16-3P         .007    .000
3P            .150    .273

Either way, small sample size but I think he is going to be solid. Already is on D.

[zzaj]

This no longer feels like a small sample size of better play by the Blazers. And players and coaches aren't meant to worry about draft picks. That part is on the FO, full stop.

It seems like moving to a bigger starting lineup has been a game changer. Playing Deni at SG is "interesting" and he is now at 159 assists against 111 TOs. It seems like Grant/Camara also seem to benefit from this as he is sporting a ridiculous 20.3 DRB% from SG/SF kind of the weaknesses of Grant/Camara. I honestly didn't think this move would work out.

It also seems to have given the bench a lot more punch. I am sure Sharpe isn't too happy about the situation, so there is that.

Scoot is breaking out. There is no other way to see it (IMO). I am still very encouraged by Clingan on the defensive end. He is rebounding really well and the shot blocking goes without saying. I feel he is going to be able to shoot the 3 effectively over time giving him pick 'n pop to go with pick 'n roll.

Clingan has to stop passing up open 12 footers first…I have a feeling he’s being coached to pass.

Interesting... he certainly isn't taking any FT line jump shots is he. I didn't get that from watching the games.

I like that he is shooting 15% of his shots from 3, that bodes well, IMO. If he starts hitting those shots and develops something that is reliable in the 3-10 foot area, he could be really special on offense. You can see he hasn't hit many mid-range shots. Guessing it isn't a coaching issue but a confidence issue?

Code: Select all

Distance PCT of shots  PCT
0-3           .680    .680
3-10          .150    .136
10-16         .014    .000
16-3P         .007    .000
3P            .150    .273

Either way, small sample size but I think he is going to be solid. Already is on D.

Yeah, I think I've only ever seen him take 1 or 2 shots that were not at the basket (accept for 3s, ofc). Coaches will often try and limit a rookies' role as they transition into the NBA, we can hear it in post-game pressers all the time-- a la, "Coach has me focusing on rebounding the ball making, protecting the rim and making good decisions...". The staff will tend to focus on a higher-level repeatable skill in games for inexperienced players, and I think that's probably happening with Clingan somewhat.

Last night Clingan was wide open in the mid-post and didn't even pretend to be a threat there. I wouldn't be surprised if the coaching staff is having him focus on passing out of the post as a "good decision", and that would track with the 'draw & kick' of the offense. They are likely having him focus on putbacks, alleyoops and the occasional wide open 3 at the end of a shot clock.

And of course at this point passing out of the post likely IS a good decision for Clingan. He's not shown much in the way of touch, NBA level offensive moves, or FT % to indicate there's much more hidden under the offensive hood yet.

Clingan would REALLY benefit from a full offseason with a big-man trainer. Someone like a Tim Grgurich from back in the day...