Game 1 Rd 1 Portland vs OKC 12:30pm Sunday KATU

[DusterBuster]

For as bad as OKC shot, they also don't have shooters. I think PG shooting relatively poorly is a lot more likely than OKC sustaining a lot of hot shooting, and if it's not PG they don't have wings. Felt like a near must win for both sides and the Blazers came up huge.

This is what I've been saying in regards to the people who are like "Well this is proof that OKC is gonna win the series, they played terrible and almost won." The flaw with that theory is that they didn't really play terrible. They're completely comfortable playing and winning games while having bad shooting nights because they're such a poor shooting team overall. They'll have games where they'll shoot better than tonight, sure, but so can the Blazers who - outside of the 1st quarter - weren't exactly lights out themselves.

I think Game 1 is pretty emblematic of how all the games will look. As you said, this Game 1 was really important for setting tone for the series. Blazers lose this one and they would have been haunted with memories of last season losing Game 1 to the Pelicans at home and thinking "oh ish... here we go again". Now at least they have that monkey off their back, they reminded themselves they can beat this Thunder team as they have in recent history (POR swept the season series last year) and they’ve gotten a big boost of confidence going forward.

[bondom34]

For as bad as OKC shot, they also don't have shooters. I think PG shooting relatively poorly is a lot more likely than OKC sustaining a lot of hot shooting, and if it's not PG they don't have wings. Felt like a near must win for both sides and the Blazers came up huge.

This is what I've been saying in regards to the people who are like "Well this is proof that OKC is gonna win the series, they played terrible and almost won." The flaw with that theory is that they didn't really play terrible. They're completely comfortable playing and winning games while having bad shooting nights because they're such a poor shooting team overall. They'll have games where they'll shoot better than tonight, sure, but so can the Blazers who - outside of the 1st quarter - weren't exactly lights out themselves.

I think Game 1 is pretty emblematic of how all the games will look. As you said, this Game 1 was really important for setting tone for the series. Blazers lose this one and they would have been haunted with memories of last season losing Game 1 to the Pelicans at home and thinking "oh ish... here we go again". Now at least they have that monkey off their back, they reminded themselves they can beat this Thunder team as they have in recent history (POR swept the season series last year) and they’ve gotten a big boost of confidence going forward.

Agree there, I think of all the series this one's probably the closest fought. I could see a scenario OKC wins, but given their depth I doubt it. I'm mostly bummed as a Westbrook fan, but if there was a team he'd lose to I'm best with it's Portland. There's no real animosity from the fanbase and they're pretty cool in general around here which is why I didn't want his team playing Houston or GSW. It'd just be trolling nonstop. With you guys there's definitely a mutual respect .

[DusterBuster]

Also, I'm super happy for Kanter. I feel like he gets way too much hate for his defensive weaknesses to the point where people totally overlook the good he brings and think of him like a scrub. He's no massive defensive stopper, but he has been giving an effort. He's not been a liability for the Blazers in any appreciable way to where they just can't keep him on the floor. The whole "can't play kanter" stuff from Donavon honestly speaks more to his coaching weaknesses imo for not being able to find ways to put him in position to succeed like Stotts has been able to do.

[DusterBuster]

For as bad as OKC shot, they also don't have shooters. I think PG shooting relatively poorly is a lot more likely than OKC sustaining a lot of hot shooting, and if it's not PG they don't have wings. Felt like a near must win for both sides and the Blazers came up huge.

This is what I've been saying in regards to the people who are like "Well this is proof that OKC is gonna win the series, they played terrible and almost won." The flaw with that theory is that they didn't really play terrible. They're completely comfortable playing and winning games while having bad shooting nights because they're such a poor shooting team overall. They'll have games where they'll shoot better than tonight, sure, but so can the Blazers who - outside of the 1st quarter - weren't exactly lights out themselves.

I think Game 1 is pretty emblematic of how all the games will look. As you said, this Game 1 was really important for setting tone for the series. Blazers lose this one and they would have been haunted with memories of last season losing Game 1 to the Pelicans at home and thinking "oh ish... here we go again". Now at least they have that monkey off their back, they reminded themselves they can beat this Thunder team as they have in recent history (POR swept the season series last year) and they’ve gotten a big boost of confidence going forward.

Agree there, I think of all the series this one's probably the closest fought. I could see a scenario OKC wins, but given their depth I doubt it. I'm mostly bummed as a Westbrook fan, but if there was a team he'd lose to I'm best with it's Portland. There's no real animosity from the fanbase and they're pretty cool in general around here which is why I didn't want his team playing Houston or GSW. It'd just be trolling nonstop. With you guys there's definitely a mutual respect .

I feel ya! Blazers played Houston a few years ago as most everyone knows (Dame's legendary 0.8 shot) and the Houston fans are insufferable. I'm not a huge Russ fan, I find his personality a bit off-putting at times, but I do appreciate how unique his game is and how committed he's been to OKC much like Dame has been to Portland. It's really commendable and pretty rare in todays league, so I got a lot of respect for him in that regard.

[bondom34]

This is what I've been saying in regards to the people who are like "Well this is proof that OKC is gonna win the series, they played terrible and almost won." The flaw with that theory is that they didn't really play terrible. They're completely comfortable playing and winning games while having bad shooting nights because they're such a poor shooting team overall. They'll have games where they'll shoot better than tonight, sure, but so can the Blazers who - outside of the 1st quarter - weren't exactly lights out themselves.

I think Game 1 is pretty emblematic of how all the games will look. As you said, this Game 1 was really important for setting tone for the series. Blazers lose this one and they would have been haunted with memories of last season losing Game 1 to the Pelicans at home and thinking "oh ish... here we go again". Now at least they have that monkey off their back, they reminded themselves they can beat this Thunder team as they have in recent history (POR swept the season series last year) and they’ve gotten a big boost of confidence going forward.

Agree there, I think of all the series this one's probably the closest fought. I could see a scenario OKC wins, but given their depth I doubt it. I'm mostly bummed as a Westbrook fan, but if there was a team he'd lose to I'm best with it's Portland. There's no real animosity from the fanbase and they're pretty cool in general around here which is why I didn't want his team playing Houston or GSW. It'd just be trolling nonstop. With you guys there's definitely a mutual respect .

I feel ya! Blazers played Houston a few years ago as most everyone knows (Dame's legendary 0.8 shot) and the Houston fans are insufferable. I'm not a huge Russ fan, I find his personality a bit off-putting at times, but I do appreciate how unique his game is and how committed he's been to OKC much like Dame has been to Portland. It's really commendable and pretty rare in todays league, so I got a lot of respect for him in that regard.

IMO the two best leaders in the NBA for their teams (and yeah they're both better than Kyrie still).

[DusterBuster]

After helping the Portland Trail Blazers exorcise their playoff demons, Enes Kanter strolled toward the Moda Center home locker room when a familiar face stopped him before he reached the double doors.

“What a great decision, right?” Neil Olshey, the Blazers’ President of Basketball Operations, said.

“I appreciate it,” Kanter replied. “Thank you so much.”

....

“A lot of times, you get a reputation and the reputation kind of sticks with you, whether you deserve it or not," Stotts said. "I think Enes has really been good for us defensively. He gives great effort, he wants to do what we want to do. One-on-one against Steven Adams, he can hold his own in the block. Pick-and-roll defense, I think he gives good effort and is communicating. So as a coach, all you can ask for is that players give effort and try to do what you want them to do. Enes has been like that from Day 1 for us.”

As Olshey noted just before Kanter stepped foot in the Blazers’ locker room, his decision to join the Blazers was a wise one.

“I’m so blessed to be here,” Kanter said last week. “This is the spot for me.”

https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2019/04/enes-kanter-portland-trail-blazers-exorcise-playoff-demons-in-win-over-oklahoma-city-thunder.html

I honestly believe Kanter may give the Blazers a pretty healthy discount on resigning to stay in Portland, especially knowing he'll have a starting role while Nurk is healing.

[DusterBuster]

Agree there, I think of all the series this one's probably the closest fought. I could see a scenario OKC wins, but given their depth I doubt it. I'm mostly bummed as a Westbrook fan, but if there was a team he'd lose to I'm best with it's Portland. There's no real animosity from the fanbase and they're pretty cool in general around here which is why I didn't want his team playing Houston or GSW. It'd just be trolling nonstop. With you guys there's definitely a mutual respect .

I feel ya! Blazers played Houston a few years ago as most everyone knows (Dame's legendary 0.8 shot) and the Houston fans are insufferable. I'm not a huge Russ fan, I find his personality a bit off-putting at times, but I do appreciate how unique his game is and how committed he's been to OKC much like Dame has been to Portland. It's really commendable and pretty rare in todays league, so I got a lot of respect for him in that regard.

IMO the two best leaders in the NBA for their teams (and yeah they're both better than Kyrie still).

Absolutely. Kyrie, for as talented is he is, he's not a guy I'd want leading my team... not by a long-shot.

[The Sebastian Express]

I feel ya! Blazers played Houston a few years ago as most everyone knows (Dame's legendary 0.8 shot) and the Houston fans are insufferable. I'm not a huge Russ fan, I find his personality a bit off-putting at times, but I do appreciate how unique his game is and how committed he's been to OKC much like Dame has been to Portland. It's really commendable and pretty rare in todays league, so I got a lot of respect for him in that regard.

IMO the two best leaders in the NBA for their teams (and yeah they're both better than Kyrie still).

Absolutely. Kyrie, for as talented is he is, he's not a guy I'd want leading my team... not by a long-shot.

And at least none of them are playoff!Lowry

[DusterBuster]

IMO the two best leaders in the NBA for their teams (and yeah they're both better than Kyrie still).

Absolutely. Kyrie, for as talented is he is, he's not a guy I'd want leading my team... not by a long-shot.

And at least none of them are playoff!Lowry

Oofff, playoff Lowry is brutal. I honestly think its mental for him at this point.

[DusterBuster]

Chuck just went on a rant about Kanter like I've been talking about. How people are so obsessed focusing on whats wrong with someone that they totally overlook what a player does do well, and that while Kanter may not be a great defender, he's gonna go out and get you a double double every night.

[monopoman]

Wow talk about a reverse of yesterday, today all home teams won game 1 meanwhile yesterday only the Warriors won their 1st game at home every other home team lost their 1st game.

[bondom34]

Absolutely. Kyrie, for as talented is he is, he's not a guy I'd want leading my team... not by a long-shot.

And at least none of them are playoff!Lowry

Oofff, playoff Lowry is brutal. I honestly think its mental for him at this point.

One game so I didn't have the guts to do it but there was a PC board thread a guy was arguing Lowry over Lillard with me and I couldn't

[DusterBuster]

Didn't realize Russ is out there a bit banged up too...

Read on Twitter

Doesn't sound wildly optimistic from him.

[The Sebastian Express]

And at least none of them are playoff!Lowry

Oofff, playoff Lowry is brutal. I honestly think its mental for him at this point.

One game so I didn't have the guts to do it but there was a PC board thread a guy was arguing Lowry over Lillard with me and I couldn't

I don't know how you put up zero points against DJ Augustine with Leonard and Gasol on your team, but there you have it.

[The Sebastian Express]

Didn't realize Russ is out there a bit banged up too...

Read on Twitter

Doesn't sound wildly optimistic from him.

I think it's actually his knee. So during the last four minutes he was guarding Lillard and he planted his foot wrong and actually rolled over his own foot just by putting the tip/toes on the floor. It looked like he tweaked his knee in the process. He was grimacing through the end.

[bondom34]

Also while I'm here the "can't play Kanter" was always unfair. He also played well vs the Spurs in 2016. It's very matchup based. If you guys played GSW or Houston, you kind of can't. But a team like the Spurs or OKC or probably Denver he's fine.

[DusterBuster]

Oofff, playoff Lowry is brutal. I honestly think its mental for him at this point.

One game so I didn't have the guts to do it but there was a PC board thread a guy was arguing Lowry over Lillard with me and I couldn't

I don't know how you put up zero points against DJ Augustine with Leonard and Gasol on your team, but there you have it.

Probably the most surprising thing of this years playoffs is DJ Augustine still having an NBA career and somehow not just starting, having a meaningful impact for a playoff team. That's kinda mindblowing.

[monopoman]

Didn't realize Russ is out there a bit banged up too...

Read on Twitter

Doesn't sound wildly optimistic from him.

He sure seemed to be moving well blowing by defenders at times to score near the basket.

[bondom34]

Didn't realize Russ is out there a bit banged up too...

Read on Twitter

Doesn't sound wildly optimistic from him.

Yeah he's had some lingering stuff too. OKC doesn't have any depth and Russ/PG/Adams have all played way too many minutes. They're 5, 12, and 16 in total minutes this season because the roster is just zero behind them and Donovan doesn't trust guys. For reference Dame is 6, the Blazers next highest is CJ at 46.

[DusterBuster]

Didn't realize Russ is out there a bit banged up too...

Read on Twitter

Doesn't sound wildly optimistic from him.

He sure seemed to be moving well blowing by defenders at times to score near the basket.

I guess it was something he aggravated late in the game.