Game 1; Portland vs Sacramento 7:00pm Root,Root+

[LillardTime]

Dames cooked...

He is likely super gassed and should not be playing this many minutes in game 1 of the season. Let him get back into game shape, he does look better than he looked last season at least somewhat. Keep in mind he hasn't played a real NBA game in a pretty damn long time until tonight.

Yeah, you're right. He just looks like he did last season, but he's probably not in game shape. Makes me wonder why he wasn't getting into game shape in the pre season. I kept thinking man, he needs reps and to get his conditioning back after missing an entire season.

Tough to get into game shape when there haven’t been any games. You hear professionals in almost every sport mention that there is no way to properly replicate the intensity of competitive game conditions.

The season is a marathon not a sprint and if the blazers are to be successful then we need players like Ant, Hart and Grant all to play large roles and for the next tier of Winslow, Sharpe, Nas and Keon to have an impact. The better those players get the more likely we can keep Dame at 32 minutes a night.

The real issue out of this game is what to do at the centre position. Nurk just has no touch around the rim and throws too many passes that have no hope of coming off. His role really should be to just set screens, roll to the basket for dunks and then focus on defence and rebounding. Having Hart and Grant who can play make a little should mean the end to Nurk acting as any type of play maker because his decision making is not up to scratch.

Cronin copped a lot of heat on here for the Powell trade but he might just hit a home run with the Sharpe pick.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

The Blazers secret weapon tonight: Winslow at the 5

[monopoman]

He is likely super gassed and should not be playing this many minutes in game 1 of the season. Let him get back into game shape, he does look better than he looked last season at least somewhat. Keep in mind he hasn't played a real NBA game in a pretty damn long time until tonight.

Yeah, you're right. He just looks like he did last season, but he's probably not in game shape. Makes me wonder why he wasn't getting into game shape in the pre season. I kept thinking man, he needs reps and to get his conditioning back after missing an entire season.

Tough to get into game shape when there haven’t been any games. You hear professionals in almost every sport mention that there is no way to properly replicate the intensity of competitive game conditions.

The season is a marathon not a sprint and if the blazers are to be successful then we need players like Ant, Hart and Grant all to play large roles and for the next tier of Winslow, Sharpe, Nas and Keon to have an impact. The better those players get the more likely we can keep Dame at 32 minutes a night.

The real issue out of this game is what to do at the centre position. Nurk just has no touch around the rim and throws too many passes that have no hope of coming off. His role really should be to just set screens, roll to the basket for dunks and then focus on defence and rebounding. Having Hart and Grant who can play make a little should mean the end to Nurk acting as any type of play maker because his decision making is not up to scratch.

Cronin copped a lot of heat on here for the Powell trade but he might just hit a home run with the Sharpe pick.

Yeah, this is one upside of an 82 game season, and keep in mind we won tonight with Dame having a rough time. That is a great sign, if this team can win even .500 or better with Dame playing like this that would be super good. Dame will likely look better game to game and maybe 15-20 games in he will start getting into the game shape he wants.

Dame still demands a lot of attention though, you can tell the Kings were told to make sure Dame did not get easy shots. He saw heavy defensive pressure even though he was struggling to hit shots in general.

[soobias]

good call goldbum lol.

my take is it's just game 1 but age and style might be creeping up on DAME(i know he was injured).
simons is doing his best CJ job and its growing on me in the wrong way.
nurk is nurk, why anyone would think he is capable of more on a consistent basis is beyond me.
like i said i know it's just game 1 but hart, winslow, grant, little did what i thought they would do, i know they just paid little but i'de rather see walker out there and i dont want to see simons chucking 22 shots a game. i'de rather see balance and have sharpe putting up more that 9 a game. love how DAME and GRANT got to the free throw line and i hope it continues.
i'll take the win though and i'll take any win for that matter lol.

[LillardTime]

Yeah, you're right. He just looks like he did last season, but he's probably not in game shape. Makes me wonder why he wasn't getting into game shape in the pre season. I kept thinking man, he needs reps and to get his conditioning back after missing an entire season.

Tough to get into game shape when there haven’t been any games. You hear professionals in almost every sport mention that there is no way to properly replicate the intensity of competitive game conditions.

The season is a marathon not a sprint and if the blazers are to be successful then we need players like Ant, Hart and Grant all to play large roles and for the next tier of Winslow, Sharpe, Nas and Keon to have an impact. The better those players get the more likely we can keep Dame at 32 minutes a night.

The real issue out of this game is what to do at the centre position. Nurk just has no touch around the rim and throws too many passes that have no hope of coming off. His role really should be to just set screens, roll to the basket for dunks and then focus on defence and rebounding. Having Hart and Grant who can play make a little should mean the end to Nurk acting as any type of play maker because his decision making is not up to scratch.

Cronin copped a lot of heat on here for the Powell trade but he might just hit a home run with the Sharpe pick.

Yeah, this is one upside of an 82 game season, and keep in mind we won tonight with Dame having a rough time. That is a great sign, if this team can win even .500 or better with Dame playing like this that would be super good. Dame will likely look better game to game and maybe 15-20 games in he will start getting into the game shape he wants.

No way we win this game last year on the road down 10 in the 3rd quarter. Steady, savvy vet play from Hart, Grant and Winslow got us this one. The physicality they bring is something we have lacked for a long time.

[RTG HD]

ESPN odds said 72% probability of a loss for the Blazers. I think we are going to see a lot more "upsets" this year.

[monopoman]

ESPN odds said 72% probability of a loss for the Blazers. I think we are going to see a lot more "upsets" this year.

Vegas also had the Kings winning by 3, at least according to ESPN odds.

[red_power]

I’m not sure why Winslow was written off so early as not being the starter at 3

Because he's injury prone and his durability comes close to zero. You can't count on a dude like he is to survive throughout the whole season without going down for a while at some point.

[PDXKnight]

I’m not sure why Winslow was written off so early as not being the starter at 3

Because he's injury prone and his durability comes close to zero. You can't count on a dude like he is to survive throughout the whole season without going down for a while at some point.

Yeah durability definitely is questionable and he can't hit 3s super efficiently. He does tend to get overrated though

[PDXKnight]

I really wanna see shaedon tear it up. We are loaded at guard so he will have to play a good amount of sf once payton comes back probably. But if this kid kills it I gotta think we find a way to rock him at sg even if it means a trade

[PDXKnight]

ESPN odds said 72% probability of a loss for the Blazers. I think we are going to see a lot more "upsets" this year.

Kings always underperform not sure why espn put those odds

[BigPuma]

I think ESPNs odds heavily weight the last 10-20 games. So it is basing its prediction on our tankathon team from the end of last year.

ESPN odds said 72% probability of a loss for the Blazers. I think we are going to see a lot more "upsets" this year.

Kings always underperform not sure why espn put those odds

[Case2012]

I’m not sure why Winslow was written off so early as not being the starter at 3

Because he's injury prone and his durability comes close to zero. You can't count on a dude like he is to survive throughout the whole season without going down for a while at some point.

Yeah durability definitely is questionable and he can't hit 3s super efficiently. He does tend to get overrated though

Not starting based on his health previous is not good rationale. It should be based on fit and style of the team. Winslow has the build, size and length of a true wing, plays good defense, rebounds well, and makes good plays. He's a glue guy that can play multiple positions. Obviously his shot sucks but we have other shooters in the line up.

[zzaj]

If the Blazers get games like this from Hart and Grant, they’ll beat some teams. Obviously there was “rebound by committee” being preached. Stat of the game was out rebounding the Kings.

Simons is going to win some games and look like the hero some nights, and shoot the Blazers out of the game on others. I’d like to see him moved for a C, honestly. Problem is, Nurkic would pout. Simons and Nurkic are grandfathered into the rotation, and that’s not a good thing…

Hart and Lillard need to be starting, IMO.

[Goldbum]

I feel like there has been way too much Ant bashing on the internet today. Ant+Sharpe is going to be the best backcourt we've had. IDK that either will reach peak Dame levels but as a duo I see a brighter future than Dame/CJ.

[BlazersBroncos]

I am confused on why Winslow doing a great job as a small ball Center is argument for him to start at SF.

He should be used like PJ Tucker, at PF and small ball C depending on matchup. He is a unique player but best served as a bench Swiss Army knife IMO.

My rash decision would be giving SS the Nas minutes but we just paid Little so fat chance that happens IMO.

As others said, Kings or not, the Blazers of the last 2 years almost certainly don’t claw back to win. The FO targeted tough nosed guys for those types of scenarios and it payed off last night.

Hart looked great, hope the PS was just him coasting. He plays like last night all year and he will demand 18-20M next summer.

[BNM]

I am confused on why Winslow doing a great job as a small ball Center is argument for him to start at SF.

He should be used like PJ Tucker, at PF and small ball C depending on matchup. He is a unique player but best served as a bench Swiss Army knife IMO.

My rash decision would be giving SS the Nas minutes but we just paid Little so fat chance that happens IMO.

As others said, Kings or not, the Blazers of the last 2 years almost certainly don’t claw back to win. The FO targeted tough nosed guys for those types of scenarios and it payed off last night.

Hart looked great, hope the PS was just him coasting. He plays like last night all year and he will demand 18-20M next summer.

The reason the small ball line up worked well is Winslow (SF, PF, small ball C), Grant (PF, SF) and Hart (SF, SG) can all guard multiple positions. Winslow and Grant can both play SF and PF. If you start them together, it doesn't matter what you call them. Who they guard can be match up dependent.

I know it's not going to happen, but I still like Ant as a super 6th man paired with Payton off the bench. That gives us a bigger, better defending starting line up with Hart at the 2, Grant at the 3/4 and Winslow at the 4/3.

Not sure I get the "we just paid Little" comment. It's not like he got Simons money.

This season:
Sharpe = $6,012,960
Little = $4,171,548

Next Season:
Sharpe = $6,313,800
Little = $6,250,000

If we're just going by salary, Sharpe makes more than Little both this season and next when Little's extension kicks in. For young, hungry, bench guys, minutes should always be based on performance, not salary.

[Myth]

After watching the game, I'm pretty hyped about Sharpe, and I'm pretty down on Nurkic/lack of a backup center. What do you guys think the Spurs would want for Poeltl as they are tanking that would also open up minutes for Sharpe? I think once Payton comes back, there won't be enough minutes to go around the guard positions, so I think one of Payton/Little/Simons/Hart would need to go, and depending on which, a pick may be needed. Simons to me makes the most sense as a player as he is a young and talented guy for the Spurs, but then the contracts get tough, unless Spurs can and are willing to absorb the salary. Just curious what all of you think and clearly the thought isn't formulated enough to actually present to the Trade Board.

[BNM]

After watching the game, I'm pretty hyped about Sharpe, and I'm pretty down on Nurkic/lack of a backup center. What do you guys think the Spurs would want for Poeltl as they are tanking that would also open up minutes for Sharpe? I think once Payton comes back, there won't be enough minutes to go around the guard positions, so I think one of Payton/Little/Simons/Hart would need to go, and depending on which, a pick may be needed. Simons to me makes the most sense as a player as he is a young and talented guy for the Spurs, but then the contracts get tough, unless Spurs can and are willing to absorb the salary. Just curious what all of you think and clearly the thought isn't formulated enough to actually present to the Trade Board.

Two potential issues:

Ant can't be traded until Jan 15, 2023. If the goal is to compete this season, can we afford to wait that long to make a trade to improve the team?

Poeltl is on the last year of his deal and will become an unrestricted free agent come next summer. Will we be able to afford to resign him? If not, we risk losing him for nothing. Do we give up Ant for a half season rental that will make us better, but not make us contenders?

[Case2012]

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Imagine how good the defense will be with Payton.

Sharpe looks like a legit 2 way player at the SG position. I can't remember the last time we had one either. Maybe Matthews?

Whiteside was garbage defensively but he still averaged 17/13/3.5 blocks on 70% from the field when he played for us and could be had for the minimum. You'd have to think he'd be a lot more effective with actual defenders on the perimeter. Cousins and favors would be better than Nurkic too, let's be honest. Hell even Aldridge.