Game 10: Portland vs Miami 5:30pm Root+

[PDXKnight]

Impressive win

[Case2012]

Glad we got the win.

Josh Hart reminds me so much of Draymond green. He's a near trouble double/ high triple single guy, great defense and effort and clearly the heart of the team. I really hope he agrees to a 15-18 million deal next season.

Nurkic continues to frustrate me though. He played horrible defense and only attempted 2 shots. It's really annoying watching him give up on defense because he's not involved in the offense. He had the worst plus minus tonight for the team -11 and his body language showed it.

Was watching the pacers and pelicans before this one and Myles Turner looks like the guy that would fully unlock billups offense and defense. I hope we make a move for him at the deadline somehow. I think he's worth changing the protections on the Chicago pick for. We could get a future second or something for doing it id imagine.. Nurkic plus a first good enough? 3 team deal with someone?

[DusterBuster]

This team continues to impress me. Besides just being a more entertaining brand of basketball, the fact that it doesn’t feel like the Blazers need Dame game-in and game-out to carry them to have a chance is a great change of pace as a fan.

[monopoman]

Hell of a win on the road, the Blazers so far this year are one of the best teams in the NBA on the road. This despite the fact that overall they have had a fairly tough road schedule.

@Kings (Win)
@Lakers (Win)
@Phoenix (Win)
@Phoenix (Loss)
@Heat (Win)

Outside of Kings and Lakers the rest of those teams will be likely at least a 5th or 6th seed. I also would not be surprised to see the Kings make the playoffs.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I read something earlier that said Simon's was doubtful and Lillard was questionable so I decided against going to the game. So ticked!!! I'm only an hour north of Miami and tickets were $100 behind the Blazers bench and up 19 rows. I don't think Blazers tickets are that cheap. Could have had row 13 behind the basket for the same price.

Great win!!! Finally Billups uses his challenge.

[Village Idiot]

Was watching the pacers and pelicans before this one and Myles Turner looks like the guy that would fully unlock billups offense and defense. I hope we make a move for him at the deadline somehow. I think he's worth changing the protections on the Chicago pick for. We could get a future second or something for doing it id imagine.. Nurkic plus a first good enough? 3 team deal with someone?

I would love to do that deal but Turner would need to agree to an extension first.

Last year I sat behind the Blazers bench when the Pacers visited Portland and to me it was very clear that Billups and Rogers really liked Turner but were not into Nurkic.

[Case2012]

It needs to happen. Indy can just flip nurkic somewhere else during the off-season.

Turner would definitely need to agree to an extension though. There's also the satisfaction of keeping the Lakers from getting him to consider..

[JasonStern]

This team continues to impress me. Besides just being a more entertaining brand of basketball, the fact that it doesn’t feel like the Blazers need Dame game-in and game-out to carry them to have a chance is a great change of pace as a fan.

Came here to post exactly this. Most fun Blazers team in quite some time.

[DusterBuster]

It needs to happen. Indy can just flip nurkic somewhere else during the off-season.

Turner would definitely need to agree to an extension though. There's also the satisfaction of keeping the Lakers from getting him to consider..

Turner would be so good on this team. I think Nurk is getting a little underrated on this form now because he really is more finesse from the Stotts era of teams and not a perfect fit with the new grind-y Heat-esque style of play the Blazers are now, but he's not been terrible by any stretch of the imagination. That said, Turner would absolutely be a better fit in all aspects of what the Blazers are now. Not sure what the Blazers could do to get him since if the Pacers are tanking, not sure they'd want Nurkic. But if the Blazers can get Turner and with an extension, I'd go as far as 2 FRPs and a FRP swap.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I dont know that the Blazers can unload Nurkic with his new contract. Could they facilitate a trade with the Pacers and Lakers? Westbrook goes to indiana, Hield and Nurkic go to the Lakers, and Turner comes to Portland. The Blazers could include any of their young talent other than Sharpe & Little to Indiana, as well as a pick (or two)

How would Miami look with a true center and Bam shifts back to PF? Could send Westbrook and a Blazers young'n (or two) along with picks from the Blazers and Lakers, Duncan Robinson to the Lakers with Buddy Hield, Nurkic to Miami, and Turner to Portland.

[BlazersBroncos]

I just dont think there is much reality behind moving Nurkic (Who we just paid) for Turner (Who would arguably put PDX in a position to have to pay 3 of the top 8-10 UFA of the 2023 class).

I would prefer Turner to Nurkic, but I dont think there is a deal to be made. I also dont think Turner would sign an extension unless a clear overpay, he will wait until 2023 and take the biggest bag.

At the same time, this is a pretty wide open year. MIL is playing very well, but otherwise there are not many teams that fit the bill of 'superteams'. It might be a worthy risk to go all in with the understanding that its VERY likely you lose 2 of Grant / Hart / Turner in FA.

But, ya, I would add 2 FRP in a Nurk for Turner swap if he was willing to ink an extension.

[zzaj]

At the same time, this is a pretty wide open year. MIL is playing very well, but otherwise there are not many teams that fit the bill of 'superteams'. It might be a worthy risk to go all in with the understanding that its VERY likely you lose 2 of Grant / Hart / Turner in FA.

This is very true, IMHO...and something a lot of folks seem to be not considering. Things do feel a bit more wide open this seasons, so the peach may be ripe for the eating.

Gotta try and make the best use of the Lillard era...this year seems like a good opportunity. Sadly, it doesn't seem like the Blazers have been positioned to make any significant moves.

[Brandon-Clyde]

My problem with Turner would be that he is a poor rebounder. His career average is only 6.7 rpg and Portland already lacks a dominant rebounder. Hart would be our only above average rebounder.

[Case2012]

I guess what you lose in rebounding, you add in defense and shooting.

One first, a swap and one of Keon or Nas plus Nurk would be my best offer.

I would also really be aggressive going after Vanderbilt for rebounding. Is 2 seconds and either Nas or Keon(whoever is left after a Turner trade) good enough? No reason for Utah to do that unless they've committed to tanking, and even then I'm not sure. If we can pull it off it makes us the best defense in the league imo with Turner, Vanderbilt, Winslow, Hart, Payton, Grant.

[Norm2953]

It'd be difficult to have two poor rebounders in our starting front court

[Village Idiot]

It'd be difficult to have two poor rebounders in our starting front court

Hart is an amazing rebounder for his size though. Start Dame, Payton, Hart, Grant and Turner and both defense and rebounding would be strong