Game 14 Portland vs San antonio 7:00pm Root,Root+

[Moonbeam]

What a feisty game! That steal and dunk by Hart was huge. Seeing Dame get fired up after that block and then the 3 was great. That Ant 3 at the shot clock buzzer was awesome. Grant has been an absolute wonder. And Shaedon continues to thrill. There has been a loooot of sloppiness in this game, but it's good to see Portland fighting and getting contributions from everyone.

[Moonbeam]

Portland holds on to the #1 seed in the West!

[Moonbeam]

Credit to the Spurs. They played good, scrappy defense and abused Portland quite a bit on offense at times.

[Norm2953]

It's to be expected the game would be sloppily played given its the first home game back after a long road
trip. Team plays with a lot of heart and their 3 scorers can score with most teams.

[DusterBuster]

Man, this team sure can finish though!

Yeah, what impresses me so much about this team is how they can play pretty mediocre, lose a lead, but still close out games. It’s a different level they’re at this year.

[JasonStern]

Giving Nurkić $18M when you had the Shaq of Troutdale on the roster might bite this team this off-season

[Brandon-Clyde]

Victory GLB pic

Spoiler:

[The Sebastian Express]

I really appreciate all Nurk has done over the years, but I think we need to try to upgrade in terms of play of style and someone who has the energy to always give an a+ effort. I don't think we have the assets to get Turner or Poetl (who is also SUPER turnover prone), but I'd like us to definitely explore looking for an upgrade.

There's a reason prop bettors take the centers against Portland for the most part. It's reaching Charlotte levels.

[Case2012]

Giving Nurkić $18M when you had the Shaq of Troutdale on the roster might bite this team this off-season

I really believe he’s gone at the deadline. There’s a lot of good players that make around 18 million which I believe is partially why he got that deal, to be used for matching salary. Freeing up our picks and sending 2 with Nurk to INDY is a great haul for Pritchard who can flip Nurk somewhere else for another asset. He was Cronin’s mentor, I think he’d be willing to deal with him,

[The Sebastian Express]

I don't think you can trade multiple picks for Turner unless he signs an extension. It's just too risky.

[DaVoiceMaster]

What a putrid game! Nurk was Nurk, which isn't good. I really hate it when he just throws the ball at the basket. How about if he actually tries to make the shot if he's gonna shoot it. Coach pulled him early in the quarters and ran with someone else (Eubanks tonight) down the stretch. Simon'sticks me off when he goes into chucker mode. Clearly the coach wasnt happy Nd pulled him early in the 1st quarter. Sharpe comes in and lights it up, but as soon as Simons came Bck in the game, Sharpe didnt get another shot. Nurk to Indy and Simons to Toronto. Make it happen!

[red_power]

Meh game but still a victory. The closing game performance was impressive but Spurs were on the second night of back-to-back so they might simply run out of gas a bit too early.

[PDXKnight]

I don't think you can trade multiple picks for Turner unless he signs an extension. It's just too risky.

If we throw picks out i want it to be a run for kd

[PDXKnight]

Blazers stole one they probably shouldn't have won based on that 3rd and most of the 4th. The finish was solid especially intimidating defense allowing us to create points off turnovers to turn it around and sneak out a victory. Blazers have things to work on but man it feels better doing that after a w

[BlazersBroncos]

I feel bad for Nurkic because the injuries must be the reason that he is playing like this. His mobility seems shot and I dont think he knows how to handle that. He once was a dancing bear but now plays in cement. He has no lift anymore. Zero. Its worse than last season by a visible margin. Maybe him sitting late last season wasnt a fake injury?

I also dont see how we move him for any sort of on-court improvement. Look at the league, who is needing a 18M AV big who might be the 20th best C in the league on a sunny day. Does IND take him, Nas and a FRP for Turner? And do we gamble that we can pay Turner? If we are lucky we make that and get Turner signed, but then almost certainly lose one of Grant / Hart in the offseason (Hart IMO) and are left a bit short b/c while Nas is a bit of luxury depth right now, he becomes more important if we lose one of Grant / Hart.

Its a hard spot to be and that isnt even taking into account Nurkic's relationship with Dame.

At this point though, assuming Nurkic isnt traded (Or tradable as is my opinion) one thing is clear - we need more minutes for Eubanks. His mobility is night and day compared to Nurkic right now. He hustles and brings positive energy. Jusuf isnt just slow this year, he is playing with negative energy. He isnt as animated as he once was on the bench either. He pouts and is slow to get back when his 'zero lift throw the ball directly at the rim' shots dont make it home. Eubanks should be getting at least half the C minutes, and I think we will see more of a split moving forward. (Also, obligatory 'told you so' re Eubanks - dude is a great hustle big. The space-and-pace era Joel Pryzbilla - more mobility, less shotblocking, same toughness).

Its hard to watch. A few years ago he was the lynchpin for this team being good, now he is basically a liability. I hope this turns around because when playing well he really can elevate the team but there is the word, elevate, and if he simply has lost a step he becomes a perennial liability even if he is coming with a positive attitude.

It sucks for the big guy.

Also, Ant just isnt trustable to be 'the man' when Dame sits. He panics when pressured as the primary ballhandler and just isnt dynamic enough offensively to right the ship in Dame's absence. You need Winslow on the floor with him to give more ballhandling when Dame sits, its been pretty clear these past 2 games. His shot is butter but he really is pretty easily flustered when guys get in his grill. His floor spacing is important to this team and I believe we need that but as far as I see it, Jerami Grant is this teams' #2. I trust him more to manufacture a bucket than Ant.

Still, we came out with the W despite SAS playing with incredible intensity (Pops has those kids hungry, love to see it). We are the top team in the West despite a wild issue with TO's, and we are closing out games with the confidence of a team that thinks they can beat anyone. Its been the most enjoyable season since early Dame / LMA / Wes / Batum years. The identity shift Chauncey has wanted is and has happened. Its been a blast so far and will keep being a fun ride. Billups has to be COTY at this point, right?

[Case2012]

If we trade for an extended Turner, why can't we re-sign Hart and Grant? We can go into the tax to sign our own players right? I know we're hard capped this year, but that doesn't apply next year.

I thought Jody wasn't cheap, so what would be the problem? Clearly this team could be a contender with a few more moves. Namely another shooter and an upgrade at the 5. Turner would technically check both those boxes.

A first and a swap plus Nurkic would be enough. Or a Nurkic and Nas plus a first would be acceptable too.

I'm willing to see Simons go at the deadline too. He's basically the most effective as a spot up shooter. He either can't or is rarely willing to create for others. He was more than capable last season and seems to have regressed now that the games count. He's a better shooter and athlete than CJ but is inferior in other areas. He could just need more time next to Dame to adjust though since Dame had been in and out of the line ups, so we'll see what happens I guess.

Is a Simons and Nurkic for Buddy and an extended Turner crazy? Maybe we take back Duarte in the deal since they're so stacked with young guards?

I really like Simons but his efficiency has plunged this season and his faults are glaring. Obviously he's young but buddy replaces what Simons is best at, shooting and he's a top 5 shooter This doesn't solve the minutes problem for gp and Sharpe though so maybe Simons is traded in a different deal like something for OG (in my fantasy world).

[Tim Lehrbach]

If we trade for an extended Turner, why can't we re-sign Hart and Grant? We can go into the tax to sign our own players right? I know we're hard capped this year, but that doesn't apply next year.

I thought Jody wasn't cheap, so what would be the problem? Clearly this team could be a contender with a few more moves. Namely another shooter and an upgrade at the 5. Turner would technically check both those boxes.

A first and a swap plus Nurkic would be enough. Or a Nurkic and Nas plus a first would be acceptable too.

I'm willing to see Simons go at the deadline too. He's basically the most effective as a spot up shooter. He either can't or is rarely willing to create for others. He was more than capable last season and seems to have regressed now that the games count. He's a better shooter and athlete than CJ but is inferior in other areas. He could just need more time next to Dame to adjust though since Dame had been in and out of the line ups, so we'll see what happens I guess.

Is a Simons and Nurkic for Buddy and an extended Turner crazy? Maybe we take back Duarte in the deal since they're so stacked with young guards?

I really like Simons but his efficiency has plunged this season and his faults are glaring. Obviously he's young but buddy replaces what Simons is best at, shooting and he's a top 5 shooter This doesn't solve the minutes problem for gp and Sharpe though so maybe Simons is traded in a different deal like something for OG (in my fantasy world).

I fear Nurkic is a bigger anchor than your first Indy offer would suggest, and I don't think Simons has so much value as to bridge the gap between Turner/Nurkic and get Hield back. But I agree with your thinking about Simons generally. He's a phenomenal spot-up shooter, but his overall floor game is limited and he could be replaced by another shooter and more minutes for Sharpe (+ GPII will play eventually). If he does have substantial trade value, I think the Blazers should be ready to pounce on a deal that fills a bigger need (read: center).

On the other hand, this three-headed scoring monster is the only thing saving the Blazers' chaotic offense most nights. It might disrupt what's semi-working to remove one of the 20+ scorers. Do I sell Simons short? Maybe.

I'd like to think you're right about paying Turner, Grant, and Hart, but I'm skeptical.

[BlazersBroncos]

If we trade for an extended Turner, why can't we re-sign Hart and Grant? We can go into the tax to sign our own players right? I know we're hard capped this year, but that doesn't apply next year.

I thought Jody wasn't cheap, so what would be the problem? Clearly this team could be a contender with a few more moves. Namely another shooter and an upgrade at the 5. Turner would technically check both those boxes.

She isnt cheap and people have provided demonstrable evidence of such. It simply is difficult to sign 3 of the top FA of a summer class, and its also nearly unprecedented to pay 3 role players 20M+ each in the same offseason.

A first and a swap plus Nurkic would be enough. Or a Nurkic and Nas plus a first would be acceptable too.

That assumes Indiana is OK playing Nurkic 18M AV over the next few seasons. Depends how they see him, but I could see a rebuilding team wanting a FRP just to commit that $$$ long term to a non-rebuilding piece.

I'm willing to see Simons go at the deadline too. He's basically the most effective as a spot up shooter. He either can't or is rarely willing to create for others. He was more than capable last season and seems to have regressed now that the games count. He's a better shooter and athlete than CJ but is inferior in other areas. He could just need more time next to Dame to adjust though since Dame had been in and out of the line ups, so we'll see what happens I guess.

Is a Simons and Nurkic for Buddy and an extended Turner crazy? Maybe we take back Duarte in the deal since they're so stacked with young guards?

I really like Simons but his efficiency has plunged this season and his faults are glaring. Obviously he's young but buddy replaces what Simons is best at, shooting and he's a top 5 shooter This doesn't solve the minutes problem for gp and Sharpe though so maybe Simons is traded in a different deal like something for OG (in my fantasy world).

I dont think Simons and Nurkic for Turner and Buddy is crazy at all - but it does create a bit of issue in terms of passing / ballhandling. For their warts, Nurkic and Simons as a duo provides much better passing and handle than Buddy and Turner.

End of the day, we are 1st in the West and the chances this team makes any moves is pretty small IMO.

I think we can improve the team by simply adjusting minutes. GP2 coming back lets us play Ant less - Eubanks splits minutes w/ Nurkic. Maybe shave some minutes elsewhere to give Winslow a bit more run (Outside shooting he has been a tremendous role player this year). I think this internal adjustment is much more likely than making any trades.

Turner would be great, but you need Indiana to be willing to add the potentially malcontented Nurkic (Dude would be a baby if moved to a rebuild team) and you need the FO to get an extension done (Which drags deals out quite a bit, and if you are Turner you wait and get the bag in FA IMO - teams will be bidding on him like crazy). So in reality, I dont see Myles as a real world move.

[Tim Lehrbach]

I dont think Simons and Nurkic for Turner and Buddy is crazy at all - but it does create a bit of issue in terms of passing / ballhandling. For their warts, Nurkic and Simons as a duo provides much better passing and handle than Buddy and Turner.

This is a good point. The way the offense has struggled at times, removing Nurkic and Simons for two players who bring even less fluidity/playmaking could be trouble.

End of the day, we are 1st in the West and the chances this team makes any moves is pretty small IMO.

I think we can improve the team by simply adjusting minutes. GP2 coming back lets us play Ant less - Eubanks splits minutes w/ Nurkic. Maybe shave some minutes elsewhere to give Winslow a bit more run (Outside shooting he has been a tremendous role player this year). I think this internal adjustment is much more likely than making any trades.

The Eubanks/Nurkic transition already seems to be in motion. Winslow has been dynamic at both ends and will provide a lift when he's back. Payton makes the defense even more disruptive and gives our overworked guards some relief. Love this roster and this season so far.

[BlazersBroncos]

The Eubanks/Nurkic transition already seems to be in motion. Winslow has been dynamic at both ends and will provide a lift when he's back. Payton makes the defense even more disruptive and gives our overworked guards some relief. Love this roster and this season so far.

I also have the likely misplaced hope that Jusuf with less minutes will be a more productive and active Jusuf. But even with that, its clear the Nurkic we now have is not near the player mobility wise that we had in 18/19 before the flurry of injuries.

He looks like Sabonis out there mobility wise this season. Its tough to watch. Eubanks looks like Bam compared to him.