Game 53: Portland vs Chicago Root,Root+

[Brandon-Clyde]

vs



Time: 5:00 pm
Place: Chicago
TV: Root,Root+

GLB of the game Katerina Graham

Spoiler:

[taufblazers33]

I have been a Blazers fan since the Sheed/Pippen era and an avid Lillard fan and live in Chicago. I will be going to this game.

[red_power]

It's the third game in four nights and the second game of the back-to-back. Looks like an almost guaranteed loss here, unfortunately.

[DaVoiceMaster]

What is the story with Winslow? We heard he would be back in 1-2 weeks and that was like 3-4 weeks ago. When is he coming back? Can we simply swap him for Vanderbilt? Salaries add up. What more would it take?

[Brandon-Clyde]

1st quarter GLB pic

Spoiler:

[Brandon-Clyde]

2nd quarter GLB pic

Spoiler:

[Brandon-Clyde]

Scott Foster doing Scott Foster stuff.

[Moonbeam]

The offense is rolling! Woo!

And of course Scott Foster has a bad goaltending call against the Blazers. IMO he’s been the worst ref in the NBA for a long time running.

[The Sebastian Express]

Foster is awful. I'll never forget that goaltend he called on LaMarcus from the halfcourt line that lost us a game that they actually then had to go and change the rule about review because it was so egregious.

We're so lucky to have Dame.

[Moonbeam]

Foster is awful. I'll never forget that goaltend he called on LaMarcus from the halfcourt line that lost us a game that they actually then had to go and change the rule about review because it was so egregious.

We're so lucky to have Dame.

I'll never forget that goaltend against LMA. It was so outrageous. As much as it seems Foster targets Portland, I've seen him blow calls in other games that don't involve the Blazers, sometimes with goaltending. It's not unusual to see him at the center of a bad call on a nationally televised game. I don't often complain about referees, and I don't often notice them as individuals. But Scott Foster is the ref I end up noticing during a game the most.

[Brandon-Clyde]

3rd quarter GLB pic

Spoiler:

[The Sebastian Express]

Foster is awful. I'll never forget that goaltend he called on LaMarcus from the halfcourt line that lost us a game that they actually then had to go and change the rule about review because it was so egregious.

We're so lucky to have Dame.

I'll never forget that goaltend against LMA. It was so outrageous. As much as it seems Foster targets Portland, I've seen him blow calls in other games that don't involve the Blazers, sometimes with goaltending. It's not unusual to see him at the center of a bad call on a nationally televised game. I don't often complain about referees, and I don't often notice them as individuals. But Scott Foster is the ref I end up noticing during a game the most.

I think his record against Christ Paul, IIRC it being, in the playoffs is insane and I don't know why the NBA lets him referee those games. it's such a terrible look for the league.

[Moonbeam]

Yucky 3rd quarter.

[Brandon-Clyde]

4th quarter GLB pic

Spoiler:

[DusterBuster]

Save us 4Q GLB, you’re our only hope!

[The Sebastian Express]

It's frustrating to see Dame get hit in the hand during the shot and no foul call but then terrible goaltending calls or weak calls against against Eubanks, our only real big. I wish the NBA would clean up the reffing. It's been universally bad across the board this year.

[The Sebastian Express]

Had some great shots at the end but just couldn't hit. Great effort with the size mismatch.

[Moonbeam]

Tough but unsurprising loss. Chicago was too big and too able to counter Portland’s 3-point barrage. They did a good job of denying Dame the ball in the 4th. Nurkic being out puts Portland at a serious size disadvantage.

[The Sebastian Express]

It does. But I think we're honestly playing in terms of style and scheme better without Nurk overall right now. When he's on he's one and he's great, but it's just becoming too many nights where sometimes he's disengaged. ANd then against the mobile fours that go to fives, he's just not quick enough. Especially since they're also often stretch fours going into the five for small ball.

I think we do need to try to trade him and then use someone else to acquire a more modern five that fits better.

[Moonbeam]

It does. But I think we're honestly playing in terms of style and scheme better without Nurk overall right now. When he's on he's one and he's great, but it's just becoming too many nights where sometimes he's disengaged. ANd then against the mobile fours that go to fives, he's just not quick enough. Especially since they're also often stretch fours going into the five for small ball.

I think we do need to try to trade him and then use someone else to acquire a more modern five that fits better.

I hear you. I love Nurk, but his lack of consistent engagement puts a serious limit on Portland's capacity as a team. As you've said, he can be incredibly impactful when he's on (All-Star level, IMO), but there are too many nights where he disappears and/or gets silly fouls.

Looking at on/off splits this year (prior to tonight), Portland is just 0.8 points per 100 possessions better with Nurkic on the floor than off the floor. Eubanks is neutral at 0.0. Ant and Grant are actually a bit in the red at -0.9 and -0.6, respectively. It's Dame and Hart who appear to be most central to Portland's success this season. On/Off isn't perfect, but Nurk's stats here kind of tell the story:

2016-17: +10.8
2017-18: +2.2
2018-19: +12.4
2019-20: -0.3 (just 8 games though)
2020-21: +7.3
2021-22: +13.8
2022-23: +0.8