Game 53 Trail Blazers (23-29) @ Wolves (29-23)

[TimberKat]

Best win of the season? How many times have we said that since new year?

Said it a couple weeks ago, this team is really coming along. Things are clicking, they're finding that defensive gear more and more and just outworking the opposing teams.

Naz, NAW, Jaden all phenomenal. Rob and Rudy really improved in the 2nd half.

But Clark is a revelation man. Finding these kind of gems is what opens or keeps the competitive window open. A dude who's barely earning a minimum, who you'll now sign for 3-4 years for dirt cheap and he can easily play 25 minutes in a playoff game.

If Tim can find another one like him this summer for the 4/5 positions to then we're really cooking.

Yes, Clark was the difference maker. We needed another player to play D and just be aggressive and he stepped up.

[wolves_89]

Tonight showed that Jaden and Naz might be ready for higher usage roles on offense, that likely puts another nail in the Randle coffin (I don't see any way Julius is with the team next season).

Rob is still too streaky to get big minutes. He needs to cut down the stretches where he is downright awful.

I think we are at the point where Garza's minutes have to go to Miller. Leonard might not be ready, but he can't play worse than Luka has over the past few games. Miller's athleticsm, defense, and rebounding are really needed when Rudy is off the court.

Shannon looks ready for minutes, hopefully Finch can find a way to keep getting him on the court.

The biggest surprise of the season is Clark. In just over 100 NBA minutes he has played his way into being a guy that is hard to take off the court.

[Loaf_of_bread]

Well our biggest hole was always a defensive center, and will keep us from doing anything in the post season

[Norseman79]

Tonight showed that Jaden and Naz might be ready for higher usage roles on offense, that likely puts another nail in the Randle coffin (I don't see any way Julius is with the team next season).

Rob is still too streaky to get big minutes. He needs to cut down the stretches where he is downright awful.

I think we are at the point where Garza's minutes have to go to Miller. Leonard might not be ready, but he can't play worse than Luka has over the past few games. Miller's athleticsm, defense, and rebounding are really needed when Rudy is off the court.

Shannon looks ready for minutes, hopefully Finch can find a way to keep getting him on the court.

The biggest surprise of the season is Clark. In just over 100 NBA minutes he has played his way into being a guy that is hard to take off the court.

I am done with Garza minutes too, but Miller is not a center. Cut Garza and go sign a backup 5.

[TimberKat]

Tonight showed that Jaden and Naz might be ready for higher usage roles on offense, that likely puts another nail in the Randle coffin (I don't see any way Julius is with the team next season).

Rob is still too streaky to get big minutes. He needs to cut down the stretches where he is downright awful.

I think we are at the point where Garza's minutes have to go to Miller. Leonard might not be ready, but he can't play worse than Luka has over the past few games. Miller's athleticsm, defense, and rebounding are really needed when Rudy is off the court.

Shannon looks ready for minutes, hopefully Finch can find a way to keep getting him on the court.

The biggest surprise of the season is Clark. In just over 100 NBA minutes he has played his way into being a guy that is hard to take him off the court.

I think age is part of it. Clark is 23 and Shannon is 24. Guys like Minott and Miller came out too early. Just too raw and G-League is not where you can refine the skills.

[wolves_89]

Tonight showed that Jaden and Naz might be ready for higher usage roles on offense, that likely puts another nail in the Randle coffin (I don't see any way Julius is with the team next season).

Rob is still too streaky to get big minutes. He needs to cut down the stretches where he is downright awful.

I think we are at the point where Garza's minutes have to go to Miller. Leonard might not be ready, but he can't play worse than Luka has over the past few games. Miller's athleticsm, defense, and rebounding are really needed when Rudy is off the court.

Shannon looks ready for minutes, hopefully Finch can find a way to keep getting him on the court.

The biggest surprise of the season is Clark. In just over 100 NBA minutes he has played his way into being a guy that is hard to take off the court.

I am done with Garza minutes too, but Miller is not a center. Cut Garza and go sign a backup 5.

I agree that Miller is not really a center, but he is the only other option on the roster. I think him playing with Naz when Rudy is on the bench could work.

[younggunsmn]

Tonight showed that Jaden and Naz might be ready for higher usage roles on offense, that likely puts another nail in the Randle coffin (I don't see any way Julius is with the team next season).

Rob is still too streaky to get big minutes. He needs to cut down the stretches where he is downright awful.

I think we are at the point where Garza's minutes have to go to Miller. Leonard might not be ready, but he can't play worse than Luka has over the past few games. Miller's athleticsm, defense, and rebounding are really needed when Rudy is off the court.

Shannon looks ready for minutes, hopefully Finch can find a way to keep getting him on the court.

The biggest surprise of the season is Clark. In just over 100 NBA minutes he has played his way into being a guy that is hard to take him off the court.

I think age is part of it. Clark is 23 and Shannon is 24. Guys like Minott and Miller came out too early. Just too raw and G-League is not where you can refine the skills.

Skills are not the issue it's BBIQ (and with Miller apparently effort).

Clark's BBIQ is just outstanding. I did not get the draft pick at the time but that must have been what we saw in him.
And he took the year off and transformed his body to where he can be physical enough to defend the best players in the world.

He's always in the right spot doing the right thing, executing the game plan, on both sides of the ball.
That means everything to a coach.

If Garza continues to be this bad we might be forced into giving Miller some spot minutes, even if he's not ready.

[Norseman79]

Tonight showed that Jaden and Naz might be ready for higher usage roles on offense, that likely puts another nail in the Randle coffin (I don't see any way Julius is with the team next season).

Rob is still too streaky to get big minutes. He needs to cut down the stretches where he is downright awful.

I think we are at the point where Garza's minutes have to go to Miller. Leonard might not be ready, but he can't play worse than Luka has over the past few games. Miller's athleticsm, defense, and rebounding are really needed when Rudy is off the court.

Shannon looks ready for minutes, hopefully Finch can find a way to keep getting him on the court.

The biggest surprise of the season is Clark. In just over 100 NBA minutes he has played his way into being a guy that is hard to take off the court.

I am done with Garza minutes too, but Miller is not a center. Cut Garza and go sign a backup 5.

I agree that Miller is not really a center, but he is the only other option on the roster. I think him playing with Naz when Rudy is on the bench could work.

If Naz is playing the 5 yes. It's at least worth seeing, but Finch must not be impressed at all.

[Norseman79]

It's not hard, cut Garza, sign a vet. Don't even have to be good, just serviceable depth.

[BlacJacMac]

Portland in the 4th quarter:

3-22 from the field
1-13 from 3
5 turnovers

[Calinks]

I am seriously reassessing my stance that Rosas>>>Conelly when it comes to talent evaluation and draft picks. These kids have been ballin!

[younggunsmn]

Amazing effort and energy defensively in the 4th quarter.
Gave up 38 points in the 2nd quarter and then 38 points in the entire 2nd half.

NAW/Clark/McDaniels perimeter defense just completely shut them down. Outstanding.
Those 3 guys were amazing tonight and this was a game we had to win with defense.
With those 3 on the ball and Rudy giving DPOY Rudy effort like he did in the 2nd half it was very hard to score against us.
And with so much offensive firepower in street clothes, creating a bunch of fast break opportunities with runouts and blocks really opened up the game for us.

And Naz Reid did Naz Reid things.
If he doesn't spend his entire career here and we don't end up with number 11 up in our rafters someday it's going to be an absolute crying shame.

I thought Jingles even gave us a spark keeping the train from going completely off the rails, switching onto Ayton and showing Rudy how to be physical and then giving Kamara the hard foul and big smile afterwards.
Also facilitating the offense in the first half when Rob was really really struggling.
It's like guys think they're going to get thrown out of the game for a hard foul these days, a good clean hard foul once in a while can be a good play and effective mental warfare against the other team.

Not a coincidence to see Jaden's game taking a leap since Randle got hurt, not having Randle out there really opens up the paint for Jaden's driving and cutting. And Naz and Jaden have been really good passing the ball in space lately too, that's encouraging to see.
Jaden 16 paint shots and one 3 point attempt. His offensive game has gotten so much better since he has limited his 3's in favor of rim attacks. He's so long and athletic and has such great touch around the rim, he's very hard to stop when he attacks with patience and purpose.

Felt really bad for Garza. Just looks like a 7th grader playing against high schoolers again, too small and too slow.
We need a better option to backup Rudy.

Clingan had 5 boards and 3 blocks in 6 minutes. Why doesn't he play more and why did they hold onto Robert Williams at the deadline?

Good win tonight, this was a 50/50 game with Ant out and we brought the effort and intensity in the 2nd half that we needed, and Finch pushed the right buttons without a lot of arrows in his quiver.

And the fans were outstanding. Great job those of you who went to the game!
Minnesota fans reward outstanding effort from the players they watch and they got that in the 2nd half tonight!

[FrenchMinnyFan]

This game really remind me the Grin and Grind Grizz era with Mike- Gasol-Zbo- T Allen… dog fighter. Not always nice to watch but so efficient. This team look good now.

[Loaf_of_bread]

We could possibly get hot at the end of the year... particularly if julius buys in as the 6th man off the bench, (which he wont)..

We can't go anywhere though without a backup c. Freaking west is up for grabs and we COULD potentially try, yet can't.

[winforlose]

This game really remind me the Grin and Grind Grizz era with Mike- Gasol-Zbo- T Allen… dog fighter. Not always nice to watch but so efficient. This team look good now.

3 of our top 4 offensive players out and we still drop 114. I don’t know man that looked pretty nice to watch

[winforlose]

We could possibly get hot at the end of the year... particularly if julius buys in as the 6th man off the bench, (which he wont)..

We can't go anywhere though without a backup c. Freaking west is up for grabs and we COULD potentially try, yet can't.

Julius might not have a choice. He has an option but he is also trying to keep his reputation. If he becomes a malcontent, then it might prevent him from signing a longer term deal or getting sign a traded to a team he wants to go to. Best for Julius to play ball and show he can be part of winning. Though I do agree it will be tough with his ego.

[Neeva]

I am seriously reassessing my stance that Rosas>>>Conelly when it comes to talent evaluation and draft picks. These kids have been ballin!

Connelly really needs to hit on the Pistons pick (Liam McNeely??) I Really hope that pick ends up 14-15. Also the Utah second round pick,Danny wolf? Johnni Broome? and wolves will then have a really solid young core to grow with Ant for years to come.
Jaden, Naz, Rob, Jaylen, TJ

[winforlose]

I am seriously reassessing my stance that Rosas>>>Conelly when it comes to talent evaluation and draft picks. These kids have been ballin!

Connelly really needs to hit on the Pistons pick (Liam McNeely??) I Really hope that pick ends up 14-15. Also the Utah second round pick,Danny wolf? Johnni Broome? and wolves will then have a really solid young core to grow with Ant for years to come.
Jaden, Naz, Rob, Jaylen, TJ

I would be surprised if we made both picks.

Guaranteed roster spots

1. Ant
2. Mike
3. Jaden
4. Rudy
5. Dilly
6. Shannon
7. Miller (partial guarantee, but becomes full on 6/30/25)
8. DDV
9. Minott (club option, 6/28/25 deadline,)

Guys expiring or with player options

10. NAW
11. Naz
12. Randle
13. Clark (no longer two way eligible, RFA.)

draft picks
14. Det pick
15. Utah pick


I didn’t even mention Garza above who is a team option and likely gone. We might dump one of Minott or Miller, but that seems very wasteful. We need cheep contracts, Miller is going into year 3 and given his excellence in the G has clear upside. Minott going into year 4 is already a semi rotation player who made a leap going into year 3. If he makes another leap (not unreasonable given how green he is,) then we likely want to sign him to a second contract for another 4 years cheap. If you keep both, now you almost need to sign Clark to a hinkie special if we don’t by the end of this season.

So pretend you move Clark from spot 13 to 10 and now you have 3 guys expiring and 2 guys to draft which precludes MLE signings or any free agent talent. I think we trade back the 2nd multiple times and try to turn it into 3 or 4 seconds.

[Dalvin]

Aaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrroooooooooo!!!!!!! What a 4th quarter! So glad to see Jaden and Naz step up! Loved McD becoming a nightly double double threat. Naz, a sparkplug on offense. That 4th quarter was fun. That suffocating defense was back!
Happy to see Clark contributing meaningful minutes too and being a dog in defense. You want minutes as a rookie? Play D! It was encouraging to see Clark even box out Ayton on one possession, and surprise, we got the board. This is kid is special.

[minimus]

Is Minott officially in doghouse?