Game 16: Portland vs OKC 7:00pm SNW

[Epicurus]

1. The new additions are better than the subtractions from last season, but that is faint praise. This notion of high talent is just bizarre.
2. You won't find a coach anywhere who would play our rookies now, even with many injuries. (assuming they aren't under orders to tank).
3. You are right. Luck is a large variable. Coaches know basically the same stuff, have the same designs by and large, and the same practices, etc. to large degrees. They are fired due to owners' ego needs and the perception they are unlucky.
4. With 14 players for 5 positions, I think that is some 2001 possible lineups. I am sure if Stotts played 2000 different lineups, you and others would complain that eschewed to the remaining one.

[d-train]

Too bad most of the players can't defend Actually playing defense is an even better part of a good defense. There was a lot of watching last night. When an opposing team has a center that can shoot the 3 point shot, they are always going to have a field day with Kanter on the floor. I was actually thinking the Blazers should have gone with Giles a bit more last night simply because Kanter will not go out to the 3 point line to defend.

I was really surprised the Blazers did not try and take advantage of OKC's size last night down in the post. Kanter should have had a field day with Roby and Muscala, but they didn't really even go to him.

Kanter can shutdown Muscala at the 3-point anytime. Those shots were created by Muscala’s teammates beating other defenders, not Kanter.

Apparently we watched completely different games. The game I watched showed Kanter not even wanting to go all the way out to the 3 point line. He'd take a few steps, but didn't commit because he's slow as molasses if the player takes off to go around him. Not sure which game you watched.

Kanter wasn't chasing Muscala out to the 3-point and it didn't look like he was supposed to. I didn't once see Kanter guarding Muscala near the 3-point line. Kanter was guarding an area in the paint and was following players or the ball that could be inside threats. Kanter wasn't concerned with Muscala shooting 3's and certainly wasn't playing off Muscala out of respect for him driving the ball. Giles was playing Muscala the exact same way. If someone was supposed to rotate out to Muscala, that wasn't happening either. Blazers were just giving him that shot and it wasn't a decision Kanter or Giles made on their own.

[Matt800]

Lost in the shuffle is how clueless Nassir still looks. He is a nice example of looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane. He can rebound, thats about all I saw out of him. We all knew he was a project, but even projects have flashes (See Simons last game against SAC as a rookie).

If he can carve out a Soloman Hill type role that would be great but I wont expect much more. I hope it clicks because by all accounts he is a great young man.

Given his ordeal with covid I am pleased that he can even be in the layup line. It hit him really hard. I trust he is being well monitored medically.

I liked Little, there was a lineup where he and Giles were in and the Blazers made a big run. Obviously he's young and has rough stretches but I think he's not far away from being usable because he has stretches of being a good defender. And he might be as good or better than Covington offensively these days. He also can dribble and drive decently. I think next season is a realistic time to see him looking good enough to have a consistent role.

[Dame Lizard]

As a team who doesn't have any near term 1st round picks, I'm very keen for us to retain Simons and see if he can flourish under Dame and CJ's guidance.

He's only 21 and has plenty of potential. Hopefully he can keep putting on more weight, as that'll be a must for him to really break-out imo.

[monopoman]

As a team who doesn't have any near term 1st round picks, I'm very keen for us to retain Simons and see if he can flourish under Dame and CJ's guidance.

He's only 21 and has plenty of potential. Hopefully he can keep putting on more weight, as that'll be a must for him to really break-out imo.

I think his biggest road blocks so far for him is as follows:

1.) Having spotty minutes since CJ+Lillard are usually healthy and both play a lot.

2.) Not being thrown into the fire so to speak on day 1 and given a big role right away.

3.) His game not meshing as well with CJ or Lillard, like a Gary Trent Jr., Gary is tailor made to play with guys like CJ or Lillard I don't think Simons is. That is not to say he can't ever pair with those guys, but it seems like he is used to controlling the game and being the main ball handler, meanwhile Trent Jr. plays off the ball very well.

4.) He could also use some extra size which would help him a lot with driving the lane.

Now I understand we can't play him a ton of minutes, since this is a team trying to win and not some random bottom feeder that is trying to develop talent. I just am pointing out why he has been around for 3 years in the NBA and doesn't seem to be improving.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Maybe part of the answer to my question is that last night was the first time that lineup has been on the court together. It may not have chemistry. Often over the years when a lineup plays poorly(worse together than their individual contributions in other lineups) a coach says "these guys play like they never seen each other before." Lineups are greater/lesser than the sum of their parts, they have synergy or chemistry. Also it could have been the matchup lineups of the Thunder during those times.

Lineups matter.

Unfortunately, the Blazers couldn't put a much better lineup on the floor. Who else would you put out there besides Melo? Giles or Little were the only other options.

That indeed is one of the problems related to injuries--the need to play lineups with no familiarity working together as an unit. Of course, that lineup with its -20 deficit in 7 minutes means that the other lineups used were a combined +17 for the remaining 41 minutes (not all were positive, but only very small deficits). That 7 minutes were in three stints, I believe. Too bad other lineups weren't extend and at least this one not used in its last two stints. The stats guy should have flagged this lineups minus 10 in its first stint.

The backups either towards the end of the 1st quarter or in the 2nd quarter (I can't remember now when it was) had some real energy and were going at it hard. That was fun to watch.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I still like Simons long-term potential, but as I said sometimes we need a change of pace and a pass-first type veteran PG could really help us in those situations when the offense stagnates so that we don't have to always revert to ISO scoring to get it going again. They don't have to play very much or even every game, but its a worthwhile card to have in ones back-pocket.

Outside the box and not playoff playable (Most likely) but Facundo Campazzo would fit into our TPE if I am not mistaken. Was a great offensive player in Europe, definition of pass first and a wonky 3PT shot that manages to go in somehow. He isnt getting any minutes in DEN and probably would love a trade to a team where he can get more run.

Yup he is pretty spot on what I am talking about. I saw Denver signing him and wished we had a GM who would make those kind of moves but that just isn't the type of PG that Olshey/Stotts have ever shown to value or target. Like JJ Barea in Dallas, just a steady hand who can right the ship when offense gets bogged down. Wont improve your ceiling but helps your floor and might help the shooting percentages of guys like RoCo and Jones as he is a playmaking wizard. He is small and defensively at a disadvantage but he is smart, experienced and active so I think he can hold his own in a small role against other bench PGs.

Anyways he left a cushy situation for Denver so there must have been some particular draw there and so he would have to be disillusioned already to be happy coming here, especially as deep as he would be. Simons can get hot as a MF and should get a decent chance to keep shooting each game but once CJ is back there just isn't enough "on ball" scoring opportunities for all 3 (plus Melo) to get their fill consistently. But I would really love a PG who can get us some more "off ball" scoring opportunities as I do not think we create as many good off-ball shot as other good teams. (I could be wrong, making this argument from my gut rather than looking at the stats this early )

[DaVoiceMaster]

Kanter can shutdown Muscala at the 3-point anytime. Those shots were created by Muscala’s teammates beating other defenders, not Kanter.

Apparently we watched completely different games. The game I watched showed Kanter not even wanting to go all the way out to the 3 point line. He'd take a few steps, but didn't commit because he's slow as molasses if the player takes off to go around him. Not sure which game you watched.

Kanter wasn't chasing Muscala out to the 3-point and it didn't look like he was supposed to. I didn't once see Kanter guarding Muscala near the 3-point line. Kanter was guarding an area in the paint and was following players or the ball that could be inside threats. Kanter wasn't concerned with Muscala shooting 3's and certainly wasn't playing off Muscala out of respect for him driving the ball. Giles was playing Muscala the exact same way. If someone was supposed to rotate out to Muscala, that wasn't happening either. Blazers were just giving him that shot and it wasn't a decision Kanter or Giles made on their own.

Watch the game again. When Muscala is outside the 3 point line, Kanter is down in the paint. That's to be expected, but once the ball is passed to Muscala, you gotta guard the guy. Otherwise, he's gonna hit wide open 3 point shots. He was 6-10, 60%. Not bad for a guy that shoots 37% for the season and just under for his career. If that is your game plan, then it sucks. Kanter doesn't just get to camp out in the lane and not worry about the guy he's supposed to be guarding. If the Blazers were playing a zone, that's one thing, but they don't play a zone defense the entire game. Kanter was absolutely responsible for some of the wide open 3's Muscala got. Maybe not all, I don't remember specifically each shot, but I do recall watching Kanter take a step or two towards Muscala, but hung back far enough Muscala had an uncontested 3 point shot. Whiteside did the same thing last year. Slow as molasses so they worry about getting beat off the drive. Kanter is just as bad.

[Epicurus]

Unfortunately, the Blazers couldn't put a much better lineup on the floor. Who else would you put out there besides Melo? Giles or Little were the only other options.

That indeed is one of the problems related to injuries--the need to play lineups with no familiarity working together as an unit. Of course, that lineup with its -20 deficit in 7 minutes means that the other lineups used were a combined +17 for the remaining 41 minutes (not all were positive, but only very small deficits). That 7 minutes were in three stints, I believe. Too bad other lineups weren't extend and at least this one not used in its last two stints. The stats guy should have flagged this lineups minus 10 in its first stint.

The backups either towards the end of the 1st quarter or in the 2nd quarter (I can't remember now when it was) had some real energy and were going at it hard. That was fun to watch.

Yes, there was a nice plus 5 run at the end of the first by a lineup of Little, Anthony, Giles, Lillard and SImons. Then a nice 8-0 for about two minutes with Trent replacing Lillard, but that turned quickly during the rest of their stint. Like I mentioned the lineups outside of the bad one I discussed did not bad to decent, and won the 41 minutes. Unfortunately the game was 48 minutes and the bad lineup lost it.

[d-train]

Apparently we watched completely different games. The game I watched showed Kanter not even wanting to go all the way out to the 3 point line. He'd take a few steps, but didn't commit because he's slow as molasses if the player takes off to go around him. Not sure which game you watched.

Kanter wasn't chasing Muscala out to the 3-point and it didn't look like he was supposed to. I didn't once see Kanter guarding Muscala near the 3-point line. Kanter was guarding an area in the paint and was following players or the ball that could be inside threats. Kanter wasn't concerned with Muscala shooting 3's and certainly wasn't playing off Muscala out of respect for him driving the ball. Giles was playing Muscala the exact same way. If someone was supposed to rotate out to Muscala, that wasn't happening either. Blazers were just giving him that shot and it wasn't a decision Kanter or Giles made on their own.

Watch the game again. When Muscala is outside the 3 point line, Kanter is down in the paint. That's to be expected, but once the ball is passed to Muscala, you gotta guard the guy. Otherwise, he's gonna hit wide open 3 point shots. He was 6-10, 60%. Not bad for a guy that shoots 37% for the season and just under for his career. If that is your game plan, then it sucks. Kanter doesn't just get to camp out in the lane and not worry about the guy he's supposed to be guarding. If the Blazers were playing a zone, that's one thing, but they don't play a zone defense the entire game. Kanter was absolutely responsible for some of the wide open 3's Muscala got. Maybe not all, I don't remember specifically each shot, but I do recall watching Kanter take a step or two towards Muscala, but hung back far enough Muscala had an uncontested 3 point shot. Whiteside did the same thing last year. Slow as molasses so they worry about getting beat off the drive. Kanter is just as bad.

No, I would rather have Kanter near the basket for rebounding. Anyone can run out on 3-point shooters. Kanter was one of the few Blazers that played well. Maybe you didn't like the game plan, but the plan was obviously to help off of Muscala. Blazers do play some variation of a zone everytime. All NBA teams do. I remember a possession Muscala entered DJJ's area and DJJ defended him until Muscala drifted out to the baseline. It was the most open of all the open shots Muscala took. Even DJJ, one of our best on-ball defenders, did not defend Muscala out to the 3-point line.

I don't know exactly what the Blazers scouting report report says about Muscala. Obviously, the plan was to give him that shot and hope he doesn't make 6 out of 10. Sometimes a guy doesn't shoot better when he's open. I don't know Muscala well enough, but anyone could see Blazers did not defend his 3-point shots. I saw Giles let Muscala cut to the basket unguarded twice, his teammates didn't pass to him.

[GEE]

You're both right. The game plan to keep your big man close to the basket, especially considering we only play one at a time, is smart IMO. Usually, I'd prefer another teams C shoot all the 3s he wants. Rather him than the SG, but in this case, once he's made a couple I'm going to pay attention to him, and make an adjustment. Letting Muscala go 6-10 from 3 is just bad coaching. There is no other explanation.

[d-train]

You're both right. The game plan to keep your big man close to the basket, especially considering we only play one at a time, is smart IMO. Usually, I'd prefer another teams C shoot all the 3s he wants. Rather him than the SG, but in this case, once he's made a couple I'm going to pay attention to him, and make an adjustment. Letting Muscala go 6-10 from 3 is just bad coaching. There is no other explanation.

Or, it could be good coaching. Stotts doesn't have a crystal ball. He doesn't know Muscala is going to make 6-10 from the 3. I don't know what the scouting report said. If it said he shoots 20% defended and 60% open, then it's bad coaching.

[GEE]

You're both right. The game plan to keep your big man close to the basket, especially considering we only play one at a time, is smart IMO. Usually, I'd prefer another teams C shoot all the 3s he wants. Rather him than the SG, but in this case, once he's made a couple I'm going to pay attention to him, and make an adjustment. Letting Muscala go 6-10 from 3 is just bad coaching. There is no other explanation.

Or, it could be good coaching. Stotts doesn't have a crystal ball. He doesn't know Muscala is going to make 6-10 from the 3. I don't know what the scouting report said. If it said he shoots 20% defended and 60% open, then it's bad coaching.

See this is the thing that bothers me, and try to follow me here... Scouting report is great for game prep, and in this case surely Muscala wasn't a seen threat from deep, so I agree, let him shoot as many as he want as I want my bigman's butt touching paint. This is, until he's hit a couple and looks comfy doing so, then he has my attention and most coaches would make an adjustment and not let the scrub go 6-10. That is an obvious failure, and embarrassment for any coach, or at least it should be. It is the shown inability to make an adjustment that worries me about Stotts, and it always shows in the playoffs.

[DaVoiceMaster]

As soon as any player starts hitting shots, you have to pay more attention to them and perhaps make some adjustments.

[d-train]

You're both right. The game plan to keep your big man close to the basket, especially considering we only play one at a time, is smart IMO. Usually, I'd prefer another teams C shoot all the 3s he wants. Rather him than the SG, but in this case, once he's made a couple I'm going to pay attention to him, and make an adjustment. Letting Muscala go 6-10 from 3 is just bad coaching. There is no other explanation.

Or, it could be good coaching. Stotts doesn't have a crystal ball. He doesn't know Muscala is going to make 6-10 from the 3. I don't know what the scouting report said. If it said he shoots 20% defended and 60% open, then it's bad coaching.

See this is the thing that bothers me, and try to follow me here... Scouting report is great for game prep, and in this case surely Muscala wasn't a seen threat from deep, so I agree, let him shoot as many as he want as I want my bigman's butt touching paint. This is, until he's hit a couple and looks comfy doing so, then he has my attention and most coaches would make an adjustment and not let the scrub go 6-10. That is an obvious failure, and embarrassment for any coach, or at least it should be. It is the shown inability to make an adjustment that worries me about Stotts, and it always shows in the playoffs.

If you watch the 4th quarter, you will see Blazers perimeter defenders got a hand up on all Muscala's 3-point shots. Muscala did get a layup and foul just by running the court because Giles was resting. I guess 4 minutes is too much because Giles needed a rest. Stotts played Little at center next time Kanter came out of the game. This was an adjustment by Stotts. Stotts let Giles rest on the bench rather than in the game.

[Wizenheimer]

See this is the thing that bothers me, and try to follow me here... Scouting report is great for game prep, and in this case surely Muscala wasn't a seen threat from deep, so I agree, let him shoot as many as he want

there's a real disconnect in Blazer nation

we have people here saying that Muscala wasn't threat enough from three to force the Blazer defense to flex and focus on covering him. His 37% shooting wasn't good enough to space the floor

at the same time lots of people are saying that if only Covington could get back to shooting his normal from 3, it will open up the floor for the Blazer offense. LOL...Muscala is a 37% shooter from three; RoCo is a 35% shooter