Game Thread GAME# 1: PELICANS @ BLAZERS - OCTOBER 28, 2015 - WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM (PST), KGW

Hey JinxSpeed, is tonight one of your "MUST WIN" games?

 

Well I'm all set for opening day. Got a courtside ticket at the Staples Center for the Laker game tonight... please don't judge. It's not like I can turn down a $2,750 ticket. When I'm not having deep intellectual conversations with Jack I'll be checking my phone for Blazer updates.

Keep your friends close but your enemies closer...

 

Ugh, I didn't want to be the one to say this and jinx our season-opener. But yeah, I just took my first look at their roster and I can't believe THIS is the team that so many people are hyped on.

 

Did you guys see the highlights of the Warriors/Pelicans game. Anthony Davis is looking like LaMarcus Aldridge....putting up ridiculous contested jumpers. He went 4-20. What is up with big men these days?

 

I watched the first half of the first quarter of the Bulls game and was like "Mirotic is WAY better than LMA!".

 

I am predicting a blow-out tonight. Blazers will destroy NO.

 

It's tough to do a pregame on the Blazers at this point of any season. This season even more so than in years past. It's seems a little early to be crying about the second of a B2B for any team but it's there and the Blazers will be the benefactor this time. Actually not so sure about that. Davis had a terrible night last night against the Warriors he shot 4-20 but he did make 66% of his free throws which is an improvement. I would think he will want to come out strong and put that performance behind him. People have Davis as the new anointed superstar for this league but he continues to have to do it all because the Pelicans can't seem to get things together around him. I personally see him as a good player on a bad team and right now the Blazers would do well to take a page from the Warriors playbook last night. They simply defended Davis and let the rest of the team struggle.

Lets see what happens when the Blazers are in a game they can win at home on opening night? I expect to see some jitters and some "Hero" ball. There are going to be guys that are trying to show the hometown crowd what they can do. It is really going to come down to leadership on this team. I am talking about coaching leadership not simply players. What Stotts does in the first 10-15 games will set the stage for the season. I have read numerous articles telling me that the Blazers will be bottom feeders this year. 25-30 wins max. I personally feel that could be the case unless there is a level of discipline and dedication to team play we have not seen in years here. The fact remains the Blazers lost a lot of good players and it will take time to replace that feeling of security when the game is tight. Who is going to step up?

The Blazers have work to do but there are some people saying they are way underrated right now. They very well could win 40 games and make a push for the playoffs. I see this as a possibility but only if we see a breakout "Most improved" season from CJ and or Meyers Leonard. It will only happen if Aminu really does have some defensive chops and Ed Davis can guard the rim and clean up on some offensive rebounds. It will also take Leonard and Plumlee running the court and converting some breakaway dunks. Can Harkless come in and bring some offense while sparking some defense also? Does Henderson actually fit with this roster? We have not even seen him yet?

Lots to look at Blazer fans!

Go Blazers!

kjironman is a fan!!!

 

Holiday is playing, but looks to be on a 16 minute or so limitation (stress fracture). That is probably good, but means Ish gets more minutes. His quickness was a problem for the Warriors and could be for the Blazers too.

 

the excite is real!

 

You're crazy. We won't lose 6 straight.

Every game is must win.

 

Yeah it boogles my mind how all these people in the media are picking them to win over 50 games. Without Davis they have the worst roster in the NBA. Well maybe not as bad as Philly, but second worst!

 

I hear about 20-30 games a year in the regular season that are "must win" or "playoff atmosphere"

 

I blame it partly on the 3 ball analytic love fest going on. Obviously good 3's are better than difficult 2's.

But why do would you want Anthony Davis 25 feet from the basket? The guy is a freak put him by the hole. I'll be glad if he makes 5 threes tonight because that means we dominate their squad inside.

 

If Ish gives us defensive problems we're in a lot of trouble this season.

 

They have Dante Cunningham starting for crying out loud!!!

 

Yes, along with Perkins and Ish Smith. While Ish may not technically start Holiday is limited to 16mpg so Ish will play the starter minutes. Or Nate Robinson will, who was unemployed a few months ago. So they have Kendrick Perkins, Dante Cunningham and Ish Smith as 60% of their starters? They wouldn't make the 15 man rosters for half the teams in the league.

Then they have Babs and Gee as their main guys off the bench? Ryan Anderson can really shoot but he's basically Matt Bonner; one of the absolute worst defenders in the league. I feel so bad for Anthony Davis. I wonder what Monty is thinking; he somehow scrapped some terrible lineups together for wins last year so maybe he'll eventually get a bit of respect.