Game Thread Preseason Game #1 - Blazers vs Raptors in Vancouver BC

That's a bizarre thing to say give how much more advanced Collins' defense is than his offense. It was his defense, not his offense, that got him minutes last season, and it will be his defense that keeps him in the rotation this season as he continues to struggle on offense.

BNM

 

I wish I could like this pots 1000 times!

BNM

 

He also gets to the FT line and isn't afraid to take a big shot with the game on the line. He's a SG/SF that was taken in the second round that can shoot the 3. That's where the similarities to Crabby Patty end.

BNM

 

Is DarkWing still in his summer break? Should I just start working on the next games thread? Let me know. Got some real nice graphics all ready to go for that one.

 

Andre Drummond 4 times out of his first 5 nba seasons he shot under 40% from the free throw line.
You're saying he didn't belong in the NBA?
It was widely reported he was open to shooting underhanded free throws but ultimately didn't due it because he was too embarrassed to go to underhanded free throws.
He finally improved to 60% last season, but that's still pretty awful.

At the end of the day it's more 'manly' to not care what others think about you and do what works.
Rather than let others decide for you because you're too embarrassed about what people think.

Regardless, if this Blazer makes an NBA team or not. It won't be because of his free throw form.

 

It was reliable for Rick Barry:



When he retired, he was the career leader in FT% for both the NBA and the ABA. You seem to value the aesthetics more than the results. IT may not be for everyone. Sure, guys like Steph Curry are better off shooting with the same motion as their regular shot, but for guts like Shaq, Ben Wallace, Andre Drummond who flat out suck at the line, t the point they become a liability with the game on the line, it can improve their percentages. No one is saying guys who shoot well should switch, but guys who suck at FTs should consider alternatives, if they care more about winning thane being teased.

Rick Barry was one bad ass dude who gave ZERO fucks about what anyone else thought. Teasing didn't bother him so nobody bothered teasing him. Plus, it's pretty hard to tease the guy who was THE best FT shooter in the league (both of them) for his entire career.

Serious question: game on the line, score tied. A Blazer player is at the line, with one shot for the win. Would you rather he shot underhanded and made the shot, or shot overhanded and missed it? Would you be so embarrassed by winning on an underhanded FT that you'd rather risk losing than win in such an unmanly way?

Would your opinion change if it was Game 7 of the NBA Finals? If the Blazers won an NBA Championship on an underhanded FT would you hang your head in shame, or celebrate our first championship in over 40 years?

BNM

 

Shooting under handed or over handed when goes it all counts one point. Hell I shoot under handed in game horse to limit out of the game. Plus it not at easy as it seems you still have to practice it.

 

As a physicist, I would say that the lower the release point, the slower the ball speed closer to the basket. Basically, everyone should be shooting underhanded FTs from a strictly physics POV. Shorter players have a clear advantage over taller players shooting regular-handed. OTOH, shooting in a way that mimics your regular shot has some advantages, too.

Having a 5'10" dude teach your bigs how to shoot FTs isn't particular helpful if they don't understand the fundamental problem.

I didn't comment on KJ's post before because I thought picking out this irrational sentence in a very long post was nitpicking, but it seems people want to talk about FT shooting.

 

So Meyers is our big off the bench?! The fuck is this shit now? It's bad enough we didn't waive him already...

That Oliver dude might be a solid big off the bench, didn't follow him closely enough though...

 

Meyers doesn’t look any different. He’s still hesitating when inbounding the ball. He’s never going to change. I understood letting Ed go, I think his shortcomings held the offense back, but leaning on Meyers for any sort of role outside of waiving a towel is INSANE. Looking at the roster, Stotts should start testing out Turner at PF. In other words, we need help.

 

Meyers had ZERO rebounds. How is it possible for a guy that size to have zero rebounds?

 

I think he is a bad influence on team culture tbh, he is too busy with his thoughts all the time and other players and the coach get caught up in it too.
Why should one bench guy cause so much distraction? Why do CJ and Dame need to answer questions about his problems all the time?
I also think his softness is infectious and i feel like we're stuck in the same mentality with him around.

 

Yeah Meyers hit his shots. I don’t think anyone doubts that he can hit shots. But that’s literally all he did (does) and I don’t think it makes up for all his other shortcomings. It’s like replacing ed with Meyers fills up one hole while opening up three more.

 

Ask Eddy Curry

 

The biggest positive thing from this game was both our rookies

 

On the other hand, there's been research over the years showing that a higher release point increases the odds of a friendly bounce on the rim.

 

I'm not saying you're wrong at all, but I'd love to see some sources on that.

 

They actually play him at the 4 last night. So I am thinking when harkless come back you might see Collins and Layman at the 4 and the 5.