Game Thread GAME# 2: SPURS @ BLAZERS - OCTOBER 20, 2018 - SATURDAY, 7:00 PM (PDT), NBCSNW

So far, I like Terry's coaching this season. He's finally doing some of the things I've been asking for.

- Double teaming on defense / swarming
- More ball movement
- More transition basketball
- More Dame off the ball

 

Washington is usually a tough team to beat, especially if the refs let them step out of bounds.

 

We should! We shouldn’t be tested till the Houston/New Orleans games at the end of the month

 

I feel like When dame and CJ comes in the ball movement isn't nearly as crisp and associated with player movement as much. The 2nd unit does a lot more work to get good shots. I actually think that's ok because the 2nd unit isn't as talented as Dame and CJ, they should be working harder to move the ball, set off the ball screens and flares to get good shots. It is kind of weird though how they go from the ball being passed around all over to the ball sticking more.

 

@theHeat and @Indy I think will be really competitive games.

 

Not me, I don’t get outta “homer mode” till November

 

Some Observations:

• Blazers are now a small ball team. Collins played all of his minutes at Center. Harkless played backup PF.
• Blazers can score, averaging 124.5 PPG (3rd in the West).
  
• Blazers Bench looking better than they have in recent memory - substantially better than last year.
• The way to force the opponents to have to guard Turner is to give him the ball, lol. Works much better with Curry Sauce to keep defense honest.
  
• Have to give Biebs his due - played well in both games, albeit in limited minutes.
• Hoping for a breakout game from Layman, otherwise he's looking like the weak link in the rotation. If he doesn't break out, they just might start Trent. I'm liking Mo as a PF, and the Collins, Mo, ET, Curry Sauce 2nd unit - don't want it broken up.
  
• Aldridge looking like a very efficient role player. Spurs need to get some of their guys back.

 

Quick Comment on Layman. I think Stotts is going to frustrate me with how he handles him this year, it's already reminding me of Vonleh. He "starts" but isn't really on the court much, tonight he literally started the game AND got put in during scrub time. Stotts did that crap with Vonleh and it used to just be so annoying...

 

Here's my dirty little secret. I think Indy may be the 3rd best team in the east.

 

I like that the Smurfs were too bitter about losing to say anything to the Blazers after they won.

 

Awesome

 

Indy will be tuff and playing them on the road.

 

Fun stat:
For both games of the season: Collins leads team in +/-/minute.

 

To be fair Harkless is going to be starting sooner than later.

 

Which he would deserve to be fair. This team with a dynamic SF who can score and defend to a decent degree would have a championship ceiling no doubt.

 

If he keeps this up, I wonder how expendable Nurkic will become...

 

In his current role, he's not an SF. Considering the fact that we're winning, PF might become his main position.

 

I love that ET hasn't shot a 3 yet, even a couple times when he's wide open. I'm still not a fan of him playing with Dame and CJ though.

 

That's a very good point. I hadn't really realized him playing the PF spot because everything is so interchangeable nowadays lol

 

Great win Portland