Game Thread PRESEASON GAME# 3: BLAZERS @ NUGGETS - DECEMBER 16, 2020 - WEDNESDAY, 6:00, NBCSNW

You actually hold your remote during a game? I would throw it through the tv if I did that?

 

Stotts has to go. Would the team be worse without him? I seriously doubt it. This team will probably be 2-10 in a few weeks. Choose mediocrity or fire him. I am convinced it couldn't get worse with any other nba tier coach.

 

I have never seen any proven correlation between preseason success and regular season success.

 

Our approach both on offense and defense is rudimentary. It just doesn't look like there's a lot of preparation going into it. We run a ton of set plays that are designed to get isos for guys in their scoring zone or pick-and-roll. It's not unlike stuff I'd do coaching 12-year-olds. It's like rec league.

The team also is built for that.

It's a 80s/90s-style basketball, and I still believe it can be effective because it's such a difference from the style every other team employs. It's like trying to get ready to defend the wishbone when every other team in your league runs a pro-style offense in football. The thing is you have to be very committed and effective at imposing your style of play. You can't go halfway with it.

 

I see it too and I think it stems from the following. On the first unit, once CJ gets the ball, the new guys realize any semblence of offense is over so what is the point.

On the 2nd unit, you have the same thing when Melo touches the ball. Then it affects Trent who if he ever gets the ball, feels like he has to get a shot up or he won't see it again.

No ball movement to keep teammates involved on offense and then motivated to play defense.

 

How hard have you looked?

 

The amount of miscommunications on defense is acceptable given the circumstances.

The play on offense is more annoying.

 

A few years ago I pulled a fairly large data set. I suppose it's possible things have drastically changed in the last couple years.

If you have the data to say otherwise, I'm totally open to having my mind changed.

 

As a fan of basketball, at least the Nuggest are fun to watch. Quick ball movement, cutting, unselfish play, open shots, etc. Wish that was us.

 

Oh, heck, I don't think we have any true playmakers on the team.

Is Dame a playmaker? Dame is shot first and he can leave teammates as spectators if we want to be honest. He gets most of his assists because his shot has to be respected to 33 feet and he can drive and if he's in trouble he pitches to the corner. It's not like he's breaking down the defense and creating for all different guys.

Those assists obv still count, but it's not like what Chris Paul do or Stockton and Magic did.

 

Wide open corner three...wide open corner three...

 

I don't. I look forward to you posting your work, though.

 

Watching the Nuggets second and third units make simple plays and run offense makes me jealous.

 

I'll try to dig it up and post it here or the next preseason game thread. Cheers!

 

Yeah they didn’t play well in the preseason bubble games either.

 

Yeah. That would be incredible.

I'm anxious to read the correlation but also how it addresses specific unique situations. Which goes to my point here: With the Blazers and Nuggets playing their best guys, the Nuggets clearly outplayed the Blazers in every conceivable facet.