Game Thread Game #45 - BLAZERS @ BOSTON CELTICS - JANUARY 21, 2022 - FRIDAY - 4:30 (PDT) ROOT SPORTS

I was critical of him too but his zone coverage actually worked and threw them off. But he seriously needs to figure out timeout management. He doesnt know when to take them to stop runs, nor does he manage them well down the stretch. Using that last one with like 28 seconds left while down 1 coulda really bit us in the ass id Boston had scored. We'd have been left with no timeouts and like 5 seconds on the clock to advance

 

Agree. NeO was a fine talent scout. Unfortunately, he has been elevated 2 or 3 levels above his best position in the basketball world. Smells of "I am not a chemistry expert" but with an addition of "not a financial guru" and "not a people person" thrown in.

 

Yep, asking pro players to tank, so they can draft another young player to come in take another young players job, doesn't appeal to pro players trying to win a job by playing hard.
It would be like asking an employee to purposely suck, or set em up to fail & not perform, so you can go after a new hot shot employee that could come in and take someone's job.

 

I've been pretty consistent that I think roster is by far the biggest determinant in our success, not the coach. I've said over and over that I think Billups is doing a fine job, but the roster hasn't changed and in my opinion our problems haven't changed.

If I recall correctly, you thought virtually any coaching change would result in a noticable improvement by the team. Anyway, what's the bet on Billups getting further than the WCF? I'm still waiting.

 

I can tell you the Blazers record without Dame before this year was near .500. Not the case this year.

Let's look at the record when Dame and CJ played together this year. What was our winning percentage? Was it significantly better, worse, or nearly the same as pervious year? If it's not significantly better, then that holds to exactly what I predicted.

Edit: We were 10-9 this year with Dame/CJ healthy, a 52% percentage. Let's count all the wins with star opponents missing guys due to injury/covid. Our winning percentage in the previous 8 seasons was 58% That includes all the games Dame, CJ, and Nurk missed. That includes the years we started Harkless and Aminu at forward. Years our bench had far less fire power.

Again, I'm NOT saying Billups sucks, I'm not saying injuries don't matter, and I'm not saying we ran the best schemes in the past. What I was saying before the coaching change was I did not think we were likely to see a significantly improvement by only changing the coach who focuses on defense. So far, the data would back that up (it actually suggests we got worse).

 

Please provide the data to back up that "fact". Sounds like your opinion to me. And I have no problem if you say that's your opinion, that's what this place is for.

 

Team looks better coached to me. We’ve seen more development out of Ant and Nas in half a season than in their previous years under Stotts. Ant when from a zero playmaker with no responsibility to looking like a legitimate starting point guard. Think Billups has anything to do with that?

But yeah you’re right, stupid me for not being able to predict losing the teams best player, on top of all the other absences and injuries. Btw the season is only halfway over. Team is above .500 this month without their best player. Crazy to think the team may have needed time to adjust to a new staff and system. Who could’ve predicted that one?

btw Billups’ winning percentage right now is higher than Terry’s was his first year in Portland.

 

Again, I think Billups is doing a fine job. I think comparing teams from 10 years ago to this year is difficult. We can compare records from last year when Dame/CJ/Norm/Nurk played vs this year.

So what's the bet about Billups getting past the WCF? Or are you backing away from that now?

 

you wanna put money where your mouth is and bet on Ant getting traded, since you’ve been so adamant about it?

 

I love it! Just for fun, let's try to lay out something measureable before the fact to test your theory:

After "the peices" (define what those are please) get traded, what will our winning percentage be? And how does that relate to the 50% number your set out?

 

backing away from what? What bet? That billups will make the WCF this season? Or in general. I’d bet on the latter.

 

Ant getting traded? I never said anything about Ant getting traded. What does that have to do with you claiming Billups will get further in the playoffs than the previous coach?

If you don't really believe that, no biggie. I thought you were being serious.

 

Making the WCF would not be any better than the previous coach. I do not think we'll see Billups get further than the WCF in the next decade and I havne't found anyone who is willing to be otherwise. Yourself included.

And again, that doesn't mean I think he's a bad coach, I don't. I think he's doing a fine job!

 

You're smarter than me in the fact that you make claims that can't be proven or disproven. I have to tip my cap to you there my friend!

I think we're sinking!

 

Sounds like we're the same guy! Nothing by friendly ribbing on my end

 

I wasn’t talking to you lol