Game Thread 2022-23 Game #23 BLAZERS @ JAZZ - DECEMBER 3, 2022 - 6:00 PM (PDT) ROOT

Ant is averaging 24.8 ppg which is good for 15th in the NBA right now. Very good ! The issue is when you look at his ranking amongst the western conference's guards....


So it's probably going to be tough. He has the least assists and rebounds from that list too.
But it's still crazy that Ant, in his first season as a starter, might get closer to the All Star Game than CJ ever got.

 

Clarkson got MURDERED on that play, what are you talking about?

 

I don't think there is one other than the team's own cap room. Teams could offer a restricted free agent way more than we're willing to spend..Ant's contract is really looking good for his production right now. This team will not trade the kid at his age at his price in my view...he's going to take over Dame's job down the road and by then Sharpe and Walker, etc...will be developed...we have a bright looking future with our young players

 

Don't get me wrong, Grant is a good option because he has a nice pull-up mid-range jumper if the lane clogs. But you seem to be too hung up on size. There was a reason why the Blazers rarely went to LMA in crunch time......easy for bigs to lose the ball before they even attempt a dunk or layup. (If the D is ready for it)

Not saying Ant is the best ball handler for a guard, but he is still a good option because of his variety of shots, (3 pt shot, mid-range, floater, hook shot etc. The key IMO is having multiple players that can take the last shot so the defense is not preparing for it.
Dame, Ant, Grant, and to a lesser extent Nurk can all be options....... depending on the opponent.

 

No you are right. At age 23 Dame shot 51% from 0-3 ft while Ant is shooting 59%. That doesn’t mean Ant is a better finisher though.

1. Ant is far more selective about taking to the rim. At age 23 Dame shot 29% of his shots at the rim. Two years ago, Ant shot 8% of his shots at the rim. Last year 11%. This year 16%.

2. Dame welcomes contact at the rim. Ant has largely avoided contact. I suspect Dame was more efficient TS%-wise at the rim despite lower FG% when you factor in free throws.

Ant’s floater and hook shot are great weapons to have, but he doesn’t draw fouls with those shots. Nothing beats a 90% shot. I hope Ant learns to finish through contact and force defenders to foul him. He has shown sign of being more aggressive and his free throw rate has been climbing.

 

Our crowd sucks nowadays. We even have a topic about it. I remember when we would need to measure the crowd noise it was so loud and intimidating

 

same as what a team could have offered Little....salary-cap X .25

 

How many games have you attended this year?

 

No, I don’t think Ant will make the All-Star team this year. If we had maintained our start, there would have been a chance that he would. But since we have dropped back in the field, I don’t see it.

I don’t think the coaches are doubting him. When asked after the Clippers game this week, Ty Lue said Ant was playing at an All-Star level.

 

Certainly reminds me of how opposing coaches called CJ and All-Star level player to.

Again, I'm not knocking Ant at all, I think he's very good. Like I said with CJ, I think we should stop calling him an All-Star level player until he makes two of them.

 

I'm just saying "more like a two game suspension" was whiny... not that he didn't get hit. Does anyone think that play warranted any kind of suspension?

I mean Clarkson deleted it so either he was afraid of a fine or realized how lame that was. If he would have said "for sure" to the guy that he was replying to then I wouldn't have made a comment.

 

Simons so far this season has a true shooting percentage of 58.5%. He finished last season with a true shooting percentage of 58.3%.
Lillard did not reach that level of true shooting percentage for a season until he was 26 years old.
Whatever free-throw shooting advantage Lillard had when he was Simon‘s age it did not lead to a better true shooting percentage.

 

2.. Dude stop being a Homer and bias for 2 seconds man. Even others agree our crowd energy isn’t the same. We were known literally as the most loudest and inundating arenas to play in.

 

Right but that’s because Ant is a better 3 point shooter and a far far better mid range shooter. I was talking about at the rim.

 

Seemed pretty loud tonight? Not sure what games you went to but the games I’ve been to have been loud when the the game was in play.

Now as far as you telling anyone what to do you better check yourself.

 

Referring to your multiple forum personalities doesn't count.

 

Wanted to ask which games but then asked myself why?

 

Theres a whole topic on it on this board my guy lol

 

I think his FT rate will also climb when he gets the calls that Dame gets. I would hate to see him whine to the refs about it, but it does seem to work or players wouldn't do it. As for the floater and hook being good weapons, but not conducive to drawing fouls.....I would rather that he has a shot in the lane that is hard to block than take a beating and hitting the floor as often as Dame does. Getting to the line is a good thing, but maybe we overvalue it?