Game Thread 2023-24 GAME #27 - BLAZERS VS WIZARDS - DECEMBER 21, 2023 - 7:00 PM PST - ROOT

Improvement comes slow sometimes. Certainly agree with you I would like it to happen faster.
I also liked some of his statements about emotions after the game. Going in the locker room and saying something he can't take back. He mentioned specifically he was not happy at all. He has said many times he doesn't like being a counter punching team. This team needs that "heart and soul" player. Every winning team has that guy. Who's it gonna be for the Blazers?

 

One is not like the others though

 

The stats make it obvious what the Blazers problem is. Inefficient offense. And Scoot is one of the main players contributing to that. Camara and Scoot in particular, but Sharpe and Brogdon are also culprits.

In fact, the difference between the Blazers offensive and defensive rating (-6.4) can be accounted for entirely by these 4 players.

If you look at total points lost per game because of these 4 not reaching league average in TS%, it comes out to 6.4 exactly . People over analyze a lot and lose sight of the fact that the object of the game is to put the ball through the hoop.

 

Except this year, we're not trying.

 

Uh oh, don’t let folks read this.

Obviously there’s a reason some players are force fed development minutes, but no reason to rush them into roles they aren’t ready for.

 

I'd like to know how that stat calculates "lost points"

 

I'm not sure who "can't stand him", but in comparing those 2 players, offensively, they are both very good. But one has a brutal drtg of 121 and the other is close to average at 115. That is a massive difference. for 1/2 of the game. For too long, many have been okay with offense only guards and don't worry about the defensive side for that player or the affect it has on the rest of the team. And that is fine if contending isn't an issue.

It takes both sides of the ball....and historically, some size to be able to contend. It doesn't seem too much to prefer (vs can't stand him} that our 'top' player be someone who can do both.

 

Let’s stop force feeding minutes to Scoot, Camara, and Sharpe based on his stats. Sit ‘em on the bench. Maybe we can make a push for the play in so we can get smashed!

 

So you’re telling me the fact that Maxey plays on the #2 rated defense in the league with Joel Embiid anchoring the back line doesn’t help his rating?

Have you even watched Ant this season without your bias blinding you? By no means is Ant an elite defender but he’s definitely improved on that end. He isn’t the defensive sieve he once was anymore. Not long ago, teams used to hunt him mercilessly on defense. Luka for one would hunt for him nonstop. But in the 2 recent games vs Dallas, you didn’t even see it that much.

 

I don't think I agree about Ant's defense improving a lot. He's a little better, yes. But a little better than terrible isn't something to celebrate. Among rotation players, he's tied with Scoot for 9th in defensive rating. And he's 9th in DBPM; only Scoot is worse. And there's no denying that Portland's defense took a major nose dive when Ant cam back

I've seen enough from Ant to be OK with him as the PG. I think a defense can be ok with a weak defender at PG; but not an undersized weak defender at SG. Of course, it you pencil in Ant as the PGOTF, then Portland kind of wasted a 3rd pick on Scoot

 

This was one of those games where I knew there were going to be people pissed no matter the outcome.

We lose and everything is wrong with this team.

We win and are not tanking properly.

On the plus side, got my third free T-shirt last night. First two were mostly unwearable. This one has the new mascot on it. I have long been in favor of getting rid of Blaze so I love anything to do with getting rid of him.

 

They definitely should shop Simon’s at the deadline. Mainly to see what they can fetch.

 

Starting to sound like losing is wearing the Blazer Fanbase down a bit. Wonder how it will sound when they are still losing next year also 2024-25. How about 2025-26?
Maybe they can get Dame to come back in 2027?

 

true, but even as a non-certified debbie-downer, I'm still a long ways from heading that direction

 

...and his "rebounding" is even worse!! Watch the Wizards final couple of misses when he just stands under the hoop and watches as Wizards easily secure offensive boards -- I'd argue the game would have been one if Camara or Walker had been there instead

 

Scoot has 4 years to prove he can be a better player/fit than Ant. But either way they have time to bring him along slowly instead of throwing him into the fire. Seen too many guys like Emmanuel Mudiay or Dennis Smith Jr. shoved into the de-facto starter role when they weren't ready and floundered.

 

Yeah keep getting rid of those guys we have developed. That's always worked well because guys who score 40+ in this league are a dime a dozen in every draft.

Sorry for the heavy snark. I couldn't resist.