Game Thread GAME# 66: BLAZERS @ HEAT - MARCH 18, 2015 - WEDNESDAY, 4:30 PM (PST), CSNNW

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Darkwebs, Mar 16, 2015.

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Excluding Wes, who is the best overall defender on the Blazers?

  1. Afflalo

    4 vote(s)
    23.5%

  2. Aldridge

    2 vote(s)
    11.8%

  3. Batum

    9 vote(s)
    52.9%

  4. Gee

    1 vote(s)
    5.9%

  5. Lopez

    1 vote(s)
    5.9%

  6. Other

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
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  1. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    Might wanna be careful before the fan police here come out and call you a hater.

    He has struggled vs. Dragic/Wall/CP historically. Maybe that takes away from his offense, but he has been really inconsistent this year. And it's not like he's completely stopping his counterparts either -- just working harder. Lots of room for improvement for sure.
     
    illmatic99, Mar 19, 2015
    #221
  2. blue32

    blue32 Who wants a mustache ride?

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    It is unfortunate to see him have this massive shooting slump. Super inconsistent. I am not sure what's going on. Injury? Hand issues? mental? IDK.
     
    blue32, Mar 19, 2015
    #222
  3. BigGameDamian

    BigGameDamian Well-Known Member

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    So I guess this pretty much tells you that we should cost right into the WCF?
     
    BigGameDamian, Mar 19, 2015
    #223
  4. BlazerCaravan

    BlazerCaravan Hug a Bigot... to Death

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    Funny how last nights games still haven't had their reviews released...
     
    BlazerCaravan, Mar 19, 2015
    #224
  5. dviss1

    dviss1 Emcee Referee

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    Not sure if you can pay to get to the WCF but I'm sure you mean coAst... :bgrin:
     
    dviss1, Mar 19, 2015
    #225
  6. Strenuus

    Strenuus Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    ..... too easy.
     
    Strenuus, Mar 19, 2015
    #226
  7. DUB

    DUB Da, da da, da dah!

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    Took their time didn't they?

    The refs got everything correct in the last two minutes.

    http://official.nba.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/03/L2M-POR-MIA-3-18-15.pdf

    In regards to the backcourt violation:
     
    DUB, Mar 19, 2015
    #227
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  8. BlazerCaravan

    BlazerCaravan Hug a Bigot... to Death

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    Welp there ya go. That's basically the infield fly rule.
     
    BlazerCaravan, Mar 19, 2015
    #228
  9. Strenuus

    Strenuus Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Infield Fly rule is much easier to enforce.

    Runners on 1st and 2nd, or bases loaded with less than 2 outs. Popup in the infield, fielder must have a routine play to the ball on the umpires judgement (That one in Atlanta a few years back was not an infield fly, the guys' hat flew off!). Runners may advance on their own peril, Batter-runner is out.

    This backcourt thing? Confusing as hell, with all these stipulations like last two minutes this can happen, but other times it can't. Just cut it straight down and have it be "this" scenario or "that" scenario, not "well, given the time, it should be this." lol.

    Ah well. On to the next game!
     
    Strenuus, Mar 19, 2015
    #229
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  10. MarAzul

    MarAzul LongShip

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    Gosh, I thought Portland just lost, allowing 108 points. I didn't realize that signified elite.

    These Stat keepers sort of put Portland in the Above Average column, don't you think?

    http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2015_ratings.html
    http://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/defensive-efficiency
    http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats/_/sort/defensiveEff
    http://www.oddsshark.com/nba/defensive-stats

    Or do you have some special insight to share?
     
    MarAzul, Mar 19, 2015
    #230
  11. blue32

    blue32 Who wants a mustache ride?

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    His insight among others on here, are that of rose colored glasses with a homer filled glass of kooooool-aid. :)

    The more realistic idea of the Blazers is that they are an above average team; with highs and lows like any other team. But I would never put an "elite" moniker to them. Not yet.... We'll see how this years playoffs go, before I go there.
     
    blue32, Mar 19, 2015
    #231
  12. Strenuus

    Strenuus Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    If we're not elite, then Memphis isn't elite either, since they have the same ups and downs as we do. They have been labeled "elite".

    I don't deny the fact that we're not elite, but it's also not unilateral as well.
     
    Strenuus, Mar 19, 2015
    #232
  13. kjironman1

    kjironman1 Well-Known Member

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    Simply speaking "Elite" takes many years to achieve.
     
    kjironman1, Mar 19, 2015
    #233
  14. kjironman1

    kjironman1 Well-Known Member

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    Memphis has had great defense for many years now. So yes they are an elite defense IMO.
     
    kjironman1, Mar 19, 2015
    #234
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  15. Strenuus

    Strenuus Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    My point being is they have ups and downs (Detroit, anyone?)
     
    Strenuus, Mar 19, 2015
    #235
  16. kjironman1

    kjironman1 Well-Known Member

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    Sure but they have been very good for many years and have a great defense that has lasted through two coaches. Memphis is a better defensive team than the Blazers at this point. However the Blazers have made great strides and have improved to the point that we are indeed discussing it.
     
    kjironman1, Mar 19, 2015
    #236
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  17. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    It depends upon how "elite" do you define "elite." To me, we don't stand out above others enough to be called elite. Even if we were statistically the #1 defensive team, which we aren't, I still wouldn't automatically grant "elite" status to each year's #1 defensive team. I'd only give the name to a team which plays blue chip defense for at least 2 years, a team for the ages, at most 3 teams per decade.

    Until the last seconds of most of our games, it's a tossup who will win. An elite defense would establish who will win long before then.
     
    jlprk, Mar 19, 2015
    #237
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  18. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    So we're the "free 30 day trial" version of elite and we need a double headed coin to win the tossup?
     
    riverman, Mar 19, 2015
    #238
  19. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    3 teams per decade sound elitist to me
     
    riverman, Mar 19, 2015
    #239
  20. jlprk

    jlprk The ESPN mod is insane.

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    Over the years I've watched plenty of teams which routinely sewed up victories in the 1st half, despite playing at half-capability. Rules have been changed to make that harder. Coaches like Stotts follow stat paradigms which advise to shoot more 3s. We may never see an elite defensive NBA team again.
     
    jlprk, Mar 19, 2015
    #240
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