Game Thread GAME# 56: JAZZ @ BLAZERS - FEBRUARY 21, 2016 - SUNDAY, 6:00 PM (PST), CSNNW

Good talk; very Blazers-positive.

 

CJ, Dame, and Harkless all had KEY baskets against Gobert in the 4th.

 

Gobert tweeted this after the game presumably about tonight's officiating:

 

I mean.... we did shoot 15 more attempts than them.... but they also were fouling Harkless, Davis, and Plumlee like crazy.

 

Lol ummmmm welcome to being apart of a small market organization, Rudy.

 

They wouldn't have played him anyways and he walk this summer as a free agent. It's an example of why you don't want too many players with similar experience. They had Harris, Gordon, Fournier, Frye and Hezonja all getting forward minutes. Harkless was the odd man out. He had a bad attitude there which is a concern I have with him here long term. But he's had some awesome plays this year and looks like a hell of a steal. Olshey can really find high level players on the discount rack.

 

In all seriousness, I hope KS and Mags backed up what they were saying and bet because they so deserves to win that! They've been saying it since the beginning of the season.

 

Funny cuz I was pretty sure the Jazz were getting all the calls tonight. Can't even think of a borderline call going Portland's way.

 

Yeah I'd been at their box scores since the 90's. Was something I was used to and comfortable with. I'm on NBA.com now. Another good thing about it is theres no horrible big city Lakers/Knicks shoved down your throat.

 

I feel like a moron because I wanted to put $500 down on that bet, but was too lazy/chicken.

 

The attitude issue is because he is confident in his abilities imo. Also, Jacque Vaughn couldn't coach worth a lick... Hark is every bit as talented as Tobias Harris imho.

 

That Plumlee out of bounds was a good call, but required a nuanced take to get right; I feel like that was a borderline call (i.e., would you expect a ref to make that call right every time?) that went our way.

 

Where did you read that?

 

Well the refs DO call more than just fouls

 

Locke has always been a solid analyst even though he's a radio guy.

 

Gobert was pretty poor tonight at giving up the basket after a block, but usually he's pretty good at getting the rebound or blocking it to another player. This is what makes Gobert as valuable as he is:

http://stats.nba.com/tracking/#!/player/defense/?sort=DEF_RIM_FG_PCT&dir=-1&CF=MIN*G*15|BLK*G*1

Also if you go to Nylon Calculus he saves the most points per game in the NBA (which does include, usually getting the rebound after a block).

Players shoot 39.2% at the rim when Gobert plays which is almost 3% better (which is HUGE) than the next closest starter. He's the only defender that allows under 40%, which is better than Hibbert and Ibaka's best years as a rim protector. Last year he was number 1 as well. Compare that to someone like Whiteside who has a huge lead in BPG but gives up 48% at the rim (which as you can see in the link is lower than players like both Lopez's, Giannis and rookie Porzingis). Gobert is very selective about the shots he tries to block and doesn't go after everything. He fouls at an extremely low rate for a shot blocker and a lot of times will just go straight up as opposed to chasing blocks like Hassan. He's also number 1 in defensive plus minus and top 10 in defensive rating. He has missed 20 games this season but the Jazz are 20-14 when he plays.

Gobert struggles against Portland, I don't know why but he is one of the 10 best rebounders in the NBA by rebound rate but never seems to rebound well against Portland.

 

Just to give you an idea Gobert's previous 5:

13.2 ppg, 12.8rpg, 2.4 bpg, 2 apg.

Against the Blazers this year (he was injured for 2 of the games):

5.5ppg, 8.5 rpg, 3.5bpg, shooting 36%.

By far his worst against any team...

He seems to struggle against 2 teams, Portland and Sacramento and that is because they are really physical with him especially on rebounds. This is his first year as a full time starter so hopefully he will work on his strength in the offseason, he's still really young.

 

You guys have a really talented team, but it seems to me that you're lacking a go-to-guy, which is ultimately why you lost tonight. Hayward is a talented player, but he doesn't strike me as the kind of guy that you give the ball to and clear out. Am I wrong? Do you have someone on your team that you feel confident can get you buckets when you need them most? It seemed like you were trying to feed Favors at the end. Can Exum be that guy?

 

Thanks! I became a fan (well except when you play us) of the Blazers once you drafted Dame. I helped out with the Rugby team at Weber State and got to meet him a few times and he is legitimately one of the coolest dudes. I have a bunch of Poly family from Portland as well and have been to a few Blazer games when I visit up there. Diehard Jazz fan and these teams are both on their ways up so I'm sure we'll see y'all in the playoffs in the future.