Game Thread Preseason Game #1 - Blazers vs Raptors in Vancouver BC

Ive always thought Zack was a guy that would need two seasons to get an offensive game going.
His D is legit but he will need to develop an offensive game.

 

Nice to see Meyers in mid season form

15 minutes, 0 rebounds

 

People forget that he wasnt even supposed to play last year. It was supposed to be a red shirt season with this year basically being his rookie year. Everyone wants everything now.. patience. He's 20.

 

How did you land on 2 seasons?

 

Noteworthy: not much.

- first game of the preseason, not really looking at efficiency. Looking more so at how players move, and what they could add to the team. For example Simons has the worst +/- yet I was encouraged most by him. He’s a scorer.

- Noticed a few new plays I haven’t seen before, specifically dame off the ball

- Turner was the backup point guard, not surprising.

- Collins still looks raw around the basket offensively. Leonard isn’t even an option down there. We’ll miss Ed in this department but I’m also expecting the second unit to launch three after three.

- Stauskas looked pretty good, despite his shot not falling.

- Layman is back! But seriously, not grabbing my interest until he starts knocking down shots in actual games.

- Meyers looks the same, except he made his shots tonight. Not fooled yet.

- don’t see anything in Payton, Chinanu, or Oliver worth developing on a two way. Oliver is the closest.

 

I agree with the meh but people shouldn't be making any conclusions yet.

 

Well I thought the Trent and Simon's didn't look to bad for there first game. ML look really good offense with 16 points but he got 0 rebounds and due we got kill on the offensive boards we need him to hit the boards. Swanigan not to bad with 8 reb and Collins got 6 boards. Overall there rotation position to be had and so next 4 games will tell who gets them.

 

You might be right. Like I said Im not saying he’s a bust yet, but I still think he’s quite aways away from being a contributor on a regular basis, though he’s gonna get minutes.

 

45 personal fouls, LOL

 

I havent forgotten, Id just rather we pick players who are good enough their supposed to play. Couldve had mitchell...

 

One year of College coming off the bench.
One year of Pro's getting some confidence and pt.
One full year of development and growth.

 

and subsidized by the buy the Canadian Gov. Once they add GST they should be worth 60%.

 

Forgot to mention; we need front court help.

 

One thing about Collins he gets down on him self to much when he misses shots and that starts messing with his head. When he start correcting the mental part of his game he will be fine but until then he will continue to struggle on offense. Now defense he pretty good at that end. But he only 20 so he young enough to correct those mental problems.

 

Hindsight bias...

Many people thought he wasnt ready to start.

 

I thought at the time I wanted them to pick Mitchell instead no I didnt think Mitchel was gonna be as good as he is but I have never been high on Collins. We’ll see if he breaks out I guess.

 

Great, another white big with mental Problems

 

Guess it's time for that " I know it's just the first preseason game" post

The Blazers are still short on talent. They are still not deep enough to do well in the playoffs. They will still be a young team that needs to mature and improve.
Meyers Leonard does not look much better at all to me.
Collins does not look much improved either.
Layman still looks like Layman did.
Nurkic still does what Nurk does.

Lillard is awesome
CJ still needs to give the ball up a bit more.

Why on earth would Stotts put a guy on the court that shoots free throws UNDERHAND! The Blazers already don't get any respect. Why even do that?

I'm sticking with 42 wins and maybe 7-8 seed? If they get a major injury to Lillard, CJ or Nurkic they will miss the playoffs. They should never have let Ed Davis go.

Oh and Aminu is still Aminu. You cannot develop a skill you simply do not have.