Game Thread GAME# 11: BLAZERS @ KINGS - NOVEMBER 12, 2019 - TUESDAY, 7:00 PM, NBATV & NBCSNW

All these teams are lucky we are missing Nurk

 

This has already been discussed for like the last two months. We have been saying since the schedule came out that 10-10 would be very good. Obviously with the loss of Collins and with Hood seemingly needing bubble wrap to play and injuries to both Hassan and Skal? 8-12 would be pretty good. No reason to think 6-14 isn’t possible. But even at 4-16 they could right the ship by February. A strong March and April and they are right in the thick of things.

 

Can you not see the inconsistency in your statement? You acknowledge Nurk had lower numbers, and appear to acknowledge that Nurkic was the better player because he play transcends his numbers. Then you bag on people who criticize Whiteside because he does not appear to transcend his numbers like Nurkic does.

 

If we had Nurk we would be on Pace to go 82-0.

 

Still cant move past the numbers

 

So I think people have ragged on Whiteside way too much this year. He is not fast, he's slow, always has been, people call it lazy but it's just a lack of moving like we think he should. For a back up big he's actually pretty good. They need to stop trying to run PNR's with him that start 20+ feet away from the hoop he isn't quick enough to make up that ground to be in position for a lob. Harden throws a lot of Lobs to Capela, but they start at the FT line in their sets because get this, they know the dudes slow and that gives him a chance to make up space before a defender can fill it in.
Defensively there is the same problem Whiteside is good at a few things but the real threat of them having a good defensive team was with Whiteside in the paint and another big (this guy named Collins), who could chase down and give support. Now it's been just basically Whiteside in the paint with guys coming down hill at him, and he's slow, that's really all that it is, he's just slow. He's still pretty effective for a backup center, I'd like to see more Skal + Whiteside lineup's because Skal's a more athletic guy who can play support in the paint, but he's kind of the opposite as he basically is 0 defensively when he's the only big.

 

I've been really pleased with what Whiteside has contributed. I think this "empty numbers" stuff is largely nonsense. Points are points and rebounds are rebounds. He's not a star, he's a role player. And he's pretty damn decent at his role. I'm definitely glad we have him instead of Meyers!

 

The guy we brought in to fill the gap is doing a pretty damn good job is all I’m saying.

 

He might actually "Flex" more than Meyers does?

 

The new guy is doing better than Meyers and Mo did last season in my opinion.

 

Well... thats a really high bar lol

 

I don't disagree, but that dude steals so many rebounds from his teammates that Nurk wouldn't, and he's not better statistically anywhere else. He's definitely not better, but yes, fans have been too hard on him.

 

That's what we traded to get him

 

Officially no Hood tonight.

 

Im aware of that

 

The classic jerseys are the best btw and it isn’t that close imo. I wanna see what the rip city ones look like tho.

 

CJ in a Beach Boys shirt...strange. Yes I am reading far far far too much into it.

 

10-10 would not be "very good". It might have been acceptable considering the schedule and all the new faces, but it wouldn't have been good

I'd also say it's the first 21 games to look at, the 21st game being at the Clippers, again. If Portland could be at 11-10 by then there would be some reason for optimism. 9-12 or 8-13 would be a pretty deep hole, but still, there would be 61 games left...plenty of time

my main concern is the minutes Dame is playing this early in the year. I'd rather Portland was 8-13 with Dame averaging 35 than be 11-10 with Dame averaging 39

 

First two defensive possessions for Hezonja:

1) Sags off of Bjelica for absolutely no reason and he gets an open 3.

2) Doesn't crash the boards and his man gets an easy put back.