Game Thread GAME# 14: SPURS @ BLAZERS - JANUARY 18, 2021 - MONDAY, 12:00, NBCSNW

Hot take: Pop is a trash coach. Can’t win anything without Duncan. Had DeRozen and Aldridge on his team last season and couldn’t make playoffs.

 

If we concentrate on: A. Getting Dame going. B. A full team effort defensively. C. Getting Enes, DJJ and Giles a bunch of touches around the rim. D. Getting open threes for Gary, Melo, RoCo, Hoodie and even Ant when he has to be on the court. then we will win this game. This will take us really utilizing team defense concepts that aren't our norm and the movement off ball movement and ball movement on offense that we've all been calling. Maybe the crutch of having CJ's iso skills being taken away from Stotts will force him to make this adjustment that plays to the strengths of our roster.

 

CJ out tmrw. Let's see what you got, Ant

 

Curious how the Giles crew who’ve been asking for him to get more minutes felt he did last night. I liked his aggressive play. Not sure what he needed up with, but it was good to see him out there.

 

Active, lost at times, several great passes, brought a lot of energy which was refreshing.

 

I include myself in that group. I thought he looked much better than he did a few games ago. Closer to how he looked in the preseason.
I question if he has the mental part down yet. Not saying he doesn't have a high BB IQ, just that he needs more experience. Overall I thought it was a good start, but there will be some growing pains.

In my mind, we always need two types of centers in order to match up with everyone. He is certainly not a wide body that can take up space under the basket. But he is very mobile, and in theory, should be able to cover the centers who can shoot from the perimeter. (who have been killing us since Stotts arrived) He is a solid passer, he can handle the ball for his position, and he looks to have a decent outside shot. Unlike Nurk and Kanter, he has the ability to get to loose balls and long rebounds. And he is a quick leaper. He just needs to play smarter, which I think will come with more playing time. And he needs to stay away from moving screens. We just need him to protect the rim and grab rebounds for about 18-20 minutes a game.

 

I guess the Oregonian can't afford proof readers and editors anymore:

 

Probably a good thing his Browns lost.

 

Now is the time to judge ant, not in sporadic minutes. Let’s see what happens.

 

I hope you guys are right and he finally delivers on Olshey's promise. Otherwise, Dame will be playing 42 minutes a game

but he got consistent minutes last year...they weren't sporadic.

 

So is he playing or not? That article says both

 

yeah....that's what it says. Quality journalism

apparently, he's not by the way

 

I think they're just hedging their bets guys.

Nah, I'm sure he's out and they just missed the word not, between "will" and "play".

 

Aaron Fentress is still reeling 'today?' from the staredown Dame game him after offering up Westbrook/Beal as the best backcourt in the NBA.

 

Up until the 2nd half of the Hawks game I felt like Giles was playing in a manner where he was looking at the bench worried he'd be taken out if he messed up. With Nurk out 8 weeks I think Stotts should loosen the leash a little bit and let him play through some of the bad stuff because when he's making plays he can be a difference maker. I wouldn't mess around with the small ball lineups until after Giles has gotten some quality backup minutes in the first half.

 

How many of you actually have today off? Yes the Banks are closed and we don't get mail but who gets MLK day off other than that?

 

WAKE UP RIP CITY, IT'S GAME DAY!!!!

so glad this game is at 9pm and not 4am as usual.

Happy MLK Day

 

A holiday game treat for @Labinot41