Game Thread GAME# 46: BLAZERS @ RAPTORS - MARCH 28, 2021 - SUNDAY, 4:00, NBCSNW

Yeah, we know it because it is the same scenario for about about 12-14 of the 16 playoff teams every year.

 

Not consistent at all. Swept in first round one year, made it to WCF the next. Can’t get to .500 the next year. There are a faction of people here who hate that our core reached the WCF in 2019 because it hurts their narrative that CJ/Olshey/Stotts suck and we never win in the playoffs.

 

I feel like there's a large contingent of fans who see the massive cliff that we're heading towards so every time we squeak out a win against a weak opponent we're thinking "that's great but when we run out of weak opponents to squeak by, it's going to be the end of the road." But then you have these other fans that are just happy that we're still driving, even though the road is rapidly running out ahead of us.

 

Or they could lose these game and be the Celtics, Raptors, Spurs, and so on. I wonder if those teams would rather win these shitty games or lose them. The Celtics have two all stars, Kemba, and a solid bench and Brad Stevens. And they are .500.

 

Got to love what Simons showed us in the 4th. A 3 ptr, a pull-up mid-range jumper, followed by a runner in the lane.
Looks like he might not be so one-dimensional after all. I don't care who you are playing against, if he can master those three be will he though to stop.

 

I hear you and agree with you to some degree.

At the same time, we're 2/3 through the season and we're 10 games above .500, which is good , even when healthy.

Do I think this is a championship team/roster/coaching staff? No. I didn't think it was to start the season. I though it was about the 4th-6th team in the West when healthy. That means, if we go into the playoffs as the 6th seed, we probably shouldn't win a playoff series. Yes I'm frustrated we don't have a championship roster, but it doesn't prevent me from enjoying wins.

 

Does it really matter if the end result is the same? If we get swept out of the first round again, who cares if we beat some mediocre teams during the regular season?

The reason why it's hard to enjoy these wins is because any time we take on one of the top teams, we tend to get completely obliterated. It doesn't bode well for the postseason.

 

WERE JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE MAN

 

What is your motivation to watch the regular season? You knew before the season started, the likely outcome of this season is a 1st-2nd round loss. If that's all that matters, what's the point of watching the 72 games prior to that?

 

People seem to be wondering why some people are unhappy. I'm explaining it. Don't ask questions you don't want the answer to.

 

Because it's not about one game or one season. It's about hopefully working towards winning a championship. I was significantly less frustrated with this team several years ago because Dame was younger and the team seemed to be in a better position to continue to grow.... but we have stagnated. Hell, the least stressful seasons are the ones where you know you're shit, but you have young players that are developing and a decent pick after the season. It's easy to forgive poor play and enjoy watching guys develop when you're clearly building towards something.

This team is no closer to winning a championship now than they were three or four years ago, meanwhile we're pissing away Dame's prime and we're continuing to hang our hopes on the foundation of Dame/CJ/Stotts. And how is that going to change? Fire Stotts? Trade CJ? Convince another star player to sign for the minimum? We're cemented in this rut until someone gives.

So yes, winning a game is great. I like to win. Winning is fun. And I like to watch Dame do what Dame does, but it's still bitter sweet because we know this team won't go far in the playoffs and there's really no clear hope for the future. Just the same thing over and over.

 

Two friends go out on the town one night, one meets a girl and they laugh and have fun and maybe even do the deed but when he wakes up she’s gone. The other went out and met no one and went home alone and woke up alone. Both are alone in the morning so that’s the same end result. ITS ABOUT THE JOURNEY! Life is short. Enjoy the wins, hope for the best and always bring the girl home with you. Or guy. Or both, for that matter.

 

Appreciate the answer.

So now that you know this team isn't working towards winning a championship this year, what motivates you to watch for the rest of this season?

I ask not to be snarky, but because I personally would not continue to watch the games this year if it was championship or bust for me.

 

I was never really into casual dating, so I guess that explains it

 

Dame. No other reason honestly. Or maybe the childish hope that something clicks and we miraculously put it all together.

 

It’s never too late

 

Appreciate that I disagree with you about 33% of the time and you never make your responses personal attacks.

Now would be a good time for me to bump the Worst Blazer Team Ever thread!

 

That thread doesn’t apply anymore because Rodney is gone. No longer the worst team.

you don’t attack me so I don’t attack you

 

They think that Powell and Nurk with their energy would magically change our Defense. This is no joke, the hope is that with the same schemes etc two players that are good on D, but no defensive geniuses or all nba defenders would just come in and change everything. This shows that the coaching stuff is not capable to change things by itself. Next thing now if Powell, Nurk doesn't work will be Zach cleared to play in playoffs and Olshey, Stotts will say how now this will change our defense.

Unfortunately we saw same issues today and the Raptors scored 117 points without their starting pointguard playing. I don't see how we can win a series against teams like Utah, Phoenix, Denver, Lakers or Clippers if we don't dramatically improve in that area. Defense is even more important during playoffs and it's not that you can turn on some switch just on time for that. And we will be more tired when we get there anyway because our D doesn't let us get some blowout wins and needed rest.

At least Powell shows he is indeed better than Trent and Hood, so we got better. Probably still not enough to avoid a 1st round exit.