Game Thread Game #57 - BLAZERS VS KNICKS - FEBRUARY 12, 2022 - SATURDAY - 2:00 PM (PDT) ROOT SPORTS

Winslow plays a bit like PJ Tucker too me. Very physical, good passer and relentless down low. Not the shooter PJT is but probably better defensively and he's younger.

 

For years, we have talked about how better defense with a little more size and length, while giving up some offense, would be just fine with CJ being traded. This is a VERY small sample size, but you can completely see the difference in defense, intensity, ball movement, etc. And these are just back=up guys who might be role players in the future.

CJ is a tremendous scorer, but he takes away from the rhythm of any offensive flow, and he requires others to continually cover him on defense. As a teammate, it is tough to be engaged, when you are consistently ignored when you are wide open, and then expected to cover for the guy on defense, that just ignored you on offense.

This is a work in progress, but already much more enjoyable to watch, regardless of the results. Since we weren't a contender with the way it was, I prefer this.

 

Last week or so I heard Billups in interview mention how he like the way Phoenix played and their balance between D and good ball movement.
Im thinking he may like to use our guards like Phoenix, good ball movement w/CP being a distributor and then even scorer when needed. I know he like's to get Book & Bridges going and the big guy has a few ran for him but gets a lot of put backs.
If Dame and Simons (Simons their Booker) get a connection with hopefully a new legit seasoned 6'7-8" SF that can produce, then you have Winslow, Hart and others having an impact and probably Nurk.

 

I was in that at Eugene Opera back in the 89s.

 

Thicker than the incorrect knee-jerk reactions most of this board had initially when the trades were announced???
I don't think so.

 

To back up what you're saying with some numbers, last 2 games were wins (though both at home):
team had 26 assists vs Lakers, 29 vs. Knicks.

We've only had 26 or more assists 14 times this season. We're averaging 22.8/game.

 

Holy shit I love this team.

Josh Hart is nice man.

 

How many "great" players did last year's finalists have?

I think what you are saying is the old thinking and it largely held true, but I think we're finding now that if you have one really great player and a bunch of solid/good players, great teams make great players. The teams with the most great players now haven't really looked all that great.

 

Well Lebron and AD won two years ago

Giannis won last year

it goes on. The best teams usually have the best players. Landing great talent is better than teaching average talent to be better

 

I'm not sure what "great" means. Is it 'elite'?. The Bucks had an elite player and two all-star level players, with one having been named to the all-defense teams 3 times

The Suns had a couple of great players in Paul and Booker

but both teams were balanced; top-10 in defense, top-6 in offense, and top-4 in net differential. That's because they had 2 way players and the balanced rosters that complemented their great players extremely well

that's a checklist that Portland hasn't come close to:

) defensive and offensive balance - nope
) top-10 in defense - nope
) top 5 in net differential - nope
) solid to great 2-way players - nope
) balanced rosters -nope
) rosters that complemented their great player - nope

that's actually an anti-checklist of olshey failure

 

H

Nassir little isn't the weak spot on our roster. Is he going to be a bench player and we pay more money for the starter? I'd rather use that for the PF position.

 

Anfurnace...I LOVE IT!

 

Me too

 

When I think of Tucker I think of the prototype D and corner 3 player. Let the iso guys do their magic and he’ll be waiting in that corner on offense for the catch and shoot trey.

 

Good point. I guess it would depend who they target and who they are able to swing a deal with.
Naz could also be involved in a trade. I like Naz, its to bad he's dealt with all the recent injuries.

 

And Winslow dosent have that three down for sure.