Game Thread 2022-23 Game #35 - BLAZERS @ WARRIORS - DECEMBER 30, 2022 - FRIDAY - 7:00 PM (PDT) ROOT

My heart is broken. Again.

 

100%. Differing opinions do not impact my life in a negative or positive way either, but I do enjoy hearing different points of view.

How long complicated is Billups defensive system? The roster is going to be different every year, so if it takes 3-4 seasons to get used to, that's a bit concerning to me. I think guys like Dame, Nurk, Grant, Hart, etc. have a high enough basketball IQ that one training camp plus a month or two should be plenty. Certainly 2 training camps and 50+ games should be enough. How many games/training camps do you think we need and why has the defensive numbers regressed since the first month as they're getting more experience in the system?

 

The "it's easy to see" argument is is a hollow one because people see what they want to see. If I said "it's easy to see Mo Cheeks is a better coach than Phil Jackson." it wouldn't make it true. The data would actually say Phil Jackson was a more successful coach.

I'm going to wait for the results to match what you're saying until I'm comfortable coming to the conclusion the Billups is a significant upgrade. You saying we are in great shape isn't any more comforting. Give me something tangible I can look forward to the Blazers accomplishing this season that is significantly better than what happened with the previous staff.

 

Comparing Terry to Chauncey is silly. They have had different teams, philosophies, and GMs.

I mean, I guess you can compare them, there's a forum for that. Oh wait...

 

I mostly agree. By far the best opportunity to compare the two was last year before the injuries/trades where both had similar rosters. A lot has changed in two years, outside of where we rank among the Western Conference team; that's virtually unchanged.

 

I too am still puzzled how Portland turns it all around. What will change and how? Specifics would be useful. I see things getting a bit worse, actually. I don't think Dame is healthy; he has not been playing all that well. When his 3pt shot is as bad as it was last night it usually means he is injured. Do you think Dame will turn it around and start getting MVP chants and mentions? I don't see it. He is not anywhere close to KD, Jokic, Donic, Giannis, Curry, Embiid, Ja, Tatum, Sabonis, Lebron, SGA, and Zion.

 

Dude is the best shooter. He'll shoot us out of it.

 

Embarrassing

 

Is it better to lose like the Blazers did in Golden State, or be down by 20 points like Zion's team is in Memphis?

Being down by 20 points saves the Pelicans from even having to worry about some kind of late game collapse.

 

That was perfect!

 

I don't believe there are any moral victories in the NBA. And, a loss is just a loss; some are just more irritating, like last night was for the Blazers

New Orleans has been fattening up with a very home-heavy schedule. 17 of their last 24 games have been at home (71%), and the longest road trip they've had has been 3 games. Portland has had road trips of 4, 5, and 6 games. The Pels are 2nd in the West and lead Portland by 4 games. Yet they've had 6 more games at home while the Blazers have had 5 more on the road. There isn't really as big a gap as it seems, all things considered

 

Our offense