Game Thread 2023-24 Game #2 - BLAZERS VS MAGIC - OCTOBER 27, 2023 - FRIDAY - 7:00 PM PST - ROOT

82 is what I'm thinking?

 

Useless factoid of the day.......I was stationed in Philadelphia for a couple months attending damage control school during the winter of 72/73. The Spectrum was right outside the front gates of the navy base, and we got discounted tickets to whatever entertainment was going on in the city. One night I wandered over to watch the Sixers play the Celtics (with Cowens, Havlicek, et al). It was an utter debacle for the Sixers. But at least I got to see Freddie Boyd (from OSU, the Sixer's first round pick that year) play......not that he had much of a career. But yeah, Philly was absolutely awful.......and the Celtics were just so dang good. I'd like to think this year's Blazers won't be quite as bad as those Sixers..........

 

This is just a hunch. Obviously I have no knowledge of what was actually said.
I watched Chauncey pull the lead official aside at the Time out. I think he was pleading a case that he needs to play the kid as well as talking about the foul discrepancy.
Just a hunch but yes I noticed the calls did change a bit.

 

People are going to respond to this sort of statement poorly. They will tell you "It's only been 2 games" "Relax". I know this because I said it after game #1.
Scoot is not a bust but I totally agree with you. He will be a work in progress for quite some time. It would help If he could shoot the ball better.

 

The tank is going fine. No sense in doubling down on it.

 

Jerami is a guy that looks good on a team where he's the third option and the first option is very high usage. The good thing is that teams already know this. Playing with a bunch of rookies and playing the wrong role with them won't tank these guys' value. Tisse will likely get us two seconds and Jerami will get us a protected first likely to convey because he'll be going to a contender.

 

So I posted this in the "Excuses" Thread.
It's pretty much what I'm seeing as well.

I think "Direction" or "Rudder" might be a better way to explain it.
Of course I agree with many of the responses my quote got. The team and season is very young. I'm not looking for a bunch of wins. I'm looking for the leader and IMO that starts with Chauncey. It certainly will not be Grant or it seems Ayton.

 

They don't call him SARGE for nuthin.

 

Kind of tough seeing the pick they got for 9 wins. Doug Collins.

 

Truth!

 

This team really needs a new pair of forwards. Thybulle and Grant will not cut it. They are both sub par rebounders. Thybulle is extremely limited offensively, which washes out what he brings on defense, and Grant is an inefficient chucker who takes away opportunities from others.

 

I thought he got himself involved later. When he plays with that kind of intensity and focus, he can be really valuable.

 

What coaches that might be available employ a "system" that would work well with a young team like this?

 

Here is a shot chart for Ayton, It's interactive so you can move your cursor and show his shot % at each point compared to league average. Sure, he is really good at the rim and in the restricted area, but look at all the areas further from the basket that he is good in. This has always been his strength, short to midrange shooting, It seems so obvious that he should be the featured offensive player. That plays should be run to set him up for face to the basket shots that are either open or against a smaller defender. He is also a willing passer so building an offense around him should work.
https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/ayton-shot-chart-2022

 

Yes, if it's to a team he wants to go to....

 

Sometimes I'm not sure who are players and who are pretenders.

 

Name one young player that McMillan successfully developed?
(Unless you're talking about an unknown-to-me actual Nate McMillian?)

 

Loved him when he was on the Blazers.