Game Thread 2022-23 Game # 11 BLAZERS @ HORNETS - NOVEMBER 9, 2022 - 4:00 PM (PDT) ROOT

I echo what others have said about Sharpe. More minutes, more touches. He can easily drop 25-30 points a night but people like Simons ignore him a lot. When he has it going, give it to him on every play. And be on the lookout for lobs.

Great win. 5-1 on the road. Let’s keep it going tomorrow night. It’ll be the first time we’ve ever watched Dame vs CJ. Could be a playoff preview too. Fun fun fun!

By the way, we’re 6-0, I think, when Dame plays the full game.

Is there a Ewing Theory with Nurk? If he’s so important, why did we get to the WCF without him? And we’ve only won 3 playoffs games with him playing. Total. Here’s hoping he can help us back to the WCF this time. I love the guy. I just want to see him lifting us to series wins this time around! This could be our year!

And yes, you can win titles with productive rookies:



Pet Peeve: it’s Justise with a S not C

 

Another good win while not playing especially well!

Sharpe showing real promise. Thought Walker and Watford looked like they are going to be great rotational pieces too.

Drew Eubanks is underated. Great hustle and actually quite mobile. We maybe lack a bit in rim protection when compared to Nurkic but we give up less in transition. Given the current level or turnovers, it's quite valuable!!

 

Simons does seem to ignore Sharpe.....the way CJ ignored Ant.

 

Dame passed Magic Johnson in the all time scoring list last night.

 

Great win for Lanny!!!
All wins for Lanny this year. May there be plenty!!!!

 

The Man, the Myth, the Lanny.

 

He sat when Plumlee sat. Second unit didn't have to deal with Mason.

 

As 82 games play out this like all teams will unfortunately have more guys miss games, not less. The minutes available for the backup rotation will be fine.

 

I actually came up with a completely different conclusion watching last nights game. We have a ton of big forwards and can slide them all over the rotation even up to the big spots, the team played great without Nurk nor Eubanks on the floor.

Justice, Walker, Watford, possibly even a bit of NAS can all slide to the front court for the backup minutes. Hart can rebound like a PF.

Now if we had an elite big like Embiid or Anthony Davis of course that would be great. But we don't need another scrub big, Cousins, or a poor defending big like Kanter.

This team has some great stretches on both sides of the ball because they can switch everything and also move on offense. Put another big slow footed player in that place of the rotation and we lose those advantages. We already have two centers available to start in Nurk or if unavailable Eubanks. The rest of the roster can fill in the backup big minutes.

Ultimately is this team a piece away from contending? I'd probably say yes. But that would be just general talented needed, or Sharpe taking a step to star, etc; not adding a lumbering backup big that would harm the team as much or more than he helps.

 

I don't really think anyone is ignoring Sharpe. I think one could argue that they are setting him up well to succeed and gain confidence. (Although he seems to already have plenty of that)

We finally have an offense with good ball movement, but it is a work in progress. I love watching Sharpe as much as everyone, but right now we should not be force-feeding anyone. I think he is being brought along just about right. He is a very unselfish player, if anyone is keeping him from shooting more...it is him, but I respect him for it.

 

Because Dame scored 10 straight points. That's not on Drew sorry.

 

As Plat said defense got improved, which can lead to better offense. Also without Drew the spacing is better on offense which could have contributed to Dame having the opportunity for those 10 points.

I don't want it to make it sound like Drew is a poor player; he has value as a part of the rotation. But he has clear strengths and weaknesses, the team has a totally different look on both sides of the ball when he isn't in the game.

 

Possibly because he's worried he's gonna take his spot.

 

Not sold. Making shots lets your defense recover. Dame literally lit them up as they ran back and fourth on the court. Also Plumlee was absolutely exhausted his last 3 mins on the court. Drew was not the whole problem.