Game Thread 2022-23 Game #14 BLAZERS VS SPURS - NOVEMBER 15, 2022 - TUESDAY - 7:00 PM (PDT) ROOT

If they had Zach playing last night they win that game. Poeltl couldn't play 48 mins.

 

Yet another gritty win for Lanny!!!

Lanny passed on his toughness to the team and I'm sure he is enjoying this!!!

Keep winning for Lanny!

 

So...let's say we sent some folks to the Spurs' team hotel, stole Keldon Johnson out of his bed, and left Keon Johnson in his place. Call it operation Changling. Think they would notice?

Asking for a friend.

 

Ant is only what, 23? He had 1/2 a season as a starter on a tanking team and he played a different role than the one he plays now as a starter, for the first time in his career, for a winning team. He is too good, too smooth to dismiss that quickly, imho.

I am not saying that if an amazing deal is there he is untradeable, but he is certainly not someone you should actively pursue a trade for. You work with him and the team to get better, because he will. If anything, having Dame, Ant and Sharpe together is a great foundation for the present and the future.

 

Agree. Like you said if he is included in a trade that gets us a difference maker then sure. But right now we are winning partly because of our depth. Ant is an excellent 3 pt shooter. You keep guys like that. What if Dame gets hurt for a month?

I think it is safe to say Sharpe will probably be a starter in the near future. (Like next year) But do we know what his best position is? How many minutes has he played this year at SG vs SF? Are his handles ready against the kind of pressure teams throw at guards? I am guessing he will be adequate but will he excel? I know there is often a small difference between the two positions, but it seems like we want Sharpe around the basket as much as possible. Isn't the SF position a little more conducive for that?

 

So many conversations about CJ were almost word for word with this statement.

Edit- Not saying you are wrong at all.

 

... and the Blazers finally did exactly that by facilitating the JG trade by trading CJ... - and he (JG) certainly has been a difference maker, so far.

 

I tend to agree with that. I've been saying since at least last season's trade deadline that the Blazers should at least have the patience to see how the Dame/Ant combo does for a full season. Last night's game was a good example for why. Both players struggled for most of the game, but down 6 with less than 5 minutes left, both players were instrumental in getting the win

4:41.0 - 106-102 D. Eubanks makes 2-pt layup from 2 ft (assist by D. Lillard)
4:21.0 - 106-104 A. Simons makes 2-pt layup from 1 ft (assist by D. Lillard)
3:57.0 - 106-106 D. Eubanks makes 2-pt hook shot from 1 ft (assist by D. Lillard)
3:57.0 - 106-107 D. Eubanks makes free throw 1 of 1
3:24.0 - 106-110 D. Lillard makes 3-pt jump shot from 32 ft (assist by J. Grant)
2:05.0 - 108-113 A. Simons makes 3-pt jump shot from 26 ft
0:28.0 - 110-116 A. Simons makes free throw 1 of 2
0:28.0 - 110-117 A. Simons makes free throw 2 of 2

maybe another player could plug into Ant's role and provide the same, but that's not guaranteed. Seems like in just about every game Ant seems cold from the three, then suddenly heats up, often at a critical time. There really is no compelling reason to search for a Simons trade at this point in time

yeah, that's the rub. The difference, hopefully, is that Olshey isn't around to insanely overrate Ant's value like he did with CJ

obviously, there are some reasons to be concerned that a Dame/Ant combo will repeat some of the major flaws of the Dame/CJ era. But there may be more reasons to not be concerned as there are to worry. To start with, Ant isn't the same player as CJ; Billups is not the same as Stotts; Cronin is not the same as Olshey.

now, it's possible that as Sharpe develops the Blazers will end up with a Monta Ellis/Klay Thompson situation. I think Sharpe would be far better as a full-time SG, even though the wing positions seem pretty interchangeable. If that happens, then Portland might need to decide if they want to pay Simons 25M/year to be a 6th man

 

He’s the worse!

SIDENOTE: On the way to the bathroom at halftime he was in line all by himself. Saw him, walked by and whispered,”You KNOW your heels were on the line” and kept walking,

God, I hope he heard me.

 

Simons's shot making ability is top 15 in the league. I'm still skeptical defensively, but it's too early to tell.

 

I'm don't know what "shot-making ability" means. Also not sure how he is top-15

 

Even though his defense is subject but his defense stats are a lot better then last year. But the rest of the defense stats has improved a lot.

 

I’d say Grant is our top shot maker.

 

way to much.....

 

Agreed. And don't forget about the 'throw-in' Hart.

 

Notice not everyone was thinking a loss!

 

Is he the go-to shot maker at the end of a game?

 

seen on the main concourse last night