Game Thread 2022-23 GAME #25 - BLAZERS VS NUGGETS - DECEMBER 8, 2022 - THURSDAY - 7:00 PM (PDT) ROOT - NBATV

Before the season I was hoping Chauncey wouldn't put Grant on high-level guards becaue of the film I watched from his play in the bubble.

25 games later and I'm baffled that everything I saw in the bubble has manifested itself into reality and Chauncey has yet to see it. Grants gotten cooked every time he's been matched up against a high-level guard. He's a GREAT help/team defender. Why in the world you'd put him on Murray when your up 2 instead of putting someone quicker on him, forcing a drive, then having Grant help is beyond me.

 

Oh boy here we go.
Didn't even get through December.
Of course he gets one "Like" from Aldo.

 

This actually might work. Not many would be able to get over him. Boy would that be a highlight reel dunk.

 

He's been awesome on challenges. I do question his TO's though. At least stop the bleeding before that last open three that took the entire lead they had. How many of us were thinking he should call a TO?

 

Yeah IMO he's still a "Rookie" coach.

 

Without a doubt I believe experience will only help Chauncey. I agree that this is pretty much his first season dealing with crunch time situations where the games actually matter. I'm not bashing Chauncey, I believe he will be a great coach. I was just pointing out that his inexperience has shown up at the most inopportune times this season.

 

I am not letting CB off so easily. He has been around the game for years. Been on a coaching staff for years. Sure some of it is pure inexperience but you must concede some of his choices are just that: his choices. Either way will he learn from them? I get it's a game in December and yes, I despise any loss. Perhaps he relied on Ant so much as a pedagogical exercise. Ant did make a single basket down the end, for naught, I might add. The pattern I do not like is losing leads. Portland was the better team 90 percent of the game then crapped the bed. Just like the clippers game. Not acceptable. Especially when Dame really couldn't have played any better. The team is just a playin team, at least for now. Payton will be nice spark but cannot take over a game. The pie in the sky goal should be the 6th spot. They get that and the season is a big big success IMHO.

 

Basketball IQ: how many times we see. You’re up 3 with seconds remaining, foul and make it a FT contest. When you’re up by 2, let them drive to the basket because 2 won’t beat you. Instead we let a guy shoot a 3…. smh, still upset

 

That was frustrating.

Lots said about the Murray gamewinner but the game was thrown away at the beginning of the 4Q.

I know they are easing Dame back in, but Ant was absolutely stinking the place out. Would like to see Billups respond to the nightly performances a bit more. If it's not Ant's night then bench him for a bit. We were getting a lot of joy in the paint with Winslow passing away for easy looks. Instead we got Ant chucking up a lot of out-of-control shots just trying to get himself on the scoreboard.

Bad game management from those on and off the court.

 

Great game for the impartial fan

 

Yikes, the defense has just imploded recently.

 

That's the way it is every year 25 of 30 teams are mediocre or worse. The NBA knows that real BB fans will follow and support their teams if there is a shot of the playoffs from one year to the next. This game/league is not for band wagon championship or bust fans. The league is built around the same strategy March madness implemented years ago by expanding the tourney, so now the NBA is built around playoff basketball and the chance your team may shock the world.
Ive been following this team since the very first game and started watching the league with my pop in the late 50's, I keep watching as I enjoy the game but no question it helps if we are at least a playoff team.
Go back and look at how many teams have won a ship the last 40 years, it's not that many. Its a league of mediocrity built around The NBA is FANtastic.

 

This is kind of true. Seriously just go and try to buy tickets. Most games you can get a ticket for about $40. $150 - $200 for a decent seat corner or upper 100 level. Look at the prices for the Lakers. Those same seats even with the Lakers having a mediocre season are $4-500 a piece.

 

The NBA is a Marketing Machine!

 

This one stung.
Dame got Damed…

 

One year as assistant coach with LAC, one year of whatever you call last year's experience, and this year.

 

I wonder why he didn't play Watford in the second half. Grant played 38 minutes. Watford was playing well in the first. Give him a couple minutes and Let Grant rest for the end of the game.