Game Thread 2022-23 Game #44 - BLAZERS @ NUGGETS - JANUARY 17, 2023 - TUESDAY - 6:00 PM (PDT) ROOT

I think a lot of us would like to see that experiment

 

why I didn’t watch: burnt out on artful losses, certainly didn't want to see an ugly one.

 

Just like last year Dame has to go nuclear just to keep this team from being blown out.

Neil is gone yet the painful mediocrity is here to stay.

 

that was all Olshey. He was so welded to CJ he was blind to the giant fucking flaw of that back court. And for damn sure he never added a player that could actually challenge CJ for SG minutes or backup PG minutes

his idea of adding back wing length was Shabazz Napier, Seth Curry, and Nik Stauskas. His idea for PF length was two 1sts for RoCo. And his idea of SF length was Norm Powell

Cronin doesn't get a pass in this either because of 6'2 Payton. That was using one of the best assets Portland had and going the opposite direction of need

Kuzma is a thought

returning to my mini-rant above, and with tonight's game in mind: the same day the Blazers traded for Norm Powell, the Nuggets traded for Aaron Gordon. They gave up Gary Harris and a future 1st. Nuggets went bigger; Blazers went smaller. 3 months later Olshey traded a future 1st for Nance.

A Grant/Gordon starting forward combo would be pretty nice. I'm just hoping that Cronin is not as blind to Blazer needs as Olshey was

 

LOL. That's Captain Picard (in his Starfleet uniform). The actor Patrick Stewart.

 

I'm surprised so many people think you could turnover a roster full of bad contracts in 1 year. Even more surprised they would assume a guy who worked under Olshey and the same ownership group would have the tools to pull off major moves. Frankly, I'm surprised Cronin has done as well as he has.

 

Lillard scored 44 and the Blazers got mauled. If Cronin doesn't get more real NBA players on this team soon, then nobody can blame Damian for requesting a trade.

 

will this small ball crap ever end ??

 

Billups ran Little at SF with Grant at PF, and Eubanks at C for 2 minutes. That's it, 2 minutes. Bring in Simons to mess up the game even worse.

 

Nobody could have blamed Dame 3 years ago. Nobody is going to blame him now. And I'd be shocked if he does request a trade, so none of this matters.

I'm just glad we're not building around Ant/Sharpe right now.

 

Just between me and you FAMS….. I said if the team kept our pick and didn’t trade it to bring in a vet for Dame, when we are struggling midway through the season, don’t be surprised. Really hope I’m wrong.

 

I wouldn't be concerned about losing in Denver if we were currently doing a decent job of defending our own home court. We have another chance to start doing so beginning Thursday.

 

Yup nailed it

 

What’s strange is our best win in 2021 playoffs was when he shot 1/10 and the rest of the guys carried the team. When Dame goes off, the others just stand around. Then, when they’re asked to score, they’re cold.

 

Simons needs to go

 

Simons off the bench is the logical thing to do, but it wont happen as he's our third best paid player. I also don't like him running point, I find him a little slow and clumsy, not an innovative ball handler at all and doesn't really attack the basket unless there's a wide open lane.

His contract is actually good value, but he's not a good fit next to Dame and that is becoming clear. Decent contract, young, and an elite shooter should fetch some sort of haul in the trade market. I'd wait until the summer though.

I'd like to explore a package around Devin Vassell but don't think SA give him up easily so might need to be Simons ++.

 

"Toronto wanted it more", "Orlando played harder", Cleveland loss "I saw improvements ", Denver loss ... "Blazers played well"

 

They are good. If they are this good they deserve it. The Nuggets have never won a Championship.