Game Thread 2023-24 Game #6 - BLAZERS VS GRIZZLIES - NOVEMBER 3, 2023 - FRIDAY - 7:00 PM PST - ROOT

Blazers MVP: Zaire Williams

Flopping Tech gave us a point, but also in the last 3 minutes with the Blazers down by 10, he made the only Griz basket. However, he did a pullup on the rim, and Brogdaddy made the technical FT. Had he not done this, we very likely would have lost the game.

 

Not great highlights for Zaire.

 

You do, many fans don't. I think it's a great idea.

If you don't like it then just view it as a regular season game if you prefer. There's no downside.

 

I think Ayton and Time Lord are a great set of bigs. TL is rock solid.

 

When was the last time we were excited about a starting center AND backup center in the same year? Was it before my time?

The best one off the top of my head is Lopez and Kaman. LOL.

 

It will mean something. If the NBA does this from here on out it will carry prestige with it. Teams will put smaller banners in their rafters for winning the in season tourney. It's going to be a big deal, not as big of a deal as the actual championship but it will mean something.

I've said this before but the teams that win both the in season tourney and the championship will be looked at as more dominant champions than those that can't pull off the in season but still win the championship. It's just another accomplishment in sports. You can call it meaningless, people who aren't sports fans think all of it is meaningless.

I bet if we're ever in the tourney final that it will be as exciting as a playoff elimination game in a series that we could actually win but not as exciting as that scenario in the Finals. That would be a pretty fun game to have in December.

 

Exactly! I’m very happy with Shaedon. I just want him to be more of a focal point whose demanding the ball and taking control down the stretch’s of games

 

The dude is still too shy to do a post game interview. It’s going to come with time. When we are confident that Shae can consistently be this good, even with everyone healthy, we will trade Grant and Shae will get way more shot attempts. I think Ant and Shae will both average between 23-25ppg at the end of the season.

 

The talent level of our opponents over the next 3 weeks.

 

Do you think at one point in their careers they will be considered one of the top 2 or 3 backcourts in the league?

Because that’s what we had for I’d say a 3 year stretch and this place wasn’t too happy about it.

 

Where did that backcourt you refer to rank defensively?
Bottom 3?

 

I simply asked if this backcourt could be considered top 3 like we used have. Nobody back then was talking about Stef And Klays defense or Beal and Walls.

 

To answer the question. I hope Scoot and Sharpe can be. I’m certainly seeing some great improvement from Sharpe at this point.
If Scoot gets a solid shot working watch these kids become better than we had with Dame and CJ. Sure would be a blessing to have.

 

Speak for yourself and not for others. I find it exciting. Or does my opinion somehow not count? Only yours?

 

If $ incentive ups the effort of players early in the season, it increases the interest for me.

The reason I don't follow baseball is the first 1/3 of the year is damned near unimportant.

Of course I watch the Blazers regardless, but I felt more excited about the game late for this early in the year. Different strokes I guess.

 

The was only considered by people that did not care about defense. We certainly had one of the 2/3 top offensive backcourts. Overall? I don't think so.

Let's say 2018-2019 (WCF year, arguably the best year of the Dame/CJ backcourt), GSW had a better backcourt, Houston had a better backcourt, The sixers had arguably a better backcourt once defense is factored in, The Celtics had a better backcourt - right of the bat, including defense, the Blazers were likely 4th best back-court at best.

 

That's because Klay and Wall were good, perhaps elite, defenders. Both became hobbled versions of themselves, so it's easy to forget what they were once capable of.