Game Thread GAME# 2: SPURS @ BLAZERS - OCTOBER 20, 2018 - SATURDAY, 7:00 PM (PDT), NBCSNW

I think we should Stop the experiment with layman as a Starter, he clearly is the weakest Player in the Rotation. Give Trent jr. his minutes

 

Because it's about the Lakers losing

 

I'd like to see Swanigan in a suit and one of our rookies in uniform tho..

 

Gotta say I thought we would really miss Ed, but Collins "so far" is proving that wrong

 

As good as the ball movement was last night, the defensive rotation was at least as good. I loved the scheme to double-team LMA from his blind side, forcing him to have to move around a lot more than his heavy legs wanted to. It's a sound strategy, too, because he isn't much of a threat to pass the ball to a cutter or underneath the bucket; he always just gives it back outside and looks to repost and eats away at the shot clock.

 

So far out of 8 QT we really haven't had a bad one yet on the offensive end.

 

I think he will shine as a 6th man candidate if he embraces it. With guys like curry, Leonard, stauskas and Layman all being deep threats, he can drive to the hoop and make the decision to lay it up or kick it out, depending on how the defense reacts. He is big enough and strong enough to bully most any guard into the paint.
Id like to see more picknroll with collins aNd more picknpop with leonard. With those fine tuned, our second unit should also blossom.

 

Yep. I'm seeing the "Vonleh Treatment" also.

 

Absolutely not. You came up with this after two games that the team won?
Rotational type growth minutes takes time playing. Jake Layman has a total of 438 minutes played in his entire career. You can't even begin to really play the game at this level until you have 1000 minutes unless you are something very special.

Talk about destroying a players confidence. WOW!

 

This might be the most impressive of all. If we can maintain something close to this, not only will it help the team chemistry on the court, but it will minimize injury chances and keep us fresher later in the season going into the playoffs.

I might not have been on in asking for a five man rotation, all five out, a new five in, but the end result is what i was thinking would look like this. More minutes spread out. I love this.

 

Totally agree.
How many times in the last couple years have the Blazer been able to sit both Dame and CJ for 5-8 minutes? Here is another thing it does. It gives them a chance to sit and talk about strategy on the bench without losing their position in the game.

 

If there is anyone in the league who i think would sign for less to help the team talent level, its Dame.

He already has a huge contract and then he has his shoe contract. He is not in need of another max contract other than for ego and that isnt Dame. Winning is.
If No is smart, he is already looking at this and discussing with Dame the potential options when his time is up and what Dame wants.

 

Totally disagree. Let Layman get run. He has the complete skillset to become a real asset. He needs minutes. But if he continues to go back to missing open looks, then make a change. But right now all is good. If he somehow turns into the preseason version, then you have the makings of a juggernaut lineup. Worth a try.

 

No doubt. He has the shooters around him to make his game work to a high level. The bench has the makings of something special. and that makes OUR Blazers deadly.

 

Fantastic team performance. The Blazers can continue to get the diss from all the Fakeshow Media Lickers. This team believes in themselves, and has the ability to, if healthy, make a special run this year. The youngest team is coming into their own. Bummer for all those media haters.

 

Paul will NEVER be forgotten. The Blazers have the eye on the prize.

 

Layman is alright being the starter right now. The guy is the 5 option on offense so I really don't know what people expect out of him. If playing decent defense and getting so rebounds and he got blocked last night. Due to that Stotts don't really have back up 4 and it seems like he doesn't trust Swanigan to be out there so then what he is doing with the rotation with Harkless has the backup 4 is find.

 

Well. They expect him to improve and not be the 5 option on offense. That is why he is playing the SF position.

 

Few things I noticed watching the replay:

1. Running Dame off ball with Turner really opens up the offense
2. The small ball lineup wuth Collins & Harkless is the best defensive rotation we've had in years.
3. Layman is getting more confident he just needs more time.
4. Curry is a lot better than I thought. He's a real consistent scorer.

 

I too had concerns about both quality and depth. However,
Biebs is actially playing well and we don't have injuries, so depth hasn't been a big problem.... yet.
Collins and Nurk are playing well enough to not miss Davis.
So far, so good.