Game Thread GAME# 22: KINGS @ BLAZERS - DECEMBER 4, 2019 - WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM, NBCSNW

It really IS Terry.

 

then you are easily duped. Stotts has no problem with the corner 3.

 

Impressive. We was hard on this dude including myself in the beginning of the season. I can’t believe we wanted to trade this dude and hand the job to Simons. Ant is not that good.

 

It was for entertainment....I still think it would make a great soundtrack...of course Ariza sold the flop

 

wut? I'm not the only one critical of CJ. There are lots of people who don't like CJ's game. And I'm confident everybody here is judging him based on the last 4.25 season. It's no surprise at all that people have reached different subjective conclusions about CJ. I mean, there are even a few posters here who trash Dame all the time....although one them trashes Dame as a way to defend CJ

top-10?...maybe...probably...barely...ok

here's the thing: Ive been trashed for years (4.25?) in this CJ debate for using stats to support my assertions. But every person trashing me uses stats to support their assertions...every single one, just about every single time. And you just did the same thing. Raw shooting percentages are stats; mid-range shooting percentages are stats; 10 game sample-sizes are stats. They are limited stats that don't tell the whole story, but still stats

I tend to use more than just raw shooting stats to try and develop a broader picture. And I've been derogatorily called something like a "stat-head" in this very thread....by somebody who has used stats

You're right, I dislike CJ's game. But more than that is I've always disliked his mesh with Dame. They are way too redundant as a starting back-court and their mesh has settled into my-turn-your-turn iso ball; and since they dominate the ball, that dominates the offense, and it's ugly a lot of the time. Dame and Matthews had a much better offensive synergy and Matthews could play the defense that CJ can't. Dame and Nurkic developed a greater synergy in 2 weeks than Dame and CJ have in 4 years. Dame and Melo have developed a better synergy in 7 games. CJ doesn't seem to really develop synergy with anybody

I'd be ok with a different CJ....one who was coached to play to his strengths, which is a lot more spot-up and catch and shoot; step backs and 1-2 dribble moves. One who significantly increased his assisted FG rate while reducing his ball-stopping and over-dribbling. That would be a much better CJ, but for 4 of those 4.25 years, the trends have been headed the opposite direction. I will admit he seems to be making a conscious effort to share the ball more over the last few weeks and pound the ball less. A step in the right direction. We'll see if that continues

 

My sources tell me this actually IS Coach Stotts.

 

I think it's Professor Plum or Colonel Mustard. I've played against them on the playground and they can ball.

 

Of course its me John. Who else would it be? That is why I had Dale set up my account with my real name so everyone would know that I am actually reading your posts. I care about the fans, I'm here for them. Although I must say some of these guys go a bit far with the criticism!

 

John....you've finally figured out a way to like your own posts! Took years but, congrats!

 

Look, i'm not out there on the court so i call it as i see it.
I'm saying going 1 on 1 against PG,Kawai and Beverley might seem easier for them than to pass the ball. Maybe they feel as if their passing lanes are not open?

I just think there's a reason we pass less against tall,skilled defensive teams. We saw the same ball movement (or lack-thereof) against AD,Rondo and Holiday.

A lot of our passes are transparent too, i can guess where the ball is going and i'm just a fan.

 

That game was majority of iso by us the difference was we made shots in the 1st half and the 2nd half we didn't. Yes Clippers did play better D in the 2nd half.

 

How does passing the ball into the interior “break down the defense?” We don’t have anyone good enough to draw a double down low anymore. Kanter is not on the team.

 

Melo is that guy and I'll take him over Kanter all day long ...Melo has great hands and is a very good passer....something we've needed

 

Was Whiteside being doubled last night? No he wasn't, so I wonder how he ended up with 7 assists if only someone who commands a double team breaks down a defense?

 

He got 7 assists because our shooters made shots...

 

Okay, you brought up the Pelicans series which is exactly my point that after that series Stotts should have implemented some sets that better counteract those types of defenses. Instead they continue to run the same plays that have proven to not work that well against good defenses. If the players continually think that going ISO against good defenders "seems" easier then isn't that an indictment on the coaching?

 

Well an assist does require a pass too. Several of Whiteside's assists were from guards cutting to the basket and getting layups. How many of his assists were to open shooters because the defense had broken down? This isn't a question about whether players make shots or not it's whether playing inside out is effective.

 

It's both...Baze made his 3s last night...we got some pick and roll buckets....guys made shots. I don't see an argument to be made about it. Our guards assist numbers would be way up there if we shot better. Hassan is learning where these guys want the ball...less hesitation, more scoring success off the pass. Hassan and Skal both really need to learn to keep the ball chest high and stop handling it at their ankles. Zach and Nurk are way better protecting the ball...Dame would have 20plus dimes if Ant could throw the ball in a swimming pool last few games

 

Melo is 40 bro. He’s not drawing any doubles.

 

Yes, but it's also about bad match-ups imo. We're still too small against lineups of PG,Kawai and Harell who plays bigger than his actual size.

It bothers me that in some games it seems like there's a defender on every Trail-Blazer's jersey and even if we pass it ends up with a player facing a defender, but then on the other end there's always an easy shot or an open player for the other team.