Game Thread GAME# 3: BLAZERS @ LAKERS - DECEMBER 28, 2020 - MONDAY, 7:00, NBATV & NBCSNW

Covington on AD should work. I’m gonna go out on a limb and project a massive ass beating to start off the work week.

 

Well, here’s hoping!

 

Big game for US!

 

Wait a minute... who do you mean by "us"?

 

oh look, anthony fuckin davis again

 

A lot of people in here are talking about the prospect of getting an easier win because the Lakers decide to sit some of their better players on the second game of a back to back, I have to disagree. We just got a win and that should give this team some confidence and faith in each other. The Lakers are the reigning champions and the presumptive favorites to repeat, so losing to them shouldn't discourage our guys.

So I want to see how RoCo and DJJ match up with LeBron and AD. I want to see what Nurk can do against these guys. I also want to see with a bunch of floor spacers that showed that they're better for more than just that on offense this past game, how the elite team in the league handles Dame and CJ. Overall I actually think this is a better barometer than it is as a win... I'd love to get both but I really want to see this team against the best and see glimpses of what we might have.

 

If the Lakers sit a bunch of players and role out the likes of what the Rockets put on the floor minus Harden/Wood, I predict good things for the Blazers.

It looks like Dia from BlazersEdge voted in the poll.

 

Voted no because I wouldn’t be willing to include Nurk in a Harden trade.

 

I voted yes but its not black and white.
Need to keep Nurk too.

otherwise if you can get him you get him. With that said, CJ planted the seed of doubt last night, didn't he?

 

I don’t believe so, I’ve seen too many CJ “Fools Gold” games to think last night was maintainable.

 

This is a tough matchup for any team. Both Davis and Gasol can torch you from 3. We all know what James does with space. Schroeder seems to be finding his rhythm and we all know can score. Pope was hitting shots and playing defense well in the bubble.

The Lakers have an excellent team and their bench with Caruso, Morris, Mathews, Harrell is a handful.

It's no wonder they are favorites to win again.

Now can the Blazers feed off that win and see some of the things that went right? The way i am looking at things right now is every game is a practice and a chance to improve. It's also another step at getting in better shape.

No matter how this game turns out i want to see energy and defense. Then make the Lakers guard every player on offense and the Blazers will be in this game.

 

I want James Harden. All-NBA backcourt with Nurk/RoCo/DJJ frontcourt.

 

well of course last night isnt maintainable.
Please point out the player who does average 40plus a game?

Cj has flaws but he showed again last night he is an elite scorer and his %’s back that up.

the one thing he is missing that Hardon has is the ability to draw fouls.
I think this hurts the team more than anything. And its a team thing. Not just him.
Getting fouls forces defenses to question thier movements for fear of more fouls.
It stops the pace of the game(of which it seems the other teams control to thier advantage)

and of course often eliminates players from the court in the fourth quarter.

the biggest thing i saw last night though is how when Hardon dribble penetrate, his guys know when to cut and when to spot up( barring a few plays like the last one) their spacing is sooo much better.
This is a big issue to me. either the coach cant figure out how to space properly, or the platers are not following orders or not comprehending the proper rotation at given times.

if its the coach, well there are many threads for that. if its a player, we are deep. Sit his ass until he figures it out.

Im not saying make a scene on the sidelines, but reduce minutes. Bust his balls in the film room. But either get them to get it or get out.

 

Yep same contact last night Harden went to the line. CJ was still laying on the floor wondering why no foul?

 

there is that.
Most biased officiating in all of sports. The NBA that stands for equality. But cant get impartial refs to run thier game.

 

Absolutely not. It was an incredible game for CJ, but until I see that type of game (obviously less scoring) more than 2-3 times a season, there will be no doubt here.