Game Thread GAME# 33: MAVERICKS @ BLAZERS - DECEMBER 23, 2018 - SUNDAY, 6:00 PM, NBCSNW

You think their best line up is Dame, CJ, ET, Meyers and Zach?

This is all my opinion.
I dont think ET fits very well, and Neither ML or Zach are better than Nurkic at this point. Nurkic also fits very nicely with Dame they probably have the best chemistry of any two Blazers out there.

In terms of the effectiveness of the 2nd unit, they are on such a special roller coaster together its crazy. They’ll look awful, then great, then awful.

Hope you have a good holiday weekend as well.

 

I’ve been thinking that Stotts should try a starting lineup with ET in the backcourt with Dame. I’d like to see CJ come off the bench, probably still playing 25-30 minutes, but mainly with the second unit. Every coach in the league has figured out that putting a bigger 2 guard on Lillard is the best chance of containing him a bit. Having ET out there and able to post up a smaller point guard is going to make that switch a dangerous strategy. I doubt CJ would be thrilled with a sixth man role, but at this point I don’t really care.

 

Coaching. It's almost impossible in the NBA for something to be a point of emphasis and then for your team to be dead last.

Inconsistency. Stotts threw up his arms and rolled his eyes when the late scrubs in the Jazz game allowed a completely wide-open 3-pointer. He does NOT do that when Dame/CJ/Aminu/Harkless allow the same shot. Mixed messages don't often result in continuity of production.

 

Darkwebs was thinking the game thread would be calmer if all of us missed the 1st half.

 

In theory I like the idea of CJ off the bench. In practice, Im not sure CJ’s ego could with stand it and I also dont know if theres a better option on the team right now that wouldnt have many of the same problems. I wish I could see them practice, and see if Trent Jr and Simons just look bad and thats why they dont get a chance or what. Trent Jr to me is really interesting as a 2 guard. He’s 6’6 and can shoot. He kind of reminds me of Wesley Matthews, Wes is one of my favorite Blazers ever so I dont make that comparison lightly.
Really good shooters, strong physical players, cant really create their own shot at least the young versions Wes got better at it as he progressed. Defensively I believe Trent has the tools to be a good (probably not great) defender when he’s locked in I think he’ll be ok. The question is will he play with even half of the heart Wes had or will his career just be a stand still jump shooter that doesnt do anything else.

Its hard to say but I really liked the Trent Jr pick and if Im being honest I thought he was going to get decent run this year which means I was wrong. Anyways I always kind of saw that pick as maybe a replacement for CJ at some point, and Simons as a back up for Dame and if they can keep him long eough maybe he can take the reins from Dame (reallly long term there) someday.

In terms of ET maybe he would fit better as the 2 next to Dame, I think ET, Aminu and Harkless in theory gives you a lot of switchability on defense that you dont get with Dame and CJ playing together.

 

That tells you Everything about how fucked up this roster is

 

Time to start thinking of the greater good.

Doesn’t mean I’m rooting against the team. Just won’t care if they lose.

 

More like the coaching. But that too.

 

Id like to see them try this starting line-up:
Nurk 5
ZC -4
AFA - 3
Dame - 1
CJ -2

 

Lol, you wish.

But yeah, I like that. Or just move Aminu to the second unit. I also think the second unit could use a pure scorer like Simons. I wish he was in the rotation honestly. If we’re gonna be mediocre let’s at least develop guys.

 

The next 6 weeks will be very interesting and the possible impact on next year.
I still believe there is a reason we have to many guards, expect a trade and it probably will involve CJ and some?
I don't think Neil would think twice about trading CJ for the right player or combination. The whole NO wont trade his players is way over blown, imo.
This just my arm chair, from the hip, out the rear guess.

 

I think both Trent2 & Simons will play after trade deadline.

 

I like Mo off the bench instead because I see him being more effective playing with Turner. If Mo is look at as a 1/2 scoring option with the second unit I bet he delivers.

 

True, coaching is also a big issue

 

After the Jazz game, my confidence is officially back to zero. Oh, and look at that.....we're facing a .500 team with multiple injuries.

Go Blazers. I guess.

 

Is Luka playing tonight?

 

Going through warm ups before Charlile decides if he will or not. But he says "most likely".

 

Doncic playing....Dennis Smith Jr isn’t