Game Thread GAME# 39: THUNDER @ BLAZERS - JANUARY 4, 2019 - FRIDAY, 7:30 PM, ESPN & NBCSNW

Stotts isnt trying a cross-screen though. He should try a cross-screen, then if it doesnt work, find out why and account for it within the set.

You never see Aminu's defender 20ft off him denying Nurk in the post. Why would he all of a sudden be there to deny every cross screen?

 

Not really. Aminus guy is normally in average help-side position.

 

There are plenty of ways to get a big position down on the block if you work at it. Im not completely buying that having Aminu out there means you cant do that. Of course the defense has options. Blazers used to set up LMA all the time down close to the basket with Robin Lopez as the other big.

 

This is where we go round and round. It's just so easy to blame the coach. This guy is an NBA player playing in the NBA.

 

Another thing that would work is having Nurkic on the opposite side elbow and have Aminu set a cross screen and then roll.

Or if he really hampers our offense from running all kinds of sets like you claim, then dont play him and play Layman.

 

Its so easy to scream talent to everything and make atuff up as you go along.

 

Huge difference. LMA was 6-11. And he had to be covered. He always drew the double and that allowed him to find an open shooter.

 

I'm not screaming talent. But Aminu is not the best passer and he has shown he doesn't have great handles. I'm not sure even coaching can help that dude?

 

You didnt understand his point at all.

 

Now that was brought up but actually it was Collins. I would say why not try it. The kid needs to be developed anyway.

 

We ran cross screens for LMA and it worked when we had Rolo on the floor. Yet somehow having Aminu means it'll be completely ineffective, because hes mor a good enough shooter so they leave him open?

Makes no sense.

 

Isnt Nurkic bigger... Also Nurkic is a better passer than LMA. Theres no reason that they couldnt figure out a way to get Nurk the ball closer to the basket than what they did in the 2nd half.

 

Yeah i did.
"Blazers used to set up LMA all the time down close to the basket with Robin Lopez as the other big."
pretty simple.

 

But we dont. We dont even know how Aminu would affect those sets because we dint even try him, and if he runs them he shouldnt play.

Instead, we dont even try him and dont work at all to feed Nurkic after he had a great first half.

That's my problem with the coaching.

 

Why didnt RoLo's defender clog up LMAs cross-screens?

 

But maybe they have in practice and it ain't working? Just a thought? If the likes of Swanigan and Trent and Simons can beat it maybe they know it ain't gonna work?

 

No No No. Rolo is the Center. And Aldridge can shoot the ball from anywhere. Apples and Oranges.

That would be like saying why would Nurks man clog the cross screen.

Yeah i can talk basketball to yo.

 

I don't think he is. I just think he's standing pat, trying to balance competitiveness, and flexibility, until he can make a move that puts us past the Warriors (or until they fizzle out).

 

The. the set isnt good enough... or they know coming.

Another thing could be to have Aminu up top with C.J. or Dame setting the cross screen, then Aminu screening down for Dame or C.J. if Aminus defender is completely off of him, then Dame or CJ should be open on the screen since his defender isnt there to help.