Game Thread GAME# 41: KNICKS @ BLAZERS - JANUARY 7, 2019 - MONDAY, 7:00 PM (PST), NBCSNW

Jake is tougher than Rudy but yeah same type of game.

 

Interesting. Similar for sure.
Layman = Rudy + Harkless ?

 

Well we didnt win by 40. Blazers are trash.

 

If you combined the best of those two you’d probably be looking at an all star caliber player.

Its difficult to come up with a good comp because when Layman is playing well, he looks like one of the better players on the court, regardless of who he’s playing. He can do so many things offensively.

Here’s one; a young Danny Granger.

The build is similar as is the way they move imo

 

@wizenheimer so overall do you think we are worse than last year? - davis, pat, bazz

 

I understand that but the scheme that Stotts has is have your big right in front of the rim doesn't work. The reason is where a player going down hill he has his choice either pull up in empty space in key for a shot or attack the basket that either that make it or draw the foul. Yea sometimes they get blocked but percentage are pretty slim that only if your rim protector. In Leonard case he is not so that the reason teams attack the rim when he in there.

 

Thing about Layman is always moving without the ball. Very smart especially last night when did back screen and slip back to the bucket for the dunk. For all our forwards he move without the best. Another thing I like about him when he moving he moving with a purpose and that why he gets open on those lobs by the guards. Now he 3 decent games in a row so now can he be consent with his play. He has all the tool to be a good forward.

 

not worse.

but I don't see how Portland addressed the issues exposed by the Pelicans. The Blazers will still stall-out if a team take's Dame out of the equation. Portland needed a major upgrade over and above simple organic growth and they didn't get it

 

What major upgrade do you think they should have done?

 

You really can't grasp this.

We've already had a great regular season. Another great regular season doesnt show improvement.

We had 49 wins last year. Right now we're on pace for 48.

Not saying that I don't care or it doesn't matter, I'm saying weve had a great regular season so another one isnt improvement. What would be improvement is winning a playoff game.

How many different ways do i need to explain this?

 

Ettore Messina.

 

Hmmm. An Italian coach.

 

I'd count figuring out how to beat a pick n rim trap as a major upgrade.

 

That knows his shit.

 

pay me 1/3rd of Olshey's 3M salary and I'll tell you. Joking of course because I don't know what his salary is and I'd settle for 1/5th

but I was asked if I thought the team was worse (or better) and I answered.

 

Fair enough.

 

We can have a greater season than 49 wins. And I'd say we're on pace to do so since we've had a difficult schedule thus far. Getting the #1 seed would be an improvement.

 

Were on pace to get around 49 wins halfway through the season, no matter how you shake it. Yes, getting the #1 seed would show improvement over the regular season, but were no closer to a championship until we show we can win a playoff series against a healthy team. We haven't shown improvement in either (except starting faster against a harder schedule than last year, but one shouldnt expect a 13-game winning streak either

 

Some of the arithmetic above is faulty. We are half-way through the season with 27 wins, and 2 x 27 = 54. And the 2nd half of the season schedule appears easier. I predict 56+ wins, not just 49.

 

Did you read this? 2 times 23 wins = 46 wins.