Game Thread GAME# 44: BLAZERS @ NUGGETS - JANUARY 13, 2019 - SUNDAY, 5:00 PM, NBCSNW

Which is funny, because I've given Stotts credit for multiple things. How often has KJ criticized him, or agreed with someone criticizing him? And we want to talk about trying to push biased narratives...

 

This was a HUGE opportunity for the Blazers to get a win against the conference leader. Not only were they playing their 5th game in 7 nights, they were with out a starter and 2 of their top 8 rotation players.

That is what makes Stotts coaching even more frustrating frustrating.

 

We were in a 4 of 7 stretch and on the road while missing a key starter too. I don't see the point in repeatedly saying this. We missed a good opportunity by Terry's decision making and Nurk's general stupidity, but it's not like we had some massive schedule advantage.

 

Unfortunately I didn't see the game. Looking at some highlights it seems Jokic was very good. Nurk was in foul trouble and I'd like to know if his fouls were legitimate?

 

Right....so they played 25% more games than we did in the same period. So we had 50% more days off in the same stretch as they did.

Harkless - 5.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists
G. Harris- 16.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists
T. Lyles - 9.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists

Harkless is an easy #3 in that list in terms of impact. So yes we were missing a player but 'key' may be a stretch....especially since we seem to play much better and have a higher winning percentage with Layman as a starter. Then we were missing a bench player who admittedly shows up on some nights and completely disappears on others.

 

Outside of Layman, the other 4 starters shot 36.1% (22/61). The bench actually played well on the road. These are the types of games we have to win if we want to take that next step. In year 4 of this team we shouldn't be happy with moral victories. It's perfectly okay to question the poor decision making of the coach.

Layman is the type of player that when he's on he can score in bunches. For those defending Stotts how can you justify Layman only getting 18 minutes when all the other starters are struggling?

 

Of course. I totally agree. There are things that didn't go well. But that doesn't mean he didn't try them.

 

So the closing minutes weren’t coaching? But I read in this thread that it was coaching to have Nurk in there? Which is it? Damian took a bad shot with 3 seconds left because of Stotts right? But for 47 mins and 57 seconds they were ahead or toe to toe with the best record in the West. Was that coaching?

 

Just because you "read" in this thread doesn't mean I said it. Sure I thought they made some coaching mistakes in this game, but I never once said they lost because of coaching.

 

So what is Brad Stevens problem?

 

Lots of real well thought out posts here.

 

Again, If you were to survey the coaches and players they'd have Terry Stotts in the Top third, hands down.
Its fine to criticize a coach as its our right as a fan but also give a coach credit when its due.
Most in here that chastise Neil for not providing quality players or a balanced roster, are the same ones raining on Stotts continually. Id say Terry has done a decent job with decent results over the last few years with the deck he's been dealt. Yep, got to get out of the first round as the weighting is certainly this year.

 

Right. Even though he was the inbounder, it took away the option of the inbounder passing in, then stepping in and taking a pass back and shooting. With three seconds plenty of time for that.

 

And considering how Denver was guarding the three point line at the end, another good play would have been to pass to a guy in the key, and then he passes out to someone on the three point line. With the passer behind the Denver defenders, would have been a lot harder for them to defend. Plenty of time for that play also.

 

I only saw most of second half and Nurk was already in foul trouble so I didn't get to see exactly how we played him. So then, I agree with the strategy we used. Make him make shots, hopefully fatigue becomes a factor. He's a great scorer but he's also a great passer, so better that than a bunch of wide open three point shots and layups. May not have worked this game, but that's a one game sample and nothing actually "works" against elite offensive players.

 

In 3 seconds? No. Not plenty of time.

 

That is pretty much the spot on post. Were they in the game at the end or what? Could they have won that game? What else is a coach to do?

 

Not a huge fan of Zach Collins, but i wanted him to play instead of Nukic during those last ~4 minutes.
Nurkic was really occupied with his ego, his rivalry with Jokic,the refs and it was a very obvious problem...I don't know why Stotts doesn't use some discipline at times.

And that last play...This isn't the 1st time our last attempt is so transparent and pointless, Lillard from 30'...surprise surprise.

 

Yay! Let's be happy that we almost beat the vaunted Nuggets! Just to be so close should be considered just as good as a win! It was such good coaching to even have them in a position to tie the game at the end! There is no room for improvement! We just need to make shots we normally hit!