Game Thread GAME# 51: HAWKS @ BLAZERS - JANUARY 26, 2019 - SATURDAY, 7:00 PM, NBCSNW

Ah OK , I went back and watched it (multiple times just to be sure) and you’re right, CJ did throw his arms up in annoyance/disappointment when Curry dribbled instead of shooting.

 

Playoff Watch: we are 5 games ahead of 9 seed

 

I like having both Dame & CJ long term in a playoff series. CJ takes pressure of Dame.

 

i think CJ and Dame on the court are just too aware of each other and play to each other. maybe dame passes more, CJ does more team ball etc
with CJ out, Dame probably turns up likewise - are they likely to do it at the same time? probably not.

Can they work together? absolutely. will they ever be as dominant as they could be without each other? again, probably not.

I'm glad moe is hitting some form, ive long thought to get anywhere we really need a key top level player in the backcourt, a wing hybrid, and a front court player.

if we could upgrade SF with CJ trade i still think it's worth exploring, it'd just free everything up a little more and spread the threat around more.

If we could get a non-mental Jimmy Butler we'd be lethal(er)

 

I've noticed this too. Can't say I blame him.....I think he's starting to see that it's not going to work long-term with him and Dame together. That, and perhaps he's hearing mutterings about how bad he's been shooting and how torn the fanbase is about him.

 

Always good to get another win even when they are ugly wins.

That was kind of an ugly win. Hope some of the bumps and bruises heal up. Glad some people stepped up and Dame got a game to heal a bit. I'm sure he needed it. Lillard rarely takes any games off.

Congrats to Seth for getting selected to the Three Point contest. He has earned it.

 

I just looked at the standings. We are wedged in between OKC and Houston - both of whom have played 3 fewer games than we have. That seems odd. It is late enough in the season I wouldn't expect that big a difference.

 

It could definitely be this.

He should quit basketball if it's because of this. No player should care at all what the fans think of him/her. They should only care what the coach, and their team mates think of them. Everyone else's opinion is just external noise.

 

Yeah I still disagree with this theory. This game by CJ did not impress me anymore than many others this year. He is not a point guard and should not be in charge of running an offense on a regular basis. Every player has his role and that is not CJ's. No matter who he plays with he will never be "the guy".......not on a playoff team. He is a Robin and nothing will change that. And I see nothing wrong with his current "peak". I like what he brings now even if it is not every night. You need lots of scorers, and he is a good one. He and Dame play well together when surrounded by complementary players. Just keep adding more to the puzzle.

 

You could be right. He'd definitely be an All-Star if he played in the East with a team of his own. He'd get so many highlights on ESPN. Who in the East is looking for an All-Star to build a team around, or at least just to sell some tickets while they remain mediocre? Brooklyn maybe? They seem to be assembling a team of former Trail Blazers.

 

That is complete bullshit. Players are human and no matter what it does effect them when they are getting bashed continually by the home team fans. They can not help but be sensitive about it. (and resentful)

 

Recent history doesn't exactly back that theory up.

 

Can you clue me in on this? How did you find out Neil Olshey wants Prince? Have i missed something? And what is with all the Lin talk? Don't the Blazers have enough guards?

 

Again it takes more than just two players for a team to succeed in the playoffs. You need a minimum of 4 offensive options IMO on the court together.

 

Coach's and team mate's opinions are the only opinions that matter, therefore players should ignore every other opinion. If they can't ignore other opinions (which I understand, sometimes things can get to you no matter how hard you try to ignore them) then they should make efforts not to hear those opinions. Unless fans are booing at games, they won't even know how the fans feel.

 

Yeah but in the day of internet it is impossible. Even LBJ and Kobe, two of the greatest of all time, got caught up in it. Both refused to shoot the ball in a playoff game just to prove a point....... after getting criticized about shooting too much.

 

Okay. Thanks. No i missed reading that one. Most of the trade threads are pretty redundant so i pretty much skip them?

 

Ah great now Dame can get a triple-double, they can have 3 players do it and go lose in the 1st round to the Lakers like that 1988-89 team did. That's grand.