Game Thread GAME# 57: NETS @ BLAZERS - FEBRUARY 23, 2016 - TUESDAY, 7:00 PM (PST), KGW & NBATV

That. Is. Amazing

 

OMG, did you just see that Priceline commercial on NBATV? Man, Latrell Sprewell must REALLY need money.

BNM

 

im down with PG13

 

RIP CITY , where AMAZING happens!

 

he's got a family to feed....

 

This is hard to believe with Stephen Curry averaging 29.8 ppg -
I checked it out. Stephen Curry has had 2 runs of 4 games in a row with 30+ points.

 

Yeah but I think that all had to do with how much he makes AND his injury issues. Not sure many questioned what a great offensive player he is when healthy. The interesting part is although he had two seasons where he played less than 20 games, the rest of his career he has been pretty dependable. He sure looked good tonight, especially when he is allowed to clear space with his left arm.

 

Luckily the west only has one center (Cousins) where that is even an issue. And he likes to stay outside. Maybe two if we count Towns.

The East has about four. (Lopez, Vucevic, Okafor, Drummond)

I may be missing some. I do think we need one huge big on the roster for those few match ups, but I would not waste too much money on one. (Grab someone like Mozgov)

 

Was in attendance tonight ... Here are some game thoughts:

- It's tough to keep up the intensity for a full 48, which is why I'm not too upset we let Brooklyn creep back in the game
- Lillard and McCollum were simply amazing ... We went 21 years as a franchise without a backcourt duo each scoring 30+ and these two have accomplished the feat in back to back games!
- Our pick and roll defense needs a ton of work ... First we made Shelvin Mack look like an All-Star, now it was Shane Larkin
- Why did we not swarm Brook Lopez like we've done in the past to DeMarcus Cousins? Brook is not known for his passing skills and we don't have a post defender capable of handling him one on one in the post.
- Would it hurt to trap the ball handler on the pick and roll once in a while?
- Botton line: A win is a win but these past two games are worrisome in terms of our pick and roll defense.

 

Fully agree. And a lackadaisical effort mid-game from the guys this game was disappointing to see.

The other worrisome aspect I have noticed is our tendency to give up position off of the ball.
Opponents are allowed to just waltz into the lane and establish position close to the rim.
Our defense needs to push opponents away from the rim - 'Own their space on the court, and protect the rim'.
(THIS JUST IN: 'it's harder to put that orange thing through the hoop the further away you are')

Conversely our offense fluffs around above the three point line, running the weave - not pressuring the opponents defense and gaining position closer to the rim - for an easier shot.

 

What's their reasoning?

 

Pick n Roll has always been Stotts' achilles heel. And most of the time, he's too stubborn to double.

 

I don't think they were really saying to trade him, just brought up the question of whether it would balance the team.

 

Never understood the whole balance the team if you move your starting SG for say a starting Center thing. You need two guys who can score at least 20+ pts a game. Doesn't matter if those guys are PG and SG or if they are PG and C.

 

Only thing I would trade CJ for is an established star that is also a good defender.

PG/Butler/Leonard etc.

But barring a trade demand that will never happen, so I am more than happy keeping CJ.

 

No doubt. Those 3 would be great. I not saying I wouldn't move CJ. I would for those 3 easily plus Klay comes to mind. They aren't realistic though. And the point was that we would magically be better getting 20 points from another position rather than SG.

 

Watching the game last night I wondered if Kaman would have slowed Lopez down any. I would have liked to seen it at least for a little while. It's not like Kaman's known for his stellar defense or anything but he also would have made Lopez work a little harder on the defensive side. Maybe Brook picks up a foul or two. Kaman loves that rolling to the hoop pump fake, up and under shot. Maybe he could show the young guys he's still got a little left in the tank rather than just tell them about it in practice.

Or we could go get Brook next year and win the championship.

 

I would rather trade all of our cap space this summer and a 1st round pick to get Brook than to try to give someone like Harrison Barnes max money who might just get matched.

 

I used to think that; but the way the game is now played its best to have primary scoring from guards or wings.

Look at NBA centers who are in the top35 of league scoring. Cousins, Davis, Lopez, Vucevic, Okafor, and Towns. They have scoring averages ranging from 27.3-17.3ppg.

100% of their teams are in the lottery.