Game Thread SEEDING GAME# 1: GRIZZLIES VS BLAZERS - JULY 31, 2020 - FRIDAY, 1:00 PM, NBCSNW & NBATV

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Darkwebs, Jul 30, 2020.

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Which was the more favorable schedule for the Blazers to make the Playoffs?

Poll closed Aug 4, 2020.
  1. The original 2019-20 schedule

    85.7%
  2. This new Restart 8-game schedule

    14.3%
  1. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

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    I thought Que was a member of the continuum who kept harassing Captain Picard....?
     
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  2. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

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    So, pretty similar then?
     
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  3. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

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    this brings up some interesting alternate universe questions. Would signing Melo and trading for Ariza have happened if Hood would have stayed healthy?

    I really doubt the Blazers would have signed Melo, even though there was a hole at PF with Zach out. I may have the sequence wrong since I'm not looking it up but I think Portland gained a roster slot after Hood's injury, then signed Melo.

    of course, it's to the point now that if Dame went to Olshey and asked him to sign Melo anyway, Olshey may have complied. I think Dame has that much gravity in the Blazer organization...as he should. Dame is not a top-5 player in the NBA, IMO, but there seems little doubt he is the best team leader in the league. I think that's due to his integrity; and to his loyalty to his teammates and to his franchise. And maybe a little of it is he has great political instincts. Anyway, I'm not convinced Melo would be on the team if Hood was healthy

    as for Ariza, that trade with the Kings was simply too good to pass up. Bazemore was a bad fit and Tolliver was a big on-floor negative. Ariza was a significant upgrade at either forward position and added a level of versatility Portland really needed. Besides all that, Vlade Divac has become Olshey's safe space for minor trades

    in any event, if the Blazers had a healthy Hood and Ariza right now in that bubble, they'd be a definite threat to win it all if Dame is healthy and hitting shots

    I don't know about that; he looked pretty damn good in the month or two before he broke his leg. He does appear to be carrying less weight now and that might make him quicker. He flashed a couple of 'first-step' moves in the game that were awesome.

    he's still only 25, so that's relatively young for a 7' big man. We may be watching him come into his own as he matures, if that makes any sense

    I'm trying to think of the C's that are better right now (ignoring the fact that Nurkic needs to stay healthy and build a longer resume); there's Embiid and Jokic; probably Gobert; maybe KAT, maybe not. Nurk has to be up there somewhere between 3rd and 6th or 7th depending on where you rate guys like Drummond & Vucevic.

    there are some differences in their games, but yeah, if Trent keeps this level of play going

    I'd still give Matthews a significant edge on defense. Trent has intensity but Matthews was much better in fundamentals. But then Matthews had 4 years of development at Marquette under a defensive-minded coach. Trent will never have that advantage. But Trent, in his 2nd season, seems to have a little more going for him offensively than Matthews did.

    but Matthews was the main "glue" factor for Portland. He became integral. I'll never forget the defense Matthews played against Harden in that 2014 series

    *********************************************

    in any event, how great is it to be talking basketball again instead of talking Covid, or trump, or Sly's bad habits?
     
  4. damianlillard

    damianlillard Well-Known Member

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    We signed Melo after Collins went down. It was quickly realized that no one else could step up to starting PF. Melo played with Hood for like 10 games I believe.
    Only center who are clearly better than Nurkic right now is Embiid and Jokic. Simply because they have played a lot more. Nurkic is way better than Gobert on offense while Nurkic at least isn’t that far behind on defense. KAT would be one of the best if he actually was on a winning team but since he doesn’t impact winning his rating is much lower. Drummond is like Whiteside, all stats no impact. Vucevic ain’t bad but still ain’t better than Nurkic. So at the end Nurkic, when healthy, is actually arguably a top 3 center in the league
    Trent is gonna be a special player.
     
  5. tlongII

    tlongII Legendary Poster

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    I think Nurk is better than Jokic and Embiid. It’s close, but he’s better in my opinion.
     
  6. tlongII

    tlongII Legendary Poster

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    His legs are like tree trunks. Very difficult to get thru his screens.
     
  7. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    That Is a PERFECT comparison.
     
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  8. theprunetang

    theprunetang Shaedon "Deadly Nightshade" Sharpe is HIM

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    Pretty sure I said that first. Haha
     
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  9. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    I have you on IGNORE, so I didn’t see your post FAMS!
     
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  10. BLAZINGGIANTS

    BLAZINGGIANTS Well-Known Member

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    mine is the 140-135 final score.
     
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  11. damianlillard

    damianlillard Well-Known Member

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    I do too. But the rest of the nba won’t necessarily agree with that, at least not yet. If Nurkic can consistently keep having games like he had last night, then there’s no doubt that he’s the best center in the league, if not then definitely the most impactful
     
  12. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    WHAT!?!?! The BEST center in the league. C’Mon man.
     
  13. tlongII

    tlongII Legendary Poster

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    Absolutely. He just needs to stay healthy. He can impact the game in so many ways.
     
  14. B-Roy

    B-Roy If it takes months

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    Watching Bam Adebayo reminds me of Nurkic. Very similar players in terms of how they impact the game.
     
  15. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

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    Embiid....Jokic....Gobert. They all can impact the game in "so many ways". Nurkic is not alone in that. Embiid and Jokic are ahead of Nurkic right now; and Gobert is a two-time DPOY. Nurk has to maintain a high level for a year or two to be in that class, IMO
     
  16. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    I don’t think anybody is saying he can’t impact the game......but better than EVERY OTHER CENTER IN THE LEAGUE is just nonsense in my opinion.
     
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  17. AldoTrapani

    AldoTrapani Well-Known Member

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    Your probably a huge blazer fan I’m guessing
     
  18. THE HCP

    THE HCP NorthEastPortland'sFinest

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    You’re probably NOT I’m guessing.
     
  19. HailBlazers

    HailBlazers RipCity

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    Mixum gonna mix
     
  20. tlongII

    tlongII Legendary Poster

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    No it’s not. He’s the most massive center in the league right now and he’s got skills.
     

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