The Closers

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Natebishop3, Mar 5, 2015.

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  1. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    I love that lineup that Stotts is using right now at the end of games. Dame, AA, Wes, Nic, and LA. The perimeter defense with that lineup is just insane. I'm really looking forward to that lineup in the playoffs. If we get Houston again, that lineup is going to be huge when the Rockets can't have Howard in at the end of the game.

    [​IMG]
     
    Natebishop3, Mar 5, 2015
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  2. HailBlazers

    HailBlazers RipCity

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    Indeed! Been thinking this myself. Lineup is built for the playoff grind.
     
    HailBlazers, Mar 5, 2015
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  3. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    If I were McHale, I'd counter with Beverly, Harden, Brewer, Ariza, and Smith. I'd argue that group can offer an equally effective perimeter defense.
     
    PtldPlatypus, Mar 5, 2015
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  4. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    I think some people have been underwhelmed with AA so far, but I think he brings a lot of intangibles that aren't showing up in a box score.

    Before we acquired Afflalo, who on our bench would you have left in the game at the end to help win a close one?

    Blake? No.
    Kaman? No.
    CJ? God no.

    Maybe Dorell if he was on, but that's so few and far between. I think AA is still finding his groove in the offense. He's playing some solid d, he's drawing fouls, and he's not making stupid decisions. I think the guy is just happy to be here.
     
    Natebishop3, Mar 5, 2015
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  5. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    I think Smith would get sonned by Aldridge.
     
    Natebishop3, Mar 5, 2015
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  6. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    PtldPlatypus, Mar 5, 2015
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  7. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    Maybe when he was younger and more athletic, but the current iteration of Aldridge would take Smith in the post and make him eat cornflakes.
     
    Natebishop3, Mar 5, 2015
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  8. BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94

    BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94 AWOL

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    Thats a chaos group, not a good on ball (besides Bev and Ariza) group like ours.
     
    BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94, Mar 5, 2015
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  9. BlazerWookee

    BlazerWookee UNTILT THE DAMN PINWHEEL!

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    Harden? Defense? Yeah, not so much...
     
    BlazerWookee, Mar 5, 2015
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  10. EL PRESIDENTE

    EL PRESIDENTE Username Retired in Honor of Lanny.

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    It'll be situational but its nice to have. Won't really be super effective against a Memphis, but against a Golden State it'll be good.
     
    EL PRESIDENTE, Mar 5, 2015
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  11. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    Someone who hasn't been watching the Blazers might think the same thing about Lillard.

    Both are greatly improved this year.
     
    PtldPlatypus, Mar 5, 2015
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  12. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    I really don't see us facing Houston in the playoffs. They'll get bounced in the first round I think by a lower seed than us
     
    riverman, Mar 5, 2015
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  13. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    If things stay as they are, we are facing Dallas with HCA.
     
    Natebishop3, Mar 5, 2015
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  14. BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94

    BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94 AWOL

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    Worst case scenario is we get the spurs or thunder in the first round.
     
    BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94, Mar 5, 2015
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  15. magnifier661

    magnifier661 B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

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    McHale already uses that a lot already.

    The difference would be how assertive Batum is. He would have such an opportunity to be "that guy" in this line-up. It's built for him to shine and us Dame as a decoy most the time.
     
    magnifier661, Mar 5, 2015
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  16. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    I think we can beat the Thunder. I would rather not face San Antonio in the first round. I think Dallas is a good matchup.
     
    Natebishop3, Mar 5, 2015
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  17. magnifier661

    magnifier661 B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

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    I agree. Harden decided to play d this season. I can't knock him for that anymore
     
    magnifier661, Mar 5, 2015
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  18. BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94

    BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94 AWOL

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    If OKC is fully healthy they're just better than us.
     
    BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94, Mar 5, 2015
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  19. magnifier661

    magnifier661 B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

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    We got OKCs number now. Stotts knows how to play mind games on Westbrick
     
    magnifier661, Mar 5, 2015
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  20. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

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    We went 2-2 last year against the Thunder, and this is a better team. What makes you think they're better than us?
     
    Natebishop3, Mar 5, 2015
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