Blazers vs Pups GTD

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

Our defense is such a strength right now. But its really hard to believe that 1 guy makes such a difference.

Going to a top defense from the worst is nuts even with a weak schedule.

[thedoper]

If we can get some more dominant games out of Wiggins we may have a second half spark. Good too see him come back with that game after all the time away. 8 assists doesnt even make the jaw drop anymore.

[Wolvesfan21]

Is Ryan coach of the year?

[Lipoli390]

- Hell of a defensive effort again tonight. 'Melo, McCollum, Lillard. Those three guys can put the ball in the hoop and we contained them. Fantastic to see this resurgence over the past three weeks on that side of the ball.

- Dieng did soooooo many great things in the short 17 minutes that he played. If KAT ever gets over his scraped knee, I don't know how Saunders in his right mind doesn't start those two together and move RoCo to the 3. It just makes so much sense.

- Reid came back down to earth.

- Good to see Okogie perk up.

- Wiggins with a very smooth game scoring and passing the ball...too many mid-range and long 2s though. Not a good habit to get back into.

- KAT appeared to be having fun on the bench. He's hurt, right? Or is it the flu? Personal reasons? Has Jake Layman found his missing toe yet? May be KAT is helping him find his missing toe?

If Kat ever comes back im very curious what the rotation will be like. Do you start dieng at the 4 but take out Culver who is starting to find his groove.

What big is no longer in the rotation Vonleh or Naz.

I'm agree with Q that Gorgui should start alongside KAT with Covington moving to the 3. I continue to advocate for trading Teague. With Teague gone, I'd start Culver and Wiggins together in the backcourt. I like Reid, but I'd have Vonleh in the rotation off the bench along with Napier, Okogie. Along with those guys, I'd include either Martin or KBD in the rotation until Layman returns.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I just don't see anywhere for Teague to go unfortunately. Teams like the Lakers and 76ers who could use a PG and are in playoff contention don't have the salaries to send back. They're too top heavy. I think a Covington deal is also gonna be tough to pull off for the type of value this team needs. I think the trade to make with Covington is still this summer with GS depending on our draft spot. With G playing so well we could probably do Covington, G's then expiring and a protected first for Russell and both teams come out happy. If we get a top 5 pick though I'd stick with the PG's in the draft and find a different deal for Covington.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I just don't see anywhere for Teague to go unfortunately. Teams like the Lakers and 76ers who could use a PG and are in playoff contention don't have the salaries to send back. They're too top heavy. I think a Covington deal is also gonna be tough to pull off for the type of value this team needs. I think the trade to make with Covington is still this summer with GS depending on our draft spot. With G playing so well we could probably do Covington, G's then expiring and a protected first for Russell and both teams come out happy. If we get a top 5 pick though I'd stick with the PG's in the draft and find a different deal for Covington.

Agreed on all points here.

[KiwiMatt]

- Hell of a defensive effort again tonight. 'Melo, McCollum, Lillard. Those three guys can put the ball in the hoop and we contained them. Fantastic to see this resurgence over the past three weeks on that side of the ball.

- Dieng did soooooo many great things in the short 17 minutes that he played. If KAT ever gets over his scraped knee, I don't know how Saunders in his right mind doesn't start those two together and move RoCo to the 3. It just makes so much sense.

- Reid came back down to earth.

- Good to see Okogie perk up.

- Wiggins with a very smooth game scoring and passing the ball...too many mid-range and long 2s though. Not a good habit to get back into.

- KAT appeared to be having fun on the bench. He's hurt, right? Or is it the flu? Personal reasons? Has Jake Layman found his missing toe yet? May be KAT is helping him find his missing toe?

If Kat ever comes back im very curious what the rotation will be like. Do you start dieng at the 4 but take out Culver who is starting to find his groove.

What big is no longer in the rotation Vonleh or Naz.

I'm agree with Q that Gorgui should start alongside KAT with Covington moving to the 3. I continue to advocate for trading Teague. With Teague gone, I'd start Culver and Wiggins together in the backcourt. I like Reid, but I'd have Vonleh in the rotation off the bench along with Napier, Okogie. Along with those guys, I'd include either Martin or KBD in the rotation until Layman returns.

Yep I thought this was a good idea three years ago. It still is. They actually compliment each other. Even if they play short minutes together its worth trying. Both can stretch the floor.

Just look at Gorgui last 10 game stats: 13.5 / 9.4 / 1.2 / 1.5 while shooting 40% from behind the arc. Solid numbers for a starting center in the NBA. At least in increases his trade value a little.

I am also curious to see Point Wiggins run the show for a few games. Playing next to Culver.

[Leado01]

Great Win. Full motion on D and O and good things happened.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I just don't see anywhere for Teague to go unfortunately. Teams like the Lakers and 76ers who could use a PG and are in playoff contention don't have the salaries to send back. They're too top heavy. I think a Covington deal is also gonna be tough to pull off for the type of value this team needs. I think the trade to make with Covington is still this summer with GS depending on our draft spot. With G playing so well we could probably do Covington, G's then expiring and a protected first for Russell and both teams come out happy. If we get a top 5 pick though I'd stick with the PG's in the draft and find a different deal for Covington.

Agreed on all points here.

....and my bet is we'd be even worse than we are now. Dieng + Cov > than DLO. Our defense would take a massive hit - these two guys have keyed our resurgence defensively and DLO's offense isn't enough to make up for it. But reasonable people can disagree on this.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Our defense is such a strength right now. But its really hard to believe that 1 guy makes such a difference.

Going to a top defense from the worst is nuts even with a weak schedule.

Well, if you look at our cumulative defensive rating at the time KAT went out, we weren't actually worst in the league. We had just been worst for a sub-set of that time period leading up to his "injury". We started the year on solid ground before things went to pieces.

Having said that, this is a 12-game sample size now where we are the #1 defense (and #15 for the full season to date). The fact this happened without our best player in the mix and essentially maintaining a similar winning percentage should embarrass him.