NBA/Blazers 2026-27 Thread

[Boom]

They may have been left in a couple minutes longer than ideal against an inferior team, especially considering the upcoming schedule. 3 back-to-backs coming up against some really good teams in the next 12 days should be interesting to watch what happens with minutes and how we compete.

Agreed. Nori is on a one year deal and this roster is pretty thin. I'm not surprised with his decision.

[pezsez1]

Are we pissing on the start or talking about playing time?

I do think we played the starters a little too long last night, was thinking that in real time, but not sure how much it matters in the grand scheme of things. Dame and Jrue shouldn't struggle to play 30-35 mins as long as it's not a regular thing. I definitely noticed Nori leaving Dame in longer during the first half of the fourth quarter... usually he pulls him earlier so he's fresh as a closer. I have to wonder if turnovers played a role last night, or maybe Scoot's ongoing struggles. Nori said after the game that he didn't like the turnovers, and Dame was easily our most dependable guard last night. Maybe he didn't trust Scoot to protect the lead down the stretch, leading to more mins for Dame and Jrue (who played extremely well together).

My question, which I've asked before, is does Nori ever move Jrue to the starting lineup to play alongside Dame, or does he keep Jrue on the bench to anchor the second unit and be more of a glue guy for the rest of the game? I think there is value on keeping Jrue on the bench even if he's clearly better than Scoot. The Dame/Ja experiment seemed to be working well, and keeping Jrue in his role as Sixth Man/Glue Guy might be better for the long run.

I honestly have no complaints about Nori so far. I hope if he keeps this up that Dundon gives him a raise.

[Phalanx]

I like Nori too, and have said so already. I thought maybe I was getting blasted for mentioning Vit's injury, but that is what all the postgame comments from the players were about and Nori talked about it at length. They apparently like and value Vit more than I do. Anyway, while I was doing my hypothetical pissing, I kind of realized that we just lost another ball handler, which will be a problem when either Dame or Jrue goes down and then we are relying on Scoot to be the man with the ball. I think that is why he starts alongside Lillard, and Jrue comes off the bench. Nori wants veteran coverage at all times. Lillard has been a mediocre shooter, but he is still a point guard and has a decent assist-to-turnover ratio in his career. Not sure if anyone saw Youngblood trying to handle those duties, but it wasn't pretty last night. You can see Coach Nori thinking ahead in that regard (if not in the minutes distribution) and trying to develop another ball handler when he has to face the inevitable. Vit was that guy, and now it's Youngblood.

Anyway, hooray, they are 6-1! Nice to be above the Kings and Suns again on the food chain. (There, how was that?)

[Phalanx]

Youngblood acting like this is a summer league game, shooting every time he gets the ball. Settle down, young blood.

Clingan with four fouls already early in the 2nd quarter. Hmm, just like the first time they played the Lakers. Now all the refs need to do is do the same with RWIII and we'll be watching Hansen all night.

***Edit

Sounds like they went back and changed one of Clingan's fouls to Toumani. So now only three for Donovan.

[Everythingsducky]

Scoot is such a turnover machine. Disgusting his inability to handle the ball. Put the ball in anyone’s hands other than him. He hasn’t learned to covet possessions. Is there any chance the Blazers will be able to deal him? Even just to not have to resign him?

[Phalanx]

Mark this down on your calendar, Pez. Lillard made a nice play there vs Thybulle.

Bloody Doncic with that last-second shot.

[pezsez1]

Man, what happened to Scoot? Everyone raved about him in training camp, and he looked good in preseason, but so far since the real games started... yikes! He's mostly unplayable. And this is a guy who I thought might start! (Although, technically, I guess he is starting.)

The second unit struggled a bit there with turnovers, but otherwise solid game so far. One more half. Would be great to get this win.

Also, that Luka shot at the half... biggest rainbow shot anyone has ever seen?

[Boom]

Scoot's minutes have been rough. He's playing tight.

[bellsduck]

No one is taking care of the ball tonight.

[Everythingsducky]

Too funny, Scoot is the only starter at this point with +1. But his stat line is atrocious.

Edit: now -2. TO’s all around. 19-6 favor the Lake show.

[Boom]

Blazers desperately need to find another jumbo forward. They're too small when Deni & Toumani are not on the court.

[Everythingsducky]

What they knew they needed last season. What was the attempt, if any, in the offseason to fix the deficiency?

[Phalanx]

Blazers fought hard in this game, but the turnovers, especially by Deni, Scoot, and Lillard, were enough to do them in. Jrue was all over the place in the 4th quarter trying to will them to victory, but Deni kept coughing up the ball. Jrue finishes with 12 points on 4 of 7 shooting. He also had 7 assists and no turnovers. In addition, he and Toumani were tasked with guarding Luka despite the size mismatch. Not a fun job.

Anyway, onward and upward. Tough sledding coming up.