GM: Wizards @ Trail Blazers - Wall the best PG in the East

[zizozain]

Wizards leading 36 - 23 early 2nd q

[Relinquish]

Wittman leaving the bench in forever. :facepalm

[tontoz]

Blazers missing Lopez and Batum. Aldridge playing hurt.

Wiz had 2 days rest with everyone healthy. Wiz should win this.

[Vman23]

Wall is the best pure playmaker since Nash/Paul. If he played with an All-Star big man....

[RightTwoCensor]

Wall is the best pure playmaker since Nash/Paul. If he had a jumpshot....
Fixed.

[Vman23]

Fixed.

He's not a good shooter by any means, but if he can stay around 45-46% fg that's not super low efficient by any stretch.

[Relinquish]

Fixed.

He has a good jumpshot, it's just not Curry level.

[JimmyMcAdocious]

Has Aldridge's thumb fell off yet?

[buddha]

Wizards have gone limp. They're just pushing rope at this point.

[Rose'sACL]

cavs fans should be in here hoping for wizards loss. i think bulls will move up but wizards and raptors will slide to 4th-5th seed by end of the season.

[RoseCity07]

Finally a Blazers lead.

LaMarcus Aldridge making all the difference.

[navy]

cavs fans should be in here hoping for wizards loss.
Why? You really think that they care much about HCA?

[Rose'sACL]

Why? You really think that they care much about HCA?
anyone should. moving to 2-3rd seed means not having to face hawks till ECF.

[RightTwoCensor]

He has a good jumpshot, it's just not Curry level.
I thought so too, until he airballed two jumpshots off the dribble in OT against OKC.

He needs to be more confident in his shooting. You're not gonna win a championship (or conference title for that matter) when you lose any confidence in yourself in crunch time, like he did vs. Houston and vs. Oklahoma City.

[scott0326]

Martell Webster has been complete shit this season

[navy]

anyone should. moving to 2-3rd seed means not having to face hawks till ECF.
True.

[Rose'sACL]

True.
people keep saying that hawks are pretenders but they look fcking scary to me.

[RoseCity07]

It's kinda sad that Meyers Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge shoot higher percentages from three than Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews.

[Relinquish]

people keep saying that hawks are pretenders but they look fcking scary to me.

Hawks are the best team in the league.

[navy]

Hawks are the best team in the league.
Warriors are probably better.

[Relinquish]

Warriors.

Disagree, they can go limp on any night if the threes aren't dropping.

[Relinquish]

Hopefully that will get Webster going

[scott0326]

Jesus Christ Webster... GTFO

[Relinquish]

Wtf webby.

He really needs to get his confidence back.

[RightTwoCensor]

people keep saying that hawks are pretenders but they look fcking scary to me.
People are just too used to the Hawks of the past 1,000 years where they turn out to be a pretty good RS team, but end up never making the 2nd Round.

The way the Hawks dismantled Roy Hibbert and the Pacers last postseason opened some eyes at how good they could be, and well, it's time for them to put up or shut up.

To beat the Hawks teams are gonna need some BIG THREE HEAT-esq rotational defense with the way they spread the floor and drive to the bucket. We could see some weird line-up changes from teams if they faced ATL in the playoffs just to get better at rotating.

Chicago would likely start Gibson and have Gasol come off the bench
Cavaliers might have Lebron, Shumpert, and Smith start and Love as a 6th Man
MKG might play more PF than SF.

[scott0326]

WTF Nene

[hawksdogsbraves]

People are just too used to the Hawks of the past 1,000 years where they turn out to be a pretty good RS team, but end up never making the 2nd Round.

The way the Hawks dismantled Roy Hibbert and the Pacers last postseason opened some eyes at how good they could be, and well, it's time for them to put up or shut up.

To beat the Hawks teams are gonna need some BIG THREE HEAT-esq rotational defense with the way they spread the floor and drive to the bucket. We could see some weird line-up changes from teams if they faced ATL in the playoffs just to get better at rotating.

Chicago would likely start Gibson and have Gasol come off the bench
Cavaliers might have Lebron, Shumpert, and Smith start and Love as a 6th Man
MKG might play more PF than SF.

The BIG THREE HEAT just lost to the Spurs who we are modeled after, so even that might not be good enough.

I think the Bulls would/will be an enormous challenge to us, and I really hope we dont' see them in the second round. However I also think we will not suffer a fall-off in the playoffs. With our system and with our coaching we are not just some regular season team.

[RoseCity07]

Matthews hitting big threes but hope he doesn't start taking bad 3's.

[RightTwoCensor]

The BIG THREE HEAT just lost to the Spurs who we are modeled after, so even that might not be good enough.

I think the Bulls would/will be an enormous challenge to us, and I really hope we dont' see them in the second round. However I also think we will not suffer a fall-off in the playoffs. With our system and with our coaching we are not just some regular season team.
The defense the Heat played last NBA Finals was a shell of a shell of another shell of their defense they are known for. The Heat's defense at their peak would kill teams from the perimeter with their ability to trap and still would be able to contest shots at the rim.

[RoseCity07]

This would be one of our better wins of the year if we can hold on to the lead. A fully healthy Wizards team and we're depleted. Even beating OKC and San Antonio they weren't at full strength.

[navy]

The BIG THREE HEAT just lost to the Spurs who we are modeled after, so even that might not be good enough.

I think the Bulls would/will be an enormous challenge to us, and I really hope we dont' see them in the second round. However I also think we will not suffer a fall-off in the playoffs. With our system and with our coaching we are not just some regular season team.
The Big 3 Heat and OKC have both also beaten the Spurs. So it would be disingenuous to say that you are guaranteed to beat other good teams because you play like the Spurs.

[T_L_P]

I think Aldridge is a little overrated and inefficient, but I love that he's always up to the task. He's a very committed player. :applause:

John Wall's gambling in the 4th could be costly. You can't leave your team to over-rotate against the Blazers because they have such great shooting.

[hawksdogsbraves]

The defense the Heat played last NBA Finals was a shell of a shell of another shell of their defense they are known for. The Heat's defense at their peak would kill teams from the perimeter with their ability to trap and still would be able to contest shots at the rim.

The big 3 heat were also one of the greatest perimiter defensive teams I've ever seen - to assume the Bulls, Cavs, or Hornets can replicate it is a bit foolish.

[scott0326]

Every play someone is wide open for three. Absolutely pathetic defense this quarter

[hawksdogsbraves]

Every play someone is wide open for three. Absolutely pathetic defense this quarter

That's the same defense that will get you bounced by the Hawks in the 2nd round :cheers:

[scott0326]

Wow.. Bit of a break there with that continuation lol

[RoseCity07]

Nene fouled out? Damn Meyers Leonard is a legit 3 point threat. One of the best centers I've ever seen shoot a 3.

How many legit centers can shoot 3's?

[bingo123]

Wizards are pretenders and when the games will matter they will fail as usual...

[hawksdogsbraves]

Nene fouled out? Damn Meyers Leonard is a legit 3 point threat. One of the best centers I've ever seen shoot a 3.

How many legit centers can shoot 3's?

Well, define 'legit'...

[Rose'sACL]

The big 3 heat were also one of the greatest perimiter defensive teams I've ever seen - to assume the Bulls, Cavs, or Hornets can replicate it is a bit foolish.
2014 heat were not big 3......they were big 1 plus 1 good player plus 1 good player who is always injured.
2012 heat when bosh wasn't injured for a few games was the best heat team easily. they would beat any team in the league since 2001 lakers.

[scott0326]

Wizards are pretenders and when the games will matter they will fail as usual...
"As usual"? Based on what? One playoff experience last year where most people predicted them to lose in first round?

[RoseCity07]

Well, define 'legit'...

He is a serious threat to make 3's. He makes a couple almost every night. If you leave him open at all he will make them and most centers won't go out on him so he gets good looks.

[hawksdogsbraves]

2014 heat were not big 3......they were big 1 plus 1 good player plus 1 good player who is always injured.
2012 heat when they had bosh was the best heat team easily. they would beat any team in the league since 2001 lakers.

Fair enough, and I'm very glad we won't run into that Heat team in the playoffs. But nobody in the East can replicate the defense that a prime Wade and LeBron gave that Heat team.

[scott0326]

Has Leonard always been a good 3 point shooter? I haven't seen much of him but I don't remember him being this deadly from three.

[scott0326]

Why wait so long to foul?

[hawksdogsbraves]

He is a serious threat to make 3's. He makes a couple almost every night. If you leave him open at all he will make them and most centers won't go out on him so he gets good looks.

I appreciate a big who can stretch the floor, (Pero Antic anybody?) but it's not like Leonard is giving anybody big matchup problems. I don't think the dude has ever scored 20 points in a game before.

Not a bad prospect though, I'd love him on the Hawks.

[Hizack]

Why wait so long to foul?
idiot Wall :facepalm

[navy]

"As usual"? Based on what? One playoff experience last year where most people predicted them to lose in first round?
Wizards are pretenders, if it is meant as though they arent contenders. I think they are progressing well though. Would take some extreme circumstances for them to win the title this year.

[RoseCity07]

Has Leonard always been a good 3 point shooter? I haven't seen much of him but I don't remember him being this deadly from three.

He's always had the shot but never this consistent. Before he was like your typical wannabe 3 pointer shooting center that actually can't shoot them. Sort of like BJ Mullins. Mullins was not good at all from 3. Meyers has been money all year long. Even his misses look good. Very consistent stroke. He also has a decent floater and midrange shot.

[Relinquish]

Wtf was that... :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

[RoseCity07]

The Wizards biggest mistake in this game was not stepping on Portland's throat when they had a big lead and our bench came in the game. They waited so long to bring back John Wall.

[hawksdogsbraves]

The Wizards biggest mistake in this game was not stepping on Portland's throat when they had a big lead and our bench came in the game. They waited so long to bring back John Wall.

I agree, Randy Wittman is kind of an idiot though.

[Relinquish]

The Wizards biggest mistake in this game was not stepping on Portland's throat when they had a big lead and our bench came in the game. They waited so long to bring back John Wall.

I say this every game. Fking Wittman :banghead:

Wall had only 35 mins tonight. He should've played at least 38, since he was on fire.

[Demon Lizard]

So happy to see that not only did Aldridge play through, but played well through his injury.

[Demon Lizard]

He's always had the shot but never this consistent. Before he was like your typical wannabe 3 pointer shooting center that actually can't shoot them. Sort of like BJ Mullins. Mullins was not good at all from 3. Meyers has been money all year long. Even his misses look good. Very consistent stroke. He also has a decent floater and midrange shot.

He also wasn't given the green light.

[RoseCity07]

On another note I don't know why Aldridge isn't getting real MVP buzz. This game proves the difference he makes in the game. When you lose to Boston, add one player and beat the Wizards that one player has to be amazing.

Harden getting MVP talk even though Aldridge has led this team to a better record.

[RoseCity07]

I appreciate a big who can stretch the floor, (Pero Antic anybody?) but it's not like Leonard is giving anybody big matchup problems. I don't think the dude has ever scored 20 points in a game before.

Not a bad prospect though, I'd love him on the Hawks.

I wrote him off a while ago but he's made a huge leap that he never did the first two years. This is what I expected last season. He's coming on really slow which is encouraging. There is something to the belief that centers take time to develop. He's even looking slightly less awkward out there.

[navy]

On another note I don't know why Aldridge isn't getting real MVP buzz. This game proves the difference he makes in the game. When you lose to Boston, add one player and beat the Wizards that one player has to be amazing.

Harden getting MVP talk even though Aldridge has led this team to a better record.
Stats arent as good. And Harden made his MVP campaign with Howard out and now playing injured. Lillard too clutch.

[hawksdogsbraves]

Aldridge is really good but he's just not putting up MVP numbers like Harden is :confusedshrug:

[WallIn]

Wittman is exposed yet again

[Moonbeam]

Huge win for Portland. I'm very relieved as a fan. I like this Wizards team a lot. Hope they continue to do well.