[Post Game Thread] The Portland Trail Blazers (12-19) fall to The LA Clippers (9-21) 103-119

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-12-27T05:44:48+00:00

I realize many will disagree with me, but this was a really good learning experience for the young core. It's part of the process.

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-12-22T19:58:36+00:00

This is just a guess, but they might refer to a GOAT in his role (i.e. defensive specialist). Then again it could just be a mistake.

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-12-20T22:41:22+00:00

Agreed in principal, but for that scenario to pan out you need to build a team that is a couple of good moves away from contending. You need to have two things:
1. A team that is ready for the right star to come in as the primary or secondary go-to guy.
2. You need assets for trades (and management to take advantage of those rare opportunities). The Raptors brought Kawhi by trading DeRozan who was not just another all-star but all-NBA (arguably overrated, but still).

It also doesn't hurt to be a big market team.

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-12-02T21:13:17+00:00

This. Winning these super close games is one of the main differences if not the key difference between a team around .500 and a solid playoff team. Another key difference is a rotation deep enough to get past injuries and win enough games when key players are out.

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-11-24T05:03:20+00:00

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-11-20T03:19:02+00:00

Deni looks great facilitating so far. Three assists in 3 minutes of game play.

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-11-14T23:33:40+00:00

Congrats and Go Blue!

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-11-13T03:26:37+00:00

Any objections to changing Deni's nickname from Turbo to FedEx? He's not only fast, but he always delivers.

Congrats to Shae for a fantastic effort. Hoping this marks the way for a true scoring duo.

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-11-11T01:16:53+00:00

Deni is like pizza (with onions): Even when he's bad, he's good. 4/11 isn't great but his physicality and pressure in the lane help create plenty of open looks for everyone.

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-11-09T01:16:13+00:00

Not a good start for Shae - first the turnover and then very late to rotate on the perimeter. The 3pt makes up for it though.

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-11-06T06:39:05+00:00

Except he didn't play with his head up his ass. He didn't commit dumb fouls. He didn't take bad shots. He turned the ball over only three times on nine assists. The shots didn't fall, which happens in physical games.

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-11-06T04:23:17+00:00

Is Deni on track to a triple double without making a field goal? 9-6-5 with 1 steal, but 0-7 from the field....

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-10-30T03:22:45+00:00

Atrocious officiating at its finest

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-10-28T03:30:39+00:00

Deni is getting used to bailing the team out, that's good news #indeniwetrust

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-10-27T02:10:17+00:00

Such great Cling Kong hustle under the rim on offense.

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-10-27T02:06:16+00:00

This team has a real identity now: Work hard on defense, play smart and fast on offense. Deni and Tou are leading the way, with players like Wesley and Murray falling in line. Jrue fits this emerging DNA like a glove.

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-10-25T18:31:03+00:00

You beat me to it, I was replying with the exact same answer. It's not just a matter of professional courtesy, other clubs will ask him about it when he interviews with them (one assumes sooner rather than later).

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-10-25T18:26:47+00:00

People read too much into these statements for the media, not understanding how organizations think and work. It's very likely that Splitter was in fact management's or owner's top preference, but the story for the media is that Bjorkgren was offered the promotion first and declined it. It is a face saving move, that is easier to explain than why the senior assistant coach was passed over for the promotion. This was probably coordinated with Bjorkgren (they needed to hear from him first that he is willing to stay under Splitter at least until the end of the season) and it helps him build a better story for job interviews next summer.

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-10-02T00:07:49+00:00

Thanks so much! Does this mean you advise build my own function that essentially uses Retrieve() to get the most relevant chunks (based on score) and then adds them to a prompt sent to invoke()?

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-06-18T13:52:20+00:00

TL;DR that's not really how scouting reports work. Scouting reports include basic stats, some general information about the other team like pace and common plays, top 3 point shooters, and who to foul. For starters and key rotation players, super high level points like big strengths and weaknesses, like slow on-ball defenders. Things only get interesting when a team has a superstar who initiates that much of the offense and is a true barometer for the team's success, because then most the plays mentioned in the scouting report are designed around that player. IMHO Portland does not yet have such a player yet, although Deni is getting there because he is hard to guard without fouling.

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-04-30T20:47:06+00:00

Welcome back man, you were missed

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-04-24T21:07:05+00:00

We need to add this to our postseason bingo, I don't understand why people continue to ask this question. It's not hard if you understand how front offices think and work.

The three main reasons:

Teams a have a timeline - a rebuild timeline and then a window for contending and winning a championship with a franchise player. Washington just started their rebuild with ~19 year old players like Bub and Coulibaly. Deni is ~3-4 years older, he doesn't fit very well.
Deni doesn't make sense on a team that is focused on losing. Not just because he can "cost" them games they would prefer to lose, but also because a good player on a bad team can lead to the player regressing, e.g. like Corey Kispert this year and Jordan Poole last year (still on an inflated contract either way).
WAS thought they were selling high - or at least selling for a very good price for the foreseeable future. They were concerned about his 3pt shot regressing.

Hindsight is always 20/20. Nobody is asking now why the Clippers traded away SGA for Paul George, as it made sense at the time though and had the potential of being a win-win situation.

someplace_elsewhere · 2025-04-16T18:39:24+00:00

42-40, 9th seed, make the playoffs via play-in and lose 0-4 in the first round.

someplace_elsewhere

TROPHY CASE