Not sending two-ways to the playoffs doesn’t seem like a big deal on the surface but that’s the kind of thing that will make agents tell their guys not to sign with a team or steer draft prospects away from working out there.
Players don’t want to live in OKC but all you ever hear from guys once they get there is how well they’re treated and how professional the org is. When you’re a non-glamour market like that (or Portland) you have to win on that stuff to even have a chance at keeping players.
Hawks 1-0 since this announcement
Another clean injury report for the Blazers ahead of Game 2 tomorrow. Outside of Damian Lillard everyone is fully available to play.
If Soulja Boy reunites with Arab it will be more powerful than the Oasis reunion.
From yesterday ICYMI
I fully admit I'm one of the people who wondered how the foul-hunting stuff was going to translate to the playoffs. He's answered all of those questions so far.
As Tiago Splitter prepares to become the first Brazilian ever to coach an NBA playoff game, he reflects on the life and legacy of his country's greatest-ever basketball player, Oscar Schmidt, who died on Friday at age 68.
Story: www.rosegardenreport.com/tiago-splitt...
The Blazers didn't have an answer for Victor Wembanyama, but didn't embarrass themselves in their playoff debut, either.
Story: www.rosegardenreport.com/victor-wemba...
Most encouraging thing to me about last night was how good Deni was despite only getting to the line six times. Playing his usual game was going to be tough with Wemby in the paint but he found a way to adapt and still be effective.
The Blazers didn't have an answer for Victor Wembanyama, but didn't embarrass themselves in their playoff debut, either.
Story: www.rosegardenreport.com/victor-wemba...
Technically he played the final 52 seconds of the game so this loss is actually on him
And that's the final score. Spurs lead 1-0. Game 2 on Tuesday.
Yang Hansen making his playoff debut with 52 seconds left. This one's just about over. Spurs lead 111-98.
Spurs getting called for a succession of fouls at both ends and the crowd is NOT happy.
Tiago Splitter now 1-0 all-time in playoff challenges. Would have been Scoot's fifth foul.
Surreal scene here at the arena as the wave breaks out during a timeout that slowly turns to boos as the referee tells the crowd that a Scoot foul called against Wemby was overturned.
A couple of rough turnovers in the third quarter but overall really like how Scoot has played tonight.
Blazers start to cut into the lead, get it down to 12 and then Wemby hits an off-the-dribble three in Timelord's face. He's unreal.
Now it's starting to get away from them a little. Spurs up 21 a little into the fourth quarter.
Scoot strips Wemby and goes coast to coast for a layup. Consider the jury on who should have gone #1 officially "still out."
Quick 8-0 run for the Blazers out of the half to cut the deficit to 2 and Spurs call timeout.
Blazers withstood a Spurs run in the second quarter and didn't let the game completely get away from them. Only down 10 at the half.
Seriously if you're in Portland and don't have tickets to Games 3 and 4 you have to see this in person if you have the opportunity.
Blazers aren't playing badly in the first quarter (Deni looks awesome) but the "What the hell is anybody supposed to do with Wemby" question is one they aren't having any more luck with than anyone else in the league.
Robert Williams III is a 50% three-point shooter in the playoffs.
Toumani Camara and De'Aaron Fox just traded airballed wide-open threes. Playoff nerves on both sides.
Very nice reception from the Spurs crowd for Tiago Splitter when he’s introduced before he coached his first playoff game.
In the latest of Tom Dundon's cost-cutting measures, the Blazers are the only playoff team that didn't send their two-way players (who are ineligible to play in the playoffs) on the road for Games 1 and 2 this weekend.
Story: www.rosegardenreport.com/trail-blazer...
I must say the Spurs’ fiesta court looks absolutely incredible in person and I have no idea why they ever went away from these colors.
