Game 24: Trail Blazers @ Cavs, Tuesday, December 17, 2013, 7:00 PM EST

[ice cream man]

Was at the game. Thought the two biggest reasons we lost were:
1. Lack of rebounding
2. Shitty refs

I mean those were the worst refs I've witnessed all year. I don't mind that we didn't go to Bynum in the 3rd quarter. You all Portland was talking about at halftime was how they were going to deny him. So it was smart to quickly attack with our guards and it worked. Would have been smart to slow it down and go to him a couple times in the 4th, but we should have won anyway. Jack missed 2 easy layups, got hacked but no call on the behind the back one, and Gee on that last play? Wtf. How many times do guys just pull up in that very spot for a game winner? (Kyrie, Lillard, Westbrook, Durant, Love, Wade, freaking Arenas). Get up in his shirt and at least force him to make a play. If he makes a contested fader or a runner or whatever you tip your cap. Why worry about being beat off the dribble so much? He's got under 5 seconds.

 

[Tizzle]

Like you wanted a wide open look for Mo Williams?!

No, but Dion could have covered him. Everyone knew Lillard was going to take the shot, so why not have Delly all up in his grill?

 

[Lionheart]

I said this before and I'll say it again, for all the hype Tristan got with his right hand shot, it won't mean a thing if he won't use it. Get me someone who will take that shot when dared to, Aldridge just left him out the FT line to double up on Bynum. He was so wide open that he could have taken one dribble before pulling up to get into rhythm.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed how Kyrie seems to always want to take Lillard's head off when they match up. Good game from both tonight. But damn Damian, now I know what Kyrie makes the other fans feel when a cold-blooded three buries them.

 

[Birdy89]

You're honestly a complete moron with very little basketball knowledge. He's not a special player. He's not in Kyrie's class and Waiters is better. Quit whining like a loser douche.

Did we watch the same basketball game tonight?

 

[killerkev369]

I love this Portland team, I'm going to be honest. I'm really happy for them, they've had a tough go the last couple of years.

 

[wremy]

Did we watch the same basketball game tonight?

yea Lilliard is a fucking tough SOB.. dude can shoot the shit the rock and is coldblooded.. he is an all-star caliber player.. guy was swept the rookie of the year voting and has come back this year with 20-6-4 and leading the way with Aldridge on team that has 20 W's already... I think Kyrie is better but I don't think Dion is... now if Dion continues to hit his J like he ash done recently then that is a different story

 

[mds]

I love this Portland team, I'm going to be honest. I'm really happy for them, they've had a tough go the last couple of years.

I agree. This team is well constructed with likeable players. I've always been a bit of a Blazers fan (lakers kryptonite!), fun to see them doing well...though I would have preferred they lose tonight.

 

[Anglefan]

Did we watch the same basketball game tonight?

Oh, so you meant to say that he was a special player IN THIS GAME and weren't attempting to say that invalidated his merely above averageness in his first 100 games? Feel free to edit and make that clear.

 

[OptimusPrime]

I love this Portland team, I'm going to be honest. I'm really happy for them, they've had a tough go the last couple of years.

Fuck Portland. I'm going to be honest. I don't give one fuck about what's going on with their team.

 

[Birdy89]

I think Kyrie is better but I don't think Dion is

I would take Kyrie as well, but the gap is a hell of a lot closer than I think many in these parts realized. There has always been a dismissive attitude about Lillard around here for the most part, but the kid can freaking play and he has the clutch gene.

 

[Anglefan]

has come back this year with 20-6-4

On 40% shooting. I bet you're a big Rudy Gay fan. It's amazing that so many posters on here still can't wrap their mind around the fact that per game average doesn't really mean anything, it's about efficiency.

 

[Birdy89]

Oh, so you meant to say that he was a special player IN THIS GAME and weren't attempting to say that invalidated his merely above averageness in his first 100 games? Feel free to edit and make that clear.

We will agree to disagree about Lillard being only above average.

 

[Birdy89]

it's about efficiency.

He has a better PER than Kyrie this year, and has dwarfed Dion's his entire career.

Keep clutching that 40% though if it let's you sleep better at night.

 

[redscoon]

People are getting a bit carried away with Lillard. We've killed Kyrie all year for being a disappointment and he's still been a more efficient player than Lillard on a lousy team to this point. Lillard is in a tremendous system to get numbers, but you have to take into account how he got to them. Batum is shooting 48% and that is the worst for one of Lillard's starting running mates. Kyrie can only dream of being surrounded by guys that take that much pressure off of him.

 

[wuck]

Lillard is durable (hasn't missed a game yet) and plays heavy minutes. His 2-pt FG% is down this year, but he's shooting over 40% from three, which went up further today. He's piloting a very good team that seems to be overachieving. And he hits clutch shots (not just tonight).

I don't know if it matters how you label him -- Portland must be overjoyed with his play to date.