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

[Damien O'Connel]

Whenever i get upset about Kyirie, or someone compares him to another young player, i think back to the team USA scrimmage. Even playing field, everyone trying to impress, and Kyrie outshines everyone. I usually hate when people use the "eye test" but even if you completely disregard his numbers in that game, Kyrie just LOOKED better than everyone else. It wasn't even fucking close.

So yes, Lillard is a really good point guard. But Kyrie is just on a different plane. When everything is equal he, Davis, and now Drummond, will be headlining the All-NBA first team in the next 5 years.

 

[wremy]

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.

I bet I have seen about 85% of the dudes games and not just looks at his efficiency stats... he makes big time shots in big time situations.. like him or not.. I don't really give a shit... the rest of the league is taking notice if you don't want to that's fine.. he needs to work on his D and on his shot selection.. he needs to get to the rim more... other than that he is pretty damn good and the guy that Portland wants taking the last shot

 

[wremy]

Whenever i get upset about Kyirie, or someone compares him to another young player, i think back to the team USA scrimmage. Even playing field, everyone trying to impress, and Kyrie outshines everyone. I usually hate when people use the "eye test" but even if you completely disregard his numbers in that game, Kyrie just LOOKED better than everyone else. It wasn't even fucking close.

So yes, Lillard is a really good point guard. But Kyrie is just on a different plane. When everything is equal he, Davis, and now Drummond, will be headlining the All-NBA first team in the next 5 years.

I take the eye test all day .. all of these fucking PERs and sabermetrics shit in baseball truly makes me laugh... all the situations are different and many things factor into all of that shit.. personally I have watched enough sports in my life(more than enough) to be able to see if a guy is legit... that is why the hate that Kyrie has been getting around here is absurd to me

 

[Ruken]

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.

You are an angry little man I must say

 

[mds]

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.

As opposed to Kyrie's blistering 41%?

 

[maxREM]

I went to the game tonight. Sat in "Loudville". I expected not to be able to see anything. To my surprise, you can see pretty much everything there. Not bad for free tickets. RCF is the best.

Anyway, the game was a lot of fun. I think Dion is becoming my favorite player and i'm the type of guy to never attach himself to a athlete. Portland played really good. From what I can remember, the were shaky in the first quarter but played really good offense after the face. Lillard is legit. That shot was huge, don't think anyone could have blocked that. Was surprised to see Kyrie's shot actually touched the rim. If we would have went to overtime, i would have lost it. In the end, I think the lack of rebounding killed us. Had a great time despite the fact that I was served a f***ed up looking hot dog.

Little extra note: No one should get worried(?) that Lillard is better than Kyrie. Just watching them, you can tell there both going to be great. Each team is lucky to have their respective talent. That said, I think Kyrie is the better player.

 

[The Oi]

Kyrie can score from more areas on the court and Kyrie attacks more.

Kyrie is the better and more efficient player, but Lillard is one hell of a shooter.

 

[The Process God]

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.

Lillard's ceiling is all-star. Kyrie's is MVP level. Kyrie's the better player now, and he's still about two years younger. Not to mention that Lillard is surrounded by scorers/shooters, allowing him to rack up easier buckets and assists. If Bennett were on his mark like we expected at the beginning of the season and starting and if we had a viable shooter at SF, then Kyrie would look much better this season. I don't really think it's all that close.

 

[Frank Reynolds]

Hate to say it but Lillard is tougher than Kyrie. I remember his training videos before he even made the league and he was getting scrappy. Kyrie's endurance is definitely better this year, but it's still not where it could be.

I feel like Portland gets us every fucking time. The long arms of Aldridge and Batum are a seriously under-appreciated aspect of this team. One last thought, can you imagine Nic Batum in San Antonio? I think he'd be thriving so hard if he ever played in San Antonio's system. I don't know why, he seems like a SA guy.

Point is moot because Portland is no joke, the Blazer might be able to take the Spurs.

 

[stick]

Just watched the game.

=(

Jack's blown layups in the fourth were huge. Not to mention the second chance points... ugh.
Time to go get my heart attack checked out, luckily hospitals are open pretty late.

P.S. I love the Cavs.

 

[maxREM]

Lillard's ceiling is all-star. Kyrie's is MVP level. Kyrie's the better player now, and he's still about two years younger. Not to mention that Lillard is surrounded by scorers/shooters, allowing him to rack up easier buckets and assists. If Bennett were on his mark like we expected at the beginning of the season and starting and if we had a viable shooter at SF, then Kyrie would look much better this season. I don't really think it's all that close.

Lillard, Westbrook, CP3, Parker and Curry. The West is loaded with point guards. Don't think Lillard gets in this year but he's going to be a All-Star level player throughout his career. Really digging this Portland team.

 

[Adam]

I'm only half way through but have two thoughts, not sure if they carry forward the rest of the game though..

Are the balzers the first team in NBA history that miss more layups than jumpshots?

Its easy to get a shooter open if the bigs are allowed to push the defender over all the time (fellow brit joel freeman is amazing at this)

As far as lillard goes, he came into the game in a tiny slump from behind the 3 so law of averages came to pass the dude was super confident right from the tip.

 

[getBUCKED]

Was a great game to be at, but the Blazers are truly a much better team than us at this point. They ran some very nice offensive sets throughout the game and combined it with a lot of early offense. Triple screens, horns, etc. really messed up our defensive rotations, thus getting them lots of open 3's and offensive rebounds.

 

[Rich]

"I loved every second of playing back in Cleveland 2nite. I have some of my best memories as a pro in that building."- Mo Williams

My favorite Cav man. This guy always wore his heart on his sleeve and played the game with a passion. Probably a little too passionate at times. But he was never afraid to take the big shot, even if it was above his station, and he was never afraid to take the bullet for his teammates in the media.

 

[Tornicade]

I dont care who Brown think his best defender on the court is against lillliard. just like you tell you tell kyrie to go out there and win the game however on the offensive end you send kyrie out there on lilliard in that situation and tell Irving.. stop him