FanPost

Weak and Slow - Observations

After 10 games, here are my observations on the Blazers:

  1. We don't run or trap.  Why is that?  We don't have any quick players and other than Joel we don't have any inside presence.  If I am a scout I trap Portland at least 25% of the time as we have NO CLUE how to break the trap nor do we have any individual who is capable of breaking it by themselves. We don't run because we don't rebound well and even if we did I don't see the speed nor court smarts to effectively run a fast break.  I help coach my son's team and we got steamrolled this morning by much the same problems as Portland had against Philly (it was a horrible flashback from less than 12 hours prior).  
  2. We have no strength or bulk nor do we have good technique when it comes to defense or rebounding (caveat:  Except Joel).  Contrary to what Dave thinks about LaMarcus, I don't see him being even an adequate defensive player yet.  A good defensive player blocks shots, stays in front of his man, plays good help defense and most importantly blocks out and rebounds.  I have yet to see most of that from LaMarcus.  While I love the progress of his offensive game he still needs a lot of work on the defensive end.
  3. Desire is lacking on the road.  Plain hustle can make up for a lot of sins.  Ask Philadelphia that.  Ask Washington that minus Arenas.  Did you see the forwards and centers for Washington attack the Portland picks?  Once that occurred we were lost in the wind.  We had no second options.  NONE!
  4. We have a few basketball players (Aldridge, Joel and Roy) and a few athletes (Martell, Outlaw) but we don't have the combo athlete-player.  That being said, this is a good start to pair with a healthy Oden who can make up for a lot of our weaknesses.
I love where we are going, but we have a long way (and I mean a loooonnnnnngggggggg way) to go before we can be considered a force to make and do well in the playoffs.