Warning - feeling a bit negative

by TP43 on Mar 19, 2007 10:40 AM PDT

A few points:
-If I hear the organization blather one more time about how the team is growing, I'm going to throw up. I absolutely believe they are, but not nearly as fast as they make it sound and I'm tired of having it rammed down my throat that evey miniscule play is evidence every time down the floor. Marketing is fine, but save it for the unbelievable number of adds during stoppages of play.

-What is with JJ? I had very high hopes for him coming into the season and he's done a good job of improving in my area of biggest concern, assist to turnover, but that's about the only significant progress I can point to other than occasional great games that are far too infrequent. All I caught was the news highlights and I could tell what kind of game he had before I ever looked at the box score. He throws the ball right to a Sonic, who passes to a guy who's five feet from JJ, and he barely makes it across half court before the guy makes the layup. All I hear is how JJ is solid, tough, and a defensive presence. I'm sorry; he's just slightly above horrible on the defensive end. He seems to be a steadying influence at times, but I'm just not seeing the effort, leadership, and he's not "solid" nearing the end of his second season as the STARTING PG - he's wildly inconsistent.

-Look, I love Ime but he's no Bruce Bowen so give it a rest. To have the gall to say he played good defense against Kobe is just disingenuous. They've done that all year so I dare you to take the position that they don't say "he scored 25+ points tonight, but Ime did a great job on him". If a guy gets 25 or more, that's not "great" defense. This continual tripe about him "making him work for it" is fine to a point, but when the guy's in the 30's that's just not worthy of mentioning as a standout performance. My hunch is that Ime is a good defender but only looks fantastic when you see him next to every other perimeter guy out there. Face it; we're just a very poor perimeter defensive team.

-I have serious concerns about how this team regards Nate, has the Sarge act already worn thin? It has nothing to do with what anyone says or does off the court, purely impirical evidence. They have layed down twice in a row against the Sonics. That's not exactly a team willing to run through a wall for you when you know Nate absolutely burns to beat the Sonics and the players have to know this as well.

Tweet Comment 32 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Thoughts

See diary on JJ.
I agree with Ime, to a point. He's no Bowen, and he's too small to effectively deal with the larger SF/SGs he faces--see, for example, the torching that T-Mac gave him a while back. But "making someone work" on defense is worth something; I'd rather have Kobe beat us from the outside than be taking it to the hole for dunks all game. A guy can get 25 and still be subjected to at least GOOD defense; the number of perimter players who can truly lock down an opponent can be counted on one hand.
I see no reason to suspect a mutiny against the coach. Nor am I concerned--yet--about the team "mailing it in". We've lost four; three out of those four games were competitive ones against decent or better teams. Only last nights stinkeroo against the Sonics was mailed it by any stretch. Bad games happen. The team hasn't reverted to the 05-06 form with several stinkeroos in a row.

But keep your eyes peeled.

by EngineerScotty on Mar 19, 2007 11:47 AM PDT reply actions

Good points

I think my main gripe (probably a little whiny today) is I'm tired of the constant cheerleading from the announcers. I'm starting to feel like we're getting the Bush treatment, say it long and loud enough and they'll believe it.

I really do like JJ, I just object to the constant "he's solid" even when he's stopped demonstrating it. He'll be a good player but call it like it is; he's struggling big time and probably doesn't deserve to be starting but we've got nobody else (am I the only one missing Blake?)

I think you hit my Ime point right on the head, I do think he's a good - on some nights very good - defender but I don't agree that he's great every night, particularly against the top tier guys. Clearly he's our best perimeter defender but I'm looking for a more balanced / realistic message from the broadcast talent (whom I happen to love excluding this area).

Regarding the Nate comment; no way do I see a mutiny, but these guys aren't going above and beyond to help a coach they love get a W. That's my point I guess, the subtle difference between respect and loving their coach. They would have done much more to prevent the Sonics, a mediocre team at best, from embarassing him if they really loved playing for him.

BTW, yes it's 4 but it's also 8 out of the last 10 and that's concerning. . .

by TP43 on Mar 19, 2007 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions

I completely agree EngineerScotty

Teams have bad nights, we've also had good nights. Are we there yet, no, are we improving yes.

Jack is a dilemna, but at worst he'll be a great back-up PG for a long time to come (and his shot should only improve with age). I have always had issues with his speed with relation to the direction the NBA has been moving.

As for Ime, I'm of the crew that wants to keep Ime, but like I said with regards to Pryz last year, I think it's very important that we don't overpay him, I question how healthy he'll be over the long haul. I'd either go with low numbers for a sizable period of time, or a larger number for a short contract.

That said Kobe going on a scoring rampage does not mean that Ime is not a good defender, or even that Ime did a bad job on Kobe on that night. A great player can score in spite of the fact that they are heavily guarded. As an example I pulled up the last two bouts between the Lakers and the Spurs to see how the team that has been considered one of the best, if not the best defensive teams over the last couple of decades (if not the history of basketball) did on Kobe... namely did they hold Kobe to the requested "under 25"... nope. Not either time, one game he had 34, the other he had 31. Both games were close, the Spurs won one, the Lakers won one.

by drawingjeremy on Mar 19, 2007 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions

tp43

your my guy dude.that's exactly what i said today this is a mediocre team at best.if people really believe that was a great defensive effort then i have beach property in maui..you should be very upset tp43 and like i said the blazers are very soft*sugarcoately when it comes to the real hard facts about these players.and as far as mcmiillian goes you can now understand why the sonics players are happy to see him go.he's too demanding and he does'nt have the pedigree or winning % as a coach to be this way also like i said a year ago coach stop coaching like your chasing dallas8phoenix for the 1 seed in the west.you should thank-god memphis is where they are right now.47-102 is nothing to pump your chest out about sarge... maybe jaynes is on to something from 2 weeks ago 47-102 and with games that means something to the following utah twice,houston twice,at spurs,at mavs,at knicks,at bulls,warriors twice,at t*wolves ,wizards,clippers,all these games are vs teams who need them a lot more than the blazers do.only memphis,seattle,and hawks are winnable games that are left on the schedule..as far as jack goes he said it all after the loss to the detroit game if we're a little better than last season then that's really not saying much about this team..tp43 keep being angry and dissapointed because you're right.

by fatty on Mar 19, 2007 12:08 PM PDT reply actions

WOW

That is a lot of unloading!

My hunch is that there's truth in everything you say but it's not quite as bleak on any front as you're stating.

That's OK...I've had those kind of days too...

--Dave

by Dave on Mar 19, 2007 12:20 PM PDT reply actions

dave in all honesty

the worst thing that can happen is 3 scenerios 1)if we pick 6 or lower,2)if we collasped and the seats are empty by the time i leave pdx. 3)if they tune coach out and it's reported and oden*durrant both stay in school.my honest opinion if these kids win only 1 of the next 5 games it's over.wizards,at knicks,at hawks,at t*wolves,at bulls.only 1 win in the next 5 games and dave you might as well take a well deserved vacation... and i'll be there when they come back...from the e.caost/midwest trip...

by fatty on Mar 19, 2007 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

What's over?

Nate ain't gonna get axed if the Blazers go 1-4 in the upcoming set of games. They ain't going to the playoffs this year. They won't have the worst record; Memphis is too far behind. One losing streak won't cause the Rose Garden to suddenly empty. Oden/Durant's decision to enter the draft or not will probably have nothing to do with how the Trail Blazers perform--though Henry over at TrueHoop (see the new ESPN site at http://myespn.go.com/nba/truehoop) seems to think that something's up and Durant will be wearing green next season.

Right now, the team is playing for ping-pong balls, and pride. Unfortunately, the two are opposed to each other.

by EngineerScotty on Mar 19, 2007 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Not bleak, annoyed

You make it damn hard to argue, you've got this knack for making me feel 9 years old.

I love my guys, I'm just frustrated with the excessive rose colored glasses. At some point it really eats into the credibility of the announcers. There's homerism and then there's this. Love him or hate him, can you imagine Steve Jones sitting by and swallowing this level of cheerleading?

At the end of the day, despite the ups and downs, they are precisely where we all agreed they were going to be by the end of the year. 30 to 35 wins I consider to be a pretty successful season given this stage of our development.

by TP43 on Mar 19, 2007 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions

LOL

Nine? You're at least thirteen. And a half.

--Dave

by Dave on Mar 19, 2007 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Seriously though

What are the announcers going to do in this climate? For better or worse their job is to sell. In fact the whole NBA announcing climate is like that right now but I think it's even more pronounced with the Blazers. They've felt like it's been them against the public/media/whoever for so long that it really feels like they're a bastion in the storm sometimes. Also sometimes the product really hasn't been that great to watch. Both of those things result in the occasional over-sell.

You and I might wish for a return to the old days of semi-detached broadcasting but I don't think that's likely anywhere.

The light at the end of the tunnel is that as the team improves and confidence rises in them overall there will be less and less need for interpretive selling as the product will start to sell itself. I look forward to that day.

--Dave

by Dave on Mar 19, 2007 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Frustration

is about expectations. The Organization is trying everything in their power to create a feeling of "A New Day". If your a true fan you probably have a firm grip on the realities of this team. The reality is we are the fifth worst team in the league with at least two starters who might not start on any other team.
TP43, I feel you. If you think that hearing your "homer" announcers call games is annoying you should listen to the other teams announcers while watching the games. I live in Denver so I get to watch the Blazers-Nuggets on Altitude and you want to talk about homers, Chris Marlowe and Scott Hastings are defining the word. They never commit a foul, theyre always getting jobbed by the officials.....sound famlilar?
I really like your critique of our players, JJ and Ime are great players but not NBA starters. Not in my eyes.

by DropstepJ on Mar 19, 2007 1:43 PM PDT reply actions

this is true...

watching most of my games on NBALP as I do, I see a lot of broadcasting teams from around the country. Most are far worse as homers than the Mikes.

Granted, I never hear Wheeler so I can't speak for him, but the other two are not even close to the homerishness I hear from others.

Strangely enough, the broadcasters who gave our Blazers the most love were the guys in LA. No kidding, it seemed like they were trying to top each other saying good things about the Blazers, especially LA and Roy.

by ken @ Blazer's Edge on Mar 19, 2007 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Wow

I'm flabbergasted. This is embarassing, but I don't have cable or sattelite so the only games I see are KGW and the odd CBS Sunday game with the rest "radio only".

I guess this is a trend in the last few years? I really had no idea, hope I didn't rub anybody the wrong way.

In my defense, I was clear that I really like the Mike's and Wheels and I understand what Dave was saying about having to market the team, it was just so incessant. Yes, yes, the team is growing but I desperately wanted to beat those damn Lakers. My wife finally left the room when I continued to scream about hating he who shall remain nameless!

I'm probably in the minority on this one, but I think Odious got exactly what he wanted and our young team lost their focus in that LA game. That to me was a veteran who was desperate to get a win and willing to do anything. He's a punk, but we were firmly in control and end up losing. I like the fire but I really do feel like we got taken advantage of in that little skirmish.

by TP43 on Mar 19, 2007 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Ya

their are worse commentators by far.. a few examples:

the nuggets
the lakers
the grizzlies

those 3 teams off the top of my head, their announcers are horrible.

ROY for R.O.Y.

by junit3123 @ Blazer's Edge on Mar 19, 2007 1:53 PM PDT reply actions

by far the worst in my opinion...

Sacramento. Those guys just seem to try to outdork each other.

by ken @ Blazer's Edge on Mar 19, 2007 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions

LOL

First we have "borking" and now "outdorking"? Not even a hyphen to make it semi-legit.

I'm imagining an argument...

"I'm gonna dork you up!"

"Not if I dork you first!"

--Dave

by Dave on Mar 19, 2007 1:55 PM PDT up reply actions

OK, partner...

step down off your horse. I'm gonna dork you. But I'm gonna dork you real slow.

(with apologies to Steve Martin)

by ken @ Blazer's Edge on Mar 19, 2007 2:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Just don't

bork it up.

--Dave

by Dave on Mar 19, 2007 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Ummm

Clearly I've been away too long. Borking?!

by TP43 on Mar 19, 2007 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Ask

RipCityGal.

That one's her fault.

--Dave

by Dave on Mar 19, 2007 6:53 PM PDT up reply actions

And by the way

I have missed you being around.

--Dave

by Dave on Mar 19, 2007 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks Dave

Been a little pre-occupied trying to remain employed! ;-)

Somehow spending more than a few minutes checking on my Blazers seems risky when they're cutting groups all around you by 50%. . . brutal.

by TP43 on Mar 20, 2007 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions

wow

I have an urge to drop in a dictionary link because then suddenly this conversation takes on a whole new meaning.

by ratbastird on Mar 20, 2007 5:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Eventually we'll have to create

a Blazersedge dictionary. I've been a member of one online community for over 15 yrs. and we have a unique vocabulary (many words caused by typos - but work so well they were immediately adopted.) Problem is that we're so used to thinking those words that they occasionally appear in spoken conversations with "outsiders" who give you really weird look.

Gilbert Arenas in anagrams : Ingrate bleats, narrates bilge; tangibles rare, barrage silent.

by jorga on Mar 20, 2007 7:07 AM PDT up reply actions

I'd have to say ...

my favorites (and by favorites I mean the worst) are the Knick announcers. Walt Frazier cracks me up every time he opens his mouth both with the things he says and the tone with which he says them (dude sounds perpetually stoned) ...

by bfan on Mar 19, 2007 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions

speaking of Wheels...

has anybody noticed the commercial (I never catch anything but the last phrase) that ends with a "Boomshakalaka!"?

by ken @ Blazer's Edge on Mar 19, 2007 1:53 PM PDT reply actions

my biggest question

Yes, what is this Boomshakalaka thing? It sounds cool at the first few times i heard it. But then it just became a little annoying and stupid when they constantly used it.

by iverigma2 on Mar 20, 2007 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Ime

is undersized for a 3, he's what, 6'5"? He has the unenviable task of locking horns with the McGradys, Ginoblis, and Kobes of the league, because he always draws the toughest perimeter assignment. Having said that, how bad would we be defensively without him. I shudder to think of Martell out there clod hopping around like he has cement on his feet. Udoka may not be the greatest defender in the world, be he for damn sure is the best WE got.

Friday the 13th/walking down Elm Street/ Come in my realm you get beat

by JPop on Mar 19, 2007 5:08 PM PDT reply actions

Udoka

"Udoka may not be the greatest defender in the world, be he for damn sure is the best WE got."

Which, no offense to Ime, is a big problem.

Hopefully, experience will fix this. If not, the rebuildung may take longer than we like...

by EngineerScotty on Mar 20, 2007 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions

Udoka would be outstanding in old Juan Dixon role

I'd like to see Udoka take over Dixon's old role as instant offense off the bench, 1st scoring option for the 2nd unit.

by Blazers Nation on Mar 20, 2007 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions

Not his game

Udoka's a great guy to hit the open jumper when the defense switches, or to cut to the hoop and receive passes for layups.

He's not a guy to create his own shot.

Dixon was someone who was good at scoring with the ball in his hands.

by EngineerScotty on Mar 20, 2007 12:20 PM PDT up reply actions

We don't need shot creation skills as much now

We needed Dixon's shot creation ability when we didn't have JJ AND Brandon Roy distributing the ball on the first unit, and we didn't have Sergio's ball distribution abilities on the 2nd unit.

All we need coming off the bench in the Dixon role now is someone who can hit open jumpers and make cuts to the basket that doesn't get torched on perimeter defense.

by Blazers Nation on Mar 20, 2007 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions