Oden isn't the End All

Watching the game was nothing less than frustrating.  The Blazers couldn't hit shots, and outside of long jump shots and three pointers, none were taken without being under intense duress.  Listening to 'The Game' this morning in which Mr. Dawson silenced callers with concerns other than Oden's ankle, worried me.  Is this all the franchise has come down to?  As worried as I am about Oden's injury and its severity, it was actually apparent that Oden, and the expectation upon him were wearing on the entire team.  The guys were plaing nervous.  Visually and mentally.  Where was the scowls, the smiles.  The game was over before it started, not because they gave up, but because a 15 point deficit to the predicted NBA champions is not an easy task to mount. When Greg when out of the game, the team settled, and looked much more comfortable.  We didn't play much better, but the second half was much better than the first.  The score didn't widen by the same margin as the first and players who had yet to find space, particularly Brandon Roy started to get the shots we are accustomed to seeing.  Przybilla knows his role, Oden is still figuring his out.  He'll miss a few games with sprained ankles, and go up against teams with players capable of guarding him, but learning to play within the team will take time, around one or two full months.

Need to improve:

1) Spacing-allowing our wings and guards a chance to penetrate and score or dish

2) Movement-Two man games don't necessarily mean only two people are involved

3) Setting the offense-Blake specifically, needs to get the Blazers in their offense early.  His inability to pull up off the dribble hurts his penetration ability.  If he is able to get the offense set early (and lobbing it into Oden or Aldridge to try and back in for 5 seconds doesn't count), then the Blazers can get easier baskets as oppossed to jump shots.

4) Zone Defense isn't rotating fast enough.  This is a matter of will and knowing which corners are ok to cut i.e. identifying personnel on the court. 

5) Aldridge and Frye both need to initiate the offense out of the high post with their size and outside shooting ability.  This is crucial and creates the best chance at spacing under the basket.  Defenders cannot sag off of Frye nor LMA.  LMA can drive to the hoop, shoot a jumper or pass to a cutter or a bigman in the post a la Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan,  this is absolutely the most efficient way to use him in combination with Oden.  When Oden is out, then LMA can slide deeper into the post.

Problems  that will naturally correct themselves:

1) Jump Shooting will not equal a 19% in a quarter very often (this includes, Roy, Blake and Aldridge against the Lakers) 

2) Greg Oden will get his dunks  

3) Brandon Roy will be himself the entire game 

4) The Rotation will be fine tuned after 3 weeks and then again when Webster returns

Frankly, the Lakers are scary good and are much better than the Blazers right now. The are so long and that was the most defensively active they have played in years.  That said, the Blazers missed many open shots that Phil Jackson himself even alluded to, and that is the difference between a close game and a blow out. The Blazers played their first game with a player who has been thrust into a role that is effecting our creators and nothing can simulate that better than a game, there is no way to 'ease' into it.  Even without Oden, the Blazers are formidable, and don't think that because this game was such a poor showing the Blazer fans have anything to worry about.  The Blazers will still make the playoffs.