The mental fatigue excuse is a weak one

by leeroyjenkins on Feb 14, 2008 9:06 AM PST

There are 29 other NBA teams going through the same rigors that the Blazers are. Arguably there are other teams going through a greater volume of and/or worse day-today issues than the Blazers are.

You think the Blazers are fatigued? How about the Knicks? How about the T-Wolves? How about Miami? Hell, how about the Lakers, Phoenix, Cleveland, Dallas? Those teams are surrounded by drama and huge expectations (not to mention the media) every day of the season.

Yet you don't hear those teams whining about road trips, fatigue, having to play lots of basketball games, being away from their children blah blah blah blah.

I'll give you that the Blazers are tired. I won't give you that it's a legitimate excuse for bad basketball. And we've been seeing a lot of flat-out bad basketball lately. I understand that that these are young players, that LMA isn't going to become a great rebounder overnight, that Outlaw isn't going to be able to get to the basket at will tomorrow, that Martell isn't going to stay focused 328 quarters this season. But there's no excuse whatsoever for these constants: failing to get back on defense, not blocking a man out for a rebound, leaving your feet and turning the ball over, soft fouls at the rim, and more - these types of things are basketball 101.

I'm getting somewhat disturbed by the unwillingness of fans to look a little deeper when discussing the team's problems. It almost smells like denial brought on by shock that the team isn't as good as The Streak indicated. However, they are better than the last 10 games they've played and it's time for them to start acting like it - from the head coach on down to the 12th man

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100% agree

life is like a bank, you can only take out as much as you put in. -Cal Ripken Sr.

by winnerwinner on Feb 14, 2008 9:24 AM PST 0 recs

In response to your signature

life is like a sewer, you only get out of it what you put in.

The Rose Garden is our House.

by JTDuck22 on Feb 14, 2008 9:26 AM PST up 0 recs

All teams

go through bad streaks. For whatever reasons they do. The 2000 L*kers had a slump that year, everyone worried about them. We know what happened there. It's not that big of a deal.

Of course, who couldn't agree with what you're saying about taking an honest look at problems and such? But, the tone with which we regard the team... does that need to be so harsh when they've given so much this year?

Blessed are the flexible, for they never get bent out of shape.

by hobobob on Feb 14, 2008 9:30 AM PST 0 recs

Oh Yeah?

Given us this Year?

When was the last time Martell gave you some Valentine's Chocolates? Just ask broggerboy19!

I sent Brandon Roy some Socks, darnit!

Ball Don't Lie

by bothteamsplayedhard on Feb 14, 2008 11:31 AM PST up 0 recs

I think we are all

upset about the mental errors, but how can you say those aren't attributed to mental fatigue?

I give this team the benefit of the doubt, if not solely based on the near unanimous decision to get here a month early and gel as a team. That shows tremendous commitment and discipline, something we have, um, not even been close to having the last 6-7 years.

Also, they are young and, even though some of you hate to hear it, that is a reflection of this teams growth curve. They will grow from this rough patch and have lots of games that are winnable (see Seattle, LAC, Minn) and others that will be competitive shootouts (see GS, PHX, LA). I have no problem saying that you are upset that the team is losing as of late, but like hobobob said above, do you need to be so harsh? If so, then don't pay for tickets and let someone else join the ride, simple as that.

They are like a vampiric Kobayashi - Classic Dave on the Knicks, 2/1/08

by Rodendridge on Feb 14, 2008 10:11 AM PST 0 recs

OK, Leeroy

It's inexcusable. What should be done?

Look deeper at the team's problems. What do you see?

I'll tell you what I see. Virtually every problem would have been made better by a healthy Oden.

Historically, adding a #1 pick adds 11 wins. He's not just any #1 pick, he was one of the most highly rated #1s to ever come out. Put him on the court this season, and because his strengths EXACTLY match our major weaknesses, I see 8-10 more wins already this year.

Even without Oden, put a healthy James Jones on the court, and I see his veteran leadership, defense, and shooting preserving a win at Philadelphia, and see us winning home games against Indiana and NJ, at least.

JJ3 healthy all year? We'd be in playoff position still. Oden healthy all year? We'd be on pace for 55 wins or more. And even so, we might well have lost all four games on this recent trip, anyway, and people would be posting that the effort was inexcusable, and we are playing poor basketball, and what's gone wrong?

When I look deeper at the problems, I primarily see two knee injuries, and a young, rebuilding team that isn't yet deep enough and experienced enough to compensate for the injuries.

by jscot on Feb 14, 2008 10:29 AM PST 0 recs

At the same time...

We know what these guys are capable of. Having JJ33 back isn't going to make the other 4 players on the floor hustle back on defense. Having Oden back isn't going to cause our defenders to move their feet on defense rather than reaching in and fouling with their hands.

Our youth should suffer from some basketball IQ stuff...inexperience stuff.

There is some mental fatigue. However, several of our players are playing as if it is April and they have no mathematical shot at the playoffs.

I'm hip, I'm slick, and all the women want my phone number!

by silkybrown on Feb 14, 2008 1:02 PM PST up 0 recs

Sorry Leeroy

Mental and physical fatigue is real and it hurts our team the most because we have the most young players playing MAJOR minutes than anyone in the league, and maybe anyone ever.

They are better than they've been playing but it's clear our kids need a break, and VOILA it's the allstar break! This rest happens at this time of year for a reason, and it is of course the perfect time for us.

The travel, the highs, the lows, being DEPENDED on with no one else to save you, this is all new to everyone on the team (even Roy). The fatigue is something accepted by all sports professionals, executives, trainers, reporters, everyone. Why isn't it good enough for you?

We all want them to be as good as they can. They aren't rebounding or hustling as much as they were just the other week. Since I don't think they've changed as players or people or have since developed a bad attitude, I'd have to rightly assume they are TIRED. They know what they should be doing (and Nate knows they know) but their body says "Nuh uh". They'll learn to get past this, as everyone does who is experiencing something difficult but important for the first time.

The Players, not the Coach, gotta learn individually how to deal with this. The Coach can prepare them for the game, get them psyched up, but the player still has to execute and do what they are supposed to do. This is on the players, but it's something they all go through.

We just happen to have an entire team of guys going through this at the same time.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Feb 14, 2008 10:49 AM PST 0 recs

I'll second that...

It was all so evident last night as the team clearly didn't have their legs or their focus. Just the charity stripe numbers alone tell the story.

The body needs the mind as much as the mind needs the body. The Blazers are tired in both body and mind.

Peace

by ColoradoBlazerFan on Feb 14, 2008 1:36 PM PST up 0 recs

You are correct...

This team is not experiencing anything that every other team in the league isn't experiencing. Mental fatigue cannot be an excuse. As young as we are physical fatigue cannot be an excuse. It can be real, but should not be an excuse.

I think this team does need a break but not so much for rest mentally or physically but more just to step back, take stock and regroup. When we were winning a common comment was how mature this young team was playing. Now we are playing like a young team. It's cliche, but this team needs to remember what it was doing right, collectively and as individuals.

No excuses. We wanted respect and recognition. Well the rest of the league knows about us and Brandon Roy now. We got what we wanted. We aren't going to sneak up on anyone anymore. Brandons an All-Star now, and the league remembers our almost perfect month of December.

Experienced teams make their moves now. The rest of the season is only going to get tougher. I agree no excuses. Achieve, or illuminate where The Blazers need to make changes, but no excuses.

"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"

by Krang on Feb 14, 2008 11:54 AM PST 0 recs

Even worse for them

They gotta go back to rainy old Portland after their long road trips. If the team was in a sunnier place, maybe they would have more energy.

"Darkness warshed over the Dude - darker'n a black steer's tookus on a moonless prairie night. There was no bottom." The Stranger from The Big Lebowski (1999)

by tominhawaii on Feb 14, 2008 2:19 PM PST 0 recs

You seem to go from dark to darker.

You need a big hug too. HUG!.

I´ve begun to work with the caricaturist today. I hope we will bring you some fun or at least a small souvenir.

I like Brandon Roy, whatever planet he comes from. (Bill Walton?)

by amlmart1 on Feb 14, 2008 3:03 PM PST up 0 recs

Cool beans

I'm still happy go lucky. I just like to weather brag.
Today: Partly cloudy. High near 80F, low near 69F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph.

"Darkness warshed over the Dude - darker'n a black steer's tookus on a moonless prairie night. There was no bottom." The Stranger from The Big Lebowski (1999)

by tominhawaii on Feb 14, 2008 3:24 PM PST up 0 recs

So Leeroy, you are saying there is no

difference between being the youngest team in league with not a single veteran in a key role and 4 of the top playoff teams?

And using NY, Miami and Minn as comparisons? Last time I looked, all three suck far more than Portland.

For someone so critical, why don't you ever give us any alternatives. You just say things shouldn't be this way, like it's some iron clad rule or natural law. It sounds like you know all this because it was that way for you. Are you a former NBA player? Is this coming from experience? As I recall it, you are the same guy who complained that Portland should have done a better job of defending Lebron James in the 4th quarter by playing him tighter and putting a hand in his face when he was shooting 3's.

If you happen to be Bill Walton, then I apologize for doubting you. At least then I'd know you have the standing to criticize. If you aren't, please put a cork in it.

by timg56 on Feb 14, 2008 3:57 PM PST 0 recs