Columbian: 5 key questions for the Blazers heading into season, incl. comments from Nate on 10 rotation players

Interesting note on Outlaw:
"A guy who can score, (who) we want to become a defender."

Batum:
"Could be one of the top defenders in the league. Very athletic. Will improve his jump shot, and I think be a legitimate starter in this league."

And not that much to say on Greg except "huge upside".

over 2 years ago Norsktroll 9 comments 0 recs |

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Beyond Nate McMillan's inability to coach his players up on defense, my biggest worry is he's lacking ...

the tactical abilities to properly integrate Greg Oden into the offense. With reports indicating Brandon Roy has grabbed the bull by the horns — for better or worse — as well as him being more willing to defer to LaMarcus Aldridge than Oden on the court, I’m afraid the big guy may get screwed over with regards to receiving his fair share of touches when Andre Miller isn’t in there to feed him the rock.

Truth be told, Oden must become the #2 man and Aldridge needs to drop to the #3 spot for the team to make further enhancements as a unit. I don’t know if Roy wants that to occur, though, and I doubt McMillan is willing to rock the boat or make the necessary change — as “change” is a scary word for the rigid coach — to do it.

Stupid people have stupid ideas.

by AK1984 on Oct 25, 2009 4:30 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Oden needs to be a main focus of the offense, but will he....

To me you have described the other side of the story when it comes to some of the pre-season rumblings (many people get caught up thinking about Andre and Steve). I had an economics professor who taught us that when a law is passed, somebody always wins and somebody always loses. I believe it is true in this case as well, and it just might be Greg again. I hope not! It is better for us to have a low post presence.

The best players only try to, "do it all," themselves when it is a playoff necessity or, on occasion, to put on a show. Other than that, the game is easy for them, and they are just having fun and getting a workout in. There is no need to belabor the point!

by KINGofMACct on Oct 25, 2009 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Well

This article seems parts positive and one part negative in terms of Greg being a well utilised offensive option. Roy acknowledges that Greg is now a weapon for them and even makes mention of going to him in crunch time. Aldridge and Oden talk about developing a hi/lo game between them, which I am giddy about as this seems a far greater use of LA’s talent than shooting 22 footers. However, Nate talk only about Greg being a defensive presence. I agree this should be the main goal for Greg this year but you have to trust him with the ball on the offensive end. Doesn’t sound like Nate plans on doing too much of that….

Who knows what’ll happen, the players play so if Roy and Aldridge want to involve Greg then it should happen. On the other hand we know Nate like to control the offense from the sidelines so perhaps his touches will remain as limited as last year. I really hope that isn’t the case though.

by MadBlaze on Oct 25, 2009 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Here's the money quote.

"I want Greg to establish us on the defensive end of the floor," McMillan said. "I don’t want him concerned so much about the offensive end of the floor. Last year, we were able to score and we’ll be able to score this year. But I want that (center) position and Greg to focus on establishing our defense — covering that basket, rebounding that ball … really being a monster in the paint."

To me, it looks like Nate McMillan has his priorities out of wack. Greg Oden would be fine on defense if McMillan would finally fix the way he has his team defend the pick-and-roll — for Oden should stay at home and LaMarcus Aldridge should exhibit more effort with his help defense, while Kevin Pritchard should’ve brought in a point guard like Kirk Hinrich who can actually stay in front of his man and fight through screens — but that’s a pipe dream on my end.

Offensively, the pick-and-roll — whether it’s from up top, a side screen-roll, or whatever variation of the play — ran by Andre Miller through Oden is more efficient than Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge doing their pick-and-pop garbage. I don’t have much faith in Aldridge becoming much of a high-post facilitator, either. Rather than dump it down low inside to Oden or pick up his dribble from the elbow and look to drive and draw a foul, Aldridge will probably settle into launching up inefficient mid-range jump shots due to those being in his comfort zone. Knowing McMillan and Roy, they’ll likely continue to coddle Aldridge and not call him out for his pussified style of play.

Stupid people have stupid ideas.

by AK1984 on Oct 25, 2009 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions

check out this video

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2424548

LMA is practicing his corner 3

I have seen the Blazers trying to feed Oden in the post from the wing and Greg’s man fronting him. When this happens, they’ll flash LMA from the weak side to the FT line area and get him the ball quickly so he can drop the ball in to GO, who should have his man sealed. I’m hoping to see more of this “UCLA” offense run successfully between the two big guys, this year

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 25, 2009 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions

He should work on that some more. If he can't hit 50% in an empty gym, it's not a shot he should prefer in a game.

by Norsktroll on Oct 26, 2009 2:58 AM PDT up reply actions

I liked reading this, from that article

One facet that remains a work in progress is one that could develop into one of the Blazers’ biggest weapons down the road: the high-low game between Aldridge and Oden. The two revealed a hint of high-low ability in spurts late last season and the Blazers have been working on it regularly in practice throughout the preseason.

Aldridge and Oden are continuing to become comfortable with the set, so the Blazers did not feature it much during exhibition games.

Like someone else wrote earlier…hopefully Juwan Howard is showing LMA the proper way to feed high-low post entry passes in to GO

When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 25, 2009 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Cohere?

once the Blazers cohere, the team should soar. Portland might not pick up as many regular-season victories this season, but the Blazers will succeed when it counts: in the playoffs. And the Rip City faithful should expect to see their team still playing ball in May.

That’s a purdy high falutin’ word from a beat writer. “Succeed in the playoffs…play in May” This beat writer knows what really counts, hopefully Smith has read the tea leaves aright.

When reached 39 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!

by two4larue on Oct 25, 2009 6:48 PM PDT reply actions

Smith is awesome

He definitely seems plugged in and very fair and honest. Not to offend anyone, but I have been looking forward to blazer banter more then the latest Olive articles.

Its delightful, its delicious, its delug

by GertJohnnys on Oct 25, 2009 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions