Blazers Vs Rockets 10/31/09 Review

by Aaron Sass on Oct 31, 2009 8:50 PM PDT Comment 36 comments

I'm really disappointed that the Trail Blazers lost to the Rockets. I don't care if it's on the road or at home. You have to beat the Rockets. There's a part of me that is becoming concerned with the Trail Blazers.

I do understand that the Blazers have to work out which lineups work and which ones don't but you should still be able to beat Houston. You're way talented then they are. Also the Blazers need to win on the road. If they can't beat the Rockets on the road, who can they beat? I'm not panicking just yet but come on Portland.

One common thing about the Blazers that is constantly annoying me since the season tipped off is that they're not getting the ball to Greg Oden on a regular basis. I understand that Nate really wants Greg to do his work on the defensive end but Greg could help this team so much offensively. I think there's few centers in the NBA that are as physically gifted as him. Not a lot of people can guard him down low in my opinion. If you keep feeding Oden good things will happen.

Another thing that comes to mind when thinking about the Blazers on offense is that Steve Blake really needs to step his game up. He's missing open looks and he keeps passing up open looks. It's like he's scared to shoot. Also as far as the point guards go, this was the first game that I liked Andre Miller's shot selection. Though I think he needs to shoot the ball less, his shot selection was good tonight.

One question I have is that why didn't Martell play more tonight? He's been very active so far and he's been playing aggressive defense and that's what this team needs. Though Martell isn't as good of defender as Batum, he's still playing well on defense and I think Nate should give him more minutes.

Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge had great games tonight. I don't think if they both have games like that that too many teams are going to beat them when it happens. Brandon and LA did their part but the Trail Blazers couldn't play defense tonight and that was really disappointing.

One thing I do want to see though is Jerryd Bayless. I think Jerryd could help this team greatly. I don't know where you would fit him in. But I think Nate needs to give him a look. If Jerryd doesn't get any minutes this season I think they'll have a hard time keeping him happy in Portland. Bayless is going to be a very good player in this league, he just needs the chance.

Overall the Blazers really disappointed me tonight. They need to pound the ball inside to Greg Oden and LA more and play DEFENSE!!! I'm beginning to get concerned with this team. I probably shouldn't, but I am.

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we sucked

Trade for Luis Amundson!!Do it KP!!

by CroRupt on Oct 31, 2009 9:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

very nice analysis. I couldnt have found the words to say it better myself.

by tevisthe4th on Oct 31, 2009 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Concerned

We have a team of stars and near-stars, vs. a team with no stars at all. But somehow we’re porous enough on defense to allow layup after layup and open 3 after open 3. I love the Blazers but my goodness, they are NOT a great team right now, despite having some great players.

Concerned and Disappointed.

by 3pointer on Oct 31, 2009 9:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

good players, bad schemes

You always here the old adage “getting more with less” or “maximizing your talents”, or “putting players in position to shine”. I now come to describe this Blazer team as the exact opposite of that – I believe that we get less (results) with more (talent).

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Oct 31, 2009 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two things need to happen soon

First, Miller needs to start and play 30-35 minutes per game. Nate needs to allow him to develop cohesiveness and comfort level with guys like Roy, Aldridge, Oden, etc. It will take a little time but it will be well worth it. Otherwise, we are destined for a repeat of last year in the playoffs. It’s really too bad Nate wasted the entire pre-season where this could have been happening, instead he went with this charade of "who’s going to win the starting PG spot?’ Anyone with any basketball acumen could see in five minutes that Miller needs to play over Blake. Blake needs to resign himself to being a backup PG and situational spot up shooter. In fact I think part of the reason Blake is playing so poorly is that he is pressing….he knows in his heart that Miller is better so he is subconsciously trying to prove to himself and others that he deserves to be in the starting line up.

The second thing that needs to happen is we have to force feed Oden in the low post. It is obvious he has some real offensive abilities, but he will never develop the rhythm or confidence he needs if he gets so few touches as he gets now. If he misses 5 shots in a row or has turnovers or offensive fouls, he needs to get the ball a 6th time, and so on. He will eventually find his rhythm and flow, and then he will be a beast. And the Blazers will not be just a jump shooting team. Again, this will take a little time and some growing pains, but better to go through it now even if it takes all season because it is the only way to set this team up for greatness. It’s been said many times before but is worth repeating…..as much talent as we have, we are not good enough to win championships with a dominant Greg Oden!!

by socalblazer on Oct 31, 2009 9:46 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

I can think of at least 7 NBA coaches that could make this team amazing.

by broyandgo on Oct 31, 2009 9:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Everyone needs to chiiiiilllll

While I, too, am disappointed, we need to remember that we have played our first 3 games against 3 playoff teams from last year. I know thats no excuse, but its not like we’re getting blown out by the Kings.

Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t we start 1-2 out of the gate last season as well? I hate dealing with a slow start as much as the next guy, but lets not get too ahead of ourselves here, lets have a little bit of faith that our guys will turn it around, we owe them that much.

by abobo84 on Oct 31, 2009 9:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I am very chilled thank you

I’m not panicking. I know we will still win 50+ and make the playoffs, but without some definate changes in the way we play, and the way Nate uses personnel, we are destined to underacheive and dissapoint given the talent level of this team.

by socalblazer on Oct 31, 2009 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah it was like a 1-3 start, and exit out of the first round.

I can live with the start, but not with the finish.

And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.

by RipCity on Oct 31, 2009 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will not calm down.

Its absolutely frustrating to know that most of the true fans on this site know what this team needs to do re: miller, and oden but the multi-millionaires running the team have no clue. Ahhhhhh, what a horrible day to be a blazer.

by broyandgo on Oct 31, 2009 9:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What exactly would you do different with Oden?

Blazers lost? TIME TO PANIC!!!!!!!!

by In Walks Rudy on Oct 31, 2009 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

get more penetration from andre/ roy and a higher pick and roll, off the ball oops, better perimeter defense to keep him out of trouble, better offensive sets to name a few.

by broyandgo on Oct 31, 2009 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm really starting to wonder if McMillan is the right coach for this team

by socalblazer on Oct 31, 2009 9:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Starting? What an interesting choice of word...

by broyandgo on Oct 31, 2009 9:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Aldridge played 40 minutes!!!!!!!

Nate is going to wear him out before the playoffs. Outlaw needs to be playing at least 30 minutes a night at power forward to keep LA rested.

by tominhawaii on Oct 31, 2009 10:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

forget outlaw put howard in

by Nad on Oct 31, 2009 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that was sarcasm, right?

by broyandgo on Oct 31, 2009 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

tom is NEVER sarcastic...

NEVER

ball does lie

by In Walks Rudy on Oct 31, 2009 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i cant sense sarcasm anymore, im too consumed with doubt(law)

by broyandgo on Oct 31, 2009 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

losing sucks... but

i’m still not worried in the least. It takes time for people to gel. Andre is brand new and Martel just came back. Give them 10 or 15 games at least before you get too upset.

Blazers lost? TIME TO PANIC!!!!!!!!

by In Walks Rudy on Oct 31, 2009 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

my main point is andre should not play less than 30 mpg, they cannot gel with the best line up never playing together, dre and oden hardly get minutes together. Blake and outlaw as strong as their talents can be are a thorn in the side of the blazers offense and defense.

by broyandgo on Oct 31, 2009 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know how they kept saying if this team is winning then the

chemistry should be no problem well were defenetly on the wrong path here lets see who starts complaining first

by Nad on Oct 31, 2009 10:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

tom…

by broyandgo on Oct 31, 2009 10:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My birthday sucked because of this game

I had a dream visiting the Garden!

by You on Oct 31, 2009 10:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

my birthday is going to suck because of this game, and thats in May.

by broyandgo on Oct 31, 2009 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

well happy birthday big fella

Happy birthday to You.
Happy birthday to You.
Happy birthday dear You-woo.
Happy birthday to You.

And may many more years come to You.

To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead. -- Thomas Paine, US patriot & political philosopher (1737 - 1809)

by Love on Oct 31, 2009 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

at least the duck fans out there are happy.

Unfortunately, I was rooting for the trojans, and now I have to walk away with my tail between my legs.

"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"

-Ron Artest

by premthegrem on Oct 31, 2009 10:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I swear there's a guy out there whose job is to write review of our games...

i realllllllllllllllly hate your sig :(
n o offense
-BlazerFan1

by TheTinfoil on Oct 31, 2009 10:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I miss the off-season

Sucking at darts is not a super power

by 1badbadger on Nov 1, 2009 12:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

B Roy, LMA and Miller scored 84 points in 105 min.'s of playing time the rest of the team scored 23 points in 125 min.'s

That was the problem tonight. At least Bayless would of driven to the hoop. And kept Brooks in front of him. Sorry but Oden could be a beast if feed a proper diet. There is no reason LMA should not be getting rebounds! He is longer and faster than anyone else out there just needs to start playing deeper to the basket, same for you Travis out jump the other guy. Sorry just had to vent.

by prof.mike on Nov 1, 2009 12:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I disagree with all the praise Roy and LMA are getting for this game, especially LMA. They provided what’s easiest for them to provide. We needed, and continue to need, better defense from them both.

I'm on your bandwagon. Eating your nachos.

by Fanboi on Nov 1, 2009 1:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs