Trailblazers.com Podcast

by Dave on Nov 12, 2009 11:49 AM PST

Here's your weekly dose of the Trailblazers.com podcast. In it we discuss beating Memphis and Minnesota, Oden, Roy's adjustments and responsibilities, the secret way LaMarcus Aldridge's game is expanding, offense, Rudy, Bayless, why the Blazers want to stay way away from Ducks tapes, and more.

Download the podcast here or visit The Center Court Blog to stream it or get it via iTunes.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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Love ya dave, but

…. didn’t you hear!! we’re trading for Chris Paul /s :)

The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.

by faith on Nov 12, 2009 12:45 PM PST reply actions

Good stuff, Dave

Can somebody forward Dave’s comments (about the team not putting Brandon in the situation where he has to be Superman) to One Center Court?

I agree that Rudy – like Blake – is energized in all dimensions of play when his shot is falling. With his shot falling in recent games, he’s doing a better job of doing other things – setting picks (loved the screen he set for Blake’s 3 pointer that drew a foul), driving to the basket and creating for others, etc. My perspective is that Rudy was finding ways to contribute to the team even when his shot was not falling, but now that it is, he’s energized to making an even greater contribution in those areas.

"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY

by Storyteller on Nov 12, 2009 1:09 PM PST reply actions

Rudy seems to enjoy being the facilitator

Honestly, I think he would be just fine with 5 points a night, especially if he is averaging around 4-5 boards, 4-6 assists, and 3-4 steals a night. As long as the team is winning and he knows that he is a contributing factor to those wins, he will be happy.

by OmoriumVerum on Nov 12, 2009 10:16 PM PST up reply actions

Dave and Casey prepare for a podcast.

Casey: Where’d you find that?
Dave: At O-Live!
Casey: Really?
Dave: There’s thousands of ’em!

by MiledAnimal on Nov 12, 2009 2:54 PM PST reply actions 4 recs

i don't quite understand but imagining dave and casey (lenny? or..) ...

is putting a splint in my side.

The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.

by faith on Nov 12, 2009 5:44 PM PST up reply actions

About the defense...

As long as the 3-guards are quick and active in the passing lanes I think the defensive scheme will work. Oden will be the defensive juggernaut that will anchor the interior. He changes the game by just being in the game. He…is…HUGE! He alters almost every shot while he is in there. I think that will be enough to cover the perceived weakness in the 3-guard line-up defense.

by OmoriumVerum on Nov 12, 2009 9:58 PM PST reply actions

I agree that this is the hope

The problem in the scheme is exposing Oden. He’s still a foul machine. Also he hasn’t had anyone nasty to tangle with the last few games. When Oden is more distracted and/or facing better penetrators and scorers coming down the lane the theory is going to be put to the test. I like the quick and active part though. I wonder if we can find that without pairing Miller and Blake back there.

—Dave

by Dave on Nov 12, 2009 10:01 PM PST up reply actions

Dave...

My post below was meant to be a reply to this comment. :)

by OmoriumVerum on Nov 12, 2009 10:14 PM PST up reply actions

True, but...

They have been a lot better about packing the middle and creating a nice phalanx to protect Oden. Plus, Oden looks like he is REALLY trying not to foul. Ironic in a way, especially since he is still dominating. When he learns to be aggressive without fouling than the league will be in trouble. Plus, LA is playing active defense as well. Nate’s been throwing in the quick double-team down low too, which I think has helped mitigate Oden’s fouls.

Personally, I think Blake and Miller are perfect for each other in the back court. Their skill-sets are so complimentary it’s uncanny. Plus, I think Steve’s defense has actually improved, he moves his feet really well and is a cerebral defender.

Also, Blake, Roy, and Aldridge will be as quick, if not quicker, than a lot of the opponents playing at the 2, 3, and 4 position. If they can stay in front of them than the defense has a chance. If someone is trying to overpower/back them down into the post, Oden will be there to intimidate. Essentially, the second unit is built to do the same thing with Pryz hanging out in the paint.

You’re right, though, we’ll see in the near future. I’ll be at the Hawks-Blazers game on Monday. That will be a great indicator of whether this line-up will work or not.

by OmoriumVerum on Nov 12, 2009 10:14 PM PST reply actions

It might take longer than that

but the Hawks will be an early test for sure. The real issue comes when enough games have passed that the league is ready for you. At that point you’re going to see people start trying to post or just run over Blake and Roy. Somewhere between three weeks and a month is usually enough time for everybody to catch up to what you’re doing. It would actually be kind of sweet if we ran this lineup for three weeks or so and switched up again. Oden, LMA, Travis, Roy, Rudy anyone?

—Dave

by Dave on Nov 12, 2009 10:24 PM PST up reply actions

Brandon Roy and defense...

His goal this year is to be on the all-defensive team. This line-up will provide him the opportunity to greatly improve his defense. Also, I remember him guarding Melo, either last year or the year before, straight up. Melo muscled him down towards the hoop and went up for the shot…only to have it swatted away by Brandon. I was thoroughly impressed. I think Roy will live up to the challenge. The T-Wolves tried to go to the mismatch yesterday with Gomes and it didn’t work out at all. Granted, Gomes is no Melo, but he is still bigger adn stronger than Roy.

Roy is such a smart player and I think that will help even things out when it comes to mismatches. Rudy finds himself in the same position. I personally think Rudy plays pretty decent D. He’s smart and quick and get’s into the passing lanes. He’s what, first in the league for steals for players off the bench?

I think that Nate is going to try to capitalize on the intelligence and quickness of his back court on defense and trust LA and Oden to hold down the interior with their superior size. It’s an interesting strategy. It’s different enough to cause issues for other teams.

In the end though, even with other teams scouting us, I believe we will just be too tough to handle. We are (literally) more talented at every position than most teams. We even have one of our starters out with an injury!!! I’ve heard a lot about the quality of our opponents this past week and that is true to a certain extent. However, we must still concede that they are NBA teams and there is talent on those rosters. We did what a great team is supposed to do, we dominated them (and on their own floor no less). This team is on the rise and it’s going to be a fun ride!

On a side note, I’ve been BE frequenter since last year and totally enjoy your commentary Dave. Keep up the great work and thanks for your effort. Thanks.

by OmoriumVerum on Nov 12, 2009 10:53 PM PST up reply actions

Thanks

And I love discussions like this, so thanks twice!

—Dave

by Dave on Nov 12, 2009 11:12 PM PST up reply actions

Thanks to you as well

I always appreciate objective and intelligent discussions!

by OmoriumVerum on Nov 13, 2009 12:22 PM PST up reply actions

Replace Travis with Webster and you've got my vote

Travis historically just plays so much better coming off the bench…..

"It's Our Time":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O99POVJfglY

by Storyteller on Nov 12, 2009 11:14 PM PST up reply actions

I have to disagree with your comments about the three guard lineup

First, who in the league would you trade for to acquire a defensive specialist at the 2 or 3 spot. There aren’t that many good defenders at those positions in the league. And so what if Roy can be posted up—every other 2 and 3 in the league can be exploited by posting up (except LeBron) too.

Second, I think the three guard lineup works better if Roy feeds Oden the ball (like Robertson used to do for Kareem).

Third, the three guard lineup is much better for us because it allows us to take advantage of our rebounding edge.

Finally, I think using Bayless for Miller would be good because Bayless can put the opponent bigs in trouble with his quickness. Thus the Miller/Bayless combination would continually put pressure on the front line of our opponents. Bayless can be the two guard and Roy could run the point.

by 7677maniac on Nov 12, 2009 10:26 PM PST reply actions