Trailblazers.com Podcast

by Dave on Nov 12, 2009 11:49 AM PST Comment 22 comments

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 0 recs

whoa dave!

I usually agree with most of your thoughts. However, your opinion of Rudy’s play thus far is surprising (“crap on a shingle”). His shooting has been suspect, but are you not watching his overall play? Rebounds, steals and his court vision alone merit his playing. Can anyone truly say Steve Blake should be playing more minutes than Rudy? Do I need to remind you that he holds the rookie record for 3 pointers made? He is arguably the best passer on the team. Even when his shot is not falling, he has been tipping balls out to teammates, playing a new position and making heads up passes. Rudy is a deft shooter and should be the least of anyone’s worries. The improvement in other areas of his game are very encouraging. Rudy is one the most athletic players on the team. He is also one of the “headiest.” His team defense should be emulated by his fellow teammates. Rudy certainly has flaws in his game, and with his injuries and tired legs from euro ball I understand some of the criticism, but lets not go crazy with the Rudy is playing like “crap” crap. That dude needs more minutes, not less and has already proven he deserves them.

Do not argue with idiots. They will drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.

by jongus on Nov 12, 2009 12:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think that rudy is a little bummed that he's a star on his national team and is only second fiddle on our Back up squad.

Free Rudy… (or start him)

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 12:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out.

I have a simple philosophy: Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. Scratch where it itches.

by Nad on Nov 12, 2009 4:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You're taking the comment out of context

and also talking mostly about his last 2-3 games. I agree he has found his rhythm more in the last couple of outings and looks closer to the Rudy we need.

—Dave

by Dave on Nov 12, 2009 12:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

how so?

I believe, from memory so I may be erroneous, that the topic concerned Rudy’s state of mind with the reduction of his minutes. This inspired your comments that he is playing like crap and that Nate plays guys who are producing. Also, didn’t Rudy go for 20+ to start the season? It seems, although he has been a bit up and down, that Rudy should in no way have a reduced role. By your logic, Blake should have a reduction in minutes when his season thus far, from almost any measurement, has been inconsistent and by no means is he a better or more talented player than Rudy. Again, I find nearly all your posts and articles insightful Dave, but I sense Portland media beginning to gang up on Rudy’s play.

Do not argue with idiots. They will drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.

by jongus on Nov 12, 2009 2:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I swear I've never seen a player more "immune" to criticism

Rudy’s defense has been pretty awful, he’s been committing a lot of stupid fouls, his shot has been very hit or miss (more miss than hit until the past couple of games) and he’s been making some pretty bad turnovers. It’s not the media ganging up on him to point out that he hasn’t been playing well.

by nikolokolus on Nov 12, 2009 7:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The context of the comment

was whether Rudy was complaining about his role or not. I said I didn’t know for sure (addendum: because it’s hard to tell what’s actual and what’s assumed when it comes to stuff like that as most of it happens behind the scenes and off-record). So the first point was to take it with a grain of salt. The second point was that you can’t complain if you’re not playing up to snuff, which Rudy wasn’t in the first couple weeks of the season. And since he’s only been showing signs of life (Rudy life anyway) for the last three games or so, it’s a little early to be counting minutes. Since there are other players on the team it takes time for the rotations to adjust. The third point was the one you made, that Rudy has been playing better. This was followed by the assertion that Nate does tend to find ways to play the guys who are playing well, so I wouldn’t worry much about Rudy’s minutes as long as he keeps playing like that. I said specifically that I was certain he’d have a long and prosperous NBA career so there was nothing to worry about on that front either. Rudy is going to play.

Somehow you turned the assertion that Rudy will probably get more minutes and thus shouldn’t be worried into an assertion that he should get less minutes, which was not at all what I was saying.

—Dave

by Dave on Nov 12, 2009 9:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

Thanks

And I love discussions like this, so thanks twice!

—Dave

by Dave on Nov 12, 2009 11:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs

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 0 recs