The Blazer Guards

by Aaron Sass on Nov 20, 2009 5:29 PM PST

I don't know if anyone else notices this but it's something that I've seen. It seems like the Blazer guards don't want to shoot the ball. Well, most of them anyway. It seems like the only Blazer guard that looks to shoot is Andre Miller and he's the worst shooter out of all the guards.

I always see the Blazer guards passing up the first open shot and sometimes even the second open shot. That's why it seems like Portland is constantly battling the shot clock. Like in the game against Atlanta I think it was where Brandon Roy had the ball at the top of the key with a wide open shot. He looked like he was going to take the shot and at the last second he passed the ball inside to Rudy Fernandez with 2 defenders on him. Rudy made the shot but it looked like a difficult pass Roy made when he had a wide open jumper.

I see this with Blake, though he is getting better at taking the first look he gets. I see it constantly with Roy. I see it with Rudy too. But Miller will take a shot no problem and he's not that good of a shooter.

LaMarcus has no problem putting the ball up. Neither does Greg. But Greg should just because he's in the post and they're playing him 1 on 1. But it just seems like the Blazer guards are trying too hard to be unselfish and it does frustrate me sometimes. But hopefully they'll start taking the first shot available.

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i remember

someone saying in the pre season that the first 20 games will be inconsistent as guys are still trying to work out each others games, and in a lot of ways i agree with that, the blazers have looked dominant sometimes, and terrible at others. part of that is the extra passing and unselfishness the blazers are trying to do, if its still a problem by the all star break then its worth examining the problem more, at the moment im not worried.

by Yawnie on Nov 20, 2009 5:48 PM PST reply actions

I have no problem

with Dre shooting first. This is why: 45.9 His career FG%. Thats good.
Here’s another number: 40.8. Thats Steve Blakes career FG%.
Another number: 36.4 Thats Steve Blake’s FG% so far this year.
And yet another number: 39.5 Andre Miller’s FG% in this short season.

Please don’t say Andre Miller is the worst shooter out of all the guards. It’s simply not true.

By the way. Andre Miller has 14 offensive rebounds this year. Steve Blake? ONE.

48 and 32 Blake (Assists and Rebounds) 29:53 minutes per game
69 and 45 Miller (Assists and Rebounds) 29:18 minutes per game

by pdxlifer on Nov 20, 2009 5:59 PM PST reply actions

don't forget free throw attempts

Andre also knows how to get to the line, and unless Miller rolls both of his ankles earlier in the game, he usually knocks ’em down

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

by two4larue on Nov 20, 2009 6:23 PM PST up reply actions

andre miller

posting up and shooting layups is good him shooting 3’s and jumpers not so good

by BBG on Nov 20, 2009 6:47 PM PST up reply actions

So ...

is Greg a better shooter because he hits 60% of his shots? No, he takes bunnies all game long. Miller shoots a high % because he gets a ton of layups or short jumpers. I think it’s fine to call him the worst shooter amongst our guards.

"These are dreams that we have." --Rudolfo Fernandez

by bfan on Nov 20, 2009 6:54 PM PST up reply actions