Game 15 Preview: Timberwolves vs. Blazers
by Dave on Nov 21, 2009 12:33 AM PST
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PrintClearly this is the low point of the Blazers' season so far. Losing to Golden State in Oakland isn't the end of the world. If it were the world would have ended multiple times before now. But losing to Golden State when they have a depleted roster, field no live bodies above 6'6", are guarding you with the same two backcourt players all game, and when you jumped of the gate with 37 in the first quarter and then barely scored half of that in any quarter thereafter...that's bad. Choking up 23 turnovers for 32 points and allowing the Warriors 36 fast break points when that's exactly what they depend on to get past you, that's worse. Seriously, you might as well take a bath in Spam and then run through the Doberman Reform School.
The main message for tonight is not to let one bad loss turn into two. You're at home and you're playing a team that's 1-11. You've already beat them twice in the last two weeks so you know how to do it. Losing this game would be worse than everything that happened last night combined. You better go in angry, refocused, and taking no prisoners.
Having seen the 'Wolves so often in the recent future (they're like the salesmen in Secondhand Lions with the Blazers playing Michael Caine and Robert Duvall) you don't need a new preview. In case you missed it the original one is here. Just don't let Al Jefferson score 30 and you'll be OK. Well, maybe you shouldn't settle for jumpers against their defense. And you'd better not turn the ball over like you did last night. And by the way, it would be easier for Greg Oden to do his thing inside if somebody could hit a three-point shot. I know Rudy has been but the two of them aren't always in the game together. Steve? This is about half of your job description. It wouldn't hurt for Brandon to sink a couple too. I don't even know where Martell is.
Despite all of that, just about the only thing that can lose you this game is a craptacular effort. We better not see that tonight. That's it.
Enter the Jersey Contest form for this game here. See the results so far, including those from last night's game, on the scoreboard.
Be nice to our friends at CanisHoopus.
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
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All good admonishments, but I have to say, that for the first time
I’m moved to ask that Nate get some of that too. The rotations don’t make sense, Roy is not a small forward, and Howard shouldn’t be playing. And the LMA 2 foul thing was just stupid. There’s no lipstick to put on that pig.
by raoulduke on Nov 21, 2009 12:38 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
martell
i’ve never seen someone go so quickly from very confident basketball player too “please, don’t pass me the ball, don’t pass me the ball” at this level so quickly. i mean seriously, did some hot model girlfriend he had just break up with him or something? of anyone on this team, he is by far the oddest case so far. we all know steve will be fine in the long run and start hitting shots again. but martell? who knows. and he is so important to these teams success until nic and travis get back. yikes.
by gotyourselfastew on Nov 21, 2009 1:55 AM PST reply actions
its a tired point, but remains valid - Martell's air bag was punctured by the 3-guard lineup
by blacknoiseNW on Nov 21, 2009 12:38 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly! You stated what I have been thinking about for the last several games...
The biggest problem with this team is not the players that make up the roster! It is the idiotic way that they are being used! I am sick to death of the 3 Guard lineup! I genuinely believe that it is the primary reason for this team not playing like a team! Nate has taken our 1 surefire All-Star and turned him into just another role player and in the process completely destroyed almost any hope of Martell ever getting his game sorted out. Basketball should be played by a group of 5 players playing positions and roles that they are appropriate for physically and skillset wise. Playing a star 2 guard at the 3 and 2 point guards at the same time is stupid beyond comprehension. I wish I could go to a game – not just because I want to see my Blazers play but because I want to tell Nate what I think right to his face!
Stop playing the 3 Guard Line up and Stop Using the 2 Foul Rule – NATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LMA Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I <3 LMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMA - Putting the POWER in POWER FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The concussion must have jarred him into "Destroy All Opposition Terminator Mode!" - BlazersOrBust
29:20 Mins, 10-19 FGs, +14, 4 Off, 13 Rebs, 1 Ast, 1 Stl, 20 points!!!! LMA vs David West 11-13-09
by LaMarvelous on Nov 21, 2009 12:54 PM PST up reply actions
There now I have added it to my signature!
Stop playing the 3 Guard Line up and Stop Using the 2 Foul Rule – NATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LMA Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I <3 LMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMA - Putting the POWER in POWER FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The concussion must have jarred him into "Destroy All Opposition Terminator Mode!" - BlazersOrBust
Stop playing the 3 Guard Line up and Stop Using the 2 Foul Rule – NATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by LaMarvelous on Nov 21, 2009 12:59 PM PST up reply actions
It pains me to say I no longer support Nate as our coach.
It actually depresses me, because I generally love coaches, and feel that they get the blame for the losses, and players get the credit for the wins. I have liked all our coaches, even Dunleavy and Carlesimo, to a degree. Nate is wrong, wrong, wrong. The season is early, and he can still turn it around if he pulls his head out of his armpit.
Nate is a good man, but unfortunately, not the right coach for this team. What happened in the 2nd quarter against Golden State on November 20?
by RenoBlazerFan on Nov 21, 2009 5:06 PM PST up reply actions
Rudy is the man on this team right now. Probably cause he cant understand
whatever it is nate is saying to the team to make them play so bad.
The frustration with Nate is understandable
The 2nd quarter was like watching a horror movie,if its the same veterans have earned their minutes[see Miller,Blake and Howard] while Bayless and Dante rot on the bench I am going to sharpen my pitch fork and but extra tallow on the tourch’s
by southern oregon on Nov 21, 2009 2:59 AM PST reply actions
Minnesota is a pile of steaming excrement, so this'll be an easy win despite the problems brewing deep ...
deep beneath the surface in Portland. Yet, with that noted, I dislike how an easy win like this will inevitably give Nate McMillan justification for his stubborn idiocy. Ugh, I hate those double-edged swords.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
by AK1984 on Nov 21, 2009 4:22 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Gotta give you props on your anti-Nate position
Sadly, your position is looking better and better, as the team looks worse and worse. Nate’s rotations are ridiculous and his in-game adjustments are either “too little, too late” or just plain desperate. I’ve given you a lot of grief, and I still disagree with you on a lot of your “pronouncements,” but I gotta give you credit where credit is due.
Nate is demonstrating stubbornness and difficulty responding and adjusting to adversity. I still think he deserves credit for having built good rapport with the players and having taught our young guys some decent habits and a disciplined approach to the league. However, he seems to be showing a very rigid approach to the game. He has found a measure of success with a few strategic approaches, but seems to be having difficulty responding when other coaches shut down his scheme.
by upper left corner on Nov 21, 2009 7:36 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Nate McMillan is an average coach, with his flaws including too simple of an offense, an inability to ...
fully integrate the center on offense, a poorly devised defensive scheme centered around switches off of picks that create mismatches, a stolid/torpid mindset concerning in-game coaching, and an altogether rigid nature when it comes to managing his players. All things considered, I don’t think that he’s the guy who’s capable of leading this group of players to the promise land.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
Portland's problem always has been it's PG. Whatever the source of this problem is, management or coaches, we cannot seem to place someone effectively in this position.
The PG runs the game and sets the tone. Miller is not getting this done consistently and the new line-up has thrown a wrench into everyone.
Cry, Cry, Cry.
I thought it was Outlaw that caused us to play bad.
Now that he is gone, the whole team is rotten. I don’t understand. I thought surely now that Travis is gone everything would fall into place. Wasn’t that the thought of most posters?
Now besides outlaw being rotten, I see that Greg is nothing but a clumsy fouling machine. LMA is way too soft to ever be an elite player, Brandon is to slow for this team and is spoiled and can’t adjust to Andre. Steve is still questionable to being good enough to be in the NBA and should be benched in favor of Rudy, who is a big improvement over Steve, but can’t hit his shot either. After all the campaigning to get Andre on the starting five, I find out he is a ball turn over freak. Now, the only good players we have is rotting on the bench not getting to play a minute. But, if they get to play, they know they will soon be on the list of the unworthy. I just don’t understand.
Is the only player worthy of being a Trailblazer is the one’s that has never played for us? Once they play for us, do they become worthless?
Since we lost Travis we are 1 and 2 and could have easily been 0-3. Since Travis is worthless, I don’t see any connection. So what could be causing the sudden loss? Oh, I forgot, it is Steve, Martell and Nate.
hg
by BBK on Nov 21, 2009 5:40 AM PST reply actions 7 recs
LOL
Nice post.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
No it isn't.
"Aneurysm".
When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie
Your sarcasm detector failed
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
Thank you for the nice bit of perspective
I always liked Outlaw and what he brought to the team…I really think we miss his ability to keep the defense honest with his ability to take a couple of bounces and get his own shot. This in turn opens up opportunities for Brandon to operate. I really think it’’s funny how a lot of people who post on this site like to place blame for bad play on one particular player or on the coach. B-Ball is a team game man….I also think people overate the players on this team and the expectations are a bit unrealistic. I don’t really see us as much better than a 4 or 5 seed and would be happy if we could win a first round playoff series. Good thing is we are young and there is room to grow and as a fan I am relatively patient. If in 2 or 3 years we are having the same problems then I will re-assess.
THE REAL PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!
is DR. MACMILLIANSTINE
Nellie out coached you again. he takes a team of that needed a D-Leaguer to make up the league minimum of 8 and Kicked your A*S . Your foul rules are detrimental to the team and your rotation pattern makes less sense than the Health Care Bill. Your coaching style is simple playing not to lose. How’s that working for you Nate? If the blazers don’t win out the month of Nov. then KP needs to starting making plans to find another leader. Nate has become a great example of the Peter Principal.
This is going to be my time. Time to taste the fruits and let the juices drip down my chin. I proclaim this the season of Greg!"
Anyone hoping for the Blazers to fall far short of expectations this season in hopes of getting the coach fired?
Did LMA really get 7 minutes of playtime in the first half yesterday?
Did Oden really get pulled after putting up 11 points after 7 minutes of play?
Why is Bayless sitting on the bench when neither PG deserves playtime?
by TrentEdwardsHoF2018 on Nov 21, 2009 7:21 AM PST reply actions
If anyone hopes that, I hope they ..........
What kind of fan hopes for their team to do bad? Even when the number 1 pick was at stake, I never wanted the Blazers to lose.
No, but I do hope they learn something out of the losses
- The ‘two fouls and you are out for the half’ rule is stupid, especially for LaMarcus who has fouled out a grand total of 15 times in about 250 games
- The ‘taking players out that are clicking just because the pre-determined allotted time is over’ rule is questionable at best
- Young players need to be allowed to make the same mistakes veterans make to let them grow. We wouldn’t have lost that game in any worse fashion if Greg, Jerryd, Dante would have been allowed to try and turn it around. Unless Nate has massive bonuses for 60 wins, I can’t see why they shouldn’t get some more time to develop over players that should bring stability to their position but obviously don’t.
- Roy’s “team meeting leadership moments” don’t seem to have brought a lot of benefit. I know he doesn’t take losses easily, so I hope he continues thinking about his role on the team like Ben asked him to do, and what he needs to demand from others (coach, players) to make HIM successful and how he can make others successful.
Ceterum censeo Lakers esse delendam
by Norsktroll on Nov 21, 2009 8:56 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I think I might boycott this one
The stretches of horrible basketball are not entertaining at all.
Blazer Fan
"Having seen the 'Wolves so often in the recent future"
So much becomes clear! Dave, can I borrow your time machine? I promise to have it back before I leave.
2012 called
Yes the Wolves still suck here too.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
UGLY
This most disappointing loss has really knocked me back and changed my entire attitude about the team. That decimated Golden State squad is a much better team than we are. It hurts to say that.
3 – # number of point guards we have on the team
0 – # of point guards that are worth a damn
Simply unfathomable Nate not playing LA in the 2nd quarter ‘cuz of two fouls. I don’t think I liked him pulling Greg this time either when he and the team were really on a roll. Try situational coaching Nate instead of always following your rigid, unalterable rules.
I love how the Warriors play so loose, free, easy and daring. A total contrast to Nate’s style where everyone it seems is afraid to shoot (unless it’s exactly at the right time on the shot clock), or create. It just is not a fun style; no doubt made worse by two of our most fun players being out long term..
I’ve been supporting Blake all along , but he has truly been bad. Will LA make the all star team? Ha, ha, ha. That’s funny. And I"m not sure Brandon will make it either.
Martell has never, ever shown on a consistent basis to this point that he even belongs in the NBA. When will KP and Allen realize that acquiring Miller was a horrible move and take steps to correct it. It seems to have totally messed up the chemistry of the team.
But as bad as some of the player’s have been, the worst performer on the team has been Nate.
After that terrible, embarrassing loss, I just don’t feel like defending this Blazer team any longer. Looks like I’ll either have to get over today’s negative outlook or change my signature.
If this Blazer team doesn't light your fire, then your wood is wet!
by TwoDeep on Nov 21, 2009 9:19 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
I said it before, so I'll say it . . .
again. Why go out and pick up a FA that does not mesh with your team
chemistry. We won 54 games with the BRoy/Blake backcourt. We have a
very athletic, aggressive young combo guard who is ready to grow with 15-20
minutes of backup PG minutes now that Sergio is gone. Instead we pick up
a seasoned PG who needs the ball in his hands to create for his teammates,
but has no outside shot and can’t defend quick guards on the perimeter.
Wasn’t perimeter defense our achilles heel last year ? Why not give BRex a chance
to get some experience and use his quickness and athleticism to become that
perimeter defender, while sharpening his passing skills and outside shot. Blake
and Roy were a reliable combo last year, but instead we go out and screw up that
great chemistry. Not a good move !
It's GO time !
We added a player without taking anything away
Miller is a good pg and Roy is a good sg, so naturally playing them together should work. Just adding a talented player because you have money without worrying about the fit always works out in the NBA. What kind of a team values chemistry over pure talent. You have to pretend this is a video game and Miller would have a higher rating than any of our pgs from last year, so adding him makes us better.
Your confusing thesis has captured my attention. Tell me more.
by terryisntbald on Nov 21, 2009 2:04 PM PST up reply actions
Portland should win tonight's game again on talent alone while showing
that they still don’t know what in the heck the coaching staff is telling them to do. (does anyone for that matter). Plus the underwhelming guard play has been a killer.
Even for all of those wins – Portland’s once again showed it’s the poster child for mediocrity.
Portland's PG of the Future - MORE John Wall
Treat people well because Karma can hit you at any second.
by Net Ranger on Nov 21, 2009 9:25 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Portland should have won last night's game on talent alone.
Nate is a good man, but unfortunately, not the right coach for this team. What happened in the 2nd quarter against Golden State on November 20?
by RenoBlazerFan on Nov 21, 2009 5:08 PM PST up reply actions
We can say "craptacular" here?
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
where'd you see it, I'll go flag it for ya :)
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out, burns out farms, and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
Yeah! Flag Dave! Do it!!!
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.
by haildablazer on Nov 21, 2009 1:16 PM PST up reply actions
FYI, radio is on 750 KXL tonight
Due to the Oregon game, which is on 95.5.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
That's zaching weak
Idk why the Ducks can pre-empt the Blazers on a Blazer-owned radio station, but I hate it!
Blazers win!
by The X-man on Nov 21, 2009 12:34 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
A win tonight won't erase
last night’s spineless loss in Oakland. The last 3 games haves revealed to the naked eye the Blazers achilles heel. From GM down to the end of the bench this team is a bit of a pretty boy and collection of pieces. Is there anyone on this team that can give a hard foul, mark their stamp or otherwise keep the refs in their place. In short, the character of this team is still unformed. This is partly a question of youth but also a challenge to the managers. They excel in the evaluation of skill and athleticism but it remains to be seen if any of these players have a lion’s heart. If not they better get one because this team as currently constructed is not made for a championship, only for entertaining.
by oregonslee on Nov 21, 2009 12:27 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
If anything we'll see less hard fouls
Nate’s “two fouls and you sit the half” policy will make them play more passively on defense if they want to go back into the game. Players will give a hard foul for their 2nd in the first quarter if they know they’ll get to play in the 2nd quarter with those 2 fouls. If they have one foul, someone is driving the lane and they know if they foul them they’ll get taken out for the rest of the half to save one or two points they’ll at least be thinking about that. So best case scenario they’re slowed down by thinking and not playing instinctively and worst case scenario they just let guys score.
Your confusing thesis has captured my attention. Tell me more.
by terryisntbald on Nov 21, 2009 2:01 PM PST up reply actions
Last year, without Martell, Miller and with Outlaw, Batum - the Blazers lost every game to GS
the issues are not with the players.
Note to McMillan:
what you learn to do, you learn by doing.
It’s a cliche – but you are good at cliches, so pick one that works.
Let Oden play with fouls. That is the quickest route to teaching him not to foul. If he fouls out, it’s all on him. If you pull him after a phantom foul on a driving small forward (his most difficult task – foot guarding quick players), then you express zero confidence in his ability to make adjustments – and far worse – you take away his opportunity to make adjustments.
Let him play, dangit.
Since we know we won't win this inside
Either Oden will get two fouls in the first quarter or he’ll have two fouls at some point in the first half and will get Batumed so we can’t rely on him being out there. If he does stay on the court our two point guards can’t seem to get him the ball on entry passes so any advantage we have at the center position we need to ignore. If we can’t dominate the Warriors inside, I have to believe we can’t do it for a whole game until I see it.
This is a game where Roy has to come out looking to score and carry us. Don’t let it be close enough for Nate or the refs to take it away. Roy’s the 4th best shooting guard in the league (him and Joe Johnson are so close but he got outplayed in their matchups this year) and he plays like he’s the 4th best player on the team too often. I want to see Roy play like a franchise player against a bad team.
Last night’s game exposed Nate’s two biggest weaknesses: substitutions and exploiting mismatches. For all Nelson’s faults, when he has a mismatch on offense he just keeps going there until you stop it. Nate almost seems to get bored when something works and immediately has to go away from it.
Your confusing thesis has captured my attention. Tell me more.
I know we'll win this based on talent gap alone
But I am kinda hoping for a loss, so that there will be some changes. Yes, I know that makes me a horrible person and a fan, but I’ve had it with Nate this year.
I hate the thought of hoping for a loss just to get changes made,but I certainly understand it.
Sometimes there must be pain before improvement.
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LMA Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I <3 LMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMA - Putting the POWER in POWER FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The concussion must have jarred him into "Destroy All Opposition Terminator Mode!" - BlazersOrBust
Stop playing the 3 Guard Line up and Stop Using the 2 Foul Rule – NATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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