This loss will be a positive.

by Titlein2011 on Nov 28, 2009 1:05 AM PST

Most often you hope your team learns lessons while still attaining a win, the Blazers have done that and yet it hasn't sunk in. A loss to a poor opponent is what will hopefully shake the cage and wake the monster up that the Blazers were in the final quarter of last season. Brandon can say that it is still a matter of understanding how all their pieces fit together, and not so much their effort, but effort has more to do with it than game plan, plays, or defensive schemes. Lamarcus played against one of the softest defenders in the league yet how many times did he take it inside? When we are tired we fall back to what is easy. The Blazers have played as many games as any other team to this point of the season. The Blazers have won with defense, and perceviered over weaker talent, while having tired legs. That should be commended, but if you truly want to be the best you have to gut out wins, and tonight they did not, simple as that. No big deal, so long as you acknowledge it, and use it as motivation to learn and grow from it to raise yourself above the other equally and greater tallented teams of the league by always giving unending effort, always. The shots may not fall the game plan may not be perfect, but it will not be for lack of effort that you lose. Martel got this lesson tonight, lets hope players of this team do not allow themselves to be above this accountability. Losses happen, poor shooting nights happen; next time lets hope for a quicker reaction to the lack of energy by the team than two thirds through the second quarter. Maybe a loss in Utah will happen too. It will indicate the guts of our team, and our leadership. I'll be excited to find out, if not in Utah it will happen at some point, but I know I am hoping for some disappointed Salt Lake fans.

Break out the rally caps! Never giving up may be Nate's greatest coaching quality, a warriors mentality.

Go Blazers!

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I hope so.

I am Spartacus and I approved this message

by EngineerScotty on Nov 28, 2009 1:07 AM PST reply actions

i'd be happier

if nate puts the guys through fundamentals drills again

by Yawnie on Nov 28, 2009 1:08 AM PST reply actions 1 recs

I agree wholeheartedly.

Roybot.
Dirty Socks.

by L-TrainFTW! on Nov 28, 2009 1:26 AM PST reply actions

If we win tomrorow yes

We have a run of winnable games coming up after tomorrow, home to Miami and Utah and at NYK and Indy. We could very well go 4-0 in those games and be flying high to our first test against an elite team this year,at the Cavs, followed by a visit to Jennings land in Milwaukee.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Nov 28, 2009 1:30 AM PST reply actions

well

one would have thought losing to a team that was playing a d league player as their 8th man would have been that wake up call. I am sorry, but something bigger is going on here, I just hope they get this thing figured out.

"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man

by PDXBuckeye on Nov 28, 2009 1:40 AM PST reply actions

I agree. We needed to get embaressed to realize that we are just not a great team.

We still play to the level of opposition. We don’t just play our game. We coast for long stretches of games. It really shouldn’t matter who is starting. Brandon, Greg, and Lamarcus are good enough to set the tone, and make our supporting cast step up.

Furthermore, let’s talk about Brandon. He is just not that great this year. He is not even in the all star conversation. Every game lately he looks like he is not looking to TAKE the game. He looks like he is waiting got the game to come to him. He looks more passive this year. Is this a side effect from getting paid? Just how common is this, a star player having a terrible start to the year AFTER he gets his big contract? Lamarcus seems to have adapted to financial success better than Brandon has I think. What IS hodlding B Roy back? Andre? Blake? Nate? Greg? Pressure.

I think this game will get Brandon one step closer to figuring out just what is wrong this year.

by dario argento on Nov 28, 2009 2:04 AM PST reply actions

I dont

get why people keep wondering whats wrong with roy? I think he’s made it as clear as he can while not trying to stir up trouble. He’s adjusting his game to playing with miller like the fans want him to. Unfortunately the results of this arent going to bring about the performances you are accustomed to from him. I also have to say memphis is a pretty talented team. Oj mayo and Gay are a tough cover. Last year the blazers had a game with the grizz near the end of the year which went to the wire and i was amazed by how relentless gay and oj mayo were. Absolute hell to defend.

by BBG on Nov 28, 2009 3:33 AM PST reply actions