Figuring It Out
by Dave on Nov 30, 2009 1:05 AM PST
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PrintSince yesterday's hubbub about players and coaches needing to "figure out" how to get out players--and particularly their offense--clicking that question has been posed via the inbox multiple times. I'm pretty sure everybody is reading too much into the situation. Show me a decent team that doesn't grouse after losing a couple of stinkers like that. Things will be said. Those things might or might not have deeper implications. It's difficult to know until the final results bear out. But the question is interesting nevertheless, so I'm going to take a stab at answering. How do these players and their coaches go forward and work together?
1. The Blazers must push the tempo on offense, period. No excuses. No exceptions.
We've been talking about this subject for a couple of years but it's now become critical, and not just for the reasons you think. Yes, pushing tempo generates more possessions and more easy buckets, thereby relieving some of the stress on the halfcourt sets. Just as importantly, it helps resolve one of the main chemistry issues we're experiencing right now: how to work in Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Greg Oden with their diverse, yet important, offensive styles. Pushing the ball up the court is one of the two main ways to keep LaMarcus involved. He's a gazelle with a habit of getting past his man and finishing. Generally he does well when the Blazers run. The second way is, as we've suggested before, making him the main scorer every time Brandon takes a break. Between those two strategies there's not as much pressure to get him abundant looks with the first unit at the outset of the game. He'll need to be an integral part of the offense, sure, but the key word there is part.
Three things are going to have to happen for the Blazers to get faster. The first two are obvious: defend and rebound. The rebounding they have down already. The defense will have to be stronger than we've seen in the last couple games. But then again we've seen some pretty abysmal efforts in the last couple of games. Portland doesn't have to be perfect. They just can't let opponents top 50% on a regular basis. There's far more to say about defense but we're going to leave that for another post. I do think the Blazers should be running it up and setting the offense early even on made baskets though. It's a good habit. No more walk-trot-saunter either way. That's a start.
The third thing that has to happen is that, to whatever extent Nate McMillan and Andre Miller are experiencing distrust of each other, they need to make peace. Miller has a point. This team is somewhere in between the freshman and sophomore year of high school in its developmental arc. They've achieved a few things. The reins are starting to loosen up. But they're not at the point of going out and living independently yet. They still have plenty to learn, both fundamentally and about the game. That's well and good, except that Miller just came into the classroom with his college degree already in hand. Re-doing all of those early-high-school lessons and living under early-high-school constraints chafes big time. Even if you know the situation you're getting into it's neither easy nor natural. Miller should be allowed to break the mold a little. Maybe he doesn't have to show every step of his work on math problems. Maybe he's allowed to show the kids a shortcut or two that subverts authority but still gets the job done. He's here to be the teacher's aide, not re-take the class. On the other hand Nate has a point as well. You can't break the mold by coming out taking (and missing) four shots in your first six minutes, matching 2 turnovers with your 2 assists, and playing lackadaisical defense when you're a point guard. That's not healthy subversion. That's not educational, nor even an example of growing up. That's walking into the classroom with a beer.
These two guys have got to find a way to work together. Andre needs to do whatever he can to stick with and contribute to the game plan. Nate needs to let Andre work even when he sees opportunities apart from that game plan. Trust your point guard. Help your coach.
This has to happen because Miller is our best chance at moving the ball faster. The break--primary, secondary, tertiary, or whatever stripe you choose--just doesn't work as well without him.
2. Greg Oden needs to assume LaMarcus' traditional role as the guy who gets established offensively early in games and quarters.
Oden is a bona fide low post presence who can pass. He gives us a different wrinkle than anybody else on the team. With his physical presence and his high shooting percentage he potentially creates the inside-out game that is the key to success in the halfcourt. LaMarcus, for all his skill, does not change the game that way, nor does he create the same kind of mismatches, nor the same kind of space on the floor for his teammates. We've softened the blow by giving LaMarcus alternate scoring opportunities that his fellow stars won't have. But Greg needs to be the initial offensive option in the game. Make or miss, he's going to create better opportunities for others.
3. Once Oden has battered the door down, or at least drawn extra defenders to keep him from doing so, Brandon Roy charges hard.
Once the opponent knows they have to watch the lane I want to see Brandon with the ball in his hands. This is true pretty much every time we're not on the run. Fast breaks are egalitarian. Anybody who can fill a lane gets a chance. But the halfcourt offense is merit-based and Brandon has the most merit. If point guards feel disenfranchised by Roy initiating the offense, too bad. One of them is best suited to be an outlet shooter and the other should get us to run more if he wants to handle the rock more. Once we've slowed down into rhythm, this is Brandon's team. Note that Roy routinely gets good assist numbers so it's not like we're expecting him to shoot 40 times per game. But I want defenders specifically having to pick their poison between Brandon and Greg, unable to double-team both. Brandon is cleared to drive, to hit the pull-up jumper, to shoot the turn-around...whatever he thinks will get the job done.
4. Everybody else needs to fill their role, period. If you can't, you can't play no matter how good you are (or might be) otherwise.
One of the problems with our deep bench is that we have a lot of pretenders to the throne. Granted this has been diminished by injuries, so right now we're actually scrambling to cover certain positions with guys not completely suited to them, but even in those cases those guys are trying to do too much. Let's break this down simply. With Oden in the post, Roy slashing, and LaMarcus running and taking the mid-range when appropriate the job description for the other wings reads "shoot it when you're open, pass it when you're not". The shooting part will become particularly critical to the extent that Roy and Miller play together in the backcourt. But Martell Webster has three-point credentials. This is also the strong suit of Blake and Fernandez. Nicolas Batum and Travis Outlaw fill the bill as well. Though we may eventually need Rudy, Nic, and Travis to do more we have to start with the basics. You're not going to get 20 shots per game. You're not going to get a quarter to warm up to the game. We don't want to see you dribbling the ball for 10 seconds. We don't want you hesitating or passing up open shots. When you are free and you get the ball, shoot it. If you are covered, make the best pass you can, choosing first to attack with the pass if possible and if not hitting an outlet player. The offensive measure that will determine your time in this lineup is how many of your shots you hit. Theoretically you should be open. If you cannot hit an open, stand-still jumper we're going to put in the guy who can. If none of you can manage to fill this role then we need to trade for someone who can, hoping that you'll get more of a shot at the role you desire in your new home. Someday there might be more room for creativity on this team, so don't despair. But we're on Square One here and for you, the writing on Square One says, "Hit your open jumpers or hush."
Obviously there are other roles to be filled. Joel Przybilla doesn't fit the above mold and neither does Jerryd Bayless. Przybilla should defend and rebound when he's in and Bayless should push, drive, and draw fouls. Everybody knows when those guys go in that's what we're looking for. The coach's job is to send them in accordingly, when their gifts are needed.
Blazer fans would do well to adopt some of the same short-term role narrowing and long-term patience with the ancillary players. The idea that every bench player is a star in the making isn't productive. Even if it were true (and it's probably not) this team doesn't need a star in the making. This team needs to integrate the stars that it's got. Only when that happens will we know what room is left over for another extra-special player, provided he exists on this team. If these guys can't fulfill the basic criteria of their positions (at least their positions on this team) they're not going to be able to fulfill the advanced ones either. It does no good for them to do six dozen things well if they can't provide the three we really need.
Everybody else on this team steps in line behind the Big Three right now. No more "Why didn't Player X get more minutes or more shots or more of a chance to develop and show what he can do?" The only relevant offensive questions in the short term are "Did he hit his shots?" and "Did he keep the flow of the offense going?" At the point where one or more of the Big Three start to show that they're not capable of handling those roles then we need to re-evaluate. At that juncture maybe more latitude opens up for the other players on this team and more possibilities open up for acquiring people through trades. But we're not there yet. We have to see if this works first.
Right now this whole process feels like a committee meeting where a guy who has heretofore been a strong, directive leader opens up the floor for ideas and new leadership (voluntarily or not, we don't know). It sounds like a great idea, but in practice when this happens it usually results in a dozen people talking at once spraying different suggestions, critiques, and agendas all over the place. Organization goes out the window, feelings get hurt, momentum grinds to a halt. Everybody has a different method to fix it, but that's exactly the problem. You can't hear 12 people at once and you can't follow 12 agendas at once. The solution isn't necessarily returning to centralized control. The solution is narrowing your focus and having your best, most talented, most suitable and apt people take charge. They hold the floor and everybody else follows. As the committee gets more experienced with each other, their charges, and the new style of leadership more people blend in and lead, getting the chance to express their gifts more fully. But that day never comes unless the committee gets going in a single, productive direction first.
In our committee Greg Oden opens every meeting and bulls through the obvious obstacles standing in the way of the work. Brandon Roy does the lion's share of the actual work and is the main mover of the group. LaMarcus Aldridge speaks up and takes over whenever there's a suitable opening or a situation which requires his special gifts. Everybody else takes notes, volunteers to do the grunt work, and takes care of those nagging-but-important details left untended. They might have project suggestions of their own but they hold them until the group gets two or three things going successfully. Twelve people, a small handful of tasks, one direction.
That's my take, anyway. Have at it yourselves in the comment section.
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
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I am stunned...
I agree with everything 100%. Especially the Oden part. Get him going early, then his defense and energy will really be there throughout the game. Brandon & Lamarcus do the rest of the heavy lifting…I see many victories following this formula.
It's also good to get Oden going before he commits two fouls
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Brilliant Post!!!
We would be dominant indeed if Nate would buy into and implement this philosophy.
rec x 10
Great points. Does Miller start?
You didn’t say one way or another. Or is it even important if the Oden, Roy, LA threesome goals are being realized? Somehow Somehow those goals on the whole would seems more achievable with Miller running the show.
“. . . walking into the classroom with a beer.” Hilarious analogy!
put a body on 'em
Great points. Does Miller start?
Dave, I’m with Ray on this question. Also, in point #3, “If point guards feel disenfranchised by Roy initiating the offense, too bad. One of them is best suited to be an outlet shooter and the other should get us to run more if he wants to handle the rock more. Once we’ve slowed down into rhythm, this is Brandon’s team.” So do you have Greg and Dre establishing the paint and then turning it over to Steve?
Reading Dave's analysis Miller starts or at least plays major minutes if he hits his open shots
Same for Blake. If neither hits then Bayless may get more burn.
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
He did say.
He said we need to push the tempo all the time. That is what we need Andre for, and that is when Andre needs the ball in his hands to get the ball to LMA on fast breaks. In the half court, we need the ball in BRoy’s hands to work his game against anybody that tries to stop him. That to me clears up the, who, gets to create when BRoy and Andre is in the game together. As far as starting out, other then ego who cares? Steve and Andre are both just role players to the big three. That in it self may be the big argument. How many on this blog alone wants the pg to be the top dog, or at least be part of the big three. A floor general doesn’t need to be actually in the trenches, he just needs to contribute the rock where the soldiers can work most effective.
hg
If the question is good entry passes to Oden and pushing tempo......
The answer is surely Andre Miller.
Blake is sucktastik at both tasks.
by upper left corner on Nov 30, 2009 6:15 AM PST up reply actions
Blake meshes well with Roy but...
Roy is playing something like 40 mins a game right? There’s plenty of time for the two to play together, Blake is out there really to pop a three when open (it’s what we want anyway) and if we want to stay away from the 3 guard line up, Martell can easily fill that role. ‘Dre is credited by Greg for getting him more into the offense (one of the things Dave posted) and ’Dre is also the guy who is supposed to be leading the fast break, (another thing Dave posted) in order to help get LMA going. I’m just not sure how well Blake would mesh with the second unit.
Well said
And a nice metaphor at the end, but, naturally, it’s not so easy. I know you said you’ll talk defense in a later post, but it’s a major problem keeping this team from executing as they ought to on offense. You can’t run when a team is shooting 55% against you. (I know that won’t happen all the time.) And frankly, any team with a halfway decent PG will shoot pretty well on an average night against Steve Blake. Can’t stop the pick and roll, can’t stay with anyone one-on-one. Miller’s a step better defensively, and Bayless is the only guy with a chance of staying in front of the truly fantastic PGs in this league.
This defensive weakness at the spearhead is leading to fouls by Oden, it’s making Brandon tired and grumpy, and the team can’t get out and run.
I know that people are tired of hearing it. I know you might say I’m overreacting, and I don’t mean to suggest that it’s all doom and gloom. Teams go through bad stretches and they do well. It’s early in the season. But. Blake needs to play fewer minutes as this season goes on. He doesn’t have it out there. It’s painfully obvious. I like the guy and what he has brought to this team, but right now he’s a liability all over the place. (Offensively, too.) Kelly Dwyer has been saying it, and so have so many other people: Blake is a bit player, and needs to play a bit role on this team.
That said, there ARE obviously other issues going on, many of which you address here, Dave. Good post. But I’m (clearly) stuck on the issue of defense at the PG spot (Blake. Just Blake), and I’m questioning Nate for the first time right now. I fear players are or will begin to more and more.
Yes, you're stuck
But I’m (clearly) stuck on the issue of defense at the PG spot (Blake. Just Blake),
I see Miller getting burned just as badly as Blake, if we’re talking defense, and at least Blake is always putting out full effort on the defensive end.
I said it before, more than once, and will say it again, Miller, Blake, and Roy found a good defensive synergy when they were starting together, despite individual weaknesses.
But right now, we’re not getting that good team defense, and if you want to look at individual defensive deficiencies at the point, Miller is just as bad as Blake right now. Your “just Blake” is “just wrong”.
And I also think the main problem is the offense. Our defense last year was mediocre. Our defense this year has been pretty good until the last two games. Not as good as the stats showed, because of the quality of the opposition, but definitely better than last year.
And I don’t count the last two games, because we were total rubbish on both ends of the court in them, so they aren’t indicative of anything except “something is rotten in the state of Denmark”.
And a focus on defensive problems can ignore the fact that a young team which is struggling to find roles and function efficiently on offense will tend to have that leak over into defensive effort. If guys are confused, discouraged, etc., it is going to impact the defensive end.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
by jscot on Nov 30, 2009 4:01 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
You beat me to the punch!!!!
There is not one pg that can play another great pg on D because of the NBA rules. Therefore it has to be team D.
Also true, the last two games were total break downs and just shows that we need time to get the dead cat out of the 9 day old drippings.
I don’t always agree with you jscot, but you do say smart things at great times.
The debate of Andre and Blake will go on until Andre retires, I had not realized that the synergy thing between Andre, Steve and BRoy, but BRoy was not comfortable playing the three.
hg
This is a rare event, I actually disagree with the main thrust of one of your posts
FROTW,
You start off with this statement:
I see Miller getting burned just as badly as Blake, if we’re talking defense, and at least Blake is always putting out full effort on the defensive end.
I said it before, more than once, and will say it again, Miller, Blake, and Roy found a good defensive synergy when they were starting together, despite individual weaknesses.
First off, I do not think Miller gets burned quite as often as Blake. Second, to the extent that Miller does get burned it is usually one-on-one and less frequently because of a pick. Blake’s vulnerabilities are truly exposed by the pick and roll. He doesn’t have the strength to fight through many picks and he doesn’t have the lateral quickness to recover if he goes below the pick. Miller isn’t faster, but he is noticeably stronger. Miller also does a better job of shading the pick and forcing guys to their left or right depending on which is their strong hand. Watch closely and see if you notice the same difference.
Finally, your comment suggests that there was some kind of mystical synergy to the three guard line-up. I don’t think so. I think the stretch of three guard lineup came against particularly weak competition. Webster is clearly a better SF defender than Roy. Roy is better than Miller at SG. Miller is certainly no worse than Blake at PG. I also think that some of the improved team defense we saw was attributable to Miller vocally quarterbacking the defense. Our crappy defense the past couple of games started with Blake getting exposed by Tinsley and DWill.
I’ve said I would be OK with Blake continuing to start as long as he gets Batum ’09 minutes. However, if we take Dave suggestion and try to use the early game to establish Oden, then we need Miller to be the starting PG.
Your loyalty to Blake is admirable, but at some point you have to face facts: Blake needs to play less, significantly less. He has had a few games where he hit his shots, played passable defense and looked like the “good Steve” of last year. Far more often he has missed his shots, been exposed on defense and generally looked terrible. How long do you start a guy with a PER below 10 unless he is a defensive specialist? Last time I checked, nobody in their right mind was calling Steve a “defensive specialist.”
Sincerely, Upper Left Corner
by upper left corner on Nov 30, 2009 6:45 AM PST up reply actions 3 recs
Interesting comments
Let me take this apart (as kindly as I can, of course).
First, you don’t think Miller gest burned quite as often as Blake. You may be right. When two events happen many multiple times, it is hard for me to keep track of relative frequencies. :) I’ll watch for some of the individual things you are seeing, but all I see is just bad.
There was “synergy”. It’s called good awareness and an excellent job of helping each other. These three guys are all vets with great basketball instincts and anticipation, and they were helping each other nicely. I hate that lineup offensively, I hate it against certain lineups, but I saw the good in it. And it was effective against San Antonio even before Parker went down, it was effective early against Atlanta and against Detroit and G.S. Those losses and near loss were not because of our starters at the start of the game. That starting lineup was effective for the start of the game.
I do not like the lineup, it was a gimmick. I wasn’t trying to defend the lineup. I was comparing two lousy defenders and saying that together, they were actually decent because of their experience, communication, etc. Credit Miller if you want, and that’s fine by me, but actually he hasn’t been so effective wth any other backcourt partner on defense. The only time we’ve seen anything approaching good D out of either of them is when they are together. And I hate that lineup, I’d rather see Rudy out there than Blake.
I’ve said I would be OK with Blake continuing to start as long as he gets Batum ’09 minutes.
I’ve always said Miller should be playing more than Blake, even while I advocated starting Blake.
Your loyalty to Blake is admirable, but at some point you have to face facts: Blake needs to play less, significantly less. He has had a few games where he hit his shots, played passable defense and looked like the "good Steve" of last year. Far more often he has missed his shots, been exposed on defense and generally looked terrible. How long do you start a guy with a PER below 10 unless he is a defensive specialist? Last time I checked, nobody in their right mind was calling Steve a "defensive specialist."
Am I Nate or something? I’ve said all along I would rather never see a two PG lineup. Why would we ever want to do that when we have Rudy? Except, I have acknowledged that it was far more effective than I anticipated. People scoff at wins over Minnesota, but ask Denver if they’d like one of those.
So I’m not ready to say that Nate is stupid for the two PG plus Roy lineup. It was effective for the situation. But I’d be quite happy to see Blake get 20 mpg. Actually, the way he’s shooting, and the fact that he’s turning the ball over more, I’d settle for 15. Actually, as Jerryd comes along, even that might come into question.
So I don’t think I’m being driven by loyalty to Blake. At all. He’s been generally lousy this year in more games than he’s been good. But that doesn’t mean Andre’s defense has been any good, either, which is what triggered the whole discussion.
If you want to complain Andre hasn’t been as bad on defense, I won’t argue too hard, but it’s like asking which kind of defecation smells worse, cows or pigs. The “Just Blake” comment was silly.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
Thanks for the clarification. Sounds like we disagree less than my post suggested
Sounds like it is more of a matter of emphasis. Sorry if I was putting words in your mouth.
What do you think of Dave’s suggestion? If we start games trying to establish Oden inside, doesn’t that suggest starting Miller?
by upper left corner on Nov 30, 2009 8:42 AM PST up reply actions
Perhaps
But looking at this year’s Miller vs. the Miller of the past, I’m not so sure. Blame Nate, blame the system, blame Andre, but Miller hasn’t done what we hoped to see in getting the ball to Greg.
Both Andre and Steve pass the ball to Greg on the low post and he has to work to earn his shot. Both are getting the ball in to him with varying success. Neither is actually creating anything for Greg.
I don’t see them running a pick and roll and feeding him. I don’t see them getting him the ball in motion. I don’t see any offensive sets being run by any PG that are actually designed to spring Greg free. So the Andre/Greg connection just isn’t floating my boat right now. It isn’t at all what we expected/hoped from Andre.
I do see this. On occasion, when Andre’s man doubles down on Greg, Andre cuts down the lane, gets a pass from Greg, and scores. Steve doesn’t do that. But Steve does spot up for 3, which helps keep his man from doubling down on Greg. So both are capable of keeping the D honest. If I have my preference, I’ll take Andre cutting to the hoop for an easy two (with perhaps an occasional and one as a bonus) over Steve’s inconsistent shooting this year.
Mostly, with the plays I see trying to establish Oden, I could make the necessary passes. I could probably also do as good a job at Blake at hitting the 3 to keep my man from sagging off him. I couldn’t do anything else Blake does, mind you. But I can still hit the 3, and Greg is a big enough target I could throw it in to him from time to time.
Well, I could also drive the baseline, get hung out to dry, and throw it up in the general direction of where I hope someone might be, too. I think I might be able to do that almost as well as Blake, but if he keeps practicing it against top competition, I won’t be able to keep pace with him.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
by jscot on Nov 30, 2009 9:25 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Especially agree with your comment about neither guard getting Oden the
ball while in motion. I can’t count the number of times Greg dives to the basket or slides across the lane and I’m thinking “now – pass it now” and nothing happens until Greg is done moving and is now positioned outside the lane with the defense set – THEN he gets the ball. It makes me want to scream.
Yet they will consistently pass it to Pryz when he is in motion.
When was the last time he caught a ball while he was moving? What is up with that?
They hate Oden
And are jealous of how much I love him.
Yeah, same thing for me… so many instances where I go OOH, OOH, PASS IT, NOW NOW when Oden smartly cuts or his man leaves him. It drives me NUTS. Bynum gets that pass. Lopez gets 20+ shots when he wants it, so if he gets missed a few times it doesn’t matter. For Oden, he needs to get that pass and in a position to FINISH.
His passing and how he makes the enemy instantly double him makes me want to run our post offense through him, but making him get all of his points that way is silly. He isn’t Hakeem down there.
Dre has been better at keeping Oden involved, but Jscot is right— neither guard is involving Oden in the pick and roll, doing lobs, etc. The pick and roll is what I don’t get the most… why aren’t Dre and Oden doing it? Dre is a threat to finish, so they have to respect that, and Oden is as well. And, Oden can catch a pass and chew gum at the same time, unlike Joel.
Oden should be a pick and roll monster but we just aren’t using it. We’re setting screens at the halfcourt line, basically, making them useless.
So frustrating, but it’ll get better. Just should… be… so… HARD…!
Morty
I'll just say this
If you are right and I am right that we need to be using the p’n’r with Oden, then it is Nate’s responsibility. Either he hasn’t decided we should, or he hasn’t decided it is important.
When the guy who calls the shots decides something is important, it happens. If he thinks it is important enough, he benches the guys who won’t execute and puts someone else in who will at least try to do so.
For whatever reason, Nate doesn’t think it is important enough to make sure it is happening.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
Przy needs more strength training on his ? wrist. The one that was
injured mid season last year. He developed the one handed “dunk” and has BUTTER hands this year. His grasp of the basketball is not what it should be!!!
Joel is a great rebounder
But he has never had good hand at catching passes and dunking, and I believe it’s mostly because he can’t palm a basketball.
His hands might not be as strong right now, but it was never really a part of his skillset.
M to the orty
Greg's comments suggest that he doesn't agree with you.
GO said playing with Andre was “like a breath of fresh air.”
I agree with you that Nate’s schemes don’t seem particularly adept at springing a low post scorer free. All summer I was looking forward to seeing Miller run the pick and roll and then pass the ball to Greg on the roll. Hasn’t happened much, if at all. I have also been looking for our three excellent penetrators Miller, Roy, and Bayless to dump the ball to Greg off the drive. We haven’t seen much of that.
I guess what I am saying is that while there is plenty of room for improvement with both Miller and Blake, that doesn’t mean that they are “equal”. I think Greg’s comments make it clear that he doesn’t see them as equal either.
by upper left corner on Nov 30, 2009 10:43 AM PST up reply actions
To me, aside from the obvious talent differences between Miller and Billups overall
There’s no reason we can’t do what Billups and Nene do on the pick and roll, with Nene as the nice finisher. Oden is as good of a finisher and has the same nice hands.
Miller should be able to do it, and like you I wish we’d have seen it at least ONCE thus far.
I think Oden likes Miller because he makes real concerted efforts to get the ball to him and talks to him about his offense more than Blake does… but I agree with Jscot on this one more, Miller just hasn’t open up Oden’s game like hoped for yet.
Mort
by Mortimer on Nov 30, 2009 10:47 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I Don't see where Miller's really had much of an oppurtunity to.
He started a couple of games but other than that, Oden’s been pulled out at the 6 minute mark of every game and Miller has come in after that. I would say that the minutes Oden and Miller have been on the court together have been pretty productive and would become increasingly better with experience.
He started 9 games
I think there’s been a chance for this to happen a few times, which tells me either it isn’t in the schemes or Andre isn’t looking for it.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
And as far as the schemes to get a big man free go
I can’t say one way or the other, but what I do see is Oden being wide the hell open a lot of times and we don’t get him the pass for the dunk.
Or, we don’t hit him when cutting.
I dunno if it’s a product of Nate’s offense or Oden just knowing to get in the open space naturally, but he’s getting there. Just ain’t getting the ball!
—M
My wife is a new BB fan and earlier in the season I was trying explain
to her what a pick and roll was. I said, we’ll tape the games and when the Blazers run a good pick and roll I’ll rewind and show it to you. We waited a long time. A very long time.
Just wait til you have the conversation about
officiating: “make-up” calls, superstar treatment, traveling and palming the ball for starters. Good times.
It is simple: Start Miller, give Oden 20 touches in 30 minutes per game, and do NOT extend Nate's contract. Problem solved.
by RenoBlazerFan on Nov 30, 2009 11:00 AM PST up reply actions
She gets that stuff. You watch the NBA for 10 minutes
and you learn all you need to know.
“Why does Shaq get to use his left arm and Steve doesn’t” she asked?… and so forth.
haha--exactly!
It is simple: Start Miller, give Oden 20 touches in 30 minutes per game, and do NOT extend Nate's contract. Problem solved.
by RenoBlazerFan on Nov 30, 2009 11:12 AM PST up reply actions
My wife never watches basketball
But she played enough as a little kid to walk by the t.v. and say, “That’s traveling!” This is why it cracks me up to hear NBA officials saying traveling is a difficult call to make. Give me a break: anyone can judge whether a player has re-planted his pivot foot before shooting or passing. What’s painfully apparent is that the refs simply stopped calling traveling on drives to the hoop in order to make the game more “exciting.”
Of course, in fact they just made the game look fake. If my wife can tell at a glance that the guys are traveling, then it’s obvious the game has become a joke. It’s just one step from pro wrestling.
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
Yeah, I implied they are equal at this, and they aren't
But if I’m Greg, I’d rather pass to a cutter for a layup than dump it back out for a 3, so that may be part of it.
Andre doesn’t get himself stuck in the air on the baseline with nowhere to go, which has to be discouraging.
I don’t know if Greg is talking about what we’re talking about here, or other things. Blake has really struggled at some things this year. But ultimately, my eyes tell me neither is really getting Greg easy looks much at all.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
In regards to Miller's D
That is my take as well. Miller does get undressed on one on one time to time, but he seems to recover better. Also, his pick and roll D seems to be better than both Blake AND Roy. Keep a track of how many times our bigs have to switch on D against Blake’s or Roy’s man as opposed to Miller’s guy. I think you’ll be unpleasantly disgusted at the lack of effort in fighting through the pick for our starters.
Miller will actually fight through a pick
our other guards (aside from Bayless) seem to be allergic to this. Is Andre a great man-to-man defender? Certainly not, but I think his team D and his understanding of what’s happening on the floor are well above average and I can live with that.
"just Blake"
No, I don’t think my “just Blake” comment was “silly.” Watch him closely. He’s consistently BEHIND the pick and roll, never mind off to the side and out of position. He’s got to CHASE. It’s completely ridiculous.
When I said “just Blake,” I mean that he’s my focus right now and his poor play is causing problems for everyone on defense. For the record, I think LaMarcus has been playing some pretty rotten defense over the last week or so, too. I like the defensive play of late from Greg, Roy, Bayless, and even Martell. But when that team D breaks down because Blake has gotten worked over again, everyone ends up out of position.
For everyone who says "push the tempo," you should be upset that Marc Iavaroni wasn't hried back in ...
2005. More than anything out there, coaches control the team’s pace on offense. This includes rotations, which can be altered by injuries and other outside influences. At any rate, though, McMillan will always run things at a snail’s pace, so y’all must either come to terms with that fact or demand a change that suits your own personal desires.
For me, I don’t have a problem with McMillan’s methodical style of coaching; rather, my problems with him have to do with his simplistic high-low zone offense — which relies too heavily on jump shooters and doesn’t involve the pivotman as one of the two main focal points on offense — as well as his inept overuse of guys switching off screens in an often futile attempt to defend against the pick-and-roll.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
The team had to learn to walk before they could run.
I will hold off on the slow pace thing until more time and facts are gathered.
It has appeared to me that our team does rely heavily on jump-shooting and Nate has always said we have to hit those shots if we are open. Therefore, I can’t argue that point either. Although it may be the same as learning to walk before we can run. Greg is not fully developed yet and arguably is not ready for the big role of being top gun. IMO, there is only one way to get him ready and looking at our last two games what is there to lose?
I don’t know if Nate will learn to use Greg or not, I think it is too early to say yet.
hg
hg
yeah, calling for the team to run is tantamount to calling for a new coach.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
The thing that bugs me
is that Nate always says he wants to run.
If that’s the case, he ought to bench the guys who won’t do what he says.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
okay, he says he wants to run. Well, Nate, nearly every team you’ve ever coached has been last or close to last in pace.
i cry for nic
by Cablinasian on Nov 30, 2009 11:00 AM PST up reply actions
But THIS time... it's different!
I don’t think Dave is saying we need to “run” run, just push it up the floor in general ways… the ol’ 4 seconds or less across the halfcourt and initiate the offense faster game.
M—
Right, one of the answers to making sure that Roy and Aldridge get their
touches while feeding Oden is to work at a faster pace. Get more shots off in a game.
Precisely
You will never get easy fastbreak baskets if you never run up the court to see if they are there.
You will always run short on shotclock if you never start your offense until 10 seconds have run off. If they stop your first option, by the time you reload, you are rushing.
You are always more vulnerable to a pressing, trapping defense, if you take your time bringing the ball upcourt so they can get ready for you, and then stand and dribble out front for a few seconds so they can bring the trap.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
Every time you let the defense get EASILY set
The harder your offense is.
I think it is a mixture of Nate not stressing it enough, and Roy and Blake are just two guys who don’t naturally push it. But, we have to, even while we will, ultimately, have our success as a halfcourt team.
m0rt
Precisely
I’m only sort of concerned about the fast break points. Even 4-6 more would help, but that’s modest. The real concern is that we make it so easy on opposing defenses when we plod up the floor and set. Run up the floor and set. Put some pressure on them to get back. Make them worry a little.
—Dave
Very true
I think at this point we should all agree Nate can’t get this team to run. When I read that the team need to run more my first thought was “what team has Dave been watching the last few years?” Nate always says he wants to run, but he also says he wants them to defend pick n rolls and they don’t do that either.
Your confusing thesis has captured my attention. Tell me more.
by terryisntbald on Nov 30, 2009 10:19 AM PST up reply actions
I love your sign off: Dear Paul Allen..
I’ve read about Jeff Van Gundy and he has a decent record. Also read that he would consider a coaching job!!!
If we got Iavaroni.....
We might not have lost enough games to be in a position to draft B-Roy, L-Train and Oden. I guess that’s the one thing we can all be thankful to Nate for.
Most excellent
Your distinction between transition/half-court offense makes much more sense than splitting the team into 1st/2nd lines. It is the best way to play to our players’ strengths while balancing touches/shots. Your role player analysis reminds me of Henry Abbot’s piece a few weeks back about players being discarded from bad teams and becoming key contributors for good teams. I was quick to panic at our 2-3 start, but hae more faith that we can right the ship this time. Despite my sometimes-harsh criticism, I think Nate has made many necessary adjustments so far this season, just at a slightly slower pace than many of us fans would like. Hopefully your post is another exercise in Blazersedge foresight and we will remember this as a small bump in an otherwise memorable season.
I agree that Nate has made some useful adjustments:
Dante rather than Juwan
More minutes for Bayless, although playing him in extremely short stints clearly has a negative effect on his production.
Getting Webster back in the starting line-up
Showing a tiny bit more flexibility on Oden’s fouls
On the other hand, Nate continues to play Blake for the third most minutes on the team when his production remains abysmal and his defense is marginal.
I also agree with Dave that it is better to do a few things well than to have so many options you end up not knowing what you want to do.
by upper left corner on Nov 30, 2009 8:52 AM PST up reply actions
I don't disagree with pushing the tempo
but I will say that I am glad we have a coach which emphasizes half-court offense and controlling the clock. I thought Blazers during the Drexler era were challenged in the half-court against elite teams in the playoffs. I remember they relied just a little too much on atheleticism on the break and were at a disadvantage against experienced defenses. The difference was slight, but it made a difference against a single great opponent over a seven-game series.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
Sergio never plays
Unless you see a number bigger than 18 in the “minutes per game” column, ignore the PER rating—lots of players get high PER playing garbage time minutes; and Hollinger sets the minutes bar too low.
I am Spartacus and I approved this message
by EngineerScotty on Nov 30, 2009 10:35 AM PST up reply actions
Sergio is not playing garbage time minutes
The last 5 games or so, he’s playing significant, meaningful minutes and playing very well.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
Yep, he's on a tear right now
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
beautiful dave.
just beautiful. can someone with control over decision making from the team read this. please?
by gotyourselfastew on Nov 30, 2009 4:20 AM PST reply actions
For Now, Skipping all the post.
This is a great poat, If for no other reason’s, then You have cleared my head of many nagging questions.
I thank you Sir:
hg
Outstanding
This analysis is clear-headed and accurate.
I haven’t the slightest disagreement.
Superb work, sir. Truly outstanding.
(now all you have to do is get Nate to read it…)
So, the coach gets a pass, Dave?
Excellent post as always, but you don’t really mention our coach’s inflexibility with his offensive sets, his bizarre rules for sitting players, or the communication problems that are simmering, and possibly unjustly magnified by the media.
I hate that I can’t support our coach. Coaches work hard and get blamed for losses. I have always supported the coach, and tend to believe it’s the players not executing the game plan. What is Nate’s plan for winning?
All your points were excellent, but, like the Portland media, Nate dodges any real criticism from you as well, except from us armchair pundits. What would you change about the coaching strategy if you had the opportunity?
It is simple: Start Miller, give Oden 20 touches in 30 minutes per game, and do NOT extend Nate's contract. Problem solved.
First, realize I am not a BB analyse
We have many new parts, our synergy is at work, Greg is still a work in progress, and still needs to work on his fouling. It is hard to work on a winning formula when you don’t have the full equation already in place.
Nate in all respects is a relatively new coach. I think we need to give him time to learn and deal with the players as well as giving the players time to learn synergy amongst them. Does the coach become part of the synergy?
It doesn’t matter what Nate admits to publicly at least to the media. He has to believe in his formula for winning if he wants to sell it to the team. Of course that doesn’t mean the formula is sound, but it needs to be sound to him. That may be the reason for not taking the responsibilities of the losses.
hg
His post-game comments have rubbed me the wrong way.
Poor performance + lack of responsibility = failure.
Nate is a good guy and a good citizen; I want him to succeed, preferably in Portland. Nate has had plenty of time to instill a basic gameplan with the team, and to clearly define roles. He has blundered the Miller integration. I feel there are 31 other coaches who would start Miller. Why did we get an upper-tier, veteran pg? Why is Blake starting?
Also, Greg is a work in progress. Ok…let him play more and work thru it. For chrissakes, the guy is 21 years old. He does not need to sit at the 6 minute mark to rest. Has he fouled out once this season? I am too lazy to look it up, but I don’t think so. He is a game changer, he forces the other team to react defensively and offensively. It’s a good thing when the opposition has to react to us.
It is simple: Start Miller, give Oden 20 touches in 30 minutes per game, and do NOT extend Nate's contract. Problem solved.
by RenoBlazerFan on Nov 30, 2009 6:49 AM PST up reply actions
Not in disagreement with you.
Like I said I am not a BB analysis. I was just showing the other side of the story.
It is apparently a matter of opinion of Andre starting and Steve starting. I am to dumb to know. If it works do it. that is my motto.
As your point on Greg goes I have to agree fully. I have stated earlier, the only way to get Greg experience is to throw him into the pot.
I really don’t know if the other 31 coaches would have started Andre or not. There is too many things I don’t know. I like Steve and I like Andre. I don’t cut one player’s throat to make another look good. Therefore I don’t know why Steve is starting. My question to you is why does it matter? We need both of them in a full length game, or at least until JBay gets more experience. So we play with what we got. In my opinion, I feel Andre is the better of the two. In my opinion I think Andre moves Rudy and now maybe Dante better then Steve would. Nevertheless, Andre is in the game with BRoy and Greg also. So again what does it matter?
hg
I like Steve too, but stats don't lie.
You have to start your best 5 players, in most cases. I think Miller should start, and get 30 minutes, with Blake getting 18, give or take depending on game situations and who’s hot.
It is simple: Start Miller, give Oden 20 touches in 30 minutes per game, and do NOT extend Nate's contract. Problem solved.
by RenoBlazerFan on Nov 30, 2009 7:59 AM PST up reply actions
Stats don't lie, but they don't tell it all
Stats is nothing more then writing down history. The Stats shows that the Nets are the worst team in history. what they don’t show is all the main players were injured.
The Stats shows what Andre used to be on othe teams, Stats doesn’t show what he has been on this team.
I do agree on playing who is hot and benching who is not. that includes the whole team.
hg
I agree with you
but I also feel like Andre’s stats would improve with more PT—his sample size with the Blazers this year is a little small, and there is bound to be an adjustment period with the new team, on both sides. Everyone says he gets off to a slow start each season, as well. I dunno about that, but we signed him because of his career stats, and because of the clear need for a more skilled PG. So, we’ve got him, let’s use him. If Blake was lightin the place up, I would be more comfortable with Nate’s use of Miller, but that is not the case.
It is simple: Start Miller, give Oden 20 touches in 30 minutes per game, and do NOT extend Nate's contract. Problem solved.
by RenoBlazerFan on Nov 30, 2009 10:22 AM PST up reply actions
Why hasn't Miller bent over backwards to synch up with Roy?
There is behind the scenes personality stuff going on and I don’t put it on Roy based on his track record to date. It’s Miller’s job, not Nate’s, to be the distributor . He has a lot of experience and should have a good idea of how to get the most out of his team starting with the biggest star. Miller is a role player and a short term one at that. I am not impressed with his handling of this transition to our team. Roy is the star so Miller needs to deal with it by finding ways to make Roy better.
Miller seems to have a prickly personality and had his nose out of joint from the beginning. For what ever reason our coach has been stuck trying to keep the “boys” apart. That needs to end and I put it squarely on Miller to fit in with the starters.
by Jacksonville on Nov 30, 2009 11:06 AM PST up reply actions
You could be right-
hard to tell what goes on in practice and behind closed doors. I can only base my analysis on filtered media reports, and results on the floor.
It is simple: Start Miller, give Oden 20 touches in 30 minutes per game, and do NOT extend Nate's contract. Problem solved.
by RenoBlazerFan on Nov 30, 2009 11:15 AM PST up reply actions
I'd withhold judgement based on those sources
My hunch is that Miller & Roy are just fine. They need to adjust to playing with each other, of course, but I seriously doubt there’s any of the kind of friction Jacksonville has been led to believe exists.
By all accounts, the “prickly” part of Miller’s personality is directed at the media, not his fellow players.
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
RenoBlazerFan makes some great points.
Neither Blake nor McMillan have done their job in my humble opinion.
Nate says the same thing after every loss.....
…..“blah, blah, blah, work harder, be scrappy, more effort, blah,blah, blah.”
If I was a player, I would really get tired of my boss telling me that any failure was due to my lack of effort. We rarely hear Nate taking any responsibility for losses. It would be refreshing to hear Nate take some responsibility or at least say something different.
I don’t think it is humanly possible for the players to sustain maximum effort for 82 games. This team has enough talent it should be able to beat teams through talent and execution and not have to outwork every team, every night.
by upper left corner on Nov 30, 2009 9:06 AM PST up reply actions
huh?
Nate in all respects is a relatively new coach.
Nate has been an NBA head coach for 10 season. TEN. Sorry, he no longer gets a pass for being a “new” coach. That’s bunk.
How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009
On offense it's pretty simple, the Blazers still lack an inside game
LMA made baby steps, if any steps at all, towards developing an inside game. He’s still TERRIFIED of contact. It’s almost comical at times.
Brandon doesn’t get to the rack like he did last year because it’s more congested, mostly because of Greg. Although Brandon isn’t playing with the confidence and precision he did last season.
Greg has no offense to speak of. Yeah he makes a decent move one out of every five times he gets the ball. Not good enough.
Basketball 101 says if you can’t get easy buckets, you are going to struggle on offense. And here we are.
Doesn’t explain the horrible defensive efforts we’ve seen at times though.
Blazer Fan
Athleticly
LMA should be a 20-10 guy every night.Some nights he just has a love afair with the jump shot.When LMA starts shooting three pointers,thats a sure sign of trouble.
by DowntownVinnie on Nov 30, 2009 7:49 AM PST up reply actions
Like you said, "should"
LMA should be low post scorer, but he isn’t and we shouldn’t be going to someone in the hopes they’ll do what you want. I agree with Dave completely that we should start using Oden like they did LMA in the past when he would post up early. If LMA wants to be a non-crazy Sheed and float around the perimeter that’s what he’s going to do.
Your confusing thesis has captured my attention. Tell me more.
by terryisntbald on Nov 30, 2009 10:22 AM PST up reply actions
Dave nailed it. We are wasting his speed
He is almost 7 feet and one of the fastest guys on the team. Outlet passes would equal low post positioning and big dunks.
by Jacksonville on Nov 30, 2009 11:16 AM PST up reply actions
Perhaps Greg make "a decent move one out of five times" as you exagerrated
That doesn’t explain his True shooting %, which is through the roof. Also, it’d be nice if he gets the ball in scoring position more than 5 times per game. Better rhythm and consistent touches = better offensive moves.
Greg doesn't even get a shot up half the time, how's that figure into your true shooting %???
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Nov 30, 2009 9:57 AM PST up reply actions
...?
I’m not sure what that means.
Oden has scored a GREAT percentage on iso post ups. He gets fouled at a good rate and hits his FTs. Of course his percentage is helped by putbacks and dunks, but so what? We’re arguing to put him in a better position to finish more, AND he’s shown he can hit a very high percentage of his iso post ups and hit the open shooter or cutter better than anyone else we got.
—Morti’mer
Greg has no offense to speak of and neither did Shaq
and guess what genius they didn’t need him to. All they needed of Shaq in the beginning was to slam the damn ball. Put him right underneath the basket and go from there.
That’s what we should be doing with Greg, he’s either going to get fouled or it’s an easy two points. If they start to double him, kick it out to an open player.
And if defenses goto Hack-a-Oden, Greg unlike Shaq can make his free throws.
"We didn't start the fire. It was always burning. Since the world's been turning." - E. E. Cummings
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Nov 30, 2009 8:42 AM PST up reply actions
Um, Shaq is a completely different animal than Greg
Shaq had an entirely different attitude. I also believe that Shaq is more coordinated.
Genius :)
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Nov 30, 2009 9:58 AM PST up reply actions
Entirely different attitude please, that is a load of crap
Shaq in his first couple of years at Orlando and in LA his offensive game was exactly as I described. They put him underneath the basket and got him the ball. It didn’t require any sort of attitude adjustment. All he did was dunk. That’s exactly how the Blazers should be using Greg.
Shaq went up against a center his first year in Hakeem who had an offensive game during the finals and the difference was night and day.
"We didn't start the fire. It was always burning. Since the world's been turning." - E. E. Cummings
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Nov 30, 2009 2:14 PM PST up reply actions
"Greg has no offense to speak of"
uhhh…
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
Fact
Please show me evidence otherwise. In fact let’s watch the next game together and you can point out Greg’s amazing offense.
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Nov 30, 2009 9:59 AM PST up reply actions
...?
The baby hook that goes in, the spin move, the drop step, the running hook/dunk…
Uhh… Leeroy, we’ve seen some burgeoning and raw yet effective post moves from Greg. I’d love for you to support your claim with some actual evidence (doesn’t get his shot up half the time, no offensive game), as we all got the stats to support what we’re sayin’.
No one is saying he is Hakeem, but I am not sure what you’re quite getting at.
Morty
Let's watch the next game together Mort, and we'll see together
Greg is a mess in the post dude.
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Nov 30, 2009 10:05 AM PST up reply actions
I think you are 100% incorrect.
He has been very effective in the post, both in dealing with double teams, and hitting his shots.
I urge you to watch Dwight Howard in the post, even Shaq. Shaq’s line drive hookshot is still stiff and awkward; it doesn’t go in as much as Oden’s does already. Howard can’t pass to save his life and if you’re looking for a polished, refined post game, you’re as well off looking at Joel than Dwight Howard. He thrives on power and athletic domination.
To say he is a “mess” is incredibly silly.
Morty
he is 3rd in the league in true shooting %
he does have a high TO%, higher than most Cs (perhaps this is what you are talking about), but overall he’s still a better offensive player than all but a few Cs— Howard, Duncan, the Gasol brothers, Bynum, Lopez. That’s it. Oden defends better than all but the first two on that list.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
Part of the problem, I believe, is that
We are saying Oden has been a good offensive player for a post scorer. They are rare, especially ones that can defend as well.
We are not saying Oden is Hakeem or some post scoring virtuoso. But, he is raw yet effective.
By merely having 11.5 ppg and very good defense and shotblocking, it makes him one of the best centers in the NBA. It might sound silly, but it’s true.
Mort
He doesn't need to be Hakeem
His game is raw and more like Shaq in his first year than Hakeem’s game. I’m not saying that Greg can’t eventually develop moves like the “Dream Shake” but right now the kid can dunk the ball.
I hope the Blazers use him like Orlando used Shaq. Three second rule be damned, park him underneath the basket and good things will happen.
"We didn't start the fire. It was always burning. Since the world's been turning." - E. E. Cummings
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Nov 30, 2009 2:42 PM PST up reply actions
If Oden is so limited, how do you explain his highest in the league FG%?
Obviously dunking put-backs is going to help his percentage, but that can’t explain it all. Oden may not be pretty, but overall he is very effective. Saying we should give our most efficient scorer more touches doesn’t strike me as rocket science.
by upper left corner on Nov 30, 2009 9:09 AM PST up reply actions
I think I remember Joel leading the league in
shooting percentage one year too for awhile.
If this Blazer team doesn't light your fire, then your wood is wet!
MUCH different usage percentage
Leading it in 3 shots a game is one thing, leading it averaging 11 points a game off of a few shots a game is another.
M—
I also doubt Joel had enough attempts to qualify
But maybe he did. You’re right, he led the league, but it’s just… different. Joel didn’t do it going one on one for too many of his shots. Oden has scored a very high percentage even on iso post ups.
—M
No he hasn't
Greg gets most of his points on putbacks
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Nov 30, 2009 10:00 AM PST up reply actions
you are just flat out incorrect here, leeroy.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
Against Utah
Greg was 4-6 on FGs, and had no offensive rebounds. That’s no putbacks, obviously.
I won’t bother to go back and check. Someone probably has a stat that identifies how many of his points are putbacks.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
Haha, almost word for word
What I said as well.
I looked at one game and went UGH BORING I KNOW I AM RIGHT and used the 2.8 o-boards as my shortcut to “prove” my point.
M—
I can’t think of one, unfortunately.
he has been scoring far more than on putbacks. I don’t see a way to really argue other than even if he scored on EVERY o-reeb, he’d still be short points of his average.
i cry for nic
by Cablinasian on Nov 30, 2009 11:38 AM PST up reply actions
That was my conclusion as well
2.8 boards = 5.6 points = less than half of 11.6ppg = he doesn’t score most of his points on putbacks.
MATH.
—M
That is so brilliant
I wish I was/were/whatever is right grammar as smart as you. Maybe when I grow up.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
by jscot on Nov 30, 2009 11:46 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Ha! you guys are so much more patient than I
in explaining this stuff. I was like “Yeah, I’m done. Not worth the effort.”
Joel has amazing offense, like Greg
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Nov 30, 2009 10:05 AM PST up reply actions
Because half the time he doesn't get a shot up
Anyone seven feet tall can make a wide open dunk
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Nov 30, 2009 9:59 AM PST up reply actions
Greg draws double teams
That should tell you what other teams think about his supposed lack of post up ability.
Whether your preference is watching or playing, basketball is a TEAM game.
by KINGofMACct on Nov 30, 2009 10:35 AM PST up reply actions
yeah, because the other 40% of the time he is busy shooting free throws.
i cry for nic
by Cablinasian on Nov 30, 2009 11:04 AM PST up reply actions
a modest proposal
Have the basic players that won 54 games last year in one unit. Blake, Roy, Aldridge, Webster (because no Batum) and Przybilla all play the first 8 minuets. Hot, cold, doesn’t matter cause I hear Nate likes set times. Everyone on the floor remembers their rolls from last year. Simple huh?
Second unit has Miller, Rudy, Bayless, Dante or Jawan, and Oden. This unit plays 8 minuets cause I hear Nate likes set times. Miller and Rudy know how to see a big man near the rim and how to pass it. Oden kicks out if he gets swarmed. Fast breaks happen when possible. Simple huh?
Always swap these units whole. Never any substitutions. Call them the Starting unit and Bench unit. Call them A Team and B Team. Call them White Knights and Black Knights. At the end of the game look to see which unit has the best offense. Look to see which unit had the most scored against them.
Clear and simple.
Go Blazers.
Sounds good to me.
Not the no interchangeable parts, but at pre-season this is what I thought we should do, then work in players as needed. I think it would be fantastic. The first unit has the synergy of last year, BRoy, LMA and Now Martel can be the king in the one unit and Andre, Rudy and Greg the next.
Now, I have no idea if you were being sarcastic or not, so I might be a laughing stock of Blazers edge again, but it does sound good to me
hg
Sorry, just got back from the dentist
Yes, sarcasm … but it’s most fun when there is truth to confuse the issue. There are just so many things going on that we will probably never know about. Anyway it makes for great discussions.
They could start DC and JBAY.
I don’t necesarily say that in jest.At least, those two are playing with some heart at both ends of the court.I agree that whovever is playing with energy should be in .Don’t matter who . I agree that there should be some level of cohesion in the substitutions.There has been a few times this year that the second unit has outplayed the first.
by DowntownVinnie on Nov 30, 2009 7:56 AM PST up reply actions
sarcasm, right?
It is simple: Start Miller, give Oden 20 touches in 30 minutes per game, and do NOT extend Nate's contract. Problem solved.
by RenoBlazerFan on Nov 30, 2009 8:00 AM PST up reply actions
There's no such thing as a good second unit.
Good teams play an 8-9 player rotation with 2-3 starters minimum in the game at all times. If you do entire line changes, the talent dropoff is too severe and the opponent can take advantage with their 2-3 starters.
by Free Bayless on Nov 30, 2009 8:13 AM PST up reply actions
that makes sense
but my problem is that if you’re making a lineup not because you think it’s the best but because you’re coach can’t manage people, that’s not a good sign. If Nate can’t get the team to do grow and do things things like up the tempo, defend pick n rolls and run offensive sets, then all he’s good for is managing rotations and keeping the players motivated. But he doesn’t react to what happens on the court except benching Miller and the last two games the players didn’t try. I think Nate was the perfect coach when this team was growing, but I haven’t seen anything that makes me think he can manage a talented team that need to be told what to do, not just to play hard. Nate’s the typical “Drill Sargent” coach and they have limited lives and only work with young teams.
Your confusing thesis has captured my attention. Tell me more.
by terryisntbald on Nov 30, 2009 10:28 AM PST up reply actions
Pushing the Tempo
I agree with pushing the tempo. But one thing that i want to add to that is that pushing the tempo doesn’t necessarily just mean attempting to go for fast break points. Even little things like pushing the ball up to half-court even though you know you can’t break has a lot of value. Starting up the offense with 20 to 21 seconds left on the shot clock versus 17 or 18 is a major difference in that the opposing defense is not set until all their players are back on D. If our whole offense can consistently beat the opposing defenses last guy back then we will have a big edge when it comes to being able to get good shots earlier in the shot clock. Furthermore it also increases the chances that you’ll have the opposing defense scrambling.
If you watch Orlando, Stan van Gundy is constantly yammering at his team to push the ball up court even though they will not fast break because he knows the value of getting the offense set a couple seconds earlier. Very often I see players on our team jogging back because they know that we’re going to run a long-developing set. Instead we need to constantly keep opponent defense on their heels by making them think that on any given possession Aldridge is going to attack the rim early in the shot clock, or that you have to sprint back to make sure Martell doesn’t get that easy corner 3. I just don’t see that happening much… Quite frankly, I see Roy just lulling back on offense the most out of any player.
If you study D’antoni’s offensive philosophies one of the things that he stresses is sprinting down the court and creating the right spacing so that you can keep defensive help from disrupting the play. I don’t see our offense doing that much at all…
That is true.
We see Blake let the ball roll up the court because the clock doesn’t start until he touches it, only to have him dribble until the clock is running down. Don’t make sense to me
hg
Great great post, great ideas
the Problem is that the Coach needs to set these ground rules, not the players. And so far Nate is obvious to these facts. I don’t think anyone on here will really disagree with you Dave that this is the way this team should go on offense, many people have been saying stuff along these same lines since the preseason. The problem is it does not appear that Nate agrees, or knows how to make it happen.
Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?
by usmcr3049 on Nov 30, 2009 7:29 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
um, yes
rec
It is simple: Start Miller, give Oden 20 touches in 30 minutes per game, and do NOT extend Nate's contract. Problem solved.
by RenoBlazerFan on Nov 30, 2009 8:01 AM PST up reply actions
Yes, yet another reasonable presentation of rather obvious changes that need to be made.
I am exhausted watching the team deteriorating as the players implode under the frustration of inept management.
I hate waste of potential, which what I feel is what are seeing. Waiting for Nate to get it together is really frustrating. Even though it is not all his fault, I want to believe that this disappointing play so far (spare me the statistice, you know what I am talikin’ about) has Nate as a signigicant component. Yes, I have lost confidence in him, and what accentuates that is the signs that some of the team may have as well. Our moale aint good. Excessive caution can be more destructive that excessive risk. Don’t tell us how Greg is gonna foul out, SHOW US !
Sure, I don’t know all the facts, but this is certainly how I feel, and I can see other fans that feel similarly. Sitting through more of this floundeing management for the whole season is not something I am looking forward to. What? Come back next year, we’ll be through this coach problem then…we gotta be “sure”… great.
NATE THE SLOW HAS GOT TO GO !
I haven’t got the patience for this, sorry to be so HARSH. I’ll zip it for a while……
End or tirade. Continue with your more reasonable programming.
Sorry Nate, nothing personal, strictly business. (Do feel free to prove me wrong).
P.S. I presume you intended “oblivious”.
"Travis went all wang-dang diddly wubba SPROING wow-wow on everybody " Dave's recap, season opener
The problem is that they lost two games badly
Once the win again, they’ll be fine.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
by hobobob on Nov 30, 2009 7:31 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Takin shots at the end of the clock
has got to stop.Part of that is Yo Yo’s problem.i agree with pushin the tempo.Like was stated,The keys to the car are in Nates hands.Go’s neck still has marks from the collar.
Great Post
I think as fans we need to be patient. Two years of working without Oden in the middle as a potential offensive option has led to some habits on offense that seem to be difficult to break.
I would add that Roy probably needs 20 shots a game (roughly 23 to 25 pts a game) and that would be a good measure of how the blazer offense is doing.
That would be one measure, but . . .
if you really want to see how the offense is doing overall, it seems to me that some better measures would be team shooting percentage, the ratio of assists to made baskets, and offensive rebounds, among others.
It also seems to me that pushing the tempo makes perfect sense in just about all cases, even those in which the fast break isn’t an option. As was pointed out above, this allows a few more seconds per possession to run the half-court offense, thus providing time for a few more passes to find the open shooter, a few more cuts to the hoop & so on. I don’t know why the Blazers don’t do more of this but I wish they would.
Dave applies the KISS Principle. Or maybe it’s Occam’s Razor. Anyway, excellent post that gets to the heart of the matter.
MM
"Send lawyers, guns and money; the sh*t has hit the fan." - Warren Zevon
Although it was dissappointing to watch the last two games this weekend ...
… I can’t get too worked up about it. For all I know, it could be simply fatigue. The Blazers have played more games then any other team so far this season.
Or it could be a little hiccup. Even good teams occasionally run into stretches where they are not firing on all cylinders.
Whatever it is, lets see what happens the next 4 or 5 games.
hakkaa päälle !
forget the last two games. this has not been a good 19 game start.
We are 12-7 against the 26th most difficult schedule in the league. For the folks that were predicting 60+ wins, that has to be discouraging. For me, who picked us to win 53, its less surprising, but still unsettling.
More importantly, the 2 guys we locked up to long term deals are playing well below the levels expected from them (and have all season), which is a problem. This isn’t about the last two games.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
It will be about the last 10 games soon enough if we continue to play like right now
Ceterum censeo Lakers esse delendam
It's definetely been a poor start considering the cake-walk early schedule.
If this Blazer team doesn't light your fire, then your wood is wet!
The number of games played makes it not a cake walk schedule even though some easy teams
The losses are not that surprising. These teams are playing well and shooting well. The disappointment is the offense is still not clicking against good teams. Given two new starters and a new PG trying to make his imprint the offensive struggles are not unexpected either.
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
You mean the Blazers have played 1 or 2 more games than the rest of the league? OMG
Clearly this is why they getting blown out back to back
Blazer Fan
by leeroyjenkins on Nov 30, 2009 10:04 AM PST up reply actions
Dave,
You “credit” Miller with taking two ill advised 3’s but wasn’t one of the 3’s due to brandon passing to him with very little time left? If I remember correctly he didn’t have much of a choice on that one. Anyway, it’s small potato’s compared to the overall problems.
I think the coaching staff has done a horrible job of preparing this team and defining roles. Every year that Nate’s been here he couldn’t decide on the starting lineup.
Yup
Offense needs to drop to Oden more.
Roy is the man in half court. No more confusion with miller or Miller attempting to take over himself please.
Those are all points I can agree with.
DEFENSE!!! I yelled this as loud as I could against Memphis. Someone should pull the cotton out of the Blazers ears. The effort I saw wasn’t a better team beating us, but our team which lacked effort or care REGARDLESS of whatever confusion is going on out there… Aldridge and Roy.
Too early to freak out? Maybe. I’m not sure this is corrected if the fans don’t freak out though. Seriously… Roy losing track of the shot clock? Aldridge not guarding Zach and giving him three seconds to line up his shot and then take it???
Maybe they had some left over turkey but I’ve only been able to watch games the blazers play bad online and now I’ve been to two games where the blazers played bad, except one they got a win for it.
I’m going to add hustle and heart. It’s possible that, as Roy said, the Blazers want to have this but because they’ve decided to be confused on the floor they don’t know how to do it/where to go. Hustling in place isn’t productive, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, then you don’t know where to hustle. I don’t think this applies to defense when your man is five feet away, takes three seconds to shoot and YOU DONT BUDGE. So I don’t think Roy is 100% correct even if he’s partially correct.
I blame this on Roy AND Nate. They’re busy pointing at each other and it’s a TEAM thing. If one member of your team falls down, you pick them up and carry them until they can run again. If they’re going the wrong direction, you point them in the right direction.
Nate is part of the team and so is Roy. They’re BOTH responsible for this season and neither can abdicate that responsibility just because they’d like to be lazy about it.
Anyway, again, this was a nice post. The Blazers have earned my ire by playing lazy and hopefully that’s fixed as well as your points as we move forward with the season. I love to see my team that hustled, back.
"Fernandez, to my eyes, is the Blazer who walks that walk most comfortably. A lot of Portland's fans (egged on, dare I say, by their local broadcasters) lament things like how Ron Artest or Yao Ming get to hit Brandon Roy's arms.
But I suspect Fernandez sees all that and thinks: We get to hit arms! Cool!"
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-39-135/On-Playoff-Experience.html
"I told Pau the Lakers never win here in Portland; I think it's great." -- Rudy Fernandez
Awesome points
and I think the key to number “3.” is getting Andre to cut instead of stand at the 3 point line. That set is effective with Blake in there but we saw how well it worked in Utah… It’s also a much less effective set against a team with 2 above-average perimeter defenders (LA and Houston).
I just think Nate is so comfortable with that set. It’s his nighty blankie. Roy go to paint, Blake stand our for 3, Travis gets ball and—-errr—-Travis is gone, coach. It’s time to move on!
The question is, do Brandon, LMA, Miller, and Oden have the skill to run something else that isolates Brandon while creating movement for other players? I think so. WE think so. I guess we’ll see in the next week if Nate thinks so…
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Nov 30, 2009 9:14 AM PST reply actions
Great post, per usual, Dave.
You talk about utilizing Oden, Roy and Aldridge more, basically running our offense through those guys. I couldn’t agree more. Oden has shown great court vision, and Aldridge has been passing better of late. The High-Low option would be potent with that duo. I would love to see a triangle type offense with those 3 guys spreading the floor for each other, each willing passers, making nice cuts when doubles come etc. If I’m Nate, I sit those 3 guys down and tell them that they need to play off each other and to always be looking for the other 2 guys. If we get 50-60 ppg, 25+ rpg out of that group with 10+ assists, I don’t think there are man teams that could deal with that kind of attack come playoff time.
That being said, I would like to see more Andre Miller pick and rolls when we are running plays for LA / Oden. He’s bar far the best passer in those situations and would get LA to actually roll to the basket and maybe not slip every pick for a jumper. LA is extremely effective when he gets close to the hoop, and this is a way to get him those looks using his quickness rather than posting him up as his only close range attempts.
What are you impressions of Roy?
"He's just a very, very good basketball player. Very smart. Very heady. He can do a little bit of everything on the court. As coaches, when we scout Portland we kind of put him in the same category as Kobe (Bryant), LeBron (James), Dwyane Wade. We treat him the same. He's that good."
- Byron Scott
Combined stats for our last two losses:
Here’s a quick spreadsheet I put together combining the box scores from our last two losses.
What stands out for you?
"The team and the city are intertwined, and if one side isn't holding up that bargain, it's even more painful than usual. Anyway, I couldn't be happier that I got a taste of it. Great NBA city."
-- Bill Simmons
FG%
Atrocious for Blake, Miller, Rudy, and Jerryd. Gotta hit your shots, that’s why you guys are here.
You need to look at True Shooting % to get a more accurate assessment of shooting efficiency
TS% takes into account 3 pt shots and free throws.
Bayless has a much higher TS% .571, than Blake .513 because he gets to the line. Rudy has a higher TS % .591 because he hits from distance. Straight FG% doesn’t tell the real story.
by upper left corner on Nov 30, 2009 11:21 AM PST up reply actions
Well, someone else can do the TS% math if they want. The data you need is there.
But basically here’s what I got from the box scores.
Jerryd Bayless might be in line for a good deal more minutes very soon. Look at the number of times he slashed to the rim and got fouled. Look at his free throw makes/attempts. He was really, really effective @ Utah. Dante Cunningham, much like Bayless, loves to hustle. This team needs hustle right now. I don’t expect major minutes but he should see his MPG settle around 10-15 behind LA. We need him to keep knocking down that turn around jumper and rebound! Rebound rebound rebound!
Greg Oden needs to play 30+ minutes/night. At some point I think Nate lets Greg play through early fouls. We just can’t afford not having him out there. Joel isn’t giving us anything from a scoring standpoint. Greg is pretty much our only interior scoring threat. Which leads me to my next point.
LaMarcus Aldridge needs to be a LOT more active in the painted area. Over the last two games he’s played 3 more minute than Roy but has 3 fewer total rebounds? Come on LA. We need your presence on the boards man. Can’t rely on our centers alone. Our defensive rebounding in particular has been shaky lately.
Andre Miller is a huge enigma on this team right now. Really he’s the only polarizing figure on this team right now. Some say he should start. Some say Steve should stat. But look, you can’t shoot .230 and play on this team Andre. You just can’t. He’s responsible for some really silly errors over the last couple of games. Nate only gave him a couple of bad passes in that Utah game before yanking him. People can claim Blake is worse regardless. But there’s just no denying that Andre looks confused out there.
Rudy Fernandez can’t shoot .125% from 3 point range. We’re missing Travis Outlaw already. If he can’t knock down that deep shot it allows teams to crowd the paint and help on Roy or LaMarcus. It would be nice to see the team create more mid-range shots off picks for him too.
"The team and the city are intertwined, and if one side isn't holding up that bargain, it's even more painful than usual. Anyway, I couldn't be happier that I got a taste of it. Great NBA city."
-- Bill Simmons
LMA with 1.5 free throws a game is not going to get it done.
Oden is getting a lot of attention so LMA should be able to catch the ball with the defense slightly out of position.
But this team can’t consistently rotate the ball and play to two options. It’s great at playing to it’s first option and that is good enough to beat a lot of teams (assuming they’re playing inspired D).
LMA is a silky jump shooter and versatile athlete. But without Oden in there this team gives the opponent absolutely no reason to worry about being exploited in the paint. They double Brandon and get on the shooters. If Miller comes in they pack the paint and hope he misses his 2 point field goals. Ball game.
I think the answer is LMA putting it on the floor and drawing fouls. PERIOD. It’s the only huge flaw in his game IMO. I don’t think he needs to be a dominant post player with Oden in there—-he just needs to attack the D.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Nov 30, 2009 11:44 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I have similar thoughts, but little more of a varied usage for LA.
Besides spacing the weakside for jumpers, I’d probably tell LA to dive to the basket more when Greg has the ball. Because Greg commands so much attention and since he is a willing passer, as soon as the defender turns his head he should dive in for a layup. Even if Greg does miss, there’s an opportunity for some O boards.
Because Greg commands so much attention on the blocks, the opposing team is usually easy pickings for rebounds on both sides. Although arguments can be made for a finesse PF to play with Greg, I’d actually like to have another power guy because of the rebounding opportunity as well as someone to cover the defensive boards when Greg/Joel rotates over to contest shots. If you can’t clean up the blocked/affected shots, that’s just easy pickings for the offense.
I’d love a Horford or Haslem on this team because of the above reason. We did try for Millsap, although we should have overpaid for him instead of making it relatively easy for Utah.
Good analysis
Very well put… I hope Nate reads it, lol.
Good Rational Observations
I don’t know Dave. As usual you present some good/great rational points and observations. This post should have a calming affect on the fanbase. Maybe after two losses, accusations and innuendo’s of Un-American Activity, and two post game periods inwhich you expected Brandon Roy to scream “Captain Bligh!” at McMillan and McMillan to scream “Mr. Christian!” at Roy, maybe a post like your’s is just what we need. But can I accept it?
I don’t know. I’d really like to believe that what is happening with this team right now is just the reaction of a team that has lost a few game badly and is grousing. But I’m a little afraid that “shudder” you felt while dining was the ship striking an iceberg. I hope I’m reading too much into it, I really, really do. But ultimately if McMillan has lost this team then you can throw all the observations and recommendations of what this team should do right out the window. What this team will have to do, is find a new coach. But yes, we are not there yet, maybe we aren’t even close. It’s still way too early. This team gets a chance to continue to make adjustments. But until I see some smiles in the locker room, and some unity between Star player and Head Coach then at some level it really becomes the biggest challenge facing the team.
But to continue, I agree with most of your comments. I’m beginning to wonder if this isn’t a problem though. I remember the years when this team ran it’s offense primarily through Zach Randolph. The spoken and unspoken litany about Zach was that this team would never be a running team as long as Zach was the primary focal point of the offense. The common thinking being Zach wasn’t much of a runner and his 20-10 offensive style demanded a half-court game predicated around feeding him the ball.
Well now I watch this team. A team that professes publicly that it wants to run and push the tempo. BUT a team that does have a star in Brandon Roy, and an emerging force in Greg Oden. Brandon Roy is an deceptively athletic person. Some people have said, he doesn’t play an athletic game and I’ve never believed that. Brandon’s not a Dwayne Wade dunker, his style is more deliberate. He’s almost a throw back to imo to players like Larry Bird. By which I mean, Brandon is an intelligent player that often just knows where to be, and what to do and makes good things happen. BUT the more I watch Brandon the more I think we have the Zach Randolph Effect happening. Everyone can say we want to run, push the tempo, but Brandon doesn’t like it, and he doesn’t do it. How often have I seen a potential break or an opportunity to push and Brandon himself slows it down? The truth is our starting 5 is thematically splintered. You have LMA and Webster, who I think do thrive in uptempo. Then you have Brandon who despite what he might say, is just more comfortable playing at his pace, and his pace is NOT pushing the tempo. Add Oden, who at this point in his development and recovery is also more of a force in a half-court game and I think you look at our starting line-up and have to wonder if it’s reasonable to expect it to run or push the tempo? Run, and Brandon isn’t comfortable and Oden is probably breathing heavy and out of synch, but run and LMA might be having a great quarter and perhaps Webster is clicking. So do we have the “Zach Randolph” affect? Will a team with Brandon Roy as it’s star and focal point ever really be an uptempo team? I guess the answer to that is Can Brandon Run? Can he get 6-8 pts himself or 2-4 assists on breaks? I think Brandon is athletic enough, but I’m not sure he’s comfortable enough. I’m not sure it’s the way he wants to play, and that could be the problem with a blanket statement of we need to push the tempo.
Please understand I don’t mean this as a knock against Brandon or Oden. I think the early 90’s Blazers were one of the best running teams EVER. Really, Drexler, Porter and Kersey, that team ran the break absolutely beautifully. But that team also had a half-court game. Drexler and Porter could create in the half-court and Duckworth and Williams were excellent half-court scorers in the paint. But honestly, does Brandon have the duality yet? Can he create for himself and others in the half-court and also run? I have yet to see it. For this team to get to the upper echelon, we need to become good at both. Both a good/great half-court and also able to push and run. IMO you can be a good team if you are good at one or the other, but you only become a great team if you are very good at both. For the last two games unfortunately, we haven’t been good at either.
Anyway, that’s it. I hope this team isn’t splintering. I hope it can work it’s problems out. The obvious ones we can see, and also the hidden black holes. The ones we speculate exist because of how other objects around it are acting.
"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"
by Krang on Nov 30, 2009 10:06 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
I love Brandon’s one on one game, but has anyone ever seen Brandon come up the floor initiating a fast break? He brings up the ball slowly and deliberately, trying to set up his one on one game. The Blazers will not be an up tempo team until Brandon signs on to this concept and tries to make it work, or the Blazers run up tempo when he is out of the game.
Anyway, there has been many good points made in this discussion about all of the players. IMO, Nate always lean on Brandon’’s opinions, and Brandon seems to want the ball in his hands most, if not all of the time. This precludes the Blazers from being an up tempo team most of the time,
by Holybackboards on Nov 30, 2009 2:31 PM PST up reply actions
this "strife" is just typical interpersonal relationship behavior
1) I agree with Dave that this talk is bound to happen after bad losses, especially two in a row against mediocre teams.
2) I love his suggestions on working this out.
3)This all appears to be the “first fight” for the couple that never fights. Yeah it happens and is scary because no one knows what will happen unlike the couple we is always arguing but yet stable in their chaos. In most cases, the parties have to get past the inital shock of disagreeing and then sit down work it out and are stronger in the long run. The team and coaches just got through a grinder of a start to the season and are worn out and something is amiss. As long as they can stop, breathe, and figure out what is going on they will be fine.
The next month is crucial, they have to work through all of this. I think the next month determines if Nate is the coach to go to the top with this team. I am confident they will work this out. And the bottom line is: Wouldn’t you rather the “first fight” happens now instead of March/April?
Go Blazers, Whup the Heat and right the ship!!!!
Sounds good Dave, it really does.
But what are we going to do for the 25 to 30 minutes when Greg will be on the bench catching his breath or with foul problems (he is in the best shape he’s been in as a Blazer but he still gets easily winded). And I can envision that going to him early will likely result in him picking up an offensive foul or two.
To this point, Greg has been overrated by many fans. Brook Lopez is a better young center than Oden. So is Marc Gasol. And maybe Andrew Bynum too. We can not depend on Greg to carry as much of the load as we fantasize about, mostly because he won’t be on the floor enough.
I’m totally on board though with your suggestion to finally, finally get this team running.
If this Blazer team doesn't light your fire, then your wood is wet!
I don't think Greg is anywhere near his ceiling, but forget that. The Blazers don't have to have the
best center in the league. If they had Greg, just the way he is right now, for 35 minutes instead of 25, that would almost be good enough.
yep.
On a per minute basis, Oden has been better than Lopez, Gasol and Bynum. All we need is or him to play 35 minutes, and make some improvement in terms of taking care of the ball.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
The big riddle is: How will he do that?
His and other big men’s Per 36 vs Per Game stats are appalling. He doesn’t have nearly the impact he could and should have at the moment.
Ceterum censeo Lakers esse delendam
Getting better all the time
I’ve got to admit it’s getting better
A little better all the time
It can’t get no worse
I have to admit it’s getting better, it’s getting better
Since you’ve been mine
Me used to be a angry young man
Me hiding me head in the sand
You gave me the word, I finally heard
I’m doing the best that I can
I’ve got to admit it’s getting better
A little better all the time (It can’t get no worse)
I have to admit its getting better, it’s getting better
Since you’ve been mine (Getting so much better all the time)
It’s getting better all the time
Better
It’s getting better all the time
Better Better Better
So I put my hands up
They’re playing my song,
And the butterfly’s fly away
Noddin’ my head like yeah
Moving my hips like yeah
by tominhawaii on Nov 30, 2009 12:29 PM PST up reply actions
You’re gonna lively up yourself, and don’t be no drag
You lively up yourself ‘cause reggae is another bag
You lively up yourself, and don’t say, “No”
You’re gonna lively up yourself ’cause I said so!
Hear what you gonna do
You rock so, you rock so, like you never did before, yeah!
You dip so, you dip so: dip through my door
You come so, you come so, oh yeah!
You skank so, you skank so: be alive today!
by raoulduke on Nov 30, 2009 12:38 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
that is indeed the big riddle.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
Yup
It means everything right now.
But, at least right now it’s pretty much “only” that. All things considered, that we don’t have questions about his actual defensive impact and his ability to be a two-way threat are huge… the historic foul problems are all the remain ;-) winking smile.
M—
Trend line
It’s moving in the right direction.
I don’t know what it was last year, but I’d bet his fouls per 36 are lower than last year.
I don’t know what it was for the first 5-6 games, but I’d bet the last 10 games have been lower.
In our first 6 games, he had 29 fouls in 143 minutes (and we went 3-3). That was 7.3 per 36. Since those first six games he has had 49 fouls in 324 minutes, which is 5.4 per 36.
Now, 5.4 per 36 is hardly great, but it is better than 7.3. What does that tell me? Nate’s two foul rule had an impact. You foul, you sit. I don’t know if it was the best way to teach, but no one can say it hasn’t helped.
If we can go from 7.3 per 36 to 5.4 per 36 in ten games, I would hope we can get down to 4 or 4.5 per 36 by the end of the season. That would still be a problem, because if you are averaging 4, sometimes it is going to be 6. But it is a much more manageable problem.
I take it from this that lesson number one has been learned — this is really, really important, important enough to sit you down and lose some games if necessary. And I see from my eyes that lesson number two has been learned — that means you let some shots go, and stop reaching. Every foul Greg commits makes him very unhappy right now, and he’s thinking, “Can’t do that again.”
Now, I think it is just experience, and gaining respect from the refs as they see he is working to avoid fouls. And they’ll see it.
It will be better by midseason than it is now, and better still by the end of the season, and by next year, it will be an infrequent problem.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
Proving conclusively that statistics lie....
On a per minute basis, Oden has been better than Lopez, Gasol and Bynum.
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
That isn't a funky fuzzy stat though, Timbo
During his 24 minutes, he has been as good or better than those 3— and much better defensively.
OF COURSE the catch is, it’s 24 minutes, and not 36 like they play. That’s a HUGE deal.
There’s no lie or trickery to it: Oden is as effective/good as they are, as long as he is on the floor. Often, he has been more effective.
The difference: they stay out of constant foul trouble. Oden doesn’t.
It’s a big difference.
M—
Yeah, if he stays only as good as he is now
But plays 30+ minutes REGULARLY, that’s a dominant big man.
I am positive he will keep getting better. With how much he improved in all aspects of his game (especially defensively) from last year to this, I don’t see how one can think he won’t keep improving. It’s what raw bigs… do.
I am not trying to downplay how serious his foul problems have been; they are bad. But, they’ve improved, and will keep improving over time. It’s really his only major negative, though it’s a biggie.
The turnovers don’t bug me, all bigs turn it over and he’s an especially raw one.
—M
First part
He’s playing 24 minutes at least, so that’s, at worst, 24 minutes without him.
His foul problems are on defense, no offense.
Oden has played extremely well, and you’re still down on him? :-) Lopez, Bynum, and Gasol are not near as good defenders as Oden is, but are better offensively and (obviously) much much much better at staying on the floor.
But the only thing keeping their raw stats better than Oden, is that ability to not foul. Their defense won’t ever be as good as Oden’s is now.
The fouling is a HUGE problem, but everything else Oden has passed with flying colors.
We can’t depend on Oden to stay on the floor now, for sure. But he’s shown that when on the floor he has been very, very, very good… ’specially for a 21 year old raw big.
We got nothing but reason to be optimistic now, much more than before the season started. Fouls are what holds him back now, only.
M—
by Mortimer on Nov 30, 2009 10:23 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
You forgot to make an excuse for him Mortimer
on how he is so easily winded. .
If this Blazer team doesn't light your fire, then your wood is wet!
I haven't noticed him being that winded
He needs to play 30 minutes a night for a while before he is used to it, has it been that much of a mystery?
I think the stretching to find reasons not to be happy about it are more funny.
Morty
Any player ever
Says that there is no simulating being in-game shape.
Oden did a great job being well conditioned and he is in shape to play 30 minutes a night. He hasn’t been getting 30 minutes a night because of foul problems, so his body isn’t used to it. This is the same for every player ever, even without Oden’s extenuating circumstances caused by missing a year.
The only times he has looked tired are on the back end of a back to back… and LMA and Roy do as well.
His only problem is fouls, aside from normal raw-type problems.
Mort
Maybe I am wrong
Aside from the back end of a back to back, anyone notice Oden being visibly winded when it isn’t deserved?
m_
Exactly
Guys that size will ALWAYS battle conditioning issues. Shaq in his prime looked pooped a lot of the time. But he was allowed to play long minutes and develop his wind.
As Mort said, GO is in as good condition as you could ask for this season. Increased game stamina will come with increased game minutes.
I do think that Nate fears a winded GO will commit more fouls. But, au contraire, it seems GO does his worst fouling when he hasn’t broken a sweat yet.
Let the big man play!
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
Offensively?
LMA time. Post him some too. Clear out and let him work with his back to the basket.
—Dave
Off topic — but the Blazers just got HAMMERED in rankings on ESPN. The 9-8 Thunder are above us …
Brutal.
I dunno what we even were before
These sort of things I cared about when we weren’t supposed to be good.
We got good players, we got a good team, we ain’t playing like it… that’s all I care about, but I don’t mind if others care about the random rankings of course.
I’m just at a point where I don’t even bother checking it out even if linked right in front of me. We got bigger fish to fry than hoping for “respect” from some ESPN dude.
Morty Pie
the Thunder have played better than us so far.
They’ve played the 6th toughest schedule, we’ve played the 5th easiest. Doesn’t mean they’ll finish above us, but all the computer rankings— e.g. Sagarin, Hollinger, basketball-reference, etc. have then above us, albeit not by much.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
They've played tougher teams
but haven’t really taken care of home court very well.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
Well, we're a bit over .500
Not right at .500.
Being around .500 is awesome for OKC though, they deserve a lot of credit for how hard they are playing.
I wish I could say the same for us right now.
M—
at their current pace
the Blazers should win about 52 games, while the Thunder should win about 43. The ESPN rankings don’t measure overall though, they measure the last week, or at least they put more importance on the last week, and the Blazers had a truely sucky week, so I don’t mind them dropping like a rock.
Ben II Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?
You're not considering strength of schedule
My spreadsheet has Portland at 47.2 wins, OKC at 48.3. Sample size still way too small, but if we are going to talk about the pace they are on, then we’re doomed to a small sample size at this point.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
7-3 vs 4-4
They have lost home games to the Clippers, L@kers, Portland, and Houston. If they are supposedly ranked higher than us, than a home loss to us is a bad loss….
We lost to Memphis, they lost to the Clips. A bad loss for each time. We lost to Denver and Atlanta, two teams playing like elites. They lost to LA, to Portland who isn’t playing like an elite, and to Houston who is a middling team.
We haven’t been great, but we’ve taken care of home court better than they have.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
and they've done better on the road against good teams
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
Yep
We are ahead of them because we’ve defended home court better and taken advantage of a weaker road schedule.
I think it would be hard to make a case that they’ve been better than us, given that their home schedule has been mediocre and their home record defines “mediocre”, but they certainly belong in the same conversation.
"Woulda, Coulda, Mighta and Shoulda – the Four Horsemen of the Procrastocalypse" - Red-5
The only thing I care less about than power rankings is whether Blazers make the all-star team
I sorely wish the All-Star game would go away. Then players would focus on other things like, say, winning CHAMPIONSHIPS.
"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla
Rudy and Oden together
I don’t have cable and don’t get to watch the games very much. How much does Rudy play with Oden? I remember last year and what I’ve seen of this year Rudy giving great passes to Joel. Joel would fumble the ball with his stone hands but I think Oden can handle them.
So for those who do watch, are they ever on the court together? Do they have chemistry?
Anyone else think that our best starting 5 would be
Roy
Rudy
Oden
LMA
Whatever hot/cold sf we have available (preferably Batum)
I can definitely get behind
that group of four finishing games, and I’m still very much in the pro-Batum camp.
if Oden have to be the key in the "inside" game somebody have to pass the ball to him....
…. the question is…. WHO??
Miller should start
and Brandon and Marty should make it their life goals to become better post passers. They both have a lot of work to do in that department. Similarly, Rudy has some work to do running the break and feeding the post. But they’re all good ball players and will figure it out. The key is committing to Oden.
When Oden gets 2 fouls you put Miller in the post and run pick and rolls with Brandon/LMA.
I know I know. It sounds like a video game. hehe.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Nov 30, 2009 11:48 AM PST up reply actions
Excellent post, Dave.
Thanks for setting a high bar for yourself and constantly delivering; which is probably a large reason why you have cultivated such a strong base at BlazersEdge.
Like the way that you have alluded to general direction for the team without dabbling in specifics of personnel to make it happen. Let whosoever has the skill to make an entry pass to Greg in the post make it happen and let the support personnel fall into place around the core roles. Brandon making the post pass (for a Roy/Oden duo) could suggest certain combinations; and someone else making the post pass (eg Miller) would suggest that the ball is swung around to Brandon keying off of the post-pass-attempt. And also like the way that the roles are being fit together without any suggestions that Nate is, or is not, capable of delivering the change.
We are quick to forget that Phil Jackson, lost early in the playoffs for two consecutive years even with Bryant/Odom/Bynum who at that point (and maybe even now) were a stronger and more veteran line-up than Roy/LMA/Oden. These teams only managed meager 45/37 and 42/20 records.
We also forget that in the third year, not only did the Lakers snag Pau Gasol, but the other less touted key addition was 33 year old Fisher to run the point. The Lakers run a well honed triangle-offense system, that has been perfected over years with many different line-ups. Still at the start of the season with veteran PG, the line-up of Bryant/Odom/Bynum/Fisher only managed 9 and 8 record out of the gate, even with Bynum tearing it up with numerous double/doubles.
We might not have faith in our coach’s system, but as I pointed out the triangle wasn’t getting it done in LA either, and our coach won 54 games last year. Nate is still refining his system, growing it even as the players grow. Our team is still very early on its development curve. We have played the most number of games in the league and fatigue is definitely a factor. We have played so many games that practice time is at a premium. Our SF line-up has been depleted. Early on, we only had really rusty Martell. Even if we didn’t like it, we have been FORCED to use three guard line-up, because we have no other option — we dont have a backup SF!
Like the vision that you paint and your encouraging approach. Sometimes this encouraging form produces better results than hard-line complaining and fault finding. Hope that the community rallies around your cry, and SUPPORTs the growth curve. Hope that we continue to acknowledge the positives as we navigate our way to the land of sunshine and goodness. Hope we realize that bumps in the road are a learning experience, better to lose the games now, perfect the system/team, and be better prepared to win in the playoffs.
by FromAfar on Nov 30, 2009 11:47 AM PST reply actions 3 recs
Would Jackson sit Miller though?
or find a way to get the most out of his skills?
That’s the part that disturbs me.
Also, the Blazer D is the real culprit of late. Kobe is a world class defender. L*ker fans can always know that their best player is going to make it his goal to embarrass his guy. That’s one reason the L*kers always play hard individual D. We don’t expect Brandon to be that guy—-not now—not ever—-but some freaking personal accountability is not enough to ask for. It was his lazy rotations of late that were at least partially responsible for the opposition getting wide open looks. LMA too—-closing out on Boozer and making him put it on the floor at least half the time would be a good idea.
So, given what he is getting out of Miller, I question whether Nate can really keep this team on the right path, and I’m ultimately disappointed in Roy’s effort on the defensive end. When you give up 60% from the field, your first response as the team leader shouldn’t be a stat sheet—-it should be a mirror. That’s right, I’m referencing a Michael Jackson song. I went from Phil Jackson to Michael Jackson, and if Brandon puts his frustration into playing some D, the losing streak will beat it.
ahem.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Nov 30, 2009 11:59 AM PST up reply actions
Dre
rolls both his ankles, lands hard on his backside. He’s got some miles on him but he has started all his games for how long. Maybe Nate is thinking more about letting Dre rest. But I sure don’t know.
That's what I thought, Dre banged up, the game was over by the start of the second half.
Let him sit and let Bayless get some burn. It didn’t occur to me to see it as a reflection of his play.
Yeah ...
I guess my larger point is when you’re on the roller coaster keep your hands on tight and lean when you need to. Or Dave might say with his knack for words, "When you’re playin’ 3 Card Monty keep your eyes open and don’t point too fast. Sorry Dave if I’m putting you in where you wouldn’t go.
But Miller is on the bench so Blake can "open things up" for Roy
which keeps your best post passer on the bench.
Nate just needs to take leadership of this team and start Miller. Brandon needs to shut it and work his @55 off on defense so guys don’t get into the paint and attack Oden. LMA will then get more touches on the break and Brandon can get his isos in crunch time. Crunch time, by the way, that won’t see the Blazers down by double digits because they’re playing good D and competing in the paint.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Nov 30, 2009 12:45 PM PST up reply actions
The Lakers came back "commited to defense" in 2008-2009
after they lost to Boston. Prior to that even though Kobe is a great defender, he was not committed to playing defense, until the fourth quarter, or there was some personal egoistic reason. When Kobe was pissed at management or coaches or whatever, you had a snowballs chance in heck of getting him to play real defense. It took a long time for even Kobe to believe in the defensive system to play defense to his fullest potential.
There are a lot of issues with the team at the moment. Intangibles like heart, desire, synergy, cohesion, as much as talent and skill are presently missing. For those who have had to mourn the loss of a loved one, ever try to keep your head in the moment, with the distractions of a heavy heart? Thats an extreme example to make the point, but the point is that the teams current mental distractions, will indeed keep them from playing their best. They are questioning their belief systems, and until they can get back to believing, their desire will be less than optimal. Our bigger concern would be porous defense when they are all on the same page, and trying their best; because then it wold mean that either the system or the talent is insufficient.
Right now both talent and system need to be given a chance to come together. Even Jackson needed time with a great team that had many veterans, and still started 9 and 8. This group is way less than Jackson and his group, and actually has had a better start. Give them more time, to work out their issues.
Defining the roles
4. Everybody else needs to fill their role, period. If you can’t, you can’t play no matter how good you are (or might be) otherwise.
I wholeheartedly agree with this, but I’m wondering if this isn’t all on the coaches.
I’m specifically wondering about the Blake issue. Everyone’s bagging on Blake, and I really don’t think it’s fair. I’m not going to defend his play but I’m wondering, what exactly has Blake been asked to do? Can Steve Blake look into a camera and tell you? If not, then he’s been left to guess his role. And my guess is that his guess is something like “try to be more like Andre Miller.” OR “try to be John Stockton.”
So I’m looking at the coaching staff and I’m wondering how much they have assigned the roles and is it possible that everyone still thinks they’re auditioning for the lead?
Steve Blake needs to be told very specifically “this is how we envision you being in two years, as a valuable contributor on a winning Blazer team,” and then define his role.
We might then find that Steve Blake is exceptionally gracious about accepting a smaller role and then watch him blossom in it.
This type of thing works for everyone. “Andre, we love that you push the ball, get us into the right play, create shots for teammates, and make your free throws. But we don’t need you to try to create your own shot six or seven times a game. We have that role covered. Once, twice, even three times to keep the D honest? Of course, but not six or seven times, k?” Then see if Dre can’t blossom into the next stage of his career as a valuable role player. (waves at Ron Harper.)
Blake is a great backup. He's done it before and he can do it again.
He’ll be better off the bench than as a starter, in fact. But this should have been settled in the summer, when it was painfully obvious to anyone comparing each player’s resume’ that Blake needed to blow Andre out of the water to keep his starting role. Nate caved and the team is paying the price.
Brandon is an alpha dog. That’s one of the reasons he is great. He just needs to know his limits. You can’t have your player telling you who to play. Nate needed to draw a line before the season and he blew it.
Basically, Nate needs to make a stand or this team could be set back a ways. LMA and Brandon cannot coach a team and shouldn’t be made to feel for one second that they are expected to. They’re great foundational pieces to a championship team—-not coaches.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Nov 30, 2009 12:49 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
+69
(hey, it seems to matter if it’s plus )- great, albeit hindsight, analysis
I’ll say one thing.
If you’re gunna start Miller they better do it soon. Because some of our late December back-backs are brutal. He needs to be very familar with most if not all of our sets by then. I’m fine with him starting. Just as long as we’re winning.
"The team and the city are intertwined, and if one side isn't holding up that bargain, it's even more painful than usual. Anyway, I couldn't be happier that I got a taste of it. Great NBA city."
-- Bill Simmons
Oh and also! This is from Sheridan’s chat today.
Agree? Disagree?
-
Jordan (Rexburg)
Should I be worried about the Blazers now?
Chris Sheridan (3:19 PM)
Great start, but they sure fell back to earth quickly the past couple games. Can’t see why they don;t go with a starting five of Miller, Roy, Rudy, Aldridge and Oden and let Blake and Webster anchor the bench. They could be getting a lot more out of Rudy than they are.
"The team and the city are intertwined, and if one side isn't holding up that bargain, it's even more painful than usual. Anyway, I couldn't be happier that I got a taste of it. Great NBA city."
-- Bill Simmons
Why haven't Miller and Webster started together in the regular season?
It seems to me that lately the offense has been stalling early in games, allowing opponents to build a lead. If we want to get off to a good start, we should begin the game with our best guys playing comfortably in their natural positions. This will help get us going both offensively and on defense. Later in the game, once both teams have began subbing, you can get away with guys playing out of position. Our three guard lineup lead to a lot of match-up problems on defense, though, especially early in games.
In my opinion, until Nic gets back the best starting lineup is obvious: Miller, Roy, Webster, Aldridge and Oden. This lineup has only started together once, in the preseason, and hasn’t been tried since. If Nate wants Miller matched up against second stringers so badly, why not just sub Blake in halfway through the first quarter and then switch back to Andre early in the second, kind of like Greg. And if Dre starts out hot, please LET HIM PLAY! That goes for Martell, too.
"Greg Oden is developing an offensive game. This is the moment in Jurassic Park when they realize the raptors are breeding." - posted on Twitter
So what you are saying is..
The season isn’t over yet? You really are the eternal optimist Dave.
RoadBlazer
Good Stuff
I agree with Dave 100%. i am still discouraged by Nate’s comments aobut figuring it out, but all in the post hits the key points. Just kinda wish we could have started here in the first place.
Dave you looking for a coaching job?
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
Dang near brilliant insights as usual, Dave.
Thanks for linking two of the issues I post about, fast breaking and chemistry, together in such a way that communicates what I’ve tried (unsuccessfully, in many paragraphs) to get across about the value of running. It will also tire the other guys out, and get us better matchups. If we put the best fast breaking two out there, it should also get Rudy more minutes. LOTS of benefits to running!
Love the analogies! I hope somebody passes these gems to Nate:
"Miller just came into the classroom with his college degree already in hand" and "He’s here to be the teacher’s aide, not re-take the class"
And of course,
"That’s walking into the classroom with a beer…"
Is an instant classic… Talk about knowing how to communicate to your audience…
And if you combine your second point, that the offense needs to go through Greg, and combine it with your first: then we’d have an offense that first tried to run, then tried to go inside (and THEN go outside) well, I agree 100%.
But I don’t completely agree with your point that the point guards should just give it up to BRoy in the half-court set, but we only disagree by seconds – remaining on the shot clock, that is..
If we take the first 4-6 seconds to run a break, then the next 4-6 to try and post Greg up, we still have 12 of our 24 seconds left. I’d still like to see Dre with the ball, as he could
(a) penetrate and either get fouled or dish to an open Roy (or whoever collapses, perhaps Greg’s guy), or
(b) best hit Brandon running around a pick.
The problem I have with "just giving it up to Broy" once you get across half court is that I see Brandon just standing around 3-4 feet outside the 3 point line. Sure, when he’s tired, fine. But I’d much rather see him (a) run to fill the wing on the break (b) curl under the basket to the other side to the 3, © try to find a guy to rub his man off of (a pick) BEFORE he just (d) sets up at the top of the key…
But, when there’s six (or eight, if he needs that many) seconds left, then give it up to Brandon to create, and I think we have one heck of an offense…
Your great contribution is recognizing and to show how to fit both fast break and halfcourt into one cohesive offensive scheme. I hope the coaches can implement…
Something good must come out of this.
before the start of the season, I told my friends the first 30games will be very hard for the blazers. In a way I expected this. and that includes being blown out sometimes by prospected below .500 teams. But I also believe theres no need to panic. One of our best defenders is down in Batum and our number 1 option off the bench is also down in outlaw. It may take some time for the blazers to figure things out but i think holding player’s minutes back(ie. Rudy,Web,Dre) wouldnt help at all.
We tend to overplay certain players to the point that confusion from other player’s roles became compromised. Making Greg start big is good but the team needs to understand not to be over dependent on him(casing point, GSW).
I have no problems letting others shoot, isnt it one of the points of having a deep team?But the leaders needs to play their game night in and night out, defensively and offensively. theyre the ones who we want to hold the ball when the other teams are on a run.
I guess, my point is, regardless of how the other guys play, the leader’s assertiveness on and off the court should remain constant.
by FILIPINOblazerfan on Nov 30, 2009 11:01 PM PST reply actions
Excellent Analysis once again Dave
The league is changing this year and teams will have to change to keep up. The offenses are just better across the board making any team dangerous.
People are agitated over the past two games and mostly at the 60% FG% put up against us. But Memphis is 4th in the league and Utah has blown out Chicago Portland and Memphis at home the past 3 games with three straight 60% FG% games (tonight dropped to 58% only in garbage time). It has always been a tough tough place to win. The offense is out of sync and Dave’s analysis appears spot on target. If you can’t shoot you can’t play. People who want more Miller ignore his eFG% of 40.7% (lowest of all Blazers played except for Howard). Even worse the offense calls for corner 3’s but he shoots 14.3% from 3 (also dead last on the team) and becomes a liability.
Andre is clearly hurting. He will be much better when healed and the team needs to maintain as much stability as it can and get some rest and their legs back. Miami does not shoot well and we can win if we do shoot well.
"Either way we have two phenomenal units. I'm excited to play with either one." - Martell Webster
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