Gameday Open Thread: Heat vs. Blazers--Post Game Edition
by Dave on Dec 1, 2009 9:30 PM PST
in Gameday Threads
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PrintFollow up the game with conversation about its ins and outs as you await the Game Recap and Media Row Report. The comment section is now open.
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
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Lots of Crap - Scrap? Not so much...
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LMA Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I <3 LMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
26:49 Mins, 7-8 FGs, 10-12 FTs, +7, 6 Off, 12 Rebs, 1 Ast, 2 Blks, 24 Points!!!! ODEN vs Bulls 11-23-09
GOOOOODEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
20 rebouds for Oden Yeah
"Knowledge will get you from A to B. Creativity will get you anywhere." Einstein
First to say
ugh.
The Blazerverse and The Wire: A comparison
Brandon Roy = Stringer Bell (smooth technician dedicated to his craft)
Nate McMillan = Cedric Daniels (well intentioned leader, but he can be too rigid for his own good at times)
Martell Webster = Wee Bey Brice (straight up solider who follows orders; every organization needs these guys to be successful)
Jerryd Bayless = Marlo Stanfield (he's new to the game, but he's watching and waitng; he will take over and there will be casualties)
Rudy Fernandez = Jimmy McNulty (he gets results, but the leadership wishes he was less of a wild man; the ladies love him)
Greg Oden = Michael Lee (he started off a quiet kid, but he's beginning to tap in to his huge potential to change the game)
Andre Miller = Lester Freamon (do not let the laconic demeanor fool you, the veteran knows what's up)
John Canzano = Scott Templeton (scummy muckraker who stays up at night polishing his award)
UUUGGGHHH!!!!!!!! second
Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LMA Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I <3 LMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
26:49 Mins, 7-8 FGs, 10-12 FTs, +7, 6 Off, 12 Rebs, 1 Ast, 2 Blks, 24 Points!!!! ODEN vs Bulls 11-23-09
GOOOOODEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Question of the night:
How is www.firenatemcmillan.com still available for purchase? At 10.99 that’s a steal at twice the price!
I go to law school. Therefore, I have no life.
Well, the screenname dates back many moons.
I’ve played once this semester. So far removed from playing everyday in college.
I go to law school. Therefore, I have no life.
by andrewgolfsalot on Dec 1, 2009 10:07 PM PST up reply actions
just checked the box score for the first time tonight.
didnt watch the game. what happened to lamarcus?
209 H.
contusion
"The best team in the county right now wears green and goes quack, quack." -Chris Dufresne, LA Times
formerly rockingharder
I'm not disagreeing with you
"The best team in the county right now wears green and goes quack, quack." -Chris Dufresne, LA Times
formerly rockingharder
That's alright.
Understood in Gameday threads, usually.
"The best team in the county right now wears green and goes quack, quack." -Chris Dufresne, LA Times
formerly rockingharder
Depends. Anything from 1 game to Greg missing a lot of time last year when it was determined the knee had a chip.
Ceterum censeo Lakers esse delendam
They did x-rays, right?
As far as I know it’s hard to tell how long… just till it doesn’t hurt too much to not play, whenever that is.
I heard the xrays turned out negative
I also though I heard something about he’s had the injury for a while? Not sure — I was in the middle of swearing and didn’t quite catch it.
Mike said he was hurt a month ago and was resting today because it gives him time off until the weekend
"This isn’t making staples, where you’re just making staples." - KP
Yeah, they mentioned something about already carrying it around for 1 month. I suppose all pro athletes are permanently dinged up a little, but still I’ve lost pretty much all confidence in our training and medical staff.
Ceterum censeo Lakers esse delendam
I don't see how we can possibly know enough to lose or have confidence in the medical staff
Every team has guys banged up, if he’s playing through it, all you can do is maintain.
Maybe our staff sucks, but it’s impossible to know or even accurately guess at.
At this point it’s pretty safe to say they are in the bottom half of the NBA. Too many incidents of injury mismanagements make the track record spotty. Seems like the only serious injuries that got very well managed were the heart problems. Brandon’s meniscus went pretty well, but was still handled late last summer.
Ceterum censeo Lakers esse delendam
Hard to say.
We don’t even know if our young studs are even talking to the trainers/med staff when they hurt.
poor performance?
This may at least partially explain his poor performance lately.
Loved seeing Greg scrapping and busting his butt in the 3rd...
Just so Nate could yank him!! Gregs gotta be like “can I do anything to please this guy?”.
by blazer_bob on Dec 1, 2009 9:34 PM PST via mobile reply actions
He was visibly tired
Even the best needs a breather every now and then
"Rudy is not everyday a shooter," Fernandez said. "He's defense. He's passes. He's assists."
He's 21, does he play 30 min or less his whole career?
by blazer_bob on Dec 1, 2009 9:56 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
no, but you need to look at the moment.
He was tired, slowing down, so we give him a breather. Playing center is tough work and it’s harder to play 40 minutes at center compared with 40 minutes at shooting guard. Especially with the hustle Oden puts into every play. He goes out there and is always going 100%. Can’t say the same about Roy or LMA
"Rudy is not everyday a shooter," Fernandez said. "He's defense. He's passes. He's assists."
they were hacking him
Every time he went up for a dunk or shot or rebound, the heat players were hanging on him. That will tire him out. I think Nate should play Pryz and Oden together.
Until he gets used to big minutes
His body will get tired. It’s similar to the rookie wall perfectly in shape young players experience.
by Mortimer on Dec 1, 2009 10:00 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
good point
GREEEEEEEEEEEEEEG OOOOOOOOOOOOOODEEEEEEEEEN
I'm trying to put my finger on what happened to the defense...
They haven’t been rotating, the help defense is not there and they can’t seem to stay with guys or get out on shooters. How do you accomplish such a night and day switch?
I thought that it had to be fatigue for the game in Utah and just getting caught off-guard and having a bad night against Memphis, but tonight’s performance against Miami really opened my eyes: The defense is crap right now.
"She turned me into a newt!
A newt?
...I got better."
To my eyes
Our perimeter dudes ain’t rotating worth a damn. Leaving guys wide open and not reacting quickly.
Tough to watch.
Our inside defense has been good and it’s a great anchor to build around, but c’mon… we gotta cover the outside shooters.
Perhaps it is the zone, the scheme, and thus Nate’s fault, but the guys, the players, get caught flat footed soooo much and don’t seem to remember that some people can make outside shots.
Yeah the zone sucks
and when they play man to man, they just don’t get close enough. The other teams shadow our players and stick to them, contesting every pass. Our players need to learn from other teams. Nate’s idea of scrap, help, move is too vague. They need specific training.
Miller was guarding Wade way too much.
He did a decent job on him (Can you even imagine Blake trying that?), but it would have been nice to stick Batum on him. I think we have really great interior defense and god-awful perimeter defense.
I miss Batum.
by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 1, 2009 10:07 PM PST up reply actions
It's lame that the Blazers didn't cash in his high trade value at the end of last season
"This isn’t making staples, where you’re just making staples." - KP
Or that of Blake and Travis :-)
I remember posts about freeing up cap space by not picking up their last contract years. As if Nate ever would have done that…
Ceterum censeo Lakers esse delendam
defense seemed better today for the most part
we were missing LMA and have rookie playing his first game on a potential all-star, and a really old (but pretty game) dude as second string. beasley lit us up, kind of hard when you’re trying to stop wade and dont have anyone to put on beasley.
we’re having a hard time at the end of quarters though. just those few minutes when the lines sub-in sub out and we lose our cohesiveness
Blurg
Maybe I’m wrong, but how many times were we slow on our rotations? Good lord.
So many open jumpers.
I gotta pin this one on the players again. Roy does not look to hit anyone on the pick and roll. The perimeter guys were slow to cover outside shooters— honestly, who leaves James Jones open?!?
Nate played the right guys, didn’t do the 2 foul rule, etc. The defense, in particular help defense and rotations, where once again whiggety whack. Our offense wasn’t good but it wasn’t bad.
Blurg.
Muerteimer
Nate cost the team approximately 6 points by going with Dante/Juwon at the end of Q2, when Oden had just 2 fouls.
This is largely on Roy. Another lousy effort from him, masked somewhat by 8 garbage time points.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
Wasn't that at the end of a long run for Oden?
I might be wrong. I’d like to see that managed better as well, to finish the quarters strong.
no, he had been replaced by Joel at the 6 minute mark of q2 and rested about 3 minutes
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
Well poop on a stick then.
2 fouls is not foul trouble, Nate…
Once again that is a self fulfilling prophecy, like Norsk says.
Greg had 2 fouls straight until the end of the 4th
Then he picked up 3 more in the last 2 minutes to stop the clock
Ceterum censeo Lakers esse delendam
Ahem...
I go to law school. Therefore, I have no life.
by andrewgolfsalot on Dec 1, 2009 9:55 PM PST up reply actions
...
I go to law school. Therefore, I have no life.
by andrewgolfsalot on Dec 1, 2009 10:04 PM PST up reply actions
What the Blazers Need
Is some sort of “Sharing Session”
Nicolas can share how to play defense on 2’s and 3’s.
Dante can share how to play with Passion: Greg can be the T.A.
Andre can share how to look for the big man.
Rudy can share how to move around the court, tiring your defender and trying to get open.
Greg can share how to make the most of limited minutes
Jerryd can share desire and fearlessness.
"The best team in the county right now wears green and goes quack, quack." -Chris Dufresne, LA Times
formerly rockingharder
Steve Blake can show karate...
Or whatever martial art he does.
"Rudy is not everyday a shooter," Fernandez said. "He's defense. He's passes. He's assists."
oden goes out, heat make their run. hmm
oh, and the 4 guard crunch time lineup cant defend.
LaMarcus was really missed tonight
bayless leaves over my dead body
Start Andre (in a 2 guard lineup)
"Good defense always beats bad offense."-Al Iannazzone, Yes Network
Blake was the only one hitting shots
I don’t get why Miller was in the game so long. Miller was left wide open for 3, for pretty much the entire second half.
"This isn’t making staples, where you’re just making staples." - KP
I know.
Nate says that when they leave you open “you gotta take that shot”.
My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.
Its just the wrong system for him
We need to trade him.. I love him but its either him or nate and I still think Nate is more valuable
we have athletes....
we should change the system… jump shooting teams will get bounced out in the first round
nates not valuable
he benches oden, doesn’t teach the team anything new, and his plays he calls from the sideline don’t do diddly. plus he always wants to run, but the team can’t do it for beans.
oh yeah, am i the first one to notice this? the blazers don’t seem to know how to defend a pick and roll!
Oden's been good defending the pick and roll
He didn’t bench him tonight, though Joel sorta forced his hand with 5 silly fouls.
30 minutes felt right for Oden
I’d love to see more, but it didn’t seem like he was out more than he’d need.
Of course each run occurs when Oden is out.
Silver lining: Oden is awesome. That matters more than beating the Heat.
He just doesn't seem to see the inside
He needs to learn to run a pick and hard roll with Oden, it’ll be such easy money.
I think Oden is invisible to Roy. Did you see that pass attempt that hit Greg square in the back? I swear Roy didn't even know he was there.
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Dec 1, 2009 9:50 PM PST up reply actions
one night
isn’t enough, and yeah, the only reason he played as much is because nate despises having guys foul out. and oden being the ONLY one who can defend the pick and roll is not comforting
Him being the one who can defend the pick and roll is VERY comforting
He’ll be dealing with that his whole career.
It's NOT Miller. Miller scored 18 pts. He got to the line 6 times.
It’s Nate. The team isn’t listening to him bc they KNOW Miller should start. It’s almost as if Blake is playing particulartly badly to give Miller a shot. So Blake makes 3, 3s at the end of the game. Put him in to shoot the 3s when the game is well in hand, not in the beginning of the game when we nicely give the OTHER team a lead.
Maybe...
it was because he scored 18 pts on 12 trips to the line when hardly anyone else could get anything
by thegreatwhitehope on Dec 1, 2009 9:40 PM PST up reply actions
+15 on the boards...
… and we still lose. This pathetic “D” is inexcusable.
"I think twittering and all that facebook crap just makes you a loser." ~ Charles Barkley
Start Miller, Roy, Rudy, LMA (when healthy), and Greg
also tell Roy to play some defense. No reason Q-Rich should be absolutely torching Brandon
The Blazers need a new coach
They need to learn defense, pick and roll, fast break, rotations, screens, moving without the ball…what else am i missing?
Which stage are you at right this moment?
Shock stage: ________ Initial paralysis at hearing the bad news.
Denial stage: ________Trying to avoid the inevitable.
Anger stage: ________ Frustrated outpouring of bottled-up emotion.
Bargaining stage: ____ Seeking in vain for a way out.
Depression stage: ____Final realization of the inevitable.
Testing stage: _______ Seeking realistic solutions.
Acceptance stage: ____Finally finding the way forward.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
On offense it was
Our man to man defense was fine, when on the perimeter it often isn’t, but the rotations and help were so slow and weak.
And that's the lack of effort I mean.
Anytime a team gets that many open jumpers, effort is lacking.
same thing in Utah
how many times were the PTB going to give Boozer his favorite spot uncontested before they realized the law of averages wasn’t going to work. Same thing tonight. The lack of effort is bothering me Mortimer, I mean really bothering me.
Dogs have Owners, Cats have Staff.
cannot agree
a total lack of effort is allowing teams to do whatever they want at both ends of the court. Teams are getting easy shots time and time again
Dogs have Owners, Cats have Staff.
good defense is proactive
good defense takes them out of their game before they get into it.
Acceptance
except i don’t wanna have to wait until saturday!
by portlandgiirl91 on Dec 1, 2009 9:41 PM PST up reply actions
Depression
Anger and Bargaining were my weekend activity.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 9:43 PM PST up reply actions
Testing
I’m sure there’s ways to fix this, I just have my doubts if they can. Playing Oden and going to him more is realistic, but I don’t know about Roy returning to last year’s form.
Your confusing thesis has captured my attention. Tell me more.
by terryisntbald on Dec 1, 2009 9:46 PM PST up reply actions
Denial
Juwan Howard is our third best scorer??? Is it 2001 again? Or at least 2006, the last time he went for 30?
Ceterum censeo Lakers esse delendam
depression
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
Bargaining
"The best team in the county right now wears green and goes quack, quack." -Chris Dufresne, LA Times
formerly rockingharder
somewhere between testing and acceptance
of course the older I get the easier it is to emotionally distance myself from the ups and downs of the team, and therefore the grieving period is shorter as well.
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Dec 1, 2009 9:53 PM PST up reply actions
Visionary stage...
Seeing the improvement in Oden as confidence in the future…
by Visionary2 on Dec 1, 2009 10:12 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm at acceptance, but that's just me.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
Bargaining
"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)
I told you already
He sucked tonight, and his dashing good looks didn’t make up for it! Next game, revenge will be the Rudy’s!!!!!!
RUDY > MJ
it better be or you’ll need to up the power of your Sig
by The Arkitect on Dec 1, 2009 10:25 PM PST up reply actions
I know this is a bit premature, but what the heck.
This is now officially oden’s team.
"I saw him in the face" Sergio's quote on the latest alley-oop to Rudy.
by blazermaniac32 on Dec 1, 2009 9:41 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Yes and whenever he goes out we are appreciably worse.
"I saw him in the face" Sergio's quote on the latest alley-oop to Rudy.
by blazermaniac32 on Dec 1, 2009 9:43 PM PST up reply actions
And uses screens
for purposes other than drawing the double team, and then proceeding to dribble smack into the middle of.
Passing out of a double team is not “sacrificing”.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 9:46 PM PST up reply actions
Great comment
Too true.
Brandon was bad on D last year and, to my eyes, he’s been even worse this year. He may be one of the worst wing defenders in the league. His D on decent to good players (alla Joe Johnson) has often been comical.
Q: Is Greg favoring his knee?
Frye: He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors.
It's like he's flailing
Always playing catch up, not dictating what the enemy player can do but just flailing after the guy makes the move.
unbelievable.
It’s like he’s constantly looking for moments when he doesn’t have to be tuned in and working hard. And why can’t he turn his back to his man and box the basket?
"The only 'Advanced Metric' that matters is what you see with your eyes." -Timbo, Nov., 2009.
he has seemed a lot worse this year
last year he coasted, but didn’t get killed, and then tightened up at crunch time. This year, he’s getting torched and isn’t trying.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
Paul Allen should invite Elin Nordegren to the next Blazer practice and tell her to scare ...
Brandon Roy straight, for then he might start giving a damn and put out the necessary effort on defense.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
I'm down with that
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Dec 1, 2009 9:53 PM PST up reply actions
blake had a surprisingly good 4th quarter
but yeah, a 4 guard lineup down the stretch does not work
bayless leaves over my dead body
Start Andre (in a 2 guard lineup)
"Good defense always beats bad offense."-Al Iannazzone, Yes Network
longer is better than quicker
when a team has already gotten a rhythm going.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 9:46 PM PST up reply actions
yeah.early christmas present.
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
Bayless should have seen minutes tonight
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
Bayless should get minutes every night
And know they’re coming, and not reliant on perfect play/ whims of Nate.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 9:47 PM PST up reply actions
Agree 100%
He played very well against Utah, and tonight in a brief stint hit a long J and played decent D. He has earned some run, but I doubt he gets it until one of the 3 PG defenders on this team is traded
The Blazerverse and The Wire: A comparison
Brandon Roy = Stringer Bell (smooth technician dedicated to his craft)
Nate McMillan = Cedric Daniels (well intentioned leader, but he can be too rigid for his own good at times)
Martell Webster = Wee Bey Brice (straight up solider who follows orders; every organization needs these guys to be successful)
Jerryd Bayless = Marlo Stanfield (he's new to the game, but he's watching and waitng; he will take over and there will be casualties)
Rudy Fernandez = Jimmy McNulty (he gets results, but the leadership wishes he was less of a wild man; the ladies love him)
Greg Oden = Michael Lee (he started off a quiet kid, but he's beginning to tap in to his huge potential to change the game)
Andre Miller = Lester Freamon (do not let the laconic demeanor fool you, the veteran knows what's up)
John Canzano = Scott Templeton (scummy muckraker who stays up at night polishing his award)
No kidding
Hard to fathom what Nate may have been thinking. Oh, that’s right, Blake was playing so well.
Rudy was pretty invisible. With Lamarcus out, Travis out, and Rudy doing nothing, this is just not a very good team.
Either way, though, this game exposes KP’s increasingly awful looking summer. You can’t rely on a small forward, a rookie, and a guy who should be doing a halftime show as yoru back up power forward. Lamarcus goes out, Juwon has to play, Blazers lose. Simple as that.
Q: Is Greg favoring his knee?
Frye: He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors.
If decisions were made with sentimentality in mind and not what gives us the best team
Then I’d hope KP is learning a lesson.
Wohoo, gotta take back that home court advantage!!!
MB is a real prophet. Future host of Good Morning Oregon, book it!
Ceterum censeo Lakers esse delendam
Wouldn't he automatically
become the best host of Good Morning Oregon since….ever?
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 9:48 PM PST up reply actions
I don't know exactly what the deal is,
But basically none of this season/preseason has felt good or like things were working well.
The Heat murdured Oden under the basket,and refs swallowed it all the way.
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
the refs had nothing to do with it
it was a piss poor effort by Portland. Another uninspired effort. Something is wrong.
Dogs have Owners, Cats have Staff.
oneal ended up with more fouls than Oden.
You could more easily blame it on Nate’s substitutions, and I think Przy is playing a little slower
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Dec 1, 2009 9:55 PM PST up reply actions
Pryz is playing DUMB
I still say he is physically capable of defending as well as last year, but this year his fouls have been so dumb.
he seems a little ticked off, maybe playing childish?
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Dec 1, 2009 9:59 PM PST up reply actions
i can say this with a straight face
just about every game the blazers lose, you can place the blame on the refs.
the 2nd foul on Oden was bad, and he was being held under the hoop all game, but Roy's gotta be better and so does our D.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
JohnCanzanoBFT – Greg Oden’s 11 offensive rebounds bs miami are tied for most ever by a Trail Blazer.
he could pull out so many teeths
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Dec 1, 2009 9:56 PM PST up reply actions
His patients couldn't possibly open wide enough with those huge fingers of his!
Can you picture him trying to floss a ten year old’s teeth?
"She turned me into a newt!
A newt?
...I got better."
my mom used to be a dental hygienest
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Dec 1, 2009 10:02 PM PST up reply actions
Hey what about our big contract PF tonight?!
didn’t even see the guy out there I’d be surprised if he grabbed 1 rebound!
yeah i got that
This is just the one time people can’t rip on LMA for being “soft”
by collectiveshane on Dec 1, 2009 9:50 PM PST up reply actions
His reputation makes some of us suspicious.
Too injured to play effectively or not enough of a gamer to get up for a game after two of the worst losses since he entered the NBA?
somewhat bummed Oden didn't bring his finishing touch tonight
woulda had 20/20 and we might have won. Probably not with the way Roy played, but maybe.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
Ehhh...
if some of those buckets had been converted, he wouldn’t have as many o-boards.
"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."
it would be nice to see someone else crash the boards, and go for a tip in
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Dec 1, 2009 9:56 PM PST up reply actions
For a bit of reality...
we went 10-10 last December and only went 6-4 over that stretch at home….just some perspective.
Thanks
That backs me up a step from edge of the TALL bridge I’m perched on.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 9:50 PM PST up reply actions
Bazer's Ledge!
My team went to the playoffs in my first year.
by pxilpooshr on Dec 1, 2009 10:09 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah I regret not going to this game,cuz I would get free chalupas.
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
The crowd cheering for that really bugs me
Please get rid of the chalupa thang, whoever is in charge of that.
I hope those Taco Bell employees spit in every free chalupa
Any PTB fan with the nerve to cash in that coupon deserves it
Dogs have Owners, Cats have Staff.
The hosts on NBA TV eating the tacos from Taco Bell,for L@kers.
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
Pretty sure spit
is an obligatory ingredient in every Taco Bell item
chalupas should never be given out for losing games
that way fans can guilt the team into winning again
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Dec 1, 2009 9:57 PM PST up reply actions
we got free buffets at spirit mountain instead
if you go on seafood night it ends up being a savings of 25 bucks or so.
Cloudy is Sergio. Makes other people look good, can’t score himself. -Cablinasian
Greg Postertag is probably wielding a jack hammer of a Wenis - AK1984
by Philthyanimal on Dec 1, 2009 11:02 PM PST up reply actions
I will repeat
We will need a new coach and the return of Roy ‘08-’09 to ever have any hope of championship contention.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
even Roy of 08-09 could not do it by himself in the play-offs.
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
with the addition of this vastly improved Greg Oden, last year's team would have been fringe title contenders.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
More hope for the future
Long season, we can figure it out, BUT SO FRUSTRATING TO WATCH A GOOD TEAM NOT DO BASIC STUFF CORRECTLY.
Nah.
Roy 08-09 and LAM 08-09 are still figuring out how to play with Oden 09-10. Roy had a telling comment on a recent interview. He said that if Oden had played this way in 07-08, then Roy would not have progressed so fast, and would not have made the AllStar.
I think that its a really big adjustment that Brandon is going through. He has played successful (both personally and for the team) basketball at the NBA level for two years, and has to now relearn how to be successful. In some ways its like going back to 07-08 and starting over, only this time its harder because there are 3 stars. So instead of having R&L as the single combo, you now have R&L, R&O, L&O, R&L&O; thats 4 combos where there was only one. Lot more complicated. Without even factoring the role players.
Also its harder to unlearn and relearn, rather than learn. Brandon and Oden are just trying to wrk it out, they are good guys. Its not like Kobe and Shaq, who couldn’t get along even though they had won championships together. While tehy were winning it was hunky-dory. But as soon as they started losing, then it was squabbles on not getting enough touches in the post, etc etc.
Roy had a telling comment on a recent interview. He said that if Oden had played this way in 07-08, then Roy would not have progressed so fast, and would not have made the AllStar.
Roy really said that? That really makes it sound like he might resent Oden’s emergence then if he thinks Oden emerging earlier would have hurt his game.
Couldn’t be more wrong…
It was video taped
No resentment at all. My interpretation was that he felt — he himself would not have attracted so much attention if Oden was also part of the team.
I mean it more as a subconscious thing
I do not think Roy is outwardly like that, but if he considers Oden (even if only a little) as someone who could have stood in the way of his emergence as a great player last year… I just don’t think that is healthy.
not in a standing in the way kind of manner, more in a “if we three had grown up together, it would be much better” than now trying to figure out. it almost felt that he is questioning himself, and that the all star stuff happened too soon for himself.
quite alright.
was very interesting taped interview though. one of the recent ones over at the oregonian. take a look see would be worth getting other peoples opinions. [The sporty equivalent to my wife’s book reviews…]
who cares, Brandon?
How you got to this point? The question to be asking is how to go from here. He seems so soft!
"The only 'Advanced Metric' that matters is what you see with your eyes." -Timbo, Nov., 2009.
he does seem lost and soft this year
doesnt have that fire — i’ve got to carry this team on my back and nobody is going to stop me attitude that he used to have. Seems like he is working through some mental stuff, about involving the rest of the team; figuring out how to play 5 person basketball, instead of 1+4 basketball.
Hope that during his learning he picks up the Pick and Roll
He’s been playing so much Pick and Pop. It would be killer, if he learnt how to feed Oden on the roll, because it seems like hes too conncerned with potential for turnover by lobbing it up.
Probalbly true
Roy should one day return to being Roy of 08-09, if he has any shred of pride or responsibility. Nobody will ever convince me that the reason for Roy’s regression is anything other than his summer “hardly touching” a basketball. I don’t care what NBA players mean when they say that, IT’S A TERRIBLE IDEA. And borderline irresponsible.
If Roy ups his game a little bit and becomes a low 20s PER guy (rather than 24+ lilke last year), Oden plays more minutes and keeps improving on offense, Lamarcus improves, Nic comes back and becomes a stud, and Jerryd steps up, this team could still compete for a championship without 08-09 Roy.
Q: Is Greg favoring his knee?
Frye: He favors dunking on your head, that's what he favors.
your early call on Roy's summer is looking fantastic right now.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
On the last part.
Will Jerryd ever get a chance to step up on this team. How does Cunninham get more minutes then Jerryd… This past game even? Neither Dre or Blake are so dang good that Bayless cant even see the court. I just dont get it. I feel we will probably trade Bayless without even giving the guy a chance. Develop Bayless, please, how can he make us any worse?
I don't understand the offense
I’m no Nate McMillan, but when a guard (usually Roy) has the ball and a big comes out to set a screen it seems like these things always happen:
Option 1: The guard moves the wrong direction from the pick, leaving the big out of position and gaining absolutely no space for himself.
Option 2: The screen is set and the guard keeps his eyes straight ahead, never even thinking about passing to the big. Even if there is a switch the guard waits for the defense to reset before making a move to take advantage of it.
Tonight I saw a beautiful screen by Oden and he rolled straight toward the basket, wide open lane with everyone out of position, and the guard didn’t even look his way. Why even bother setting screens or running the pick and roll if you’re not going to use it?
On a positive note, I loved to see Greg fighting tonight. He looks more enthusiastic than anyone else, right now he’s playing like it’s HIS team, not Brandon Roy’s.
You forgot the most common occurrence
Defender of the picker stays on the guard, double-teaming him. Guard dribbles into a corner and gets trapped.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 9:51 PM PST up reply actions
I noticed this also
Roy in particular never seems to look at the roller on a pick and roll.
"Rudy is not everyday a shooter," Fernandez said. "He's defense. He's passes. He's assists."
Agreed
I was at the game and thought Oden was the outstanding Blazer—alert on the defensive end, determined, moving well, the most spirited starter, making good passes out of double-teams, getting too few touches in the fourth. Roy looked slow on defense, forced on offense. Yes, at the rate things are going, it’s evolving into Gregg’s team, too. Rightly so.
by Trutherlizer on Dec 1, 2009 11:39 PM PST up reply actions
I'm just chuckling to myself about the possibility that Bill Simmons was right.
41-41 here we come! We’re the 2005 bulls!
"Ain't nothin' in this world for free."
simmons isn't right
he didn’t know we’d lose Batum, Outlaw and Roy would regress to his high school days.
*middle school days
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
Roy looks like even a cave man cant do it.
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
He might as well grow out the hair and look like twin brother. Maybe he can make his money woth there.
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
twin bother of that cave man
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
I cant I have to do the pecking order the cave man cant do it even.
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
ha ha ha. am i tripping over my self?
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
At this rate he's going to have to be treated for diaper rash by Jay Jensen on Saturday.
"She turned me into a newt!
A newt?
...I got better."
actually that was sort of his point
that one team that shouldn’t take a step back does and he picked portland.
Right about paid players tuning out coach and his limitations.
Wrong about Oden.
The big fella can't do it all...
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
CP3 to Portland
I’ve seen enough … figure out how to get CP3 to Portland immediately.
it would literally have to be Roy+Oden to get NO to consider it.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
really?
dont think they’d just take that chump Roy off our hands?
an mvp superstar
for just an all star?
Cloudy is Sergio. Makes other people look good, can’t score himself. -Cablinasian
Greg Postertag is probably wielding a jack hammer of a Wenis - AK1984
by Philthyanimal on Dec 1, 2009 11:06 PM PST up reply actions
They'd fold first
Paul is a once in a generation type talent. Best 6’ish PG since Isaiah. He’s a hall of famer, you can’t part with him for less than a superstar and another All star or two
The Blazerverse and The Wire: A comparison
Brandon Roy = Stringer Bell (smooth technician dedicated to his craft)
Nate McMillan = Cedric Daniels (well intentioned leader, but he can be too rigid for his own good at times)
Martell Webster = Wee Bey Brice (straight up solider who follows orders; every organization needs these guys to be successful)
Jerryd Bayless = Marlo Stanfield (he's new to the game, but he's watching and waitng; he will take over and there will be casualties)
Rudy Fernandez = Jimmy McNulty (he gets results, but the leadership wishes he was less of a wild man; the ladies love him)
Greg Oden = Michael Lee (he started off a quiet kid, but he's beginning to tap in to his huge potential to change the game)
Andre Miller = Lester Freamon (do not let the laconic demeanor fool you, the veteran knows what's up)
John Canzano = Scott Templeton (scummy muckraker who stays up at night polishing his award)
The biggest thing with Chris Paul isn't even his on-court value, but rather his enormous ...
marketability level. From an ownership standpoint, players like Paul push merchandise and sell tickets. Profitability, more than anything, is of the utmost importance to the guys who run the show — except for the rare few like Mark Cuban — and that’s just how it is in the world of professional sports.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
Gotcha - I still don't see it, not with the Russian billionaire and the LeBron derby
in play, but that would at least get a call back
The Blazerverse and The Wire: A comparison
Brandon Roy = Stringer Bell (smooth technician dedicated to his craft)
Nate McMillan = Cedric Daniels (well intentioned leader, but he can be too rigid for his own good at times)
Martell Webster = Wee Bey Brice (straight up solider who follows orders; every organization needs these guys to be successful)
Jerryd Bayless = Marlo Stanfield (he's new to the game, but he's watching and waitng; he will take over and there will be casualties)
Rudy Fernandez = Jimmy McNulty (he gets results, but the leadership wishes he was less of a wild man; the ladies love him)
Greg Oden = Michael Lee (he started off a quiet kid, but he's beginning to tap in to his huge potential to change the game)
Andre Miller = Lester Freamon (do not let the laconic demeanor fool you, the veteran knows what's up)
John Canzano = Scott Templeton (scummy muckraker who stays up at night polishing his award)
Yeah, I think it would be a conversation.
by Free Bayless on Dec 1, 2009 10:01 PM PST up reply actions
The thing is with the Miller-Roy issues (in terms of on-court chemistry)
Harris needs the ball as well. He’s an absolute stud, but still, the same problems would remain
The Blazerverse and The Wire: A comparison
Brandon Roy = Stringer Bell (smooth technician dedicated to his craft)
Nate McMillan = Cedric Daniels (well intentioned leader, but he can be too rigid for his own good at times)
Martell Webster = Wee Bey Brice (straight up solider who follows orders; every organization needs these guys to be successful)
Jerryd Bayless = Marlo Stanfield (he's new to the game, but he's watching and waitng; he will take over and there will be casualties)
Rudy Fernandez = Jimmy McNulty (he gets results, but the leadership wishes he was less of a wild man; the ladies love him)
Greg Oden = Michael Lee (he started off a quiet kid, but he's beginning to tap in to his huge potential to change the game)
Andre Miller = Lester Freamon (do not let the laconic demeanor fool you, the veteran knows what's up)
John Canzano = Scott Templeton (scummy muckraker who stays up at night polishing his award)
by blazeraddict on Dec 1, 2009 10:02 PM PST up reply actions
True, but I think that needs to be addressed regardless of any trades.
Being so inflexible that you can’t add an above average veteran of a different skillset to replace a below average one isn’t an issue that can be dodged easily.
by Free Bayless on Dec 1, 2009 10:05 PM PST up reply actions
He played off the ball well in Dallas
His defense has slipped as he became The Man in New Jersey, but he has experience getting the ball to Dirk, Terry, and back then Stackhouse.
devin harris is insanely over-rated
particularly be people on this site.
How is he overrated?
He’s a decent passer, can make the 3, insanely quick, was a great defender in Dallas, long, athletic, young, smart, a one man fastbreak and able to operate in the halfcourt…
He has a bad assist to turnover ratio, but still I would really like him next to a strong guard like Roy. Problem would still be that both need the ball to be fully effective.
Ceterum censeo Lakers esse delendam
he doesn't make the teams he plays on appreciably better
he puts up a lot of empty stats and his team is awful. it’s funny everyone on this site will murder kevin durant for putting up great stats on a bad team and saying he kills his team. meanwhile, box score hero devin harris fits this exact profile but he’s the answer to all blazer problems.
He;s been hurt most of the season
So, a super fast great defending PG who can hit a shot is a bad fit?
No one says he is Chris Paul.
What?
He’s a top ten PG in the league, easy. If that’s overrating him then I’m guilty.
by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 2, 2009 12:21 AM PST up reply actions
If George Shinn wants to sell the New Orleans Hornets for profit, then he WON'T trade Chris Paul.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
we've been trying that for a while
it would take a lot
bayless leaves over my dead body
Start Andre (in a 2 guard lineup)
"Good defense always beats bad offense."-Al Iannazzone, Yes Network
by thomasikehara on Dec 1, 2009 9:53 PM PST up reply actions
Roy and LMA
would get you Paul and West. Maybe throw in Joel and Outlaw and get Okefor as well. Are you ready to throw in the towel that badly?
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 9:53 PM PST up reply actions
no it would not. not even close.
Roy and LMA would not even fetch Paul.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
I would have agreed
But Paul is not going to stay when his contract is up, and West is starting to fade. I think they’d consider it.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 9:55 PM PST up reply actions
They will never ever trade Paul unless Paul says he will never suit up for a game again
And even then it’s not guaranteed.
New Orleans management
is bat-**** crazy. Nothing would surprise me any more, and Roy/ LMA for Paul/ West would hardly be indefensible.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:05 PM PST up reply actions
Why is NOLA crazy?
They made some signings that are haunting them, but I haven’t seen them make any crazy deals… ever.
They trumpeted the signing of Ike
as a big deal, they traded their center for a glorified PF, they didn’t even notify Paul before they announced the firing of Scott, they gave big money to some poor choices. They made many questionable decisions in the last few years.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:30 PM PST up reply actions
don't buy that bs line
cp3 got scott fired. he’s the reason he was fired. paul completely quit on his coach last year, ignored him during timeouts, and has wanted him gone for awhile.
he was just toeing the line with the line about how “i’m not sure coach was the problem”, please.
cp3 is a pouty little diva.
They made questionable decisions, sure
But not CRAZY and outright dumb, like McHale or Wallace.
It is a bad idea to upset Paul and not go to him, but not a big deal in the long run.
Okafor is quite a bit better than Chandler, and Chandler hasn’t done much in Charlotte. Okafor’s effort has been criticized this year, but I haven’t seen enough to say one way or another. In previous years, he was better than Chandler. I like that trade.
You're right
But I’m going to insist they’re crazy until they ship us Paul for Outlaw.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:36 PM PST up reply actions
Ya gotta put it out in the universe so it comes true!
NOLA is the dumbest management in the NBA and extremely broke, they are dying to trade Paul to Portland and Paul himself is quoted thinking that Portland is the only team he wants to play for.
Now you're cookin' with Gas!!
And the pilot’s not lit, and you’re sniffing the raw fumes. And you’re drunk.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:45 PM PST up reply actions
Sounds like it's time to light up a cigarette
Just to show you’re not scared.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:54 PM PST up reply actions
George Shinn isn't a mentally challenged dunce, okay.
Again, Chris Paul >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Brandon Roy from not only an on-court perspective, but more importantly an off-court marketability perspective. Regarding the high-stakes, big-money world of professional sports, it’s about money first and foremost. Paul, unlike Roy, is a cash cow.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
throw in the towel?
lol Paul >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Roy
Throw in the towel on the season
It would be tough to be up and running with that big of a change. You’d have to wait til next year.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 9:56 PM PST up reply actions
He'll get better
And there’s no provision for not trading injured players any more.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:37 PM PST up reply actions
Howard gave us just as much tonight as LMA would have.
and we still lost, convincingly, at home, rested, to a decent but struggling team, despite a monster rebounding/4 block game from Oden.
wow.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
No
LMA would’ve played Beasely better
And probably got 18
by collectiveshane on Dec 1, 2009 9:53 PM PST up reply actions
Definitely
Aldridge usually destroys Beasley.
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
Yea...Beasely wouldn't come close to his numbers tonight with LMA guarding him.
LMA actually plays very well against PFs like Beasely.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
Beasley didn't even pause
He just fired his jumper like he was alone on the floor. Guaranteed an LMA hand in his face makes him think about it a little more.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 9:57 PM PST up reply actions
Excited About Oden.
I’ve been cautiously optimistic about Oden this season. Seems like he really is going to make a huge impact on this team. Individually, Oden and Roy are going to be very good. The Blazers just haven’t figured out how to make the parts greater than the sum of it or even equal to it.
Roy is going to be fine. Oden is going to be fine. I think Batum is going to be fine. LMA should be fine (hopefully). Just need a PG for the future. Better schematic coaching that demands execution and defensive pride. Whether that’s Nate, we’ll find out very soon.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
I'm worried about Roy.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
exactly
Roy is obsessed with doing what he THINKS is what superstars do, rather than doing what comes naturally. This is the first time Roy has been the undisputed leader of a team, which is what separates him to similar guys like Wade, who have been THE MAN since they laced up their first bootie in pre-school league.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:00 PM PST up reply actions
Don't be worried.
Roy hasn’t forgotten completely how to play basketball. Just a little amnesia.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
That's my take
I’ve used the word a million times lately, but I think Roy is going through a little phase.
I think missing/not passing to Oden repeatedly is part of it.
Phase is exactly right
He’s never had that dominant big, in colleges or the pros. He’ll adjust.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:01 PM PST up reply actions
I agree
I think he is struggling with how to share the ball, and get himself in a rhythm at the same time.
He really hasn’t had to do that. Last year they would always try to get Lma started early in the game, if he didn’t look good, roy would basically run the offense for the rest of the game. Anyone else making a play was usually a result of Roy being disrupted, or throwing a last second pass to a jump shooter out on the wing. Now Greg is showing that he can be a consistent offensive force, and Miller is not out on the court ONLY looking for Roy. I just think it’s the first time in awhile that Roy feels threatened by the skills of his own teammates, and he hasn’t learned how to be good by doing completely different things than he has been allowed to do his whole career.
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Dec 1, 2009 9:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I was blinded to that by sick alley-oops and facials
not to mention Greg crotchifyin’ suckas
by Tyler Durrden on Dec 1, 2009 10:03 PM PST up reply actions
I don't know if we'll see Roy '08-'09 this year
I think we will next year, or at least something close.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
Roy 08-09 was the 3rd best SG in the NBA behind guys like Kobe and Wade.
That’s a really impressive group. 3rd team All-NBA, fully deserved. Roy is going through some growing pains. The biggest issue is whether Roy can evolve his game to fit Oden and a different offensive philosophy.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
by blzrfan on Dec 1, 2009 10:02 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
great take. fully agreed.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
And, I agree
I do not worry about Roy or the team in the long term, but the short term and the now has been very annoying.
Oden has definitely joined our version of the "Big Three"
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
we have a badly struggling 2 time allstar (who is not playing like anything close to an allstar)
and a C who would be an allstar candidate if not for foul trouble.
we also have a decent 3rd piece who cannot defend or rebound.
We do not have a big 3, at all.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
A big 1,
but at least that one is absolutely humongous.
And he means everything.
I honestly take much solace in the fact that it seems like Oden will be an extremely good center once he gets his fouls under control regularly.
It is so important, and was sooooo up in the air before the season started. The horrible play (for us) has masked it too much, because it makes it hard to enjoy the silver lining that is Oden’s play.
I'm shocked that it's happened so quickly
but even knowing that this is a temporary blip for Roy, I think Oden has moved ahead of him as the most untradeable Blazer. Watching Bynum suddenly transform from the guy that Kobe demanded to get traded to “key piece” (and back to some weird limbo now), it’s scary to think how quickly Oden’s doing what it took Bynum almost 3 full years to do.
And I know some think this is some silly "excuse"
But realistically Oden is still returning from micro, and his body will respond better with another year of lower body training and staying in shape… and healing.
He will be very, very, very good.
There isn't any "Big Three" here, for LaMarcus Aldridge never was and never will be a big-time player.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
every game is very losable right now
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
The Rockets consistently make the best of what they have via coaching, regardless of a lack of a well constructed roster.
Kinda the opposite of the Blazers right now. Yikes.
by Free Bayless on Dec 1, 2009 10:08 PM PST up reply actions
I'm cautiously optimistic...
But then again, I’m always cautiously optimistic.
"Rudy is not everyday a shooter," Fernandez said. "He's defense. He's passes. He's assists."
This team is a mess right now.
It’s a mess on offense. It’s a mess on defense.
A few select players have posted good nights but the team as a whole just don’t look like they care enough to win. We had some hustle here and there tonight. But good God, why are we leaving shooters totally open from range? How many games do we need to play before guys start closing out on their shooters? Way too many open looks for our opponents over the last three games.
Also, I know a lot of people will try and partially blame Brandon for not putting the team on his back, but come on. Look at the box score guys before you do that. Roy had his 25 points, albeit on 36% shooting. But look at everyone else. Martell was streaky as ever shooting 28% from two point range at 4-14. We really had no offensive firepower on the floor at all apart from Brandon taking 25 shots to post a respectable game.
Honestly? These last three games haven’t been the Portland Trail Blazers team I remember from last year. I know we’re dealing with injuries but WOW. I just can’t believe we’re playing this poorly for a team so well coached and with great young talent.
"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
no one has truly had a set role
our bench looks different in offensive philosophy from one game to the next. there hasn’t been that consistency that we have had over the years.
Cloudy is Sergio. Makes other people look good, can’t score himself. -Cablinasian
Greg Postertag is probably wielding a jack hammer of a Wenis - AK1984
by Philthyanimal on Dec 1, 2009 11:11 PM PST up reply actions
This loss is in KP
DeJuan Blair would have came in handy today.
"This isn’t making staples, where you’re just making staples." - KP
Or Jefferson. Or Carter. Or any number of guys
KP could have traded for if he didn’t overvalue his young players.
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
Let's not forget Devin Harris
KP could have had him for Taurean Green and RLEC.
"This isn’t making staples, where you’re just making staples." - KP
$%$%$^ KP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why am I just reading this rumor NOW? The Blazers management needs to pull their collective heads out of their butts and make a trade NOW! They are on the downward spiral.
"This isn’t making staples, where you’re just making staples." - KP
We could have gotten carter or jefferson.
i know you are poking fun at those who think we could get cp3 for a protected 2nd round pick, but i really do think we could have gotten carter or jefferson. thats pretty realistic.
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
Do you realize how much Carter and Jefferson make? You’d have to trade half your team to get one of them.
The Spurs - now playing defense again!
Still wouldn't help with the D
At all. It’s not like the Spurs are all smiles about Jefferson right now, and Orlando isn’t retiring Vince’s jersey at this point.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:08 PM PST up reply actions
With all due respect, Richard Jefferson wouldn't've helped us -- as he's lazy on defense -- ...
while Vince Carter and Brandon Roy would’ve clashed with one another over touches. The main problem right now regarding roster construction includes the lack of a banger 4/5 off the bench (e.g., Nick Collison), as well as a defensive stopper at the 1 who can play off the ball offensively (e.g., Kirk Hinrich).
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
To be fair
Harris looked a lot like JBay would look with more minutes. That’s not something you throw RLEC at just for giggles.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:10 PM PST up reply actions
He didn't pass, he was all speed and no brains
And he put his head down and didn’t look to pass as he drove to the hoop.
Sound familiar?
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:20 PM PST up reply actions
I could be wrong
but I didn’t see anything of Harris in Dallas that made me need him. For sure his outside shot was hurtful, and maybe offensive.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:25 PM PST up reply actions
He was leading a team full of vets to the finals, a la Rondo in Boston
Fans knew what they had in him. That’s why the Kidd trade made people so furious initially. Kidd has done well in Dallas, but the true impact of that trade will show once he retires.
Ceterum censeo Lakers esse delendam
By the way, at that time I would have sworn Marquis Daniels would develop into a borderline all-star. He was awesome during that year. Then fell off a cliff maybe due to off-court issues that didn’t get well covered.
Ceterum censeo Lakers esse delendam
Harris was in contention for the ASG wasnt he?
when was the last time we had a pg that sniffed the all star game?
Cloudy is Sergio. Makes other people look good, can’t score himself. -Cablinasian
Greg Postertag is probably wielding a jack hammer of a Wenis - AK1984
by Philthyanimal on Dec 1, 2009 11:13 PM PST up reply actions
Good question?
Strickland 95-96 was pretty money.
I go to law school. Therefore, I have no life.
by andrewgolfsalot on Dec 1, 2009 11:16 PM PST up reply actions
Didn't make the ASG, but still averaged 19-10 on the year
I go to law school. Therefore, I have no life.
by andrewgolfsalot on Dec 1, 2009 11:17 PM PST up reply actions
We basically ended up throwing RLEC at Andre Miller.
Which would you have preferred?
I go to law school. Therefore, I have no life.
by andrewgolfsalot on Dec 1, 2009 10:11 PM PST up reply actions
So would Chris Paul
So I place the blame on previous management every time we lose.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:02 PM PST up reply actions
I meant that KP wanted Paul
But the GM wanted Martell instead, since we had Telfair and were therefore set at PG for the next 20 years.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:07 PM PST up reply actions
But would we have gotten
Roy, Aldridge, or Oden? I doubt it. We are in better shape than new orleans anyways.
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
Okay okay
call off the dogs. It was a joke, not in depth time-travel analysis.
I apologize and retract my statement. With Paul we’d be doormats and may have triggered Armageddon.
I apologize.
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:11 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, that's the mystery
I agree that we wouldn’t have been bad enough with Paul to get Roy and LMA, and then we wouldn’t get Oden.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY— Nash and Patterson would still be in charge, because if they had drafted Paul, then that means they were smart enough to draft one of the best PGs ever and would not be fired.
hinrich stinks now...
please stop talking about him. go look up the astoundingly horrible season he is having. bulls fans would send us flowers if we traded for him.
here's one you might have missed
anybody catch that play late when the ball came out to Miller who was spotted up outside the arc? The Miami defender was caught off guard and made a move to get out on him, then you could see the lightbulb above his head get bright and he skidded to a stop about 8 feet from Miller just daring him to shoot. Miller hesitated before the predictable turnover.
Dogs have Owners, Cats have Staff.
Blake would have made that shot.
"This isn’t making staples, where you’re just making staples." - KP
Miller takes shots
Sometimes he has to take the shot because Roy and others just stand and watch him. He’s not as bad a shooter as the rumors made me think. How can he pass to people that are just standing around. At the end of the 3rd? I think Rudy and Roy were standing in the corners watching.
How can a guy be in the NBA for like a million years and not learn to hit an open 3 point shot?
"This isn’t making staples, where you’re just making staples." - KP
Good God
the blazers played a good team without 3 important players . W Quit expecting perfection from them every time
I am usually an extremely optimistic critiquer of the team
The reason we are annoyed with this loss was the continued lack of effort, particularly in help defense and rotations— two pretty simple concepts.
If it was Golden State, you'd be cool with it.
"This isn’t making staples, where you’re just making staples." - KP
Poop Ball
Is what we played.
Scarce defense- seriously a wide open Dwayne line drive for the dunk when we needed a stop.
Martell just kept launching those threes like there was no tomorrow.
I did like that Mcmillan defended Odens foul with the BS call- literally. Sometimes I just think when the refs don’t know who to call it on, they point their fingers at Oden. It’s becoming a stale tradition.
Those four faces on Mount Rushmore are always there to remind us that yes, if you do enough good deeds, you will change into a mountain when you die.
by ODEN on a stick on Dec 1, 2009 10:06 PM PST reply actions
I have no idea- another questionably coached game.
Those four faces on Mount Rushmore are always there to remind us that yes, if you do enough good deeds, you will change into a mountain when you die.
by ODEN on a stick on Dec 1, 2009 10:13 PM PST up reply actions
Funny how people miss Batum whereas he played only around 15min/game
the facts dont support this view.
he would help.
He had a solid rookie season, and it was reasonable to expect improvement. With both he and Outlaw out (and LMA tonight), our “depth” is gone.
However, this is about Roy’s play more than anything.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
ever since the Outlaw injury
the team chemistry got flushed down the toilet. We really need Travis back.
Dogs have Owners, Cats have Staff.
oh yes
and you know it too TWD. Travis was the harmony in the Blazer melody. Now these guys are just mashing their palms on the ivory. Don’t be afraid to admit Travis’ injury was a HUGE loss
Dogs have Owners, Cats have Staff.
no no no no no
I can’t hear you! LALALALALALALALALALA!!!
by TheThinWhiteDuke on Dec 1, 2009 10:18 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, Nic wouldn't hurt
but it’s hard to imagine how much he would’ve helped tonight given that it was our team defense that was piss poor tonight.
Batum was fairly solid defensively those 15 minutes.
The Blazers aren’t missing his offensive production.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
Blazer
fans you’re in for a long season if you get this riled up over a loss like this. LA was out, Batum is out, Outlaw is out. I mean what more do i have to say???
you forgot the part where
the guys looked horrible rotating on D after being a coached by a “defensive specialist” as well as the part where our guys can’t get themselves any fast break points or easy looks on offense. it’s all up-hill.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Dec 1, 2009 10:10 PM PST up reply actions
I don't care though.
Oden looks dominant. That’s good enough for me this year.
Maybe you’re like “whatever, loser! we should be winning titles with Blake at PG and Martell at small guard—-errr——forward and Rudy kicking the ball of his foot every time leads his team on the break and Miller looking like he’s just happy he got payed one last time.”
But none of that bothers me. You know Roy is sweet. You know LMA has a silky game. But we didn’t know Oden was going to be a stud. We hoped. We didn’t know.
So it’s all good. I mean it.
Blake still stinks and Miller is still looking like an old man but…
It’s all good.
sips hefeweizen
ahhhhhhhh.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Dec 1, 2009 10:07 PM PST reply actions
Lets talk Wade and Roy.
Both players had to deal with a dominant center entering their respective teams. Wade thrived and Roy is struggling. What can Roy learn from Wade? How did Wade change or adapt his game to Shaq? I think that’s an interesting conversation.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
great topic. I don't have much to say, other than that Shaq was limited in the playoffs during that title run.
Miami ran a ton of Wade isos. Also, Wade is a lot better than Roy at seeking and getting contact (and help from the refs).
I’d be very much interested in people’s thoughts.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
I'm trying to remember that Heat team.
Wade did a lot of scoring off the pick and roll. Wade also didn’t score from the 3-point line, but he did score quite a bit in transition. I don’t recall Shaq ever being a problem for Wade clogging up the lane.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
yeah, my mind is calling up lots of images of Wade splitting the double on high pick and rolls
and finishing at the hoop, often in spectacular fashion. That’s not something Roy will ever be able to do on the same level.
Roy’s not nearly the transition player Wade is either.
'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.
Yea...they are different players.
Since everyone seems to be putting all the burden on Roy, I’m wondering if Oden needs to be doing something on his end. Hmmm….just throwing out ideas.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
yeah
maybe he should physically pry the ball out of Brandon’s hands when he’s wide open under the rim
Sucking at darts is not a super power
I don't buy that Oden being down low is the problem at all
People are thinking Joel, last year, was better for Roy’s drives? When his man didn’t even need to stay anywhere close to him?
Oden takes up space, but Roy can still drive if he wants to. His ballhandling has been much worse this year.
So do you think it's just Roy's issues?
Did Shaq do something that Oden isn’t doing? Aside from scoring from the post, both players seem to be drawing double teams regular. Oden is actually a better offensive rebounder and shot blocker this year.
"I'm at the thingamajig talking the yakety-yak" - Kenny Smith
I do believe it is Roy's issues mostly
Perhaps Oden doesn’t read when to get out of the way, but it isn’t his man suddenly stopping Roy. His man sticks to him.
Roy’s ballhandling is off, like the Mikes said we haven’t seen his amazing crossover from last season much at all, he hasn’t been as aggressive or as likely to drive this year… can’t say why.
I think it is some sort of mental blockage with Roy right now, and could be also his summer off… at least as far as his ballhandling is concerned.
Roy needs to make a better effort at
getting the ball to Greg. he also needs to realize he doesnt have to do it all
Roy, Aldridge, Oden, Rudy, Batum, Outlaw, Webster, Bayless, Blake, Miller, Joel... Holy crap!
Wade can out-athletic his opponent though.
Roy’s game is more methodical and team oriented.
Wade also thrived in a weak East that year and beat the Mavs. ahem.
Wade is sweet though but that Heat team was a weak title winner.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Dec 1, 2009 10:11 PM PST up reply actions
Roy is more team-oriented?
One game does not settle the question, but please compare how many shots Roy and Wade took tonight and how many assists each had.
by Trutherlizer on Dec 2, 2009 12:07 AM PST up reply actions