When this team wins a title we will look back at the 40 straight victories as the blueprint.

by Kaanyr Vhok on Dec 24, 2009 12:55 AM PST

The victory over the Mavericks was the 40th straight victory in which the Trail Blazers held their opponent to under 90. Its hard to word but you know what I mean.

I know this is probably going to jinx the team, but everything is tenuous with all of the injuries and you cant take away that streak. Its time to celebrate it while it last. I know that most coaches believe that it's easier to teach when they can point out something wrong. I'm a firm believer that the best decisions in life come from strength.

To me its obvious when this team plays defense it wins. It's like I was saying after the lost to the Grizzlies that started the losing streak. The defense wasn't there throughout that streak and that was what it was.

This is what Nate does. I live in Seattle and it seemed like the fans and the media wanted the Sonics to run more and play to a faster tempo. When they tried to speed things up they lost. When Nate left they tried to speed things up again and they lost. The good thing is WE HAVE A FRANCHISE PG!!. Bayless is up there. I was so high on him that after missing the draft and finding out later that we got him I must have repeated "Oh my god we got Bayless?" 20 times and you know what he is playing better than I pictured. His ability to get to the stripe is valuable for a team that prospers while playing at a slow pace and he has the tools to be decent defender and decent is damn good at PG.

That a nice combination. When we get Batum back we can see some Triple B action. Oh it will be nice. Say in the mean time a shot blocker would be swell. Why not sign Steven Hill? I admit I'm partial. I'm a Razorback fan.

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It seems to be oxymoronic to say the Blazers played some good defense when SA shot 51%.

But it certainly looked good to me for the most part. They were swarming to the ball. I think it’s one of those nights where SA didn’t have many shots, but hit the ones they did have. (need to check the box score though)
I think our defense is overlooked and under appreciated much of the time.

Romance me with that Roy rainbow shot which took flight from way beyond the arc and sailed so high that before it came back down to earth sealing the victory, it kissed the rafters and said "You're mine baby."

by Blazer1342 on Dec 24, 2009 6:26 AM PST reply actions

Turnovers don't affect FG percentage.

by Anim8rguy on Dec 25, 2009 12:43 AM PST up reply actions

Defense is the key for sure.

by tcwoods on Dec 24, 2009 2:43 PM PST reply actions

I don't this its that simple.

It has more to do with your personal.
When Nate was a player he didn’t like to run, but when the Sonics got Payton, and Kemp they increased the tempo and become a great team.

In Portland I think this team could be much better if they increased the tempo.

by MotoMan045 on Dec 24, 2009 5:04 PM PST reply actions

Can they run without increasing the tempo?

Could they get 6 or more fast break points while still playing a slow paced game? They may be able to do both. I don’t know. Malone’s and Stock’s Jazz teams ran the break really well but they were still a slow pace team. The 80s Celtics ran an efficient break too.

by Kaanyr Vhok on Dec 24, 2009 5:16 PM PST up reply actions

This is also partially due to our slow pace. If our defensive efficiency has hit a certain mark for 40 victories, I'd be more impressed.

You can measure skill and talent with your eyes, but productivity is shown through statistics.

by austinpwnz on Dec 24, 2009 5:52 PM PST reply actions

It could be about Pace and Not Defense

If we get into a game where we can keep the pace slow, and grid out offense with another team grinding out offense, it usually means a low scoring close game for Portland. With BRoy in a close game in the fourth Q, we’ve got an excellent chance to finish on our last 5 possessions, putting pressure on the opposition’s offense to score.

In a close game, if you can score every time down, you only need to stop your opponent 2 times to change the way they will have to play.

by Anim8rguy on Dec 25, 2009 12:46 AM PST reply actions