Nate, The River and the Rock(ets)

by Blazin' on Apr 17, 2009 1:48 AM PDT

The posts I have seen so far previewing the series have been cursory or overlooked what might be the key match-up in this series: Coaching.

And what a challenge it is. Because against most of our Western Conference nemeses, it is our defense that must be shored up, with individual matchups presenting problems that can be compensated for. Against Houston, it is our offensive capability that presents an immediate issue.

Nate has to find a way to score against Houston. This match-up is truly ironic, considering the evolution of our style of play this season exemplified by Nate's position as a player. Houston's ability to close down the lane for Brandon places even more importance on our point guard play.

Nate brought a tight fist to coaching the 1 especially early on. But a focus on limiting mistakes has slowly given way to allowing a measure of creativity and movement as the season evolved and the players found their confidence. Steve exemplifies the "limit errors approach" and Sergio the "make magic happen approach." As the season has progressed, the two have converged somewhat, and both improved as a result.

But improved enough to create bursts of scoring against a stifling Houston defense that is likely to shut down our leading scorer, making the PG play even more critical?

As the season progressed, we saw more transitional baskets/points in the paint/ scoring off of put backs. In other words, taking advantage of breakdowns in the defense.

The question then becomes, how do we create these opportunities against a team that is a rock defensively?

My worry is that against Houston's tough half-court defense, Portland and Nate will be inclined to tighten up and turn back to the early season grind it out approach to offense. It's almost like this is the final exam for this team, but it feels like it's coming around mid-term. How to be creative and fluid against a defensive rock like Houston? The analogy works: Flow around, don't push when faced with a rock. Think like a river!

Random ideas:

We should run and run and run, create opportunities in transition. Our quick hands on the defensive end will really help as we need to force turnovers so we can run.

Movement in the half court set. If they're going to play up on our perimeter players, let's make them work in the half court set with passing and off the ball movement.

I want the long and lean arms of Batum and Outlaw and LaMarcus finding the vertical crease.

Use the low post for playmaking? Lamarcus and Greg are capable of the finding the cutter or open shooter. Have a method besides a driving Brandon of taking advantage of the spacing that our perimeter shooters create.

Is there a way to use Houston's defensive focus on Brandon to create opportunities for other players? Is it time for Brandon to set some picks?

How about the twin towers? Throw some new looks at them.

Any other ideas?

We are going to need to take some measured risks.

Good luck Nate! Go Portland.

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Comments

by tominrehab on Apr 17, 2009 2:01 AM PDT reply actions

I have more faith in Nate than Sleepy.

When I came here (in 2004), guys like Nick (Van Exel) and Damon, they were a breath of fresh air for me,'' Przybilla

by Nick Van Excellent on Apr 17, 2009 2:11 AM PDT reply actions

I like the twin towers idea

but I like the Oden against Carl Landary or Chuck Hayes idea better. Sure Greg will be used for D on Yao, but that is 95% Joel’s job. Houston’s second team front court is going to get exposed.

by svlittle on Apr 17, 2009 2:13 AM PDT reply actions

offense vs defense

This is gonna be a tough series.

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 17, 2009 3:06 AM PDT reply actions

Your face gives ME a tough series

A series of BARFS.

This is the last team I wanted to face in the 1st round, but we can beat ‘em. Just means LMA and others have to rise up, stand up right away instead of letting Roy do his playoff thang for the 1st round. Our defense is closer to their defense than their offense is to our offense (even though our defense is not nearly as good as theirs, our offense is just that good), and we got an offense that can do well against anyone— but they got some serious bad matchups for us with Battier and Artest, and they’re the only people who have shown to always do well on Roy defensively.

If we think we got a shot against the Lakers, might as well toughen ourselves up against the best defensive team in the West. It’ll make the Lakers defense seem like a walk in the park while being defended by the Thunder.

We need LMA and our outside shooters to come up big. Make ’em pay for doubling Roy.

Morty

by Mortimer on Apr 17, 2009 3:54 AM PDT up reply actions

Twin Towers only works against Hayes/Yao

Do the rockets ever use that lineup? If yes, we can bust out twin towers (assuming we’re not in foul trouble.) If not, then no twin towers.

by Zaig on Apr 17, 2009 8:29 AM PDT reply actions

You touched on a good point re twin Ts

… do we want to risk giving up fouls that we might need to counter Yao? Foul trouble is definitely a consideration… but why not try it if we need to create something at some point? See it more as a very temporary change of pace than a major strategy though.

I think we will have to be creative and ready to try things… running is one of them but Houston insn’t overly concerned with the O boards and therefore gets back quickly on Dee… still hurrying them into half court might create openings and could wear on Yao (problem is that the 1st unit which will likely see Yao isn’t as uptempo as the 2nd group).

I am very curious as to how the coaches will approach this series and to see adjustments from game to game, or even in game counter-strategies.

Ball movement, pace and flexibility will be a key in this series and that means the coaches will have a huge role compared to some other match-ups.

by QuebecBlzrFan on Apr 17, 2009 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions