Game Four Suggestion

by Balian on Apr 25, 2009 10:29 AM PDT

In light of us starting slow in all three games thus far, I have a lineup suggestion. We should start this lineup:

Steve Blake

Rudy Fernedez

Brandon Roy

LaMarcus Aldridge

Greg Oden

This will open things up for Brandon Roy because they CAN'T LEAVE anyone open. There will be no defensive liability in Rudy because if Ron Artest post up on him or Roy, they can't run set plays for Yao. This is a better alternative than Yao posting. We all know Battier just hang on the perimeter.

I see no downside except when their bench comes in with Wafer. If Wafer comes in, have Batum stick to him.

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I think I would still keep Oden coming off the bench--

His game has gotten better for it. He could end up playing more minutes than Joel if fouls and flow allow it, but for now I like it.

It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla

by RenoBlazerFan on Apr 25, 2009 10:34 AM PDT reply actions

Dude

If Pryzbilla starts, Roy will still have the same problem. The Rockets have at least two guys patrolling Roy at ALL TIMES. A lot of times, there were 3 guys zoning him everywhere. Oden is a much better pick and roll player than Pryzbilla. Oden has much better hands than Pryzbilla.

by Balian on Apr 25, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions

And It Doesn't Matter

If Oden is in foul trouble, so be it. It is the same situation with him coming off the bench. The key is not struggle at the beginning of games.

by Balian on Apr 25, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes, but too often Greg picks up 2 quick ones, and since Nate won't let him foul out, he's reduced to 12 min of PT.

Also, our record since Greg came back off the bench from his knee thing has been pretty darn good. Greg definitely has way better offense than Joel, but we need offense off the bench too.

It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla

by RenoBlazerFan on Apr 25, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Whats the point of a strong bench?

If we keep falling behind at the start of games? Besides, this is the playoffs. You shorten the rotation and play the key guys more.

by Balian on Apr 25, 2009 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

You are assuming that Greg starting is the answer to slow starts.

I am frustrated by slow starts also; maybe you are right.

A strong bench is a big asset for us. How many games have the bench won/dug us out of a hole this year? Wouldn’t be necessary if we didn’t have a hole, I agree…

It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla

by RenoBlazerFan on Apr 25, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Operate the pick and rolls

DOWN WITH THE PICK AND POPS!

(especially those stupid LA and Roy pick and pops) so heart breaking to watch.

Top 3 things important to me in life.
- Family
- School
- Blazers

CHAMPIONSHIP HERE WE COMEEE!

by J_Lee on Apr 25, 2009 10:40 AM PDT reply actions

that was my suggestion btw.

Top 3 things important to me in life.
- Family
- School
- Blazers

CHAMPIONSHIP HERE WE COMEEE!

by J_Lee on Apr 25, 2009 10:41 AM PDT reply actions

This may be sacrilegious here, but I actually liked the frontcourt of LMA and Frye last night—offensively at least. I would even consider running something like this (not as a starting lineup):

Blake
Fernandez
Roy
Outlaw/Batum
LMA

to avoid the rebounding deficit Frye puts on the table.

"Literary Criticism is not bookkeeping." -SB

by nightbluefruit on Apr 25, 2009 10:47 AM PDT reply actions

I Will Be Happy

if Nate does not play Channing Frye ever again. The guy is the weakest rebounder ever.

by Balian on Apr 25, 2009 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes, some people are saying Frye had a good game last night, but when I started watching the game in the 2nd qtr

I saw back to back 18 foot bricks by Frye. Coach should fine him everytime he shoots outside of 12 feet.

It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla

by RenoBlazerFan on Apr 25, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Great Suggestion for Rebounding

by putting Outlaw in rebounding. ROFL. Outlaw does not block out, rebound or play perimeter defense.

by Balian on Apr 25, 2009 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Frye is still a better rebounder than Outlaw or Batum

by trk on Apr 25, 2009 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions

His favorite shot might be the worst one in basketball

a contested jumper a foot inside of the 3-point line. Why does he think this is a good shot? He makes it more often than most would, but I think he has a skill set that could get him better shots. His hook is soft when he get’s good position inside.

by dblieberman on Apr 25, 2009 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions

That leaves us virtually no scoring on the bench

except Outlaw who has been godawful in this series. Making a lineup change at this point would be a huge mistake.

"Sasha? That's a sissy name." -Mike Rice

"Let's go to win the playoffs!!!" -Rudy Fernandez

by koyote on Apr 25, 2009 11:02 AM PDT reply actions

We don't need much scoring on the bench

Just play the starters more. If you give the starters 38 minutes each, in theory you can have 4 starters in the game at all times. Obviously it isn’t really practical to play Oden that much, but it still should be possible to have 3 starters in the game at all times. If we do that, then having scoring off the bench isn’t that important.

by trk on Apr 25, 2009 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Screw the Bench

A bigger mistake is too keep starting slow by allowing the Rockets to patrol Brandon Roy at will with Batum’s and Pryzbilla’s man.

This is the playoffs and the bench is not as important. Play the starters more minutes.

by Balian on Apr 25, 2009 11:12 AM PDT reply actions

screw the bench?

Really?

Think about it. Starting Oden is just asking for foul trouble. When has he done well as a starter in an important game? Przy at least doesn’t commit a silly foul in the first minute of the game, and Greg has played well off the bench.
You also have to put another defensive presence out there with Joel, otherwise the Rockets are going to kill the Blazers early. Rudy can score but do you want him guarding Artest? I didn’t think so.

"Sasha? That's a sissy name." -Mike Rice

"Let's go to win the playoffs!!!" -Rudy Fernandez

by koyote on Apr 25, 2009 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Um

You actually think the Rockets are going to post Artest instead of Yao? I would let Roy guard Artest. If the Rockets decides to post Artest instead of Yao, thats a lot better for us. Battier is not an inside threat.

by Balian on Apr 25, 2009 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions

I guarantee you that the Rockets would go through Artest every single time if Rudy were guarding him. And no, I don’t want Roy having to guard Houston’s second option for the entire game. Do I need to explain why?

"Sasha? That's a sissy name." -Mike Rice

"Let's go to win the playoffs!!!" -Rudy Fernandez

by koyote on Apr 25, 2009 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions

THIS WOULD BE GREAT

Because
A) Artest is less effective than Yao
B) Our bigs, especially Oden, would NOT be in foul troubles as much.

Houston running their offense through Artest is sooo much better for us than running through Yao. Roy can handle Artest physicality better than Rudy.

by Balian on Apr 25, 2009 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Rudy guarding Artest

would be like Channing Frye guarding Shaq, it would be ugly.

"Sasha? That's a sissy name." -Mike Rice

"Let's go to win the playoffs!!!" -Rudy Fernandez

by koyote on Apr 25, 2009 2:05 PM PDT up reply actions

So you are saying you rather let Houston have their first option than the second option? You would rather have our bigs be in foul trouble? If you force a team to go their second option, especially a distant second option, then you will win the battle 9 out of 10 times.

by Balian on Apr 25, 2009 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions

If you read my original comment....

I implied that I’d rather not let Houston have either option.

I’d rather have our best defenders on the floor to keep Yao or Artest from finding a rhythm early on. It’s better that both teams start slow than to start with the Blazers getting destroyed on defense. That’s why I said making a lineup change would be a mistake.

For whatever reason the Blazers are not shooting the ball well in this series. They are not making turnovers and there defense has been solid. Houston has just been the better shooting team. And they have been allowed to play more physical than the Blazers. The Blazers are not going to win by changing their mission. They need to keep being aggressive and knock down open shots which they have been doing all year.

"Sasha? That's a sissy name." -Mike Rice

"Let's go to win the playoffs!!!" -Rudy Fernandez

by koyote on Apr 25, 2009 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Roy would guard Artest

Having them try to run the offense through Artest with Roy guarding him does not scare me at all. It would mean that Roy would have to spend a little more energy on defense than he normally does, but that is OK since with this lineup he probably would not need to spend as much energy on offense.

by trk on Apr 25, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Hmm

IF you did this, your backups would have to be

Steve Blake / Bayless

Rudy Fernedez / Batum

Brandon Roy / Outlaw

LaMarcus Aldridge / Frye

Greg Oden / Przybilla

Bayless, Outlaw, and Frye could actually put points on the board…front line defense is a little suspect, but I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing it in game 5 if we’re already down 3-1. If we win game 4, I think you stick with what you have.

Goodbye Deke. The NBA will miss Mt. Mutombo.

by prezofdeath on Apr 25, 2009 11:33 AM PDT reply actions

Although, I like what Nate is talking about better

Playing

Rudy
Roy
Batum
LMA
Greg/Joel

for extended minutes. That has good defense AND good offense….and it leaves the heady Blake to command the second unit.

Goodbye Deke. The NBA will miss Mt. Mutombo.

by prezofdeath on Apr 25, 2009 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Where is

Nate talking about this? Link?

"Death is not final," Gita says. "If any man thinks that he slays, and if another thinks that he is slain, neither knows the truth. The Eternal in man cannot kill: the Eternal in man cannot die. The soul in man is neither born nor does it die. Weapons cannot cut it; fire cannot burn it; water cannot drown it.

The Bhagavad Gita

Rudy is amazing to have survived not only the Ariza flagrant but also several attempts by snipers to end his life (look for it at second 30 and again later. Credit to Norkstroll for this incredible documetary footage!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siKWh0DkCz8

by Idog1976 on Apr 25, 2009 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions

casey talked about it

here.

At the guard position, Nate McMillan is considering using Brandon Roy and Rudy Fernandez together in the backcourt with a bit more regularity. He’s used Roy and Fernandez together on occasion, but it sounds like that paring might see more time throughout the rest of the series.

"The combination of Brandon and Rudy, we’ve played that combination some," said McMillan. "So those two guys being in there at the same time is the switch that we went to last game in the second half. We may look at that tonight.

"It just depends on how the game is going and the matchups. If we need some defense on their guards or I want to go with a matchup, try and get Rudy on Lowry or their point guards on our bigs. It just depends on the game."

Goodbye Deke. The NBA will miss Mt. Mutombo.

by prezofdeath on Apr 26, 2009 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions

bear in mind this was before game 3 he said this.

and I think we saw this happen, as Sergio got his first DNP in a while. All the PG minutes were divided between Blake, Roy, and Rudy last night.

Goodbye Deke. The NBA will miss Mt. Mutombo.

by prezofdeath on Apr 26, 2009 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions

That lineup is WAY better IMO...

Rudy would get destroyed by Artest with the other lineup.

The argument that replacing Blake and Pryz with Rudy and Oden would cause the Rockets to go through Artest rather than Yao, could also be accomplished by leaving ANY rockets player, besides Yao, open under the basket and letting him dunk all game long. So what if Landry scores 60. Yao didn’t shoot all game long.

I kid, cause I love.

by JasonT on Apr 25, 2009 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Oops....

I meant “The argument that replacing Batum and Pryz with Rudy and Oden”

by JasonT on Apr 25, 2009 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Why would Rudy be on Artest?

There is no need to intentionally create mismatches on defense. Just have Roy guard Artest instead. Roy is big enough to handle Artest.

by trk on Apr 25, 2009 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions

So who do Rudy and Blake guard?

by JasonT on Apr 25, 2009 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Blake guards Brooks and Rudy guards Battier

by trk on Apr 25, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe...

I don’t think Roy on Artest or Rudy on Battier are particularly good matchups for us. Especially, since on the other end, both of those guys can check Roy and Rudy a lot better then the other way around.

I liked the lineup with Roy and Rudy in the backcourt better, while keeping Batum or Trout in. That way you get the matchup problem for Brooks on Rudy, you keep the stronger Roy on Battier, and the longer Batum/Trout on Artest. Plus you have the length to cover when Brooks penetrates. With this lineup I’d use Roy and Rudy in a two man game at the top, so you get the switch of Brooks onto Roy and then let Roy go to work.

by JasonT on Apr 25, 2009 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Dance with the one that done brung ya.

Not only should the Blazers not make any drastic lineup changes, but I’m not sure that I agree with Nate’s changing his rotation so much as it is. The Blazers had a winning formula that got them to the playoffs in the first place, and we have yet to see Nate use that formula in this series. I understand that conventional wisdom says you shorten your rotation in the playoffs, but I don’t understand why Sergio and Batum (who have had huge quarters in the past) get no late minutes while Channing is brought in the first half.

My point is that players get used to playing with one another in certain situations.To throw Rudy and Greg in as starters would only scramble that chemistry more than it already has been (not so much among the starters, but rather, as has been pointed out, among the backups). This is not the time of the year to be experimenting with new looks that were not attempted outside of practices in the regular season.

by dropsies on Apr 25, 2009 1:51 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

rec

It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla

by RenoBlazerFan on Apr 25, 2009 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions

It's not like the other starters have never played with Rudy or Oden

Oden was a starter for much of the year, and Rudy is a regular member of the crunch time lineup with Roy, Aldridge, and Blake. This would not be a completely new unit, it is a unit that has played together dozens of times this season.

by trk on Apr 25, 2009 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Right. I acknowledged as much.

In fact, I’m pretty sure that we’ve seen the Roy, Aldridge, Fernandez, Oden, Blake lineup plenty of times this season. That’s not the problem.

The problem, as I and others said, is the backups. I would guess the second unit would be something like Outlaw, Batum, Przybilla, Sergio (maybe?), and Aldridge/Roy (I’m assuming that Nate will keep one of the two in there at all times). To me, that lineup is a recipe for disaster. Houston could pretty much double (or triple) team Aldridge/Roy and dare anyone else to score.

No, go with what worked all season. There is no reason it can’t continue to work now.

by dropsies on Apr 25, 2009 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions

Putting Rudy in as a starter

Makes it much more difficult for Houston to shade Roy and Aldridge… thus harder to get a double to them as quickly. Plus Rudy will have wide open shots if they do. Those same shots Trout and Batume seem real reluctant to shoot or are shooting poorly

by Odenrising on Apr 25, 2009 4:22 PM PDT reply actions

Plus there is a reason

We appear to be more productive with Oden on the floor …he commands double teams. If only Roy and Oden had spent more time playing together in the regular season it would be more of an advantage now

by Odenrising on Apr 25, 2009 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd like to see this

Since Batum doesn’t have a role in the starting lineup right now, I’d like to see Outlaw start. I know he’s had a terrible series thus far, but Houston won’t be able to double off of him as readily as they do Batum, and it should hopefully prevent our starters from starting off slow every 1st and 3rd quarters.

I’d also like to see Sergio back in the lineup for about 5 minutes per half, and really try to push tempo during that time. We can bring Batum in around then as well and have him defend either Wafer or Landry, which gives him a purpose that he can succeed in. During this stretch (when Yao is out), we should look for break opportunities,

Starters:
Blake
Roy
Outlaw
LMA
Joel

late first/early 2nd lineup:
Sergio
Rudy
Batum
LMA
Oden

Mid 2nd lineup:
Sergio/Blake
Roy
Rudy
Outlaw
Oden/Pryz

Late 2nd lineup:
Blake
Roy
Rudy
Outlaw*
LMA