2 things prithard has learned from the playoffs

by RoysOurBoy on Apr 26, 2009 2:31 PM PDT Comment 38 comments

I truly believe that once the playoffs start, the cream rises to the top, and any and every flaw a team has is exposed. Taking that into consideration, there are 2 things that I have learned and I believe Kevin Pritchard is going to take into consideration this summer. Number one is the problem with the logjam at small forward. With Martell out, this was Travis' year to shine and show why we have kept him around. While statistically he has had his most impressive year (offensively) he had high expectations going into the playoffs and is definitely a huge factor for us. Unfortunately he has not shown up AT ALL and is a huge defensive liability. At least with Batum you know you are getting defense. I believe that Travis has sealed his fate with this extremely sub par playoff performance.

Secondly, I have learned that Steve blake can't. I know that is music to his ears, but it is true. I remember watching him turn the ball over with Denver at a crucial moment in the playoffs! All this talk about him being clutch, but how anti clutch has he been as well? I am not saying he needs to go, but simply needs to be a nice reserve. How many times did he choke this year and blow/ almost blow games? I almost cringe when he goes to the line in late game situations. I love the guy and i know he is tough, but he IS NOT our starting PG and we need a significant upgrade. I mean frickin AARON BROOKS looks like chris paul against the guy. It is sad but true.

I truly love both of these players and it would hurt more to watch travis go than it was Jarret Jack, but unfortunately I really think it is gonna happen unless he drops 30 tonight. I just worry how Brandon will take it considering they are best friends. I know how many times travis and blake have helped us this REGULAR SEASON. But this is when it matters and they have not only not stepped up, but completely shriveled under pressure. Feedback?

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Awesome. Another fanpost about Blake and Outlaw's play <---- Thick sarcasm

http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/4/25/853123/reminder-on-sidebar-use

Yes, Trout has been sucking it up. Noted. We’ll see if he can turn it around. I hope so. Still, he was great for us this season, and he won some games.

Blake has been doing great. I’m becoming more convinced that lots of people here either don’t watch the Blazers play, or they just don’t understand the game. I think it’s a combination, with a lot of people jumping on a bandwagon.

“Hey, I read that Blake sucked in game 3. And I even saw him miss a shot!”

“Did you see him play? He was great. 6/11 fg, 4/7 3pt, 10 dimes, 2 to, 1 foul”

“What does that stuff mean? I heard he sucked. And he missed a shot. Did you hear me? He missed a shot!!!”

2 hot 2 stop it

by dan_the_man on Apr 26, 2009 2:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

quoting the box score

is not the best way to show that only a nuanced viewing would explain Blake’s greatness. Game 3 was not a great game for Blake. The main reason Brooks’ stats weren’t so hot is because our gameplan was once he beat Steve, which he did whenever he wanted, LMA would rotate over to cover for him. This left Scola and Landry open. If you want to measure Steve’s defense check Scola’s and Landry’s stats, not Brooks’.

Steve failed to move the ball and create opportunities on offense for most of the game, this led to terrible stagnation in our offense in the 1st half. and parts of the 2nd. As a PG this is his number one job and it wasn’t happening. Did he lose the game for us? No, that was a team effort. Did he play well? No.

"We have a different style, a European style," he says adjusting his jacket for emphasis. "They know it's cool.''

by sergioFTW on Apr 26, 2009 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Dang

Perfect analysis. I would think we had the same basketball mind, but your name would have to be sarcastic, as my other name would be BaylessFTW

by lurtsman on Apr 26, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let us discuss

While statistically he has had his most impressive year (offensively)

No he hasn’t, his numbers are actually slightly worse than last year.
I do agree that Outlaw has hurt his stock.

I remember watching him turn the ball over with Denver at a crucial moment in the playoffs!
Yeah, Roy has never made a bad play in the clutch. (LOL 76ers game.) Blake has a 7;1 assist/turnover ratio in the playoffs. His shot has been off 2/3 games, but no worse than Roy’s 4/16 outing of LMA’s 4/12 outing.

I mean frickin AARON BROOKS looks like chris paul against the guy. It is sad but true.
No he hasn’t, if you bothered to read other posts you’d notice this. Brooks had 13 points in Game 2 when the game mattered, not bad, but not back breaking. Brooks only scored 7 or 9 on Blake in game 1, I forget which. Brooks didn’t show up in game 3. Nice try though.

In conclusion: Although you have a valid thesis of upgrading Blake and Outlaw, your evidence does not help prove your point. Much of it is actually wrong.

All your post does is mention that we should package PG/Outlaw/Picks/Cash for a better PG if we can get one and a true backup PF.

Thank you for taking up a Fanpost spot though.

by Zaig on Apr 26, 2009 2:46 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

I agree with you on blake

but I would have picked any other game than the sixers as the example when trying to defend blake, he got beat repeatedly by miller that nite…

Goodbye Deke. The NBA will miss Mt. Mutombo

Support families in crisis in Portland www.give10tell10.org

by PDXBuckeye on Apr 26, 2009 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huh? I wasn't defend Blake in the 76ers game

I was saying that even Roy occasionally makes ONE bonehead play to screw a game up for us,

by Zaig on Apr 26, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i know you weren't defending blakes 76er game

but using the example of roy missing the clutch shot in that particular game does not help blake as was your intention.

Goodbye Deke. The NBA will miss Mt. Mutombo

Support families in crisis in Portland www.give10tell10.org

by PDXBuckeye on Apr 26, 2009 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

what Blake did in the game is irrelevant to Zaig's point that Roy makes mistakes in clutch situations as well

by trailblazersfan on Apr 26, 2009 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I get that part

I am just saying that the Blake detractors often point to that very game as the problem…

Goodbye Deke. The NBA will miss Mt. Mutombo

Support families in crisis in Portland www.give10tell10.org

by PDXBuckeye on Apr 26, 2009 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

stats don't tell the whole story

it is impossible to deny that every time brooks wants to drive past steve, he does it. and not only does it, but does it without any real hesitation or sidestepping. it is wrecking havoc with our defensive rotations, and while it won’t always show up on the box score it is seriously affecting our ability to win this series.

by bluthbanana on Apr 26, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He does it without any real hesitation or side stepping

Get real. You’re not even watching the game apparently.

by Zaig on Apr 26, 2009 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude: way off base on Blake....

unrec

It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla

by RenoBlazerFan on Apr 26, 2009 2:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

we have yet to even play half the games

in this series alone if it goes to 7 which atmospherics indicate is likely…

making career changing decisions based on what could be only 43% of the work output seems a bit unfair.

I guess what i am saying is there is potentially a lot of ball to be played yet…

let’s try to support the team we have and save the other stuff for later…

i know this is usually draft and trade talk time on our calendar, but things have changed, we are still actually playing ball on the hardwood right now…

Goodbye Deke. The NBA will miss Mt. Mutombo

Support families in crisis in Portland www.give10tell10.org

by PDXBuckeye on Apr 26, 2009 2:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So you guys are saying

That travis should stay over martell and batum and Blake is our starter? Get the outta here with that garbage

Smile, you're on a poster!

by RoysOurBoy on Apr 26, 2009 3:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This post is garbage, dude

by roynfernandez on Apr 26, 2009 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

let's make the ultimate judgment on Travis Outlaw on 3 games when he is matched up against a Defensive Player of the Year candidate

by trailblazersfan on Apr 26, 2009 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have not done that...

I judge his performance based on his lack of skills and hustle, outside of shooting the basketball for the last 2 years. All of us who know this about Outlaw knew this would happen when the microscope and legit D on him.

He has nothing to fall back on. Not even hustle.

"Both Anthony Carter and Jameer Nelson were downright jubilant in the Magic locker room postgame. Carter said to no one in particular, "Brandon Roy, that man is unstoppable, it's like he's playing NBA Live" and Nelson was cracking on his teammates for not being able to guard Brandon. The kinds of jokes you can make when you win."

by loyal_blazer on Apr 26, 2009 5:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

are you RoysOurBoy?

by trailblazersfan on Apr 26, 2009 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who is Prithard?

by Zaig on Apr 26, 2009 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can we get this post deleted?

Since it post number 17 in the series of “kneejerk get rid of Trout/Blake”.

We went like this, he went like that. I say to Hollywood: Where'd he go? Hollywood says: where'd who go?

by Black84GTI on Apr 26, 2009 3:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think there are a number of us who feel this way.

It is also not knee jerk.

Hmm….let’s ban a common opinion!

by loyal_blazer on Apr 26, 2009 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can tell you two things that KP has learned in this series...

1. His young players have absolutely met any expectation that existed from the beginning of this series. Despite what some people are saying, this team is really trying to win against a bad match up. This is really the only team that consistently plagues us like this except for maybe Dallas, and there is no reason to demand trades based on one playoff series.

2. KP cannot rely on some of these fair weather fans who blast their own team in the heat of a very difficult series without actually watching any of the game.

Give me a break.

by OnSinkingGround on Apr 26, 2009 3:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

These fans are not fair-weather.

Because if there are so many irrational players protecting these particular players when things are going bad, imagine the response when things are going good.

The rest of us know it’s only a matter of time a certain player sinks the ship.

Also these guys are doing great outside of horrible line-ups from McMillan. They have a chance in this series and it really depends on him making the right calls on who is in and how long.

by loyal_blazer on Apr 26, 2009 5:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Twitter KP

He is in desperate need of your expert advice

by southern oregon on Apr 26, 2009 3:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Intelligent post, this is not.

by Susheel Ramasahayam on Apr 26, 2009 3:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

not another steve blake hate post...

again, we have made an amazing run this year with Steve Blake running the PG position with limited backup. He’s performed to the top of his ability. Without Blake we wouldn’t be where we are today. There are better players in the league but Steve doesn’t deserve one bit of hate.

by SteveBlakeFan on Apr 26, 2009 4:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed,

one bad shot when Brandon is fouled out and no one else on the floor was in the groove (why did you take Rudy out of the GAME!). Brandon if he was in might have taken an open three also but we wouldn’t be banging on him.

by lethaldose on Apr 26, 2009 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

McMillan is not making the right line-up calls through the game.

I hope he catches on soon.

I don’t hate Blake, I just think he is out of place in this series. He did have good numbers last game, but the real Magic lies when Brandon runs the point. Thats what makes the team almost undefendable. Watch the team go on a run when he starts handling the rock. On the flip side of that Blake doesn’t do us a whole lot of good to be our SG when Roy is handling the rock. Sure he can spot up but can he defend?

The Rockets got two SF’s out there at once… we should surely up BRoy’s PG minutes, put Batum in to gaurd Brooks for longer stretches….that should help significantly.

by loyal_blazer on Apr 26, 2009 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no one is hating

He’s a great PG, but not a playoff starter that is going to be the floor general to win that chip for you bro. He’s a backup PG and that’s not hating. It is what it is.

by NKing on Apr 26, 2009 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

if we want to be serious contenders, look at the top 9 west teams point guards:

derek fisher
chauncey billups
tony parker
steve blake
aaron brooks
jason kidd
chris paul
deron williams
steve nash

now honestly, who doesnt fit?

- Sam

by RipCitySam on Apr 26, 2009 4:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

derek fisher doesnt fit either and the L*kers are by far the best team in the west

by trailblazersfan on Apr 26, 2009 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Derek Fisher

Aaron Brooks hasn’t had a great year either, he’s just had a couple of good games.

by Zaig on Apr 26, 2009 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Best 3 teams in the west have the worst 3 pgs on this list

by trailblazersfan on Apr 26, 2009 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And guess what: Morey and KP are considered to be among the smartest GMs. And neither is exactly scrambling to upgrade

That stop and go by Roy is straight sick. I'm calling him "The Flu" from now on. - Wendell Maxey

by Norsktroll on Apr 26, 2009 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BRoy w/ 30 minutes a night at PG on O would fit in the list nicely.

by loyal_blazer on Apr 26, 2009 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

FINALLY...

I’ve been saying this all year and I think honestly that some fans are just in straight denial. WE NEED A VETERAN POINT GUARD. Sure Blake has his moments and can be solid, but why settle for a decent point guard? He’s a great backup point guard. Sergio is off the team this year, he’s a liability, small, and doesn’t play defense. The jam at the 3 is a good problem. When you have too much talent I’ll take that, but it’s clear that the Blazers lack talent at the PG. You have Blake a decent PG who would be awsome off the bench, Sergio is not good, and Bayless is an unatural PG who is a Rookie. KP is seeing this and will address it soon. As for Blazer fans who support the current PG situation, take notes this playoffs it’s been awhile for you guys. Do you want to settle with a decent PG because you really like him and he is a good person or do you want to UPGRADE? This team is young and loaded with talent but just like any team, players get better, some don’t, some peak at their potential and get left in the dust. The NBA is a business you can’t get sentimental about players if you want to win a championship. We have our core and now we need to put the CORRECT pieces around them, steve blake and SERGIO are not the pieces.

by NKing on Apr 26, 2009 4:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I am not as down on Blake....

but, I do believe many fans are in denial…or just not experienced enough to see quite a bit of things. I love Blake as a backup.

As far as TO, I have been saying all year what you see here. These guys see someone who can make a shot and that’s it— the rest of the horrid play everywhere else is not in their vision. Wake up people!

by loyal_blazer on Apr 26, 2009 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs