Game 43 Recap: Blazers 98, Sixers 90
by Dave on Jan 20, 2010 8:47 PM PST
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The Blazers get the monkey off their backs in a game filled with indifference, parlaying five minutes of solid effort per quarter into a road-trip saving win. Multiple Blazers fill in the gaps after Brandon Roy re-strains his hamstring late in the second quarter.
The Game Story
At first blush this game looked like it would be a recap of Monday's outing against the Wizards...a game the Blazers lost. Neither team had energy coming out of the gate. The early minutes were a mélange of disjointed offense, indifferent execution, ball-walking, and late-clock shooting by both teams. It was everything casual observers say they hate about NBA basketball. Around mid-quarter business started to pick up on each side as Andre Iguodala started attacking for Philly and LaMarcus Aldridge got interested for Portland. Aldridge made a concerted effort to get closer to the bucket before launching his turn-around and even scored in the lane. Neither star lit it up completely but in this game 5 points of any variety made a highlight reel. After Steve Blake made a buzzer-beating wrong-handed layup off of a desperation drive the Blazers led 22-21 at the horn.
The offensive "show" continued in the second quarter with the Blazers drowning their offensive woes in the usual way: reaching for the jumper. Unsurprisingly it didn't work. However there were a couple bright spots. The second unit brought energy on defense with Rudy Fernandez disrupting the passing lanes, Jerryd Bayless poking away steals, and Dante Cunningham playing better defense than he had a right to against the Philly big forwards. Bayless also gave Portland a little lift with a couple layups and Rudy did the same with 2 threes. When the smoke cleared (what little there was) the Blazers had a 25-21 quarter in hand and a 5-point lead at the half. Unfortunately with a minute left in the period Brandon Roy pulled up gimpy on a runner, clutching his strained hamstring. With 20 seconds to go he left the game and didn't return, putting pressure on the rest of the team to follow up on the lead.
Unfortunately Philadelphia seized control early in the third, pounding and rebounding their way into the lead. But just about the time they got ahead Andre Miller started taking over. He lost his man repeatedly and twisted to layups or short jumpers. Then he called on his Geezer Patrol buddy as a secondary outlet and Juwan Howard punished the Sixers for sagging in on Miller. When Andre hit a three with 4:58 left in the period to break Portland out of a tie you started to get the idea that this might work. Unfortunately the scoring dried up after that and the Blazers couldn't push their advantage beyond the 3-point lead that ‘Dre had given them. 26-24 Philly in the period, 71-68 overall. Whoever wanted this game was going to win it.
In the final period the Portland reserves proved they wanted it more, finally showing signs of life...the first for either team outside of the Miller and Iguodala outbursts earlier. The tempo picked up as Jerryd Bayless turned into a driving machine. Bayless would score 10 of the Blazers' first 14 points in the period, hitting only one true jumper in the process. Everything else was on the move going to the basket, mostly layups. Philadelphia got a point here and a point there but they never seemed able to take advantage of the defensive mismatched the Blazers left on the floor. Philly did scratch back though on the strength of Samuel Delambert denying the Blazers at the rim and their bigs providing good rebounding. Portland played a couple of possessions deep into the shot clock, neither successful, and Iguodala made as if to take over again, hitting a couple of shots. Now the lead was just 2, down from 6 after the Bayless flurry.
This time LaMarcus Aldridge saved Portland's bacon, getting a put-back off of a Bayless miss and cutting down the lane for a sweet and-one off of a beautiful Fernandez pass. With the converted free throw the Blazers were up 7 with 3:12 left. But Portland would not score from the field again in the game and Philadelphia brought out the heavy artillery with Iggy and Elton Brand. Between the two of them they cut the lead to 2 twice over and you began to wonder if we'd let another team hang too close in their home building. Fortunately the Blazers stayed aggressive on offense and drew 8 foul shots in the final 1:20. Miller shot 2, Aldridge 2, and Bayless 4...every one of them made. Meanwhile the Sixers looked confused on offense and never could get a decent shot off. A game that started lethargic but showed brief signs of life in the middle of several quarters appropriately ended with Portland's foul shots...points being scored while nobody on the floor was moving. It was hardly a work of art but the Blazers, sans Roy for half the game, come out with the 98-90 victory.
Two stats were key for Portland this evening. First they kept the boards even at 36-37. Second Philadelphia was only +6 in the paint. You have to credit the Blazer big men for the former and the penetrating guards for the latter. Everybody did a little bit and it ended up meaning a lot.
Also note that this kind of sloppy game would have had the Blazers staring at each other in consternation earlier in the season. Tonight they kept their noses to the grindstone and gutted it out. Winning ugly is still winning. The Blazers appear to have figured that out. That can take them a long way in this league.
Individual Observations
LaMarcus Aldridge started the offensive aggression when the Blazers were muddling through that first period. Even though he didn't sustain it he did activate whenever called upon, allowing the Portland offense to reset back to basics when needed (stemming the tide of jumpers). He also had 9 rebounds, a couple of the late (and therefore critical) ones truly hard-fought. I wasn't crazy about his close-out defense when the Philly forwards took jumpers but then again it's hard to close out hard and then get back for the rebound. He was really playing more of a Przybilla "D". I do get pretty happy when I see 4 assists because before this year passing wasn't in his portfolio. 23 points, 9 rebounds.
Andre Miller had another game where he wasn't going to let the team lose without a fight. He seemed to realize that the Sixers would have a hard time defending the dribble. He put his head down and went straight at them. Scoring towards the basket is his game and it worked tonight. 24 points on 8-17 shooting (and we needed them).
Jerryd Bayless played an impressive, controlled game complete with timely offensive fireworks. I liked the way he interpreted his role tonight: attack when he had the chance, don't force shots when he didn't, bother the heck out of the opponent when he's dribbling. Those are marketable NBA skills. Did I mention that this guy can finish a little bit? Bet you've never heard that before. 7-12 shooting, 4-4 from the line late, 18 points, 3 steals.
Juwan Howard knows what we need and when we need it. Yes, he played solid position defense against his counterparts. Yes, he helped make Philly have to work for the boards they got. Yes, he hit timely shots. No, he didn't do anything more than he needed to and was more than happy to just help out when other guys picked up the scoring. Yes, I like having this guy on the team right now. 8 points, 9 boards.
Rudy Fernandez had a couple of threes go in...the first ones that have looked relatively decent since he came back. Those were the only 2 shots of the 6 he took to go in but I'll take it at this point. He was bothersome on defense in a good way, picked up a steal, and had that sweet assist to LaMarcus. Not a spectacular game in 24 minutes but a decent one. 7 points overall.
Martell Webster must have been shooting from the Ames Room tonight because he went 1-9 for 2 points total. His other contributions weren't enough to keep him in the game either. 20 minutes and 2 rebounds.
Brandon Roy hit a couple of typical Brandon shots before he went down, notching 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists in 18 minutes. If his hamstring is tweaking like that don't expect him to play for a while.
Dante Cunningham had a really nice night in front of the home folks, playing 11 minutes, grabbing 5 rebounds, and busting chops out there. It's good to see his intensity back full-bore again. The key for him will be playing hard no matter what the clock reads and no matter when he's pulled.
Jeff Pendergraph got a couple of fouls in 11 minutes and Cunningham's play apparently didn't let him off the bench as much as usual to redeem himself.
Steve Blake had that nice drive at the end of the first but to my eyes he was over-dribbling a bit, as perhaps all of the point guards were. But Miller and Bayless make better things happen when they over-dribble than does Blake. Steve had 5 assists and 4 points in 22 minutes.
Final Thoughts
It's really, really good that the Blazers won this game. It takes away the specter of a disastrous road trip followed by a tough two-game homestand followed by another hard road trip. If Portland can win 1 of the next 2 they can call the trip good. Even if they don't they're still on solid ground if they play well at home next week. The real danger at the end of January is a mammoth slide. And it's quite possible. Perhaps winning this game stops the tiny snowball rolling from the top of the hill before it becomes an avalanche.
See the Philly take at LibertyBallers
See how everybody did in the Jersey Contest at the scoreboard page and enter Friday's game right here.
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
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Lol nice poll Dave
13 yr old straight out of Providence RI!!!!!!!!!!! 634 fo life!!! In p-town city right now and BR0Y is mvp fo sho
throw it into a trade for haywood
say, Rudy, Blake, Patty Mills and a second round pick for Brendan Haywood and a “w” the other night.
Preposterous, and unlikely.
First of all, I sincerely doubt that Washington would willingly logjam their backcourt more than it already is.
2nd, I’d much rather swap Miller for Haywood, if they’re that desperate for a new PG. Bayless or Blake can step up into the starting role, and be sufficient enough, without our decimating our bench.
With all the injuries that have accumalted in 2009, I think we need some Boomtho in 2010. Sign Me Some Rod Benson. Benson+Shavlik=Best Bench in the NBA.
Some notes
Free throws attempted for the season including the Philly game: Miller – 206
Bayless – 139
Blake – 28
Question. How many points is it worth to the Blazers for the other team to be in foul trouble? Is there a stat for that? Would one not want Miller out there just because someone else may be a marginally better outside shot? An and-one and the resulting foul on an opposing player is worth more than a 3 point bomb. Also, would it not make more sense for Bayless to be the first guard substitution?
Roy is 8th in the league in average minutes played. Roy seems to be the reason the Blazers have a slow tempo. Roy has hamstring probems. Any correlation? Why is Roy bringing the ball up the court in the first place?
Martell Webster has Allen Iverson guarding him. He should feast. Why isn’t the plan to post up Webster? Deference to Roy? McMillan’s first substitution is Blake for Webster. Blake is going to post up Iverson? The Blazers start the game off slowly and tentatively. This looks like a job for Bayless. Bayless likes to be agressive and drive to the hoop. McMillan’s first substitution? Blake for Webster. Blake is going to drive to the hoop? Planned? If this substitution pattern is to drive up trade value for Blake, well played.
Webster has several consecutive games of great play. Rudy comes back. Rudy starts to return to form. Webster’s minutes go down. Webster starts not playing well. Coincidence?
Roy goes out. Team adjusts. Correct lineup found. McMillan does okay with substitutions the rest of the way. Blazers win game.
Question. How many times would Miller go to the free throw line if he had Aldridge’s body? Answer. A lot.
Observation. The replays of the game on Comcast and ESPN are much better when the Blazers win the game.
Another observation. There is one thing from last year’s Blazers that I’d like to see and hear. The theme music. The auto-tune on this year’s Rip City theme is enough to make one want to generate a technicolor yawn. Also, I usually don’t turn on the game until I calculate that they’re actually going to start playing. I did today. Mistake. The group that plays the opening music – very not hip.
by rockman on Jan 20, 2010 9:07 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
Another observation. There is one thing from last year’s Blazers that I’d like to see and hear. The theme music. The auto-tune on this year’s Rip City theme is enough to make one want to generate a technicolor yawn.
*Spits beer through nose*
"I don't always read blogs regarding the Trail Blazers
...but when I do... I read Blazers Edge."
- resurrect_ha28
by FiveOhThree-RipCity!! on Jan 20, 2010 9:24 PM PST up reply actions
RE: Martell posting up
I agree to some extent, but I’m just not sure Martell has the handle to play post up basketball
ditto
I’ve never seen Webster (or Outlaw) play with his back to the basket…there’s something for he and Monty to work on…but Portland’s SFs tend to “do a Portland” in the corner
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Some answers
Question. How many points is it worth to the Blazers for the other team to be in foul trouble? Is there a stat for that? Would one not want Miller out there just because someone else may be a marginally better outside shot? An and-one and the resulting foul on an opposing player is worth more than a 3 point bomb. Also, would it not make more sense for Bayless to be the first guard substitution?
What exactly is the problem here? Miller started and played twice as many minutes as Blake. Why are we complaining when he played 39 of the 48 minutes? Do you want us to run him into the ground so we can get wear and tear injuries for Andre, too?
As to Bayless, perhaps you didn’t notice, but he’s had some pretty poor games recently. And even in this game, how many fouls did he draw compared to how many times he got snuffed on the drive or threw up a wild shot? A deep threat to spread the floor gives Andre more opportunity to drive and draw fouls. If the goal was drawing fouls, Bayless was a failure until the very end of the game. Fortunately, he was doing some other good things, like making shots, especially at the start of the fourth, so Nate went with him for the fourth quarter.
Martell Webster has Allen Iverson guarding him. He should feast. Why isn’t the plan to post up Webster? Deference to Roy? McMillan’s first substitution is Blake for Webster. Blake is going to post up Iverson? The Blazers start the game off slowly and tentatively. This looks like a job for Bayless. Bayless likes to be agressive and drive to the hoop. McMillan’s first substitution? Blake for Webster. Blake is going to drive to the hoop? Planned? If this substitution pattern is to drive up trade value for Blake, well played.
We posted Martell once or twice in this game, and he looked out of place and did not score. Martell is not a post player. It would be good for him to work on adding that to his game this summer, perhaps. When have you ever seen him in the post and look like he knew how to play that game?
Blake for Webster was because Martell wasn’t hitting any shots, and the idea was to get a 3 point threat going. When Blake came in, we closed the first quarter strong, with Steve getting two points on a drive to the hoop (that’s what you wanted, right?), two assists, and a rebound in less than five minutes of play. We trail at the end of the first if Martell stays in instead of Steve, we were +7 in that stretch and Blake was a big part of it. He had a +9 for the game, played better D than Jerryd, and led us with five assists. He disappeared in the second half, pretty much, but in the first half, and especially at the end of the first quarter, he played very well. It is ludicrous to criticize that substitution, it was highly effective.
Webster has several consecutive games of great play. Rudy comes back. Rudy starts to return to form. Webster’s minutes go down. Webster starts not playing well. Coincidence?
Webster’s minutes dropped because he was struggling, not the other way around. Martell was putting up shots, and they just weren’t dropping. 1-9 in 20 minutes. That doesn’t sound like we were going away from him, that sounds like he was told, “Take a seat, shake it off, we’ll try again next game.”
Roy goes out. Team adjusts. Correct lineup found. McMillan does okay with substitutions the rest of the way. Blazers win game.
So you wanted Blake to start the third quarter? Why object to his usage in the first quarter, then? I think you are all wrong here. Blake did just fine in the first, but Bayless should have started in the Roy role in the third, IMO. I can’t see why you object to Blake coming in in the first and playing very well, but are happy with his disappearance in the third. Of course, the threat of him hitting a 3 in the third may have had a lot to do with the Ancient Brigade (Andre and Juwan) finding openings.
Observation. The replays of the game on Comcast and ESPN are much better when the Blazers win the game.
LPBB, too. :)
#10 #25 #52 #88 -- #5 is back!
Webster’s minutes go down. Webster starts not playing well. Coincidence?
No, and I was afraid of this. (Martell going back “into a shell” when his minutes are reduced) If the pattern holds it should worsen when Batum returns. I don’t know if this means that dealing Webster now that his (post-injury) value is decent again should be done, but Marty’s up-and-(usually)-down play as a reserve should be a legitimate concern, going forward
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
You aren't Bob Whitsett, are you?
Because you are always quick on wanting to trade guys.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
In one respect at least, KP resembles Trader Bob
he’s shown a tendency to stockpile talent at certain positions, especially PG and SF, like when Whitsitt traded for Strickland and Schrempf and messed with the team’s chemistry?
Sure, the depth has come in handy during this year of excess injuries, but that’s about to change with the return of Batum. Once Roy is fully healthy the active roster will feature 8 perimeter players and 4 big men. That’s a Don Nelson special. I remember telling Bedgers last year “you can’t trade Webster while he’s hurt” because his value was low. Now he’s played pretty well and nobody wants to see him dealt…which is understandable because fans are fickle. But if an opposing team has scouted Martell and thinks he can be a rotation player and is willing to offer a big man for him in a deal next month, then it makes sense to listen to that offer.
I’m not saying “trade everybody” but dealing a wing player for a decent big man next month is just too obvious of a move. Batum is back, and I expect he’ll reclaim his starting SF job in a week or two…then how will Webster respond to fewer minutes? Will his shooting percentage tail off? Can he come off the bench and light a fire or does he need to play 3-4 minutes before he gets “warmed up”? These are decisions that will have to be made during the coming weeks or months
(Another factor is Outlaw. Is Portland considering resigning him this summer, and how will that affect Webster’s minutes next year?)
I want all of the players doing well, for the team’s sake but also for their individual trade value, in case the GM needs to “borrow” from his depth to shore up another area of the roster. The need is clear, what remains to be seen is which “excess” pieces KP will use in a deal…and until the deadline passes, I’ll continue to speculate about who might be on the move, based on his current play and his hypothetical role in the future
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
You don't think it is a different case to ...
… have a stockpile of talent through good drafting, verses having one due to a rich owner and a talent for making trades?
I can see a difference. If I’m a 3rd or 4th year player that has shown I can start or I’m a veteran with all-star credentials, and the GM brings in another “name” player at my position, I’m going to wonder about playing time and whether the team truly has confidence in me.
If I’m that same player and I show up in camp to find three young guys newly drafted that are fighting for a spot on the team and minutes, I have nothing to complain about. I know it is unreasonable to expect the team to give away draft picks. Drafting new players is what every team does. It’s my job to keep my position.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
both GMs had the same owner
and KP used PA’s money to get into position to make the draft day trades that led to acquiring most of his young talent
And of course rebuilding a team from scratch in 2005 was different that reloading a veteran team that’s expected to compete for a title, like during the 1999-2002 era.
KP will have to restructure his roster, he can’t keep ‘em all. Maybe you think he will, but I suspect if Portland eventually makes a trade you’ll be in favor of it, regardless
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I dunno, it's going to take more than one game
to convince me that Martell is going to see a big hit here. In the 4 games since Rudy’s been back, Webster’s played extremely well in three of them, and was only under 36 before this in the Bucks game where we were blowing them out. If that had been a close game I have no doubt he would have seen more time.
He wasn’t shooting well last night. It happens, he wasn’t going to stay on fire forever.
#52
can #23 stay "in a groove" when his minutes are reduced?
his history says “no” and long term he’ll be playing behind Batum
Some guys can be valuable role players when given limited PT on contending teams, others need to play starter’s minutes to remain effective. This season is a good time to find out who’s who?
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Great read.
LaMarcus often gets in this funk where his 2 man game losses any or all creativety. As though he’s reading from a manual.
He was trying for too many pick-n-pops when some of those should have been pick-n-rolls or pick-n-slips straight towards the hoop.
Mix it up a little bit LMA! ;)
Treat people well because Karma can hit you at any second.
Absolutely
I be the scouting report says as much. Don’t worry about any rolls to the hoop, roll or slip.
I think it’s half Lamarcus, half Roy, though. Since Roy rarely uses the pick, LMA just doesn’t know how to run it in all the classic ways. I think we need a P&R specialist to come in and drill LMA and our creators to death.
LaMarcus made one play that made me very happy
He got his defender slightly out of position in the low post, and he INITIATED CONTACT and drew the foul, making a three point play.
Invariably, LMA will shoot a fade-away jumper or come across the lane for a hook shot (slightly fading away), in that scenario.
If he will get that half step and initiate contact 2-3 times a game, he would be so much more effective.
#10 #25 #52 #88 -- #5 is back!
that offensive rebound and put-back of Bayless' miss (late) was also very good to see
Hopefully LMA’s ankles are closer to 100% and he’s being more physical as a result of being able to “trust” his lower-body leverage more
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
LaMarcus Aldridge 41 minutes 8-13 FGs 7-8 FTs 9 rebounds 4 assists 1 block 1 turnover 3 fouls +2
- and 23 points.
Playing out of position, with bad ankles, against Dalembert and Brand.
I’ll take it – Elgin
OK...so girls in movies where guys wear hockey masks have a better survival rate than the average Blazer player. - Dave
You're absolutely right Elgin, great #'s...
and he would have had 33 if he rolled straight down the open lane in the painted area on a few of those picks.
But he’ll have to improve his 2 man game if he wants to play in an All-star game someday. Although that’s LMA’s prerogative. I’m like you, content with those #’s and the win. ;)
Treat people well because Karma can hit you at any second.
But he’ll have to improve his 2 man game if he wants to play in an All-star game someday
LMA needs to make decisive plays in the 4th quarter of regular season games, then follow it up with a dominant playoff performance to make it on a future all-star team. The Philly game was a step in the right direction, but he needs to keep it up into April/May. I’m not as interested in stats from the 1st-3rd quarters
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
DO NOT TRADE DRE
I can’t say this loudly enough, we don’t win many games this year (this is simply the latest) without him.
"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely
Dre saving our bacon as usual
Hate to think where we would be without that guy and Juwan.
"I think he’s been doing some good things. I think he’s been doing some good things. He’s had to play a lot of minutes lately with Blake being out. I think he’s been doing some good things." -Nate McMillan
well, let's say his trade value has gone up lately
and ‘Dre shouldn’t be traded away for a 4 month center rental (Haywood)
but I’ll say it again…if a contending team loses their starting PG for the season during the next 3-4 weeks and they need a veteran replacement asap, then KP should make them pay dearly for Miller…especially if the deal makes sense for Portland both now and in the future.
Sell.
When.
High.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
With Roy out...
Why don’t we put in Rudy, instead of Bayless?
Rudy can space the floor much better, and it would allow Bayless to come off the bench, where I feel he’s been the best. Now, in the end game situation, he’ll probably be in. But, for the time being, I think we should give Rudy a chance at the starting spot, Miller doesn’t need a 2nd PG out there with him, whereas Blake sometimes does.
I just think it’d work out much better than Miller/Bayless and Blake/Rudy.
With all the injuries that have accumalted in 2009, I think we need some Boomtho in 2010. Sign Me Some Rod Benson. Benson+Shavlik=Best Bench in the NBA.
Bayless has earned it
Rudy is not even back from his injury. If Rudy started now, Bayless would explode.
by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 20, 2010 10:50 PM PST up reply actions
The starter thing is overrated,Rudy would be a better match up in some situations if Roy is out
If JB has a problem with that[I doubt it ] trade him
by southern oregon on Jan 21, 2010 12:10 AM PST up reply actions
silly discussion
you all forget who started the 2nd half at SG (hint…his name rhymes with Blake). This isn’t even about Bayless right now given McMillan still prefers Blake.
However, Rex did get some 4th quarter run as the 2-guard (and Rudy as the SF), which only makes the discussion even less relative.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2010 12:17 AM PST up reply actions
Blake only played 21 minutes
and he earned some time with a really nice first half performance.
#10 #25 #52 #88 -- #5 is back!
Inferno
It’s good to see his intensity back full-bore again.
I’ve never seen Dante take a play off, so I really don’t know what Dave’s talking about. A little nitpicky after a great postgame wrapup but this doesn’t make sense. Cunningham’s intensity hasn’t been full-bore lately? Very few players on the team as consistently intense as The Inferno.
Samuel Dalembert didn't have it easy even making it to the game
and despite all this he played very well.
OK...so girls in movies where guys wear hockey masks have a better survival rate than the average Blazer player. - Dave
imagine if he was traded to Portland
and wanted to get to Haiti…I don’t see Samuel’s future in red/black
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
If Portland and Philly were to agree to a trade ...
… there isn’t anything Dalembert could do about it.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
The Philly anouncers wouldn'tlet me forget it either.
Silver linings. Silver linings. Silver linings.
The guy who had the best game of his career wasn't even mentioned in the recap:
Mike Rice was brilliant. He had me in stitches the entire game. Dang, he can be funny.
No Roy maybe for a couple weeks? With him out, I can’t see us winning any more than 1/5 of our games. Playoffs in danger?
If this Blazer team doesn't light your fire, then your wood is wet!
If we're lucky, we get one more on this trip
and hopefully at least split the two home games next week, even without Brandon. If he’s not back, our chances of a win in either of our two games in Texas late next week are pretty low, then we come home for Charlotte (great at home, weak on the road), then go to Utah.
Chances are pretty good that the next two weeks would have four losses (at Boston, Houston, Dallas, Utah) even with Brandon. We might get one or even two of those if fortunate, but you wouldn’t want to bet on any of them. So the games where it really matters are the games you would expect to get with him but might struggle without home — at Detroit, and home games against N.O., Utah, and Charlotte. I like our chances of getting at least a couple of those, even without Brandon.
So even if Brandon is out two weeks, I think we may only drop a couple games that we would have had with him. Will that be enough to zap our playoff chances? It doesn’t help, but it shouldn’t kill us.
#10 #25 #52 #88 -- #5 is back!
Somebody needs to make a Mike Rice quotes blog
by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 21, 2010 9:06 AM PST up reply actions
Let me get it started
“He can do that.”
Actually I think word has gotten back to Rice on that particularly overused comment. I now notice he is mixing in some stats to back up his “He can do that line” whereas before he would use it whenever the obvious happened, essentially dumbing down the audience.
"In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him."
I thought the playoffs were going to be in danger during the 2nd half of December
and I learned my lesson, don’t bet against these guys
but if they do stumble with Brandon out during this next rough patch of the schedule, it could make KP’s decision “easier” at the deadline
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Out-executing a team in the final minutes ftw
Nice to be on the correct end of it this time :)
The Leeroy Rule: being insistent >>>> being correct
hey riddle me this: why can miller and LMA play off of each other but Roy and LMA rarely do?
The Leeroy Rule: being insistent >>>> being correct
by leeroyjenkins on Jan 21, 2010 7:42 AM PST up reply actions
What in the world?
Not sure who you’ve been watching for the past 2 years, but Roy and LMA play off each other frequently and effectively. In fact, Roy is pretty adamant about the team needing LMA to score, and he looks for LMA a LOT.
I’m actually expecting your response to this reply to be something to the effect of “that post was sarcastic”. If that’s the case, my bad. If not….
wow.
@ the game
i sat right behind the blazers bench last night and the most enlightening event was, during a timeout, aldridge turned his head and seemed to be staring right at me for about 10-15 seconds, i turned my head to see if he might be looking at something else and, well he was checking out this major hottie sitting behind and to my left. after a few more seconds she realized it and said oh my. i’ve been an la supporter but it is really obvious the guy is tuning out a lot. it’d be great to see what he could do if he cranked it up and focused.
by doomsdaymachine on Jan 21, 2010 8:29 AM PST reply actions
I would not trust any male who didn't notice and "check out" an attractive female.
A partial exception for gay men – partial in the sense that I’m not sutre I’d trust them if they didn’t want to check out some hot guy.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
fire nate!
i dunno, just hasn’t been said in awhile
The Leeroy Rule: being insistent >>>> being correct
I look at Aldridge
as the(so called) x factor in almost every game the Blazers play. He sometimes disappears , but I wonder if the “spread the court” system isn’t somewhat responsible for that. Too often the Blazers become spectators when Roy takes over. They are instantly in a supporting role, and IMO lose their aggressiveness.
You would have to say that the power forward position in the NBA has almost gone away, and more athletic and complete players have dominated this position over the years. IMO this leaves LMA “in between” some, because Portland does not run an up-tempo style game that would take better advantage of his skills. Instead, he gets knocked for no inside game and lack of toughness. In the past, Portland’s system has been the most responsible for LMA’s development in these areas. In other words, I truly think this guy has got what it takes. We have seen glimpses of this, so it is there.?
(IMO) The next level is LMA, and his role with this team. His supporting cast could be Batum and Rudy and the more aggressive up-tempo game.
Agreed
I think I have figured out the whole Lamarcus “soft” thing.
The guy is not strong enough to back down most PF’s in the NBA. He can get close, but he doesnt have the “Oden” beast ability or the low post moves like an Al Jefferson or Tim Duncan type.
So the players that LMA compares most to are the skinnier PF’s like KG, Amare, Chris Bosh, etc. But they arent labeled soft, so why is LMA?? The reason is because those guys can get to the rim in ways other than backing down their man. Bosh, KG, and Amare all have excellent face-up and dribble games that allow them to do One crossover dribble and jump-stop to the rim. And in case you havent noticed, LMA is a horrific ball-handler.
If LMA could handle the ball, he could use his athletecism to dribble and get to the rim and thus draw more fouls and get more easy buckets. But until he learns to dribble and handle the ball better, he will be relegated to his fadeaway jumpers and spot up jumpers that give him the ‘soft’ label.
Ball handling and dribbling are my strongest weaknesses."—David Thompson
by Benson on Jan 21, 2010 11:47 AM PST up reply actions 3 recs
Excellent post
The other thing would be if we did more to get him to the rim, by A) running more, taking advantage of his blazing speed for a big man and B) run the pick and roll and hit him on the roll, so he’s getting it on his way to the hoop without having to put the ball on the floor.
#10 #25 #52 #88 -- #5 is back!
Last night I also noticed
One time he was running the floor and posted up in the lane right in front of the rim. I was ecstatic. That’s a good way to get points in the paint—pin your guy down inside the lane before the defense gets set.
Then, it’s a matter of the guards finding him. Last night, they did (can’t remember who it was), and he was fouled before he could go up—but an excellent play overall.
Yes
it was the same feeling I had. Thinking how he could be effective at his present skill level.
Sometimes you have liabilities that are difficult to correct. He had only 1 year of college and was probably working on refinement as opposed to addition. So unless a coach or possibly another veteran player takes notice and brings it to the forefront, it may never get the attention( to possibly work on it.) IMO Dribbling and ball handling is not only a tough, but also a less natural skill, for a big man. In some peoples eyes,( mine included) they become a liability in an open court game.
So, yes, I would tend to look at more feasible ways to get LMA closer to the hoop.
Definitely deseves a rec.
Good analysis.
If this Blazer team doesn't light your fire, then your wood is wet!
Not to quibble ...
… but I remember KG being labelled as soft. A constant criticism was that he disappeared in the 4th quarter of tight games and in the playoffs.
Not saying it was justified criticism. Just that you heard it a lot.
Clarence, It's better to have a gun and not need it, then need a gun and not have it.
I look at LMA
as a diamond in the rough. Maybe not the prettiest one in the drawer, but plenty of upside value. He has a shot that is almost undefendable and has demonstrated he can finish with the best around the hoop. I think the “soft” label is a spin-off from not being at the hoop much. However,(IMO) no one should expect him to “dribble” his way in there. The offense already dribbles too much as is.
Portland’s offense is primarily half-court & spot up shooting. It works OK for the players they have, but often leaves LMA ,( should I say), on the outside looking in. We simply do not have the cutting/slashing uptempo approach that could possibly get him around the hoop more.
excellent observation
Yes LMA can’t handle the ball too well. These skills usually get learned at a young age,maybe on the playground (one on one play).
When they face up and decide to put the ball on the floor, it is a full commitment to one on one. (is their head up?) 3 results can occur 1. score 2.miss 3. turnover/stop.
The same results for LMA’s outside shot except it’s labeled as a soft approach.( it also leaves him out of position for an offensive rebound, another soft tag)
I would think that these 3 players you mentioned, (very good players with great skills), are “go to” one on one players (if needed). However keeping the defense “on their heels” is important to their success and contributes to their effectiveness. in other words, without “teammates” who are a threat to score, the defense can double-team, rotate and effectively cut off individual play.
I guess it looks like I’m drilling holes in this a little, but it would not be my intention. You have a great answer for the “soft” tag.
My problem is, the side note of, what can LMA do to get to the rim? IMO it is not feasible that he can learn one on one skills at this present time…or at least not good enough to make it a tool of his trade.
Boston and Phoenix are great (offensive) transition teams. Faster, more athletic front court players thrive in this environment. I’m not sure about Toronto because I haven’t seen them play much lately. I believe that their teammates compliment their play and thus increase their effectiveness.
In short, I think LMA could still have a presence at the rim, without having to rely on dribbling to get there. Pick and roll, cut/slash, lob, running the floor, offensive rebounds,etc. So because of our commitment to the half-court game and Roy doing the one on one stuff, LMA is relegated to a more supporting role.
IMO this team would benefit a great deal from a big man coach who could help these young players with some aspects of the game. Nate has plenty to do and another pair of eyes on these positions would be helpful. Lucas was a great power forward, but after he took off the uniform, he was just another nice guy.
I’m bias old school (my coach hated dribbling and use to tell me, that if you can’t dribble with your head up, don’t.) Big men usually dribble with their head down. Given the extra distance the ball travels out of their field of view. Of course there are many exceptions, so this probably holds less water in today’s game. I have noticed that Amare has his head down(in traffic), though.
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