Game 59 Preview: Blazers vs. Nets
by Dave on Feb 22, 2010 11:12 PM PST
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PrintGame Time: 4:30 p.m. TV: Comcast
Charlotte, Chicago, New York, L.A., Charlotte again.
The itinerary for the Riverdance 15th Anniversary Farewell Tour?
Guess again. Those are the teams the New Jersey Nets have beaten this year. And not in a "They beat the Knicks three times" kind of way either. That's the complete list of the five games the Nets have won this season. (The "L.A." stands for Clippers, in case there was any doubt.) How bad is that? Take your pick:
1. It threatens an NBA record for futility pretty much regarded as unassailable, the 9-73 performance of the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76'ers.
2. Second-year center Brook Lopez won more games in two years at Stanford than he has (or will) in two years with the Nets.
We're talking historically bad here.
But that's what you get when you marry the worst offensive efficiency in the league with a slow pace and throw in the 28th best defensive efficiency on top of it. Oh, and you can't rebound, you turn the ball over, you can't shoot from any range outside of Lopez', you don't score on the break, you don't score in the paint, you allow opponents to run on you whenever they want...I could go on. I've searched high and low for something positive to say about the Nets as a team. They shoot a mean free throw. That's it. If you can avoid sending them to the line 100 times in a game you have a good chance to win. I'm not exaggerating.
The Nets do have individual talent. We've mentioned center Brook Lopez twice now. He's the great (only?) hope for the future. He's tough, has a nice offensive game, draws a lot of fouls, and rebounds decently. Even admitting he doesn't have a ton to work with, Devin Harris is having a poor season. His shooting percentages are in the toilet. He draws enough fouls to keep his scoring average up and his 6.7 assists per game deserve a standing ovation on a team that can't hit a shot. The rest of the team bundled together shouldn't cause you any worry if you're playing right.
Playing right is going to be the challenge for the Blazers tonight. They have to put the Utah game out of their heads completely and realize that they have no margin for error in games like this. If they want to make the playoffs they're going to have to win road games against teams behind them in the standings. This game qualifies. If the Blazers come out dispirited and uncoordinated they can still lose. When teams get the bit in their mouth they tend to run away with games. Almost every player on that miserable New Jersey roster has had at least one or two superstar-level outings in their career. Don't let them remember that tonight, let alone reenact it, and you should come away victorious. If you lose this game and make it onto the 2009-10 Nets Opponent Wall of Shame woe be unto you.
Normally I link you to the SBN blog representing Portland's opponent but--surprise, surprise--the Nets still don't have one. With that winning percentage I doubt they'll be developing fine grassroots writing soon. Perhaps somebody will start WelcomeJohnWall.com? Entertain yourself with other suggestions in the meantime.
Update: The good folks from NetsDaily inform us that they're on the way into the fold. You can check them out. Please, no trolling. They've suffered enough this season, eh?
Enter tonight's Jersey Contest form here.
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
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Actually
But that’s what you get when you marry the worst offensive efficiency in the league with a slow pace and throw in the 28th best defensive efficiency on top of it.
For a team with horrible offensive and defensive efficiency, the best possible style for them to play is slow. The less possessions in the game the better their chances of winning.
That’s also why it’s such a horrible thing for us to keep a slow pace versus teams we’re clearly better than. Our slow pace could also be looked at as a reason we’re so inconsistent. The less possessions the bigger the variance from what should occur often and would shouldn’t. We’ve lost a lot of games we should’ve won, and likewise have won a lot we should’ve lost.
by as11osu on Feb 23, 2010 1:17 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
yes, but
if the Blazers play a fast-paced game and turn it over 25 times instead of 10 = same difference
they need to be more aggressive on offense, regardless of the pace
I expect a game tonight like the Clipper game last week
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
That's not really how that works
Efficiency is measures in points per possession, so turnovers are already factored in. What we would have to look at is defensive efficiency, where we are lacking. Our offensive efficiency is 8th in the league but our defensive efficiency is 16th. So the slow play both helps our mediocre defense and hinders our strong offense.
game played at Blazer's pace = low turnovers
result = much like the Clippers game last week
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Don't you think
a lot of the Blazers’ offensive efficiency is their patience with the basketball?
" It was as if the Suns hatched a fiendish plot to ruin John Wayne's movie career by casting him as a cowboy." - Dave 2/10/2010
Yes and no
I think we play so much on one side of the pace that we don’t get the easy shots we’d get if we ran more, and often we’re battling the shot clock making the efficiency worse. Overall I think the efficiency discussion isn’t important in the overall scheme of things especially if you’re able to increase the number of possessions enough to beat teams you’re clearly better than.
I'm in agreement
As it is, I think our patience is our downfall. We simply aren’t utilizing the talent we have. With the hypothetical caveat that if we had all of our players healthy (especially Brandon and Oden), and the team playing as a team, then controlling the pace could certainly work. When Greg is healthy his defensive dominance controls the pace of the opposition. Plus he attracts offensive boards mercury (the element, if you’ve ever broken an old-time thermometer).
Clearly a slow pace plays to Brandon’s strengths, but he can’t do it alone. Ideally Marcus Camby will fill the hole. The alternative, and my preference, is to run (literally, run) the offense in front of/in spite of Brandon, and use him situationally — as one of our top options in general situations and as our primary weapon when we really want to slow the game down.
I think our depth is an added reason to run
whether we have Oden in there or not.
Quite of few of the less talented teams just don’t have the depth to run with us for a full game. This is among the biggest reasons Nate just isn’t equipped to get the most out of this team.
made baskets
we went 3 makes against 21 misses in possessions of 20 seconds or more in the Utah game the other night. The later in the clock we go the worse our chances…
"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man
a blazer win would be nice!
loveisrespect
by portlandgiirl91 on Feb 23, 2010 1:26 AM PST reply actions
I dare not think about a loss
I think that would be, officially, the 3 worst Blazer games ever. 20 point loss, followed by giving up a 25 point lead, followed by losing to the team on pace to have the worst 82 game season ever.
It’s okay, though. The Blazers are going to win. They’re going to take out many, many games worth of frustration out on the hapless Nets.
"In Batum's case he must realize he is very likely the first Blazer to successfully fight over a pick all season..."
-Ben
I think this was the worst 2 game stretch since the 21 win season
The combination of a blowout loss where they didn’t show energy and giving away a 25 point lead has been hard to stomach. If they had just lost but still looked good I don’t know if there would have been a poll if they’re a playoff team yesterday. I also think they’ll take out frustration and even if they get up by 25 they’ll keep their foot on the gas.
"Maybe we can't stroll to the music of the lute. We must march to the sound of drums." -Captain Kirk
by terryisntbald on Feb 23, 2010 3:43 PM PST up reply actions
If Rudy feels frustrated and he looked to be having a good time last game
He should have a talk with Brook,I am sure he knows something about frustration
by southern oregon on Feb 23, 2010 1:43 AM PST reply actions
This should be one of those games you watch for a good thrashing
No suspense, lots of highlight reel plays, and a chance to see Patty Mills. But the way things are, just win, guys.
by Epimenides on Feb 23, 2010 2:38 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Opps!!
When you were describing the Nets, I thought you were describing the Trailblazers and the marriage between the Trailblazers and the Nets LOL.
I hope we don’t exhale too quickly from the last two games.
There is no reason for us to lose, and I hope the Trailblazers doesn’t find a way to lose like they did against Utah.
hg
Jersey Contest-- What Gives?
Which Blazer scores the final points of the game?
No Patty Mills option? I expect garbage time in this game.
Like what you like, enjoy what you enjoy,
don't be afraid to make slurping sounds,
and don't take crap from anybody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae-5q8MaSSU
Please, please don't take this one lightly
Put the hammer down from the start and never let up.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
I want to see a close game
I don’t know why, but I do. Honestly.
" It was as if the Suns hatched a fiendish plot to ruin John Wayne's movie career by casting him as a cowboy." - Dave 2/10/2010
I don't want key players
to have to play 40+ minutes. We have to play the next night.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
we wont win too many games
with 10 point quarters
I think if the Blazers were mad about Boston...
They’ll be pis—i mean, DISGRUNTLED with the Utah game.
Those poor Nets. Those poor, sorry Nets. Portland’s going to take out blowing a 25 point lead and losing by 20 on them tonight.
Brandon Roy - The Savior Of Portland Basketball
by rise_stand_resist on Feb 23, 2010 8:33 AM PST reply actions
Wheels said Juwan called a players-only meeting after practice, yesterday
that usually means “the hurt will be on” for the Blazer’s next opponent
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Brandon gets 30. Blazers win. Period.
I'm just not crazy about player nick names...
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Feb 23, 2010 9:09 AM PST reply actions
That would be disappointing
I admittedly have nothing to back this up but when I read “Brandon gets 30” I got a bad feeling. I’d prefer to see him get under 20 or more like 40.
I guess if I had to explain, it’s that the team just isn’t performing well when they need guys to step up in support of Brandon. What with controlling the tempo to his liking, isos and what not, we’re just not getting enough guys into the flow. So if Roy wants to take control of the game it’s all on him (score 40+, or else approach a triple double). Alternatively, get 15-20 from four or five of the other guys in line.
agreed
for a while earlier this season, whenever Brandon got 30, the team lost, for just the reasons you note.
If all possible
It would be nice to see plays made for SF and the center. why should LMA and BRoy hog it all if they are not hitting. Batum would be so much better with actual plays drawn up. Camby could at least put defensive pressure on Lopez.
hg
Batum needs to get minutes
I’m always for more Batum, but you never know when he’ll get 10-15 minutes. I’d like to see pick n roll with Camby since he can hit jumpers and it’d get Lopez (their best/only option on offense) moving around and playing D.
"Maybe we can't stroll to the music of the lute. We must march to the sound of drums." -Captain Kirk
by terryisntbald on Feb 23, 2010 3:47 PM PST up reply actions
if this was last seasons Blazers,
we would thrash the nets by 40-45, like we did to the pathetic bulls. but its the 09-10 Blazers, who you cant know what to expect from, so please just win……preferrably by at least 10
We're Here
“Normally I link you to the SBN blog representing Portland’s opponent but—surprise, surprise—the Nets still don’t have one. With that winning percentage I doubt they’ll be developing fine grassroots writing soon. Perhaps somebody will start WelcomeJohnWall.com?”
http://www.netsdaily.com/
Been around since 2004 and joined SB Nation a couple of months ago. Just waiting on transfer to the platform.
NetsDaily.com
The most comprehensive source for New Jersey Nets news on the web.
Looks like a pretty nice site
for such a depressing season.
I still think you get to at least 9, I just hope one of them isn’t tonight.
Give Blake the MLE in 2010!
Farewell to #2 and #25, good luck to you!
#7 #10 #52 -- #5 & #88 are back!
A loss tonight would be totally unacceptable
You can pretty much stick a fork in your playoff hopes if you can’t beat NJ when you need to.
by Theghostofsomeonefamous on Feb 23, 2010 3:11 PM PST reply actions
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