Things to work on in the Off-Season

by JasonT on Apr 29, 2011 5:33 PM PDT

Nate: See how great coaches make defensive adjustments during the playoffs. Specifically, watch how the Lakers defend the Mavericks and learn. Grow a set and fine or bench your players when they make bad defensive switches.

LaMarcus: Continue to build strength so that you can bang down low. Get better with that left hand and overall dribble drive skills so that you have more moves than that the running right hook and the turn-around fade-away. Shoot free throws while someone is aiming a flamethrower at you...you can't miss anymore clutch free throws. I don't know how you do it, but develop a killer instinct. You should come out next season with a serious chip on your shoulder and ready to destroy all competition.

Brandon: Work on your confidence and take care of your knees.

Miller: Work on your jump shot

Wesley: Work on your handle and court vision. Get your 3 point shot more consistent.

Camby: Do whatever you can to take care of your body.

Rudy: Learn how to pack efficiently

Wallace: Keep working on that 3 pointer. Learn a go to back to the basket post move.

Batum: Put on some muscle so you can play more physical. Work on your handle, dribble drive and back to the basket post move. Like LaMarcus develop a killer instinct or start taking Ritalin. Your energy or attention seem to often fade in games.

C.Johnson: Put on some muscle. Learn a go to offensive move.

Patty: Learn how to pack efficiently

Armon: Work on your jump shot and handle

Luke: Whatever

Elliot: Just get healthy.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I will be happy if I can go the off season without reading about how Greg has again injured his knee and I should be patient.

With Russ Humberston, you can't miss.

by BlazerBlazerBlazerBlazer on Apr 29, 2011 9:39 PM PDT reply actions

Big Nate

I find it interesting that this team really doesn’t take on the persona of its coach. Nate was known as a tough, defensive minded player during his day and those are two traits Portland severely lacks.

Part of the problem of defensive switches, particularly on the pick and roll could be the fault of the players; however, this style of defense has been Nate’s trademark for years now. When the opposition’s big guys set picks up top, drop the big defenders in the lane to protect the middle and to avoid cheap fouls at the risk of leaving your perimeter players hanging out to dry. It may work against somebody like Memphis with a strong inside game – doesn’t work against Dallas and their perimeter oriented game.

The blazers need to revamp their defensive strategy along with bringing intensity and toughness. I put that on big Nate.

by VegasNed on Apr 29, 2011 10:01 PM PDT reply actions

i'd like to see Andre or Patty learn how to throw alley-oops to Rudy

that’d be rad.

by DefenderOfPants on Apr 29, 2011 10:02 PM PDT reply actions

It'd be radder if Rudy could learn hot to throw alley-opps to Rudy.

That would be the raddest.

by manfredi on Apr 29, 2011 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions

(not drunk)

by manfredi on Apr 29, 2011 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions

maybe the whole thing with three glasses with Mathews and Rudy is that they really need Glasses and they have been trying to tell us….thats what it must be…bye Rudy I hope he gets patted down in the airport

by Danvegas on Apr 29, 2011 10:42 PM PDT reply actions

The pack efficiently statement made me laugh out loud. Funny!

I agree…however…Norsktroll, whose opinion I respect, had this to say about Rudy:

Rudy needs to work on his handles, and on his core stability to be able to go up straight on a shot without flailing
Then he could still have a bright NBA future

by Norsktroll on Apr 29, 2011 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions

And I think I agree. Would LOVE to see Rudy get his shot back. I love it when he is playing energetic defense, stealing the ball, clogging lanes and making plays. He does seem to do better when he plays more and the pace isn’t snail like. I do NOT like how he has played in the off season. It might be nice to have him develop core strength, improve his shot INCREASE his value…and trade him mid-season next year?
Just an idea. Not quite sure he will ever fit under Nate.

The other thing about Rudy is that some of what he does/doesn’t do may be mental…so it might just be easier to let him go!

I’d suggest AJalso realize HE HAS A RIGHT HAND…..figure out how to use it.

Babbitt just annoys me and I don’t like even looking at him and his weird haircut.

Finally…you know Miller HAS been working on his 3 pt shot! Batum said so in one of his interviews. And hey…I BELIEVE Miller actually had the highest Blazer 3pt % in the playoffs…4/10. If he continues to work on this, he may actually become a decent 3 pt shooter!!!

by Natsthecat on Apr 30, 2011 2:33 AM PDT reply actions

2 more suggestions:

REPLACE the fitness/training team. Though I know this will not be done. So instead…just freaking ADD some staff who know something about stretching, working on core muscles and alignment to prevent overuse injuries.

FIRE OCIEPKA.

by Natsthecat on Apr 30, 2011 2:37 AM PDT reply actions

I was making a list for LA...

LA – needs to learn how to post up on the other (right) block, needs to learn the up and under move from the left block (goes baseline instead of the middle), and desperately needs to learn how to do a 1-2 dribble move to get to the bucket (what amare does really well).

by retirecards51 on Apr 30, 2011 10:31 AM PDT reply actions

The Guy that really needs to improve is Batum

With Wallace and Matthews he doesnt have to be a constant stopper so he really needs to address his scoring. He can still be as good as Pippen but it has to start now.

When it comes to offseason improvement the real oddball is Matthews. He just put in two damn good seasons for an undrafted player yet I just cant see him getting much better.

by Kaanyr Vhok on May 1, 2011 8:33 AM PDT reply actions