Game 78 Recap: Warriors 108, Trail Blazers 87
by Dave on Apr 5, 2011 11:56 PM PDT
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The Blazers play a flat, and frankly mentally-deranged, game against Golden State...shooting threes galore, ceding offensive rebounds, taking wild shots. By gum, the Blazers play like the Warriors! Meanwhile Golden State plays solid defense, rebounds well, forces turnovers. Wait a minute...did these teams switch uniforms for the night? Maybe so, as the Blazers get blown out of the building without so much as a whimper. David Lee destroys LaMarcus Aldridge in the process.
Game Flow
In the Game Preview for this contest I asked a rhetorical question: What kind of team would be stupid enough to get into a three-point shooting contest with the Warriors? The Blazers evidently missed the "rhetorical" part of the equation as they spent the entire first period saying, "Oooh! Me! ME! Pick ME!!!" Portland shot 0-6 from behind the arc in the opening period, leading to Golden State run-outs. Portland also turned over the ball, leading to Golden State run-outs. Thankfully the Blazers also ran back hard and made a decent attempt at getting around the perimeter on defense, holding the Warriors to 19 points. That's also what the Blazers scored. Tie after one. The biggest story of the period wasn't the score but the exit of Marcus Camby, spraining his neck while diving on defense. He would not return to the game.
The Blazers fell into a rare batch of lucidity during the second period, abandoning the three-point shooting in favor of the mid-range game of Nicolas Batum and LaMarcus Aldridge. Portland still shot jumpers but at least they weren't stupid jumpers. Portland also got busy on the offensive boards, scoring multiple second-chance points. Portland managed 28 in the quarter. The second period also saw a liberal dose of Portland's bench players which also meant a liberal dose of slower, weaker defense against Golden State's guards. Behind Stephon Curry and Monta Ellis (with a late hand from David Lee) the Warriors also post 28. Game still tied at the half.
Portland would attack the rim early in the third period, drawing fouls from refs who looked likely to whistle any perceived contact. That was a good start to the offense. Sadly the Blazers couldn't manage even a stitch of defense in the period. Golden State finally came alive from the arc which, in turn, opened up the inside for drives and offensive rebounds which, in turn, led to them getting the same whistles which aided the Blazers early on. Behind 12-15 shooting in the period the Warriors scored 37 and launched themselves ahead on the scoreboard. As the lead increased the Blazers tried to solve their problems with--you guessed it--more three-pointers. When those shots didn't fall that scoreboard got downright ugly. The Warriors led by 16 after three.
The fourth quarter featured more offensive rebounds for Golden State and more missed threes for the Blazers. The Warriors announcers wondered aloud when the Portland run was coming. By about the four minute mark they concluded "never". That was correct. Warriors administer a whuppin', 108-87.
Notable Developments
Besides Camby the only other development is Portland backing into the playoffs by virtue of a loss by the Rockets. The celebration will be subdued, no doubt. It's awfully easy to cross the line from "believing in yourself" to "taking it easy". The Warriors just smacked the Blazers right back across that line tonight.
Individual Notes
Yeah, no. Nobody gets credit on a night like this. OK, Aldridge had 12 rebounds, Camby 8 boards in 10 minutes, and both Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews topped 50% shooting from the field but collectively this team was God-awful. Roy 2-11, Fernandez 1-9, Miller 2 assists, Wallace 3 rebounds, Batum and Matthews 2-11 from distance...the ugly parade marches on.
Stats of the Night
- Blazers 21 threes attempted. That's Golden State's average. Portland made 3 of them. That's the average at St. Ignatius School for the Blind.
- Golden State 14 offensive rebounds. No. Just no.
- David Lee: 29 points, 20 rebounds.
- Warriors 50% shooting.
Odd Notes and Links
Golden State Of Mind will be happy.
Jersey Contest scoreboard and form for Thursday's game.
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
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The verdict is in: Tonight, mixed-up eggbeaters.
"You can pretty much flip a coin to see which Portland team will show up: the dark-horse world-beaters or the mixed-up eggbeaters" - Dave
Bwhahaha!!
Unfortunately I’m thinking we see a game or two like this in the playoffs too. It will be hard to pull through a 7 game series with any of this brilliance.
These guys haven’t really made the commitment to defense that they need to. Earlier in the year we witnessed a couple games where the shooting was off but they were able to play defense until they could score and come up with the win. I thought at that point that we might be really getting things together.
Unfortunately we’re still in the mode where missed shots lead to more missed shots and the defense doesn’t really come unless it’s in minor spurts to try to keep things even or make a come back. If guys aren’t making shots the team completely self destructs more often then not.
I’m hoping next season we can make a solid commitment to defense. I’m really starting to agree with the thinking that it’s going to take a great defensive minded assistant coach, at the very least, to make it possible.
Just to clarify…if there was any scrap of defense played by the Blazers (as a team…GW gets some props) in this game it was played after the entire opposing roster was allowed to get in rhythm and become nigh unstoppable. This team needs to learn to keep the opposing team off balance instead of making sure every scrub and star has optimal time and space to find their zone.
I honestly post all of this with only slight frustration lol. I love this team and our roster and I still think they can become something extra special as far as achievement. Games like tonight show the considerable distance between where they are and where I, as a fan, want them to be.
Bringing little effort also irks me. I can only imagine what people who payed for tickets thought of their investment tonight. Lose if you want but at least play like you want to win. 20k+ people payed to watch the Blazers play basketball.
by poorwebguy on Apr 6, 2011 12:35 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
It'll take more than "a great defensive minded assistant coach."
It’ll take a defensive-minded head coach, who’ll bring about wholesale changes schematically.
Until then, it’s soul-crushing performances like these that y’all will frequently get out of this team.
"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."
Get rid of Osepka. The Bulls did and are just a BIT better this year...of course they also got Thibadeau...
it’s going to take a great defensive minded assistant coach, at the very least, to make it possible.
but I say…just get rid of Osepka and get someone from SA, Boston…
That was really pathetic.
In 2 weeks there will be many postings here about why the Blazers can beat LA, SA, or Dallas in the playoffs. Everyone will forget that the Blazers already lost 2 critical playoff games this week to much lessor teams, one to NO (to earn the tie breaker) and the other tonight to Golden State. Those games were every bit as important to their chances of winning in the first round as the actual first round games, and the Blazers knew that. Unless they finish 6th they will be demolished in the first round by LA or SA. Even though they know that, they didn’t even show up for tonight’s playoff game at home to get that 6th spot to play Dallas, the only team they have a hope of beating.
Let’s hope that NO and Memphis don’t want to win a playoff series as badly as the Blazers don’t want to win a playoff series, and they voluntarily step aside and let us play Dallas.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Apr 6, 2011 12:40 AM PDT reply actions
more proof that this team is going nowhere
its all mental with this group. Shooters can’t shoot and defenders cant defend when they have their heads too far in it. A bunch of nice guys are going to finish where nice guys finish.
Okay...
here’s another absolutely knee-jerk reaction to one loss.
Every team has a game like this. This game by NO MEANS dictates the outcome of the season for the Blazers.
#7
by collectiveshane on Apr 6, 2011 12:54 AM PDT up reply actions
the Lakers lost to Utah at home last night...Cleveland...won in a blowout against the Lakers...
I think the Blazers heard they made the playoffs and took it easy from that point on.
Was at the game and left early. Figure if they don’t care, why should I?
the blazers take it easy?
lets see the blazers game was over when it was just 1st half of the lakers Game..I’m curious did they look into a crystal ball to find this info out?
Tonight was a turrible game for the Portland TrailButlers. Brandon Howard and Rudy Mack combine to go 3 for 111, earning the Jeff Pendergraph Distance Award. They were seen after the game competing in a one-on-one game of HORSE and, as of press time, the score was tied with both players at six letters.
So can anyone explain Brandon Roy's jumpshooting form? I'm watching the replay and see he missed a wide open 3.
I pay attention to these kind of things, and his release is just awful looking. I think maybe it’s because he’s not getting off the ground when he shoots, but it’s just not Brandon Roy’s signiture jumpshot.
Rudy and Roy have changed their releases. Batum and Matthews both have consistant release points.
Could be back issues for Roy/Rudy
or maybe the new shooting coach is a spy from one of our arch enemies?
Townsend was released August 2010
I’m guessing they picked up someone else after that. If not then that’s another epic fail lol
at least no one on our team was hurt
err, never mind!
Win the day!
Coffee is for Closers!
Always Be Closing!
Games like this one
are what made the offseason such a relief. With such an emotional roller-coaster, I felt like I was in high school again.
Nobody liked it.............
But nobody had the heart to do anything about it………good luck in your four game series.
We must endeavor to persevere.
Get back after shooting a 3, esp. from the angle or center
with the way our team is shooting from distance, no one should have the luxury of watching their 3 point shot while their defender runs past them down the court for an easy outlet layup/dunk. Take your shot but don’t grandstand or get ready for googles or whatever…ridiculous.
Marcus Camby had a nice dinner for the players and their wives/girlfriends
to watch the NCAA final game.
Even a small amt of alcohol intake can affect fine motor skills.
why is Barley's ugly mug the photo for this post?
is it because he was talkin smack and laughing about our loss?
Dave
Yesterday I commented on your “who would be stupid enough to go on three point shooting contest with the warriors” and I said I know someone!! I failed to say, I know a whole team!! That would be so stupid I expected Rudy to do it but man! where was the coaching? just seems that a coach like pops or most coaches would of called a timeout and stopped the madness….just amazing how a team can go into a situation knowing what not to do and go out of their way to do it!!!!!
i said rudy!
And I totally agree with you! Where the $#+% was the coach last night. I was screaming at the tv. So pissed. Who doesn’t call a time out and put his players straight. We dont win games shooting 3s. In fact we lose those games more often than not. Rudy has to be the most frustrating person to coach. If not, I know he is the most frustrating to watch. Inconsistency is worse than consistent mediocrity. Against a team that thrives on the break and actually only has defensive capabilities on the perimeter and we just jack 3’s. Shows complete lack of a team mentality and understanding of how we win. We shoulda had more alleyoop attempts than 3’s against the GSWs. This game made me realize that we have NO shot at anything with this line up. I’m telling u know, trade rudy trade roy, get oden healthy and lets start playing some big boy basketball.
So, the picture of Barkley ??
is that to emphasize the “suckiness” of the game ?
Jordan's not a bad guy.. he gave us Gerald Wallace.
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