FINAL: Detroit Pistons 94, Portland Trail Blazers 91
by Timmay! on Jan 21, 2012 7:06 PM PST
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PrintTonight, we gained a vivid reminder of how awful some post-lockout games can be. In a game as ugly as you'd expect at the end of a 6 game road trip, the Portland Trail Blazers come up short against the Detroit Pistons, 94-91. The Pistons deserve credit for working hard all night, but this is a game the Gerald-Wallace-less Blazers gave away with lackluster defense.
LaMarcus Aldridge led the Blazers with 25 points and only 4 rebounds, with Nicolas Batum (14 points, 9 rebounds), Craig Smith (10 points, 5 rebounds) and Raymond Felton (20 points, 9 assists) playing key roles.
With Wallace injured, and Marcus Camby and LaMarcus Aldridge racking up two quick fouls, the Blazers needed a go-to guy. Nicolas Batum raised his hand, scoring 10 points while returning to his starting role. Both teams struggled to a Blazer one point lead.
The second quarter started with a Luke Babbitt appearance. And a 12-0 Pistons run led by Jonas Jerebko. Correlation doesn't imply causation, but it sure felt like it tonight. The starters returned to stop the bleeding, holding the halftime deficit at 11.
The Blazers showed no energy, no fire coming out of the locker room in the third quarter, and the Pisons were clearly thrilled. Camby added two more fouls to his total, keeping his role to a minimum. However, after he departs, the Blazers typed the cheat code, with the defense creating a 16-2 run, capped with a Batum three. Detroit recovered for a 5 point lead.
The usual Blazer push started the fourth, as they closed to within one but could not get over the hump. Each time they had a shot at the lead, something went wrong. Turnover? Missed shot? You name it. At the other end, if Detroit missed, a tip-in was on the horizon. With 4 minutes left, the Blazers took a timeout while down by 5. Unfortunately, a comeback requires making buckets, and the Blazers could not throw it into the sea. Clank, Clank. Turnover. Clank. On the final possession, down three with 4 seconds left, Felton dribbled the ball off Tayshaun Prince's foot. The Blazers needed to win this game, but could not do so.
Check out the box score, then hang out here and stay tuned for Dave's recap. The Blazers pick up Monday in Portland, with the Sacramento Kings being the first of a back-to-back-to-back. -- Tim
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Wow, that's just sad, Raymond.
I don’t get on you because I think you’e awful anyway, but another crucial TO.
The cake was a lie.
It went off of Prince's foot.
Tough break.
Don’t get me wrong though. Felton still sucks.
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 21, 2012 7:15 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Pathetic.
There’s always next year folks. Time to blow this thing up and get some nice draft picks…
"Im ready for a fight..." -Joel Przybilla
by KillaPrzydollaBILLA on Jan 21, 2012 7:08 PM PST reply actions
Blazers can keep blaming being tired or the schedule
But they’ll ride those excuses to a .500 record this year.
Not blaming Ray on that... he had a great game, and a hard situation at the end
Im more upset at the lack of adjustments and good coaching at the end by nate
yeah good game, but i can count on two hands now the late game bonehead turnovers he has had.
OSU '06
GForce Crash Wallace FTW!
can you say that your relationship with this team is
love hate
yes i think i can
by cavejunctionblazer on Jan 21, 2012 7:08 PM PST reply actions
Pistons played great. For the Pistons.
Way better then one would expect. Blazers played like crap, but it’s not like we just lost to a team playing like Toronto was last night.
What happened in the last play?
Stupid computer!
I don't always root for an NBA franchise, but when I do, I prefer the Portland Trail Blazers.
baaaahhhh!
I don't always root for an NBA franchise, but when I do, I prefer the Portland Trail Blazers.
by Oh. Em. Gee. on Jan 21, 2012 7:09 PM PST up reply actions
No
Felton dribbled off Prince’s foot in the open court
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:12 PM PST up reply actions
i didnt see the replay
it went off of “A” foot for sure, i thought Rays, some say Tays, either way Ray with an end of the game TO
by cavejunctionblazer on Jan 21, 2012 7:13 PM PST up reply actions
i want austin rivers or jeremy lamb
nate fired, and crawful sent as far away from the RG as possible.
PHILLY!
That was tragic. They take a time out (when they probably shouldn't have) and then take a 2
when they had to go for a 3. Later Felton makes the 2nd foul shot when he had to miss the shot on purpose. They didn’t give themselves a decent chance to pull it out.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jan 21, 2012 7:57 PM PST up reply actions
Season started with great hopes
But of course those hopes are gone. This team is a mess what a terrible road trip. Don’t see it getting any better.
Who bought into the false hope?
This team was above average then and is above average now.
And that’s all it’ll ever be with this personnel.
"I Am Mine"
Yeah, I have them in the 5-9 range.
Utah is a fluke. Yet, Portland could still finish 9th behind OKC/Los Angeles/San Antonio/Denver/Los Angeles/Dallas/Memphis/Houston.
"I Am Mine"
Randolph's injury has an effect for sure.
I’d lean toward the Blazers finishing above them. But I’m watching Adelman in Minnesota.
That'd be insane if Minnesota made it somehow.
Though, having Charles Barkley 2.0 and a competent coach goes a long way.
"I Am Mine"
Rubio helps too, depending on what happens when other teams scout him.
Not ruling them out yet. It’s a weird season and the West is a mess.
Yeah, Ricky Rubio is nice.
On the other hand, though, it can’t be overstated how awful Wes Johnson is, as well as the team’s wing play is in general.
"I Am Mine"
watched their last few
Wes Johnson just looks petrified out there. He doesn’t want the ball anywhere near him because he is so awful. He has no confidence and it is just making his game worse.
Also is it just me or do Syracuse players just blow it in the NBA? At least recently.
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 21, 2012 7:32 PM PST up reply actions
Melo set the bar too high?
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:54 PM PST up reply actions
as an orange fan, can't say I am surprised.
Never understood why he was so overrated in the first place. Same goes for Flynn.
The cake was a lie.
Pre-road trip I would have called 2-4 a "worst case scenario."
"(creative University of Oregon fan quote!)"
Really?
I had Portland going 3-3 before it started.
A worst-case scenario would’ve been 1-5.
"I Am Mine"
The Houston loss may have been expected, but it was the Blazers' to lose at the end, and they did
They gave the game away, regardless of expectations before it started.
I'm upset
that I watched the entire game. I knew it wasn’t gonna end well.
worlds smallest violin
we gave them this win. Detroit played hard
no more excuses—we need to make some serious adjustments or we will never win in the playoffs, let alone make it there.
by cavejunctionblazer on Jan 21, 2012 7:10 PM PST reply actions
is it worst to get the crap kicked out of you
or hang around till the very end to lose by 1 or 2 punches?
by cavejunctionblazer on Jan 21, 2012 7:11 PM PST reply actions
time for another "blow it up" post
lol
(sarcasm)
by cavejunctionblazer on Jan 21, 2012 7:14 PM PST up reply actions
That it, we suck
2-4 road trip capped with a loss to a 3-13 team with 1 win against Charlotte in the last 10. PATHETIC.
I may cancel the comcast that I bought for this season
Thanks blazers for putting me in a position of power.
This team is so stupid!!
They jack up 20 3’s during the game and only make 3 of them. But down 3 in the final seconds they start taking the ball to the rim lmfao.
They probably shouldn't give Felton the Player of the Game award.
Even if he shot well and had a bunch of assists.
we need to surround LMA with LEGIT shooters
crawful = no. wes = sometimes. batum = sometimes. felton = lawl. wallace = no.
He actually had a good game overall
the ending puts a damper on it for sure but it is better than he has been in the past
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 21, 2012 7:15 PM PST up reply actions
Crazy, looking at the stats he only had 2 turnovers.
That last one was unfortunate.
Ok so tell me this have all of our losses been within 3 points outside of the phoenix loss?
If thats the case I am almost more pissed….
thats why i said
is it worst to get the crap kicked out of you
or hang around till the very end to lose by 1 or 2 punches?
by cavejunctionblazer on Jan 21, 2012 7:15 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah I dunno, it just kind of kills me cause we loaf and then come back but I know its futile....
At least if we are losing big we can play our noobs, see what we have rather than grind our starters to dust….
Well which game felt worse
This one or Phoenix? I would definitely say this game. You hang around with a garbage team all game, play crappy defense early and get them shooting the ball well and then try to make up for your mistakes in the end. Not gonna win a lot of games like that.
This team is getting really difficult to watch. If we play a good team the Blazers are exciting to watch and look like one of the elite teams in the league, but if it’s an average to below average team it looks like we don’t even care.
sucks that we are wasting a year of aldridge's prime
with this trash around him.
PHILLY!
by CleBlazer on Jan 21, 2012 7:13 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
The mistakes Portland makes are usually early in the game when players think it doesn't count. A Crawford chuck, or a Matthews passes
up 3 pointer. Then in the 4th this team tries to make up for it.
What can Portland get for Wes Matthews
half rack of pbr?
by beerman2619 on Jan 21, 2012 7:14 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Lets trade for Marc Gasol
20 pts 11 Rebs 6 Blocks 5 Assists 8/11 FG
31 Minutes played
or Steve Nash cause we need a fluid offense and more perimeter threat.
WITH ODEN ON OUR SIDE
Memphis isn't trading Gasol
Nash only makes sense if we think we’re gonna win it all this year
If we're going to make a trade, I'd rather it be for someone in the middle
I’m not impressed with Felton, but we need someone in the middle since Camby is unreliable.
nash doesnt put us over the top
only 1 player would and we arent on his short list of teams
by cavejunctionblazer on Jan 21, 2012 7:16 PM PST up reply actions
why keep Felton though
Nash has only 1 yaer on his contract like Felton. If we can get Nash with giving Wallace or Felton or both then it would be no harm to our future
WITH ODEN ON OUR SIDE
I'd trade Felton and Wallace
For Nash and Gortat, which won’t happen.
I know that
which is why it won’t happen.
The sad part of that is Gortat.
Portland should’ve pushed real hard for him when Orlando put “The Polish Hammer” on the trade market last year.
"I Am Mine"
I bet they gave it a shot but couldn't muster the asking price.
If I find out they didn’t even try to get involved, I’d be very disappointed.
Wallace for Okafor. It's so obvious.
Then you try to talk Phoenix (and Nash) into letting Nash go for a deal of Felton plus Williams (plus Johnson to match salaries). Throw in Claver and $3M. Try to talk Nash into playing another year as part of the deal.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jan 21, 2012 8:19 PM PST up reply actions
It could be. nash has taken his team of scrubs to WCF with Amare
why not with LMA ?
WITH ODEN ON OUR SIDE
nash doesnt put us over the top
we need a center. The 1 player who would make us a championship contender is D12 and he aint comin here
by cavejunctionblazer on Jan 21, 2012 7:22 PM PST up reply actions
That's the truth.
But wouldn’t it be nice if we could put a trade together that Orlando would bite on?
That's why you trade Wallace for Okafor first.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jan 21, 2012 8:26 PM PST up reply actions
Developing a pet conspiracy theory
Williams will never see any time so long as Crawford is on the roster. Else, a reserve guard controversy would develop.
In football, if you don’t have a star quarterback, the most popular player on the team is the backup QB. McMillan is avoiding this by giving us no look whatsoever at Williams.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
I can imagine that roster adjustments will
be done after this horrible road trip. If something doesn’t happen, blame the coaching staff on that. One cannot keep the same line up and carry on throughout the season like everything is fine.
felton is mr. anti-clutch
Tell me again why we traded Miller?
by RenoBlazerFan on Jan 21, 2012 7:16 PM PST via mobile reply actions
I love his attitude, he's tough and maybe it would rub off on the team, but
I think PA doesn’t want him back because of his tenure in Portland
Can't have everyone terrible at 3's in the same game
…and still have 3’s be 25% of your shot selection. Can’t beat anyone that way….
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
Tonight is an incredibly useful game
to finally push Blazer brass into embracing a more drastic rebuild.
Wes and Nic are not “cornerstone” players. Neither could slow Stuckey on one end, and were every bit the weak play making support valve guys they always have been on the offensive end. They have nothing with the dribble. Do you really want to watch a team for the next several seasons that features two terrible handles at its wing positions in the starting lineup? Then you throw in Wallace. Ouch. Nights like tonight. Suck-ville.
A spirited comeback. Too little too late though. Detroit punked you. Time for another team meeting, I guess…
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 21, 2012 7:19 PM PST reply actions
Batum may not be Iguodala off the dribble
But lumping him in with Mathews is pure blasphemy….
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:20 PM PST up reply actions
Oh, please.
What has Nic ever done with his handle?
I love him in other ways, although his defense on bulky guards is terrible.
His handle is not good though. No, no, no.
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 21, 2012 7:22 PM PST up reply actions
Nothing wrong with Batum's "handle" unless you are expecting him to be productive with it
Batum does not make mistakes with the dribble – not often.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:23 PM PST up reply actions
He gets the steal, then tries to dribble through two guys.
Ridiculous. He’s fine when nobody tries to pressure him. That’s not often helpful in actual game situations though.
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 21, 2012 7:24 PM PST up reply actions
That play happens to every player in the NBA
It’s not a particular trait of “bad handles”….
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:26 PM PST up reply actions
When you start dribbling
and something bad generally happens
that’s not a “good” handle.
Eye test. I don’t care about stats here. I’ve been watching Nic for years. He and Gerald are murder with the rock. Murder on their team, that is…
Both are fine if they have straight line and don’t need to change hands or angles, of course. That’s about it. It’s a real problem.
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 21, 2012 7:28 PM PST up reply actions
off balance - after making a tough play - in traffic
Calling that bad handles in spite of the fact he had one turnover, drove to the basket, made good passes, etc., etc., etc. is no argument at all. Cherry picking one play and characterizing a player based on that one play isn’t very useful.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:32 PM PST up reply actions
Batums handle is fine...
Hes just not going to be creating space or a shot with it any time soon.
I think you're overstating Batum's lack of ball handling.
Really, he doesn’t try to take the dribble that often. If anything, he seems to play within his limits.
Almost to a fault.
I’d like to see him take more risks. I trust him more than the guards that are taking them now…
I think he's not that great, but definitely marginally better than Matthews.
He’s definitely a superior passer than Matthews. Guh, I hate watching Wes bowl through on a fast break. He doesn’t know how to pass off to the others running along side him.
Which makes the offense stagnate.
The D stops Felton/Wallace on one side, and the rest of the play is done. Swinging other side is going to be a clanker, for sure. Someone with a legit handle could get around the closeout. That’s a basic NBA play for a good wing but none of ours can do it. That makes for nights like tonight. If we make 3’s, we’re in it. If we don’t, we lose. These are wide open 3’s too.
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 21, 2012 7:31 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, the missed wide open threes are killer.
This team would probably be coming home with a 4-2 road trip if they had a dependable shooter like Korver or Nash. Orlando Magic lite, if you will.
Their handles are both bad
but at least Nic can handle it a little in the open court. Matthews looks terrible bringing it down with nobody on him. He has a strangely high dribble.
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 21, 2012 7:24 PM PST up reply actions
don't think anyone know's what Nic's handles are.
He just doesn’t utilize that part of his game. I would like to see him make a decision to attack people off the dribble and the pick and roll. It’s not his decision making or handles I worry about in that scenario, but how he reacts when it doesn’t work out. I think this goes back to the general persona of the team. They play almost apologetically when they should be playing with more ego.
I don’t think it’s Nate either. He seems to try and get them to play looser and freer and it hasn’t clicked yet.
I wouldn't argue they punked us
They worked their rears off tonight after a loss to Memphis last night. Portland was tired, didn’t look like they had their A-game, and full credit to Detroit, they took advantage.
I really like Lawrence Frank. Wish we had him.
Stuckey had it going, no doubt.
Prince had a few moments.
Still, that was a winnable game and the Blazer guards showed their lack of talent.
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 21, 2012 7:26 PM PST up reply actions
I don't chalk this up to lack of talent
Other nights, I could chalk it up to that. But tonight, there was a touch of exhaustion (lack of conditioning and a big road trip), and a touch of nonchalance. The Blazers earned this loss the old fashioned way, by not showing up.
The Blazers do lack talent. A considerable amount of it. This team can win on any given night, with a combination of stout defense and LMA, but that wont be shown with any amount of consistency. Consistency being the key to an above average team and season. At this point, its painfully obvious the only consistent threat is LMA, god bless him.
They could “get it together”. However there needs to be one heluva hot streak that carries into the playoffs, because when Wes, Ray, and Jamal go cold, theyre arctic.
We have too many guys that seemingly cannot shoot the ball
And when one misses they all start to miss
That's where a star player comes in.
It’s the idea that they should be taking a large percentage of the shots regardless of whether they go in or not, and the whole team believes in that idea. It takes the hesitation out of the game for everyone. Wish Batum would realize that idea. Sometimes a shot missed by a teamate everybody has confidence is better than a shot made.
To be clear here
Lack of talent is a relative term. I believe they’re a lower half of playoff bracket level team. When I speak of their talent, I mean in that level.
I don’t see us as major contenders unless a weird freak thing happens.
And
When I speak of lack of talent, I mean just that. Felton, Wes, Crawford, are serviceable depth, barely trade pieces, and quite possibly the worst combination of backcourt personnel in the league.
Camby. Cool. Kurt Thomas and 6-6 Craig Smith. No. The Blazer have one front court threat. Thats not two way talent.
Wallace for Okafor. Call NO in the next 30 minutes and Okafor suits up Monday.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jan 21, 2012 8:35 PM PST up reply actions
ridiculous.
Charlotte gave him away for a reason. You think your frustrated with the current cast wait till you have to root for the tinman.
Millsap is a man.
Okafor doesn't make us a contender. But I get the sentiment about bringing him in
He’s generally healthy, and is probably one of the best big guys available. That doesn’t take away from the reason he’s available.
He's the best big we can get, and with LA he'll do for now.
We need a big and NO would trade him in a millisecond for Wallace.
Then we go work on the PG problem.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jan 21, 2012 9:05 PM PST up reply actions
If there is a choice, I'd take the four draft picks over Okafor.
But that’s a choice between “go for it” and “rebuild” of course.
I don't think Paul is in the rebuild mode --- yet.
But if something isn’t done soon, he will be forced into it this summer.
Before the acquisition of Kurt Thomas, Craig Smith, and Crawford I said this team would not make the playoffs because they had almost no bench. After their acquisition I said they would make the playoffs, but I wouldn’t bet on where they would finish. That’s still where I am now, but I would say they have very little chance of getting out of the 1st round unless they make a trade.
I never expected Crawford or Felton to play so bad. I actually expect Felton to play better, but I don’t think he is going to be good enough to re-sign for another year. So we need to get a center and then find a solution at PG.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jan 21, 2012 9:41 PM PST up reply actions
Felton has some bounce-back room still
He’s no All-Star, but he’s definitely had a start that’s below his abilities.
I have to believe Orlando would take those picks over Crash.
Otis Smith is stupid, but I don’t buy him being that stupid. That rumor never made sense to me.
"I Am Mine"
Yeah, it doesn't pass the smell test.
In such a deal, Portland should get two of the five picks coming from New Jersey. And one of those ought to be the conditional pick via Houston.
"I Am Mine"
Every time we heard that rumor the terms seemed to change.
I heard only 2 picks at one point.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jan 21, 2012 10:29 PM PST up reply actions
What's Millsap got to do with anything? We can't get him.
"You're not too smart, are you? I like that in a man." - Matty Walker in Body Heat (1981)
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Jan 21, 2012 9:07 PM PST up reply actions
"Prince had a few moments."
We saw Nicolas Batum’s future.
A decent, yet not crucial piece on a crumbling team.
"I Am Mine"
In all seriousness, I'd be just fine if the Blazers made Batum the alpha. Like, tomorrow.
Give him the Brandon Roy role. Let him sink or swim. If he’s successful, wonderful. If not, it makes negotiations much simpler, not to mention the RFA period if he doesn’t sign.
and what, start him?
He can’t dribble himself, so if you pair him with Crawford good luck featuring him in the offense, heh.
He DID start tonight though. If he can’t outplay Prince at this point in their careers, I don’t see what else there is to say.
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 21, 2012 7:38 PM PST up reply actions
Batum outplayed Prince in every aspect of the game
Except 3-point shooting
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:39 PM PST up reply actions
Yes, start him.
My statement above stands for itself. It’ll quickly become clear if he’s not ready for alpha. Everyone settles down on him, he’d get reminded of how much work he has to do, and negotiations get less dicey (as would an RFA period).
Only one way to find out. And I say this, not being a gigantic Batum fan (hi Cab!),
Batum isn't the only player the Blazers need to find out about
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:40 PM PST up reply actions
Batum is a great backup or
starter when you have Brandon Roy. It’s just so sad we don’t get to watch the team we could have. Anyways, I still like this year’s team. They did tease a bit there though.
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 21, 2012 7:41 PM PST up reply actions
I don't doubt that.
I think if Batum was told to go out and get 20 a game he would. He follows the path of Alrdridge in that way. I would like see an alpha that doesn’t need permission to be the alpha. I think the only two on the team that possess that in there DNA are Crawford and Elliot Williams.
altho i'm all for trading wallace and starting Batum once and for all in a bigger role. that I agree on.
see what he’s made of, no excuses
Batum is better than Mayo
Now and in the future.
Mayo is an inefficient SG – Batum is an efficient SF and superior defender. It isn’t close.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:48 PM PST up reply actions
Lots of Mayo hate on this board.
OJ is the type of player who could possibly flourish in the “Brandon Roy” type role. I don’t believe Batum is. I believe Batum has alot of potential – but not in a Brandon Roy type role.
I had some very long posts the other day about Mayo so I’m not gonna type much, but he’s in a bad situation in Memphis. He isn’t as inefficient as people like to think, not to mention he could easily improve in that regard, and he’s not a bad defender. I think he could do well here.
I think the concern is that Mayo peaked early.
He could just need a fresh situation. So hard to say until he moves.
Talent is there - but the head
Dunno about the head – or the heart
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:58 PM PST up reply actions
It's a legit possibility, I won't deny that, I just view it as a low risk move.
All it would take is a couple of our role players who we aren’t winning a championship with to get him. We aren’t gonna get anywhere near the potential value we could with OJ in a trade with any of the players it’d take to grab him, and there’s as much, if not more, evidence pointing at him just needing a fresh situation to flourish in as there is at him peaking early. I don’t see why not.
It's definitely a low-risk move if Memphis is willing to dump him
Definitely depends on the trade specifics.
Oh, almost forgot, depends on his attitude. Lots of rumors about that.
My issue with Mayo is that he's just not that great.
Seems like he peaked early physically, dominated against younger competition in high school, and leveled out in college and the pros.
I wouldn't mind it either.
If he’s playing it tough in negotiations, give him the opportunity to show that he’s worth the contract.
Aw, man.
I hope the Blazer brass gets a clue but, alas, I fear you are right.
In reality though, the record is nothing to write home about. I can’t see Blazer management high fiving right now. Hopefully, they’re mulling over what they can get for and and all assets on the team. This year is going 7/8th seed, and fast.
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 21, 2012 7:33 PM PST up reply actions
And whom would you trade for whom?
Your takes are always pretty good, I agree with most of them, but most trades are “our garbage for your trash.” Unless you’re suggesting blow-it-up . . .
Steve Goodman lives.
"Unless you’re suggesting blow-it-up"
That’s why the other day I brought up LMA to NJ for Brook/Memo (salary filler)/4 1sts/1 conditional future pick via HOU.
"I Am Mine"
Yep, I thought your trade idea was interesting
I wasn’t sure the Blazers would be that open in blowing it up.
With blow-it-up
Beware Allen selling the team/passing it off and the new owner unwilling to pay luxury.
Steve Goodman lives.
Sad face now
Can’t he wire Bill Gates to send him a time machine and draft (expletive deleted)
Steve Goodman lives.
Batum > Wes
Thats been a fact since Wes was signed. The fact of the matter is, Batum, at the very least, has a far better chance to be a big three component if he didnt allow himself to constantly drift for that baseline three. Yes, it there, but a some backdoor cuts wouldve been nice tonight.
No one but LMA seems to feel the need to establish themselves as go to guys in this offense. And with Wallace basically throwing up doughnuts every three games, he has no claim as a go to guy either.
Agree only about Wes
he would be an awsome reserve but this team needs a dynamic two guard in the worse way!
Can Williams dribble?
The bench falling behind in the second quarter killed us I think.
Playing from behind in most your games is not a sound strategy for winning basketball.
Seriously... I would have put in Williams over him... I think Nate doesn't like
playing him for some reason. I haven’t seen him play much. The guy has energy.
Think Williams is stuck right now.
Blazers recruited Matthews for his toughness and recruited Crawford for punch off the bench. Then a healthy Elliot showed up after the fact and now he’s behind the other two.
Having guards that can't defend is the worst strategy though.
That was horrible perimeter D on Stuckey.
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 21, 2012 7:20 PM PST up reply actions
Another issue is the switching defense
Our guys get lost a lot. Switches get messed up and then we try to catch up. They swing it around for an easy shot while we are confused. Happened a bunch of times tonight.
Blazers gave up only 8 offensive boards?
Seemed like they gave up 8 in the last 3 minutes.
LA needs to crash the boards, from 23 to 2 defensive and 4 total rebounds the next night? Pathetic.
I'll give Aldridge this:
He was determined to play in the post all game. For him that’s probably a tradeoff worth 5 rebounds, lol.
That they were.
Also, I’ve never seen such an even matchup as Jason Maxiell v. Craig Smith. Two extremely similar players. Between them and Nic v. Tayshaun, it was like a mirror was in the Palace.
"I Am Mine"
Craig Smith is a fun player to watch
BTW what happened to Maxiell? He and Stuckey were seen as the players of the future, and while Stuckey had a monster night, they’re generally not seen as anything too special anymore.
Maxiell was overrated.
He was never in the same league as Paul Millsap, but someone coined that “MaxSap” term and it boosted Jason’s standing in many people’s eyes
"I Am Mine"
The root of this loss is bad 3-point shooting and bad defensive rebounding in critical moments
Nothing complicated about it….
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
That was certainly part of it
But they just don’t seem to want to play at least 2 quarters of these games. The overall shooting % is terrible.
Blazers shot over 50% from 2-point range
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:29 PM PST up reply actions
hit another long three in the clutch
tonight to force OT on the road.
wish we had a player like that
PHILLY!
Doubt he cares.
Andre didn’t seem to want to be here, and they took a flyer on a PG. I seriously doubt the org cares.
if it doesn't work, it is not a mistake?
i don’t follow.
has dre explicitly ever said that he “did not want to be here?”
his grounded game can allow him to play at least 3-4 more years.
PHILLY!
couple of em:
trading away a smart, durable PGthat played a huge role in the development of the team’s star for one that had been generally thought of as mediocre throughout his career
blindly choosing age over fit and talent without considering how durable and effective dre can be
PHILLY!
Still looking for the mistake
Andre was very unlikely to stay, and is likely to degrade soon (at least, the concern is there).
They gave a shot on another PG, and were really nice to Andre and sent him to the team he liked.
why do you keep saying he was unlikely to stay?
where did he ever say that?
and the biggest mistake of all is downgrading talent at a position of tremendous need.
PHILLY!
He wasn't going to stay.
He loved Portland, but didn’t enjoy playing here.
Plus, if Andre wanted to stay, they might STILL have traded him on concerns of his age.
I miss Andre BIG TIME. But I understand the reasons for the trade.
were better at point.
Despite the turnover Felton might be finding his stroke right now. I think we have seen an out of control, out of shape, and atrocious shooter but that’s not who Felton really is. Wouldn’t worry about him, nor his back up.
Miller is tough, but get real.
Wow
Right now this team walks the sacred Path of Etic. It’s not firing up my basketball jones to fly to Portland and witness a game in the always-raucous Memorial Colesium (oops, cavernous Rose Garden.)
It’s beginning to feel like the mid-’90’s, here. Free Viktor Khryapa!
Steve Goodman lives.
I could never host one of these post game shows for the blazers
being forced to be upbeat after this must suck for them. I get you work for the team but it all just seems so disingenuous.
Kevin love puts up 25 points a night but he gets about 15 rebs at the same time.
in fact, Love has had a double double in everygame this season, not 1 game with less than 11 rebs. LMA has had like 6 dd’s all season
by cavejunctionblazer on Jan 21, 2012 7:28 PM PST reply actions
totally there is no excuse for him not too
LMA is bigger that Dwight Howard body wise, he should be pulling down ayleast 12 a night
by cavejunctionblazer on Jan 21, 2012 7:29 PM PST up reply actions
When they start winning, that'll be more relevant IMO
I want to see stats when winning. I think that’ll happen, but until then, I don’t sweat it.
i said that last year
KLOVE is doing it again this year. He is legit, cant deny it, winning or not
by cavejunctionblazer on Jan 21, 2012 7:30 PM PST up reply actions
Like I said, I think it'll happen
But until he can put those numbers up on a team that matters, I don’t really worry about him.
Heck, I hate Lake Oswego as much as anyone
But the boy can ball, he’s nuts for inside play. What’s wrong w/that?
Steve Goodman lives.
Recently it has been because he is saying stuff
He said he is the best PF in the league and then yesterday he said whenever he steps on the court he knows he has an advantage. He is good but I just don’t see it. When he steps on the court and LMA is there he cannot realistically think he has the advantage in a 1v1 matchup considering the history.
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 21, 2012 7:41 PM PST up reply actions
It's like explaining why comedy is funny.
People like what they like, and everyone will disagree on it.
I'm so sick of that excuse
I don’t care what team you play for, if you average 25 and 15 you are a great player.
ALOT of players could average 2-3 more rebounds per game if they sacrificed defensive positioning completely
just to get a few more boards that their teammates probably couldve grabbed
Yesterday he said he has the advantage against whoever PF he plays
All I though of was how Aldridge goes off on the wolves. Love has the stats but he really isn’t taking his team anywhere.
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 21, 2012 7:34 PM PST up reply actions
Im not certain, but close to it. Kevin Love plays absolutely no help defense. The guy wants to rebound, but isnt a defensive force by any stretch of the imagination. He does what he does well. But could never do what LMA does. However, if LMA wanted to crash the boards 40 minutes a night he could. However, LMA goes for blocks rather than rebounds most of the time.
Rules question, for you sticklers.
When Felton dribbles it off the opponent’s foot, isn’t that officially a kick-ball violation? Been meaning to ask.
brandon roy
without any menisci, and without having played in months is more clutch than all the players on this team combined.
PHILLY!
by CleBlazer on Jan 21, 2012 7:30 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I knew we would miss Roy
But this bad…jeez
We need a go to perimeter scorer who could take over games.
Since Crawford’s not getting the job done, that is why I want OJ Mayo.
Wes for OJ and a 1st?
Batum Shakalaka
We knew it from the get go.
Crawford has two modes. He can shoot you into a win or shoot you right out of it. Unfortunately we’ve seen more of the later so far this season.
Memphis wouldn't take that
not with a 1st
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 21, 2012 7:38 PM PST up reply actions
Ugh, it hurts to hear Brandon's name.
We were both lucky and unlucky to have him. How many players currently are so efficient in the clutch? But those knees….
Quick question.
How much more expensive would it have been to trade for Ty Lawson instead of Felton at the time?
Batum Shakalaka
Yup, Lawson is to denver as Batum is to portland.
except lawson is actually becoming a star at the most coveted position in the NBA right now
Who here watched the OKC v. Denver playoff series?
If so, then you know why Lawson was viewed as a major asset and Raymond Felton was quickly dealt.
"I Am Mine"
I thought the Blazers play Sac on Monday?
by BeaumontTXBlazerFan on Jan 21, 2012 7:33 PM PST reply actions
dude they played like "SACK" tonite hehe
by cavejunctionblazer on Jan 21, 2012 7:34 PM PST up reply actions
since when is a sack with nuts in it a bad thing?
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:35 PM PST up reply actions
a sack without nuts - now that would be a bad, sad thing
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:35 PM PST up reply actions
If anyone wants to rub salt in their wounds, watch NBATV and see Denver take care of New York.
"I Am Mine"
New York getting taken' care of is no surprise
Wouldn’t surprise me to see the Wizards go to New York and hand it to them…
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:41 PM PST up reply actions
I'd say they should fire D'Antoni, but Mike Woodson as head coach will just make things worse.
"I Am Mine"
New York fans are delusional though
and think they will lure out Phil Jackson
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 21, 2012 7:45 PM PST up reply actions
yup
and he knows it. That’s why he won’t come back for them.
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 21, 2012 7:51 PM PST up reply actions
I actually think Baron will be good for them as he flourishes in situations where he isnt the man
by TheOdenator52 on Jan 21, 2012 7:46 PM PST up reply actions
Davis over Felton?
Davis over Crawford? We have our own “so bad” problems…
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:49 PM PST up reply actions
They don't have to wait for the offseason
Take Felton now, please.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:51 PM PST up reply actions
His shooting is turning around
I hate to single out anyway, but Wesley has been a huge drag on this trip.
The trip was like a magnifying glass on Wes.
Not sure what’s up. I’d give him time off if he can fix what’s happening.
Poor Brandon.
I can’t help but think of how much he’d love to be SG right now if he could. I wonder if he’s watching, or can’t bear to.
Yeah - Felton at his best is a slightly above average player
Mathews at his best is even better. Both are nowhere near where they need to be for the Blazers – but Mathews – man…..
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Jan 21, 2012 7:56 PM PST up reply actions
Bright side
his contract is up after this year if we don’t want him anymore.
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 21, 2012 7:43 PM PST up reply actions
I think Minnesota is 1-4 in the same situation
nvm they hit that buzzer beater yesterday against the clips, IN Los Ang
How sad. I rememeber a time 3 years ago the Blazers had a crazy good record in that situation.
And also on the second game of a back to back. These new Blazers stink, stink, stink.
and that one win is a bit of a fluke
as we were up big and philly made some absurd threes to make the score closer than it was most of the game.
PHILLY!
Alright im out. have a good night my friends
see ya’s later
PEACE
by cavejunctionblazer on Jan 21, 2012 7:41 PM PST reply actions
later;)
Come on, let's all hug it out.
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Jan 21, 2012 7:42 PM PST up reply actions
Blazers are just not good. Keep that in mind while you're watching this year.
It’ll make your watching experience a whole lot more enjoyable :).
Bat88m
Nate doesn't seem to get effort out of our guys.
We slack off every year, regardless of who we have.
I'd prefer our opponent's coach tonight.
Or Adelman. He wasn’t perfect, but there’s a reason he’s so well regarded.
Was Adelman fired from Portland?
He seemed pretty good for us…
He played for us in the mid 2000's
He was in the late jailblazer years. We got rid of him. He plays back in Russia now.
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 21, 2012 7:50 PM PST up reply actions
He was ok.
He was up and down, with more down.
Chicago took a chance on him on that trade, since they wanted Thomas and knew Charlotte wanted Aldridge then Morrison. Which meant they could drop to 4th and still get Thomas.
(Am I remembering that correctly guys?)
yup
That’s how it went. He seems to be doing well back home in Russia.
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 21, 2012 7:55 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah
always felt bad for the guy. That team probably didn’t leave him with a good impression of the NBA or Americans in general.
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 21, 2012 7:57 PM PST up reply actions
The funny part is that something similar happened with SA and HOU with Batum
Then the Blazers traded up and stole Batum.
I would just like to see somebody with a better tactical approach. Nate has his positives,
but I think he struggles with the Xs and Os and making adjustments
missed out on that chance
you don’t know how bad it is for me to feel envious of freakin minnesota.
ugh.
PHILLY!
Yeah, but Skiles can coach up any team to at least mediocrity.
Then again, a team like Milwaukee may’ve been better off bottoming out.
"I Am Mine"
I'd also love Andrew Bogut, but I think they'll stay close enough to 8th seed contention.
"I Am Mine"
With Bogut's help of course
Have you watched them? How is Bogut looking after that horrendous injury?
Though, to be fair, Milwaukee is close to bottoming out than Portland.
Swap Scott Skiles out with someone like Paul Westphal and the Bucks would’ve been a cellar dweller.
"I Am Mine"
I still can't believe John Hammond dealt for S-Jax.
If anyone can create a toxic situation, it’s Captain Jack.
"I Am Mine"
we have aldridge
and a somewhat better contract situation.
our rebuild could possibly be done a lot faster if we have the right people leading it.
PHILLY!
I don't know if Chad is a problem or not
But I’d appreciate a GM who builds a plan. I don’t know how good Chad is on his own.
I'm not convinced PA won't rebuild.
But I do understand his reluctance on non-basketball grounds. Portland previously rebuilt on the fly and made two WCF’s. But I’d argue it was a different era.
Yeah, I can see where he's coming from.
I don’t agree with him, but I can understand it.
"I Am Mine"
nasherson had a plan
a really, really bad one.
having a plan is not enough. need an eye for talent as well.
PHILLY!
A strong part of me feels that a true rebuild involves dealing LMA and tanking ...
this season. That’s why I still like the idea of trading LMA to NJ for Brook, Memo, a 2012 first-rounder, a 2014 first-rounder, a 2016 first-rounder, a 2018 first-rounder, and a future conditional pick (via Houston).
NJ with LMA is still not a playoff team, so that’d give Portland two lotto picks in the 2012 NBA Draft — with that being its own and NJ’s pick — to build from. If there’s a season to miss the playoffs without upsetting fans too much, it’s in the midst of a lockout-shortened one.
Besides, it’s too late for people to give back their season tickets.
"I Am Mine"
That's why I like the NJ idea.
Very few teams that get LMA would still miss the playoffs, but I think the Nets would. It’d also allow Portland to bottom out this season, which’d mean two lotto picks this summer. On top of that, the other future picks are cost-effective assets. Getting Brook Lopez — who’s value has may have dropped due to his injuries and pending RFA status — would be a great pickup, too, while Memo’s expiring contract would just be filler.
"I Am Mine"
At this point
Assuming we got 2 top 10 picks who would you want?
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 21, 2012 8:26 PM PST up reply actions
Depends on where the Blazers are picking.
If LMA is dealt elsewhere and Portland gets two mid-lotto picks in the 6-10 range, I’d want a power forward like Jared Sullinger or Thomas Robinson and a shooting guard like Jeremy Lamb.
That, of course, is presuming two mid-lotto picks and not high lotto or late lotto picks.
"I Am Mine"
To add to that, a shot creator at the 2 like Lamb would ...
do a lot to fill a gaping hole on this team’s offense. Nothing could help more offensively than that.
"I Am Mine"
ya
that’s not happening. this org is scared of trading nicolas batum (rightfully so, in my mind, but regardless). they would never give up LA
PHILLY!
Skiles is intense
Saw him after the Buck game last year. It was a bad loss and his players looked basically afraid of him while getting on the bus.
by Sheed'sTowel on Jan 21, 2012 7:53 PM PST up reply actions
They need a coach to reel them in and focus them when they are
in a situation like tonight. I am tired of Nate skipping shoot arounds, maybe that’s kind of the team is shooting horrible lol.
Not bothered
I used to be bothered by that. But at some point, you need to lighten the mood.
It’s like the FG kickers who talked about thinking about brunettes before the kick.
Doesn't matter.
Doesn’t matter if they’re jovial or stone-cold serious, because the talent just isn’t there.
"I Am Mine"
is gerald getting traded?
https://twitter.com/#!/BlazerFreeman
Odd thing postgame in Detroit: I asked Wallace about his injured finger and he said, “No comment.”
I pressed Wallace a little, asking if it was his call to sit, and he replied: “I always want to play, dude.”
So I asked Wallace if it was a coach’s decision. He responded with another no comment and refused to acknowledge further questions.
PHILLY!
Actually he only said what you already posted.
And that an injured GW would be better than Babbitt.
Dude if you believe that I've got a not stolen car to sell you ;)
by TheOdenator52 on Jan 21, 2012 8:03 PM PST up reply actions
Cash or pain killers only no checks or paypal
by TheOdenator52 on Jan 21, 2012 8:04 PM PST up reply actions
hopefully it's not mine, I seem to forgot where I parked my car....
I was hoping to start a rumor which would hopefully start a buzz hahaha
Ok, let's get this out of the way
Is there ANY reason to believe this rumor, guys? ’Cause I need to report this stuff.
I just spoke with Wallace
he said management wanted to keep him around but DHoward’s agent called and they couldn’t pass up the offer = GW + Babbitt
Throw in Turkaglue's wife and they have a deal
by TheOdenator52 on Jan 21, 2012 8:07 PM PST up reply actions
Little slow tonight Ak? Too many Guinneses?
by TheOdenator52 on Jan 21, 2012 8:08 PM PST up reply actions
I was before the loss now drinking Black Velvet with a side of wrongful turnover
by TheOdenator52 on Jan 21, 2012 8:11 PM PST up reply actions
I started at halftime
I was comfortable I knew where the game was headed. But I made sure I wasn’t too cloudy to comfortably write a recap. I’m always careful about that.
but on a serious note
george hill is the kind of guy we should target. not yet broken out, but clearly on the verge of doing so.
same with DJ Augustin. but we might have missed the boat on that.
PHILLY!
I remember everyone talking about Dj being to short and too many turnovers last year.
Like his game and him and Aldridge played together for 1 year at Texas.
by TheOdenator52 on Jan 21, 2012 8:14 PM PST up reply actions
they have to pay both him and hibbert this summer
i would throw a toxic offer at either of those guys if we strike out with deron.
PHILLY!
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