What are we missing?
by OllieG123 on Feb 9, 2012 2:27 PM PST
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PrintHaving watched these last few games, I has become apparent to me that we are really missing that X-Factor to push us to being a powerful and consistant team. I think we are close enough, with LA as the core of our team we just need to build around his game, and get players that fill in his weaknesses. My question is what is that X-Factor that we are missing? Do you think it is a young and energetic center who can control the boards, or a in control quick point guard who can really be the Blazer's floor general?
I would argue that they need both to even consider moving deep into the playoffs and really challenge the OKC's and Heat of the league. But if we are going to go out and try to move forth, who do you go after first? I would say find that point guard that can really set the tempo and get the team on the right track! I know it has been mentioned, but I think a Rondo would do wonders for the team. Or what about the idea of trying to orchestrate a move for Austin Rivers in the draft?
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I think if we had a constant 3-pt threat at PG
would be more valuable that a big guy manning the center.
we surely need both (eventually), but right now we’re having a lack of production outside of LMA. however, the older vets are suitable to play spot mins at C, and so far it hasn’t been hurting us as bad at the bad play at PG.
"If you can do a half-assed job of anything, you're a one-eyed man in a kingdom of the blind."
by thankyouforblaze on Feb 9, 2012 2:42 PM PST reply actions
We need a lead guard(Either position), we have been missing since losing Roy & then Miller.
also, we need a reliable starting center. I believe Camby/Thomas could be a dominant defensive/rebounding tandem against second units.
"We gotta get this $#!^ together guys!" - Phil
we need to sort out our guards just to be competitive
to make a solid run we need a couple of sharp shooters, an elite or near elite PG and a deeper bench.
- knockdown shooter
- shot creator off the dribble (can be same guy, but must be significantly better at this than CrawFeltWes)
- rebounders who are not undersized and preferably are also not some of the oldest players in the NBA
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
We could start by playing to our strengths
The team does not look organized on the court. Nobody seems to know what to do, where to be to put themselves in good position to make a pass or take a pass. We go one on 2 or three all the time but rarely get the ball to the player in a good position for them. Too much Wesley and Felton trying to create into the teeth of the defense. Too much dumping the ball to LA on the block and watching him try to make a move while he gets tripled. Too much asking GW to bail the team out with long distance shooting rather than movement to the hoop. We don’t seem to be puttin gthe players in positions to be successful for their particular strengths enough and or when the game is on the line we do not make the strategic set of moves like many other teams do and CERTAINLY what Houston was doing last night.
at least one other all-star level player.
one all-star isn’t going to get you to serious postseason contention, unless you’re talking one of the best of all-time type players.
Doesn’t really matter what position, as long as it’s not another PF.
we are missing exactly one thing
knee cartilage #brandonroyliveson
We need a consistent scorer.
Doesn’t have to be a great shooter. Doesn’t have to be a PG.
Felton has been disappointing, but the struggles we’ve been having don’t really fall to him. A lot of his problems have come from him trying to make something out of nothing (dribbling into traffic, throwing up a prayer). I like to use a career as a measuring stick, he has a good career and been a solid lead guard, so I see no reason why he can’t get back to that level. He just needs help; he isn’t a franchise changer.
The issue is we have no solid number 2 option. Clearly, Wallace’s legs have left him, and he is completely unprepared to change his game to fit his new athletic limitations. If he doesn’t change his game, he will become a useless shell of his former self (which he is already starting to look like). We need a solid second option. Someone who forces the defense to stay honest.
"Brandon Roy has done this before."
You all know exactly what we are missing...
a healthy Greg Oden. A dominate center is still the most valuable piece a basketball team can have. The Camby/Thomas/Smith situation is a finger in the dam. I’m not saying you should keep him, trade him, waive him, whatever. I’m just stating a fact. If we had him with this group at full health, we’d have no problems. I’d even venture to say, we’d be a top 5 team and a championship contender.
If Oden was playing the game right now, today, it would be easy for Felton. He’s got GO on one block and LMA on the other. Just make the inlet pass to either one. We wouldn’t be having the PGOTF discussion. He’d probably lead the league in assists.
Crawford is being used incorrectly. He’s strictly a SG and has no business playing the point. He should never have to defer his shot. He should solely be used off the bench to come out and shred the opponents defense. Shooters shoot. He should be a black hole. Once he gets the ball no one else touches it. We$ Matthews knows that. He’s the biggest black hole on the team and I have no problem with that.
Noland Smith should be played as the back-up PG. Nate should be playing him. Especially now. What does he have to lose?
You’ve got to give Batum 35 minutes a game and start him. I love me some GW. Who doesn’t? You just can’t have them both and make things work. GW needs to go at the trade deadline. Where and to whom for who knows what I can’t tell you. It just needs to happen.
Lastly, we have a rookie by the name of E-Will who is rotting on the bench. Big time player of the future? My gut feeling is the kids got it. You know what I mean when you see him on the court. I don’t know how you fit him in, but somehow you’ve got to play him.
by toolman on Feb 9, 2012 4:46 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
We need everything on the poll list except I belive we already have a solid SF - Batum.
Batum needs to be the starter again. It will help to rebuild his confidence.
We may also have a long term solution for back up PF – RHINO! Let him develop more and have enough time to feel like he really has a long term home here. I really think he has what it takes to be a solid backup PF.
The one thing that did not make it on your list is that we need a new coaching staff top to bottom. No I don’t have the perfect answer for this any more than anyone else. All I am sure of is that Nate is not ever going to take this team to the next level so it is time to start trying other options. Personally, I would love to see Monte come back to Portland.
LaMarcus All-Stardridge - 2012 All-Star Reserve!!!!
THE LAMONSTER ERA IS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At this point I would give the nod to start Batum over Wallace but I'm still hesitant as for the future..
He is essentially producing the same amount of numbers this year while being more efficient with less minutes. I’m not sure if you increase his minutes that his numbers will go up.
As far as stats go this season when he logs 30 minutes or more, it’s a mixed bag. Lots of ups and downs but that is how his season was last year as the starter. Not saying that he’s incapable of being consistent but I am just preaching caution in thinking he is our SFOTF.
by FPS NorthWest on Feb 9, 2012 11:37 PM PST up reply actions
In a heartbeat
Love Nico, but Rondo is my white whale. That said… Ugh I couldn’t hate Jermaine O’Neal more than I already do.
I wonder if you could get something done with G.W, Felton and Camby for Rondo and, um, something else that makes the money match… Just riffin’ here…
Rondo, Wes, Nic, Lamarcus and (trade filler/Thomas/Johnson)
LA deserves a point guard or he’s just flat-out wasting his time and his prime. I’d hate to see that.
"Besides, this is going to be the most bitchingly fast bike in all of Orange County."
a starting 2 guard and a backup point guard
Wesley is a great bench guard but a subpar starter, and a true backup point would make a world of difference.
by skott75 on Feb 9, 2012 8:12 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Sad but true
Wes seems to need a dynamic guard playing with him. Like how Dre was Jedi-like with his knowledge of angles, the pass-before-the-pass, etc.
Love him, but he’s not a go-to type. Never was supposed to be, though, I guess.
Drives home the point that this year was an experiment. At least we’re getting to see what we are and what we aren’t.
"Besides, this is going to be the most bitchingly fast bike in all of Orange County."
More than anything else, this team is missing a shot creator and scorer at the 2.
Jeremy Lamb or Austin Rivers would look sweet in a Blazers uniform right about now.
"I Am Mine"
by AK1984 on Feb 9, 2012 11:16 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
I'm on the Jeremy Lamb bandwagon if we tank this season.
The smarter you are, the more likely you are to be tripping balls at any given moment.
/keep Batum/ /trade for Bogut/
Austin Rivers baby
no better one-on-one perimeter players in the NCAA
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
We are missing
-A coach
-A closer
-A guy who gets calls
-Good PG play
-A lack of will on the road
-Last years Wesley Mathews
-Greg Odone, Brandon Roy
-A hot sideline reporter, sorry Terry Porter doesnt cut it
-A good looking chick on talkin’ ball
-Gerald Wallace and Wesley Mathews on the road
-Andre Miller
-Channing Frye
-Rick Adelman
-Kevin Durant
We're missing
1) A reliable point guard (i.e. someone who can shoot ~43-46% from the field, and 36% + from 3-point land, knows how to run a team, and won’t cough up the ball at inopportune times)
2) A perimeter player who can consistently provide offense to back up LA.
3) A young rebounder/defender.
Ideally, we’d get the first two from one guy.
We are missing two things as currently constructed.
1) Hall-of-fame caliber guard.
2) Efficiency around the rim.
I would really like to start next season with JaVale McGee, Paul Milsap and LMA as our 3 man big rotation with one of Camby or Thomas playing around 10 minutes per game as the second big off the bench. I think if we add a hall-of-fame guard (at the point or otherwise) we would have enough talent to contend. That said, if Oden plays over 150 minutes and ends the season without a new injury we have to keep him.
by Oden Mad, Oden Smash! on Feb 10, 2012 11:23 AM PST reply actions
To add to that,
It is a really short list of Hall-of-fame guards that might relocate in the next two years. The top-10, in order of my preference.
Chris Paul
Paul Pierce
Manu Ginobili
Steve Nash
Deron Williams
Ray Allen
Andre Iguodala
Chauncey Billups
Tony Parker
Jason Kidd
by Oden Mad, Oden Smash! on Feb 10, 2012 11:35 AM PST up reply actions
paul millsap is not going back to the bench, and neither is McGee
but i think we’d be great with one of them to start alongside LMA and camby/thomas/smith off the bench. we definitely need a high-quality guard to pair with LMA.
"Wide, girthy. Just like a Rhino. Sometimes my horns are visible."
Andre Igoudala and Kirk Hinrich.
If we could somehow acquire those two players while keeping Batum and Aldridge and adding a younger defense/reboudning C we could be the next Pistons. Defensive intensity with a team that at least on paper would mesh very well and have their roles clearly defined within each other.
It’s too bad that Philadelphia is doing so well this year and that there’s no way in hell they let go of Iggy…
The smarter you are, the more likely you are to be tripping balls at any given moment.
/keep Batum/ /trade for Bogut/
Why so negative?
all the time.
by Oden Mad, Oden Smash! on Feb 10, 2012 5:12 PM PST up reply actions
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