Transcript: Blazers Coach Terry Stotts Reflects On Game 1 Loss To Spurs, Looks Ahead To Game 2

Portland Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts offered some reflections on his team's Game 1 loss to the San Antonio Spurs and looked ahead to Game 2 during a media availability at Wednesday's practice.

Video via YouTube user portlandtrailblazers.

Getting off to a better start

I think San Antonio's energy was certainly at a high level. it kind of set the tone for them for the game. it took us awhile to catch up to that level. It's one game, you have to learn from it, we need to get off to a better start.

Learning experience?

I don't know about learning experience. We need to come and play better at both ends. We can take learning experiences down the road. It's more about being focused and playing a better game. I don't now if it's necessarily about learning experiences, as much as we have to play the way we're capable of playing.

More patience from LaMarcus Aldridge in Game 2?

Short answer is yes. I thought his post-ups in the second half were very effective. I thought we played better in the second half. Part of that was being down 20, maybe San Antonio didn't have the same energy as they started the game with. The fact that the second half, we played a little bit better, the way we needed to play at both ends, is something we have to have a focus to do at the beginning of the game.

You want to encourage Tony Parker to shoot mid-range shots on the pick-and-rolls?

Yes.

We had him 5-for-12 on mid-range shots. That's a number we can live with. He was 5-for-5 in transition, that's a number we have to be better with. We've got to keep the ball out of the middle as much as we can. It's much better to keep him out of the paint, the more we can keep him out of the paint, it takes away opportunities for him and his teammates.

Transition and second-chance points

San Antonio averaged 18 points in fast break and second-chance points, and they had 41 last night. That's 23 [more than the season average]. Whether it's turnovers, fast breaks, their offensive rebounding, I think they were 16-for-20 in those two categories. From a defensive standpoint, that's our biggest concern, cutting those down to a manageable number.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter