Right now we have a lot of unused and unrecognized potential offensive firepower, because Steve Blake and Brandon Roy both suck at making entry passes, rewarding cutters, pushing the break, and setting picks.
We have been, since the start of this year, either #1 or #2 in offensive efficiency in the entire league (we are currently #2). This statement just does not recognize the fact that offense is NOT our problem.
do you watch the games? Why are we always so terrible at the start at the beginning of the game and the start of the third when Blake/Roy is our backcourt?
You hit the nail on the head! We will never be a fast breaking team like everyone wishes we could, which is a good because other than the Sergio and Rudy we just don't have that type of personnel. However, once everyone consistently play solid hard-nosed defense and our bigs dominate in rebounds category area we could have selective fastbreak opportunities similar to what the Spurs had we they were at the top of their game. I agree with you on the entry passes to the bigs, but that will also come in time. Oden needs to get in condition and Aldridge needs to recognize cutters. In terms of rewarding cutters, Oden is good at recognizing cutters (similar to what Walton had).
No. Roy is the only player worth a damn at entry passes. We don't reward cutters because very few Blazers actually cut to the hoop. When it happens, it takes everyone by supprise. In fact, you will see players fake a cut to the basket, then fade to the corner. This happens to fake out their own teamates. I have seen at least 4 turnovers caused by just this behavor. We are not, and never haven been a fast break team. We are not going to be in the future, either. Frankly, it has gotten slightly better this season, but I am pretty sure we are last in the league still. If you think fast breaks are what wins titles, I would submit to you the 2006 Phoenix Suns. Why in the hell would Roy or Blake set picks? Players should set picks for them, which they are doing a very poor job of.
Yes. We have started fast against Miami, the Bulls, Utah, Sacramento and probably other games I can't think of - so the always terrible start thing is nonsense at best. Can't remember anything specific about the 3rd quarter - but the fact of that matter is that the numbers clearly show that our problems are defense, not offense. If you tell me that you watch the games and you disagree - than the problem is not with the numbers - it's with your ability to interpret what is happening on the court. The last game against the Kings also showed me that we started the 4th with 4 points over the Kings, with Sergio trying to push the ball and by mid-quarter we were down by 6. We had Roy and Blake come back in and they (Roy specifically) won us the game. Again, look at the statistics. Our offense works well most nights - and there is no reason to assume it will not get better simply by having better post play as Oden gets his legs and improves his skills. Our problem is defense, not offense.
That is what I've been trying to hammer in since posting on this forum. Defense wins championships. For some reason a lot of folks are so enamored with the fast break up tempo offense. It is fun to watch (I do watch the Warriors for fun, but I cringe of the thought of our Blazers using such a system). Anyhow, the offense first mindset can only get you so far in the playoffs. The Showtime Lakers had the best running team ever, but their defense (perimeter and interior) spearheaded those fastbreaks. Indeed, we need to play to "potential" strength, which is defense. Offense gets all the glory and comes naturally to most players because most players love that end of the court, but team defense is hard work and takes a certain mindset.
oh yeah, the year Phoenix would've won if not for the bogus suspension of their two best players in a huge playoff series, I remember that. I'm not calling for us to be a fast break team, I'm calling for us to selectively run as well as the average in the league...idiot The showtime lakers, spurs, Kobe-Shaq lakers, Jordan bulls, Bird Celtics, and a lot of other CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS at least could get as many fast break points as average. I have never called to push the ball down the court after the other team scores (though it can lead to easy points its very risky), I just think we should get to average with the personal we have who are more than capable. Specifically Sergio, Rudy, Webster, and Aldridge who are being completely wasted right now.
Ummm, sorry, but Amare Stoudemire ran out onto the court (from the bench) and, as they say, started to "act like he was somebody." Meaning that he ran out there with his chest all puffed-up, looking as menacing as he possibly could've, and started trying to intimidate players from the opposing team during the fracas. In case you haven't heard, the NBA has a (strict) rule about players leaving the bench during altercations--and it carries with it a mandatory suspension of, at minimum, one game. Was it unfortunate that it might've cost the Suns a trip to The Finals? Yeah, probably for Suns fans. But, as the old adage goes: "Rules are rules." Amare broke the rules and got suspended, then he and the Phoenix Suns had to pay the price for his stupidity and/or disregard of the rules. "Bogus?" Puh-lease...
Maybe we should wait and see how Nate uses Webster with the current team before you decide that he is being completely wasted right now.
I am wondering just how many games we would win if Roy wasn't playing? I am guessing we would have lost the first two home games, since he saved those for us. Probably the game on Monday, since he was the only player worth a shit on the floor. In fact, I would say that those players you just mentioned better fucking get used to playing with B-Roy since he is BY FAR the best player on the team. And one other thing. I refrained from name calling because doing so on a forum is for cowards. I perfer to do the majority of my insulting to someones face.
it's time for Roy to take the next step in his development as a star, learning to play off the ball. If not he will always be either a good player on a bad team, or a good player on a good team who doesn't make his teammates better. Lebron moves backdoor and helps out his teammates, Wade does it too, even Iverson to a certain extent. Playing with good bigs is humbling for star guards, and that's what Roy needs to learn to do.
what about just Blake/Frye for Barbosa? That could make things interesting...Barbosa has long been said a good compliment to Roy. He fits more into our timeline than Nash, though he isn't nearly as good. It could open up minutes for Rudy and Batum, and I definitely see the appeal for Phoenix. Roy/Sergio/Bayless Barbosa/Rudy Webster/Batum Aldridge/Outlaw/Diogu/Randolph Oden/Pryzbilla it also doesn't lessen our cap space at all for next year.
Really? Than how comes that Juan Dixon, Travis Outlaw, Martell Webster, Steve Blake, James Jones and Zach Randolph had their best years as NBA players playing next to Brandon Roy?
ha, that's pretty circumstancial guy. Juan has sucked every year of his career and got the most playing time that year, Outlaw, Martell, and Blake have never really played with anyone else (averaged more than 15mpg), Jones had a real good stretch and then cooled off playing mostly with Sergio, and Randolph had a better year before his MF w/o Roy. Nice logic
KP is a smart man. He would not give up a chunk of our future for players like Diaw, Barbosa, an aging Steve Nash, ect. Amare on the other hand.....
