Yes, it would be nice to have a point guard who can shoot the three. But isn't it more important that he creates easy buckets for the rest of the team? We need Miller on the floor 35 mins a game to control the flow of the offense. I agree he hasn't been playing very well, but he has only been playing spot minutes an isn't able to get into a rhythm. It's obvious that our offense runs smoother when he is on the court AND he has been the only one that has gotten Greg some easy points. Why do you think Greg scored so much more in the pre-season? Because he was playing on the "second unit" with Miller. Let's play Miller the majority of the game to run the offense and then bring Bayless off the bench to keep the pressure on the defense. Blake doesn't seem to be applying much pressure... Last night's stats: "Starting PG" Blake - 3 Ast 1 TO Miller - 11 Ast 0 TO And the ONLY thing worse than playing Blake over Miller, is playing Blake WITH Miller.
I am a firm believer in starting your best 5 guys. I think Miller should be starting. Edit: But I also think that Miller shouldn't just be shooting three's, when they kick it out, someone needs to put motion into the offense, so miller can hit the cutters.
I have a really REALLY bad feeling that there may not be any changes till its too late. I dont want to come accross as the typical 5 games into the season overreactor fan but this is clearly not working and I dont get a "well, its a developing work in progress" kind of vibe. I like all of our players and would hate to see some of then go but its time for a consolidation trade. The temptation of having 12 good players leads to undefined roles, pissed players who arent playing and 3 guard line-ups. Its time to get it down to 8-9 great players with CLEARLY defines roles. If it wouldnt fuck their heads so much I would be tempted to tell the players, "Look, changes are coming, either play together as a team and pick up the defense or you will be part of the conslidation trade."
Good one. I think I'd rather see Nate go to the players and say "Listen, I have 3 guys on the bench that will all give more effort than you guys. Turn it around now, or switch places with them."
He could say that, but no one would believe him. Isn't that like "the starters will be determined by their play on the court". We all know that's not REALLY the case.
I'd rather he just skip that step and proceed straight to the replacement. The problem is, like I have said in the past, in order to get Nate to quit playing some guys, you have to trade them off the roster, and he won't quit playing them until you don't give him the choice.
I think Miller should be starting and Oden should play the first period, till half time until he gets 3 fouls. Then sit him out all of the 3rd and play him all 4th quarter until he fouls out. I think Oden has no flow. He is in and out and can't get into rhythm. I think the sooner you bring in Miller as the facilitator, the better.
I'm kind of scared now. Oden does look better with Miller on the floor, which means McMillan might bench Oden and start Pryz.
Yea me and LittleAlex were talking about that very thing last night. It gives me the worst feeling in my gut ever about this season.
This is huge for not just Oden but the whole team. You cant get flow with automatic timed substitutions. And if you do it gets killed when that sub is made. Its time to play who works the best till they need a break or get into foul trouble. If that means a consolidation trade then so be it. The current method isnt going to just get better. It relies on EVERY player maximizing their playing EVERY night. You cant make that guarantee.
Yup, I bet hasoos 10 bucks this would happen for the Spurs game. I got that sinking feeling when Joel started the second half. Portland went on a mini-run then took a crap. I am guessing Nate will look at that mini-run and decide the difference was Joel. He may very well be right in the short term. Long term, if Oden never gets comfortable as an offensive option Portland is going to be an also-ran for the next 6 years. Better to suffer through now then drag it out for years and years.
The problem was not our starting PG. We were 25-15 with the starting PG and we were up at the end of his stint in the previous game as well. The problem is with the backup PG - the team seems to completely lose it's composure when he is in. Spacing goes to shit as well. I would seriously look at JB instead of Miller for a game or two.
The ONLY way Oden is going to start to excel offensively is if he has a competent point guard who can get him some easy buckets and put him in position to succeed. Miller has shown he can/will do that and Oden was starting to excel offensively in the pre-season. We can't just put Oden on an island with the ball and expect him to create for himself.
Oden, if we want him to become good offensively, can't just get his points off putbacks and postups. They need to start giving him good looks, drive to the lane and dish it off, play the pick and roll.
Lets get a couple of things straight here. The Blazers were up early because Aldridge and Roy put down 14 points apiece early. At one point, Aldridge and Roy had scored 28 points and the rest of the Blazers had scored 5. Blake had one 3 pointer. The lead melted away when Nate played that unit I have been harping about since pre season. The unit with Blake and Miller at guard, Roy at SF, one big and Outlaw at PF. That unit has bit balls all year long, and Nate still hasn't figured it out. That unit flat out sucks. For some reason, he seems hung on the idea that a running unit has to be small. He couldn't be more far from the truth. It needs speed, and the ability to think on the fly. Steve Blake is one of the worst fast break players on the team. He is a poor decision maker on the break, he is a poor finisher in the paint, and he is poor at spacing the floor in fast break situations. His role should be Steve Kerr, space the floor and take the open jumper.
Instead of Blake or Miller, you add Fernandez and you got a stud line-up. I would rather see this one. Blake, Fernandez, Roy, Aldridge and Oden. Aldridge and Oden are big enough to make up for the lack of size in the back court. But all 4 positions can create their own shot, well maybe not Oden right now. And Blake would flourish on this type of line-up, since anyone that comes off him to double or trap, will be victim to his wide open "Three"
What? Play a SG at SG? Are you completely crazy? Why would you want to play a guy at his natural position? Crazy Talk!!!!
