I was at the game as well - and I thought the team just lost it's cohesion as soon as Miller got in the game. Whine about Blake all you want - but the guys seemed to know what they were doing with him in there - once Miller got in the game - all the spacing seemed to be gone to shit. 2nd Game in a row that our starting unit starts like gangbusters and the 2nd unit kills it. I think Miller is the biggest issue that needs resolved now - and honestly, I would look at JB as the 2nd PG of the bench instead of Miller for a game or two.
I felt the opposite early in the game. And I've felt that way the past few, that Miller gets in, and the lead increases. He came in, we were up 13-7 after 7.5 minutes of play. We had 2 assists in that time. At the end of the first quarter, we were up 25-15. Miller had 3 assists in those 3.5 minutes. Rudy had one as well. We were up 33-25 in the second quarter when Blake came back in, but played alongside Andre. Miller had picked up two more assists. 33-25, and we finished the second quarter with a 1 point lead, 48-47. I think a big issue is playing them alongside eachother, for one. But I think early in the games, Miller has looked good.
What killed us in the second quarter? Miller+Blake lineup. God damn, I can't figure out why you would play such a defensively challenged lineup when they don't even provide a boost on offense.
I think normally, that lineup is stupid. Even mroe so with a team like Atlanta, who plays a somewhat unconventional lineup as is. Maybe not unconventional exactly, but they don't have two "true PGs" that dictate going super small like that. Rudy can stick with Bibby just fine. If there was ever a game to experiment with Rudy at PG for small stretches, or otherwise a Rudy-Roy backcourt, this was it. Nope. We go to that shit show that brought us from a nice sized lead to shit.
Maybe you are right. Who knows. I just got a strange vibe that spacing all went to hell when Miller was in there. Didn't we have a lost ball in the 2nd half when Roy was looking for him somewhere and threw the ball to him but Miller was too close? I thought that was what I saw - and Roy was talking to him after. Maybe I am wrong - but that was my impression.
It always is. Blake and Miller are two of the worst defenders on a defensively challenged team. There's no reason to have both on the floor at the same time, especially when one is always going to have to guard a SG.
Agreed. That 3 guard unit with Blake, Miller and Roy is a total failure. What I don't get is, it hasn't been successful once this season. Not in pre season, not in regular season. If I figured it out in pre season, why hasn't Nate figured it out? Is he high on crystal meth or something?
They were booing b\c many people thought it was a goal tend....Not b\c of Miller's shot...get it right...even Wheeler aluded to that on the radio broadcast... If he tried to dump or dish it? You mean the guy who had 11 assists and ZERO turnovers? and one of the only other players BESIDES Roy who was actually trying to get to the lane, instead of settling for fadeaway jumpers (Yeah you Travis Outlaw)? I mean is Charles Barkley a prophet now or what? The problem isn't Miller man.....The problem is with Nate & Roy thinking the same starting lineup is a 54 win team THIS season.....If POR wants to improve, then they need to give Rudy & Miller MORE minutes than Blake & Outlaw and get Oden more involved on the offensive end..... but alas our "franchise" player and coach can't seem to fathom that undeniable reality....
lol... I'd hate to laugh when we're struggling.. but I sure as hell don't know what's going on in that play with Brandon and LaMarcus just having their arms up, Brandon seemingly guarding Hoford and Joel coming from the 3-point line. Funny picture..
I have no idea what we continue to play that backcourt. Meanwhile, Rudy gets 17 minutes. Doesn't make sense at all.
What? Play a SG who exels at transition/fast break basketball with a small unit, and at his natural position? Complete Lunacy I tell you!
Well, to be fair, Rudy was shooting 1-5 and has been recovering from injury. It may be that he really shouldn't be playing more than that.
Sometimes with scorers you have to roll with the punches. How many games did Roy not do much for a half or 3/4 only to tear it up in the 4th? You never know when they are going to start steamrolling and get hot. Sometimes it only takes one shot. Secondly, are you going to tell me Steve Blake is going to perform better than Rudy at SG, and should be getting minutes than him? If it is due to an injury, then really Rudy shouldnt be out on the floor at all. Why play him at all?
I guess it depends on what you consider "real" in the rumor mongering age of ESPN.com Supposedly they could have gotten Gerald Wallace for Batum and other parts, supposedly he passed on Mike Conley for Travis and other pieces, there are other rumored deals, but I have no way of independently confirming them. I can only confirm that he's made very few trades aside from the flurry of deals that happened on draft night in his first couple years as GM when he was simply cleaning house. Since then, all I know is that aside from Sergio being shipped off to Sacramento to move up to the top of the second round, he's made no trades with any of the player's he's drafted, and for all of the talk I've heard him give about having to sit on his hands because his nature is to be aggressive in trades, he's done very little to actually consolidate any of this young talent into something a little more crystalized and concrete vs. the constant stockpiling of "potential."
Guys play hurt all the time. Sometimes pain seems tolerable at the beginning of the game but seems pretty intolerable after 17 minutes.
Give me a break. Blake is what he is - but he is not THE problem. In 5 games this year, the team is +15 with Blake (+/-) In 5 games this year, the team is -27 with Miller (+/-) If there is a problem with the 3 guard line-up - it's not Blake that is the problem. For the record, last year, when we played a 3 guard line-up with Roy, Rudy, Blake, LMA and Joel - we were fantastic. It looks to me like someone needs to light a big, flaring light in Miller's rear...
Well that's the rub really. I think Thibbedeau (sp?) from Boston would be a step up. I've seen decent arguments for McHale. Heck I even think Monty Williams would be a huge step up. My dream of course is Poppovich, but I have no clue what his contract with SA is like and if he can break it...
