Portland has a pretty explosive offense. I was unaware how good we are. PER 100 Possessions: FGM - 2nd (40.5, only trailing SAS by 0.5 FG) FG% - 13th (I blame MO! ) 3FGM - 3rd (Only trailing Washington and Golden State) 3FG% - 7th (2% lower than the #1 team) OREB - 5th (2.7 behind the leader) AST - 4th (4 behind the Miami Heat) Then I went a little further and looked at our shot chart. Seems we are money on the top of the key, right elbow, right 15-20 ft., right 3, left 3 and left 15-20. We are the worst on the left elbow. http://stats.nba.com/teamShotchart....eason&display-mode=performance&zone-mode=zone If our team could just strengthen our D, we would be an elite team. I'm talking contender. Our offense is on pace to be top 5 in most categories. If we have the D there, we would be a top 3 team.
The forum discussed (argued) a year or so ago about how Portland plays right to left, so the shot chart makes sense (more shots left than right) Left side comes off quick shots and shot clock running down The key shows more contested floaters than throwing the ball inside Just my observation, but I know nothing
If you need any other indication that the three point shot is becoming the most important shot in the game. Even with how ridiculously well the Blazer's have shot the 3 so far this season, they're still 7th in the league. Crazy. I expect numbers to fall of course, but I think the notion of not being able to win a championship with a bunch of three point shooters is going to be broken soon. (If not already)
Yeah we just need to be an average defensive team and we could make a run at a top3 seed. The west is so deep that doesn't mean we win anything in the playoffs but it would be exciting. When we get set on defense we are solid, so getting back in transition was a huge improvement against the Kings. I’d like to see the team try to get less offensive rebounds, that isn’t a stat you necessarily want to be good at. Better to get back on defense. Our defensive rebounding is the biggest concern I have with our defense though. Was the Houston game or the Sacramento game the defensive rebounding Blazer team we’ll see over most of the year?
Yeah I’ve been shocked at this too. There are so many good long range shooters its now normal for guys to hit over 40% from there. Heck we are shooting 41% as a team. Are players just more skilled now days? Are guys open more often? As the year plays out and defenses get more experience will there be less open 3’s? If the 3point shooting continues at the rate it has it will be a totally different NBA game.
If we are an average defensive team we could make a run at that. Last year we were one of the worst. Before playing the Kings we were the worst this year. Denver was a top 3 seed last year. Doesn't mean we'd win anything in the playoffs but seeds 3-6 might only be 4 games apart in the standings.
I think the trend determines the outcome. In the 90's, mid range game was one of the most important. Most players were pretty damn good from that point because they practiced to get er done. I think since the trend is shooting more 3's, you will see more players better from there. The more you practice and use it in games, the better you are.
I remember a few years ago, shooting over 40% from three was considered ridiculously good. Now players are doing it on a consistent basis.
Isn't that one of Lamarcus' favorite places to shoot? EDIT: Yep--looks like he's 0-10 from the left elbow. Perhaps he should stay away from that spot. http://stats.nba.com/playerShotchart.html?PlayerID=200746
Not this year, but he too 40% of the total team's shots from there and missed every one of them. It seems the center, right and right 10-15 footers are money for him.
Another good thing to look at is Aldridge is making more of an effort to take it inside. Most of his shots are coming from 0-15 (71), instead of 16-23 (52). I would still like him to take it inside a little more, but at least he is working inside more.
This chart shows why the corner 3 is the most efficient shot in the NBA. It's the shortest 3-pointer and helps spread the court. And, just look at those percentages! The Blazers are shooting 18/35, 51.43% on corner 3s. That's the equivalent to 77.14% on 2-pointers. Who wouldn't take that? BNM
He’s been great this year. When the defense leaves him wide open he takes an easy two. But he isn’t settling for difficult long two’s, he is trying to first get a better shot inside for himself or a teammate. They talked about it on talking ball last game but the team is doing a great job of moving him all over the court. He doesn’t catch the ball in the same spot very often. Its harder for the defense to double team him or know where to bring the double from.
That's a really good point. I've always said that was one of the problems in the playoffs against Roy because Roy had that signature drive he made most the time. Defenses could trap and force him out of his comfort zone. With Aldridge taking shots from all points of the floor, it's a hard cover for teams. If the defense is moving to a money spot, he just moves to another money spot.
