Damian Lillard's Progress On Defense

"By Ben Golliver" ... literally

http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/12/...blazers-g-damian-lillards-progress-on-defense

[video=youtube;LxBp__rY0tQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LxBp__rY0tQ[/video]

 

Literally can't take this seriously then

 

Its not Ben Golliver....read the article.

 

I could have sworn that it said Ben Golliver before. Perhaps it was just his tweet. Either way if I was wrong then my bad and either way I still thought it was interesting and encouraging.

 

Well if it's not Golliver then it is gospel

 

Summary: he's improved so now he's average.
Basically I agree with this. Hopefully he has another jump in improvement next year which is very possible if he plays much in the playoffs.

 

What's encouraging is that the improvement is all him; he didn't meet with anyone in particular, just kept his nose to the grindstone all summer. I want him and Payton to chat some more; I think Lillard will improve a bunch from that.

 

I've noticed that too. I just don't get why fans feel this way. Is wanting to be right more important to the success of the franchise?

 

That's not what I am saying at all, actually.

What I am saying is Golliver, Canzano and a lot of National writers have been called a hack by virtually everyone in the forum. And people that posted article by them regarding trades or whatever were chastised by most of the forum for it. Now those same people are posting articles by the same writers because they are praising the team, and I find it humorous.

 

I literally don't understand what you're saying here. Literally. Please explain (because I tend to share MM's outlook on the Blazers, if little else).

 

I was talking about MM, not you.

 

if he believes what I do, then you were talking about both of us

 

No it was a reply to how you use the media as the opposite as what the homers use it for, applying it when it gives you a reason to call out the forum, then discrediting it when it goes against what you believe.

Basically, you are doing exactly what you complain about.

 

Part of the reason he over plays isolation is because he is told to. Giving up three point attempts is not acceptable in this system, allowing the defender by for an open 18 foot jumper is acceptable because the shoot is generally not high percentage. Still in a playoff series his Iso defense will need to improve significantly. The West is full of guards capable and willing to attack in ISO, we have already seen what Dragic and Bledsoe can do to this team. Lawson, Westbrook, Paul, Conley and Lin also represent players that could take advantage of Lillard's iso deficiency.

 

I think our defense, especially Lillard's second half D has been stellar. What matters is what you do after the half, as long as the team keeps it close for the first 2.

 

Here's my problem Mags. IMHO,
Lillard is a good defender (NBA average or better).
Wes is a very good defender.
Ditto for Batum.
Ditto for Lopez.
LMA's defense has improved.

However, I can't rectify my opinions with the fact that we have been a poor defensive team, and yes we ARE a poor defensive team. (I'm hopeful that changes but I too am somewhat of a homer).

 

I don't understand how we are "poor" when we are middle of the pack right now. We are 15th in defense right now, #2 in Three point %. I agree we aren't elite, but we aren't definitely a poor defensive team.

 

Yea no way we beat OKC, IND, GSW, SA if we're a poor defensive team.