Despite what it may seem, there were positives in game one. First, if we would have played the first half like we played the second half, we would have been right there at the end. In quarters 1 & 2, the Spurs outscored us 65-39, but in the 3rd and 4th quarters we actually outscored the Spurs 53-51. We were just so completely out of sync at the start that we killed ourselves. Second, Aldridge found a rhythm in the second half. he finished with a very LMA 32 and 14. He was the only one who actually showed up last night. We will need more of that in game 2. Third, it seemed like Dame finally found his flow as well. He finished with 17, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists, most of it coming in the second half. It seems like San Antonio is really trying to take away the three. He isn't getting any open looks, so that's an adjustment that Dame will have to make. It looked like he could get to the rim anytime he wanted, and he was finding open guys, but they simply weren't making shots. Fourth, Wes and Nic won't play that badly every night. I suspect they'll bounce back in game 2. Wes needs to recognize that this is a different team and a different series. He was trying to play the same physical defense and the refs were not allowing it. Either he's going to adjust or he's going to keep fouling out. Lastly, Will Barton. As I said in the last series, we need to find more time for him. The guy is like Thomas Robinson. He just produces, and quickly at that. He's a great bench player. Last night he had 9 points on 3-4 shooting in 8 and a half minutes. I want to see more Will. The game sucked, we sucked, but I'm encouraged because we were still in the game for most of the first quarter despite shooting like complete rubbish. In the next game we need to come out hot and set the tone early. I think we can steal one in San Antonio.
I thought in the first half Lillard and Aldridge just didn't play like superstars. In the first half Aldridge seemed like he was hoping to relive the glory of game 1 and game 2 in the prior round--make a ridiculous number of midrange jumpers without having to battle underneath much. When that clearly wasn't working, he shrugged off the LaMarshmallow identity and started playing a much more impressive under the basket game. It was just too late by then--panic and defeat had already set in. In game 2 I really look forward to him battling much closer to the hoop right from tipoff. Lillard was trying to get others going, and when his three wasn't there (the Spurs were very aggressive at blitzing him outside) he handed it off to the next guy. In the second half he realized that if two guys were covering him 30 feet from the hoop, all he had to do was get past them and there was nobody left to guard the rim. I want to see him become more selfish in game 2, making a determined effort to get to the rim and draw fouls. Because passing it out to Batum and Wes isn't going to cut it while all the pressure is on. Lillard needs to be thinking about driving every time he gets the ball. Matthews and Batum showed why they are role players and not stars. They are guys good teams can easily contain if the stars aren't firing on all cylinders. I really think Aldridge and Lillard know what they need to change, and I think there's an excellent chance the Spurs come into game 2 overconfident and we steal this one. The Spurs are an on/off switch kind of team, and we just gave them every reason to turn off. If Portland has any hope of winning this series, it's going to have to involve stealing game 2.
I quit watching at half time. Pretty impressed with the Spurs in that first half. I would say that at least it only counted as one loss. Hopefully it is a wake up call and if you are going to come out flat, at least it was in game 1 on the road. I expect the Blazers to play a lot better in game 2. The Blazers missed a lot of easy shots. I just have to think that they can't play that poorly, where they are giving up easy shots on one end and missing them on the other end. The defense of the Spurs was really good. Still, they were getting some easy looks against that defense, but just missing them. You have to take advantage of your opportunities. It seemed like the game should have been closer in the first half.
You're right about Nic and Wes. I've felt for a while that we still need that third option. We still need that safety valve in case Dame and LA aren't hitting. We don't really have it. Everyone else on the team is just way too streaky.
I thought Nate brought up some good points. The team laid an egg in this game, but it's not like a drubbing counts as two losses or something. The Mavs took the Spurs to seven game, so there's definitely some weakness there. Portland came out flat and everything just came unhinged. For a team that has shown composure in the past, it was shocking to me to see how out of kilter our team was. If Portland can bounce back and steal game 2 on the back of a strong performance from Aldridge and Lillard (who averages 26ppg against the Spurs), the only thing people will remember about game 1 is that it was the one the Spurs won in the split. I honestly feel like we have two budding stars in Aldridge and Lillard. The formula for teams dominated by two stars is that if one of them lays a turkey, you mostly don't win in the playoffs. We didn't win. But I think that can change.
They need to show up in Game 2. I can even handle a loss, although it doesn't bode well, if they can just show that they belong in this series. Every player and coach on that team needs to earn their money.
The thing that really surprised me is how our team played scared. They really seemed intimidated by San Antonio, and I didn't think that was going to happen. We hadn't really played scared of San Antonio before, but it's like we were afraid of their legend in the playoffs. I also think we respect them too much. It's obvious there was a ton of bad blood with Houston, whereas we really like the guys on San Antonio. There isn't that bitter rivalry that we have with Houston. We came out angry in the first round. I didn't see that at all last night.
Thanks for this thread Nate. I was unable to watch the game (thankfully) and enjoy hearing some positives. If this team is one thing, it's Resilient.
The Blazers looked like deer in headlights in the first half. Welcome to REAL playoff basketball, boys, and oh yeah, let's play the team among the most playoff experience of any team in NBA history. The Spurs are built specifically for playoff basketball. The team has already exceeded my pre-season expectations of them, so everything from this point is gravy. That's not to say I want them to lose. What I'm saying is that a young team like the Blazers playing the Spurs in the second round of the playoffs is more of a learning experience, not only for the players, but the coaches and even us fans. Teams build up to being contenders (smart teams, anyway... stupid ones cash in on the short-term success and piss it away). I believe that Olshay and Stotts are smart people who will take what they learn from this series with San Antonio and use it to build during the offseason.
I wouldn't be too encouraged by the second half. The Spurs coasted while we were trying to mount a come-back. Playing with that large of a lead, and knowing they could get defensive stops when needed - and score when needed - they just went through the motions and matched us step for step.
This is loser talk. You have already given up, and let go of the life raft and are sucking in deep breaths of water. edit: Everyone already knows we're playing with House money. Mags is the only one that really thought the Blazers would advance in the playoffs. Everyone knows this is a learning experience. But you're talking about it like "Hey did you know you're going to die someday? Everyone you love is going to die. Even your kids are going to die. But at least you might go to Heaven next time!"
Can we get some more movement on offense from Nic and Wes? They just sit around the three point line waiting for a kick-out while Dame or LA ISO. I don't understand this method. Can Nic actually at least act like he wants to play? Last night until Dame and LA were out, he just ball watched. Can we defend the PnR? I don't know why its so hard for our team. Agree on Will Barton, because MO fucking sucks. He dribbles so much, and typically goes right into a god damn trap.
The Spurs did us a favor. They didn't toy with us, just kind of play along with us, they punched us in the mouth and then kicked us in the balls. Welcome to playoff basketball. In the second half, we found our sea legs. Game Two will be a different story. If it isn't, then this team isn't what I thought it was. We have the talent and ability to compete. Let's see if we have a heart.
This is big picture talk. Everything is not all about "in the moment" or "instant gratification". I've been a Blazer fan long enough to know that Rome wasn't built in a day, and even the best laid plans (1978, 91, 92, 2000) don't work out. Franchises like Portland have to be very savvy and very smart and play the long game to have success in this league because free agent insta-titles like Miami's don't happen here. What the Blazers got going right now is good and fun to watch, and the future looks bright if the players continue to develop and the front office gets the right pieces to compliment the current core. But being apocalyptic about fighting hard but losing a playoff series to a team like the Spurs, which the Blazers should emulate, is just stupid. Have dreams, but temper them with reality.
There will be plenty of time for such talk and such perspective. IMO, now is not the time. We're only down 0-1; we're not out of this series by a long-shot. Now is our time to counterattack. I'll worry about the big picture if and when we're eliminated.
We're far from fine, but things are not nearly as bad as many would think. Like I said, I'd rather be us than OKC. They not only got crushed, they lost HCA.
