PRESEASON: BLAZERS @ CLIPPERS 10/24/2014 GAME THREAD, 7:30 PM, NBATV

YES! It wasn't Dickau, though I think I kind of combined him and Frahm into one person...

 

I like how the 2004-05 season section has absolutely nothing about the 2004-05 season. As it should be.

 

When you watch these games more than once you start to look at things differently. For instance I notice how big having some one like LA in practice is for guys like Leonard and Freeland. Freeland knows how to keep his feet on the ground.

 

Coach Hughes doesn't get enough credit. Bigs thrive under this coaching staff.

 

I watched the game last night on DVR and I've noticed a few things.

1.) Our size is really going to bother teams. It's funny because it's been advertised that the league is changing. The traditional positioning is a thing of the past.

I 100% agree that things are changing, but it isn't necessarily a good thing. Teams that have the pleasure of size will just murder these soft shooting teams. I think we have one of those teams.

2.) our defense is much improved. I'm talking by leaps and bounds. The way our team stopped the pick and roll and fast break was a thing of beauty. I hope that transcends into the regular and post season because we will be unstoppable!

3.) Leonard looked very good! I was pleasantly surprised with how good he was, especially on the defensive end. If he can carry that over consistently, you will never hear me talk shit about this guy ever again.

 

My thoughts:

1. Kaman and Rolo out there just swallow up the interior on defense. This is the biggest lineup of decent bigs we've had since 2000.
2. Lillard went out there to prove that he's tired of being labeled a bad defender. I think he really threw off Chris Paul several times with the effort he put in on the offensive end. He's also clearly pretty pissed off with the label of not being a finisher at the rim. Also, Rolo, don't touch his head.
3. The biggest hole in this team is probably third string PG. Compared to many teams that's such a luxury to have as a problem. Especially when Batum can essentially play PG. It'd be nice to cement in one quality swing man, but I guess someone will emerge between CJ, The People's Champ and Wright.
4. Thomas Robinson is the odd man out. Kaman is the primary bench big man. After that Leonard gives you perimeter shooting and size and Joel gives you defense, both on the cheap. Robinson is more expensive, and although his rebounding is nice it's not enough.
5. I was surprised that the Clippers announcers were talking about Lillard as potentially the best PG in the game (after, of course their beloved Paul). Maybe....
6. Blazers beat a nearly full strength Clipper squad on their court without our best player. Nice day to be a Blazer fan.If things go right, we could win 60 games this year.

 

Now the coach who took Serbia to the FIBA finals against the USA. Regarded as one of the top PGs in Europe ever.

 

Only if it's Jeff Green. Which I can actually see the Celtics doing - he might slow their tanking.

 

I couldn't agree more. The advantage of T.Rob being dispensable is he should have decent trade value. As much as I would miss him, I truly think we need just one more slashing vet.

 

In listening to some of the post game audio interviews on the Blazers app I continue to be impressed with Chris Kaman. They were asking him about Meyers and he was very honest in that he was both critical and supportive at the same time. At one point he flat-out says Meyers needs to toughen up on defense.

I'm going to try to post the link but I'm not sure if it will work for people who don't have the app.

http://bit.ly/1t9Dlkz

 

I'm not sure if it this the picture where Lillard blew by CP3 or not but I like to think it is and I love the look on CP3's face.

 

I haven't read through the whole thread but has anyone else commented how much Griffin struggled when Freeland was guarding him? Joel did a great job.

 

Yes, Joel continues to be very solid defensively. His straight up and down defense is actually very good. He has come a long way.

 

https://vimeo.com/110007812

 

Somebody is in trouble... Somebody is in trouble!!!! Lol

 

Will we once again under estimate that Dame can take the next step? This time to top PG in the league. I love that it's at least a question to consider

 

The Clips announcers said he and Kaman are very tight, if Kaman is helping Meyers "get it" then his acquisition may have been even better than I thought as his own play has been outstanding and if Meyers does come along with his help that's a huge bomus

 

If Leonard is performing like 70% of how he contributed last night, then I will be extremely happy! Once Leonard is actually "dialed in" and uses his height and strength to his advantage, then he will be soooo helpful to this ball club.

I'm hoping he can put together a good stretch of this type of performance. He's had these flashes before but could never muster a consistent performance. The jury is still out

 

I think Leonard actually rebounds better when he is on the floor with another big at the center. Similar to the way LMA's rebounding went up playing beside Rolo. Sounds kind of obviously but it is the proof that Leonard should be playing largely at PF and using his offensive strengths. If his defense can get consistently average it totally changes the options for this team