That was a great disappointment! After a superb first half with excellent offense and defense that was good early, scoring 68 points and looking good, what should have been a win was a loss. What is evident is that the Clippers won the second half, scoring more that 70 points in the second half! Where was the defense? To bring defensive intensity, the Blazers need to use the fresh guys on the bench and keep the intensity up. The lack of defense might be due to not paying enough attention to using strategic resources. Why not use the talent that can bring defensive energy. LA had 20 points in the first half, and might have had more in the second if ML had been in for minutes in the second half to provide some defensive energy, a few 3 pointers, and rebounds while LA rested. In fact, I would like to see ML stay in there when LA returns as a tall guard (with RL, NB, and DL), which would be a tall and active Blazer grouping. The referee performance in the second half was appalling. The inconsistent calls (e.g., DL fouled with no call followed by a touch call at the other end, the groin hit of Chris yet called against him, obvious fouls of LA, RL, AA not called, and the outrageous foul of NB by Riddick that should have been called a flagrant) are reasons for the Blazer coaches to be making noise, as the Clippers coaches were again overbearingly doing. The Blazers need to stand firm against uneven calls by the referees if this to be entertaining. Such shoddy work by referees is a strong reason for not watching these games. For these reasons, I call on the coaches to improve their efforts, which appear to be the weakness leading to the poor performance of the second half Blazers. Let's see 4 quarters of strategy that includes defense!
I will not blame this loss on the refs. Even though calls were blown, it wasn't like when their calls took our momentum away. The Kaman push was the momentum changer. That was all on him, which did several things. 1.) it pissed off CP3 and he played more inspired 2.) we handed Clips 4 points 3.) we took out the players that would have given us momentum, since two of them were involved with the scuffle.
I can't blame Kaman for retaliating against Paul for the shot to the nards. Paul is a cheapshot artist. The issue wasn't angering the opponents, it was failing to execute the offense and playing half-assed defense. Stotts may have to rethink the defensive strategy of leaving midrange shots open against the Clips. Paul and Griffin feast on those shots.
Not saying I didn't enjoy kaman shoving CP3 bro. In fact on the game thread I was warranting it. But the truth is, the momentum changed at that moment. This is why I hate the Clippers so much. Houston is a bitch team, but they aren't a dirty team. Clippers are like Houston, then they add cheap shit to make them even more douche.
Honestly I felt the momentum was changing before that point. Of course that put it over the top (and basically killed us) but I felt before the push that we were at least in for a dog fight (1-2 point win at best) if not a loss (and I usually upbeat).
Or maybe we just aren't that good this year. I say we try to do better next year and just use this one as experience
That was an excellent no call by the official. Nico FLOPPED on that play. There was marginal contact on the attempt to get space by Reddick. Nico embellished all of that contact and there rightfully should have been no foul called.
We're we not good last year? We have identical records from last season, with this season being much tougher in the west. The funny thing is many around the league and here shaved 2-3 wins off every team because of the tough conference. If we match the record from last season, we would be better than expected.
Yea if you're going to give up on the season, then just quit watching and leave the board to the true fans.
Ahhh Come on guys, just because he doesn't tow the company line doesn't mean he needs to be put on Ignore. It's not like he's insulting people..
Oh, so embellishing contact negates the foul? In that case, half of the calls in favor of LAC shouldn't have counted - particularly the one where Reddick got brushed by Lillard and then proceeded to act as if he's been hit by a bus and staggered out of bounds.
Lillard fouled him. He extended an arm. It was a foul. The MARGINAL contact that nick "drew" was not a foul and it was not called because he embellished it. Those of you who aren't refs may not understand...
He has nothing to add but negativity. So I'm good. Has nothing to do with "towing the company line". You aren't on ignore are you?
So... how's the weather there in Houston today, Sport? I definitely think the Rockettes should just pack it in & hope for better next year! Nope, not Mixum... just a Houston fan that's still butt-hurt over the last 0.9 seconds of the Rockets 2013-2014 campaign! GO BLAZERS!
