Why doesn't this team run?

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by TBpup, Dec 6, 2017.

  1. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    If this team was super efficient in the half court, maybe I could see why you would abjectly turn down even the opportunity to get easy baskets. But with Dame shooting at or near career low percentages, and with Dame, CJ and Nurkic all shooting worse than Aminu (let that sink in) it's not like they are tearing it up on the offensive end. The best shooters percentage wise on the team? Meyers Leonard (.588) and Noah Vonleh (.530).

    So why such an aversion to getting out and at least probing the possibility of getting easier baskets? It doesn't mean you have just run down and jack it up but there is nothing wrong with looking early and if there is nothing, shooting late.

    https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/fastbreak-points-per-game

    But this may be approaching historic lows. It's almost they they are making an effort NOT to run. So no easy fast break baskets, they don't really create turnovers so no easy baskets there, and most of their offense seems like it's 'degree of difficulty' attempts.

    [​IMG]

    Is it lack of ability?
    Lack of effort?
    Just the game plan?

    No matter what it is, given the strengths and limitations of some of this roster, it would seem a prudent thing to do.
     
  2. Jon

    Jon mr. 300

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    coaching. it's all the coaching. i think it's time to let Stotts go. i like him, but he is not a very good fit for this team anymore. there is a TON of things we could be doing, but we don't and it's all on him.
     
  3. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

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    That is a good, realistic first post. Welcome to the board.
     
  4. blue9

    blue9 Well-Known Member

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  5. UKRAINEFAN

    UKRAINEFAN Well-Known Member

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    don't forget "last in taking charges".
     
  6. Blazinaway

    Blazinaway Well-Known Member

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    welcome and very good, short and sweet, right to the point post! when reading that it makes perfect sense why we are so friggin BORING to watch - it's a shit show out there
     
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  7. BBert

    BBert Weasels Ripped My Flesh

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    Welcome to the asylum and thanks for joining in.

    :cheers:
     
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  8. H.C.

    H.C. Well-Known Member

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    Maybe they would run more if they stopped turning it over?

    What team in the NBA wouldn't be down double digits with 16 first half turnovers?
     
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  9. Strenuus

    Strenuus Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    The only thing I object to in trying to compare Dame/CJ/Nurk career low numbers is to do it in comparison to Aminu... I think that's disingenuous since Aminu has played much less... compare it to others who have played comprable minutes (or very close to) then that carries more weight, IMO.
     
  10. SportsAndWhine

    SportsAndWhine Dumbass For Hire

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    All of these lasts have to do with the same game concept: being in the right place on the court to receive the ball (and the guy with the ball in that last scenario). Saying you're running a flow offense is fine and dandy, but if you don't know where you're supposed to go to, or come from, you're not going to be in a position to succeed.

    It doesn't help at all that we don't have the tools to space the court (i.e., bad spot-up and long range shooters outside of Dame & CJ). It doesn't help that our center has the basketball experience of an ambitious 14-year old. It doesn't help that our back court is shrimpy. All of it doesn't help, and when you combine all those together with an offense that actively de-emphasizes finding spots on the court that are effective for particular situations, you get a really inefficient offense.
     
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  11. julius

    julius Global Moderator Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Their coach needs to be replaced.
     
  12. SportsAndWhine

    SportsAndWhine Dumbass For Hire

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    I wasn't on this bandwagon in October, but I am now. His offense is straight out of 2005, and it's old old old now. The roster needs to feature our spot shooters next to Dame and CJ, size be damned. Defense be damned, too. The best defense is a good offense sometimes.
     
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  13. Chris Craig

    Chris Craig (Blazersland) I'm Your Huckleberry Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    Thats on Stotts trying to build the players around his offense rather than to build an offense around the players.
     
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  14. Nate

    Nate #itsokaytobewhite #wakandaforever BANNED

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    Pretty sure it’s the game plan.
     
  15. Chris Craig

    Chris Craig (Blazersland) I'm Your Huckleberry Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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  16. Nate

    Nate #itsokaytobewhite #wakandaforever BANNED

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    We’re turning it over regardless. We have two combo guards that can shoot pull-ups, and a bunch of athletic forwards and big men.

    This team should be lob city most nights. I’m sure the team would like it. We have a bunch of players, it’s not like they can’t be sprinting, then get a sub.

    I guess terry didn’t learn much from George Karl.
     
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  17. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    I'm going to say they spend more energy on defense...tired legs...shots come up short on the other end...we are not yet a two way team but if the process works...we'll be closer to that going into next season...I'm sure the roster gets tweaked before then as well
     
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  18. H.C.

    H.C. Well-Known Member

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    I guess I'm the only one who remembers early this season. Harkless getting a mismatch down low because he sprinted up the court and a guard picked him up.
    Only to have a turnover happen on the pass over the top.

    Portland has been turning the ball over all season and it's costing them games.
    Run, don't run, play defense, don't play defense.

    Stop
    Turning
    The
    Ball
    Over
     
  19. PtldPlatypus

    PtldPlatypus Let's go Baby Blazers! Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

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    Definitely my biggest bugaboo. I vaguely recall that back in the Nate days, there was an assistant who was identified as the main anti-turnover voice on the staff. Maybe we need to bring that guy back, whoever it was...
     
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  20. H.C.

    H.C. Well-Known Member

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    I don't remember that guy. Maybe they should, because stats don't lie.

    At half time Portland had 16 turnovers and 37 points.
    In the second half Portland had 2 turnovers, and put up 55 points.
    Literally the reason Portland lost was turnovers last night.
    Limit those in the first half and regardless of Beal going for a career high Portland walks away a winner.

    I swear to god, at times this year I've thought I was watching 2nd graders play basketball with the way Portland gives away the ball.
    How many games this year has Portland lost so far because they're not taking care of the ball? 5 or 6?
    That's a lot of losses because you're sloppy.
     
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