My Game 3 loss rant

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by PCmor7, Aug 22, 2020.

  1. TBpup

    TBpup Writing Team

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2013
    Messages:
    22,362
    Likes Received:
    34,003
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Investment Management / Financial Planner
    Location:
    Lake Oswego
    We have the highest payroll in the league (AGAIN) and no matter who we add, it looks like Dame against the world.

    • We need a better big man that can facilitate. - Enter Nurkic....but that doesn't seem to make much difference.
    • We need a wing that can shoot. - Enter HoF'er Melo (passed his prime but still knocking down shots) and Trent who is shooting the lights out this year....but we can't seem to get any shots for.
    • We need another playmaker that can take the pressure off Dame. - Does anyone remember what CJ does when Dame is out? So it's certainly not for a lack of ability to be able to do that.

    Yet.....
     
    UKRAINEFAN likes this.
  2. e_blazer

    e_blazer Rip City Fan

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2008
    Messages:
    23,215
    Likes Received:
    28,650
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Consultant
    Location:
    Oregon City, OR
    The reason the Blazers lost is pretty simple: free throws. The Lakers have two offensive monsters who can draw fouls at will. AD and LeBron shot 31 free throws. Dame has learned to draw fouls and he shot 14 free throws. CJ? Zero. He did not draw one foul in 43 minutes of play. Nor did our 3rd best offensive weapon Carmelo Anthony. Both of those guys shot jumpers almost exclusively and you don’t get to the line often with those shots. A difference of 17 free throws from your stars is pretty tough to overcome. Both CJ and Melo need to force more action around the basket.
     
    Orion Bailey likes this.
  3. noknobs

    noknobs Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2008
    Messages:
    4,817
    Likes Received:
    6,101
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I know we don't live in that reality but I'd take Hood, Ariza, Collins and Dame's finger over those two any day of the week.

    I still don't think the series is over though, but if it is, I think what they were able to accomplish (with this style of play) in the bubble was impressive. They've been missing two to three important pieces all year (at the moment three) and that's hard to overcome against the #1 seed.

    This just doesn't feel like a "blow it all up" defeat if they lose the series.
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2020
  4. Cugel

    Cugel The epitome of mediocrity

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2019
    Messages:
    5,265
    Likes Received:
    5,171
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Canvas Repairman
    Problem is what will hood look like? I don't see major changes coming other than whitesides leaving, melo too. All portland hope for is to stay healthy and sign a vet point.
     
  5. UKRAINEFAN

    UKRAINEFAN Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2008
    Messages:
    13,539
    Likes Received:
    10,874
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    un-retired
    Location:
    Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukraine
    This is a lot to digest. I am not a big fan of Stotts. Probably my biggest gripe is that there is a lack of accountability for the players. Let's take just one small example from the game. Mc collum now in the league and under Stotts for seven years I think. How many times over those years has his help defense been effective? Isn't he a guy who should always be making sure he is close enough to his guy so the guy can't get off a clean three point shot? But he leaves Caldwell Pope wide open for a three. That should NEVER happen, but it happens a lot on this team. What if Hezonja was held accountable for his constant bonehead plays? I feel like that in general the team is not taught the details of blocking out, setting screens, making crisp passes that enable the receiver to put up a shot immediately. I've always thought that if Stotts could get a great associate head coach and give him some authority, that Stotts system could thrive. But he has never done that. I would like to see him go. (BTW, wasn't it interesting that even Eric liked OP's post?)
    Other playoff teams that I have been watching seem to be more decisive on offense, making a couple quick passes that set up a drive or an open three. I think that is why trapping Lillard works; not so much stopping his scoring, but because he really runs the offense by himself. As successful as that system has been over the years; do the playoffs show that it is a vulnerable system?
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2020
    HailBlazers and tester551 like this.
  6. UKRAINEFAN

    UKRAINEFAN Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2008
    Messages:
    13,539
    Likes Received:
    10,874
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    un-retired
    Location:
    Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukraine
    I don't agree that Stotts is bad at developing young players. In hindsight it's obvious Anf should have gone to college for a couple of years; to build a solid base of skills and confidence in himself. I don't think he was thrown in the fire this year; it looked like he was ready. But he's another undersized (both in height and girth) SG who just hasn't produced. Hezonja has failed with numerous teams. Collins still undetermined what he could be. Trent, Nurk, Lillard and CJ all young guys who developed into good players; although on three of the four you might say it's their drive to excel that did it. And two of them were top ten picks with four years of college. Now I am losing my energy for this; everything seems so complicated! :)
     
    BonesJones likes this.
  7. calvin natt

    calvin natt Confeve

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2017
    Messages:
    7,520
    Likes Received:
    10,457
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland Suburb
    People want heads to roll because they are losing a series as an 8 seed vs Lebron, AD and the Lakers, while three main pieces are out is lol.
     
    kjironman1 likes this.
  8. calvin natt

    calvin natt Confeve

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2017
    Messages:
    7,520
    Likes Received:
    10,457
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland Suburb
    So as i said, if problems aren’t with personnel Olshey isn’t going anywhere. Don’t care about Stotts. And i think I’d rather deal with rondo than Caruso at this point.
     
    kjironman1 likes this.
  9. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Messages:
    37,387
    Likes Received:
    21,980
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Ballin'
    So you're saying "TRADE DAME" but you don't want to say it out loud.
     
  10. crandc

    crandc Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2008
    Messages:
    18,144
    Likes Received:
    23,377
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Pretty much what I was going to say. No one expected Portland to be here. They had 8 games to overcome a 3 1/2 game deficit plus win a play I'm game in order to face a heavily favored team that still needed massive help from refs to win a close game. These weeks have been great fun and I don't think the Blazers are done yet.
     
    tiredhunter and kjironman1 like this.
  11. Rastapopoulos

    Rastapopoulos Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2008
    Messages:
    37,387
    Likes Received:
    21,980
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Ballin'
    1. Leaving Caldwell-Pope open might be the least of available evils.
    2. Hezonja WAS held accountable for his bonehead moves. Then we lost half the team and are effectively forced to play him because all our guys get 5 fouls on them.

    All the Stotts-haters: whom should we hire? Yes, Masai found a Nick Nurse, but what other team does that? Call me when Eric Spoelstra's available.
     
  12. UKRAINEFAN

    UKRAINEFAN Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2008
    Messages:
    13,539
    Likes Received:
    10,874
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    un-retired
    Location:
    Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukraine
    That Masai guy is good at finding hidden gems, be they players or coaches. Can we find another guy like him?
     
  13. LayneStaley

    LayneStaley Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2018
    Messages:
    5,811
    Likes Received:
    6,233
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Badass
    Location:
    Kirkland, WA
    I dislike Stotts a lot, but who are you replacing him with?
     
  14. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2008
    Messages:
    20,715
    Likes Received:
    32,575
    Trophy Points:
    113

    what's that old saying about 'insanity it doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result'...? something like that

    if Stotts is failing, what difference does it make if the new coach fails too? It's still failure either way. And the thing is, there have been 8 years of Stotts; he's been coach for over 700 games now. That's not a small sample size. The new guy might fail but he also might succeed where Stotts has failed. I really don't see a significant downside...assuming of course you think Stotts is failing or even just mediocre

    I'm not saying Stotts is failing either....just saying that there are plenty of valid criticisms of Stotts and those criticisms are based upon an extensive record
     
  15. Labinot41

    Labinot41 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2017
    Messages:
    9,237
    Likes Received:
    8,863
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I would give Stan van Gundy a chance
     
  16. calvin natt

    calvin natt Confeve

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2017
    Messages:
    7,520
    Likes Received:
    10,457
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland Suburb
    You go on and on saying he is failing then say “I’m not saying he’s failing”.
     
  17. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2008
    Messages:
    20,715
    Likes Received:
    32,575
    Trophy Points:
    113
    no...I said "if" he is failing...then this & that

    I also said that those who are saying he is failing have valid reasons for their criticisms

    personally, I think he is an above average offensive coach and a below average defensive coach. He also seems to be a player's coach. So, on balance he's probably a little above average (but you could argue he's been saddled with bollixed rosters). In other words, Portland could do worse, but they shouldn't let the fear of doing worse keep them from trying to do better
     
    tester551 likes this.
  18. calvin natt

    calvin natt Confeve

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2017
    Messages:
    7,520
    Likes Received:
    10,457
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland Suburb
    Hm. I think if you read that post - and your other posts - it seems like you are saying there is a lot of failing going on. Anyway, whatever.
     
  19. Buffalo Custard

    Buffalo Custard Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2020
    Messages:
    1,409
    Likes Received:
    1,413
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Makes you wonder, doesn't it?
     
    TBpup likes this.
  20. Buffalo Custard

    Buffalo Custard Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2020
    Messages:
    1,409
    Likes Received:
    1,413
    Trophy Points:
    113
    If you believe STotts is OK at developing young players, then the obvious follow up is that Olshey is incompetent at finding players to develop!

    It might be both, but we can't prtend it is neither! If Simons, or Little, or Gabriel, or Hoard were legit NBA players, would lack of depth be killing us?
     

Share This Page