differences between the Bulls game and the GS game were/are................. I believe that the most important reason was that Nate allowed them to play faster and quicker. There are many others though. I said pick three because we/I tend to get too wordy sometimes. What do you guys and gals think? g
The way the team played on the defensive end was what allowed then to play a more uptempo style, this team was near last in the league in FG% allowed, and defensive rebounding. Nate has been pretty consistent in saying that the team needs to get stops on defense and rebound the ball before they can get out and run. This team isn't like the suns/warriors teams of recent memory that would run off of made baskets to force the pace of the game. We're more like the early 2000's Nets teams/recent Spurs teams, using our defense to initiate the break, and if we don't get a stop instead of just running down court to take the first wild shot we can get we work to get the best shot available. Before last night this team was 2nd or 3rd in offensive efficiency on the year, for all the complaining there is about our offense in those first 10 or so games we were playing sound smart basketball on that end of the floor. It was our defense that was letting us down, not getting back quick enough, allowing easy baskets on penetration, and not making proper rotations all killed us. Last night wasn't a show of this teams offensive might, but rather a show of what our already potent offense could do if this team hunkered down on the defensive side of the floor and made stops.
Only one main difference ... Defense. excellent rebounding, stops and quick rotations lead to transition buckets. Nate didn't "allow" them to play quicker, they "allowed" themselves to play quicker because of their defense. For all of the Nate haters, this is the kind of game and execution he's been preaching for 3 years now, they now just have that lane clogger in Greg backed up by Joel to allow the guards and wings to play more aggressive, gambling defense on the perimeter.
...The Bulls didn't rattle off 9 straight before we scored our first point. I think that set the team on edge (especially Nate) the entire game in GS, and the Blazers never relaxed like they should have.
1. Defense that set up fast break opportunities. 2. Przy and GO controlling the paint, keeping Chicago from getting second opportunities and giving us multiple shots. 3. We made the extra pass.
We played at Home (The refs favored us slightly) We played at Home (More energy from our fans) We played at Home (Chicago was never comfortable) As for as: "Nate allowed them to play faster and quicker" I totally disagree. IMO You can not beat GS in their building by playing their style of ball. In our building it is a completely different scenario.
1. Chicago missed shots that Golden State did not. Particularly from the perimeter, Morrow and others lit the Blazers up. Chicago has Ben Gordon and... not much else as far as perimeter threats. 2. Portland was more collected on the offensive end. Aldridge not getting offensive fouls was a good thing, and we obviously took care of the ball in spite of the fast pace of the Chicago game. 3. Portland started off well. Golden State jumped us and we weren't able to build and hold a lead like we were against Chicago. I think that psychologically, too, the team was angry about the Warriors loss... so mentally the team was just more focused. Ed O.
The main difference, IMO, was we pushed the ball and put a lot of pressure on the Bulls. This attitude also carried over to our defense. We got into the passing lanes and everyone of the Blazers were pests. Except Oden, he was an elephant in the room on D.
I didn't watch all of either game, but from what I saw, 1.) Defense 2.) Rebounding 3.) Points in the Paint Anyone remember Snapper Steve Jones's 3-Keys to victory he used to give. You could pencil "Rebounding" in as one of them 95% of the time, which wasn't a problem with the likes of Arvydas, Sheed and Brian Grant running around. Rebounding is underrated in my opinion, and I think the team that controls the boards (also controls possession of the ball) usually wins the game. Points in the paint is also valuable in that it attacks the rim and is a good way to get opposing big men in foul trouble. I used to love watching Rod Strickland make his way to the hoop and throw up a crazy spin spot. He was the original Tony Parker.
He didn't play in the Chicago game, either. But just the same: GO PETTERI! GO BLAZERS! (almost forgot) GO HCP 波特兰篮球队好棒 很利害 JAFO
Running and scoring before the defense has a chance to get set. It was a little easier against Chicago though because they shot so poorly. However, there was an article a few years ago about running off made baskets and it showed that if you practice for it is only takes an extra .6 seconds to get the ball down the floor
