Is this other people's impression? Is this an area in which we miss James Jones (not that we would have had him anyway, I know, but still).
I thought it was one of our better defensive games. We at least stop the initial drives to the basket and fought through screens. We got beat in other ways, but I did think it was a improvement.
I can't agree with you there MGB. You don't shoot the percentage from the outside that they did unless you are doing a lot of something wrong. Like completely losing outside shooters. I even remember a couple of posessions where they completely lost track of Lebron James.(3 in particular). How do you do that unless your just not into the game mentally?
I think part of the problem is the Blazers are just too nice. They need some players with a nasty streak to turn this team on its end so to speak. James Jones wasn't always about communication. The dude had a bit of a nasty streak too. The same with Ime. Ime brought toughness. It's too bad the rest of his game really didn't translate well. Anyhow, if I was going to make an adjustment to the team, it would be in the attitude they bring to the court. They go in with the "oh its just another friendly game of basketball". I would just love to have one guy who when any time a player was coming down the lane, would lay them out and send a message. One guy that would make them think twice from that point on. Right now, the Blazers are, just too nice.
I wouldn't mind getting D-Mase as a role player through the end of this year. It'd cut into Batum's minutes (when Martell came back) but it'd be nice to have a vet defensive stud off the bench (who can run the floor) with Sergio and Rudy in the second unit. He is known to be very vocal and encouraging to younger guys. Probably could be had for cheap too from OKC.
