http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/02/blazers_racking_up_points_in_t.html Take a minute and digest that. The Blazers of late have been outscoring their opponent by nearly 17 points a game inside, have been getting to the free throw line with the best of them and have been taking care of the ball. Oh yeah, and they are the top rebounding team in the league.
It's not such a great story, Quick didn't explain the reason why. Sergio + Jerryd = more points in the paint Blake = more perimiter shots I've always enjoyed watching Sergio drive and dish, but now he has someone inside to dish it off too. Not only Oden but this year it seems like Joel has much better hands and a much improved game around the basket. Also with Sergio pushing the ball up the floor, we can get up the floor before the other defense is set. We've had alot more dunks with Blake on the bench. The opposing team knows what is going to happen when Blake or Roy bring the ball up the floor...with the ball in Sergios hand all they know for sure is to watch where Rudy is going. And who can't enjoy the way Sergio handles the ball? The kid is rarely ever bothered by pressure on the ball. He's got great handles and court vision and I know his defense is weak but he deserves to be on the floor more before we give up on him. He is a true point guard.
nice to hear, im sure i wasnt the only one hoping sergio found a jumer, if he ever does, he will be VERY dangerous.
I don't think they should give up on Sergio either. He's still only 22 - Steve Blake was still playing at Maryland at that age.
Yep, if you out rebound your opponent, score more points in the paint, get more ft's and have low turnovers you have become a very tough team to beat. I love the direction of the team right now.
That's what I have been saying for weeks. All of that stuff I was posting showing the free throw attempts that Blake has for his minutes played, and that Sergio goes to the line over 2 times as much and Bayless goes to the line 5 times as much. This is what it was about. When guards attack it does good things for your team. It collapses the defense, leaving somebody open for an easy attempt. Those open guys, are your bigs. If you end up taking the shot, well now your big is in position to rebound, because the help collapsed to you. Setting yourself up for success. That is key. It gets the opponents bigs in foul trouble (Like we are on the receiving end of a lot, but have not been dishing it out until recently) Long shots lead to long rebounds. Long rebounds lead to easy transition and fast break baskets for you opponent. If you live by the 3, die by the 3, most of the time you are going to die by it. Shots closer to the rim are a higher percentage shot. Efficiency is key. I see people all the time saying "Oh we'll miss Steve Blake because of that veteran presence." and then Portlands turnovers are actually down with Sergio and Bayless running the show. Again, more efficient. This shouldn't be a surprise, as Sergio has one of the highest assist to turnover ratios in the league. The surprise part, is Bayless isn't turning over the ball being a young guy who has never played point. If we were in the stage where one of the PG is forced to take a 3, I would love to have Blake taking it instead. But in pretty much every other facet of the game. I would rather have the other 2 guys out there. They play the right way you need to play. They just need more time.
Keep Sergio Keep Bayless Trade Blake....thats what I am starting to think. The team is getting used to playing without him. Sergio is improving as he gets more PT, as is Bayless who was getting nothing before Blakes injury. Sergio is much better at iniating the offense and getting the ball inside to Greg and LaMarcus, and TRex does what neither of those guys can when he goes at the rack, or when he smothers whomever he is guarding with defense. Maybe Blake is a more valuable trade piece. He is a starter, a veteran, reliable, with a cheap contract. We're not the only club out there looking for an upgrade at the PG position.
I think we're getting carried away due to a 4 game winning streak against Washington, the Clippers, Charlotte, and an injured Utah team on the 2nd of a back to back. Blake's assist to turnover ratio is 3.13. Sergio's is 2.64. Bayless is at 1.4. I think Blake had been playing very well. Before the game in which he got injured, 2 of his last 3 games he had a double-double. Not saying he's the long-term answer but I still think he brings something to the team that Sergio & Bayless don't yet, and if we make the playoffs I think we're going to need him more than ever. It's clear that with more playing time, Sergio and Bayless are improving, but Blake's been better than some of you give him credit for.
I have nothing against Blake, he's been playing well in Nates system. Blakes a good ball handler and his turnovers are usually on lazy, read passes. I prefer a more exciting brand of basketball and that's where Sergios risky passes will equal more turnovers but he still has a better ast/to than Nash and Parker. And the Blazer machine runs on all 5 cylinders instead of 2 or 3. I think a point guard that will get eveyone involved will lead to a more fluid and higher scoring offense. And definitely more fun to watch at the RG or on tv.
if sergio or bayless can be to blake what oden is to pryz, i think we are in for a treat. blake would be one of the best and most steady backups in the game.
I think it has a lot to do with getting Oden more involved on offense, and the infusion of Bayless into the rotation. Aldridge and Outlaw have also been going into the paint more lately. It's really encouraging.
