home- 24.8 Min -12.2 Pnts - 63% - 8.7 Rbs - 4.3 Fouls - 1.7 Blks away- 21.3 Min - 7.1 Pnts - 58% - 4.5 Rbs - 3.9 Fouls - 0.5 Blks STOMP
On a related topic, one thing I noticed last night that I don't think I've seen before with any regularity was that Greg's teammates were more active in taking fouls themselves when Greg was in a position where he was likely to draw a foul. In the past, when the guards have blown their defensive assignments (often) Greg was left exposed and ended up getting a foul. Last night I saw Brandon twice make sure that he committed the foul so that Greg wouldn't get hit with it and I saw Outlaw and I think Bayless do the same thing. I'm assuming that Nate has been coaching these guys to do this in order to keep Greg on the court longer. It would be nice if they'd improve their defense so they didn't have to do this too often, but it's nice to see them protecting the big guy. More minutes for Oden is a good thing.
I noticed it too. Even better, I noticed that the officials were LOOKING to give fouls to other players than Oden.
Here's your golden opportunity to switch allegiances. I hear the Thunder are desperate to add fans ...
Plus, there's the bonus that there's a lot more wrong with the Thunder than the Blazers. Think of all the rich material from which to mine endless posts about how much they suck!
Really good observation. I hadn't noticed it at the time, but in retrospect I remember exactly what you are saying. I'm also noticing that players are lobbing it into him more lately. Throw it near the rim and let Oden do all the work it takes to give you an assist. I never appreciated before Oden how much adjustment it takes for the rest of these players to learn how to play off a dominating interior presence. It's not like Roy or Aldridge or even Blake has ever had that kind of a teammate before. (Well, there was Randolph, but he was a complete black hole. You don't run an offense through Zach, you run an offense to him.) Makes a pretty good argument for adding a veteran stud who knows how to play to that game....
Yep good call, me and my buddy who go to the games noticed that too. There was for sure 2 times where Roy just hacked somebody to ensure Oden didn't get a foul. I saw Bayless take one too. At some point the Blazers need to cirlce the wagons on Oden, because when he is in the game, he makes a big difference. Now if the coaching staff would just start to figure out that Greg plays better when he gets a rhythym going instead of being jerked in and out of the lineup, the team would start moving forward again.
I'm pretty sure if I did the same comparison with LA the results would be similarly slanted in the home games favor. To my eyes, both LaMarcus and Greg play much less aggressively on the road then at home probably because of how the games are called. There is always going to be some banging amongst the Bigs, but stars, vets, and home teams get the calls. Those things should eventually shift more in Portland's favor, but it really bugs me that the officiating seems so biased towards things other then the play on the floor. STOMP
Oden commands so much attention that it allows players the ability to slash to the basket to take a pass or help with rebounds. Batum does this very well and even Outlaw at times is learning. This team is now learning that a really big man is a great addition to the team. Look out NBA after the AS break.
Yeah, it really seems like the guys are starting to learn how to play with Greg. I didn't get to watch the game last night, but if the boys are protecting him, I think that's a good thing. Now if we could just play better perimeter D
As much I can't believe it, I think Mixum is correct about Durant. He IS blowing up. However, it is his second year. He looked horrid last year, and for the first part of this year (maybe it was the coach?). Oden is showing at least as many flashes of awesome as Durant did last year, while playing 10 minutes less a game. Rookies do tend to play better at home. I don't think Oden will take the next step this year. Next year, though, he will be an absolute beast.
We all knew Durant would be a scorer. There's no real surprise there. Analysts said he could be the scoring king in his rookie year (didn't happen). He's going to be a prolific scorer, but who will win more championships? That's the question.
What Durant needs is a legitimate low-post scorer.. unfortunately Jeff Green isn't, and both those guys play basically the same position. If he doesn't get a big guy, I could see a career much like Vince in Toronto, McGrady in Orlando, etc..
Yea and I have been thinking about the give and go play where the SF cuts up the baseline. Greg hasn't been handing it off...much. But it is there from time to time. When it will really start bearing fruit is when Martell comes back. He is the fastest guy on the team, and has been since he has been here. That first step will be key to making that play work. Now just to get him back in the lineup.
The thing that worries me about Durant is that a smart defensive team that puts a body on him and makes it hard to get the ball to him will cause him problems and bring his efficiency down - happened in college and happened last night... (not that we are always a smart defensive team - but Nate at least knows how to explain the correct defensive plays - the players do not always have the ability to execute it or the will to do it, last night they did). The advantage someone like Roy has is that he has the handle to initiate the offense - Durant is good - but would be a lot more likely to crumble under pressure than Roy because his handles are just not as good. On the other side of the spectrum you have someone who is as big and as strong as Greg - that once the other members of your team learn how to get you the ball - you will just not be denied. Durant is fantastic, he really is - and he will be a prolific scorer - but there is a reason the most important ingredients for consistent and dominant offensive forces in the league were bigger-guys with fantastic handles (Kobe, LeBron, MJ, Wade, T-Mac when he cared, Vince, Roy) or guys that are too big and too strong to cover (Shaq, Yao, Duncan and hopefully one day - Greg).
Yep right on. He reminds me a lot of a thin Carmello Anthony. Great scorer. Isn't going to take you anywhere without a lot of help.
I watched Durant against the Lakers and was very impressed. He is just an awesome baketball player. Running, shooting, rebounding, passing and a pretty good defender as well. (he is soooo long) But you still can find players who can "fill it up" a lot easier than a skilled Big Man. Tough comparison, but I would still go with Oden.
who is LaBron's legitamate low-post scorer? how about Jordan's? Wasn't it Kendrick Perkins and Leon Powe on the low block last year for the Celts? I'm sure that an addition the level of a Joel Pryzbilla would help Durant's chances of wins at least as much as a low post scorer. Durant should eventually be able to guard 3's or 4's effectively as he's got the frame for it. Green isn't an ideal fit next to him, but he's pretty all around talented and a 3/4 tweener sized guy too. Westbrooke looks like a stud but they could use an upgrade at the 2 guard. Thabeet would round them out in a big way. STOMP
