That was Difficult, Unbearable and Frustrating...

But you know....That's the NBA Playoffs...Nothing left to do but win the next 3. Call me a homer, but...

BLAZERS IN SEVEN

 

I hope you're right, but we have not looked like the better team at all in this series. Everything has been a struggle for us, and they seemingly get all the easy buckets.

Not to mention the officials are making it pretty damned tough for us to get into any sort of a rhythm.

-Pop

 

We've played like crap and we're not learning. Nate can only say "play harder" so many times. He has to make adjustments....good ones, not the ones that con't work.

 

The officiating has been the hardest part...Both teams are playing extremely physical...But it just seems like Houston is able to get away with so much more than we are...

 

no. the blazers play has been the hardest part. The officiating sucks, but the blazers are frustrating when they can't even board, run their offense or manage the clock badly

 

Lol.

 

That's because we have one player who plays inside the paint. It's not rocket science, we need to get Brandon some help.

 

We could really use a guy like David West. I love his inside game.

 

yeah, having a backup PF would be great....

 

Blazers need a PG more than anything still. Blake and Sergio can't put enough pressure on the defense.

 

...that is a joke, right?!

 

Really? At LMA's expense?

We need a starting quality SF. Someone like Tayshaun Prince would be a dream come true. Someone who will play hard-nosed defense, can actually rebound, won't take shots away from Brandon and LaMarcus but can hit an open jumper, and isn't indecisive in big moments.

You can also make an argument for an upgrade at PG, although that one is harder for me to gauge and I'm torn there. Yes, there are PG's out there who can defend better than Blake or who can penetrate and distribute better than Blake. But, if as an organization you have made the commitment to letting Brandon be the primary ball-handler in key situations, you're well-served to have another guard on the floor who can keep the floor spread.

If we replace Blake with another PG, one of two things has to happen:

1) It needs to be a guy who can hit threes at around a 40% clip; or

2) We need to change our offensive philosophy in key situations to let Brandon play off the ball and let the new PG handle and create plays for himself or teammates.

My sense is that Pritchard stands pat this offseason and simply hopes the SF situation clears itself up when Martell is healthy again.

-Pop

 

How useless is Frye?

He's one of the worst bigs we've had in years. Stepania level.

 

we should trade for someone with the reputation for being able to get away with murder in the playoffs

 

We should trade for Monty McCutchen!

 

I think our bigs will be fine with a little more seasoning. What I was really referring to is the fact that we don't have another guard or wing who can create off the dribble (for himself or others) -- ideally this team needs a point guard in the worst way who can take some pressure and attention off of Brandon; defenses would have to stay a little more honest and couldn't do this constant double and triple teaming shit.



As the team's slogan for this year goes: KP, "Make it Better."

 

David West shoots just as many jumpshots as Aldridge. Difference is, he has Paul to set him up for some beauties.

 

If KP does stand pat this summer then he will have squandered his last opportunity for years to come to play around with cap room for free agent signings or lop-sided trades; doing nothing but letting this ride would be a choke that could eclipse Nash passing on Chris Paul.

 

Well let's take a look at the last two games:

Ron Artest: 2 fouls in 76 minutes.
Yao Ming: 4 fouls in 80 minutes.
Shane Battier: 3 fouls in 85 minutes.
Team Fouls: Houston 34, Portland 52.
Free Throw Attempts: Houston 46, Portland 27.

But you can't blame it on Portland not being aggressive. They have been. This, as well, is backed up by the "hustle" stats:
Steals: Houston 14, Portland 14.
Blocks: Houston 8, Portland 18.

And just think of all the other things in the background. Big market team vs. small market team. One of the biggest megastars from China vs. the youngest team in the league. Then you have the fact that Mccutchin was (supposedly) seen flipping off one of the Blazers as they left the court tonight. Pretty unbelievable.

 

is the mccutchin thing legit, where'd you hear that from?