Who is going to blink first? Blake :: Bibby Miller :: Johnson? Roy :: Williams? Someone is going to have to adjust. Either: 1) Miller gets torched by Johnson, we have to move Brandon over, and Webster in to guard Williams; or 2) Williams is a non-factor who cannot keep with Roy; Miller goes around Williams or Johnson and tire them out; and Atlanta has to go small with Crawford Any guesses as to who blinks first?
Nate has historically been terrible at taking advantage of our mismatches and forcing the opposition to adjust. We've seen it a little more this season, but I'm still not a believer. My guess is we fall behind early, and Webster is in within 7 minutes.
This game will be won with our defense holding Atlanta under 90 points. I think this will be a statement game for the Blazers. They will rise to the challenge. And if anyone wants to post this on their signature, then do it and eat some crow after the game.
I like cake. I don't see us getting beaten too bad by Williams (who I don't think much of) at SF. I'm more worried about who guards Johnson. If Roy does, then is Miller (6'2") on Williams (6'8")? It could end up giving Atlanta fits for the opposite reason. Who in the world is Williams going to guard? Roy? Miller? I don't think so. Hopefully we can do a better job on Crawford this time around. (Bayless?)
yeah, williams is 6'9" and joe johnson is 6'7". I can't forsee us sticking with the 3 guard rotation unless we try to out run them or something? Isn't Joe Johnson quite a bit like Roy as far as their game and their role on the team?
I know Atlanta has been winning and playing well, but I am still not convinced that they are for real. I know they are a good team, but I doubt they are an elite team, Just a good team out to a great start. People may say the same about the Blazers, but I think the Blazers for all their victories are actually playing substantially worse (on O especially) than they are capable of. Over the course of the season, look for Atlanta to slowly come back to earth and the Blazers to keep winning at an elite team pace. I do believe that Blazers will win this game, but the lack of a SF will hurt. If I were an odd's maker, I would go Blazers by 2.
+1 BTW, have I told you how much I enjoy your participation on this board? WELCOME, and thanks for your contributions!
As per normal, I worry about any of the matchups where "Blanky" is involved. Johnson will torch any of our smaller guards in the post. The question is, will whoever Johnson guards make him work? Right now if I was Atlanta, I would put Bibby on Miller, because Bibby tends to sag off whoever he defends and not get back to defend 3 point shooters. Since he doesn't have to worry about that with Miller, it makes a match made in heaven for Bibby. The only shot blocker Atlanta has is Smith. The Blazers should attack the paint with abandon.
Personally, I can definitely wait. Unfortunately I think you might be right, the team's man defense looks pretty flammable against the likes of Johnson, Bibby, and Crawford. Even with Oden and Przybilla acting as erasers inside they're both likely to end up in foul trouble and are going to have their hands full with Horford and Smith. Meh.
Oh my God! You've just come up with the best nickname for Steve. That literally encompasses his entire value to the roster, he's Roy and Nate's "Blanky" -- perfect.
They are long, athletic and Smith is finally playing up to his potential, eschewing his former tendency to launch long jumpers. The knock on Atlanta has been that they aren't a smart team, now they're looking both smarter and just as athletic -- scary combo if they are finally putting it all together. Time will tell of course.
One problem, we won't get dominated in Atlanta. If the Blazers lose, I expect it to be close. Atlanta doesn't have a SF that can dominate anybody, let alone the Blazers.
Agree on the foul trouble point. Greg only played 15 minutes in the last game they played because of foul trouble. Let's hope he learned a thing or two from the first game.
