Pretty damn obvious that lately, the Blazers are playing to the level of their competition. Orlando - Gutty Win with Howard out Miami - Playoff style win, looked like world-beaters Charlotte - lethargic loss, perhaps emotionally drained from Miami win Atlanta - Cold as Ice and outworked loss, perhaps most frustrating loss of season Dallas - Rose to match Dallas' hot play with gutty, playoff atmosphere win Who the hell knows what Blazer team is going to show up game to game? Cleveland and Philly? Maybe we are to expect lazy play from the Blazers, not remembering that any NBA team can beat any other NBA team on any given night. This is the "switch" that great teams have: to be able to stomp on an opposing team's throat in the 1st and 2nd quarter, to squash their resolve, get them thinking about regrouping for their next game. These Blazers don't know how to do that. They better learn, or it's another 1st round and out, and frankly, I'm getting sick of that.
I wouldn't underestimate Philly. Iggy is probably the best wing/perimeter defender in the league right now, and he's getting it done on O as of late too. Plus, they have 2 PGs who can run circles around ours.
We can, and he looked great. He seems to be re-learning his game, which is fantastic to see. He's focusing on his strengths (shooting and decision making) and leaving some of his lost abilities behind (slashing and beating defenders off the dribble). If he can give the Blazers the kind of production, either off the bench or back in a starting role, that he gave them tonight on a night-in, night-out basis, then the team has got a great chance of doing well in the playoffs.
There's a bunch of streaky shooters on our team in positions that require them to shoot a lot. Getting Roy back a little more every game means we have to rely on them less and less of the time, which -- let's be honest -- was the original plan for the team. Rudy, Batum, and Wes are high risk/high reward players meant to compliment more consistent players. Roy being able to play his game in the early 3rd and mid 4th were the bedrock we needed to keep the team from diving while LMA is out or running out of steam.
No doubt Gerald was good, but living in Philly, I've had the opportunity to watch AI go after guys night in and night and just shut them down. I think he has more strength and better lateral quickness than Wallace.
I don't think they're "schitzo" or playing to the level of the competition. They're just not talented enough to always play at this level. Tonight was the Blazers at their best. Against Charlotte was them at their worst. Even truly elite teams like the Lakers have baffling ups and downs...it's only to be expected from a not-quite-elite team like Portland.
I think that their play over the past five games is reflective of "team chemistry" pure and simple. It is going to take the rest of the season to work through things; player rotations, minutes, etc. I think that Nate has a history - and a fairly good one - getting his team to gel. A couple years back when we put together the 13-game winning streak...even earlier this season with Pryz, Roy and Camby out. Now Nate has to work through this, having players back and the addition of Wallace. Foregoing any further injury, I think we'll see an amazing peak happen....and just in time for the playoffs. But if an injury or injuries occur, we can forget about a successful playoff run. Here's to staying healthy...and to team chemistry!
That was such an awesome win streak. We looked so tired the last two games and then Utah just destroyed us, seemed like we were playing on 1 leg that game.
