Magic @ Portland, 01/11/2012 - Game Thread!

Agree Felton continues to be a major disappointment on offense. Loved the stability and high IQ that Dre provided last year. I figured Felton would at least provide acceptable floor spacing but he is a much worse 3point shooter than Wallace or Aldridge. Don't feel any better about his outside shot than Dre. Felton also just looks out of control all the time to me. Surprised he doesn't actually have more turnovers, feels like he is getting 5 of them per game but I think some must actually be registering as missed shots. I'd definitely undo that draft day trade right now; then just let Dre walk in the offseason.

This was a horrible game for Camby, he is just absolutely brutal on offense, totally clogs up everything we try to do and makes it very tough for the rest of the starters. They are playing 4 on 5 when he's out there. Against some teams Camby provides valuable rebounding and shot blocking, but his defensive strengths just aren't as much help against the Magic personnel. His help defense was huge against the Clippers or OKC when they had penetration, but that isn't how Orlando's offense is structured. He doesn't match up well against Dwight. I'd seriously consider starting Batum in place of Camby if we had to play a playoff series against the Magic. Batum had a nice game, but still don't think I want him trying too hard to initiate offense. He is great playing off teammates.

Continue to love our forwards and Wes' shooting. Crawford had one of his best games but still not sure if I like it when he's the primary ball handler and takes a shot without making a single pass. Yes he can get hot and make a few I just never liked an offensive set where one player touches the ball. I do like it when he shoots off the catch. I feel like Crawford has some great skills but never learned how to maximize his worth in an offense, he still has untapped potential but its just probably too late in his career to teach him a more efficient role.

I was hoping Nate would try the hack-a-Dwight in the 4th, think we could've gotten a few extra possessions out of the deal. They ended up having a dry shooting spell anyways that let us back in the game but if we are in a double digit hole and need to get extra possessions it is worth considering in the future.

 

So Felton went from hero to zero in one night. Nice. To be frank, the success were going to have on a given night starts with Wallace. If he's playing like Crash, we win. If he's not aggressive we lose. Bottomline.

 

I remember Miller having plenty of poor shooting nights.

 

Were tied for 3rd in the NBA in PPG. 3rd in the league in that overrated 'pace' stat. Our offense is fine.

 

Felton wasn't good last night, but to pin the loss on him when 80% of that game was lost because of shitty defense seems a little misplaced. They should have gone zone to try and clog the middle so Dwight couldn't just catch, draw a double and kick it to a wide open three point shooter, or maybe they should have tried to play straight up man ceding Dwight trying to make hook shots versus "lay up" three pointers or probably a multiple look defense was the answer, but they didn't show up on that end.

Felton's probably never going to be an all-star, but historically he's never been this bad, so eventually I expect him to return to "acceptable." I'm going to stop now because I'm really not a huge Felton fan.

 

I don't recall Miller shooting 34% over a 10 game stretch, but I could be wrong. And at the very least, Andre wouldn't compound poor shooting with poor decision making. Felton's turnovers have a Jarrett Jack like quality to them...

 

He certainly had games like that, but no, I don't think he's ever had a stretch like the one Felton is currently enduring ... if there's any consolation I've never seen him look worse, so theoretically Felton will probably regress to his own personal mean.

 

I think with the season the way it is, a lot of players are going to finish worse than their averages. Felton and Crawford and good candidates.

 

Neither guy is particularly old (well Crawford maybe) and neither guy has ever struck me as the type that relies a ton on structure (and practice). Maybe you're right, but I am curious why you think that.

 

Felton was not the problem last night. He didn't have a good game, but our problem was defense and the fact that Orlando was unconscious from long range.

 

I thought so also

 

But to this argument; one may reply that Felton was the one getting burned on the pick and roll. His defense last night was suspect. And this was the only time I actually questioned it. Hopefully it was a one game fluke.

 

He was terrible defensively against Phoenix and the Clippers (round 1) as well.

 

Clippers (round 1)? Well I don't know because I was in the stands that day. I thought he did a good job, but I maybe wrong. And you're right about Phoenix. I totally forgot about that game. Maybe it was my sub conscience trying to forget that game all together.

 

Our best lineup IMO is Jamal or Felton (Jamal in crunch time)-Wes-Nic-GWall-LMA, that lineup should play together as many minutes as reasonably possible. I know LMA prefers the 4 and Wallace the 3 but there gettin paid and if we play better with that lineup then there ya go. You can start Felton with that lineup if U want but IMO Camby should come off the bench. This also solves the problem of Nic's starting and playing time.

we have scoring threats at every position, good shooting and D and we are very long and athletic at the wings.

 

Wouldn't hurt to give it a try. But it's not like we are on some losing streak that requires a "shake up" in the rotation. Batum proved last night that he does deserve more minutes though. It would be interesting to see how this pans out.

 

Huh? "might as well"? IMO it's patently obvious and gives us our best chance to START games well

 

I didn't say "might as well". I said wouldn't hurt to give it a try; but doubt it happens because we are winning. Why the "shake up" in the line-up for a success 10 games?

 

U shake it up when something is obvious that can improve the team. This is not some huge change, this lineup has played together a lot and has PROVEN itself these 10 games What's been perhaps our glaraing weaknes - poor starts would likely be much improved.

 

So this line-up would have given us a 8-2, 9-1 or 10-0 record?