Yeah, and really I'm fine with that. He does one thing right now at a super-elite level--shooting three pointers. I keep remembering Steve Kerr in an earlier game compare his shot to Ray Allen and Steve Nash. It was a pretty jaw-dropping statement for me. He may also be pretty good at dribble penetration, passing, and a number of other things, but I'm fine with him focusing more of his offense on that one thing for now while he learns the pace of the game and gets over being a rookie.
I definitely see some Ray Allen in his release and form. Allen has the quickest release in the game, by far. Lillard isn't as quick, but he's still fast.
Re: Biggest concern about Lillard, he doesn't drive enough He's got the skills no doubt, not to mention fearlessness.
Lillard needs to establish that he is deadly from the perimeter. It will only help with his use of quickness. It's really important for the defense to respect his outside shooting. That would mean they have to play close to him; which will allow him to burn past his man and set something up for himself or others on the court.
This comparison makes my skin crawl. I'm good with Lillard working on one bona fide skill at a time. When they know they have to play him tight, it will make it easier to drive. Once they know he'll drive and dish, it will make it easier to work on his short game. Patience. It's going to be a long season.
I refuse to engage in any sort of critique of his game until we're past the All-Star break ... hell, even then I'm not sure there's much you can learn about what Lillard can and cannot do at this level (in the long term).
Yeah and looking at other great point guards in the NBA; they needed 2 years before they were considered "GREAT". Guess the jury is out much quicker in PDX.
Lillard can't penetrate dribbling to his right. It's the biggest hole in his game. If you let him go left he can get to the hoop easily, but if you leave only his right side open he will pass or shoot.
Yeah I mean we are talking about trading Aldridge now. It amazes me how fickle many Blazer fans are. We just need to complain about something I guess. I even remember fans complaining about Drexler and Kersey years ago. It is what it is. Thank God they aren't our GM.
Yep I absolutely did want him. And if the offer was good enough, I would still want him. Not as a starter; but he would be one hell of a bench leader! And FYI, at the time, we had Felton and Smith as our PGs. Would have been a huge upgrade, IMO.
And he would have sucked on our team, just as he was sucking on the Lakers before he was injured. Nash needs the SSOL offense.
There's a lot of sense in this, but OTOH I keep thinking that naysayers will never stop: He just played at Weber State, We have to wait until he plays against NBA players. It's just Summer League, We have to wait until he plays in actual regular season games. It's just 6 games, We have to wait for half a season. It's just half a season, he hasn't even played a full season yet. He's just a good player on a bad team, he hasn't even played a playoff game yet. It's just one series, he hasn't even made it out of the first round yet. It doesn't count to just make it to the finals, you have to WIN it. OK, he's a small town guy who deserves to make it into the HOF - but he's no Joe Dumars, he can't TOUCH Joe Dumars!
Some fans haven't learned the difference between constructive criticism and "how fickle many Blazer fans are. We just need to complain about something I guess."
