Lets see Nicolas Batum would be a big part of the recent struggles. January Numbers 9.5 PPG .420 FG% .261 3PT% December Numbers 13.8 PPG .467 FG% .330 3PT% November Numbers 14.5 PPG .463 FG% .422 3PT%
I don't think anyone is worried about losing @Hou, @OKC or @GS. But the losses at home to average teams, and the loss at SAC is definitely less than we expected from this team. They just haven't been shooting as well, and it seems the ball movement has slowed down in favor of force feeding LA.
As frustrated as it's been and you don't like to see losses like we have saw in the last few. I expect them to get whatever mojo they had back, and probably right after all star break. I fully expect them to challenge OKC in the division. And make a another run and start peaking towards playoff time. I think the team saw how good they could be and how bad they could be in the last ten games. I truly believe they think they can turn it off and on. It's too early in the season to be peaking. If they are going to go through a funk. Now is as good of a time as any.
What's more important is for the bench to continue to make rapid improvement. That way when the starters decide it's time to turn it on again. Then they really have something. The team hasn't been the same since the fourth quarter of the Dallas game. And ironically, thats when the bench didn't show well. I just wonder how much that might have impacted the starters mentally. Since then we have seen improvement in the bench. And we haven't seen the same starters since the Dallas game.
We have actually won @GS and @OKC to be clear. We are 2-1 against Sacramento. And Memphis isn't an average team. They are playing better with Gasol back.
Here is my opinion on what the teams biggest issue is. Nicolas Batum running the point has hurt more than it has helped in my opinion. When we were dominating Lillard was getting 6 assists per game, he is at 3.9 per this month while Batum's numbers have increased from 5.3 to 6.3. Lillard got assists off of his dribble penetration, which typically led to open perimeter shots. Batum does not break down the defense like Lillard does and with him running the point he is taking less shots, overall the team needs to put the ball in Lillard's hands and trust he will get the job done.
Sounds like a Lillard issue not a Batum issue . . . who has gotten many complaints throughout each season but being selfish is a new one. Lillard's slump is not because of Batum . . . maybe, just maybe, Lillard slumping is due to Lillard.
Well it is not working, Lillard is scoring less, Batum is scoring less and the team is slightly better than .500 this year.
To say that Batum is affecting Lillard's ability to run the point is ridiculous. Batum has made more contributions to the offense with his passing than anybody on this team. Just ask Robin Lopez why he's got career highs in double doubles. Seems when we lose a couple of games, Batum becomes a target. Lillard's problems of recent are exclusively Lillard's problems...it's not on any of his teammates. When the shot is not falling, it's not because of someone else nor when you throw the ball away. Lillard has not been sharp of late and it's on the coaching staff more than any teammate
Batum is very useful as a second ball handler but Lillard still needs the ball in his hands more to succeed. All star break rest will help some people and not others as Lillard and LA will both be busy.
I don't have the same confidence that the Blazers will challenge the Thunder. They are playing at a very high level and that is with an injury to an all-star in Westbrook. They just trounced the Heat after being down by 18 points. Portland is actually closer to the #5 playoff seed than they are to OKC. That said, I think they will get their mojo back but they need to do it soon. The Clippers have actually been gaining on them for the final HCA spot and that is WITHOUT Chris Paul. When he comes back I doubt Portland is able to get much separation in the standings. Every team goes through these stretches but other teams have had injuries to deal with. G-State was without Iggy for quite a stretch, the Heat have had D-Wade in and out for a good part of the season, the Spurs last night played without Ginobilli, Splitter, Green and Kawai Leonard. That is a lot different than Portland who continues to enjoy great overall health as a team.
But the Memphis game was not even close, we were dominated from start to finish. The other losses were average, and we shouldn't be losing to teams like Sacremento, ever. Of course we'll blow a game here and there, but it's happened too frequently this month.
Quite right, my error. If you are Portland, you want to try and stay at #2/3 as much as possible to stay out of OKC's bracket as long as possible. Portland matches up well with SAS but get into the #4 slot and you're likely playing Houston or G-State and then get to meet OKC in the 2nd round. They need to keep the #3 spot at least.
