This article caught my eye: http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-hidden-value-of-the-nba-steal/ Portland's defense is already nothing to write home about, but the most valuable part of defense, steals, is our worst. We are the worst team in the league at getting steals. I know it's well duh obvious, but the statistical analysis of the article really put it in sharp relief.
I think we stole Robin Lopez and TRob and trading Gerald Wallace for the Lillard pick was a steal too, so not sure I agree.
We are already terrible at defense so what would gambling to force some extra turnovers actually hurt?
Stotts has them playing a prevent defense, and that lack of aggression carries over onto the offensive side as well.
From the article links: Ronnie Price has been 6th in steals/minute and 7th in steal %. How many did he get tonight in how many minutes? http://bkref.com/tiny/vg9mQ
I thought this year that stat would increase since our starters could afford to pick up fouls as well as having Lopez to help if Wesley or Nic got beat after going after a steal. I think we work too hard on the offensive end and could really use some easy buckets.
true. oh fuck me im agreeing with sinobas, we must be playing seriously bad. i always say in football prevent defense doesnt prevent anything but a win.
I can't tell if it is the coaching or if it is something inherent, but it seems the Blazers have trouble anticipating what is about to happen when they are on defense. They rotate late, they close on a driver late. They don't seem to read the little signals that an offensive player may be giving off.
Our inability to defend the pick and roll is atrocious, even the worst of screen-setters is able to look like a master of his craft against our defense. Also, we are never cutting off passing lanes, in fact it seems as though we encourage them to move the ball while we stand and watch it all unfold, then at the last second(late) decide to attempt to contest a shot.
The Blazers struggle because they don't use optimal lineups. Why not start Robinson at PF? Why is Wright even playing? He's not effective enough. Our top players: Nic, Lillard, *Lamarcus, Lopez, Mathewss Mo, Robinson, Freeland*, Claver, Barton Play only these players unless in garbage time or these specific situations: Mc'Collum - 2nd quarter Leonard - entertainment Watson - Mo personal reasons Crabbe - NBDL Wright - stretch 4
Mostly it's a chance to exert control over their lives... like when Stotts exerts control over his career prospects by playing Leonard.
What ever the reason the result is similar, mockery from the outsiders looking in and a painful stinging sensation.
and with our recent bevy of stupid/lazy turnovers we have to be incredibly bad causing TO's vs our own, we aren't going to be a team that steals much with our D philosophy but early in the year we did a lot better job taking care of the ball, now we are so lazy and sloppy I find myself drinking heavily
Our problem is deeper than steals. At the start of this season this team was a team playing basketball, the result was incredibly fun to watch for people who appriciate the game. Ball movement and players moving without the ball to get open. Now we just dribble around 3 point line and chuck a contested 3 or lillard drives into 3 defenders and gets blocked. What we need is movement, and some Fucking effort from the players, after watching these last 10 or so games I'd keep rolo and Barton, Trob and lillard would be close seconds. Trade everyone else for people who want to Fucking play.
