Do you think it's just a matter of the Blazers off to a slow start? Lillard hasn't shot the ball well which as a trickle down effect on the whole offense.
I mentioned on another thread that as disappointed as I am, I'll step back and see after 20 games. Two recurring problems from the past are apparent. Bricked layups and lazy passes. We are playing better defense though
Are we? 1-2 with a loss at home and to a team many consider a non playoff team? A comeback win at home against a team without 4 starters? I strictly mean right now. I'm not sure we are decent, right now
We were one possession away from beating the best team in the NBA so far. Sac beat clips and I don't see anyone saying the clips suck on sports center. And that OKC team almost beat the clips and destroyed Denver.
Obviously a long way to go, but there are a couple of concerning trends appearing in these first couple of games. And some of them I hoped we'd have gotten out of our system with some of the disappointing losses in the second half last season. One thing, as much as I like Steve Blake, I questioned the fit for this team when people began talking about picking him up, and the stuff from the first three games is reinforcing my concerns. The second unit needs a guy who can create offense. Blake can make open shots, but he's just not quick enough or creative enough with the ball to make opportunities for himself or anyone else. Add that he seems so much slower and less athletic than when he was here last. The Blazers really needed a Mo Williams type of player for that role. Now, who they could have signed that fit that, I don't know. As a last resort, I would have liked to think Will Barton could add a spark, but he seems to be returning to his out of control ways when he gets even a little bit of run. I would have thought Will's length and athleticism on the wing at least could have made him a good defensive role player, but I guess not. But yeah, these guys so far seem to think that a year older makes them a year better. I just don't see the tough-mindedness in this group that typified the Blazers' first half last year and the Rockets series. It's like the hard-nosed, take-no-prisoners attitude has disappeared. Could that have been something Mo Williams added to the team that we didn't realize?
It's true. We shut down the Warriors for a long stretch in the 3rd quarter. Maybe that's why the offense is suffering. So much energy being expended on the other side of the floor.
If that's the case (and hey, you could be spot on), we shouldn't be playing our bench a 27th-in-the-league 14.5 mpg. I hesitate to make that the reason, though, since LMA, Nic and Wes weren't shooting that well in the first quarter. It's not like they dropped off a cliff once they started playing legit defense or something.
Sacramento was very good against great teams last year. They just had no focus against the crappy teams. If they take care of that, they could be a playoff team. Basically, every team in the West (except maybe the Lakers) has shot at playoffs. Very scary.
The Clips DO suck. They almost lost to Lakers and Telfair-led Thunder. Then they lose to Kings. They're in trouble. Chris Paul is overrated.
Agree. It's great if he plays like one, and he is one IMO. But if he 'has' to play like one, all the other team has to do is cut off the head of the snake, and dare the rest of the team to beat them. We need better ball movement and more desire. Nikolokolus mentioned "complacency". All I have to say is: "Stay thirsty, my friend!"
Are you trying to say some of us are as myopic about the Blazers as you were in your avatar pic? That maybe most teams have some warming up to do at the start of the season before they find their groove? Nah. They should be models of perfection right out of the gate, else what is preseason for? (Seriously, WTF is preseason for? ;-))
