Terry Stotts has transformed Trail Blazers into elite defensive team

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by SlyPokerDog, Mar 17, 2015.

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  1. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    By Mike Richman | The Oregonian/OregonLive
    Follow on Twitter
    on March 17, 2015 at 1:26 PM, updated March 17, 2015 at 2:31 PM

    The Trail Blazers walked off the floor of the AT&T Center in San Antonio following a 104-82 drubbing in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals last May, knowing they were no match for the soon-to-be NBA champion Spurs.

    The Spurs had just completed the "gentleman's sweep" of the Blazers, thoroughly dominating Portland in four wins. The Blazers had somehow avoided a clean sweep with a Game 4 win that seemed more like a courtesy chuckle at Portland's ill-timed joke.

    The message was clear: To take the next step in a quest for their first title in 38 years the Blazers needed to make some changes. And it started with defense...

    http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...e_transformation_in_2_years.html#incart_river
     
    SlyPokerDog, Mar 17, 2015
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  2. MarAzul

    MarAzul LongShip

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    Chances are we get see what progress really has be made. The Blazers probably get SA in the first round.
     
    MarAzul, Mar 17, 2015
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  3. OneLifeToLive

    OneLifeToLive Well-Known Member

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    Tough match up but there are those who think they will beat SA in a seven game series. Jabari Parker being one.

    I think it's going to be difficult for this team to go where they want to go this year without Matthews. I think next year if they can sign everyone and lose none they will really take off. It will be three full years playing together. With the third season running this defensive and offensive scheme. Their just going to continue to polish up.
     
    OneLifeToLive, Mar 17, 2015
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  4. OneLifeToLive

    OneLifeToLive Well-Known Member

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    Stotts is proving to be a well rounded coach. Many thought he was just offensive genius. He's proven that notion wrong. Obviously the proof is in the overall results. But the fact that we seen this dramatic of a change in on season is good stuff and says a lot about him.
     
    OneLifeToLive, Mar 17, 2015
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  5. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    I'm guessing you mean Jabari Young.
     
    SlyPokerDog, Mar 17, 2015
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  6. OneLifeToLive

    OneLifeToLive Well-Known Member

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    Him too.
     
    OneLifeToLive, Mar 17, 2015
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  7. maxiep

    maxiep RIP Dr. Jack

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    Bad timing for that article. Our defensive "effort" against Les Boulez was as bad as I've seen this season.
     
    maxiep, Mar 17, 2015
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  8. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    Breaking down our WC opponents:

    Chris Paul and Tony Parker (and Kawhi now) are really good at creating and making foul line Js, so they can make quick work of our midrange-forcing D. DAL has a historically good midrange shooter Rondo, but he has been trash lately. Dirk lives there however. Conley and Gasol are also similarly good, as are Westbrook and KD.

    HOU does not want to shoot there so they will play right into our D, and GS also likes to stick to the 3 and layup philosophy on offense.

    Interesting...
     
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2015
    illmatic99, Mar 18, 2015
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  9. BlazerCaravan

    BlazerCaravan Hug a Bigot... to Death

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    Speaking of Dirk, has anyone else noticed how annoyed he gets by guards guarding him? Lillard actually guarded him really well off of switched in the midrange. Reminds me of how LMA used to hate being guarded by 6'7" guys back in the day (2008 vs Houston)
     
    BlazerCaravan, Mar 18, 2015
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  10. blue32

    blue32 Who wants a mustache ride?

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    Elite defensive unit?...... :goal: more like it ...:)
     
    blue32, Mar 18, 2015
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  11. dviss1

    dviss1 Emcee Referee

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    The numbers don't lie. The hate is strong with this one....
     
    dviss1, Mar 18, 2015
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  12. blue32

    blue32 Who wants a mustache ride?

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    Uh, there is no hate from me. We are not "ELITE". Good maybe, above average, yes. Elite would have never let the Timberwolves beat us twice.

    Edit: And what's with this bullshit "hate" terminology for people with disagreeing opinions. Come on...
     
    blue32, Mar 18, 2015
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  13. SlyPokerDog

    SlyPokerDog Woof! Staff Member Administrator

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    Are you saying you hate when people say you hate?
     
    SlyPokerDog, Mar 18, 2015
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  14. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    Steve Blake did an excellent job guarding Dirk early on this season. Dirk is not the most graceful power forward. His weakness is his footwork.
     
    riverman, Mar 18, 2015
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  15. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    smh this place sometimes....
     
    illmatic99, Mar 18, 2015
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  16. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    Dirk roasted Dame and CJ in their comeback win a few weeks ago when we inexplicably decided to switch in the fourth quarter and OT on the PG-Dirk P&R. He might look awkward doing it, but he kills that switch nearly every time, and has been for 10+ years.
     
    illmatic99, Mar 18, 2015
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  17. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    what does smh mean? you quoted my post but the reply is ??
     
    riverman, Mar 18, 2015
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  18. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    got it, shaking your head eh? Blake is a tougher guard than he gets credit for, guess you're a Dirk fan?
     
    riverman, Mar 18, 2015
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  19. riverman

    riverman Writing Team

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    3rd in the west is pretty far from average. 1st in a couple of defensive categories and top 5 or 10 in others...glass half empty?
     
    riverman, Mar 18, 2015
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  20. illmatic99

    illmatic99 formerly yuyuza1

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    No.

    It was at the notion that Blake guarding Dirk is a good defensive plan.

    And at you thinking Dirk, a future HOF 7 footer renowned for his offense (who kinda revolutionized the modern day big man) has "weak footwork." There are guys like KD/Kobe/Bron who straight up went out and added his patented one-legged fadeaway into their games after that play won him a title. Hell, even our own LA has added it into his repertoire. You think a guy with weak footwork can make that move?

    And no, I don't care about Dirk, not really a fan of his, but I acknowledge his greatness. Doing so does not make me any less of a Blazer fan. This place has gotten so sensitive with soccer moms, kinda turning into BEdge lately. Kinda disappointing-- even the slightest hint of criticism for the Blazers invokes questions of fandom, or my favorite: "you didn't watch the game" argument. Where's MM when you need him?

    /soapbox
     
    illmatic99, Mar 18, 2015
    #20
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