That would make logic if history hasn't had NBA Champions who had one win against western playoff teams the whole year. But they do so at the end of the day I'm not concerned with how the team is playing in the first month of the season. I however am not saying Portland as it sits has the ability to win a Championship. I am saying that winning or losing in the regular season against "playoff teams" doesn't mean you will have playoff success or hardships. So @ all the people saying Portland sucks because they keep getting blown out against "good teams". Need to study their NBA history a little bit. Portland was under .500 on the road last year by 9 games. If they pull .500 on that number while coming close to the record they had at home last year. Successful regular season.
Ed Davis played 12 minutes tonight and got 5 fouls. That's somewhat the guards' fault since they let everyone blow by them on the first step, but it's sucky either way. He's regressed maybe the most of anyone.
We need to go back to what made us successful last season, which was more willing to do the dirty work. Too many times we don't secure the rebound, don't fight for putbacks on offense, we aren't going all out for loose balls. Idk how we can go back to that but it'd be nice to see. Trade wise it would be nice to shed some weight to obtain a versatile defender in the frontcourt. Some one like a Tristan Thompson would be great... which Ed Davis was a poor man's version of for us, last season.
We'll be fine. I can't believe we won't sort our frontcourt sooner rather than later. Worst case scenario we go for a players desperately not wanted by their team like Monroe, and will still be much better off than we are now. I also don't think this blip will last forever, basically the Blazers we are seeing now are the worst it's going to get.
Losing to good teams is not the issue for me. It is 'how' they are losing. Last year they were much more competitive against quality opponents. Sure, there is going to be a bad night now and then but last night was the 4th blowout already this season...they aren't even close to competitive right now. That could all turn around but there are signs that there is a bigger issue in my opinion. The first starts with 'effort' and I don't see it as much this year as last year. Whether that is because too many players got paid or that there are too many rotation-type players that aren't getting to play enough to get a rhythm. Whatever the reason, they are just not playing well at all and that isn't getting fixed overnight anytime soon with what their issues are.
We are trying to lull these playoff teams into a false sense of confidence so that when the playoffs start we can surprise them with a 60 point shellacking.
I try to look at the bright side. We're a 3rd tier team playing like a 4th tier team right now, that's not a huge fall and maybe this bad play will push for an interesting trade. Just try to enjoy the plays from CJ and Lillard as they are both very entertaining players to watch. All of the teams below the 3rd spot in the west are not going to do shit this year anyhow, they won't even function as memorable scenery during GSW's run to the finals.
@BonesJones I am your saving grace. Come with me on Sunday at the end of the month and lets watch us Give paybacks to Houston in a BIG way!!!!
You leave Harkless out of this! He (and Layman, to an extent) have been the only bright spots thus far.
Does the blame lie on the players inability to defend, or Stotts system? Is it both? Almost every game outside of maybe Utah and Memphis, the other teams looked like they were just toying with DLeague competition for most, if not the whole game.
As an aside, I'm pretty sure that all of you mis-read Dame's "I've been more frustrated" quote. He's not saying that he's been more frustrated in the past than he is currently. In fact, he's saying the opposite--that he's been more frustrated recently than he has been in the past.
You can't fire the players. So it's Stotts' job on the line. He obviously can't get them executing on either end of the floor, which is what his role as a coach requires.
Considering you still haven't owned up to the fact that your "dame drinks like a fish" comment a couple years ago was asinine- you'd probably not own up to this, either.
