I thought Dame was actually better tonight, far more engaged defensively. Not perfect by any stretch, but much better. I will say Pop's switching scheme does Dame no favors. It means he can easily get caught in a matchup against a big or a player that can get passed him. I'm not suggesting Pop is wrong because other than Dame this team is filled with 6'5" - 6'9" players (and Durant). It's the right call for the team, but probably not ideal for Dame.
Yeah, a lot of these guys (especially KD) have started to play like it's an all star game. They're just getting theirs. Dame hasn't been doing that at all, the opposite in fact. He's trying to make the right play and be efficient. Jayson Tatum was going one on five like he was Durant but he was missing layups and taking contested twos. The guy that was most impressive... even more impressive than KD was Jrue. He was sick defensively, he was finding guys, putting the ball right in their shooting pocket or in their stride and he was getting himself easy shots at the rim. Dude had it tonight and unlike most of the other guys he was playing like it was a real game, no hero ball.
Something is not right with Lillard. He is playing horrid defense and not looking to shoot or do much of anything on the floor. He couldn't guard a middle schooler out there right now. Could him weighing how poor Portland's offseason been have an mental effect on him?
Totally agree. Holidays playing great on defense, but he's also playing more minutes, and guys are making shots off his passes. But he was horrid shooting the ball. If Dame shot that bad, the haters would be crucifying him. No way Dame can get in rhythm on 4 shots. PLUS! he was open many times. Wide open, and Durant took contested shots. Never once, not once looking his way.
I'd love for that to be the case, but i just don't see it. Durant has blinders to Dame, and this is Durant's show. He's been more wide open, than the checkouts at an all night Walmart at 3 in the morning. and can't buy a pass. And when the passes come, they're too late.
No he's just trying to find his spot on the USA team. This is his first experience in FIBA play. He passed on past years FIBA competition and it's showing now.
I pretty sure that guy got banned because he suggest we should tank so we dont get stuck as atredmill team losing in the first round of the playoffs every year. I think he said that like 2 or 3 years ago.
I agree with you. Other than a guy like Durant, who can miss a ton in the first game , but be allowed to get in rhythm, and finally get on a roll, Fiba Ball doesn't allow most players to be consistent. A lot the opposing country players are role players who get maybe 5 to 10 shots in a game during the NBA season. They are use to that. Plus Fiba refs miss a lot of pushes in the back, and contact, but call a ton of stop flow fouls that are hardly ever called in the NBA. For a guy like Dame, i've seen him go 0 for 6, then hit his next 10. With the substitution patterns and other top players like Durant, that can't happen. Plus the games are shorter.
His defense nevers been his strong point. Edit: he's basically a rookie in FIBA basketball. His defense as a rookie in the NBA was atrocious too.
Damian is not even looking to try and shoot. Booker who has hasnt played in Fiba before had 20 tonight and looked for his shot. I really think something is weighing on Damian mentally here.
That could be. All the Nat'l & social media BS post of him and trades is probably weighing on him. And even when he's put a cap on it, it keeps festering. That being said, i think he's trying to be a great teammate. Durant doesn't care. He's an asshole, but because he's so talented, he gets away with it.
