4 game nightmare: actually very happy with the results

Many thought we would be 0-4 during the last 4 game stretch. We ended up being 1-3; which realistically isn't great. But all the games were close. The three losses could have been wins; if luck was on our side.

So knowing that; I'm pretty happy with the effort. The results sucked; but the fight was great! I'm proud of this team!

 

Needed to go 2-2, but it is what it is.

 

Many Reasons to be optimistic about the reload

 

We should have with last nights game. We played that game like we should have won but Denver had better luck.

 

I'm happy with they way they played, but I don't know that I would start throwing around "luck" as an excuse ... unless people want to start talking about the 5 OT wins and boatload of close wins as being "lucky" too.

They got out executed and settled for a shitload of jump shots ... not that shooting a lot of jumpers is out of character for this team, but it leads to some fairly predictable results against good/great teams that actually play defense.

 

we got fortunate and won a LOT of close games earlier in this season, now the scales are likely balancing out some, this team is still doing significantly better than the vast majority thought it would (me included)

 

Yes ours had a bit of luck too. Iggs was like 2-18 before that three. And that shot was probably the hardest shot of the night. Also that last shot by Lillard at the end of regulation could have went in and we would have won.

The two games before we had no business even being close; but scrapped in the final minutes. Last night was a very winnable game.

 

I'm with you on the luck comment, Nik. The need for a solid backup PG has nothing to do with luck. Ronnie Price, at one point, committed back to back turnovers followed by a crappy missed shot. Obviously, there were mistakes by everyone, but this is a team without any decent PG options once Lillard sits down.

 

I'm happy with the play overall. There were a lot of missed short shot opportunities that could have changed the reults but hey, that's basketball sometimes.

One thing I've noticed that is driving me crazy is the tendency (Batum, Lillard, Matthews mostly) to break the defense down, get into the lane where a short shot or driving layin is available, and then kick it back out to the 3-pt line. It happened a few times in last night's game where Batum just had to finish short shot at the rim and passed it out to a covered 3-pt shooter and I'm yelling "shoot the fucking ball". Hopefully they learn to read that better.

 

Part of me wants the team to win and is unhappy, 1-3 isn't good.

Another part of me is happy, though. We are able to hang with some of the best teams in the league without a bench, just wait until we get one! I am reminded of Brandon Roy, believe it or not. I've watch a bunch of Blazer games where Roy would exit the game in the middle of the 2nd quarter with the team up by 4 or so, only to return and find the team down by 4 or so - then the same thing would happen in the 4th.

 

Even if we miss the playoffs, this season will have been a lot more entertaining than last year.

 

Hell yes! Nic has shown a nice response to his contract and is really maturing into a versatile playmaker, Stotts looks like he actually knows how to teach and coach, Lillard has been a revelation and ultimately (despite the dearth of talent on the bench) they resemble a professional basketball team.

 

Pop is complaining about 4 games in 5 nights. We're on a stretch of 5 games in 6 nights. Ridiculous.

 

They're young

 

With zero bench. Even young bucks will get tired.

 

Who cares if they're young? Dame played: 42, 41, 43, and 41 mins during the four games. That will tire out anyone.

 

So I guess Stotts should rest Nicolas, Lillard and LaMarcus?

 

No, but saying that the schedule is okay because we are young doesn't give it a pass. Anytime you play 38+ minutes a game and play 5 games in 6 nights; will tire anyone out.

 

Of course the schedule is tough, but it's that way for every team in the league at points during the year.