This loss is from us going away from what was working. The further we got into the game, the more dependent we came on the outside shot. That, and OKC just out-scrapped us on the boards, specifically Westbrook on the offensive end. Guards need to find their man and box them out on shot attempts just as much as bigs do. OKC looked like a team that absolutely did not want to lose 3 in a row. Learning experience. I think we'll be alright. For the first 3 quarters we were doing a lot of good things out there.
Funny how we have all kinds of body language experts always chirping in around here. Roy is player that has shown very little emotion throughout his career, sure there's some exceptions, but he usually always keeps that calm, cool and collected look on his face no matter if he's up, or down. Unless of course, he thinks he got fouled and he's pleading his case to the ref. I think people are reading into Roy way too much. He'll be fine.
That really was the difference. They just wanted it more. At the end of regulation we twice had a chance to get a rebound that would have finished the game and didn't do it.
What really pisses me off about this game is the fact that neither LaMarcus or Roy looked to box out as soon as Durant took the shot at the end of regulation. Instead they watched the shot and went for the rebound AFTER they saw he missed. Basketball 101 (especially on a crucial play) is that you box out as soon as the shot goes up... then you are in position to get the rebound after the miss. They both would have been in great position to get the board had they done that... GAME OVER! Trail Blazer win! Westbrook is a stud.
There are a few thoughts about the game. I do really like what Aldridge is doing offensively. He finally has some moves both ways. He was playing hard and keeping this team in the game. His defense has raised back a notch back towards when when he was a rookie and was blocking shots. That is probably part of the reason he fouled out. IMO Lamarcus gets a thumbs up for the game. Batum - Mixed bag. He doesn't seem to be able to put together more than a half of good play. He has had 28 and 40 points dumped on him from the SF spot in the past 3 games. Is that really the mark of a premier defender? The mark of a good defender normally is that if a player gets their points, they have to take a lot more shots than normal to get those points. Durant shot just short of 50%. Deng was 14 of 19. I will give him a big thumbs up for his defense on Carlos Delfino again Milwaukee though..... Roy for some reason looked to me like he was just fucking around out there. He was successful as per normal operations to a certain extent, but when it came down to crunch time I was not happy with his play. I thought that last shot we got was fucking pathetic. I was sitting their thinking "Really? That was what the coaching staff had in mind?". Armon- Good first half when the team was getting up and down. When the game play slowed down in the 2nd half not so good. He isn't taking shots and it is hurting the team, because in the 2nd half, OKC was just sagging off him and playing the passing lanes, and sending their guard for rebounds. Mathews-Good effort in first half, quit attacking rim in 2nd half. Camby good effort all game long. Miller- I thought Miller played really well, and every time the Blazers needed a bucket all game, they got one from him. Every time OKC made a run he answered. The only answer he didn't get a chance, was the end run, when they gave it to Roy. Dante- Completely overmatched at PF. I know he is trying hard, and making some plays, but he was getting manhandled in the paint. After a free throw I saw Serge Ibaka completely submerge him underneath the hoop, pushing him out of the way with ease. Now all of that being said, you can't win games where you allow teams to out rebound you so badly and shoot over 50%. It just isn't going to happen.
Westbrook abused Miller. Absolutely destroyed him on the floor and on the boards. Plus, Miller was 3-7 shooting in the 4th quarter and overtime. Did the Blazers not need a bucket on those 4 misses? How about the 0-2 in OT? Not on "must score" possessions? Miller played a nice first half. I'd like to know what happened to him in the 2nd half and OT. 10 shots compared to 1 assist out of a "pure" PG is unacceptable in a close game, especially if the PG can't guard my Mom, let alone Russell Westbrook.
Go back and watch the film. Every time OKC made a run all the way up to end of game, when the Blazers came out of the timeout Miller scored and got hte Blazers going again. It doesn't matter what Westbrook was doing on the offensive end, because the part of the game I am focusing on with this post is that the Blazers needed a bucket. What does Westbrook doing well on the offensive end have to do with the Blazers on the offensive end of the floor? In an end of game situation, with the Blazers having the ball, I don't give a shit what Westbrook has been doing on the offensive end. What I am pointing out, is that all night long, whenever the Blazers needed a bucket after an OKC run, Miller got one out of the timeout. Every time. So what the fuck does Westbrook abusing Miller at the offensive end have to do with that?
You said Miller played "very well". I don't think that my PG going 4-10 with 1 assist in the 2nd half and OT, while getting abused defensively, is "playing well". Plus, since Miller missed both of his shots in OT, I took issue with your claim that "every time" the Blazers needed a bucket, he got one. I loved what Miller did in the first half on offense. Since he can't defend his own shadow, though, we need him to be exceptional offensively to offset what he gives up on defense. Because if he is not exceptional, this team is not going to go anywhere in the playoffs with Miller defending the point.
now someone remind me of the ending sequence last night I cant quite remember. Matthews goes to the line.. goes 1 for 2, Thunder hit 2 free throws, and then Armon hits the buzzer beating 3 that means nothing right? If so.. that damn FT by Wes Matthews cost us the tie
Totally agree. There's more great, young PGs now then there have been in a long time too. Watching him try to keep up is painful.
