Game Thread GAME# 67: BLAZERS @ MAGIC - MARCH 20, 2015 - FRIDAY, 4:00 PM (PST), CSNNW

He got thoroughly worked over by Payton tonight. EP looked like GP driving around Dame, or running around him to grab offensive boards/put-backs. Maybe Lillard is tired. He's once again in the top 5 in minutes played, and leads the league in millage (distance ran around the court). But he's clearly lost confidence in his shot. Down 7 with under 4 minutes he gets a WIDE open look from 3 but instead swings it to Afflalo who's covered? On Jan 11 we were 30-8 and Dame is in the MVP conversation. Since that point we've gone 14-15, and Damian Lillard has made 27% of his 3's. It's not the only reason we've struggled, but that's supposed to be our closer. When he's not making shots, particularly deep 3s in crunch time, we're just not very good. Did we really think "elite defense" was going to be our calling card? We don't force t/o's and we pretty much willingly give up open mid range jumpers and hope that the other guys miss. Sometimes it works, but we don't exactly make anyone's offense feel uncomfortable on that end of the court - we're not the Grizz. We need to be efficient offensively to beat anybody, and we just haven't been since Jan 11th . . . despite some pretty heroic efforts by LA. Paging #O, where are you?

 

Guess that's the way you see it. That's fine with me but really what "TWO" subpar teams are we talking about here? Sure can't be the Wizards because winning in DC is tough for any team in the league. I am sure you are more informed than to think Miami is "Subpar". That team has players and a coach that has won multiple championships. If you are simply thinking the "East" has something to do with it then again i know better than you being that uninformed. It's a 3 game losing streak and it is happening on a long road trip that a couple games got away. They will find a rhythm and get some wins. Tough losing Kaman tonight. Hope it wasn't too serious.

 

0-5 from 3PT range, what the fuck has happened to Dame..

Ever since those fucking shoes, no joke guys.... no joke.

 

At one point in the 4th, Aldridge had the ball at the top of the key and Lillard was wide open for three right next to him. Aldridge didn't give him the ball. Not only has Lillard lost confidence in himself but his teammates have too.

 

[QUOTE="kjironman1, post: 3582425, member: 2832] I am sure you are more informed than to think Miami is "Subpar". .[/QUOTE]

They're 32-36 and in the eastern conference.

'Subpar' might be too kind.

 

He's an ok pg. Nothing more. He's just a slightly overrated point guard who just had a really hot start to a career. But in all honesty he's nothing to fear. He'll have a very long and solid career, but to expect him to became a franchise player is a little too crazy.

 

Here to make friends I take it...

 

Guess Dame knew what he was talking about when he was hyping him before the draft last year.

 

He's been ordinary since early in his 2nd year. Starting then, I've posted over and over that the coaches make him dedicate too much energy to defense, leaving nothing for offense. He didn't play defense in his clutch-shooting rookie year.

This fact hasn't caught on yet, but my truths always do, eventually. Just like my Meyers Leonard contact lens irritation theory.

 

These kind of loses aren't all on the players. Stotts has run the starters ragged.
He's way too rigid with his substitutions and calls the most ill-advised time-outs.

I also feel his schemes don't extract enough from our talent.

Stotts' installed offensive scheme, whilst novel - and pretty when the ball moves, is overly orchestrated, marginilizing the players organic court instincts (See ANY Blazer fast break). It is predicated on jumpers, and whilst it does move the ball, it is VERY PREDICTABLE!



* Stotts' "Settle for J/Pass around the Horn" Offense = Flamboyant Swordsman (in appropriate Blazers colors)

* Typical NBA Defense = Indy

 

They're 32-36 and in the eastern conference.

'Subpar' might be too kind.[/QUOTE]
Trades my friend...Trades have happened. But you know this already. You also know they have been playing way better the last 15 games and you know they are not the same team that started the year. Simply quoting their record and saying eastern conference is an insult to my intelligence. Beating the Heat on their home court will be no easy task the rest of the year. Miami is going to make the playoffs and their experience alone should be respected.

 

Trades my friend...Trades have happened. But you know this already. You also know they have been playing way better the last 15 games and you know they are not the same team that started the year. Simply quoting their record and saying eastern conference is an insult to my intelligence. Beating the Heat on their home court will be no easy task the rest of the year. Miami is going to make the playoffs and their experience alone should be respected.[/QUOTE]

I still stand by the record and them being in the eastern conference. It means something. I haven’t been aware of the Heat's improved play. But to me none of that should or make a difference. Portland is the BETTER team. They are a title contender… Suppossedly. Portland is in a dog fight for playoff positioning. Portland just came off a which should have invigorated them and motivated to play at a level that made them difficult to beat by ANYONE. Instead, they played at a level no better than and I stand by this a ‘subpar’ eastern conference team and they loss due to it. To me there is no excuse for that.

For the record. The Washington loss was understandable. They have a lot talent. I don't consider them subpar. I gave Orlando a lil more credit by calling them subpar and Portland had no business losing to Orlando...It may come down to one or two things. The Blazers are overrated from the top down. Or they are just a bunch of unmotivated ball players aside from LA. That use the on and off switch very liberally. That play at a high level when it's only convenient. Which to me is again inexcusable... I haven’t figured out which one it is or if either pertain to them. But it's frustrating.

 

This is very funny being you just went over to the prediction thread and predicted a Blazer win.
Talk about hot and cold. Even funnier is you have 4,400+ comments on this site. You have been around way too long to think this team is a bunch of unmotivated players. As far as overrated? We shall see.

 

Lillard, as much as it pains me. really will and consider requesting a trade..
Everyone else has fallen off a cliff.