Yeah, the Rose Ga---MODA Center faithful took a while to show up today. Maybe it was because it was Friday Night. Maybe it was because they stayed for the after-the-credits scene of Thor. Maybe it was because of Comcast. Or maybe it was because: via Imgflip Meme Maker Boogie, though, had himself a night. 35 points, 9 rebounds (4 steals!) and basically abusing poor Robin Lopez all night long. Thankfully, though, the Blazers shut down the rest of the Kings (23-65, 35%) and especially in continuing their tough 3pt D (27%). I had more here, but I forgot. Sorry. I had a bunch about Lillard, also. The guy can roll out of bed and score 20. He also had 8 assists. I don't know what the reason for it was, whether his court vision was pinpoint, whether his passes were crisper, whether teammates actually made shots, but a 22/8/7 is a heckuva game. (This kid keeps going like this, he'll be a lock for the rookie-sophomore game ) He's shot 42 of his 79 shots from 3 this year. His 1.50 points per shot would've led the league last year. Today LMA started out 50-50 on his first 6 shots being inside 12' and 15-18'. His next 7 shots reverted, though, to 2 shots inside and 5 outside (he made 2). At this point he was 5-13, 10 pts, 1 reb. Then the 4th quarter became LMA Time, and 6 of his last 7 shots were inside 12' and he sucked up 6 more boards. So for the night, he was 2-5 on shots 16-23', 2-5 in the paint, and 6-10 on jumpers 10-15'. Yeah, he only got 20 points on 20 shots, but he's trending towards more higher-percentage shots. 1.0 pps isn't great., and his 1.13 pps is the lowest since before his LaMonster season. But as he attacks the rim more, he'll get more FTs, (his history shows a highly-correlative trend of more FTs with more shots in the paint---who knew?). Until then, he's shooting better % and closer shots. the leaders in PPS were around 1.5. 1.13PPS is at the Josh Smith/Brandon Jennings/Carlos Boozer level. Something to watch---if LMA keeps getting into the paint and shooting higher-percentage jumpers, he'll start getting FTs, making more shots, and raising his PPS and efficiency. And, coupled with a 23-ish ppg average, will make it awful tough to leave him off the all-star squad. via Imgflip Meme Maker Nic's also embracing the BrianFromWA offensive philosophy--aside from one shot, his shots were either 3-pointers (3-6) or at the rim (2-3, 1-2 FT). He ended up with 14 points on 10 shots--an elite level of efficiency. He's also continuing to fill the stat sheet. To go along with his 1.22 points per shot on the season, he's also leading the Blazers in rebounds (8.0/g) and assists (6.0/g). via Imgflip Meme Maker Bench Update: 19pts/14 reb/8 ast/1stl/3 blk/4 TOs. Story of the day from the bench is probably Freeland. Tough for Forensic Fan to get excited about 2-4, 4pts/4reb/2ast/2blk/1stl in 17 minutes, but following along in the game thread and the ESPN Game Log he seemed to be the spark playing hard-nosed D and coming up with the big board. I'll let eyewitnesses and those with synergy talk about it more, but let's just say I like the new incarnation of Joel. [/url]via Imgflip Meme Maker[/IMG] Though if he keeps this up, he might get his own commercial. via Imgflip Meme Maker So on to Sacramento, and a date at the Sleep Center! Good Guys win! Bad guys lose!
The block on....Outlaw (?) was textbook defense. Instead of doing what a LOT of players do (including Leonard), he jumped straight up and his arms were also straight up. Blocked Outlaw cleanly. Dare I say, like MM, Freeland is becoming my favorite bench player. Maybe 2nd favorite player on the team. Finally picking and stashing a Euro might actually have paid off. Of course, the last couple Euros either stayed in Europe (Petteri) or had a horrible head coach in Portland ruin them (Sergio and Rudy) or are still kind of young/raw NBA wise (Victor).
For those who didn't see, here is the video. [video]http://www.nba.com/blazers/video/2013/11/08/dropboxnbam1vidprod01Freelandblo-3032833/[/video] http://www.nba.com/blazers/video/2013/11/08/dropboxnbam1vidprod01Freelandblo-3032833/
Brian, I'm surprised that you didn't give mention to T Rob and his impressive double double off the bench. EDIT: probably because he didn't get a double double! Haha
Freeland has had the most surprising improvement thus far. Lillard took a huge step forward too, and will impact wins far more than Freeland, but we thought this might happen. Mo Williams is a huge disappointment so far. A one dimensional shooter who can't shoot. He is playing CJ into the rotation. If this keeps up I'd even consider giving Watson his minutes. I expected more from Lopez but he has had some decent moments.
How not to play Mo Williams. http://ripcityproject.com/2013/11/0...rs-terry-stotts-must-adjust-mo-williams-role/
The analysis really doesn't make much of a case to have him on the team at all. Best used, he's an undersized two guard who shoots 38% from threes? I value some of the other things he brings in that role -- capable ballhandler and ability to penetrate in the right circumstances -- but, as a "former" all-star with a scorer's mentality (and likely matching ego), I wonder how long until he becomes disgruntled in the role and starts becoming a locker room problem. Hopefully, not. But it might be best for all parties, if he's eventually moved once CJ is off and running.
It says that while Mo and Damian are in the game together, Mo should be playing the role than Damian has been so far. That's not nothing. It's what Mo Williams is supposed to do when he's in the game with our star PG. He can play PG when Damian is out. The article says that too.. "An undersized two guard who shoots 38% from three" is an extremely apt description of Mo Williams.
Different writer, same site, same result. http://ripcityproject.com/2013/11/07/portland-trail-blazers-houston-rockets-impressions/3/
