Jaynes rips the Blazers and is on the money

We didnt win that game.... the kings lost it. Even Rice said the Kings left thinking they were the better team.

Really, forget the recent record — how are the Trail Blazers playing?

March 10th, 2010 by Dwight Jaynes | 7 Comments | Filed in NBA, Trail Blazers
Frankly, not so well. At all.

They went into last night’s game having surrendered a cumulative field-goal percentage against of more than 50 percent over their last five games. They have not been playing good defense at all.

Yes, they “held” the Kings to 43 percent shooting last night, but seriously — I haven’t seen a team miss as many open shots in a while as the Kings missed last night. The Blazers didn’t close out on three-point shooters at all — but Sacramento couldn’t take advantage of those open looks and missed 10 threes, many of them wide open.

You can say that the recent injury to Marcus Camby had an impact on the team’s defense but really, not all that much. Camby has not played real well since he got here, folks. He’s blocking some shots but he’s a turnover machine. Considering how infrequently he touches the ball, his four turnovers last night were embarrassing, considering the team had but 11. And given the slow pace, lack of fast break points and points in the paint Portland has to live with every night, it can’t afford turnovers.

I expected better play from Camby but perhaps he just needs time. Heck, he’s been playing for the Clippers, where little things like turnovers probably don’t mean much.

There are other things going on right now that are disturbing. The Kings came out obviously trying to be more physical than usual. They attempted to push Portland around a lot and had intentions of ramming the ball inside all night. Word is getting around about the Trail Blazers’ lack of muscle and strength inside.

And the other thing that must be pointed out is that Brandon Roy is still not back to being Brandon Roy. He’s needing more shots than usual to get his points, isn’t getting to the foul line as consistently as he usually does and is missing a lot of free throws. All of that is uncharacteristic.

Some of it is that he’s probably not back to being 100 percent, physically. But another contributing factor is that teams are just not letting him play one-on-one as often as they used to. Portland’s offense has gotten so stagnant it’s beginning to seem as if every shot they take is off a one-on-one move by someone — and is usually contested.

That’s not going to work well, long term. All in all, I’m very underwhelmed by their standard of play at this point of the season. And once more, I’d remind you — don’t talk so much about who isn’t playing. Talk, instead, about who IS playing. And there is enough talent out there to be playing at a much higher level than what we’re seeing.

 

Camby and Batum were the only ones really trying hard on defense last night. Portland played well for the first 5 and last 9 minutes of the game. I guess 14 minutes of effort is still enough to beat Sactown when you are at home.

I haven't read anywhere that Roy's hamstring has been cured, so I'm assuming he's just playing through a lot of pain. Which explains his production.

I'd like to see Batum get the reigns to be more aggressive with the ball. Any starter with a good jump shot should not be scoring 10 points on 55% shooting after 20 games. That just tells me he's only taking shots in absolutely ideal situations, which isn't being aggressive. I'd really like to see him step and be a 15-16 ppg legit third scorer on this team.

 

This team hasn't had a chance all season to get into a groove. Of course we're struggling with our roles. Most teams have had a regular rotation for at least half the season. We're still trying to figure ours out with the injuries and the new players.

Rudy, Unit #16 must not be a happy place in Bristol, CT, but this season was cursed from the beginning. It's all about working hard this year, trying to salvage something and looking to next year.

 

We also held the Kings to roughly 20 points under their season average. Look, I hope we get it together and people get comfortable with one another. Right now, it looks like we're still feeling our way. If this team can meld by the playoffs, we'll be dangerous. I'm just happy we've had a soft schedule in the recent weeks and coming up.

 

I don't think that Jaynes really "ripped" the Blazers. He just has some concerns about their intensity and lack of a sharp offense. I think a lot of people share those concerns, but I think that many, like me, hope it can be worked out in the next 5 or 6 games. If not, then I might be really worried.

I do agree with Jaynes that at this time the Blazers are on par with last year as far as talent, and we should not really be lowering our expectations. I also agree with Mook that Batum should be encouraged to be more aggressive and the coaching staff should involve him more in the offense.

 

I agree about our talent level, even with Przy and GO out, but that's still missing the point. This team is like five fingers. Last year, they formed a fist; this year it's like a limp-wristed slap. The players have to gell. To this point there's been no continuity, and that's been the real problem.

 

I agree the team needs to gel and it takes time; but in another week Camby will have been here a month and Batum has been healthy over a month so it seems we should be close to gelling. I don't know, maybe that's not enough time since there's been little time for real practices and if you consider Roy and Miller have been together over five months and still don't know how to maximize each other's talents. I'm just hoping they can make some kind of breakthrough in the next 2 weeks.

 

So what?

And Portland hasn't given away games or had better stats in losses?

Jaynes is a drunken moron.

 

The problem is simple. The two "leaders" on the team are not setting the tone. Roy and Aldridge defense and intensity has been horrible lately. I don't know how many of you went to the game last night, but pretty much every game since LA came into town, the crowd has been feisty and can tell the Blazers aren't giving them their best effort. The reason you can tell is the Rose Garden does not get as loud as it was earlier this season. A lot of fans are sitting back and saying "Show me something." They aren't, and the fans are sitting on their hands.

 

That's a pretty damned good point. It didn't feel like Portland was trying hard on defense for most of the night, but they did hold them to 20 points less than they normally score and 43% shooting (2% below average).

If Portland could do that to every team they'd probably win a championship this year.

I probably need to re-watch that game. I think Portland just made it look so easy in the first 5 minutes that I expected it to just roll on for the rest of the game. Sactown is by no means any good, but you can't expect Portland to blow them out by 30 every time.

 

That's the whole point. The Blazers got lucky last night. If you want to win in this league at the highest level, you can't depend on being lucky every night.

 

I am pretty certain that both Nate and the team know that they did not play well last night - the comments from them seem to suggest that as well.

After that, I am not really sure what else there is to do. It is what it is - they are aware of it being a problem - so they will either fix it, or not. Some of it clearly depends on Roy's physical condition - so it either gets better, or not.

Other than that, what else is there to be done? Should we go out in the streets with big signs that read "Try harder LMA"? or "Don't be such a lazy bum Miller"?

Geez, there are obvious problems. Some of them are health related, some of them are taking the time to play together coherently - but what else is there to do...

The Blazer's path to success this year in the post season relies on Brandon being healthy and the team playing well around him. If it happens, great - that's what they are trying to do now - integrate him and get him in a rhythm, if it does not, it is just not going to happen - because if Roy is not playing like he is capable of - this team's talent level (with GO also absent) is just not as high as Jaynes pretends...

 

Its time for a change, coach and some players. We need more guys with killer instinct, right now we maybe have 2 if we are lucky. Move bayless, webster, and rudy. I would also look at moving LA if the right deal came up.

 

It is simple. Many of the problems from last night were about effort and focus, not about any injuries.

 

To further your point I challenge anyone to show me a quote where anyone said the team played well, Nate's first comment state clearly that the team did not play well.

 

they didnt play well. the kings just missed shots or we lose by 10

 

So we didn't make shots that allowed us to win by 7?

 

They didn't play well, that's true. On the other had, we do not shoot a miserable 45% and we win by 30.

What kind of pee flavored analysis is that?

Time to change your handle to MIXUMpee!

 

I thought we won the game. Rudy obviously doesn't live in Portland. To quote this tool Jaynes on ANYTHING is a joke! Listen to him on the radio or watch him on talkin ball and you will instantly see he is past his time and confused. Once again Rudy, you prove your foolishness.