The Laker game sucked but it wasn't too surprising considering the Lakers had a huge size advantage. This game was worse. I think I just saw Portland play it's worst 4 minute stretch of basketball ever. It's like the guys on the floor completely forgot how to play for a few minutes. By the time the horror show was over, the game was too. And can someone, anyone explain to me why Batum didn't start the 2nd half? I think Rudy got re-injured when he took that fall a couple of games back. He has been totally useless since that game. Probably the most horrid loss of the season. OKC tried like crazy to give Portland the game. The Blazers just sucked too bad to take advantage.
I heard one of the Mike's say it was maybe because they didn't want to hurt Martell's confidence as if his shooting hasn't damaged it enough. I wonder on Rudy as well. He just is not the same shooter right now.
I don't know how you can NOT look back at the 2007 draft and just want to cry. I'll admit, I thought Oden was the right choice. I bought into the "Durant will win scoring titles, Oden will win Championships". Guuuuhhhh. Who didn't know KD was going to be good? But then again, who thought he'd be THIS good? I thought he'd max out at about 24/25 points game, and be a volume scorer (shoot about 43%) Clearly, at 21 years old and averaging 30/game and .485% from the floor he's already one of the better offensive players in the league. Did I mention he's only 21? Anybody that says they'd still rather have Oden is an idiot. But there's nobody to blame. It's the pick every team in the league would have made - no matter what they say these days. Bad fortune I guess. Again.
Well, I still believe Oden can be good, but I fear injuries are just going to pile on. I really don't expect to see a whole lot of him during the seasons as I think problems will keep happening. Oden was the right pick and has proving his worth to us when he can play. The problem is, he is at home more than he is on the court during the season.
Just got back from the game. Skimmed through the last couple pages of the thread and thought I would give my takes (which are usually different from when I watch the game on DVR and rewind alot) -Aldridge: I was surprised to read a lot of negatives about Aldridge. Watching the game, I can tell you the guy was working hard. He had a lather going that I don't usally see and a lot of open mouth breathing (sucking wind). The guy was banging down low as the Thunder players were putting a body on him continously. I think this is good for Aldridge. Right now Aldridge is clearly the first option and the go to guy. Let Aldrdige try to figure out new ways to score as teams focus completely on him. Then when Roy comes back, Aldridge slides back into the second option/scorer and maybe is more effective. Anyways, I saw Aldrdige working hard out there and banging bodies. Qucikly on Miller. He made a lot of bad plays at the end, but can't fault him on the effort side. What I saw was ALdrdige being banged inside, Miller trying to make things happen and everyone else standing around (I apppreciated Daunte's game tonight). It's been a while since I heard the home crowd boo the home team that much . . .
I don't think he has his speed back either. There was a play where he could have beat the opposing player to the ball (long pass down court). The Rudy I know would have had that easily, instead the other player beat him to the ball. Another time he took a outlet pass and looked to have a lane to the rim or get fouled. I was surprised to see him pull up instead. Something isn't right with Rudy. Could be mental or physical . . . I think physically he isn't right.
Quite a few people around here have expressed that POV. I don't agree - but what do I know? I've spent the last couple days getting beaten up for suggesting that the Chargers shouldn't have dumped Drew Brees!
You got it. Martell, Rudy, Blake and Bayless were absolutely brutal tonight (on both ends of the court) and there's barely a peep. Our so called shooters and scorers went 1-15 from behind the arc (exluding Nic, because that's not necessarily his role) contributed 8 total points, 9 turnovers and made me glad 'Lost' came on at 9 pm, so I could turn the channel.
Is it just a rehash of stuff mentioned earlier in the week on ESNP.com or did they imply it being 'imminent' (such as these rumors go)?
Actually, it is. I know because I wrote it. I didn't criticize the offense once tonight until the shot clock violation with 7:10 left in the game after OKC started the 4th quarter on a 13-2 run. Do you not think it's valid to criticize an offense that started the 4th quarter by scoring a grand total of 2 points in the first 6 minutes of that quarter? The same offense that started the 4th quarter of the previous game by scoring 2 points in the first 5:50 of that quarter. The same offense that blew an 8-point lead with 3:46 left in the game against Memphis by getting outscored 13-1 to close out the game. And the same offense that blew an 8-point lead with 3:23 left against New Orleans by getting out scored 10-1 to close out the game. Perhaps it doesn't bother you that this pattern keeps happening over and over and over and over, but when I see something so obviously and painfully wrong, I'd like to see it corrected and not see the same mistakes repeated. It's not just this game. The same thing has happened multiple times over the past month. And don't think all will magically be better when Brandon Roy gets back. We had him for that Memphis game when our predictable, ineffective offense cost us that win, too. Feel free to hide your head in the sand and pretend there is nothing wrong with an offense that can't produce points when the game is on the line. I'd prefer to see a change to something a little less predictable and more productive. We have plenty of players who can score. We just need an offensive game plan that takes advantage of their talents. BNM
I noticed the boos towards the last 3 minutes of the game as well. Ouch. I hope this motivates the team when they take on the clippers on tuesday.
Anyone else notice Blake come out tonight with a fire lit under his ass? Maybe he heard his name in some trade rumors and wanted to prove to KP not to deal him?
Not to pile on. But, when the chargers didn't resign Drew, he had a serious shoulder injury and it was unclear if he could have come back as the same quarterback. It was unrealistic to expect him to come back as better. Secondly, Rivers has been a stud since then- playing with heart in the playoffs and being a good leader. If only our field goal kicker, the most accurate in regular season history, hadn't sold out to the mob.
I was even motivated to start a thread on it! I know he didn't score, but he wrestled a couple of rebounds, threw a nice bounce pass in traffic (very un-Blake!) and the team just ran smoothly with him in there. It was very surprising!
You know what would be nice? If nobody every mentioned this ever again? Wow - that's such a novel question that I have no idea how to approach answering it. Let me google it to see if anyone has any thoughts... Here's the deal: we don't have Durant. We made the right pick at the time. We were unbelievably fortunate to get the first pick, and then very unfortunate with Greg's health. Work out what player we could have got at the pick we should have had if we hadn't won the lottery, and then wonder about him. That might be novel. (Funny thing is, I honestly don't wish we had Durant. And that's even with recognizing how incredibly he's improved since last year - he's playing defense and passing now! I could stand him to be doing worse. So I guess I don't want good luck, I want others to have bad luck.)
Brandon played 44 minutes that night. He got tired late in the 4th and made a couple of mistakes - something you don't see from him late in games very often (I chalk it up to fatigue - especially when he got ripped with 21 seconds left and ended up fouling Mayo) That game was an anomaly as far as Roy is concerned. Will He magically rescue our offense every time it sputters in the 4th quarter? Of course not. But I'll take my chances. He's generally able to get a shot or get to the line, or dish for a good shot somewhere else.
Doesn't that strike you as a problem? With all of the lottery talent currently on the Blazers and a veteran, mostly well regarded point guard, should it really be this hard to generate offense? I'm not intending this to be a 'Bash Nate' post, but if a coach's whole plan revolves around a single player bailing the team out late in games then there's one of two problems going on (or a combination of both) 1. That accompanying lottery talent isn't actually that good, or 2. The coach doesn't really have a system that maximizes their talent.
