"Trail Blazers players say the words that could change season: ‘Enough is enough’"

http://theathletic.com/2551501/2021...ds-that-could-change-season-enough-is-enough/

 

So what exactly are we doing differently these past two games? Anyone?

 

If that's all it took, what took them so long?

 

They're definitely being more aggressive on both offense and defense, but the main difference is they're making shots. To me, it seems this team feeds off of their ability to score at a high clip. When the shots weren't dropping during the recent home stretch, it seemed to me it impacted the effort level all over the court.

 

They're moving the ball better which is getting them higher quality shots which means they're making them at a higher clip. It isn't just about shots dropping or not. It's the quality of shots that matter. I think they've pretty much thrown out the coach's directives and are taking it upon themselves to try and figure this out.

 

I missed the Indiana game.
The Memphis game, I saw that they started the game with intensity (which historically is rare), they gave consistent effort on defense, they focused on attacking the basket (instead of taking contested long-range jump shots), and there was more ball/player movement.

This renewed effort and focus is great. A much needed change. However with all self (team) improvement, the true measure of growth comes when you meet resistance. I'm not sure the Indiana team (injuries) or the Memphis team (young - off night) can really be classified as 'resistance'.

If we can see the team continue to play like this through the Spurs game, I'll start to buy in.
More often than not, when teams have the 'player only' meetings - it goes well for a bit. Players start falling into the old habits (which necessitated the player only meeting in the first place), trust erodes, and things fall apart quickly.

 

I have a theory.
Lol.
Just finished the game barn with internet and a 55” tv. After almost two years of working on it, we were able to watch the first game in the game barn against indy.

now we have watched two. Both blowouts!

i don't think im allowed to watch another game in another place now....


Its all about the barn man! The barn!

 

Playing mediocre teams?

I'm not going to be convinced that any kind of change has happened until we beat a decent team like the Clippers, Nuggets, Jazz, Nets, etc.

 

they have certainly looked like a different team. Of course, that's holding them up to the standards of that 5 game losing streak; and it's not like they curb-stomped the Nuggets & Clippers

I don't know if it was Stotts or an assistant coach or Dame himself, but when Dame got switched onto Brogdon defensively in the Indiana (late 1st Q/2ndQ?), the entire tone of the Blazer defense seemed to change.

Brooklyn and Boston will be a different level of challenge than the last two games. On the other hand, the eastern conference is pretty blah right now. If you take out the Knicks and the Wizards, the other 8 teams in the top 10 have a combined 43-37 record over their last 10 games; 5 of the 6 playoff teams have gone 6-4. And it's not like Western Conference teams are doing much better. Nobody except the Knicks and Wizards is hot right now; no top team is playing dominant basketball

might be a crack there for Portland to sneak thru but they will have to start consistently beating teams with better records before I find it credible

 

I think when they are home they are more distracted and comfortable.
The last two games Dames not the only pone bringing the ball up either, I noticed Powell and CJ doing it more. More movement makes a huge difference. Nurk is tuning himself into shape, getting more from Ant and Melo and Dame is getting more sleep on the road. They are trying to play better D and we we see tomorrow nighty against the Nets, two teams that are below average in D but lethal on O.

 

Uptick in defensive effort

BALL MOVEMENT

 

That's great....and Dame was taking the lead on defense which seemed to spark the team.

But in the name of Bill Shonely, why did it have to take so freaking long?

 

Side note: Dame seems pretty fond of what sounds like self-help jargon. "I was going to be present"??

 

things might be better for a couple of games, but i dont believe it will be better long term

today more than ever, fire terry stotts!

 

Last night we were aggressive on offense taking the ball to hoop instead relying on the 3 point shot. Plus gets you to the free throw line. Defense on in some cases was pretty good the 3rd quarter wasn't good but at least I see them putting effort into it but still ways to go.