Where's the leadership???

Roy and Aldridge are the leaders of this team, and yet I don't see leadership from either one of them. Everytime the camera shows Aldridge on the bench, he's yucking it up. He seems to take nothing very seriously. The losing doesn't seem to bother him at all. Why should it? He just signed a $65 million deal, and he's set for life. Screw winning! He's got his.

Roy is throwing the ball away, going one-on-one far too much, and not playing much defense. Where is his head? What's he thinking? Is he worried that Oden and Miller are taking some of his shots? Is it all about Brandon, and not so much about "the team"?

I can't believe a team with two stars like Roy and Aldridge is this much out of sync. I can't believe a team coached by "The Sarge" is this unfocused and unorganized. What the hell happened during training camp? Was Sarge just rolling the ball out . . . ?

This is ridiculous. We were actually playing better last year than we are now. All of our players are a year older and a year wiser, and yet we're playing like a bunch of chumps.

Here endeth the rant.

 

You nailed it! This is all mental. The role players look to their star players for direction. Last season, they had nothing to lose. Everyone didn't think they would even make the playoffs. So they played loose. If they lost, it was expected. If they won, it was a surprise. This season, they are on the radar and teams are ready for them. NOW, the stars must lead and insure the team we are winners and we still need to play loose.

 

I am with you. This team needs a major atittude adjustment. They run around out on the court, having their happy time. Happy all their freinds are on the Blazers. Happy playing basketball. Happy getting their butt kicked. Happy Happy Happy. Meanwhile teams that are contenders, run around with scowls on their faces, and take it as an offense that you are trying to beat them at a game of basketball.

 

I completely disagree. Anyone that thinks we don't have enough "talent" to dominate this game is, IMO seriously wrong. On paper, we are stronger than anyone else I see in the NBA. And looking back in history, many of those "Best teams money can buy" types biggest enemy are themselves. Too many personalities, too many conflicts, too many chiefs and not enough Indians and mainly too many people worried about if they may do something that will effect their playing time.

 

I just don't see it. We have 2 all-star caliber players and then a roster full of inconsistent scorers that don’t excel at defense. If you think we have as much talent as the Celtics, Spurs, Magic or Lakers you are reaching. I'm not even sure if have as much talent as the Hawks after seeing the effort last night.

 

Not even close to reaching. Our players are extremely talented, but talent isn't the only thing that nets you wins. Remember we have the Euro player of the decade, an amazingly strong due of centers, the 3rd best SG in the league, One of the best posting PGs in the NBA, a great scoring SF/PF combo that can shoot "lights out", Great perimeter scorers and a PF that has all the skills to dominate the game on both the offensive and defensive end.

 

Yep. This team has everything except heart.

 

So, you're admitting that any opinion you have on players outside of raw data is meaningless?

 

Not really, no.

Blake is three point chucker who doesn't do anything else very well.
Outlaw is a tweener chucker who doesn't do anything else very well.
Howard is a 16 year vet who just doesn't have much left on the tires.
Oden is very raw.
Joel is a good defender/rebounder is is very limited on offense.
Martell is coming along, but has a long ways to go.

I don't think this team has more then two guys who would start for nearly every other team in the league. Roy, LMA and a bunch of dudes whose games are extremely flawed.

 

I completely disagree with you. It's how they are being used. Those players you mentioned are "Role Players", but a team doesn't need to start "Multi-dimensional" players from 1-5. Confusion sets in on who takes the shot. So those "chuckers" you mentioned would do very well on teams that need outside shooting "Role Players" and would probably start on those respected teams.

 

Do you honestly believe Blake or Outlaw would start for most teams in the league?

Do you honestly think that Nate is the guy forcing Outlaw to jack up bad shot after bad shot while hardly ever crashing the boards?

Sorry man, but the depth of this team is a myth.

The Celtics are a deep team. The Spurs are a deep team. The Magic are a deep team. The Blazers are a team with a bunch of interchangable yet decidely average parts. Thats a big difference.

 

Blake started for Denver

Rudy Gay is a much better Outlaw, but he starts in Memphis. There are teams out there that need scoring more than D, which applies to Outlaw. Blake is a perfect player for a veteran team needing the PG to play smart and without gambling.

So yes.. Absolutely. And remember Fernandez is a bench player too. He would start on another team. So would Batum or Webster, if one was to start. And what about Pryzbilla? You don't think he can't start on another team?

 

I can't tell you how many times I've heard commentators on TNT and ESPN say that Portland is "stacked" with talent. It's not just Blazer fans who think the team is "deep."

 

Step 1. Trade Roy and LMA for lack of leadership.

Step 2. Fire Nate so the team can run!

Step 3. Fire KP for putting this team together.

Step 4. Kick nit-picky bi-polar fans in the crotch.