Listened to some national podcasts today that referenced toughness around the league and thought about this. Who are the guys that won't let the team get punked? If an opposing player starts shit with us, who will stand up and punk him back? We kinda had this back in 08/09 where BRoy didn't let guys like KG/Ariza/etc get away with talking shit. But he was still a bit subdued and more brushed off the smack talk rather than get hyped and play harder. Or rather, who will instigate stuff with other teams and set the tone? We will need a little more of that for the playoff run now. The obvious answer is probably Dame, but LA has grown up so much more in this aspect.
Lillard, Wesley and Lopez all seem to have that edge. LA is less aggressive in that area but still unwavering imo.
Freeland and rolo will give you that big man enforcer role. Lillard, Wes, and Aldridge all play better pissed off. Remember when westbrick told lillard not to be scared? And lillard punked his ass with the assistance of one Wesley Matthews.
Nobody's at Przybilla's level, but we have a hell of a lot more tough guys than we did back when Joel was our enforcer. Hell, say what you like about Steve Blake, he's a tough (relatively) little sonofabitch. I think combined, our team is almost as tough as the Bruins' Little Ball of Hate...
I think a lot of it, is the guys are winning right now and all get along well. They are willing to throw down for a friend not just a coworker.
Even Meyers is willing to go if necessary. He's not going to be the first one in, but I don't think it is fear of the fight, I think its fear of getting yelled at later for doing something stupid...
Totally, Meyers has that snarl to him. I wonder if it's Lillard's influence on the team? He seems to me to be the de facto leader in the brass balls category.
Rolo. He is a ridiculously large human being. I'm not sure if he is even human, might be some neanderthal in him. He doesn't have to do much to be tough, just stand in his place and look down at people. In terms of individual effort expended to be tough its probably Matthews. But its impossible for a shooting guard to have the effect of a center.
Ummm no Meyers is clueless. His "attempts" to be tough are actually sneaky ways to feel other mens bodies and invite them to his tanning salon.