4 game nightmare: actually very happy with the results

[magnifier661]

Many thought we would be 0-4 during the last 4 game stretch. We ended up being 1-3; which realistically isn't great. But all the games were close. The three losses could have been wins; if luck was on our side.

So knowing that; I'm pretty happy with the effort. The results sucked; but the fight was great! I'm proud of this team!

 

[tlongII]

Needed to go 2-2, but it is what it is.

 

[HailBlazers]

Many Reasons to be optimistic about the reload

 

[magnifier661]

Needed to go 2-2, but it is what it is.

We should have with last nights game. We played that game like we should have won but Denver had better luck.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Many thought we would be 0-4 during the last 4 game stretch. We ended up being 1-3; which realistically isn't great. But all the games were close. The three losses could have been wins; if luck was on our side.

So knowing that; I'm pretty happy with the effort. The results sucked; but the fight was great! I'm proud of this team!

I'm happy with they way they played, but I don't know that I would start throwing around "luck" as an excuse ... unless people want to start talking about the 5 OT wins and boatload of close wins as being "lucky" too.

They got out executed and settled for a shitload of jump shots ... not that shooting a lot of jumpers is out of character for this team, but it leads to some fairly predictable results against good/great teams that actually play defense.

 

[Blazinaway]

we got fortunate and won a LOT of close games earlier in this season, now the scales are likely balancing out some, this team is still doing significantly better than the vast majority thought it would (me included)

 

[magnifier661]

I'm happy with they way they played, but I don't know that I would start throwing around "luck" as an excuse ... unless people want to start talking about the 5 OT wins and boatload of close wins as being "lucky" too.

They got out executed and settled for a shitload of jump shots ... not that shooting a lot of jumpers is out of character for this team, but it leads to some fairly predictable results against good/great teams that actually play defense.

Yes ours had a bit of luck too. Iggs was like 2-18 before that three. And that shot was probably the hardest shot of the night. Also that last shot by Lillard at the end of regulation could have went in and we would have won.

The two games before we had no business even being close; but scrapped in the final minutes. Last night was a very winnable game.

 

[e_blazer]

I'm with you on the luck comment, Nik. The need for a solid backup PG has nothing to do with luck. Ronnie Price, at one point, committed back to back turnovers followed by a crappy missed shot. Obviously, there were mistakes by everyone, but this is a team without any decent PG options once Lillard sits down.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

I'm happy with the play overall. There were a lot of missed short shot opportunities that could have changed the reults but hey, that's basketball sometimes.

One thing I've noticed that is driving me crazy is the tendency (Batum, Lillard, Matthews mostly) to break the defense down, get into the lane where a short shot or driving layin is available, and then kick it back out to the 3-pt line. It happened a few times in last night's game where Batum just had to finish short shot at the rim and passed it out to a covered 3-pt shooter and I'm yelling "shoot the fucking ball". Hopefully they learn to read that better.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Part of me wants the team to win and is unhappy, 1-3 isn't good.

Another part of me is happy, though. We are able to hang with some of the best teams in the league without a bench, just wait until we get one! I am reminded of Brandon Roy, believe it or not. I've watch a bunch of Blazer games where Roy would exit the game in the middle of the 2nd quarter with the team up by 4 or so, only to return and find the team down by 4 or so - then the same thing would happen in the 4th.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Needed to go 2-2, but it is what it is.

Why did we "need" to go 2-2? Would've been nice, but whatever.

We should win these next 3 (home games against lower-level EC teams), and be 5 games over .500 going into a very tricky 6 game stretch. I'm looking forward to this!

 

[santeesioux]

Even if we miss the playoffs, this season will have been a lot more entertaining than last year.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Even if we miss the playoffs, this season will have been a lot more entertaining than last year.

Hell yes! Nic has shown a nice response to his contract and is really maturing into a versatile playmaker, Stotts looks like he actually knows how to teach and coach, Lillard has been a revelation and ultimately (despite the dearth of talent on the bench) they resemble a professional basketball team.

 

[illmatic99]

Pop is complaining about 4 games in 5 nights. We're on a stretch of 5 games in 6 nights. Ridiculous.

 

[Nikolokolus]

They're young

 

[magnifier661]

They're young

With zero bench. Even young bucks will get tired.

 

[illmatic99]

Who cares if they're young? Dame played: 42, 41, 43, and 41 mins during the four games. That will tire out anyone.

 

[Nikolokolus]

So I guess Stotts should rest Nicolas, Lillard and LaMarcus?

 

[magnifier661]

So I guess Stotts should rest Nicolas, Lillard and LaMarcus?

No, but saying that the schedule is okay because we are young doesn't give it a pass. Anytime you play 38+ minutes a game and play 5 games in 6 nights; will tire anyone out.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Of course the schedule is tough, but it's that way for every team in the league at points during the year.

 

[magnifier661]

Of course the schedule is tough, but it's that way for every team in the league at points during the year.

I'm sorry, maybe I'm not understanding too well. I agree that all teams will have tough schedules. I'm just trying to say that we would be in a much better position if we actually had a bench.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'm sorry, maybe I'm not understanding too well. I agree that all teams will have tough schedules. I'm just trying to say that we would be in a much better position if we actually had a bench.

I was just responding to yuyuza's claim that the current stretch is "ridiculous." It might be, but it's not a unique situation.

 

[magnifier661]

I was just responding to yuyuza's claim that the current stretch is "ridiculous." It might be, but it's not a unique situation.

Okay my mistake....

 

[illmatic99]

I was just responding to yuyuza's claim that the current stretch is "ridiculous." It might be, but it's not a unique situation.

I was adding another caveat to our record during the 4 game stretch. We not only had to play against tough opponents, but we had to do it in 5 nights. Which is my 1-3 is not bad at all.

 

[mook]

Yes, I'm happy to get a win out of this, and to see the team competitive in the losses.

More than anything, I like where it's going. I'm happy to see we've got 4 young starters on this team locked up long-term, one's an All Star, another is ROY-in-waiting, and a third is a poor man's Scottie Pippen. I like that we've got cap space.

There are a lot of borderline playoff teams in this league that have a lot less hope than we do. Assuming we can fill in the holes, this just does not look like a team that's going to spend years being mediocre.

 

[tlongII]

Why did we "need" to go 2-2? Would've been nice, but whatever.

We should win these next 3 (home games against lower-level EC teams), and be 5 games over .500 going into a very tricky 6 game stretch. I'm looking forward to this!

Because. It's like my opinion. Man.

 

[Carlito]

Listen I said it earlier in year, the front office is a disgrace to allow these starters to be in this situation. Regardless if u are tanking or not... U have to have a FEW quality bench players. With that said I also feel they never expected lillard to be this good. So that has really screwed the plan. Now I have a feeling the GM is hoping we start losing so his plan sticks. Problem is our starters have been too good and didn't get memo.

For a chance at playoffs we need to win the next three at home. Almost must wins if u would like to see playoffs. 2-2 was a must on the last 4. Like LA said, u always lose a few u are suppose to win. That is usually difference between making playoffs and not.

 

[e_blazer]

Listen I said it earlier in year, the front office is a disgrace to allow these starters to be in this situation. Regardless if u are tanking or not... U have to have a FEW quality bench players. With that said I also feel they never expected lillard to be this good. So that has really screwed the plan. Now I have a feeling the GM is hoping we start losing so his plan sticks. Problem is our starters have been too good and didn't get memo.

For a chance at playoffs we need to win the next three at home. Almost must wins if u would like to see playoffs. 2-2 was a must on the last 4. Like LA said, u always lose a few u are suppose to win. That is usually difference between making playoffs and not.

Not often that I agree with you, Carlito, but I think you're pretty much on target here. I don't think the FO is a "disgrace" to have gone with the plan of keeping money available for next summer by not signing veteran FAs. I also think that they expected to be losing a lot more games than the Blazers are and that the plan included having a good draft pick this year. That part of the plan appears to be off track and Olshey basically has two options:

1. Roll with the winning vibe, forget about a draft pick, and sign a couple of veteran FAs to contracts for the rest of this season.
2. Induce more losing by trading Hickson for future considerations.

Be interesting to see which way he goes.

 

[Nikolokolus]

If Olshey is a longterm thinker and can get Allen on board with a path to possibly becoming a contender in another year or two then B is the only right answer.

 

[e_blazer]

If Olshey is a longterm thinker and can get Allen on board with a path to possibly becoming a contender in another year or two then B is the only right answer.

I'll give you one thing, Nik, you're consistant. What is there about this year's draft that makes you excited for keeping our pick and drafting around the 11th spot? Another Babbitt, Leonard-level talent seems about the best reasonable expectation.