A huge storm brewing for the Blazers... ??? (MERGED)

[andalusian]

The Magic are without arguably their second best player. How can they be in a groove when they haven't had to integrate everyone into their team. I'll give you the Celtics. And the losers.

Well, the Magic are winning. So... they are in a groove.

 

[hasoos]

The problem is simple. The Blazers are not emotionally into the games right now, and that is my concern. Right now they simply are not playing like they want it. They look like a team that thinks that since they made the playoffs, that they can just coast through it and give the playoffs a run again. Go back and watch the games. How many times was there something to cheer about like somebody getting a floor burn for effort or hustle? Not many. The question remains, why aren't they emotionally into the games right now? Is it concerns over how they fit? Is it unsaid words between players in the locker room, pent up frustration? Have they tuned out Nate?

 

[RR7]

sounds a lot like how SA has played the last 10 or so years.

 

[Natebishop3]

I hate to say it, but I agree with them. The team just doesn't seem like itself. The guys don't seem as happy. There's more competition. More expectations. I can see something brewing. I had hoped something would snap in a good way. Like... the guys would realize how good they are and start dominating. We've seen some very positive things. The team is rebounding very well. Oden is playing well. I just think there needs to be some kind of mutual realization amongst the boys.

 

[mgb]

I think it's funny for someone to say they expected a little trouble but not this much! Sheesh, when there is change usually you get worse before you get better. That's natural. Add to that having injuries during the preseason so we never got much continuity going anyway and then losing a starter there is bound to be some problems getting everyone on the same page. Just give it a little time.

 

[hasoos]

I think it's funny for someone to say they expected a little trouble but not this much! Sheesh, when there is change usually you get worse before you get better. That's natural. Add to that having injuries during the preseason so we never got much continuity going anyway and then losing a starter there is bound to be some problems getting everyone on the same page. Just give it a little time.

I disagree. Many teams have added a player or two into the mix and immediately improved, especially teams that are threatening to compete at the highest level. Most of those teams add a missing piece or two and move into contender status right away. The question is, did the Blazers really add a piece this year, or did they make a move on Miller just for the sake of making a move?

 

[andalusian]

I disagree. Many teams have added a player or two into the mix and immediately improved, especially teams that are threatening to compete at the highest level. Most of those teams add a missing piece or two and move into contender status right away. The question is, did the Blazers really add a piece this year, or did they make a move on Miller just for the sake of making a move?

I think it's both.

I think there is a reason Miller was the 3rd option on their list, not the first. But - I also think that sooner or later Miller and the Blazers will figure each other out and will work it out.

 

[RR7]

And many teams have added a player or two and have struggled. Cleveland has the same record we do after adding a piece to the team. Toronto is 1-2 after making changes to try to push them past the first round of the playoffs. NO is 1-3 after a big trade for Okafor.

 

[SodaPopinski]

I would just like to point out at this time last season we were 1-3, with our three losses coming by an average of nearly 13 points. And it took a miracle three pointer by B-Roy in overtime against the Rockets to keep us from going 1-4.

Everyone needs to calm the fuck down.

I mean, honestly, it seems crazy to me that if Oden hits those free throws at the end of the Nuggets game, we're 3-1, leading our division, and everyone is peachy. Are two missed free throws seriously the difference between being "peachy" and a complete and utter meltdown?

Sometimes I wish people could step outside their bodies and see what they're saying. The level of ridiculousness here confounds me sometimes.

 

[BenDavis503]

40% of the starting line-up has changed and the back-up PG thinks he should be (and he probably should be) starting.

I'm not surprised at all by a very average start.

This.

Nate needs to go. He is killing this team.

 

[RR7]

This.

Nate needs to go. He is killing this team.

That? Seemed to me he was making the argument that with a 40% change in the starting lineup, early season struggles should be expected. By saying Nate needs to go, it's as if you are saying those changes are his fault, and shouldn't be made. So you want Przybilla starting, and Batum out there with a gimpy shoulder? Or do you wactually want a 60% change in the SL, with Miller starting as well which would, again, lead to some expected early season struggles as teams get used to the change in lineup.

 

[hasoos]

And many teams have added a player or two and have struggled. Cleveland has the same record we do after adding a piece to the team. Toronto is 1-2 after making changes to try to push them past the first round of the playoffs. NO is 1-3 after a big trade for Okafor.

Aaah but here is where we differ. I thought Cleveland picking up Shaq was a bad move actually, as I have felt he has been washed up since Miami won their last ring, and he was nearly washed up there. Shaq can only be effective in a walk the ball up the floor offense now. Cleveland wasn't nearly that last year. I don't expect them to play that way this year.

Now as for Toronto, they weren't a contender last year, and adding a piece won't make them a contender this year. When we were talking up above, we were talking about playoff teams. Toronto wasn't in the playoffs last year. Now if you consider that they didn't make the playoffs last year, and they were in the east, which you really have to suck to not make the playoffs, then at best they could achieve the playoffs with Turkoglu added into the mix. I view 1-2 a reasonable start for them.

New Orleans addition wasn't a game changer. They were bad last year, and somehow Okafor for Chandler was supposed to fix it? That is a reach at best.

 

[Natebishop3]

I would just like to point out at this time last season we were 1-3, with our three losses coming by an average of nearly 13 points. And it took a miracle three pointer by B-Roy in overtime against the Rockets to keep us from going 1-4.

Everyone needs to calm the fuck down.

I mean, honestly, it seems crazy to me that if Oden hits those free throws at the end of the Nuggets game, we're 3-1, leading our division, and everyone is peachy. Are two missed free throws seriously the difference between being "peachy" and a complete and utter meltdown?

Sometimes I wish people could step outside their bodies and see what they're saying. The level of ridiculousness here confounds me sometimes.

I'm just telling you what I see. There seems to be a strange vibe with the team this year. It's not like we're pulling this out of our ass.

So far:

Brandon Roy yelled at his teammates for a crappy practice. That's never happened before.

Greg Oden yelled at his teammates for shitty defense and letting down against the Thunder. That's never happened before.

What's next? Steve Blake throws a chair in practice? Oh wait... that already happened last season

 

[magnifier661]

Interesting read in O-live

Blazer meltdown brewing? <-- By Sly Poker Dog

Dave from BlazersEdge and Dwight Jaynes are both wondering if the team is going to implode.
"Is there a big storm ahead for the Blazers?

Dave at Blazersedge.com has his pre-game preview up for tonight’s Portland game against the Hawks and said something that got my attention:

'In the recap of Sunday’s win against the Thunder I said that humidity was thickening around this team right now. You get the same feeling as when you step outside before an impending thunderstorm. Lightning is in the air somewhere. You just don’t know when or where it’s going to strike. This is not to say that the Blazers themselves are tense…though if things don’t change that’s coming. Rather you can start to read from defense-less losses to Houston and relieved wins against Oklahoma City that some kind of strike is impending. The question is, will it be a strike against an opponent that all of a sudden clears the air and puts this team on a strong, confident path or will it be an internal strike resulting from a prolonged struggle? One way or another we’re going to see something at least semi-dramatic happen and I’d be surprised if we got out of November before it did.'

Funny, but I’ve been having the same feeling. Something weird is going on around this team. So far, it has played so far from the standard of what we all expected. Confusion is everywhere in terms of roles and responsibilities. Not only is there no improvement from last season, you could make the case there’s been regression.

At the beginning of the season, I said I thought it would take a while for the team to get straightened out. But I didn’t expect the depth of struggle we’ve seen so far. Granted, it all could change in a hurry. But it just doesn’t have the feel of something that’s close to a turnaround.

It’s fascinating, because you just don’t know how it’s all going to shake out."

http://www.dwightjaynes.com/is-there-a-big-storm-ahead-for-the-blazers

As much as I am so against this "Everyone thinks the sky is falling" concept, I see the same thing. It's kinda disturbing really. I look at the bench and see separation. No true sense of togetherness. Almost like a grenade was let off in the middle of the platoon and everyone is on their own trying to survive.

I am truly a Blazer homer. I see our team in "Rose Colored" glass and I'm not ashamed. A loss almost feels like my own child was hurt in some car accident. With that much love, you focus in on every aspect. It just doesn't seem like everyone is on the same page. Almost like there are separate agendas and camps in Blazerville. Call me crazy, but I just get this weird feeling.

 

[hasoos]

Re: Interesting read in O-live

Um I believe you are a little late to the show...Merge..

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Re: Interesting read in O-live

LOL, look below.

It's been posted here.

 

[andalusian]

What's next? Steve Blake throws a chair in practice? Oh wait... that already happened last season

2 Seasons ago. Before the 13 win streak.

 

[magnifier661]

Re: Interesting read in O-live

LOL, look below.

It's been posted here.

ARG! Sorry for the double post. I will reply to yours. My bad.

 

[magnifier661]

As much as I am so against this "Everyone thinks the sky is falling" concept, I see the same thing. It's kinda disturbing really. I look at the bench and see separation. No true sense of togetherness. Almost like a grenade was let off in the middle of the platoon and everyone is on their own trying to survive.

I am truly a Blazer homer. I see our team in "Rose Colored" glass and I'm not ashamed. A loss almost feels like my own child was hurt in some car accident. With that much love, you focus in on every aspect. It just doesn't seem like everyone is on the same page. Almost like there are separate agendas and camps in Blazerville. Call me crazy, but I just get this weird feeling.

 

[magnifier661]

Re: A huge storm brewing for the Blazers... ???

"Depth of struggle"? Huh?

We almost beat Denver. We beat an inferior opponent without Aldridge on the road. We split (home and home) with a borderline playoff team.

That's not much struggling as far as I can tell. The Blazers aren't looking like a 60 win team, but they ARE looking like a 50 win team.

Ed O.

It's not really the record though. It's the body language. Last season there was so much unity. This season it seems there is so much confusion. Like what should we do? Are we a Roy offense only team, or do we utilize all our talents and have everyone make sacrifices. Look at the last 4 games. The body language alone on the bench, floor and even after games seems tense. Just a freaky feeling really.

 

[magnifier661]

I would just like to point out at this time last season we were 1-3, with our three losses coming by an average of nearly 13 points. And it took a miracle three pointer by B-Roy in overtime against the Rockets to keep us from going 1-4.

Everyone needs to calm the fuck down.

I mean, honestly, it seems crazy to me that if Oden hits those free throws at the end of the Nuggets game, we're 3-1, leading our division, and everyone is peachy. Are two missed free throws seriously the difference between being "peachy" and a complete and utter meltdown?

Sometimes I wish people could step outside their bodies and see what they're saying. The level of ridiculousness here confounds me sometimes.

Last season we were 1-3 against very good playoff contenders. Also, Oden went down with an injury with Nate designing an entire offense around having Oden down low. There is a big difference from last season to this one. Also, I remembered last season our body language seemed more together. Even though we were losing games, all the teammates were together. Right now, it seems so separated. And coming from me, the ultimate Blazer Homer, that says a lot. I would never ever ever say something like this in the past.

 

[SodaPopinski]

I'm just telling you what I see. There seems to be a strange vibe with the team this year. It's not like we're pulling this out of our ass.

So far:

Brandon Roy yelled at his teammates for a crappy practice. That's never happened before.

Greg Oden yelled at his teammates for shitty defense and letting down against the Thunder. That's never happened before.

What's next? Steve Blake throws a chair in practice? Oh wait... that already happened last season

All of the things you mentioned are nothing. Drexler used to berate his teammates constantly. Michael Jordan literally punched a teammate in practice for loafing it. Laker fans will tell you how Kobe gets on his teammates during games or in practices.

Personally, I love the fire. I don't look at it as that they don't get along. I look at it as you've got 12 guys who care deeply about what happens and really want to advance in the playoffs.

I don't know how you are taking an absolute positive and turning it into a negative. These are good, talented guys who are speaking up and letting their teammates know that shitty efforts aren't going to cut it. That's awesome.

I don't know, maybe other Blazer fans are so shit-brick petrified of the situations during the down years, but these guys aren't mental midgets like Rasheed, Bonzi, Shawn Kemp, etc.

 

[THE HCP]

How can a hack from Idaho get a feel of what is going on with this team psychologically? He is NEVER around these players and is just tryin to stir up shit!

 

[magnifier661]

All of the things you mentioned are nothing. Drexler used to berate his teammates constantly. Michael Jordan literally punched a teammate in practice for loafing it. Laker fans will tell you how Kobe gets on his teammates during games or in practices.

Personally, I love the fire. I don't look at it as that they don't get along. I look at it as you've got 12 guys who care deeply about what happens and really want to advance in the playoffs.

I don't know how you are taking an absolute positive and turning it into a negative. These are good, talented guys who are speaking up and letting their teammates know that shitty efforts aren't going to cut it. That's awesome.

I don't know, maybe other Blazer fans are so shit-brick petrified of the situations during the down years, but these guys aren't mental midgets like Rasheed, Bonzi, Shawn Kemp, etc.

I agree with you there regarding Roy yelling in practice or Oden yelling on the floor on the defensive end. Those are signs of leadership. But if you mean to tell me you can't see the tension during games, during interviews or quotes being said in the media, I think you are a bigger homer than me. And that's pretty big.

 

[RR7]

I don't see it as tension with eachother on the court, more just a feeling out and figuring out process.

 

[andalusian]

I think that the different vibe from this team is that they are very confused about their identity. They are asked to be a defensive team first, and offensive team 2nd - and this is where the frustration is coming from.

Interesting point, small data sample and all that - despite their "struggle defensively" so far - they are about 7 points better (per 100 possessions) in defensive efficiency than they were last year...

Small steps....

 

[Natebishop3]

All of the things you mentioned are nothing. Drexler used to berate his teammates constantly. Michael Jordan literally punched a teammate in practice for loafing it. Laker fans will tell you how Kobe gets on his teammates during games or in practices.

Personally, I love the fire. I don't look at it as that they don't get along. I look at it as you've got 12 guys who care deeply about what happens and really want to advance in the playoffs.

I don't know how you are taking an absolute positive and turning it into a negative. These are good, talented guys who are speaking up and letting their teammates know that shitty efforts aren't going to cut it. That's awesome.

I don't know, maybe other Blazer fans are so shit-brick petrified of the situations during the down years, but these guys aren't mental midgets like Rasheed, Bonzi, Shawn Kemp, etc.

And I didn't say they were negative. I said I have a strange vibe about the team right now. I'm hoping it's a good thing. This team needs to have one of those come together moments where they realize how talented they truly are. I'm just hoping it isn't one of those meltdowns that tears a team apart. Either way, I interpret the articles to read much the same way. Something is going to happen. We just don't know if it's going to be good or bad.

 

[magnifier661]

I don't see it as tension with eachother on the court, more just a feeling out and figuring out process.

I seriously hope you are right. That this will be something we look back at and laugh our asses off. The one thing I worry about is the weight of expectations on our young rising stars. Of course they aren't knuckle heads like the old "Team Turmoil", but this type of "confusion" and "negativity" may hurt players like Oden, Webster, Outlaw, and Batum. I think Roy and Aldridge are fine. They have already overcome so much diversity.

 

[RR7]

I seriously hope you are right. That this will be something we look back at and laugh our asses off. The one thing I worry about is the weight of expectations on our young rising stars. Of course they aren't knuckle heads like the old "Team Turmoil", but this type of "confusion" and "negativity" may hurt players like Oden, Webster, Outlaw, and Batum. I think Roy and Aldridge are fine. They have already overcome so much diversity.

Come on, knowing this place, nobody is ever going to look back and laugh about anything!

In all seriousness, though, there is so much respect for Roy on this team, especially from younger guys, that if he seems ok, then I think they will feel better. I don't worry about the confusion or negativity affecting Batum, especially not playing. Don't worry about it effecting Outlaw, because he has dealt with it since he has been here, seemingly, and hasn't changed a thing. I don't worry about it from Oden, because he dealt with it all last year, but instead of the focus being team oriented, it was on him. If he can overcome personal negativity and confusion, and focus from the media on him, then I think he'll be just fine with it in a team setting. I dunno about Webster, but he seems ok so far. Even responded well after getting benched for poor defense, as opposed to sulking.

Can't see it with Miller. He's old and wants to win. He just got what is likely to be his last big contract. All he has to play for now is winning.

I can see a possibility with Rudy. Maybe he gets upset about his minutes, and shots. I can see it with Blake possibly, if he is pushed to a backseat role to Miller, and then also to Rudy as 3rd guard off the bench. Doubtful, but always a possibility, especially in a contract year. Can't really see it with Joel. He's been a pro since he came here, and knows his role on the team. I coudl only see him flipping out if he has to continue to get beat up because Blake or Miller can't keep their man out of the paint.

Overall, I just don't see it blowing up and cauing a seasn long struggle or turmoil. I can see a mini blow up, followed by more togetherness. But not a season ruining blow up.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Oh my god, we're nearly 1/20th of the way through the season and this team has not yet hit its stride!!!!! When, oh when, will they pull it together and save me from my retched existence???? I can't take it any longer!!!! Fire Nate!!!! Fire KP!!!! Trade Roy!!!! Blow the whole mess up and start again!!!!!!!! We're doomed!!!!!!! Doomed, I say!!!!!!!!!

There. That' done. There's the "big meltdown" you are expecting. Now, back to reality.