Anybody else happy about the team

[odenied]

I am pretty happy so far with the team. We have lost a couple and we have won a bunch. There is alot of negativity on here but the team really has not been bad. I like the coach and all the players it seems we could benefit from a mid season trade after everything is evaluated.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I wouldn't say I'm unhappy, but I'm definitely not happy either. I see a couple of emerging trends that stretch all the way back to training camp that have me more than a little worried about how they're going to play this year.

- There seems to be a real tug-of-war going on between Roy and a couple of players (Oden and Miller) and I haven't seen him adapting all that well to the new look Blazers
- LaMarcus is severly underperforming his new contract and we need him to start playing up to his potential if this team is going to take another step forward.
- Nate seems pretty inflexible with his in-game adjustments -- he's always kind of been a "sleep on it" kind of coach and that's laudable, but I'm not so sure he realizes how much of a blind spot he seems to have when it comes to style of play and Steve Blake.
- KP hasn't done much to inspire faith that he's got a long term vision for what this team will look like. He's still got time, but I'm starting to worry he's got a little John Paxson syndrome.

Clearly nothing is insurmountable at this point, but looking out over the next month or so sure seems to have a lot of obstacles, and right now the biggest of them seems to be team chemistry -- that aint good.

 

[Kaydow]

I am pretty happy so far with the team. We have lost a couple and we have won a bunch. There is alot of negativity on here but the team really has not been bad. I like the coach and all the players it seems we could benefit from a mid season trade after everything is evaluated.

Team management doesn't think in season trades are good for team chemistry. They had RLEC (a valuable entity) and they didn't do anything with it last year. Don't bet on a mid season trade this year.

 

[odenied]

Yeah it looks like our schedule gets a lot tougher as the season goes on

.

Clearly nothing is insurmountable at this point, but looking out over the next month or so sure seems to have a lot of obstacles, and right now the biggest of them seems to be team chemistry -- that aint good.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Team management doesn't think in season trades are good for team chemistry. They had RLEC (a valuable entity) and they didn't do anything with it last year. Don't bet on a mid season trade this year.

But, in all seriousness, who can argue? Look how long it's taking for Roy to embrace and play with Miller.

 

[LameR]

I'm not worried. It's still the beginning of the season. There are things I may become concerned with in the future, but I'm fine for now.

 

[Nikolokolus]

But, in all seriousness, who can argue? Look how long it's taking for Roy to embrace and play with Miller.

That seems to be more of a Brandon problem than a management problem (unless KP completely misjudged the ability of his all-star shooting guard to play with a real point guard?).

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

That seems to be more of a Brandon problem than a management problem (unless KP completely misjudged the ability of his all-star shooting guard to play with a real point guard?).

But what I'm sayin is Kp has been reluctant to make moves during the season due to chemistry reasons. Due you think Roy has helped his thoughts on this matter with how he has handled the Miller transaction?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I know what you mean: there has been a disproportionate amount of negativity given our record. Mixumitis seems to be catching.

My symptoms:
* I can't really enjoy the way the team plays. It seems slow and ugly and I want me more Oden.
* Roy is annoying me. He's still playing SO SLOWLY, but unlike last year, he doesn't seem able to just take over and get a layup any time he wants.
* Why do we get outscored in the paint EVERY SINGLE GAME?
* Laker envy: whenever they're getting kicked around it seems like PJ will give some scrub extended minutes and it always pays off (this dates back to the deciding game of the '91 finals, and of course, the deciding game of the 2000 Western finals). Meanwhile Nate grinds it out with the regulars and even Rudy struggles to get in a game.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Not really.

Chemistry isn't as strong as it used to be.

Players are unsure of their roles.

KP refuses to let go of his man-crush on Blake/Outlaw.

We definitely do not look improved from last years squad.

Steve Blake starts.

There are issues I see with this team that will prevent this team from going far in the playoffs. Another one-and-done appearance unless KP gets proactive about improving this roster/balance instead of waiting for draft night to make his deals.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

I'm unhappy with certain dynamics on the team. They are dynamics that have been pretty much constant for the last couple years. Until those dynamics change I can't fully be happy with the team. Mainly because as a fan, I'm for looking for growth and until those change, I don't see much growth in the future.

 

[Public Defender]

Still looking for this team to define itself. I think the relatively easy schedule (in terms of competition, not in terms of # of games) has made the Blazers look like a better defensive team than it is, and has masked its lack of rhythm on offense. When a team like the Grizzlies shows up, and the Blazers have to start making plays, there are execution problems (as Brandon Roy pointed out in his post-game comments last night), and there are defensive intensity questions (as Nate pointed out). With young teams, often one can lead to the other. I'm still hoping that'll happen - and please happen before the Rockets' game next Saturday (when I have tickets!).

 

[Boob-No-More]

But, in all seriousness, who can argue? Look how long it's taking for Roy to embrace and play with Miller.

Perhaps if they were actually allowed to start together in the backcourt, at their natural SG and PG positions, the adjustment period would accelerate.

Pretty hard for them to get used to each other when the only time they've started together one of them was forced to play out of position at small forward.

BNM

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Perhaps if they were actually allowed to start together in the backcourt, at their natural SG and PG positions, the adjustment period would accelerate.

Pretty hard for them to get used to each other when the only time they've started together one of them was forced to play out of position at small forward.

BNM

Good point and agree. But how much is Brandon fighting Nate on that very decision?

 

[Boob-No-More]

Good point and agree. But how much is Brandon fighting Nate on that very decision?

Who knows? And that may be part of the problem. Nate is the coach, not Brandon. If Nate doesn't have the balls to stand up to Brandon and make the decisions on who plays and when, he no longer deserves to coach this team.

BNM

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Who knows? And that may be part of the problem. Nate is the coach, not Brandon. If Nate doesn't have the balls to stand up to Brandon and make the decisions on who plays and when, he no longer deserves to coach this team.

BNM

Couldn't agree more. It's about managing the agendas, egos and personalities on the team. But you're right, Nate needs to make a decision on the matter and stick with it. If Roy has issues than Nate needs to exercise his power as head coach and manage the problem.

I don't see where he has done this which is why the whole Andre/Brandon thing is still an issue today.

 

[barfo]

Team management doesn't think in season trades are good for team chemistry. They had RLEC (a valuable entity) and they didn't do anything with it last year. Don't bet on a mid season trade this year.

Then again, if the chemistry is judged to be bad at midseason, KP may be more willing to make a trade.

barfo

 

[B-Roy]

Then again, if the chemistry is judged to be bad at midseason, KP may be more willing to make a trade.

barfo

He would probably assume that the chemistry would get worse.

 

[Masbee]

I am pretty happy so far with the team. We have lost a couple and we have won a bunch. There is alot of negativity on here but the team really has not been bad. I like the coach and all the players it seems we could benefit from a mid season trade after everything is evaluated.

The offseason was unsettling.

It almost seemed as "nothing" went right. Of course, it could have been worse, but I was hoping for so, so much more.

I wanted a consolidation trade. Thought is was LONG overdue. Didn't get my wish.

I wanted more than just Dre' with our cap space. Golden ticket my ass.

I don't like (and haven't liked) our roster as currently contructed. It is a work in progress, and this summer was like adding a cover over the patio, and doing some framing work on a Pool House. You know, nice, but a marginal improvement. I have always felt the "bake it" mantra was horseshit.

I didn't want Roy and Aldridge to be extended at Full Price after dickering with them. Either pay them top dollar right away, or take a sensible, but firm stance that you will pay mid-market and no more and stick to it. Dickering and then caving in the end, which is what the Blazers did is STUPID.

The pre-season was crap, and it just kept building. Guys getting hurt. Dre didn't fit in. Roy has been an ASS. McMillan suddenly looks clueless and confused.

And so, before the season started I have been in full fret mode. This team doesn't feel like a winner. I really wanted to get out of the gate this season strong. The schedule is SUPER SOFT early, with some brutal stretches later in the season. We needed to build a BIG lead in the conference so we could drop games later and still be in the top 4.

So far, the season has confirmed some of my fears. Sure, we are winning against this soft schedule. That is indeed better than losing against a soft schedule, which would have Nate on the chopping block right now. The team has way too much talent to lose a bunch of games.

But, the team doesn't look good. We get some moments. We get some good individual performances. We don't have a lot of consistency. We don't have a lot of excellent 5 man basketball. Until we get that - or until Roy starts playing like a top 5 player again (which he currently is not) - good teams will feast on our mediocrity.

Winning games is not the same thing as being a contending team. This Blazer team is not a good team. It is a team with a lot of talent. Until this talent comes together as a team, a good TEAM like the Rockets last season will thump us in a playoff series.

 

[Kaydow]

Then again, if the chemistry is judged to be bad at midseason, KP may be more willing to make a trade.

barfo

Maybe. But what if "chemistry" isn't the real issue? What if the bigger issue is that you just don't have the stomach to trade away young talent? Who knows, maybe there is a "Gasol" trade out there to be had but that is pretty unreliable. You have to give to get, which of course might mean parting with a guy who you see in 3 years potentially being very good. That is why that RLEC was so valuable. It was the one time you could pry a good player w/o having to lose much in return, and that didn't happen. So why would this year be any different?

 

[barfo]

Maybe. But what if "chemistry" isn't the real issue? What if the bigger issue is that you just don't have the stomach to trade away young talent? Who knows, maybe there is a "Gasol" trade out there to be had but that is pretty unreliable. You have to give to get, which of course might mean parting with a guy who you see in 3 years potentially being very good. That is why that RLEC was so valuable. It was the one time you could pry a good player w/o having to lose much in return, and that didn't happen. So why would this year be any different?

This year might be different because last year, we really did have good chemistry and the team was overachieving. KP might have been reluctant to screw that up - after all, if you make a big trade then and the team tanks afterwards, all the blame goes to KP.

If the team is tanking before the trade, though, there is much less downside to making a trade.

barfo

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Yeah, I'm okay with the team so far. Could be a little better, but they haven't have more than a day off for nearly a month. No team has played as many games as we have.

We're top 10 in offensive and defensive efficiency. Oden is beasting on a ton of advanced stats, and even some average and total stats. Roy and LMA aren't doing as badly as some thing, either. For having lost Travis "Instant Offense" Outlaw and Nicolas "Best Defender" Batum, we're doing pretty well.

This is why you play the games; on paper, this was 18-0. In person, the opponents are always more of a challenge.

 

[BenDavis503]

I am always happy with the team. I just think it is really time for a new coach.

 

[yakbladder]

Who knows? And that may be part of the problem. Nate is the coach, not Brandon. If Nate doesn't have the balls to stand up to Brandon and make the decisions on who plays and when, he no longer deserves to coach this team.

BNM

And if Roy suddenly decides he doesn't want Nate around, who do you think will win that battle?

If Kobe or LeBron or any number of past stars decide they don't like the coach, whom do you think ultimately loses?

I think Nate has some shortcomings in regards to rigid substitutions, but I don't think he's as bad as people make him out to be. I understand starting Blake if he's looking for Dre to provide offense on the "2nd unit" because frankly there ain't much else there and if people are concerned about Blake as a PG on the first unit, wait till he tries to generate offense for Pryz on the 2nd. And no, Jerryd is not the answer. He's getting there but I don't think he's ready.

I am willing to give Nate some leeway on Oden because I expect long before the All Star break he'll start extending his minutes. At the same time I hope he continues to provide Oden goals in terms of minutes played, fouls, etc. For all the complaining, I think we can all agree that Oden has learned a little more this year about avoiding fouls compared to last year when he breathed heavy and got a whistle.

All in all I'm okay with the team. I'm pissed Randolph came into our place and won. But I'm willing to defer unhappiness for at least another 21 days or so.

 

[Minstrel]

I understand starting Blake if he's looking for Dre to provide offense on the "2nd unit" because frankly there ain't much else there and if people are concerned about Blake as a PG on the first unit, wait till he tries to generate offense for Pryz on the 2nd.

The answer is not to have a "second unit." Have a group of reserves that you mix and match with the starters. Sure, a Blake/Rudy/Cunningham/Howard(?)/Przybilla is a pretty terrible "team." So don't try to assemble a team from the reserves. Identify your best, most useful reserves (Rudy, Przybilla, Blake, Bayless IMO) and play them intermixed with starters, getting 1-2 starters out of the game at a time. Use Cunningham and Howard as necessary, but they obviously should be at the bottom of the heap, minutes-wise.

Analyzing the balance of a "second unit" is a waste of time, IMO. Reserves shouldn't play as a unit, except in garbage time. They should come in from time to time to spell starters, leaving most of the starters on the floor at any given time.

 

[yakbladder]

The answer is not to have a "second unit." Have a group of reserves that you mix and match with the starters. Sure, a Blake/Rudy/Cunningham/Howard(?)/Przybilla is a pretty terrible "team." So don't try to assemble a team from the reserves. Identify your best, most useful reserves (Rudy, Przybilla, Blake, Bayless IMO) and play them intermixed with starters, getting 1-2 starters out of the game at a time. Use Cunningham and Howard as necessary, but they obviously should be at the bottom of the heap, minutes-wise.

Analyzing the balance of a "second unit" is a waste of time, IMO. Reserves shouldn't play as a unit, except in garbage time. They should come in from time to time to spell starters, leaving most of the starters on the floor at any given time.

And that's pretty much what Nate and every other coach does - they don't sub en masse.

But some nights you need a spark off the bench..you need to be able to sub in 2 or 3 guys who play a certain style, be it offensive or defensively, because the pieces don't mesh for that system in the first unit. You inevitable will have guys who play much better in one "style" of play versus another. Suppose you have (theoretically only), two low post players who play at different positions. Now because of a mix-and-match you have both of them in at the same time, where one is spelling a starter. But now you have two guys clogging up the lane and neither of them can be effective - not only because of their style of play but because perhaps they need X number of touches to be effective and get a feel for the game.

 

[Minstrel]

And that's pretty much what Nate and every other coach does - they don't sub en masse.

Exactly a point I've made several times, lately. There's not really such a thing as a "second unit" in practice (though McMillan did try to do some of that in past seasons).

But some nights you need a spark off the bench..you need to be able to sub in 2 or 3 guys who play a certain style, be it offensive or defensively, because the pieces don't mesh for that system in the first unit. You inevitable will have guys who play much better in one "style" of play versus another. Suppose you have (theoretically only), two low post players who play at different positions. Now because of a mix-and-match you have both of them in at the same time, where one is spelling a starter. But now you have two guys clogging up the lane and neither of them can be effective - not only because of their style of play but because perhaps they need X number of touches to be effective and get a feel for the game.

You have to give some thought to the dynamic of the team you're putting on the floor at any given time, but by and large you try to have your best players on the floor. You replace your starters (assuming, as is usually the case, that "starters" and "best players" are the same thing) as sparingly as possible and bring in the best reserves you can when you do have to remove a starter. Obviously, you can't bring in a guard to replace a center or power forward, and perhaps there are occasionally some issues with wanting a couple of players to play together, but I really think that's rare. If two of your best players are both low-post players, the GM should be looking to balance that out via trade...but as a coach, until that happens, you have to find a way to maximize both of them playing "starter minutes." Success depends on getting the most minutes out of your best players, not deciding "This roster is mismatched, so I'll put one of my best players on the sidelines."

 

[julius]

Happy with the team, unhappy with the coach.

 

[SpanishFly]

The last two games have jaded the view, it's not that we lost them but HOW we did, I am very concerned.

 

[julius]

The last two games have jaded the view, it's not that we lost them but HOW we did, I am very concerned.

To me, it's not that you lose, it's how you lose.

And they've been losing like a team that has no interest in playing together the way the coach wants them to, no clue how to play together, and no motivation to play for the coach.