Anyone Else Concerned?

[KingSpeed]

We're 7-3 in our last 10 games and 2 games out of the 2nd spot in arguably the strongest playoff race in the last couple decades, people need to chill. Guess what? were not going to dominate every game we play... Mistakes will happen EVERY game we play. The teams in the western conference have VERY talented rosters but they too will make mistakes EVERY game. I mean I guess the over reactions give people something to talk about but its annoying, lol.

Best post in years. Says it all.

 

[KingSpeed]

Why then is a role player with as you just put it who has holes in his game stemming from lack of talent making just shy of $$12,000,000 this year? Second highest salary on the team by a large margin.

Because that is what our team agreed to pay him. Or he'd be in Minnesota.

 

[Pinwheel1]

We're 7-3 in our last 10 games and 2 games out of the 2nd spot in arguably the strongest playoff race in the last couple decades, people need to chill. Guess what? were not going to dominate every game we play... Mistakes will happen EVERY game we play. The teams in the western conference have VERY talented rosters but they too will make mistakes EVERY game. I mean I guess the over reactions give people something to talk about but its annoying, lol.

This isn't about the last 10 games. This is about how to get an already very good Blazer team (over the last two seasons) to take that next step. And IMO eliminating unforced turnovers is a good place to start.

 

[Sean.ivity]

Every team will have unforced turnovers every game... there humans out there, mistakes happen.... Yeah its annoying... you can work on lowering the number of unforced errors but you will never eliminate them. and my point about the last 10 games is more about the fact that after every win or loss people bitch and complain because the Blazers are not perfect. were 1.5 games back on the 2nd spot... apparently there doing something right.

 

[KingSpeed]

This isn't about the last 10 games. This is about how to get an already very good Blazer team (over the last two seasons) to take that next step. And IMO eliminating unforced turnovers is a good place to start.

Blazers only turn it over 13.5 times a game forced or not. That's the same as the champs and less than the Warriors and Hawks. If we continue to turn it over 13.5 times a game forced or not and we win the championship, will you still be concerned?

 

[KingSpeed]

Every team will have unforced turnovers every game... there humans out there, mistakes happen.... Yeah its annoying... you can work on lowering the number of unforced errors but you will never eliminate them. and my point about the last 10 games is more about the fact that after every win or loss people bitch and complain because the Blazers are not perfect. were 1.5 games back on the 2nd spot... apparently there doing something right.

Another genius post. This is what I've tried to say all year but you do it so much better.

 

[KingSpeed]

So I did more research. Pinwheel- You said we have to turn the ball over less than 13.5 times a game for us to take "the next step." But guess what? The Spurs turned it over 14.1 times a game last season and they won the championship. So maybe "the next step" is to turn the ball over a little more?

 

[KingSpeed]

This year's Lakers only turn it over 12.4 times. Maybe they're ready to take the next step? I'm so confused.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Turnovers aren't our problem. We just aren't a very efficient team. We don't get easy buckets.

 

[KingSpeed]

It is amazing that Warriors shoot all those threes and yet they are #1 in FG%. Houston, by comparison is #22.

 

[Pinwheel1]

So I did more research. Pinwheel- You said we have to turn the ball over less than 13.5 times a game for us to take "the next step." But guess what? The Spurs turned it over 14.1 times a game last season and they won the championship. So maybe "the next step" is to turn the ball over a little more?

I know I am nit picking, but I don't like the careless passes on the perimeter.

Even though the Spurs shoot a lot of 3's they run a different type of offense than we do. They shot over 51% from 2 pt range. (Last year) I have no statistics to back this up, but usually when you shoot that well from the floor, you get a few extra turn overs forcing the ball down low. Same with teams who run a lot. They get more turnovers but they also get more easy baskets. So in those scenarios, yes we would be better off getting more TO's.

Honestly I don't care about what the stats say because they can be mis-leading. All I know is the Blazers need to fine tune this issue because during the playoffs, every possession counts. And it is often just as much a mistake by the receiver as it is with the passer.

 

[OneLifeToLive]

I think it's a team that knows what it's doing and what's going on. I think they are a highly intelligent, very laid back group. I think it starts from the top player LA and it works it's way down. Fortunately and Unfortunately, you see that at times on the court. The laid back part is the unfortunate part. I think it has a tendency to cause them to take some of these games for granted and maybe accept a view of 'It's not how you win as long as you get the win kind of mindset.

What's interesting is I just listened to the Jimmy Graham conf call with the Seattle media. And the one thing that stood at was how surprised he was with how winning oriented they were up there. They are all about winning. He noticed that as soon as he stepped foot into the headquarters, he could feel that sense of urgency. More than likely, he was feeding off of Carroll. But I wonder Paul is taking a look at the things that have caused the Seahawks success in the last two years and measures that to what is going on down here in Portland. When he walks into the headquarters does he feel and sense the same stuff? Have they embraced similar practices they have in Seattle? And if not maybe there is something to what Graham said. Perhaps there should be an emphasis of replicating some of that down here if it's not in place already.

I added this because I don't know if I sense a real urgency just by watching this team. Or if it comes off of them. When you're as laid back as this bunch is.,It's difficult to see.

 

[MAS RipCity]

I should be more excited after getting a win over the hated Rockets, but our Blazers continue to play with fire out there on the court.

For starters, the passing. Will the lazy lackadaisical passes ever stop? There's not one culprit here; everyone is to blame here. It doesn't stop there. How many times will we continue to throw across court into traffic? Is this on Stotts? The players? I'm sure it's a combination of both, but in the playoffs, especially if we match up with San Antonio, we're going to get eaten alive.

Bench scoring. Unfortunately, this one is out of everyone's hands. With a healthy Wes, this team looked loaded and balanced after the addition of Afflalo and Gee. But with Matthews now sidelined for the season, we're back to square one; no consistent threat off the bench. Blake is more of a floor general. Kaman hasn't been since same since the calendar flipped over to 2015. And Meyers doesn't get enough run.

Lastly, we panic under pressure. It all started during the third game of the season against Golden State and now whenever a team traps or pressures of in late-game situations, you can almost feel a turnover coming. We dodged a bullet tonight (Yes, I know Brewer fouled Lillard, but it should have never gotten to that point), but for a veteran team, it's concerning to see the wheels come off in those situations.

Despite all that, we've got one of the five best records in the NBA. Am I being worrying too much or is anyone else seeing the same things that I am?

I hate bumping this thread and for quote myself even more, but tonight's game is case and motherfucking point. We have not one but TWO fucking chances to inbound the ball from halfcourt and we failed to do so. This team drives me batshit crazy.

 

[Strenuus]

I hate bumping this thread and for quote myself even more, but tonight's game is case and motherfucking point. We have not one but TWO fucking chances to inbound the ball from halfcourt and we failed to do so. This team drives me batshit crazy.

Still not concerned. Nice try.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

The Laker bandwagon has window seats available.

 

[Strenuus]

The Laker bandwagon has window seats available.

Shit, they need bus drivers.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Shit, they need bus drivers.

(resisting temptation not to make politically incorrect short bus reference for Lakers fans)

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I hate bumping this thread and for quote myself even more, but tonight's game is case and motherfucking point. We have not one but TWO fucking chances to inbound the ball from halfcourt and we failed to do so. This team drives me batshit crazy.

Honestly, listening to that inbound attempt, Wheels mentioned that they had a timeout, and I immediately thought, "they'll need it." After it was called, I had zero confidence that they could get the ball in. And after the turnover, I had zero doubt that the Heat would have no trouble doing what we couldn't.

It's incredibly frustrating to see a team of professionals routinely not be ankle to perform one of the most basic tasks of the game in clutch situations. It would be one thing if it were just a one in a while thing. But this has cost us multiple games, and will undoubtedly rear its head in the postseason as well.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Inbounding the ball seems so simple. Apparently it is not. I would say that it is one of the few things that Nate did a better job of setting up then Terry has. I am not sure why this continues to be a problem, but he immediately needs to go back to the drawing board and draws some news ones up.

 

[blue32]

Inbounding the ball seems so simple. Apparently it is not. I would say that it is one of the few things that Nate did a better job of setting up then Terry has. I am not sure why this continues to be a problem, but he immediately needs to go back to the drawing board and draws some news ones up.

Did we shit the bed yesterday on inbounds again?

God...../facepalm.

 

[dviss1]

Inbounding the ball seems so simple. Apparently it is not. I would say that it is one of the few things that Nate did a better job of setting up then Terry has. I am not sure why this continues to be a problem, but he immediately needs to go back to the drawing board and draws some news ones up.

That's simply not true. First I'm not a Nate hater like lots of cats in here but historically through the Nate and Stotts years, we've been horrible at inbounding the ball.

 

[Pinwheel1]

That's simply not true. First I'm not a Nate hater like lots of cats in here but historically through the Nate and Stotts years, we've been horrible at inbounding the ball.

I honestly don't remember it that way. I guess I could be wrong, but I seem to remember that being one of Nate's few strengths.

 

[dviss1]

I honestly don't remember it that way. I guess I could be wrong, but I seem to remember that being one of Nate's few strengths.

We had a few great plays (like Batum's tip over San Antonio) but on the whole, during pressure situations, we've been pretty bad at inbounding the ball.