Blazers/Jazz game thread 11/28/09

[Nikolokolus]

This is genuinely sad:

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/11/utah_108_portland_92_another_d.html

"Me and L.A. talked about how things were different," Roy said. "And more than anything why the change from last year, when we were a good team. I think we have somewhat changed our focus. Instead of keeping that focus and just improving around it, we have adjusted."

Roy was reminded that Oden has been effective, entering the game second in the NBA at 63.2 percent, and when asked how all three offensive options can work together, he chuckled.

"I don't know. That's why coaches coach," Roy said. "I just go out there, you know? He's the coach."

Roy said he has seen this coming for weeks.

"I'm not sitting here totally surprised by it," Roy said. "There were times when we won games and we still don't seem to have it. It's kind of right in our face now. ... I just don't think people fully understand. They were like, 'We won 6 of 7,' but I'm like, 'Nah, I'm still a little concerned how things are going right now.' Because I don't think anyone is really seeing the light at the end of the tunnel right. Meaning nobody knows how to fix it."

I'd say that more than sad, that is genuinely revealing ... and affirms a lot of the things I've wondered about in the past month or so. Does Nate really know how to create a system where there are more than two moving parts?

And, of course, there was Miller's benching, which caught everyone by surprise, none more so than Miller. It appears Miller has the team's full support, as he engaged in lengthy conversations with Przybilla and Blake on the bench, and then drew the concern of Roy. Then, after Miller gave a noncontroversial interview, during which he answered every question professionally, Oden tapped him on the knee and offered a fist, which Miller bumped.

In a somewhat surprising twist, I think the team is starting to question why Nate is refusing to play Miller much -- even Brandon -- He might have been dinged up tonight and that's a valid reason, but it sure seems like the players aren't seeing it that way.

 

[Minstrel]

In a somewhat surprising twist, I think the team is starting to question why the Nate is refusing to play Miller much -- even Brandon -- He might have been dinged up tonight and that's a valid reason, but it sure seems like the players aren't seeing it that way.

Quite possibly the case. Pippen once said that the players know pretty quickly who deserves to be starting and getting the minutes. A coach probably loses player respect pretty quickly if he doesn't seem to be giving the most minutes to the best players, in the players' eyes.

 

[Uther TheGardener]

yeah the team is rebelling against nate.....

 

[Nikolokolus]

Quite possibly the case. Pippen once said that the players know pretty quickly who deserves to be starting and getting the minutes. A coach probably loses player respect pretty quickly if he doesn't seem to be giving the most minutes to the best players, in the players' eyes.

The tricky thing is that Brandon appeared to lobby so hard for Blake to start the season that to reverse course would probably only bruise his relationship/friendship with him. I sometimes forget that none of this stuff happens in a vaccum.

I think KP is going to have to make an executive decision sooner rather than later on this mess at the point guard spot. Nate seems unwilling to reduce Blake's role, Brandon has been too public with his support to gracefully withdraw it at this point, and poor Blake probably even knows he's being outplayed by his main competition at this point (Bayless and Miller).

In a weird twist I wonder if we're now finally seeing the ill effects of a roster too tightly knit; professionalism and production seems to be suffering for personal reasons at this point.

 

[B-Roy]

The tricky thing is that Brandon appeared to lobby so hard for Blake to start the season that to reverse course would probably only bruise his relationship/friendship with him. I sometimes forget that none of this stuff happens in a vaccum.

From reading the article, it sure seems like Roy wants (and knows) that Miller needs to play more, and possibly start.

 

[Nate Dogg]

Whats this all about after the Jazz game?

"I think we were a little fatigued tonight," Roy said. "Utah really just rushed it at us from the jump."

Didn't this same team play 5 games in 7 nights on the road and still finished 4-1 on that trip. What? Too much Turkey has slowed you down Roy. What the hell is that quote roy?

 

[S&Jtimestwo]

STEVE BLAKE IS NOT A STARTER....MILLER IS A STARTER...10 YEARS AND COUNTING UNTIL HE CAME TO PORTLAND THAT IS.............

 

[barfo]

Good article by Quick. Not sure how much of it is his spin vs. the truth, but it aint just finding things to complain about like Canzano - there is actually something going on here, and I'm glad to have Quicks viewpoint on it.

It's been said before, but it seems like Nate wasted training camp and the exhibition season if Roy/LMA/Oden don't know how to play together. Not to mention Andre.

barfo

 

[The Sebastian Express]

The article was informing, and I'd say Nate is losing at least Brandon Roy, if not most of the team at this point. I do feel bad for Steve even though I bitch about him a lot because he does do what he is asked - Nate just asks him to do it for far too long.

I really wish we'd incorporate more high/low in the offense because it'd help at least LMA/Oden build chemistry.

 

[S&Jtimestwo]

Yes Nate is predictable with his substitution patterns, but he will get his walking papers if he doesn't make some changes with the starters. Yep, Miller's numbers sucked tonight, but he didn't even play the second half at all!!!! Same thing with the first quarter of the last game, but did you look at his numbers in the second half???? STEVE BLAKE IS POISON....BUT HE HAS HIS PLACE AS A BACK UP SHOOTER, BACK UP POINT GUARD, HE WILL BRING A STABLE, SLOW IT DOWN QUALITY, LOW TURNOVER, AS IS HIS CAREER THUS FAR............WE DON'T NEED THAT IN THE FIRST QUARTER TO START THE GAME

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Nate has been toying around with line ups and doing crazy things with Miller and Blake because of one reason in my mind . . . to give control of this team to Roy.

And now Roy is complaining about coaching? (if that is what he is doing).

 

[mgb]

Whats this all about after the Jazz game?

Didn't this same team play 5 games in 7 nights on the road and still finished 4-1 on that trip. What? Too much Turkey has slowed you down Roy. What the hell is that quote roy?

Ya, but they were still pretty fresh then. I think that is just catching up with them now.