Blazers vs Spurs

[magnifier661]

Could be a turning of the guard kind of Series. Similar to the one in 99 When the Blazers defeated the Jazz.

Tim Duncan handing the keys over LA. Parker to Dame. Manu to Nico. Popps to Stotts

But I think they will have their work cut out for them.

I think it will be more than that. I think Duncan will pass the torch to Aldridge this series. I know so many analysts have the Spurs all the way, but I truly believe that we have a great shot at upsetting the Spurs.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

At least none of them have the Spurs sweeping...

 

[Natebishop3]

I think it will be more than that. I think Duncan will pass the torch to Aldridge this series. I know so many analysts have the Spurs all the way, but I truly believe that we have a great shot at upsetting the Spurs.

We absolutely have a shot at winning the series. I don't see them dominating us. If we can steal one of the first two games, I think we will win the series.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I think it will be more than that. I think Duncan will pass the torch to Aldridge this series. I know so many analysts have the Spurs all the way, but I truly believe that we have a great shot at upsetting the Spurs.

I agree we have a good shot. If it were next year, I'd be all about the torch-passing... But maybe the time is now. Who knows?

 

[magnifier661]

We absolutely have a shot at winning the series. I don't see them dominating us. If we can steal one of the first two games, I think we will win the series.

Yeah hopefully its game 1. I think dropping game 2 would be easier, since we don't have to win 3 in a row to protect HCA.

 

[magnifier661]

I agree we have a good shot. If it were next year, I'd be all about the torch-passing... But maybe the time is now. Who knows?

I wouldn't be surprised if the Spurs sweep us honestly. But I wouldn't be as equally surprised if we swept them. I think this will be a series with one team dominating the other. It just depends on which Portland team shows up, IMO.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

"We're gonna kick their ass."

 

[magnifier661]

I think Matthews will have the duty of guarding another flopper "Manu" this series. Manu is just a slower version of Harden anyway.

So here is the match-ups as I see it for the Portland defense.

Lillard = Parker
Matthews = Gionobli
Batum = Leonard
Aldridge = Duncan (Aldridge will demand to be the one guarding Duncan)
Lopez = Splitter

Spurs has a HUGE advantage from the bench. The only way I see Spurs dominating us is by their bench running circles around ours. I am hoping for T-Rob, Mo and Wright to have stellar games; with a little of that Freeland to have solid defensive spurts. We need our bench badly to perform much better than they normally do.

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

I think Matthews will have the duty of guarding another flopper "Manu" this series. Manu is just a slower version of Harden anyway.

So here is the match-ups as I see it for the Portland defense.

Lillard = Parker
Matthews = Gionobli
Batum = Leonard
Aldridge = Duncan (Aldridge will demand to be the one guarding Duncan)
Lopez = Splitter

Spurs has a HUGE advantage from the bench. The only way I see Spurs dominating us is by their bench running circles around ours. I am hoping for T-Rob, Mo and Wright to have stellar games; with a little of that Freeland to have solid defensive spurts. We need our bench badly to perform much better than they normally do.

I would really like to see Victor get some run in this series.

 

[Prue]

We need to flex our youth, out run the Spurs AND play the higher IQ ball. Terry models our team after Pop, there is no secret there. It will come down to execution. You can pencil in Spurs level of execution, you have to avoid them over-achieving and I think that's why Portland went 2-2 with them this season because we can be disruptive to their process since we use it ourselves. Total team effort is needed to make the Spurs respect each body on the floor, balanced attacking. If we start going heavy on LA or Dame then they can adjust and shut it down. Just have to comit to going to them, allow the adjustment to happen and kick it out and around quick for the best shot.

 

[magnifier661]

We need to flex our youth, out run the Spurs AND play the higher IQ ball. Terry models our team after Pop, there is no secret there. It will come down to execution. You can pencil in Spurs level of execution, you have to avoid them over-achieving and I think that's why Portland went 2-2 with them this season because we can be disruptive to their process since we use it ourselves. Total team effort is needed to make the Spurs respect each body on the floor, balanced attacking. If we start going heavy on LA or Dame then they can adjust and shut it down. Just have to comit to going to them, allow the adjustment to happen and kick it out and around quick for the best shot.

I'm curious to see if Pop will double Aldridge. He is only the few teams that refuse to double him, which I think is to our advantage. But... Pops is an excellent coach and I wouldn't be surprised if he comes out and doubles him, especially if Aldridge starts going off. I think he will start the game with single coverage to see if Aldridge is hitting his shots, then make an adjustment immediately after.

 

[B-Roy]

We need to flex our youth, out run the Spurs AND play the higher IQ ball. Terry models our team after Pop, there is no secret there. It will come down to execution. You can pencil in Spurs level of execution, you have to avoid them over-achieving and I think that's why Portland went 2-2 with them this season because we can be disruptive to their process since we use it ourselves. Total team effort is needed to make the Spurs respect each body on the floor, balanced attacking. If we start going heavy on LA or Dame then they can adjust and shut it down. Just have to comit to going to them, allow the adjustment to happen and kick it out and around quick for the best shot.

I think Terry models our system around the championship Mavs team. Don't we even run some of their sets?

 

[BBert]

Patrick Beverly was giving him trouble in the first round, and Lin was later on as well. Green is a much better defender than either. Also, I don't consider him a true top player. Yes, he's very clutch and doesn't shy away from the big moments, but a 4/16 shooting night for him isn't rare.

Are you talking about Lillard? Damian Lillard? The Damian Lillard who averaged 25.5 ppg, shooting 47% from the field and 49% from three? The Damian Lillard who shot 8 free throws a game at 88%? The Damian Lillard who averaged 6.3 rebounds from the point guard position, dished 6.7 assists, and had 1.3 steals per game?

THAT Damian Lillard?

 

[magnifier661]

Are you talking about Lillard? Damian Lillard? The Damian Lillard who averaged 25.5 ppg, shooting 47% from the field and 49% from three? The Damian Lillard who shot 8 free throws a game at 88%? The Damian Lillard who averaged 6.3 rebounds from the point guard position, dished 6.7 assists, and had 1.3 steals per game?

THAT Damian Lillard?

Can't reason with a Spur's fan that thinks Tiago Splitter will do a better defensive job on Aldridge than Howard.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Dave McMenamin @mcten
Tony Parker says that Damian Lillard is already among the league's elite: "I think he's definitely a top 5 point guard on the NBA"

Dave McMenamin @mcten
Tiago Splitter: "I think LaMarcus is a younger Dirk"

Mike Tokito @mtokito
#Blazers and Spurs have played in three previous series, with Spurs winning two. Portland's win was in 1990 in a classic series it won 4-3.

Mike Tokito @mtokito
Should also note that Spurs are 7-0 at home in the playoffs vs

 

[Eastoff]

How many times do Batum and Parker go out to dinner together during this series? Over under is set at 3, taking all bets!

I say 0 times until the series is over.

 

[Natebishop3]

Are you talking about Lillard? Damian Lillard? The Damian Lillard who averaged 25.5 ppg, shooting 47% from the field and 49% from three? The Damian Lillard who shot 8 free throws a game at 88%? The Damian Lillard who averaged 6.3 rebounds from the point guard position, dished 6.7 assists, and had 1.3 steals per game?

THAT Damian Lillard?

Nah, he's talking about the Damian Lillard that sucks

 

[Rz4k]

lol Guess my takes wouldn't be too popular here. That's fine tho, this is a Blazer board so there's bound to be a bit of bias. Just keep an eye on Green and Splitter, I feel as if they'll be household names in Portland in a few days.

 

[magnifier661]

lol Guess my takes wouldn't be too popular here. That's fine tho, this is a Blazer board so there's bound to be a bit of bias. Just keep an eye on Green and Splitter, I feel as if they'll be household names in Portland in a few days.

Yes and I'm sure Matthews and Lopez will be one with your forum as well.

 

[maxiep]

lol Guess my takes wouldn't be too popular here. That's fine tho, this is a Blazer board so there's bound to be a bit of bias. Just keep an eye on Green and Splitter, I feel as if they'll be household names in Portland in a few days.

Don't worry about popularity. Just post what you really think, and it's not trolling. You're always welcome here.

 

[maxiep]

lol Guess my takes wouldn't be too popular here. That's fine tho, this is a Blazer board so there's bound to be a bit of bias. Just keep an eye on Green and Splitter, I feel as if they'll be household names in Portland in a few days.

Remember that both Ayres (we still think of him as Pendergraph) and Mills were both Blazers. We know them well. And yes, we will all learn about Splitter and Green. SAS plays great team defense. We're not going to be able to move freely, and we'll have to adjust to those little grabs and holds.

 

[Eastoff]

Don't worry about popularity. Just post what you really think, and it's not trolling. You're always welcome here.

Exactly. You should post what you think and why. We'll post what we think and why. =]

 

[Rz4k]

Yes and I'm sure Matthews and Lopez will be one with your forum as well.

LOL They both already are. Matthews due to past games (like that 2011 game where Batum had the alley-oop to win at the buzzer) and Lopez due to RobinLopez.gif.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

lol Guess my takes wouldn't be too popular here. That's fine tho, this is a Blazer board so there's bound to be a bit of bias. Just keep an eye on Green and Splitter, I feel as if they'll be household names in Portland in a few days.

Back in the day one if my favorite posters was a lakers fan (DaRizzle). Your takes may or May not be popular but that doesn't matter if they're strong.

 

[Rz4k]

Remember that both Ayres (we still think of him as Pendergraph) and Mills were both Blazers. We know them well. And yes, we will all learn about Splitter and Green. SAS plays great team defense. We're not going to be able to move freely, and we'll have to adjust to those little grabs and holds.

Errors won't see a minute of meaningful playing time and if he does it means you guys will win the series. Mills will be fun to watch in this series. Still can't believe Portland gave him up; he was one of my favorite non-Spur players for a while.

 

[magnifier661]

LOL They both already are. Matthews due to past games (like that 2011 game where Batum had the alley-oop to win at the buzzer) and Lopez due to RobinLopez.gif.

Oh and BTW... Your posts and comments are most welcome. Don't hold back as long as you don't troll. In fact, I like the trash talking... Why wouldn't we?

 

[magnifier661]

Errors won't see a minute of meaningful playing time and if he does it means you guys will win the series. Mills will be fun to watch in this series. Still can't believe Portland gave him up; he was one of my favorite non-Spur players for a while.

That was a mistake on our part. We could have really used him now!

 

[blue9]

lol Guess my takes wouldn't be too popular here. That's fine tho, this is a Blazer board so there's bound to be a bit of bias. Just keep an eye on Green and Splitter, I feel as if they'll be household names in Portland in a few days.

I actually agree, to an extent, with you. That pesky HOU PG (already forgot his name!) really didn't do much defensively - so Green should easily do a better job. Whether it's good enough to get Dame off-game is the question.
The Splitter issue is a little different. He's a different type of defender than Howard/Asik. While it would be silly to say he's a "better" defender, his style of defense might work better - he appears to have much longer arms than Howard. But actually, HOU (mainly Asik) did a good job of defending LMA (except for Game 1). So if Splitter does a better job than Asik then we're in trouble.

 

[Rz4k]

I actually agree, to an extent, with you. That pesky HOU PG (already forgot his name!) really didn't do much defensively - so Green should easily do a better job. Whether it's good enough to get Dame off-game is the question.
The Splitter issue is a little different. He's a different type of defender than Howard/Asik. While it would be silly to say he's a "better" defender, his style of defense might work better - he appears to have much longer arms than Howard. But actually, HOU (mainly Asik) did a good job of defending LMA (except for Game 1). So if Splitter does a better job than Asik then we're in trouble.

Exactly my point. Howard is a great defender (not what he used to be, mind you), but him and Splitter are different kinds of defenders. Howard will bang down low while jumping up to block layups and floaters, unlike Splitter who keeps his feet on the ground and leaves the paint often to defend bigs who stretch the floor and even opposing guards. Splitter is a lot more mobile and is actually a big plus in switching situations.

 

[maxiep]

LOL They both already are. Matthews due to past games (like that 2011 game where Batum had the alley-oop to win at the buzzer) and Lopez due to RobinLopez.gif.

Wait. What? Please post RobinLopez.gif. I've never seen it.