blazers vs zbo game thread

[B-Roy]

The only thing laughable is that a guy about to get fired openly takes more blame than Nate.

It's kind of hard not to. If he put the blame on his players, he would look like even more of a failure.

 

[jlprk]

i'd love to see this roster with someone like Pop or Adelman or JVG at the helm.

Popovich took the reins only because they got Duncan. Now he's old and not up to starting elsewhere. VanGundy was a mediocre coach with a lot of spirit and not much else. Like his mentor Riley. Adelman still has it and still moves around among coaching gigs. Kevin McHale is very underrated as a coach, is unemployed, and wants to coach.

 

[MARIS61]

I picked the right game to miss, sounds like.

 

[The Sebastian Express]

Kevin McHale would be an interesting option; he sure got that Minnesota team to work before Big Al went down.

 

[The Sebastian Express]

I picked the right game to miss, sounds like.

For once, I think we can all agree.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Kevin McHale would be an interesting option; he sure got that Minnesota team to work before Big Al went down.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that McHale maybe (just maybe) would look to establish the post and then work outward from there? Crazy I know, but anything is possible I suppose.

 

[The Sebastian Express]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that McHale maybe (just maybe) would look to establish the post and then work outward from there? Crazy I know, but anything is possible I suppose.

Maybe we'd even take advantage of Andre Miller's ability to push and LaMarcus being the fastest big man in the league too!

I really don't know why we don't work with Greg more in the low post considering his passing ability. This is going to bite us in the ass in the playoffs, and I will be a sad train for many months.

 

[Sedatedfork]

Maybe we'd even take advantage of Andre Miller's ability to push and LaMarcus being the fastest big man in the league too!

I really don't know why we don't work with Greg more in the low post considering his passing ability. This is going to bite us in the ass in the playoffs, and I will be a sad train for many months.

the high pick and roll with Greg doesn't seem to work out that well. If you are defending Greg you just back off of Greg and cut off Roy or the Pg's dribble. It's not like Greg can hit the jump shot and if he drives it = an offensive foul. Greg's strength is in the post. He doesn't help the team 20 feet away from the basket.

 

[Nikolokolus]

If anybody's still unsure that there might be some role confusion on this team and with Roy in particular, you might find this illuminating:
http://columbian.com/article/20091127/BLOGS05/911279993/-1/blazerbanter

Following the disappointing loss, McMillan challenged Roy and Aldridge — the Blazers’ captains — to inspire a better effort from their team.

McMillan said he was not calling the duo out. But he made his point clear: Portland follows its leaders, and the Blazers went nowhere Friday night.

"They are the guys we feed off of. They are the guys who can do a lot of encouraging and support," McMillan said. "And we need that. We need that. We’re going to play off of them."

Roy responded to McMillan’s challenge by stating that the Blazers’ poor shooting and a hot Memphis squad presented Portland with a first-half hurdle that was too tall to overcome. And while he said that he and Aldridge have to ensure that Portland is always ready to go, he felt the Blazers played well once the team settled in.

"We can’t spot an NBA team that many points," Roy said.

Memphis outscored Portland 29-15 in the first quarter and took a 61-39 advantage into halftime. The Grizzlies’ total points through the first two quarters were the most the Blazers have allowed to any team this season.

Randolph scored a team-high 21 points to top the Grizzlies (6-10), while Marc Gasol and O.J. Mayo scored 19 apiece.

"It was an awesome performance from start to finish," said Memphis coach Lionel Hollins, who added that his team’s outing was "beautiful."

The Blazers’, however, was not. And the team’s reaction to the loss produced a mix big of responses best captured by Roy.

"I don’t think it’s anything like guys are not playing hard," he said. "It’s just guys are still a little confused and trying to figure out things.

"For me as a player, I can keep playing. It seems like every game has a different rhythm, and until we get one rhythm and find our identity as a team, this will happen."

Meanwhile, Miller said Portland’s defense was the main issue, and stated that the Blazers were hit quick, responded slow and then lost control.

"You’re supposed to win those games," Miller said.

This is not a good sign a month into the season.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Maybe we'd even take advantage of Andre Miller's ability to push and LaMarcus being the fastest big man in the league too!

I really don't know why we don't work with Greg more in the low post considering his passing ability. This is going to bite us in the ass in the playoffs, and I will be a sad train for many months.

the high pick and roll with Greg doesn't seem to work out that well. If you are defending Greg you just back off of Greg and cut off Roy or the Pg's dribble. It's not like Greg can hit the jump shot and if he drives it = an offensive foul. Greg's strength is in the post. He doesn't help the team 20 feet away from the basket.

Huh?

 

[B-Roy]

If anybody's still unsure that there might be some role confusion on this team and with Roy in particular, you might find this illuminating:
http://columbian.com/article/20091127/BLOGS05/911279993/-1/blazerbanter


This is not a good sign a month into the season.

Roy doesn't think the team was lacking effort? Fuck that.

The ONLY players who play hard EVERY night, regardless of how well they play, are Martell and Bayless, end of conversation.

Tonight? No effort.

 

[Sedatedfork]

Well, this thread's been fun. The only thing missing is Toko and it is nights like these that I wish Odenisgod wasn't banned. It should be a fun flight to Utah.

 

[MARIS61]

With his past shady dealings staining his reputation like exploding red dye packets in a bank haul, McHale fits the new Blazers image almost as well as Gruber from McHale's Navy.

The Great comedy magician/character actor Carl Ballantine, who played Lester Gruber, passed away Nov. 3rd at 92.

RIP

 

[roydezlaw]

I see a pattern developing with ZBO...come back to Portland with not so good teams and win. I bet he enjoyed his visit.

 

[jlprk]

With his past shady dealings staining his reputation like exploding red dye packets in a bank haul, McHale fits the new Blazers image almost as well as Gruber from McHale's Navy.

The Great comedy magician/character actor Carl Ballantine, who played Lester Gruber, passed away Nov. 3rd at 92.

RIP

Wow, I'm sad to hear about Carl Ballantine. A great comedy magician in vaudeville and then TV casting agents ignored him. I liked him as a kid and then about 5 years ago I watched him on a PBS show about the history of vaudeville.

McHale signed Joe Smith when he wasn't supposed to. Sounds no worse than Pritchard's tricks of not playing Miles to get cap space on a freak medical rule, or not playing LaFrentz to get his salary paid on a freak insurance rule.

 

[Minstrel]

I've been out all night. How's everything going?

 

[Nikolokolus]

I've been out all night. How's everything going?

Well, and you?

 

[KingSpeed]

13/10 for Greg and still hasn't cracked 30 min. played this season.

Yes, he cracked 34 in a game and got 11 & 7.

 

[KingSpeed]

I mostly agree. I think with the addition of Oden down low and Miller being a true playmaker I wonder if there isn't a seed of doubt in Brandon's mind about how aggressive he should be. Last year Nate gave him the greenlight to go out and dominate -- in fact he almost had to goad him into demanding more shots -- and now with more moving parts and frankly too many offensive minded players who seem to only be thriving when they are getting shots it's muddled what it is that Roy is supposed to be doing out there.

This is one of the big reasons I thought it was so important for KP to consolidate this roster and start to round out spots 7-11 with role-players, defensive specialists and guys who make a living off of hustle plays..

Aren't we full of those players? Batum is a defensive specialist. Webster, Rudy, Blake, Joel, Outlaw are all very effective role players in this league that other teams would love to have.

 

[KingSpeed]

You would think the weight loss would make him quicker and more explosive - haven't seen that.

The local radio guys said he took the summer off from "basketball related activity" to let his knee tendinitis heal. I'm wondering if the weight loss is just inactivity - sat around and lost muscle. Portland is such an average team with him playing like this. If this is what we get from Brandon all year - look for about 40-45 wins. Funny, he was the last guy I would have worried about.

Really? We're 12-6 right now with him playing as he is. Why would we suddenly play worse?

 

[KingSpeed]

Our bench should be filling in the gaps, hitting an open shot and flying around on defense and going after loose balls..

Those are all things that Rudy does well.

 

[KingSpeed]

So I just finished watching this game and reading the thread and responding as you have seen.

First of all, we lost this game because Webster was yanked out of the game midway through the 1st. It made absolutely no sense and I'm sure it excited the Memphis fans, players, and coaches. "What? We don't even have to get him into foul trouble? Sweet!" It didn't surprise me after the game, when I looked at the boxscore, to see that Webster was the only Blazer with a + tonight. He should've played all 48 minutes. As for Oden's exit, it's frustrating because, while he actually didn't play all that great in his first tour of duty, I think you need to give him time to feel out his opponent. He didn't get that time tonight and Joel did nothing in his place. Oh and Blake was completely unprepared to play. He was incompetent. Bricking two free throws when we're getting killed and then throwing an open three point shot off the side of the backboard. Horrible. I've been a Steve defender in the past but his performance tonight was unprofessional.

All of that said, I actually ENJOYED watching the game tonight. Don't get me wrong. I hate losing and I am bummed. But a 31-2 run goes beyond depressing. It was kind of stunning. I can't even wrap my arms around how that could happen? Props to Memphis? But then it was sooooo much fun to watch the inevitable comeback. When down 29, it's fun to dream about the thrill of coming back and winning. I actually said to myself "We'll probably make it fun but lose by 10" and sadly, I was exactly right. So it sucks we lost BUT... watching Miller swish a killer three, watching Miller's ball fake turned three point play, watching LMA's three point shot go in, watching Oden's block of Gasol that actually gave me a belief we might win.... it was fun! And then we lost. But I'm pleased with 12-6. Of course, I'd rather have us be better, but I definitely believe this loss gives us an edge going into the Jazz game and I expect us to win there. And after two full days off, I expect us to beat Miami in Portland. That will make us 14-6. .700. I'll take it.

Go Blazers

 

[MIXUM]

we will be 12-8 before you know it.

utah and okc are right on our ass.

 

[WillG]

I put a lot of the blame on Roy for the team poor form. He's not the same guy. He's hogging the ball and failing to fill an identity.
If he's having trouble finding his niche, as the captain, then we can't expect the rest of the team to fare better.
Roy had summer off this past offseason, still picked up thousands of peoples lifetime salaries in an 80 million dollar contract, and then hasn't decided to show up.
Not good enough.
Very disappointing from the teams 'leader'. He's just coasting, you can see it. F all defense. Ball hogging.
As for Aldridge, well he's a meat marshmellow man. Soft as a pillow. What great value at 65 odd million.

These guys should grow a set and show some pride on the court. Absolutely spew worthy start to this season for such a 'talented' squad.
Oh yeah, FIRE NATE!!!

 

[RoyToy]

I put a lot of the blame on Roy for the team poor form. He's not the same guy. He's hogging the ball and failing to fill an identity.
If he's having trouble finding his niche, as the captain, then we can't expect the rest of the team to fare better.
Roy had summer off this past offseason, still picked up thousands of peoples lifetime salaries in an 80 million dollar contract, and then hasn't decided to show up.
Not good enough.
Very disappointing from the teams 'leader'. He's just coasting, you can see it. F all defense. Ball hogging.
As for Aldridge, well he's a meat marshmellow man. Soft as a pillow. What great value at 65 odd million.

These guys should grow a set and show some pride on the court. Absolutely spew worthy start to this season for such a 'talented' squad.
Oh yeah, FIRE NATE!!!

He's actually handling the ball less this year, but OK. He also had 9 assists tonight.

Putting this loss on one player is a joke.

 

[Minstrel]

Well, and you?

I was doing well, until I checked the scores and noticed that Portland had choked the season away.

 

[jlprk]

Roy had summer off this past offseason, still picked up thousands of peoples lifetime salaries in an 80 million dollar contract, and then hasn't decided to show up.

I never thought of that way before. A big star is paid as much as a group of hundreds of people.

 

[WillG]

He's actually handling the ball less this year, but OK. He also had 9 assists tonight.

Putting this loss on one player is a joke.

He had good stats to finish the game, but didn't play well IMO.

I don't put all the blame for this particular loss on Roy, moreso on Nate for mismanagement of the team.It's just, without the 'Real' Roy, the Blazers are like a rudderless ship without its captain.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

So I just finished watching this game and reading the thread and responding as you have seen.

First of all, we lost this game because Webster was yanked out of the game midway through the 1st. It made absolutely no sense and I'm sure it excited the Memphis fans, players, and coaches. "What? We don't even have to get him into foul trouble? Sweet!" It didn't surprise me after the game, when I looked at the boxscore, to see that Webster was the only Blazer with a + tonight. He should've played all 48 minutes. As for Oden's exit, it's frustrating because, while he actually didn't play all that great in his first tour of duty, I think you need to give him time to feel out his opponent. He didn't get that time tonight and Joel did nothing in his place. Oh and Blake was completely unprepared to play. He was incompetent. Bricking two free throws when we're getting killed and then throwing an open three point shot off the side of the backboard. Horrible. I've been a Steve defender in the past but his performance tonight was unprofessional.

All of that said, I actually ENJOYED watching the game tonight. Don't get me wrong. I hate losing and I am bummed. But a 31-2 run goes beyond depressing. It was kind of stunning. I can't even wrap my arms around how that could happen? Props to Memphis? But then it was sooooo much fun to watch the inevitable comeback. When down 29, it's fun to dream about the thrill of coming back and winning. I actually said to myself "We'll probably make it fun but lose by 10" and sadly, I was exactly right. So it sucks we lost BUT... watching Miller swish a killer three, watching Miller's ball fake turned three point play, watching LMA's three point shot go in, watching Oden's block of Gasol that actually gave me a belief we might win.... it was fun! And then we lost. But I'm pleased with 12-6. Of course, I'd rather have us be better, but I definitely believe this loss gives us an edge going into the Jazz game and I expect us to win there. And after two full days off, I expect us to beat Miami in Portland. That will make us 14-6. .700. I'll take it.

Go Blazers

Repped.

 

[jlprk]

Using ESPN's definition of efficiency, here is the game's eff per minute, times 100, rounded off.

eff/min..total eff..minutes..player

117 46.8 40 Marc Gasol
115 43.6 38 Martell Webster
114 29.6 26 Jamaal Tinsley
111 46.8 42 Brandon Roy
109 19.6 18 Hasheem Thabeet
107 29.9 28 Greg Oden

091 31.8 35 Zach Randolph
083 34.9 42 O.J. Mayo

070 14.7 21 Andre Miller
062 05.6 09 Sam Young
056 23.7 42 Rudy Gay
053 23.7 45 LaMarcus Aldridge
050 03.0 06 DeMarre Carroll
045 09.9 22 Mike Conley

026 04.6 18 Rudy Fernandez
024 04.0 17 Joel Przybilla

007 00.2 03 Dante Cunningham
-03 -0.6 24 Steve Blake
-05 -0.2 04 Jerryd Bayless

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailyleaders?date=20091127&gameId=291127022