Dave from Blazers Edge makes a few good points

[Brock]

Take-Away Points

See if this sounds familiar:

Marcus Camby makes a huge difference for this team because rebounding is required for the Blazers to have a chance.

Transition offense is crucial because the Blazers have trouble scoring inside otherwise. They get the ball near the hoop but just cannot seem to finish in there. If they're not O-rebounding and not running the game gets hard for them.

This team hangs its hat on forcing more turnovers than it creates.
If LaMarcus Aldridge doesn't produce in the halfcourt the Blazers get exposed. Their outside shooting can't spread the floor enough to allow easy shots.
The main way the Blazers do get easy shots in the halfcourt is sweet-looking jumpers off of screens.

You also have to love how the entire team is committed to drawing charges. Team spirit and defensive sacrifice FTW!

Once again the Blazers got ahead by preying on a somewhat less-experienced, somewhat less-talented, vulnerable team. Congratulations to Portland for seeing those weaknesses and exploiting them while covering their own enough to win. The big question: What happens against teams that punch back just as hard and don't have those same gaping vulnerabilities? Do the Blazers have another gear, another plan, even more resolve?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I guess we'll find out.

 

[Brock]

he also added this bout Nolan Smith

"Nolan Smith hit 2-2 shots for 4 points in 7 minutes but couldn't run the point and couldn't defend, looking even more not ready than Johnson."

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Dunno if I'd agree with that.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Well I'm sure now there will be a litany of "Dave is a dumbass" and "What the fuck does Dave know?" in about 3 ... 2 ...

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Possibly.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think Smith looks ... kind of "overwhelmed" at times. I'm not saying the kid can't play and maybe with enough seasoning and with time to work out the kinks he'll be OK, but this team isn't really using him as the backup point right now; that duty is falling to Jamal Crawford for all intents and purposes.

 

[bemac]

Is this supposed to be taken seriously after what normally would be the 4th game of the preseason without practice? Are guys not making shots? Yep. Will this continue? We can assume not.

Did he actually write that Smith is not ready to run the point after his 4th game in the NBA?

Okay, chalk this up to simple filler until there is actually something to write about.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Agreed; Smith is our 3rd PG right now. I'd also say (despite the tendency to call his own number) that Crawford is better at it than Rudy, patty, or Bayless. Overall, an improvement, and it'll give Smith time to get over his jitters.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

chalk this up to simple filler until there is actually something to write about.

This has the ring of truth to it.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Is this supposed to be taken seriously after what normally would be the 4th game of the preseason without practice? Are guys not making shots? Yep. Will this continue? We can assume not.

Did he actually write that Smith is not ready to run the point after his 4th game in the NBA?

Okay, chalk this up to simple filler until there is actually something to write about.

I think what he's getting it is that these observations were a common refrain from years past and last year in particular.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I agree with him. I think our half court offense looks horrible. It often does for teams that run a lot. But it's early. Our top two point guards have no chemistry yet with our best offensive player. We still need that mid range shooter. Crawford, Nic and Wes all need to step up.

 

[tlongII]

Our half court offense isn't very good, but our defense is better than last year and we're deeper. This team can go a long way if they stay healthy.

 

[THE HCP]

Well I'm sure now there will be a litany of "Dave is a dumbass" and "What the fuck does Dave know?" in about 3 ... 2 ...

I won't go that far, but I believe a person that covers a team should be present sometimes to watch said team. The guy writes from Boise....... I think seeing a team in person is a better way to judge, just my opinion.

 

[Boob-No-More]

he also added this bout Nolan Smith

"Nolan Smith hit 2-2 shots for 4 points in 7 minutes but couldn't run the point and couldn't defend, looking even more not ready than Johnson."

Wow, there's a shocker. The rookie playing in his second NBA game, with a grand total of less than 10 minutes playing time can't run the point like a seasoned veteran. I think it's perhaps just a little soon to be passing judgement on Nolan Smith's NBA career.

BNM

 

[Rhal]

Take-Away Points

See if this sounds familiar:

Marcus Camby makes a huge difference for this team because rebounding is required for the Blazers to have a chance.

Transition offense is crucial because the Blazers have trouble scoring inside otherwise. They get the ball near the hoop but just cannot seem to finish in there. If they're not O-rebounding and not running the game gets hard for them.

This team hangs its hat on forcing more turnovers than it creates.
If LaMarcus Aldridge doesn't produce in the halfcourt the Blazers get exposed. Their outside shooting can't spread the floor enough to allow easy shots.
The main way the Blazers do get easy shots in the halfcourt is sweet-looking jumpers off of screens.

You also have to love how the entire team is committed to drawing charges. Team spirit and defensive sacrifice FTW!

Once again the Blazers got ahead by preying on a somewhat less-experienced, somewhat less-talented, vulnerable team. Congratulations to Portland for seeing those weaknesses and exploiting them while covering their own enough to win. The big question: What happens against teams that punch back just as hard and don't have those same gaping vulnerabilities? Do the Blazers have another gear, another plan, even more resolve?

Dave has become increasingly critical of the blazers since last season leading me to believe he wants the Blazers to rebuild and wont look through rose colored glasses when analyzing the team, this can be a good and bad thing. Because of how early into the season with not a real training camp going in depth on our offense/defense and how players are playing is going to drastically change over the next month and im looking forward to seeing if this team has what it takes to make a big impact this year.

 

[TradeNurkicNow]

Wow, there's a shocker. The rookie playing in his second NBA game, with a grand total of less than 10 minutes playing time can't run the point like a seasoned veteran. I think it's perhaps just a little soon to be passing judgement on Nolan Smith's NBA career.

BNM

I'd rather be passing judgment on Fareid's career.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

Philly was no slouch and I thought we played well given the limited time to prepare. The Kings just seemed to hit a wall midway thru the second quarter and never got back up. I like the defensive effort and we are slowly expanding offensively. GW also shouldered some of the offensive load and should keep LA fresh. Think we have alot of ways to score.

Did anyone else notice how open LA is now on pick n rolls with a PG that can shoot?

 

[RR7]

I'd rather be passing judgment on Fareid's career.

Good idea!
How about, in a 22 point win, a game they led by 30 at different points, Faried didn't get off the bench.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

he also added this bout Nolan Smith

"Nolan Smith hit 2-2 shots for 4 points in 7 minutes but couldn't run the point and couldn't defend, looking even more not ready than Johnson."

That's the truth. He's looked lost. Patty Mills would do better.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Patty is no answer. Nice chemistry/mascot guy to have on your deep bench, but his ball security was severely lacking, his defense was worse, and basically played the game like a smaller less talented Bayless except his preferred shot was the three-ball instead of the head down drive.

 

[ppilot]

Wow, there's a shocker. The rookie playing in his second NBA game, with a grand total of less than 10 minutes playing time can't run the point like a seasoned veteran. I think it's perhaps just a little soon to be passing judgement on Nolan Smith's NBA career.

BNM

I am guessing he was referring to Johnson's play last year when he was getting some decent run as a rookie.

 

[HailBlazers]

Did anyone else notice how open LA is now on pick n rolls with a PG that can shoot?

YUP, him and Felton are money. Now they both just need to get into shape! Felton fell apart in the fourth, and LMA has had to be heavily limited on his minutes. They will become a dynamic duo as the season goes on though, they are on the same page unlike any other PG we've seen with LMA.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Dave is going to have a feild day when the Blazers lose a game . . .

 

[Boise Blazer]

It does look very open but sooner or later team will clamp down on the LMA/Felton pick and roll but that should open all sorts of other options. In the end it will be how we are shooting from the outside. Especially on night where we arent getting easy buckets in the running game. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

If LaMarcus Aldridge doesn't produce in the halfcourt the Blazers get exposed. Their outside shooting can't spread the floor enough to allow easy shots.
[/B]

All of his points are, like....well, duh! The above point is the best part. Ya think? That's like saying if Kobe isn't doing his thing, then the Lakers struggle. Thanks for being so analytical, Dave.

 

[magnifier661]

All of his points are, like....well, duh! The above point is the best part. Ya think? That's like saying if Kobe isn't doing his thing, then the Lakers struggle. Thanks for being so analytical, Dave.

Post of the day! Good job and repp'd

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Post of the day! Good job and repp'd

Damn, funny you say that. It's only 10 am, and I'm working through a hangover, but I've been feeling like I'm on my game today. Felt that after blowing through some business the first hour or two I've been at work, and that's with splitting time on this board.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

sooner or later team will clamp down on the LMA/Felton pick and roll

They said the same about Malone/Stockton

 

[jlprk]

Dave's critique is of the coaching without ever using the words "coaching" or "McMillan." I agree with all of it.

As for Nolan Smith, until the last day, when Crawford decided to come to the Blazers, everyone was talking about Smith being the 2nd PG. (Even in this thread, people note as if it's news that he'll definitely have to be 3rd PG and isn't as good as Crawford.) Dave is just evaluating Nolan in terms of those false expectations.