Game Thread GAME# 66: BLAZERS @ HEAT - MARCH 18, 2015 - WEDNESDAY, 4:30 PM (PST), CSNNW

[KingSpeed]

Might is a stretch. Memphis on a second of back to back. I'll take 2-3 at this point.

Remember, you did say the loss was coming from Memphis when you said 4-1.

No I didn't. But Memphis on second night of back to back is the kind of game we win. Remember after the triple overtime win in San Antonio, we won the next night in New Orleans? And it was a blowout.

 

[KingSpeed]

2 steps forward, 3 steps back: the story of the 2014-15 Portland Trail Blazers

Actually, 44 steps forward, 22 steps back. That's 2 to 1. THAT is the 2014-15 Portland Trail Blazers

 

[KingSpeed]

More STORIES of the 2014-15 Portland Trail Blazers:

3-0 vs OKC
3-1 vs San Antonio
2-1 vs Dallas
2-1 vs Houston
2-0 vs New Orleans

 

[KingSpeed]

2 steps forward 3 steps back is the story of the 2014-15 Brooklyn Nets

Some of you guys are so negative, you lose any sense of logic or even basic math.

 

[KingSpeed]

I was actually not excited about this trip at all. Not because I didn't think the Blazers couldn't pull off a 4-1 or even 5-0 trip.. But because of the teams they were playing, AND the two back to backs. Struggling or not. These 5 teams are good teams. Orlando always plays the Blazers tough.
Every Blazer fan I brought this up to said they were only worried about the Memphis game.
They even called me crazy when I said the Blazers would have a successful trip going 2-3... That they'd be lucky to go 3-2.

Guess I wasn't so wrong.
And the Blazers have the Warriors off of this trip I believe. Could finish 2-3 and then lose first game back. Wouldn't surprise me in the least.

That would surprise the hell out of me. Golden State can't guard Aldridge. We will destroy them. Our loss to them earlier this season was a fluke.

 

[KingSpeed]

Ouch! This should put an end to the days debate about this being an elite defensive team.

Huh? If we're not an elite defensive team, who is? Name a team. And I'll show you games they've lost, where they've been scored on. There is no team out there that is holding their opponents to 90 a game. Fuck, the Warriors can barely hold their opponents under 100. We are an elite defensive team if any team is.

 

[Strenuus]

No I didn't. But Memphis on second night of back to back is the kind of game we win. Remember after the triple overtime win in San Antonio, we won the next night in New Orleans? And it was a blowout.

2nd in the west, and fighting for 8th in the west. I'd take NO all day on our back to back, not a grind it out team like Memphis.

 

[Strenuus]

Well shoot, I'll own up to it. I went back and looked, and I read it wrong. I suppose I read "florida" as "Memphis" since technically Florida doesn't have a team.

I'll hold you to this if you freak out over a loss. I say 4-1 with the one loss in Florida.

My bad, KS. I'll own it.

 

[KingSpeed]

2nd in the west, and fighting for 8th in the west. I'd take NO all day on our back to back, not a grind it out team like Memphis.

Memphis is an easy win. It's a get-back game. We nearly beat them last time and Aldridge wasn't playing. I have full confidence we'll win on Saturday. Hoping for Friday too cuz BrianFromWA and I are going to the game!

 

[Strenuus]

Memphis is an easy win. It's a get-back game. We nearly beat them last time and Aldridge wasn't playing. I have full confidence we'll win on Saturday. Hoping for Friday too cuz BrianFromWA and I are going to the game!

Unfortunately, aside from the Lakers, there's no easy win in the west. Especially when it's on the road. I've turned on my optimism meter, but I have defintely throttled it, for sanitys' sake. lol.

How'd you swing going to Orlando?

 

[illmatic99]

Disappointing to waste another 34/12 game from LA. A lot not to be happy about (pick and roll defense, turnovers, free throws, etc.) but early in the season we were able to overcome those things. The thing that sticks out to me when we lose is . . . what happened to Lillard Time? Those daggers he used to hit to ice close games just aren't falling the last few months. He starts his shift in the 4th tonight and misses a wide open 3. Kaman grabs the off board and kicks it back out to him for an even more open 3 he can step into, and he bricks it again! You never used to see him do that. I think it's in his head now. He didn't shoot again for 5 minutes after those misses. It's not like he's falling apart. He's made big strides finishing at the rim and is having a good all around season, but isn't he better than a 34% shooter from 3? Actually, he's less than 30% over the last 3 months. Our model used to be feed LA for 3 quarters and let Dame seal it in the 4th. Teams have defended him a lot different recently, but he's also not making as many of the good looks when he does get them. What's it going to take Dame? "More Wood"? I'll throw it in the back of my truck and bring it to you dog. Just give me an address. Whatever it takes to see you on fire again (and closing out games like we're used to watching you do)

Might wanna be careful before the fan police here come out and call you a hater.

He has struggled vs. Dragic/Wall/CP historically. Maybe that takes away from his offense, but he has been really inconsistent this year. And it's not like he's completely stopping his counterparts either -- just working harder. Lots of room for improvement for sure.

 

[blue32]

Might wanna be careful before the fan police here come out and call you a hater.

He has struggled vs. Dragic/Wall/CP historically. Maybe that takes away from his offense, but he has been really inconsistent this year. And it's not like he's completely stopping his counterparts either -- just working harder. Lots of room for improvement for sure.

It is unfortunate to see him have this massive shooting slump. Super inconsistent. I am not sure what's going on. Injury? Hand issues? mental? IDK.

 

[BigGameDamian]

More STORIES of the 2014-15 Portland Trail Blazers:

3-0 vs OKC
3-1 vs San Antonio
2-1 vs Dallas
2-1 vs Houston
2-0 vs New Orleans

So I guess this pretty much tells you that we should cost right into the WCF?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Funny how last nights games still haven't had their reviews released...

 

[dviss1]

So I guess this pretty much tells you that we should cost right into the WCF?

Not sure if you can pay to get to the WCF but I'm sure you mean coAst...

 

[Strenuus]

So I guess this pretty much tells you that we should cost right into the WCF?

..... too easy.

 

[DUB]

Funny how last nights games still haven't had their reviews released...

Took their time didn't they?

The refs got everything correct in the last two minutes.

http://official.nba.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/03/L2M-POR-MIA-3-18-15.pdf

In regards to the backcourt violation:

Exception to Rule 8 Section III notes that in the last 2 mins, if the ball is thrown into the front court and an off player fails to control the ball and causes it to go into the backcourt, his team may not be the first to touch the ball.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Welp there ya go. That's basically the infield fly rule.

 

[Strenuus]

Welp there ya go. That's basically the infield fly rule.

Infield Fly rule is much easier to enforce.

Runners on 1st and 2nd, or bases loaded with less than 2 outs. Popup in the infield, fielder must have a routine play to the ball on the umpires judgement (That one in Atlanta a few years back was not an infield fly, the guys' hat flew off!). Runners may advance on their own peril, Batter-runner is out.

This backcourt thing? Confusing as hell, with all these stipulations like last two minutes this can happen, but other times it can't. Just cut it straight down and have it be "this" scenario or "that" scenario, not "well, given the time, it should be this." lol.

Ah well. On to the next game!

 

[MarAzul]

Huh? If we're not an elite defensive team, who is? Name a team. And I'll show you games they've lost, where they've been scored on. There is no team out there that is holding their opponents to 90 a game. Fuck, the Warriors can barely hold their opponents under 100. We are an elite defensive team if any team is.

Gosh, I thought Portland just lost, allowing 108 points. I didn't realize that signified elite.

These Stat keepers sort of put Portland in the Above Average column, don't you think?

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2015_ratings.html
http://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/defensive-efficiency
http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats/_/sort/defensiveEff
http://www.oddsshark.com/nba/defensive-stats

Or do you have some special insight to share?

 

[blue32]

Gosh, I thought Portland just lost, allowing 108 points. I didn't realize that signified elite.

These Stat keepers sort of put Portland in the Above Average column, don't you think?

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2015_ratings.html
http://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/defensive-efficiency
http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats/_/sort/defensiveEff
http://www.oddsshark.com/nba/defensive-stats

Or do you have some special insight to share?

His insight among others on here, are that of rose colored glasses with a homer filled glass of kooooool-aid.

The more realistic idea of the Blazers is that they are an above average team; with highs and lows like any other team. But I would never put an "elite" moniker to them. Not yet.... We'll see how this years playoffs go, before I go there.

 

[Strenuus]

His insight among others on here, are that of rose colored glasses with a homer filled glass of kooooool-aid.

The more realistic idea of the Blazers is that they are an above average team; with highs and lows like any other team. But I would never put an "elite" moniker to them. Not yet.... We'll see how this years playoffs go, before I go there.

If we're not elite, then Memphis isn't elite either, since they have the same ups and downs as we do. They have been labeled "elite".

I don't deny the fact that we're not elite, but it's also not unilateral as well.

 

[kjironman1]

Simply speaking "Elite" takes many years to achieve.

 

[kjironman1]

If we're not elite, then Memphis isn't elite either, since they have the same ups and downs as we do. They have been labeled "elite".

I don't deny the fact that we're not elite, but it's also not unilateral as well.

Memphis has had great defense for many years now. So yes they are an elite defense IMO.

 

[Strenuus]

Memphis has had great defense for many years now. So yes they are an elite defense IMO.

My point being is they have ups and downs (Detroit, anyone?)

 

[kjironman1]

My point being is they have ups and downs (Detroit, anyone?)

Sure but they have been very good for many years and have a great defense that has lasted through two coaches. Memphis is a better defensive team than the Blazers at this point. However the Blazers have made great strides and have improved to the point that we are indeed discussing it.

 

[jlprk]

It depends upon how "elite" do you define "elite." To me, we don't stand out above others enough to be called elite. Even if we were statistically the #1 defensive team, which we aren't, I still wouldn't automatically grant "elite" status to each year's #1 defensive team. I'd only give the name to a team which plays blue chip defense for at least 2 years, a team for the ages, at most 3 teams per decade.

Until the last seconds of most of our games, it's a tossup who will win. An elite defense would establish who will win long before then.

 

[riverman]

It depends upon how "elite" do you define "elite." To me, we don't stand out above others enough to be called elite. Even if we were statistically the #1 defensive team, which we aren't, I still wouldn't automatically grant "elite" status to each year's #1 defensive team. I'd only give the name to a team which plays blue chip defense for at least 2 years, a team for the ages, at most 3 teams per decade.

Until the last seconds of most of our games, it's a tossup who will win. An elite defense would establish who will win long before then.

So we're the "free 30 day trial" version of elite and we need a double headed coin to win the tossup?

 

[riverman]

It depends upon how "elite" do you define "elite." To me, we don't stand out above others enough to be called elite. Even if we were statistically the #1 defensive team, which we aren't, I still wouldn't automatically grant "elite" status to each year's #1 defensive team. I'd only give the name to a team which plays blue chip defense for at least 2 years, a team for the ages, at most 3 teams per decade.

Until the last seconds of most of our games, it's a tossup who will win. An elite defense would establish who will win long before then.

3 teams per decade sound elitist to me

 

[jlprk]

Over the years I've watched plenty of teams which routinely sewed up victories in the 1st half, despite playing at half-capability. Rules have been changed to make that harder. Coaches like Stotts follow stat paradigms which advise to shoot more 3s. We may never see an elite defensive NBA team again.