Game Thread GAME# 74: CLIPPERS@ BLAZERS - APRIL 1, 2015 - WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM (PST), KGW & NBATV

[kjironman1]

I don't know when it started or why, but when teams make runs on the Blazers late in game, our squad tightens up. Instead of running the offense, we frantically dump it down low to Aldridge and we play iso ball

This has been a problem but the Clipper defense also was being pretty active and the last couple games Aldridge has not missed much so i can see them going there.

 

[kjironman1]

Wonderful - DWright broke a bone in his hand tonight.

Is this a 4-1 thing or where did you pick that up? Post a link?

 

[BlazerBeav]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Wright fractured the 4th metacarpal bone. X-ray confirmed the injury. <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers">@trailblazers</a>.</p>&mdash; Jay Allen (@PDXjay) <a href="">April 2, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[S550]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Wright fractured the 4th metacarpal bone. X-ray confirmed the injury. <a href="https://twitter.com/trailblazers">@trailblazers</a>.</p>&mdash; Jay Allen (@PDXjay) <a href="">April 2, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Now we really have an excuse. Atleast we won't get our hopes up in the playoffs..

 

[MAS RipCity]

Fuck this season. Seriously.

 

[Haakzilla]

Attending tonight's game ... here are my thoughts:

- Portland panics. I don't know when it started or why, but when teams make runs on the Blazers late in game, our squad tightens up. Instead of running the offense, we frantically dump it down low to Aldridge and we play iso ball. This happened on three-to-four possessions right after LAC took the initial lead.

...I was saying this very same thing about just dumping it off to LMA and standing around. Like they just give up all the effort and extra ball movement while running the "flow" offense. Trying to play hero ball like the old Roy ISO days

 

[S550]

Atleast we get to see Crabbe now. Im ready to just see what he has and be ready for next season when Wes is back.. Hopefully LMA resigns let's just worry about that and go from there

 

[MAS RipCity]

...I was saying this very same thing about just dumping it off to LMA and standing around. Like they just give up all the effort and extra ball movement while running the "flow" offense. Trying to play hero ball like the old Roy ISO days

It was exactly like Nate McMillan and his iso-Roy offense. Not only was the team standing around, but when I was watching Aldridge, he was moving unnecessarily quick and it forced him to take difficult, contested shots.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Wonderful - DWright broke a bone in his hand tonight.

Free Crabbe!

 

[kjironman1]

Fuck this season. Seriously.

Stay out of the kitchen and away from the knives my friend. And please don't go on any long walks around any bridges.....

 

[Kaydow]

Well, I'm just sad. This team has ability, but there are a number of things that concern me heading into the playoffs. Lillard's really getting exposed on the defensive end and it's hurting the whole defensive effort, plus his offense has been wildly up and down for weeks and I'm not particularly fond of seeing him seem to sulk and complain. Losing Wes just kills me. Stotts is like a magician with the bench guys ... now you see them, now you don't. And I think well, if it isn't this year, this team still has a few good seasons in it, but Golden State, the Clippers and the Rockets aren't going anywhere and might be in a position to get even better, and OKC has managed to remain a playoff team with one of the best players in the NBA out for most of the year. And every one of those teams gets the benefit of the calls over us.

I hate to be like this, but I just see a lot more downside, like this is going to be a team that is really good but not quite good enough. Or, even worse, LA leaves. Then we're sunk.

Sorry, I am just depressed. Games like tonight's are games I feel you need to win. You can say well wait until the playoffs, it only matters that we do it in the playoffs. I just don't see anything to excite me that we can play better than the other Western Conference playoff teams to win more than one series, and I don't know how we are going to surpass them while LA still is in his prime. Ugh. I hate feeling like this.

You just admitted everything I fear but try not to say out load. Good team, likable guys but not dominant & definitely not comfortable being front runners. You're right it's hard to see winning more than 1 series. It took two monster/career 40+ games from LA + a .9 miracle to win 1 series last year. It was amazing, exhilarating, but not sustainable. It feels like that's what it's going to take to win even 1 series again this year. We'd be underdogs vs Clips, Rockets, or Spurs even if we did have home court, which we probably won't after tonight. It does hurt watching our defense get torched w/o Wes. Didn't realize what an anchor he was. Not a lock down "stopper", just a really solid team defender. It feels like one and done for us. MAYBE we catch lightening or our opponent has a crazy injury and we win A series. Hard to see WCF or better. We just don't get enough stops, and our offense is good but we're not the Dubs. I'm just hoping we show up well enough to make LA feel good about staying. Beyond that, I don't see how we can get much better. We don't have enough draft picks, or studs youngsters playing on rookie contracts that can either improve a lot or be packaged in a trade for a real difference maker. We also wont have any cap room if we re-sign the guys we already have. It could be worse. 50 win seasons and playoff appearances with a good group of guys isn't terrible. Even if it doesn't end up with a championship. The only downer is we keep starting seasons 30-8 which makes us think we have a chance at being elite.

 

[Duvalier]

We should win our next 6 games, no question. Go Blazers!

Is this like your last thread "Looking At The Rest Of The Schedule And We'll Go Undefeated" when there were like 15 games left?

 

[blue32]

what i saw:
constant shitty screens by rolo. bad offensive choices (dame continually getting trapped at the base line) move to the center for fucks sake. dame whining and not putting his head down and playing, terrible defense on CP3, shitty screens by kaman. (trend here?) and on/off again play from dame. not being more dynamic on the offensive side when LAC started making runs.

biggest things though, the screens we set, and the defense play on the PnR/PnP's. I don't get it. We do it, so why can't we learn how to defend it at least somewhat?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

biggest things though, the screens we set, and the defense play on the PnR/PnP's. I don't get it. We do it, so why can't we learn how to defend it at least somewhat?

We don't do it well (as you say, poor screens), so we only practice defending poor PnR's. When we come up against well-executed screens, we're unprepared for them.

 

[S550]

Terrible terrible terrible loss

You can literally set a timer on when we will blow a lead. Dallas and Portland are the two most beatable teams this playoffs.

I can't wait till the season is over. This one hurt. This loss is indicative of where the Blazers are as a team. Very much fools gold imo. You couldn't put away a team the Blazers went up 19 on that was playing on the second night of a back-to-back is not a good look for Portland. Plus your playing them at home. Pathetic.

If you think about it Blazers haven't defeated a playoff-bound team since Mar. 15 when they beat Toronto. And really Toronto isn't really a team you can hang your hat on but hey whatever. Then after that win a five-game losing streak happens then four wins over the likes of Utah, Denver and Phoenix (twice). All teams lottery bound.


Let's hope LMA resigns and focus on that.

 

[illmatic99]

Our defensive numbers have improved so much, but it all comes down to this. In crunch time, with 10 seconds, up by 1, and the ball in the hands of someone like CP, Curry, TP, or Harden, will we get a stop to win the game?

I have no hope for a stop. CP got anything he wanted last night-- he absolutely ROASTED anyone who was guarding him. A near 40-20 game on the second night of back to back is transcendental stuff. Last year, with Wes in the lineup against Harden, we had a chance. But with him sidelined we miss our best on-ball defender.

All in all, very discouraged.

 

[magnifier661]

#4 seed without HCA against either LAC, Houston, or SA. Not too confident.

We won't play on the road in the first round. I Guaransheed it

 

[HailBlazers]

Our defensive numbers have improved so much, but it all comes down to this. In crunch time, with 10 seconds, up by 1, and the ball in the hands of someone like CP, Curry, TP, or Harden, will we get a stop to win the game?

I have no hope for a stop. CP got anything he wanted last night-- he absolutely ROASTED anyone who was guarding him. A near 40-20 game on the second night of back to back is transcendental stuff. Last year, with Wes in the lineup against Harden, we had a chance. But with him sidelined we miss our best on-ball defender.

All in all, very discouraged.

Without Wes, we're pretty much doomed in this crazy tough Western conference.

Attending tonight's game ... here are my thoughts:

- This loss is 100% on Coach Stotts. His inability to teach proper pick and roll defense is mind-boggling. What worse is there were no in-game adjustments to what the Clippers were running. Why in the hell weren't we trying to trap CP3 in the corner or at least show a double-team?
- Had a feeling we'd let this game slip away in the middle of the second quarter when we kept hitting shot after shot, yet failed to clamp down on defense. Honestly, we should have been p 20+ at the half. And for a team playing on the second night of a back to back, that could have been enough to crush the Clippers spirits.
- Portland panics. I don't know when it started or why, but when teams make runs on the Blazers late in game, our squad tightens up. Instead of running the offense, we frantically dump it down low to Aldridge and we play iso ball. This happened on three-to-four possessions right after LAC took the initial lead.
- I'm trying not to knee-jerk, but that loss probably just cost us Home Court Advantage.
- One of the best offensive performances of the season. Everyone seemed in rhythm and locked in. It's a shame it went to waste.

Couldn't agree more. So frustrating watching the ball movement die and the lack of changes in approach on D.

 

[illmatic99]

Stotts is getting a bit exposed as of late, we'll see what he does in the playoffs.

Thibs has one foot out the door in CHI. Him being on the market this summer will give me real pause if Stotts flames out in the playoffs

 

[S550]

I would definitely consider firing Stotts if we're one and done this playoffs. I like what golden state did last year with mark jackson after their 1st round exit. It seems we just need that one coach to take us to the next step.

 

[kjironman1]

There ya go. Fire The Coach! That's the answer.

 

[blue9]

Anybody know if there were injuries that cleared the way for Austin Rivers to get playing time? Or is it just daddy/daughter day everyday in LAC? My god he's terrible! He actually puts forth decent effort, but he should really be in the d-league. It's disgraceful that his dad traded for him so he could gift him playing time.
Also, WTF happened to the ESPN site? (I'm sure it's already been discussed, but it's my first time seeing it...)

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Anybody know if there were injuries that cleared the way for Austin Rivers to get playing time? Or is it just daddy/daughter day everyday in LAC? My god he's terrible! He actually puts forth decent effort, but he should really be in the d-league. It's disgraceful that his dad traded for him so he could gift him playing time.
Also, WTF happened to the ESPN site? (I'm sure it's already been discussed, but it's my first time seeing it...)

He is the only PG on the roster outside of CP3. But yes, his daddy probably planned it that way so he would have to play. Rivers (last I looked) has under 10 for PER. He is awful.

ESPN site has it's own thread already...

 

[S550]

There ya go. Fire The Coach! That's the answer.

That's what golden state fans said last year too.. Now their on the way to a title

 

[BBert]

That's what golden state fans said last year too.. Now their on the way to a title

Link?

 

[magnifier661]

That's what golden state fans said last year too.. Now their on the way to a title

Yes they are the number 1 seed, but let's not pull the cart before the horse here. They haven't made it past the first round yet, and they definitely haven't reached the finals.

Denver, Dallas, Miami, Phoenix and Seattle all had seasons with the best record, dominating teams in the regular season. Do you know what they all had in common?! They lost in the first round when they were the #1 team in the league.

 

[Kaydow]

Attending tonight's game ... here are my thoughts:

- This loss is 100% on Coach Stotts. His inability to teach proper pick and roll defense is mind-boggling. What worse is there were no in-game adjustments to what the Clippers were running. Why in the hell weren't we trying to trap CP3 in the corner or at least show a double-team?
- Had a feeling we'd let this game slip away in the middle of the second quarter when we kept hitting shot after shot, yet failed to clamp down on defense. Honestly, we should have been p 20+ at the half. And for a team playing on the second night of a back to back, that could have been enough to crush the Clippers spirits.
- Portland panics. I don't know when it started or why, but when teams make runs on the Blazers late in game, our squad tightens up. Instead of running the offense, we frantically dump it down low to Aldridge and we play iso ball. This happened on three-to-four possessions right after LAC took the initial lead.
- I'm trying not to knee-jerk, but that loss probably just cost us Home Court Advantage.
- One of the best offensive performances of the season. Everyone seemed in rhythm and locked in. It's a shame it went to waste.
- Terrible non-call on Redick at the end. That was an easy offensive foul and would have given the Blazers the ball with a chance to tie. There's no saying we would have converted, and it wasn't the reason we lost, but file it under the ongoing list of shafts we get late in games from the officials.
- We lost, but at least we don't root for the Clippers. That team is a disgrace to the game of basketball with their antics.

Agreed on all points. Towards the end of the 3rd quarter Stotts sat all of the starters. 11 pt lead was down to 4 when Dame checked in with about 9 min left in the game. By the time LA checked back in at around 7:00 min mark it was a 1 pt game. What did he think a lineup of Blake, Wright, Freeland, CJ, Kaman was going to do? He assumed since offense came so easy earlier in the game & with Clips on 2nd end of B to B that the starters would be able to restore order if (or when) the bench blew the lead. But too much momentum had been built. He finally panicked & called a t/o just to get LA back in the game when the lead was cut to one. The damage was done and Clips smelled blood in the water. Of course we need to make sure our top guys get enough rest, but when and how you do it are critical. I don't like his sub patterns. Not to mention his defensive philosophy. We are completely fine with giving up uncontested mid range jumpers, & lately we've been giving open 3s also. We never pressure or force t/o's, which is a big reason we don't score many fast break points. He doesn't even acknowledge the defensive failures. Last night he said "I suppose our defense could have been a little better, but you have to credit the Clippers for making shots". He always says that. Yeah Terry, WIDE OPEN shots. Only time I heard him voice displeasure with defense was after loss in ORL a few weeks ago. Other than that it's scary how he sees the game and that his strategy is hopefully our opponents miss all of the open midrange shots we willingly offer up.

 

[riverman]

Two things that impacted the game beyond our defense. Jordan made some freethrows and Griffin hit two 3s after only shooting a few all season. All this with a monster game by CP3 that was tough to counter. Face it folks, the Clipps played a great second half and beat the good guys. No need for a meltdown. We lost by a couple of points and it sounds like we were blown out. We just got beat! There'll be plenty of chances to beat them in the playoffs. I'm not giving up on this season but go ahead if it gives you joy. Fire the coach, chase LA to Texas, etc...not me. I still have faith.

 

[kjironman1]

That's what golden state fans said last year too.. Now their on the way to a title

I'm still not convinced the Golden State Warriors are actually built to win in the Playoffs. The series they lost last year to the Clippers was due to Turnovers and a massive deficit of scoring in the paint. They decided to allow Iggy to handle the ball to get Curry more open looks and when the defense shut him down they simply could not score. Of the teams that matchup well against them, the Clippers are one of them. No question the Warriors have gotten better and Steve Kerr has done a great job. But i have to feel that the lack of injuries and the improved play of both Thompson and Bogut with a healthy Lee is the real answer here. This has created space for Curry to excel and remember Curry also has not twisted an ankle all year to this point. Funny how that works.

 

[Kaydow]

Two things that impacted the game beyond our defense. Jordan made some freethrows and Griffin hit two 3s after only shooting a few all season. All this with a monster game by CP3 that was tough to counter. Face it folks, the Clipps played a great second half and beat the good guys. No need for a meltdown. We lost by a couple of points and it sounds like we were blown out. We just got beat! There'll be plenty of chances to beat them in the playoffs. I'm not giving up on this season but go ahead if it gives you joy. Fire the coach, chase LA to Texas, etc...not me. I still have faith.

I think it's safe to say anyone who's posting here hasn't truly given up on the season. Even the ones that say so don't really mean it. I'll admit, I had NO confidence we would beat the Rockets last year, and this year feels a lot like that. We started 30-8 and went 18-18 after both years (for different reasons). But last year taught us that it's not a death sentence to sputter in the 2nd half of the season. Everybody is 0-0 & anything can happen in the playoffs. That said, it's disappointing to see the reoccurring patterns. Sure, CP is great. But when a guy is killing you like that show him some different looks! Some of us that nag about Stotts don't necessarily want to show him the door, but maybe bring in an assistant with a defensive mind. We won't be elite until we change our defensive strategy. We need to be able to trap better, force at least an average amount of t/o's, and attack our opponents playmakers instead of letting them dictate everything. We need to switch on screens more, and contest shots better. Elite teams are hard to score on. They suffocate & make you feel uncomfortable by locking you up, at least for stretches of the game. That's the step we need to take to be elite.