Hmm what has the Brain Trust learned?

[Uther TheGardener]

1. Outlaw cant be counted on in big games...good in the reg season sad in the playoffs.
2. we are back to what it was in the preseason....
3. need a better pg and sf
4. that the core is roy alrdidge joel oden and rudy.....the rest? not so much
5. there are moves needed to be made in the offseason.
6. bayless doesnt fit the team

 

[Sheldon Shape]

When I look back and think, I was hollering for the Blazers to look to acquire Mo Williams. He was had for nothing and he's still very young. He would be have been a terrific fit with the Blazers and next to Roy. I don't know if there were perceived character issues but Mo Williams would have been a great addition to this team. He could have been had for nothing.

 

[Tince]

3 games is way too small of a sample size

 

[Uther TheGardener]

well its only 7 games first to 4 wins thats the breaks....

 

[Sheldon Shape]

3 games is way too small of a sample size

Well we can't have a bigger sample size unless the players in question step their game up.

 

[MARIS61]

All 6 of your assumptons are just as wrong as they were last fall.

Bake it!

 

[Tince]

Well we can't have a bigger sample size unless the players in question step their game up.

If we are only using 3 playoff games to base all our assumptions, then you left out a few things.

1) Roy and Aldridge are horribly inconsistent.
2) Our posts will be in foul trouble every playoff game they ever play in.
3) Batum is garbage and needs to be traded.
4) Joel and Greg can't defend centers 1 on 1.

All of those assumptions are wrong, but not if we are only using the last 3 games to make them.

 

[C_note]

Houston is probably the best defensive team in the league...give him a break.

 

[Tince]

Houston is probably the best defensive team in the league...give him a break.

Stop with the logical statements!

 

[oldguy]

I don't know how much they've learned. I'm sure the BT already knew the team was inexperienced. I'm also sure they knew that this is the first playoff series for almost all the guys.

Here's hoping Trav makes you eat your words tomorrow.

Batum WILL make you eat your words, cause he IS part of the core.

Bayless is a rook. You don't have a clue whether he's going to fit in.

What the brain trust DID learn is how fast some of their fan base will turn on the players and coaches during their first playoff series in six? years.

Go Blazers

 

[Tince]

I don't know how much they've learned. I'm sure the BT already knew the team was inexperienced. I'm also sure they knew that this is the first playoff series for almost all the guys.

Here's hoping Trav makes you eat your words tomorrow.

Batum WILL make you eat your words, cause he IS part of the core.

Bayless is a rook. You don't have a clue whether he's going to fit in.

What the brain trust DID learn is how fast some of their fan base will turn on the players and coaches during their first playoff series in six? years.

Go Blazers

BANG PA-POW

 

[illmatic99]

If we are only using 3 playoff games to base all our assumptions, then you left out a few things.

1) Roy and Aldridge are horribly inconsistent.

And are constantly hounded by two + defenders at all times.

2) Our posts will be in foul trouble every playoff game they ever play in.

The refs are absolutely horrendous.

3) Batum is garbage and needs to be traded.

He's also a 20 year old rookie who doesn't get the ball or play much.

4) Joel and Greg can't defend centers 1 on 1.

So? double teaming and fronting is working. It's not like having to converge on Yao is something adverse on the Blazers' side.

What's Outlaw's excuse?

 

[Tince]

And are constantly hounded by two + defenders at all times.



The refs are absolutely horrendous.



He's also a 20 year old rookie who doesn't get the ball or play much.



So? double teaming and fronting is working. It's not like having to converge on Yao is something adverse on the Blazers' side.

What's Outlaw's excuse?

I was pointing out how stupid it would be to make judgements based on 3 games, but you obviously thought I was serious

 

[Uther TheGardener]

well if you dont know the brain trust had a meeting after the game....I think we have seen enough of outlaw to know what he will do...the baking? what getting to the playoffs....dont be blind and in denial there are changes to be made. that much is clear

 

[Sheldon Shape]

If we are only using 3 playoff games to base all our assumptions, then you left out a few things.

1) Roy and Aldridge are horribly inconsistent.
2) Our posts will be in foul trouble every playoff game they ever play in.
3) Batum is garbage and needs to be traded.
4) Joel and Greg can't defend centers 1 on 1.

All of those assumptions are wrong, but not if we are only using the last 3 games to make them.

1) Better than anyone else on the team.
2) Our posts are usually in foul trouble anyways.
3) Batum is 19 or 20 vs Outlaw and Blake being 6 year veterans in the league
4) Joel and Greg are playing against the best center in the league, Yao Ming. Playing Yao Ming and playing "centers" is a big difference.

 

[Natebishop3]

1) Better than anyone else on the team.
2) Our posts are usually in foul trouble anyways.
3) Batum is 19 or 20 vs Outlaw and Blake being 6 year veterans in the league
4) Joel and Greg are playing against the best center in the league, Yao Ming. Playing Yao Ming and playing "centers" is a big difference.

Does Tince need to put his posts inbetween [sarcasm] [/sarcasm] brackets? It was very obvious to me that he was being sarcastic to prove a point. I don't see how any of you could read that and think he was being serious.

 

[C_note]

Well these are the kind of people we have to deal with.

 

[southnc]

Didn't M Williams sign for like 50M+ with Milw (after Heat tried to get him during FA). He sucked and then was traded to Cleveland.

He can play offense, buy no defense at all. He scored like a mad dog on Sergio (with Blake out), but was completely shut-down against Blake.

Mo would not be an upgrade on this team.

 

[BClutch]

1. Outlaw cant be counted on in big games...good in the reg season sad in the playoffs.

Maybe, we've still got at least two more games and this series has been tough on the whole team. If he doesn't produce in the playoffs this year I'd say he's more disposable than Webster or Batum. I wish he'd at least give us some hustle. Something other than scoring to keep him around for . . .

2. we are back to what it was in the preseason....

??

3. need a better pg and sf

First up Rudy needs more minutes. He should be in there 30+ instead of Blake or Outlaw, especially the way those two have been playing.
Secondly Bayless. See what he picks up over the off season. Maybe he can transform himself into a point guard like Chauncy Billups did when he came into the league? We might have part of our answer already here.
Thirdly Webster. This was supposed to be his break out season. Let's see what we've got there when he's healthy.

All this said. Grabbing a PG/combo guard who can defend the perimeter, shoot the three, and run the fast break would be helpful.

4. that the core is roy alrdidge joel oden and rudy.....the rest? not so much

You forgot Batum. I'd say that's a pretty good core to work with though.

5. there are moves needed to be made in the offseason.

Yes. Tweaks, and adjustments. Not overhauls.

6. bayless doesnt fit the team

Lol? We've got two combo guards already in Rudy and Roy (plus Blake really). If he can alter his game enough to be a combo with either of them, and get himself under control within an offense he could work very well with them. I'm going to have to say hold onto him for a year or two and see if he develops unless you get a can't turn down deal, or you find someone that will for sure work.

 

[bigbailes]

my dislike for nate goes way beyond what he has done in this playoff series. i still dont' think he's the coach that will lead this team into its championship window.

 

[durvasa]

Portland has a bright future. It's unusual for a team so young to be so good. They need better PG play, but other than that this team is pretty stacked. Oden needs to be featured more in his second year, because he's going to be a star if he's developed the right way. Definitely don't give up on Batum.

The team needs to get better defensively, but that will come with more experience. Young teams are rarely good on the defensive side. Offensively, Portland was already one of the most efficient in the league. With a better PG, you should look to take advantage in transition more often.

 

[THE HCP]

This "Rocket" fan makes more sense then 80% of you "Blazer" fans!

 

[Further]

I think the brain trust laid a brain fart.

1. Outlaw cant be counted on in big games...good in the reg season sad in the playoffs.

This is perhaps the only correct of your assumptions, but even so, he is a bench player and we are basing this on only 3 games.

2. we are back to what it was in the preseason....

This is just stupid. Roy and LMA are both better, Oden has a year of healing and experience. Rudy and Batum are new additions who are showing they should be very valuable in the future.

3. need a better pg and sf

We likely do need an upgrade at PG but I think Blake should do fine for another year while we see if Bayless or Koponen has the tools to take over in the future. An upgrade would also means that one needs to be available to get, and for a price worth paying. Specifics need to be discussed. As far as SF, I think Batum is the future at that spot. The best defending rookie I think I have ever seen in a Blazers uni, and his offense is just very raw but should be good in the future since he has a nice stroke and a bit of a mean streak. Webster will also be back next year. An upgrade at SF is not on the top of my list.

4. that the core is roy alrdidge joel oden and rudy.....the rest? not so much

Add Batum and perhaps Bayless and Webster, time will tell. And thats a pretty deep core. Most cores are 2-4 players deep. We have a lot of talent, we are just extremely young.

5. there are moves needed to be made in the offseason.

Like most every team, some tweeks will be made, but overall this is a very healthy bunch of kids to have as our core. And considering we have a 1st and 4 2nd rounders, Koponen and Freeland, and ~7mil cap space, and lots of well priced contracts, we should be able to find some more pieces without giving up on our core.

6. bayless doesnt fit the team

I don't agree at all. I think Bayless with his excellent athleticism and great speed and attention to defense, is exactly what this team needs. A PG who can chase around all the Parkers,Pauls,Brooks and other speedy players. Get his shooting stroke going and he should be excellent with Roy. And if Bayless ever does get better at distributing, then he can also play alongside others without Roy handling those duties. Bayless is young and needs experience. But I think he and Batum are gems in the rough.

 

[Boob-No-More]

1. Outlaw cant be counted on in big games...good in the reg season sad in the playoffs.
2. we are back to what it was in the preseason....
3. need a better pg and sf
4. that the core is roy alrdidge joel oden and rudy.....the rest? not so much
5. there are moves needed to be made in the offseason.
6. bayless doesnt fit the team

Exactly whose brain are you trusting?

If you're referring to the Blazers management, I'm pretty sure they're level headed enough not to jump to rash conclusions after a sample size of 3 playoff games (or 1 game totaling less than 9 minutes in the case of Bayless).

A lot of fans bashed Pritchard in this forum when he didn't make a trade at the deadline. Turns out, he was right. The team finished much stronger than anyone thought they would, won 9 of their last 10, had blow out wins over the Lakers, the Spurs (twice), the Nuggets, etc. and secured a top 4 seed and HCA in the first round of the playoffs. They exceeded expectations.

Now those expectations have risen overnight. Now they are expected to dominate a much more experienced team in the post season. Other than the game 1 blowout, they've done fine. They are learning as they go. They played MUCH better in game 2 than game 1. They played much better in the 2nd half of game 3 than in the 1st half. The playoffs are all about matchups and adjustments. This is on-the-job-training for these young Blazers. The problem is some fans expect them to pass the test before they've had a chance to learn the lessons.

Sure, there will be roster tweaks, and KP will do everything he can to improve the team, but what they need more than anything is time - they need to gain experience, and fans with unrealistic expectations need to gain some patience.

BNM

 

[Uther TheGardener]

problem is 6 years and he is what he is.....

 

[anonymous gambler]

I think the lessons from this post-season are pretty clear- we need a defensive upgrade at the point guard position. WE may end up beating Houston in this series, but Blake has confirmed many of our feelings about him. He can't defend speedy point guards and can't create his own offense on a consistent basis or run a fast break.

I'm less concerned about the 3 spot- though I would jump at a chance to get a star like Butler or a good player like Wallace- Webster, Batum, Outlaw and Rudy should be sufficient to cover us here.

I think Outlaw is a keeper at his cheap salary- even if he hasn't come through thus far in this series.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Portland has a bright future. It's unusual for a team so young to be so good. They need better PG play, but other than that this team is pretty stacked. Oden needs to be featured more in his second year, because he's going to be a star if he's developed the right way. Definitely don't give up on Batum.

The team needs to get better defensively, but that will come with more experience. Young teams are rarely good on the defensive side. Offensively, Portland was already one of the most efficient in the league. With a better PG, you should look to take advantage in transition more often.

This "Rocket" fan makes more sense then 80% of you "Blazer" fans!

Amazing what a little distance does for your perspective.

Durvasa I think you pretty much nailed it.

 

[Uther TheGardener]

outlaw's defense wont get any better.....

 

[roydezlaw]

Outlaw has more value than he's given credit for here. He pulls a good defender away from Roy when he's in the game. That partly explains his +/- of +9 for the series. Only Oden at +10 is better and he can't stay on the floor. Roy is -23, Pryz -35, LA -13, Batum -32, Blake -17 and Rudy -3.

But I expected the same crap to be posted here now that they are down to the team we all thought was a bad matchup.

I expect a win today. Go blazers.

 

[Kaydow]

When I look back and think, I was hollering for the Blazers to look to acquire Mo Williams. He was had for nothing and he's still very young. He would be have been a terrific fit with the Blazers and next to Roy. I don't know if there were perceived character issues but Mo Williams would have been a great addition to this team. He could have been had for nothing.

I don't think there are any character issues (that I've heard anyways) I saw an interview a few weeks ago where Mo said that playing next to Labron James has been the most fun he's had in his career. He gave the highest praise for James as a team player and said he wants to spend the rest of his career playing with him (whether James stays in Cleveland, or bolts in 2010 in which case Mo suggested he would follow LBJ wherever)

That was impressive to me. Seems like Mo gets it.