Hollinger: "Portland looked downright scary."

[Wheels]

i dont recall him

Honestly I dont recall much from you from my days at O-live... Not saying that as a sleight to you.. just thinking it might be after you were done there, and more my time.

 

[MIXUM]

i was there around 2003-2006ish

 

[Wheels]

yeah I was there those times.. maybe you just werent as "loud?" back in the day? I was there up until early 2009.. might have been around that time.

 

[HailBlazers]

i was there around 2003-2006ish

Have you ever been to Oregon, the real life place?

 

[magnifier661]

i was there around 2003-2006ish

My stint in O-live was from 1999-Present with time off during all the losing seasons.... Pun on your "band wagon" theory.

 

[MIXUM]

yes had bite at portland city grill.

 

[Spud147]

Sorry to change the subject back to the original post but I know exactly what he is talking about. They looked different. Not in the actual play but in their demeanor and body language. Two things really stood out to me.

First, it was a close game and even when Miami would hit a clutch shot (that would have demoralized the young Blazers) they just kept coming back and calmly answering with their own clutch shot. In past seasons you would've seen them get all excited about hitting the shot and then briefly lose focus. You didn't see any Blazer out on the court in the last few minutes of that game even crack a smile after a big shot. They were just concentrating and focused. Don't hate me for saying this but, they looked like Lakers (that confidence)... the were convinced they were going to win. Not nervous, not scared to lose... multiple players willingly stepping up to take the risk of shooting with the game on the line and hitting clutch shots

The second thing that really stood out is that by the fourth quarter (with the Portland offense looking like a well oiled machine) LaMarcus didn't even look like he was working up a sweat. It looked downright easy for him, like he was just unguardable. It seemed effortless for him in a Tim Duncan kind of way.

I understand why the media are all obsessed with them, they're a much more interesting storyline. But if they'd really watched the game they'd have realized that losing to the Blazers that particular night was nothing to be embarrassed about. I think any team that had to play Portland that night was going to lose. The Heat didn't play poorly against Portland, Portland really did put together an exceptional game. I really hope it wasn't an anomaly and I think the Heat are going to beat the Lakers tonight.

 

[e_blazer]

Nice post, Spud.

 

[tlongII]

This is a "tough" Blazer team. Wallace and Matthews and Miller are all physical, tough players. I think this team is developing an "edge" to it that we haven't seen before. Even Aldridge is no longer the softie he was previously perceived to be. If we ever get a healthy Oden in the fold I don't think teams will want to play us.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

This is a "tough" Blazer team. Wallace and Matthews and Miller are all physical, tough players. I think this team is developing an "edge" to it that we haven't seen before. Even Aldridge is no longer the softie he was previously perceived to be. If we ever get a healthy Oden in the fold I don't think teams will want to play us.

Not just physically, but mentally too. Roy and Andre are calm under pressure, and it rubs off on the other players. Matthews plays more mature than a 2nd year player normally does, and LMA is starting to act like the Veteran Go-To Guy. Marcus has seen it all too, and is steady. We aren't the 2007-08 Blazers that won 13 games on duct tape, bailing wire and emotion. That 4th quarter (heck, the whole game) was a Team In Charge taking shots from an opponent and Responding In Kind.

 

[Spud147]

Nice post, Spud.

Well thank you! Rep?

 

[PapaG]

Sorry to change the subject back to the original post but I know exactly what he is talking about. They looked different. Not in the actual play but in their demeanor and body language. Two things really stood out to me.

First, it was a close game and even when Miami would hit a clutch shot (that would have demoralized the young Blazers) they just kept coming back and calmly answering with their own clutch shot. In past seasons you would've seen them get all excited about hitting the shot and then briefly lose focus. You didn't see any Blazer out on the court in the last few minutes of that game even crack a smile after a big shot. They were just concentrating and focused. Don't hate me for saying this but, they looked like Lakers (that confidence)... the were convinced they were going to win. Not nervous, not scared to lose... multiple players willingly stepping up to take the risk of shooting with the game on the line and hitting clutch shots

The second thing that really stood out is that by the fourth quarter (with the Portland offense looking like a well oiled machine) LaMarcus didn't even look like he was working up a sweat. It looked downright easy for him, like he was just unguardable. It seemed effortless for him in a Tim Duncan kind of way.

I understand why the media are all obsessed with them, they're a much more interesting storyline. But if they'd really watched the game they'd have realized that losing to the Blazers that particular night was nothing to be embarrassed about. I think any team that had to play Portland that night was going to lose. The Heat didn't play poorly against Portland, Portland really did put together an exceptional game. I really hope it wasn't an anomaly and I think the Heat are going to beat the Lakers tonight.

I had basically the same feeling watching it. It's almost like I trust this team to not completely collapse or wilt under pressure. In the past, Roy was the only consistent performer at the end of games, and I'd get nervous if he didn't have the ball. Now, it's a veteran team, with the right amount of youth sprinkled into increasingly specific roles. I like it, and it's just plain fun to watch the different parts coming together. Now, they just need Oden next year, and let's see what happens!

Nice to see you, Spud!

 

[e_blazer]

Well thank you! Rep?

Consider it done.

Actually, it is done.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Sorry to change the subject back to the original post but I know exactly what he is talking about. They looked different. Not in the actual play but in their demeanor and body language. Two things really stood out to me.

First, it was a close game and even when Miami would hit a clutch shot (that would have demoralized the young Blazers) they just kept coming back and calmly answering with their own clutch shot. In past seasons you would've seen them get all excited about hitting the shot and then briefly lose focus. You didn't see any Blazer out on the court in the last few minutes of that game even crack a smile after a big shot. They were just concentrating and focused. Don't hate me for saying this but, they looked like Lakers (that confidence)... the were convinced they were going to win. Not nervous, not scared to lose... multiple players willingly stepping up to take the risk of shooting with the game on the line and hitting clutch shots

The second thing that really stood out is that by the fourth quarter (with the Portland offense looking like a well oiled machine) LaMarcus didn't even look like he was working up a sweat. It looked downright easy for him, like he was just unguardable. It seemed effortless for him in a Tim Duncan kind of way.

I understand why the media are all obsessed with them, they're a much more interesting storyline. But if they'd really watched the game they'd have realized that losing to the Blazers that particular night was nothing to be embarrassed about. I think any team that had to play Portland that night was going to lose. The Heat didn't play poorly against Portland, Portland really did put together an exceptional game. I really hope it wasn't an anomaly and I think the Heat are going to beat the Lakers tonight.

Nice post, Spud.

Yes, that was a nice post!

Rep'd!

 

[HailBlazers]

Yes, that was a nice post!

Very, Nice.

The Heat didn't play poorly against Portland, Portland really did put together an exceptional game. I really hope it wasn't an anomaly and I think the Heat are going to beat the Lakers tonight.

 

[RR7]

I'm still shocked in the Miami game that they chose not to put Wade onto Miller towards the end. Would have done a better job of harassing the two man game Miller and Aldridge were running, and Chalmers would have been ok on Matthews, passable at least. Was really surprised.

The biggest thing for us, matching up with a team like Miami, or other teams with a couple of big scorers is, we never have to go without a solid defender in the game on them. With Matthews, Wallace and Batum, we can always have two of the 3 out there. Even better, we have seen both Batum AND Matthews cover PGs for stretches of games this season. So when we face, say, OKC, you get a 3 man rotation on Durant, and a 2 man rotation on Westbrook. And Miller could cover Sefolosha just fine. And there's the bonus of their defense being different styles. Length and finesse of Batum, and strength and aggressiveness of Wallace and Matthews.

I just really, REALLY wish we had one more big. I do like our small ball lineup, primarily because we're not stuck with someone who is a liability on offense, like we are often with Joel. But would be nice to have those fouls in a playoff series. We still have an open roster spot, right?

 

[magnifier661]

Very nice post SPUD! I couldn't have said it better myself.

One thing that really stood out was how quick they were defensively. It almost was suffocating to the other team. No wonder why only their superstars could score!

 

[Masbee]

This is a "tough" Blazer team. Wallace and Matthews and Miller are all physical, tough players. I think this team is developing an "edge" to it that we haven't seen before. Even Aldridge is no longer the softie he was previously perceived to be. If we ever get a healthy Oden in the fold I don't think teams will want to play us.

To daydream about a healthy Blazer team next season during the lockout shortened season:

Miller; Wes; Wallace; LA; Oden

That's our "knock you around and bruise you up good" lineup.

 

[MIXUM]

really scary team.

someone forgot to tell bobcats

 

[julius]

really scary team.

someone forgot to tell bobcats

There are different kinds of scary. Last night, Portland was scary bad.

 

[oldmangrouch]

There is something fundamentally wrong with this team. They are incapable of sustaining success.

"Hey, if we win tonight, they will expect us to win tomorrow too! Who needs that kind of pressure?"

 

[Minstrel]

There is something fundamentally wrong with this team. They are incapable of sustaining success.

"Hey, if we win tonight, they will expect us to win tomorrow too! Who needs that kind of pressure?"

Yup. Every Blazers team is jammed with evil, lazy people who don't want to win. Every year, the Blazers could win the championship, if only they cared more and were mentally tough (not afraid of the pressure of winning). I think you're onto something.

 

[e_blazer]

There is something fundamentally wrong with this team. They are incapable of sustaining success.

"Hey, if we win tonight, they will expect us to win tomorrow too! Who needs that kind of pressure?"

I don't think anybody here would say that the Blazers don't have some shortcomings with their roster. They have to play hard and with confidence every night to win. Some nights, like last night, they just can't seem to get it together. This happens to all teams in the NBA (witness what's happened in the way of unexpected losses for the Heat and Lakers this year), but the better and more experienced the roster, the less frequently it happens.

I guess the thing I don't get with some people around here is the crazy over-reaction when the Blazers hit one of these road bumps. Me, I cuss them out during the game, bay at the moon afterwards, and then calm down and realize that at best this team is going to win 60% of its games the rest of the season. There's absolutely nothing that can be done to correct the deficiencies in the roster until summer. There's little that can be done to cure the inconsistency of the outside shooters on this team...they are who they are. Nate can, and should, use this as a teaching tool to get the younger guys to realize that they have to bring it every night, but still there are going to be nights like last night. You either accept that or get your doctor to up your blood pressure meds.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Yup. Every Blazers team is jammed with evil, lazy people who don't want to win. Every year, the Blazers could win the championship, if only they cared more and were mentally tough (not afraid of the pressure of winning). I think you're onto something.

See! Now that you are no longer weighed down by mod responsibilities, you are starting to come around!

 

[maxiep]

I don't think anybody here would say that the Blazers don't have some shortcomings with their roster. They have to play hard and with confidence every night to win. Some nights, like last night, they just can't seem to get it together. This happens to all teams in the NBA (witness what's happened in the way of unexpected losses for the Heat and Lakers this year), but the better and more experienced the roster, the less frequently it happens.

I guess the thing I don't get with some people around here is the crazy over-reaction when the Blazers hit one of these road bumps. Me, I cuss them out during the game, bay at the moon afterwards, and then calm down and realize that at best this team is going to win 60% of its games the rest of the season. There's absolutely nothing that can be done to correct the deficiencies in the roster until summer. There's little that can be done to cure the inconsistency of the outside shooters on this team...they are who they are. Nate can, and should, use this as a teaching tool to get the younger guys to realize that they have to bring it every night, but still there are going to be nights like last night. You either accept that or get your doctor to up your blood pressure meds.

Perfectly said. Repped.

 

[maxiep]

At least we have the potential to be scary. That's a level that only the top 8-10 teams have. It's a hell of a lot better than being the Timberwolves.

 

[oldmangrouch]

At least we have the potential to be scary. That's a level that only the top 8-10 teams have. It's a hell of a lot better than being the Timberwolves.

Fair enough. It still leaves the question of *why* the team can't sustain a high level of play. With Roy and Camby back, and Wallace on board, the fatigue/lack of depth argument no longer flies. It is now beginning to look like the problem is strictly between the ears.

 

[Minstrel]

Fair enough. It still leaves the question of *why* the team can't sustain a high level of play. With Roy and Camby back, and Wallace on board, the fatigue/lack of depth argument no longer flies. It is now beginning to look like the problem is strictly between the ears.

It's because they're not talented enough to be a top-5 team. You can't take an individual's or team's best and claim that that's what they should be all the time if they just tried hard. Performance has variance...sometimes you play somewhat above your level, sometimes below. The reason a guy like Carmelo Anthony or Joe Johnson can have games that are equivalent to Kobe Bryant but can't sustain that level is not effort...it's talent. It takes Kobe Bryant talent to play like Kobe Bryant all the time. Lesser talents can hit that level once in a while, but not all the time.

The Blazers are good enough to sometimes play like a top team, but not good enough to always play at a top level. The Lakers or Celtics are the team equivalent to Kobe Bryant...the Blazers are the team equivalent to someone like Joe Johnson (or even Carmelo Anthony). Good, maybe very good, but not capable of sustaining elite play.

 

[oldmangrouch]

It's because they're not talented enough to be a top-5 team. You can't take an individual's or team's best and claim that that's what they should be all the time if they just tried hard. Performance has variance...sometimes you play somewhat above your level, sometimes below. The reason a guy like Carmelo Anthony or Joe Johnson can have games that are equivalent to Kobe Bryant but can't sustain that level is not effort...it's talent. It takes Kobe Bryant talent to play like Kobe Bryant all the time. Lesser talents can hit that level once in a while, but not all the time.

The Blazers are good enough to sometimes play like a top team, but not good enough to always play at a top level. The Lakers or Celtics are the team equivalent to Kobe Bryant...the Blazers are the team equivalent to someone like Joe Johnson (or even Carmelo Anthony). Good, maybe very good, but not capable of sustaining elite play.

Again, fair enough. Where we part company is this: A) It appears to me that the *effort* displayed on defense is inconsistent. This isn't "Matthews can't guard Wade 1-on-1", this is "is anybody even guarding that guy?" B) Sometimes the Blazers show good ball movement, other times they look like wooden indians. That isn't about talent - that is about focus/commitment to the game plan.

 

[Minstrel]

Again, fair enough. Where we part company is this: A) It appears to me that the *effort* displayed on defense is inconsistent. This isn't "Matthews can't guard Wade 1-on-1", this is "is anybody even guarding that guy?" B) Sometimes the Blazers show good ball movement, other times they look like wooden indians. That isn't about talent - that is about focus/commitment to the game plan.

Hmm. To me, both can be about either. By and large, I think professional athletes work extremely hard. There are some who seem more like cruise mentality, but I, personally, don't get that vibe about any of the regulars currently on the Blazers. So I generally default to talent, not effort. Inconsistent defense and ball movement can definitely be about ability. Both are simple matters of effort at low levels, but become more complicated at the NBA level. I mean, obviously the team could just pass it around the perimeter for 20 seconds, but that isn't meaningful ball movement. Meaningful ball movement, the kind that creates easier shots, is tougher and talent-based. Losing a guy on defense can either be not caring enough to get on him, or screwing up defensive rotations or getting fooled. Both the latter two I consider talent-based, as it takes some instinctive understanding of the flow of defense not to let that happen.

I'm not saying that they are definitely playing their hardest. I don't know them and I think it's not possible to know for sure just from watching. My guess would be that they are, but the talent is such that they're probably between a top ten and top fifteen team in the league but can sometimes look better (top-five) or worse (not a playoff team).