How long do we get to watch Oden get missed over and over again

[hasoos]

I just wanted to bring up the fact that if the Blazers keep missing Oden open in the middle over and over and over again I think I will be sick. If you can get Joe "Butter on my hands" Pryzbilla dunks and shots, you can get Oden shots. There have been so many times the last several games in particular, where he was open, and they just don't throw him the rock. The players also don't seem to realize you can just throw it up, and as long as he knows its coming, he will go get it. Just throw the damn rock.

Greg can't get involved in the game, unless the other players involve him.

 

[alex42083]

Yeah, it's been an issue ever since his first game this year... it's pretty frustrating to watch sometimes when he's waving his giant arms in the air for two, three seconds and he doesn't get it.
The only player who I really see force it in there off a pick and roll is Rudy, and he's always out there with Joel on the second unit. I don't think I've seen much of Rudy and Greg together involved in a pick and roll situation, but I know Rudy would look for him off the pick when he's always forcing it into Joel.

 

[hasoos]

It's funny too, because if you look down the Blazers scoreboard, you can tell everybody was having a hard time getting it going. Except for Greg. He only missed one shot. When you have a guy who is scoring at an 80% clip, throw him the rock. The Blazers are looking for somebody to step up and help. The best thing this team and it's "Live by the 3, die by the 3" mentality could use, is more interior buckets. Right now the Blazer 3's are being forced a lot, they are not rhythym 3's. Going inside 1st, will make the shots rhythym 3's.

 

[alex42083]

Who knows, it could be a trust issue too since they've seen Greg get stripped so often. But whenever he got the ball last night inside, good things happened. The coaching staff just needs to realize when you've got two talented big guys who can play inside like Greg and LMA, we just need to force it in there every play no matter what.

Let G.O. keep learning from his mistakes, that's the only way he'll get better. Compare to what he's doing now to the Miami game his first game back, it's been a world of difference.

 

[BBert]

I just wanted to bring up the fact that if the Blazers keep missing Oden open in the middle over and over and over again I think I will be sick. If you can get Joe "Butter on my hands" Pryzbilla dunks and shots, you can get Oden shots. There have been so many times the last several games in particular, where he was open, and they just don't throw him the rock. The players also don't seem to realize you can just throw it up, and as long as he knows its coming, he will go get it. Just throw the damn rock.

Greg can't get involved in the game, unless the other players involve him.

I agree. I was screaming at my tv a few times last night when he was wide open, and Roy or Blake would look right at him, then dribble off into space somewhere. The added benefit of lobbing it up to him is that if he catches it high and takes a quick shot he's less likely to get stripped. Plus, when he's open for so long, he then has to vacate the key, and then when the outside shot goes up, he hasn't had a chance to reclaim rebound position.

 

[hasoos]

Who knows, it could be a trust issue too since they've seen Greg get stripped so often. But whenever he got the ball last night inside, good things happened. The coaching staff just needs to realize when you've got two talented big guys who can play inside like Greg and LMA, we just need to force it in there every play no matter what.

Let G.O. keep learning from his mistakes, that's the only way he'll get better. Compare to what he's doing now to the Miami game his first game back, it's been a world of difference.

Exactly. We can't get better inside, unless we go inside. Guys can't learn, if you don't give them the chance. We may get our lumps, but the Blazers will be better for it by end of season.

 

[BlazersBlood]

It's funny too, because if you look down the Blazers scoreboard, you can tell everybody was having a hard time getting it going. Except for Greg. He only missed one shot. When you have a guy who is scoring at an 80% clip, throw him the rock. The Blazers are looking for somebody to step up and help. The best thing this team and it's "Live by the 3, die by the 3" mentality could use, is more interior buckets. Right now the Blazer 3's are being forced a lot, they are not rhythym 3's. Going inside 1st, will make the shots rhythym 3's.

Yup. It's frustrating watching GO flash to the hoop while he goes unnoticed. They need to make a bigger effort to get him the ball.

Rudy runs the pick n roll with Joel to perfection, why not let Rudy run it with Greg?

 

[BBert]

Greg has shown he's a good passer, with good court vision. And he'll get better. He had some very nice assists last night. Inside-outside gets you a much better rhythm shot; or better yet, and Oden dunk.

 

[illmatic99]

A simple lob pass up to the rim would suffice, but Roy and Blake are too afraid of turning it over, and thus look past the big fella.

 

[MrJayremmie]

Gotta let Sergio and Greg run the pick n roll more, or even Rudy and Greg.

But what I think should happen, is Greg needs to confront the team, including the coach, and tell them what he feels. He should be frustrated and say "I want the damn ball". He is progressing on offense, and at a faster pace since Mo Lucas has come back and we got some days of practice.

 

[handiman]

He's too big of a guy, and he's been too wide open, to miss. I have to think they're intentionally not looking to him, i.e. that's the way the plays are being called. Think about all the talk from Nate and KP about Oden's impact this year being mostly at the defensive end and anything he provides offensively being a bonus. I think the team is still scared to put him in a position to fail. He's taking more and more jump hooks lately and expanding his game, though, so hopefully that will slowly change.

 

[MARIS61]

Joel gets the ball from rebounds and Sergio, and sometimes from Rudy.

The Spanish connection plays team ball, involving all 5 players.

Roy and Blake and LA have mainly a 3-man game going.

That's what's holding back progress right now.

 

[hasoos]

Joel gets the ball from rebounds and Sergio, and sometimes from Rudy.

The Spanish connection plays team ball, involving all 5 players.

Roy and Blake and LA have mainly a 3-man game going.

That's what's holding back progress right now.

I would call that more like Roy, Blake and LA taking all the shots, but so far, there is only a one man game.

Just kidding.

I do agree with you the Spanish Armada brings a much more team oriented game. You are also correct in the fact that it is Sergio and Rudy who get Joel the ball. I also notice, that those same players, and Greg Oden, are seldomly on the same court together.

 

[Ed O]

I agree that it's frustrating to see Oden waiving his arms, but I take solace in the facts that:

-- this team is still doing pretty darn well
-- Oden is young enough and smart enough to continue to improve himself even if he's not getting the rock a lot
-- Oden wanting the ball down there is a big first step

It seems like Blake has made more of an effort to get him the ball the last few games, but Roy seems to be unwilling or incapable of getting it to him. I'm confident they'll figure it out eventually.

Ed O.

 

[1 Eye Jack]

I agree that it's frustrating to see Oden waiving his arms, but I take solace in the facts that:

-- this team is still doing pretty darn well
-- Oden is young enough and smart enough to continue to improve himself even if he's not getting the rock a lot
-- Oden wanting the ball down there is a big first step

It seems like Blake has made more of an effort to get him the ball the last few games, but Roy seems to be unwilling or incapable of getting it to him. I'm confident they'll figure it out eventually.

Ed O.

I agree, my only real knock on Roy is that he seems to miss a lot of opportunities to feed Greg especially on some of his drives. Giving Greg 2-3 more opportunities to dunk a game will only help his confidence and also help Roy get even more room to work because Greg's guy won't be able to come help.

 

[craigehlo]

Rudy is the only guy that seems able to execute that pass consistently off the pick-and-roll. Too bad Greg is usually in foul trouble lately when Rudy is in the game.

 

[Furball]

It's the main reason this team needs an up grade at the point. Blake is just not a true point. He is a great backup. Sergio has missed at least 10 lay ups this season. Dude is 6'3" and misses lay ups. I think the team should have tried to package a deal together to get Baron Davis. There isn't another PG that is available that will help this team. And shut up with the Devin Harris posts. He isn't going anywhere.

 

[Natebishop3]

The more I think about it, the more I think McMillain needs to go.

We have a talented team and I don't think Nate is doing a very good job of maximizing talent. Rudy has become a spot up shooter. Oden is merely a big body in the middle. We need a better passing point guard and we need an actual offense.

 

[Ed O]

The more I think about it, the more I think McMillain needs to go.

We have a talented team and I don't think Nate is doing a very good job of maximizing talent. Rudy has become a spot up shooter. Oden is merely a big body in the middle. We need a better passing point guard and we need an actual offense.

I've never been a Nate fan (dating back to his Seattle days) and I hate to be a negative nelly, but... I seriously wonder if Nate is going to be the coach for this team when it finally breaks through.

I don't know jack squat about coaching at the NBA level, but I can look at pace and I see that Portland is at or near the bottom in number of possessions. I can see that, for his vaunted defensive focus, we give up a ridiculously high FG%. I look at our team and I don't understand why we run so many pick and rolls with our centers, who are incapable of popping out and hitting a jumper.

Certainly I'm not calling for Nate's job, but I agree with you, Nate, that there might just be a basic disconnect between Nate and the roster KP has put together.

Ed O.

 

[hasoos]

I've never been a Nate fan (dating back to his Seattle days) and I hate to be a negative nelly, but... I seriously wonder if Nate is going to be the coach for this team when it finally breaks through.

I don't know jack squat about coaching at the NBA level, but I can look at pace and I see that Portland is at or near the bottom in number of possessions. I can see that, for his vaunted defensive focus, we give up a ridiculously high FG%. I look at our team and I don't understand why we run so many pick and rolls with our centers, who are incapable of popping out and hitting a jumper.

Certainly I'm not calling for Nate's job, but I agree with you, Nate, that there might just be a basic disconnect between Nate and the roster KP has put together.

Ed O.

Yea I know what your saying there in many ways. I don't dislike Nate, but I see things out on the court that make no sense to me. Like Joel Pryzbilla and Greg Oden getting the ball at the top of the 3 point line, middle of the court, for the soul purpose of looking for one SF cutter that they almost never throw the pass to. SF cuts down the baseline, Batum and whoever is playing center make eye contact, and 99.99% of the time, the pass isn't thrown, and you are left with a big guy with no passing/dribbling skills stuck at the top of the key for a major portion of the shot clock just trying to find a guard to pass it to.

 

[hasoos]

You need an update on that nickname for Pryzbilla. Dude's been catching a lot of tough passes this year and finishing excellently. Don't know what he did over the summer, but dude's hands are great so far.

Yea I know but I have been watching Joe for years. I think the work you are referring to over the summer, was that he actually worked on his basketball game for the first time in a long time. From what I understand, over all the previous years, he pretty much did anything but basketball. MMA. Boxing. But not basketball. It's amazing what a little work in the off season can do for you, if you bother to do it.

 

[andalusian]

The Spanish connection plays team ball, involving all 5 players.

Actually, with the way they turn the ball-over - they play two-team ball, involving all 10 players!

Did anyone notice that Sergio is at 25% TOV% - One out of 4 possessions he is involved in is a turn-over. Yikes.

(In comparison, Blake is at 11% and Brandon at 9%)

Time to free Sergio (to go play somewhere else).

 

[hasoos]

Actually, with the way they turn the ball-over - they play two-team ball, involving all 10 players!

Did anyone notice that Sergio is at 25% TOV% - One out of 4 possessions he is involved in is a turn-over. Yikes.

(In comparison, Blake is at 11% and Brandon at 9%)

Time to free Sergio (to go play somewhere else).

At the same time, part of making turnovers, is doing something with the ball besides jacking a 3 pointer. Blake doesn't make mistakes. But he doesn't do a whole lot other besides hit the open jumper either. Sergio does turn over the ball too often, but I believe it is because he is the opposite of Blake. He passes way more often, but doesn't shoot or hit shots often. Because of this, teams that scout him play off of him for the pass. IMO you can't plan on on either one being the plan. One of them will be a backup. One of them will be in a place they don't like, on the bench.

 

[andalusian]

At the same time, part of making turnovers, is doing something with the ball besides jacking a 3 pointer. Blake doesn't make mistakes. But he doesn't do a whole lot other besides hit the open jumper either.

I am far from a huge Steve Blake fan - but you are doing him a disservice. His assist% is 25% - meaning that 25% of the other people on the floor with him that score do it from an assist from Steve Blake - no small feat when your back-court mate is one Brandon Roy...

Blake is not a world class assist man - but you are just selling him short when it comes to his game management. With the amount of time and possessions that Brandon Roy dominates the ball - and calls his own numbers - it is astounding that Blake is able to have such a huge assist%.I am willing to bet that if you take away Roy's numbers when he calls his own number - Blake would be in the 30% or higher assist% - which is in the top 20 in the league and not that far from Sergio who plays mostly without Roy and does dominate the ball - Sergio stands at a magnificent 38% - of course, since he (Sergio) is responsible for losing the ball 1 out of 4 times he dominates it - the percentage might be nice and juicy - but that's because there are so many empty possessions that do not lead to any scoring... Add the number of possessions where Sergio is forced to shoot the ball himself (which usually leads to a brick) - and the man is a waste of basketball possessions...

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Like to say I ACTUALLY SAW GREG CALL FOR THE BALL IN THE PAINT LAST NIGHT WITH HIGH ENERGY!!!!! This has been the first time this year that I've seen that type of energy and desire from him. I think he's about to come out of his shell. Tonight I bet he has a huge game! Nobody on the NUGGS can defend him. Homer home court last night, will be ours tonight!!!

Oden for 20 and 10 boards!

 

[hasoos]

I am far from a huge Steve Blake fan - but you are doing him a disservice. His assist% is 25% - meaning that 25% of the other people on the floor with him that score do it from an assist from Steve Blake - no small feat when your back-court mate is one Brandon Roy...

Blake is not a world class assist man - but you are just selling him short when it comes to his game management. With the amount of time and possessions that Brandon Roy dominates the ball - and calls his own numbers - it is astounding that Blake is able to have such a huge assist%.I am willing to bet that if you take away Roy's numbers when he calls his own number - Blake would be in the 30% or higher assist% - which is in the top 20 in the league and not that far from Sergio who plays mostly without Roy and does dominate the ball - Sergio stands at a magnificent 38% - of course, since he (Sergio) is responsible for losing the ball 1 out of 4 times he dominates it - the percentage might be nice and juicy - but that's because there are so many empty possessions that do not lead to any scoring... Add the number of possessions where Sergio is forced to shoot the ball himself (which usually leads to a brick) - and the man is a waste of basketball possessions...

I am trying to figure out exactly what you are saying in your first paragraph, because it seems, well, very hard to understand. I am guessing what you are saying is that when a player scores, 25% of the time the assist was from Blake. But here is the thing I would point out. There are only 5 players on the floor. You cannot receive an assist from yourself. That leaves 4 guys out there. Now here is the point I wanted to make. Your chances of having an assist from Steve Blake, if all folks are "even" out there is 25%. So basically what I am saying is, your statistics can be attributed to, dumb luck.

 

[andalusian]

Your chances of having an assist from Steve Blake, if all folks are "even" out there is 25%. So basically what I am saying is, your statistics can be attributed to, dumb luck.

That's a nice try - but it is not so - since some points are not from assists - but from one-on-one iso plays, some are from put-backs, some are from steals.

For reference:

Brandon Roy AST% = 26% (Just one percent more than Blake), Aldridge is at 8%, Batum at 9%, Oden at 5%, Rudy is at 12% (a problem with Sergio dominating the ball - if Sergio did not and allowed Rudy to create more - his AST% would go up)

Elite PGs in the league are usually in the 30% - for example, Billups is at 33%, Nash is at an ungodly 39%, Kidd is at 33%

But - if we look at point guards that play next to a dominant SG that distributes (as Blake does) - Mario Chalmers is at 22%, Derek Fisher is at 16%, Mike Bibby is at 26%.

Again - you are selling Blake short - he is a much better PG than we are willing to give him credit.

On the turn-over issue - I have a beef with MM who last year called Jarret Jack a "walking turnover". JJ had a miserable 19% TOV% - but I am wondering why I have not heard a pip from MM about Sergio's atrocious 25% yet...

If we could only have shipped Sergio instead of Jack to Indiana in the trade we would have been looking golden now, especially with JJack's ability to finish at the rim...

 

[DaRizzle]

I sympathize...

Now just imagine having TWO very serviceable big men yet you have Fisher and Kobe jacking up all the shots....ugh

EVERY loss the Lakers have had has been when Kobe has had more shot attempts than Bynum and Pau COMBINED!!!

I get it...Why cant Kobe?

 

[Natebishop3]

Okay, from my perspective, Nate would be a good assistant coach, but not a head coach. I've been to Maurice Cheeks practices and I've been to Nate McMillain practices. I've talked to guys who played for Cheeks and guys who played for coaches like Hubie Brown. Nate and Cheeks have some similarities.

First, Nate and Mo have a very simple offensive scheme. Nate at least runs some plays though, Cheeks would just throw the guys in there and tell them to make something happen. Nate likes to run the pick and roll, the iso for Travis and Roy, and the drive and dish. That's about it. Occassionally he'll post up LMA. Our whole offense revolves around the high pick and roll though. It's so simple and teams know what's coming.

Second, Nate and Mo both had their rotations and they pretty much stick to them. "I play this guy at this time, no matter what." It used to drive me nuts when Mo would take someone out, even if they were on fire. Nate is the same way. A guy could hit three shots in a row, he's still coming out.

There's a big difference between Mo and Nate, however. Mo would let his asst coaches do all the work during practices. He would sit on the sidelines and watch. Nate likes to get in their and mix it up. He'll actually teach. In that regard I think he's a very good coach, especially for a young team.

With that said, I remember Wes Person telling me when he came to Portland from Memphis that Hubie Brown had a playbook that was thick as a phone book. He said Cheeks' playbook by comparison was ridiculously simple. I don't think Nate is much different. I would love to see a coach like Phil Jackson on this team. Someone who has an understanding of x's and o's. I don't think Nate is that guy.

Honestly, I would love to see a big man's coach on this team. Someone who is going to put more emphasis on Oden. I think if we had a different coach and a point guard who could make a decent entry pass, we would see Oden come alove. Just my two cents.

 

[Boise Blazer]

At least its encouraging that he is getting comfortable enough to ask for the ball. Now as far as actually getting him the ball ....