In 7 games without Wesley Matthews

[SlyPokerDog]

the Blazers have the 3rd best offense and the 2nd worst defense in the NBA.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I say give Crabbe and/or Gee (or Chris Babb) a chance.

Also, give Freeland some minutes.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I say give Crabbe and/or Gee (or Chris Babb) a chance.

Also, give Freeland some minutes.

Meyers fucked up Freeland yesterday in practice, Joel had to get 7 stitches in his eyelid. OW!

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

We miss the energy badly.

The Orlando game was flat as hell and Wes had a way of making sure we were not outworked.

 

[kjironman1]

Kind of sounds like the team we had last year. Give it some time and AAA will start to mesh better.

 

[Strenuus]

Kind of sounds like the team we had last year. Give it some time and AAA will start to mesh better.

I'm interested... how so were we like last years team? Who were we meshing in with? We had wes last year and no trades (at least not as big as AAA). I'm honestly curious, not baiting. I may have missed something.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I'm interested... how so were we like last years team? Who were we meshing in with? We had wes last year and no trades (at least not as big as AAA). I'm honestly curious, not baiting. I may have missed something.

I think he means we had a slump and then got hot the final 10 games of the season.

 

[Strenuus]

I think he means we had a slump and then got hot the final 10 games of the season.

Perhaps. But we have 14 games left. :MARIS61:

 

[kjironman1]

I'm interested... how so were we like last years team? Who were we meshing in with? We had wes last year and no trades (at least not as big as AAA). I'm honestly curious, not baiting. I may have missed something.

Well the team we had last year was not a great defensive team until the second half of the season when they got better. Afflalo has actually scored fairly well but has been less than stellar on defense. My feeling is that he does not mesh real well just yet and that the starting unit needs more time playing with him. The difference is not so much in height as Wes is only one inch taller but Wes is bigger and could muscle his way around and through screens. He also had a little more power in the post up game. AAA has faster feet and is actually a little more athletic but has a different way to work through screens. I have noticed a few times Rolo getting caught off guard thinking Afflalo would press through a screen instead he jumps around the screen quickly. I have also seen on numerous occasions Aldridge looking for a switch but they get caught off guard and look to mis-communicate. These are not problems that can't be cured. They do however take time.
Again this is all from my perspective and i am not a coach. I also only have one set of eyes and rarely watch a game more than twice. My feeling is that the defense did take a "Hit" when they lost Wesley Matthews and it will take time and would be unfair to expect AAA to jump right in seamlessly.

 

[kjironman1]

I think he means we had a slump and then got hot the final 10 games of the season.

This is also true. This is a tough roadie. No question there. However, Including tonight the Blazers have 15 games left. After tonight only 7 road games left against Utah, Phoenix, Lakers, Nets, Thunder, Warriors and Mavs. The remaining Home schedule is broken by a single east coast game but for the most part looks much less daunting. A couple of 3-4 game winning streaks could very well be on the horizon.
Lots of time for this team to get some things worked out and start to really click. Remember...They really did not play poorly until last nights game. This trip could very well be 3-1 at this point.

 

[kjironman1]

Perhaps. But we have 14 games left. :MARIS61:

15 games including tonight. Do not count my Blazers out. They just might win this game.

 

[Strenuus]

15 games including tonight. Do not count my Blazers out. They just might win this game.

Hey, I'm not counting them out of anything. I think I have been pretty levelheaded. haha.

 

[kjironman1]

Hey, I'm not counting them out of anything. I think I have been pretty levelheaded. haha.

Much more level headed than many that is for sure!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Much more level headed than many that is for sure!

I've met Strenuus, I'm not sure how level but his head is very flat. So flat he uses is dinner plate for a hat.

 

[Strenuus]

I've met Strenuus, I'm not sure how level but his head is very flat. So flat he uses is dinner plate for a hat.

Thanks for helping clear off the nacho cheese sauce so I could do that, by the way.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Thanks for helping clear off the nacho cheese sauce so I could do that, by the way.

Not a problem.

 

[riverman]

I think the Blazers will benefit when Wes is on the sidelines. He's vocal and invaluable in the huddle especially when it comes to defensive assignments. My biggest concern now is that Nico is outrebounding Rolo and Rolo is outscoring Nico. This should be reversed

 

[BBert]

the Blazers have the 3rd best offense and the 2nd worst defense in the NBA.

Elite.

Edit: Not sure how I lost the first part of that quote: in seven games without Wes....

 

[KingSpeed]

Perhaps. But we have 14 games left. :MARIS61:

15

 

[KingSpeed]

Hey, I'm not counting them out of anything. I think I have been pretty levelheaded. haha.

After I set you straight. A few weeks ago, you were panicking.

 

[Strenuus]

After I set you straight. A few weeks ago, you were panicking.

Stop, please.