Is Lillard having a sophomore slump? (1 Viewer)

[Shooter]

I haven't looked at the stats, but it seems that Lillard isn't shooting as well from the field this season, and he's also had a few games like tonight where he either doesn't get into double figures in scoring, or barely gets there. I've also noticed a passivity to his game, when he seems content to just pass the ball and watch the offense go.

I'm not talking about a severe drop-off in his game, but there does seem to be a slight one, and I'm curious about why it has happened. Perhaps he feels that he doesn't have to do it all anymore, so he's laying back a little.

 

[Strenuus]

I don't mind Lillard having a slow start if we are 19-4. He gets time to get out of it without hurting us.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yes. His shooting is off.

He has also made an effort to get to the line more, and some games it works, other games (like tonight) it does not work.

I think he's working it out, but Beverly gives him fits.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Teams are just playing him better. He is working through it though. Shots just aren't going down. He has attacked a lot this season.

 

[Haakzilla]

...no, he is just getting used to his "new" role! He is getting subbed at different intervals than anytime last year and playing a slightly different position for some stretches throughout the game. Just a little more adjusting and getting used to it and he will be just fine...Lillard is still an ice cold killer during the majority of his crunch time minutes!

 

[B-Roy]

He's better at everything.....except 2 pointers. His 2pt% has tanked. Eventually should even out.

 

[Natebishop3]

...no, he is just getting used to his "new" role! He is getting subbed at different intervals than anytime last year and playing a slightly different position for some stretches throughout the game. Just a little more adjusting and getting used to it and he will be just fine...Lillard is still an ice cold killer during the majority of his crunch time minutes!

I'm not thrilled with Stotts sub pattern for Dame. It seems like Lillard has a hard time finding a rhythm.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I'm not thrilled with Stotts sub pattern for Dame. It seems like Lillard has a hard time finding a rhythm.

He was really forcing it when Stotts put him back in in the fourth.

hoop fam

 

[Natebishop3]

He was really forcing it when Stotts put him back in in the fourth.

hoop fam

I just don't like how Stotts will take him out and then put him in two or three teams in the first half. Just let the guy play. He went from playing the most minutes in the league last year to only 34 minutes last night.

 

[Blazer Fanatic]

Beverly is a gnat - a really under-rated defender. 11 rebounds for him. Lillard had 0. Learn, adjust, and move onto the next game.

 

[KingSpeed]

Lillard was a game leading +20 tonight

 

[Haakzilla]

Lillard was a game leading +20 tonight

...and I never fully understood the +/- statistics

 

[Mediocre Man]

IMO, his offense is struggling a bit for a couple of reasons

1. His improved effort on defense is likely tiring his legs a bit
2. Teams are now designing defenses to move him from his comfort spots

 

[Shooter]

...and I never fully understood the +/- statistics

That makes two of us. I guess if the team scores more points than it gives up while you are on the floor, your +/- numbers are good, but it seems to me that the performance of your team may have very little to do with your own performance.

 

[magnifier661]

Once Killard gains national respect, most likely next season, then watch out. For every blown paint call, that effects his shooting around the rim.

If they called at least half of what he should get, the other team's bigs would be in foul trouble. Once he gets that reputation, then teams would have to adjust.

The defense is up in his grill at the top of the key, daring him to drive to the basket. Killard has no problem beating his man. He needs that floater and his teammates need to be in passing areas for him to dish when the defense collapse on him.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

IMO, his offense is struggling a bit for a couple of reasons

1. His improved effort on defense is likely tiring his legs a bit
2. Teams are now designing defenses to move him from his comfort spots

Yep. They know to play the three point line and get up in him physically. But he's a student of the game, and I expect he'll adjust and improve.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Once Killard gains national respect, most likely next season, then watch out. For every blown paint call, that effects his shooting around the rim.

If they called at least half of what he should get, the other team's bigs would be in foul trouble. Once he gets that reputation, then teams would have to adjust.

The defense is up in his grill at the top of the key, daring him to drive to the basket. Killard has no problem beating his man. He needs that floater and his teammates need to be in passing areas for him to dish when the defense collapse on him.

I think you are reaching a bit with the national respect. he is widely respected around the NBA circles, and promoted by most every analyst.

 

[blue9]

I don't mind Lillard having a slow start if we are 19-4. He gets time to get out of it without hurting us.

Yeah - it's definitely great that his disappointing play hasn't led to us losing games. That's also why I can't be too down on Mo's play. At 19-4 poor individual performances haven't hurt us. I just hope that that continues to be the case, and that Lillard (and Mo) start rolling down the stretch. If LMA can keep this up all season, and if Lillard gets to the point where he's as good or better than last year, then the Playoffs should be quite fun!

 

[Blazinaway]

he is definitely trying to get inside a lot more thus yr. In many cases he is forcing it and not making good decisions. Some say he is not getting the calls, from my view I agree with "part" of that but he's also fairly often getting easily stuffed or has nowhere to go and does not deserve the calls. He's good and a smart player, IMO this is an adjustment period for him and he'll figure it out. I love we are at with him struggling a bit!

 

[blue9]

Some say he is not getting the calls, from my view I agree with "part" of that but he's also fairly often getting easily stuffed or has nowhere to go and does not deserve the calls.

Agreed. There might be some missed calls, but it's certainly not the majority, or even 50%. At most he should be going to the line 1 or 2 more times per game. Defenders are simply playing him well and he hasn't learned how to adjust yet.

 

[magnifier661]

I think you are reaching a bit with the national respect. he is widely respected around the NBA circles, and promoted by most every analyst.

True respect is when he's getting the superstar calls. I know he's not there yet, but he will.

 

[Blazinaway]

True respect is when he's getting the superstar calls. I know he's not there yet, but he will.

IMO he does not deserve those calls yet. Harden almost never gets "easily" stuffed, 80-90% of the time he easily gets the ball to the basket with a solid shot attempt and appears in good position (so he gets the calls) while Lillard very often does not get the ball anywhere near the basket "if" he gets any kind of shot off at all (hence he does not get the call). In watching last nights game this was as clear as day to me.

 

[Mediocre Man]

True respect is when he's getting the superstar calls. I know he's not there yet, but he will.

If you watch Lillard play, he hasn't yet figured out how to draw contact on a consistent basis so far. That says more about his "lack of respect" than his actual lack of respect

 

[Rastapopoulos]

We're winning, and we're winning more when he's on the court. I'd say his sophomore year was a huge success.

 

[Mediocre Man]

We're winning, and we're winning more when he's on the court. I'd say his sophomore year was a huge success.

Ya, the "slump" people are complaining about is only shooting. His overall game is better than last years

16.4 PER 2012-2013
19.3 PER 2013-2014

 

[Blazinaway]

Ya, the "slump" people are complaining about is only shooting. His overall game is better than last years

16.4 PER 2012-2013
19.3 PER 2013-2014

My only "complaint" about Lillard is the too many bad decisions to go inside, that's it and it's easily fixable IMO and part of his learning process. However I am trying to be objective and a non homer when many say he is not getting the calls - he does not IMO deserve them "yet". Love the team and love Lillard, doesn't meant I can't criticize something.

 

[Mediocre Man]

My only "complaint" about Lillard is the too many bad decisions to go inside, that's it and it's easily fixable IMO and part of his learning process. However I am trying to be objective and a non homer when many say he is not getting the calls - he does not IMO deserve them "yet". Love the team and love Lillard, doesn't meant I can't criticize something.

LOL you are telling me this?

 

[Blazinaway]

By the way here are some stats to show an "improved" Lillard this yr,, it's enlightening when you actually look at the numbers thanks to Wiz from another board



"it might be worthwhile to compare Lillard last season to Lillard this season:

points/36: last season 17.8....this season 20.7
reb/36: last season 2.9....this season 3.8
ast/36: last season 6.0....this season 5.6
turnovers/36: last season 2.8....this season 2.1
FTA/36: last season 3.9....this season 5.5

FG%: last season .429....this season .405
3ptFG%: last season .368....this season .417
2ptFG%: last season .469....this season .396
TS%: last season .546....this season .568
FTA/FGA: last season .249....this season .345
PER: last season 16.4....this season 20.0
Winshares/48: last season 0.88....this season .190

the thing is, Lillard has upped his overall game. The one flaw so far this season is his 2ptFG%. That's dragging down his efficiency big time, yet, he's actually more efficient this season then last. If he was shooting anywhere near his 2pt% from last season, he'd be putting up all-star numbers. He just need to improve decision-making and shot selection. My hunch is that he's so determined to get to the foul line the result is a lot of poor shot selection"

 

[Draco]

He is having only one problem of concern, drives close to the rim. He is trying to force shots, force contact to draw fouls, or hang in the air too long. It is obvious there are times he is looking to draw a foul instead of score the bucket. The refs aren't bailing him out of those mistakes. He needs to take less shots at the rim, he doesn't need to shoot on every drive. Its fine to keep his dribble and take the ball back outside to reset the offense. This is really hurting Lillards 2PT FG% and that is hurting the offense. He's trying to score too hard instead of taking what the defense gives him. I think he will improve on this, Lillard is a very intelligent player and works on his weaknesses.

But overall he's still having a great year and we can win a playoff series with his current play. Early in the season he was shooting to many super deep threes early in the shot clock but he's doing less of that now.

 

[Blazinaway]

He is having only one problem of concern, drives close to the rim. He is trying to force shots, force contact to draw fouls, or hang in the air too long. It is obvious there are times he is looking to draw a foul instead of score the bucket. The refs aren't bailing him out of those mistakes. He needs to take less shots at the rim, he doesn't need to shoot on every drive. Its fine to keep his dribble and take the ball back outside to reset the offense. This is really hurting Lillards 2PT FG% and that is hurting the offense. He's trying to score too hard instead of taking what the defense gives him. I think he will improve on this, Lillard is a very intelligent player and works on his weaknesses.

But overall he's still having a great year and we can win a playoff series with his current play. Early in the season he was shooting to many super deep threes early in the shot clock but he's doing less of that now.

fully agree and well said