JQ's Article

[magnifier661]

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/11/only_five_games_but_plenty_for.html

I know probably all of you have read this, I just wanted to give my 2 cents on it. First of all, good job Canzano on actually writing something very "positive" about the ball club. Didn't really think you had it in you.

While Oden had a point — the Blazers were also 2-3 at this time last season — nobody could dispute that these are uneasy times for the team.

For me, it's not necessarily the record, but more about the body language on the floor. No real communication. No huddling during the dead balls. No talking on the bench. It's almost like everyone is in their own little world.

McMillan would not reveal how soon he would consider making a switch, but said Steve Blake would start Friday night against San Antonio.

Well let's just hope that if Blake is in the starting line-up, he can get some help from Roy and Webs on the perimeter. I can't put all the blame on blake. 2 years, we've seen blake and pretty much any PG we bring in Portland have a real tough time playing in front of the other guards. I think it's time Nate realizes, we can gamble on the perimeter and give some open looks to make sure we get the ball out of the hands of the other team's most efficient back court player.

"I think it's something we are going to have to probably try. Coach is just going to have to do it: Play me and Andre together," Roy said. "It might set us back another five games trying to figure that out. But I think it's going to have to come to the point where me and 'Dre play together. ...

"We're kind of walking on thin ice here with a lot of things."

Believe it or not, this quote says a ton. I think Blake starting has more to do with Roy wanting this, than Nate wanting it. The less resistance Roy gives, the easier it will be to change. I'm telling you, Roy is the man and I am so glad he is coming public with understanding there may be a change that needs to be made. Kudos Roy!

"We are talking — all of us — are talking. Everybody is talking, talking, talking. And talking is one thing I hate," McMillan said. "We have to cease talking about what we are going to do and just do it. We have to show. And right now, we are not."

This coming from the #1 lip service Coach. Hey Nate, MAN UP and take some of the responsibility. Don't have your players take a bullet for you. Grow some gonads and take control of this team without being the "SARGE".

 

[hasoos]

Blah blah blah yada yada yada.

Get it done.

 

[mook]

"I think it's something we are going to have to probably try. Coach is just going to have to do it: Play me and Andre together," Roy said. "It might set us back another five games trying to figure that out. But I think it's going to have to come to the point where me and 'Dre play together. ...

"We're kind of walking on thin ice here with a lot of things."

There has been a reluctance to play Miller and Roy together for long stretches because both are better suited with the ball in their hands. But Roy said it might be time to quit worrying about problems and instead start to figure out solutions.

That sounds like a pretty clear endorsement that Roy wants to see Miller start sooner rather than later.

"My thing is, if we are going to play a lineup, play it. Live with it," Roy said. "I feel like right now, we are changing things up a little too much. I mean, if we are going to start Blake, start Blake, and let's go. If we are going to start 'Dre, start 'Dre, and let's go. ... We are thinking too much instead of just playing. And that's where us players need to mature and just play."

Kind of an odd quote that at first blush flies in the face of his prior statement. Does he really think the rotation changes a lot? Portland really hasn't changed their lineup at all in the first five games, have they? Seems like guys are basically getting the same minutes every night in the same rotations.

Or is he just speaking in code here? I think what he's really saying is that we all know Andre is going to start. The team is unsettled right now, things seem up in the air, because we're all waiting for McMillan to move Miller into the starting rotation. Let's just rip that bandaid off rather that slowly peaking in to see if the wound is healed enough, because all the peaking is more pain than it's worth.

 

[MIXUM]

2-4 after tonight....

it may be too late to "figure things out" if we keep losing. with the suns, rockets quick starts... you dont wanna fall 5-7 games back. the blazers look like they could miss the post season if im being honest.

 

[hasoos]

2-4 after tonight....

it may be too late to "figure things out" if we keep losing. with the suns, rockets quick starts... you dont wanna fall 5-7 games back. the blazers look like they could miss the post season if im being honest.

I am not so sure. San Antonio has dropped 2 road games so far, so maybe they are not so good on the road.

 

[andalusian]

the blazers look like they could miss the post season if im being honest.

Where is the MIXUM we know and love? You are now starting to have self doubts? Shit, this world is becoming harder and harder to decipher.

 

[BBert]

http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/11/only_five_games_but_plenty_for.html
For me, it's not necessarily the record, but more about the body language on the floor. No real communication. No huddling during the dead balls. No talking on the bench. It's almost like everyone is in their own little world.

Remember when a Blazers player would hit the floor, and three teammates would rush over to help him up? Everyone congratulating everyone all the time. Celebrating every good play. It was like college.

It's the end of innocence, I tell ya.

 

[magnifier661]

Kind of an odd quote that at first blush flies in the face of his prior statement. Does he really think the rotation changes a lot? Portland really hasn't changed their lineup at all in the first five games, have they? Seems like guys are basically getting the same minutes every night in the same rotations.

Or is he just speaking in code here? I think what he's really saying is that we all know Andre is going to start. The team is unsettled right now, things seem up in the air, because we're all waiting for McMillan to move Miller into the starting rotation. Let's just rip that bandaid off rather that slowly peaking in to see if the wound is healed enough, because all the peaking is more pain than it's worth.

I think it has more to do with the constant "tickering" with weird line-ups of Miller, Blake and Roy, or subbing 8 times in the last 2 minutes of the Atlanta game. That was really hard to watch BTW.

 

[magnifier661]

Remember when a Blazers player would hit the floor, and three teammates would rush over to help him up? Everyone congratulating everyone all the time. Celebrating every good play. It was like college.

It's the end of innocence, I tell ya.

Yep! That's what I'm talking about. And I don't know if anyone else hasn't noticed, but Pryzbilla isn't like he was last season. I will post a new thread explaining why.

But this is what bothers me right now. It's like they all speak some different language and they have no way of communicating with each other.

 

[RR7]

I would imagine, by Roy's comments, that this is already something that has been discussed within the team, and is likely to happen sooner rather than later.