Lillard making it easy for me

[magnifier661]

Losing Brandon Roy was a huge blow for this fan. I know he doesn't have much left from those days of years past; but still losing that competitor that always wants to win and take the clutch shots were missed. I just never thought or still think Aldridge has that in him.

Lillard has that in him. You can see the fire in his eyes. He wants to be the man and has the talent and confidence to take him there. He's a rookie; but he really hasn't played like one so far. He is growing to become one of my favorites! He just gets it!

 

[magnifier661]

And to add... It's going to be really interesting to see how teams face Aldridge this season. They can't afford to lay off any players to double Aldridge because we have the scorers and perimeter shooters to punish you for the double. This is why Aldridge had six assists the last game. We may be better than people think.

 

[Reep]

Agreed. Every good team needs that player that has the capability of making something happen when nothing else is working. Lillard still has some lapses, but he seems to have plenty of times where he can do that. I hope he can keep it up.

 

[julius]

Finally got off the mushroom buzz?

 

[magnifier661]

Agreed. Every good team needs that player that has the capability of making something happen when nothing else is working. Lillard still has some lapses, but he seems to have plenty of times where he can do that. I hope he can keep it up.

Well he is still a rookie, but already showing good signs of leadership and ability. In fact he's ahead of the game when you compare him to players like d will and cp3. Hopefully he keeps it up!

 

[magnifier661]

Finally got off the mushroom buzz?

Lol I don't even know what you are talking about!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

MAGS! You're finally back!

You've been missed!

 

[julius]

MAGS! You're finally back!

You posting pictures of your hot girlfriend has been missed!

ftfy

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I love having a top 2 player in a 2 man draft. However, him being so humble and hard-working has me REALLY excited about our team and it's future.

 

[magnifier661]

MAGS! You're finally back!

You've been missed!

I said I'd be back when the season started!!!! Hahaha! Thanks man! Miss ya guys too

 

[BlazerCaravan]

One thing I noticed re-watching the Houston game: for as good as Lillard is now, he's still making rookie mistakes (bad passes, missed assignments, airballed floaters, etc.). This tells me he's not really at his ceiling yet (a worry for some), and will improve as the years go on. Luckily, his coach isn't Mommy Dearest ("No unforced turnovers... EVER!") so he's allowed to learn and grow.

The future is bright for Li'l O, and I feel so good knowing he's on our team.

 

[Blazinaway]

MAGS! where the heck have U been? Nice to have U back, been real fun watching Lillard and Stotts offense, what a wonderful change!

 

[magnifier661]

One thing I noticed re-watching the Houston game: for as good as Lillard is now, he's still making rookie mistakes (bad passes, missed assignments, airballed floaters, etc.). This tells me he's not really at his ceiling yet (a worry for some), and will improve as the years go on. Luckily, his coach isn't Mommy Dearest ("No unforced turnovers... EVER!") so he's allowed to learn and grow.

The future is bright for Li'l O, and I feel so good knowing he's on our team.

Yeah I noticed that as well. What I also noticed that he was making these mistakes and it wasn't getting into his head. He was still taking clutch shots and running the plays without second guessing himself. That says alot about his demeanor. He is going to be a stud. It's been a long time since I've actually seen this team with a very capable star PG. Glad we finally have one!

 

[magnifier661]

MAGS! where the heck have U been? Nice to have U back, been real fun watching Lillard and Stotts offense, what a wonderful change!

Hey thanks Blazin!!! Yeah the offense has a lot of movement and there isn't this "OMG I know exactly what is gonna happen on offense!" crap we dealt with for over 6 years.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Yeah I noticed that as well. What I also noticed that he was making these mistakes and it wasn't getting into his head. He was still taking clutch shots and running the plays without second guessing himself. That says alot about his demeanor. He is going to be a stud. It's been a long time since I've actually seen this team with a very capable star PG. Glad we finally have one!

He does something very important, which is to play the game one possession at a time mentally. A mistake doesn't faze him in the least. Marcus Mariota for Oregon plays the same way, and it's to his benefit.

 

[Nikolokolus]

He does something very important, which is to play the game one possession at a time mentally. A mistake doesn't faze him in the least. Marcus Mariota for Oregon plays the same way, and it's to his benefit.

This is also reinforced by the fact that there's no quick hook when he does screw up. He's getting to learn through his mistakes and isn't getting a gun-shy mentality beaten into him.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

This is also reinforced by the fact that there's no quick hook when he does screw up. He's getting to learn through his mistakes and isn't getting a gun-shy mentality beaten into him.

EXACTLY.

 

[Blazinaway]

U guys think Nate will ever be a head coach again in the NBA?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

U guys think Nate will ever be a head coach again in the NBA?

He has as much chance as Mo Cheeks does.

 

[magnifier661]

He does something very important, which is to play the game one possession at a time mentally. A mistake doesn't faze him in the least. Marcus Mariota for Oregon plays the same way, and it's to his benefit.

Totally agree! It seems this Lillard Kid was just under the radar because of the college he played for. I bet if he was on Duke, NC, UCLA or Kentucky; he would have had a sure fire #2 pick in the draft. It may have been a Oden vs. Durant all over again. Luck finally came our way, having him drop to #6.

 

[magnifier661]

U guys think Nate will ever be a head coach again in the NBA?

He would be a good coach for a veteran team like the Lakers.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I think just the opposite...someone with a bunch of young players who need to be taught to play together the right way and scrap. CHA would be perfect. He could let Kemba do the Iso's, MKG and Biyambo just 'focus on defense', and play scrappy scrap D. Easy 10-game improvement over last year.

 

[mook]

I think just the opposite...someone with a bunch of young players who need to be taught to play together the right way and scrap. CHA would be perfect. He could let Kemba do the Iso's, MKG and Biyambo just 'focus on defense', and play scrappy scrap D. Easy 10-game improvement over last year.

Maybe. Problem is that those kind of crappy teams are also really bad at drawing fans in. That Bobcats team won 7 games last year. I agree Nate would add 10 wins to that, but that's still 17 wins. Meanwhile the franchise is stuck trying to market a bad team playing grind-it-out Nateball.

From a player development standpoint, Nate makes a lot of sense. From a long-term marketing standpoint, he also does (because eventually those developed players will finally start to be competitive). But I can easily imagine as a team president, you look at Nate and say, "Nateball is effective, but not much fun to watch. Do I really want to risk my job and absolutely crush ticket sales this year even worse than they already are?"

Portland had the deep pockets and the Jail Blazer trainwreck that made it all worth while to think long-term. But I don't think all bad franchises do.

 

[Natebishop3]

U guys think Nate will ever be a head coach again in the NBA?

Absolutely. Probably next season I would guess, unless someone gets fired mid-season and he likes the job.

 

[BBert]

I believe Nate has a great rep around the league. He is highly employable still. Just not by me. I have also stated I think he'd work well for the Lakers.

 

[mook]

I believe Nate has a great rep around the league. He is highly employable still. Just not by me. I have also stated I think he'd work well for the Lakers.

Given the shithole that is their bench and his experience with Roy/Ray Allen, he does seem like a pretty nice fit for Kobe and crew. Especially if Nash is going to be gimpy. I can see him getting some "scrap" out of those role players.

The Lakers would be a nightmare in a low-possession low post game with Howard and Pau rebounding. If you get down by 7 or 8 points, it's going to be practically impossible to claw your way back against Nateball.

 

[ABM]

Welcome back, Mags. I kept meaning to call you.....heh, but then ended up laying down until the feeling passed.

Hope you are well.

 

[ebott]

Most of all it makes me realize how rare players that can really create by themselves are. I think Nate would have been fine letting Lillard do what he does because he's so good at it.