Lillard's star is fading fast

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Shooter said:
Lillard used to rise to the occasion. Now he shrinks from it. He used to look special. Now he looks ordinary. His shot selection is terrible. His defense is horrible. His confidence has vanished. He seems to think he's the same player he was his rookie year, but he's not. He's worse. Tonight he watched while Benoh Udra set a career playoff high, making him just the latest point guard to have a career game against Lillard. What happened to Damian Lillard, that's what I want to know?
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+> He stared at your avatar and is completely mezmorized
 
WillG said:
Fully Agree. Not hard to best McMillans schemes though. . .
Having said that, this is probably the worst "preperation" for the play-offs I have seen the Blazers undertake in recent memory.
Lillard clearly needed rest - yet Stotts played him into the ground, late into decided games, as if we had a goal to catch - only to turn around and casually throw home court away - without a second thought.

Overall I think Terry has set-up the Blazers to fail. Discounting the injuries for a moment, the team looks ill-prepared anyway. Terrible offensive/defensive schemes & horrid fundamentals are the results of players that look dis-interested & drained - mentally and physically. Now add the injuries and the emotions of the play-offs to an already physically fatigued team . . .Well, a lot of the underachieving, from Damian, and the team as a whole, has to rest solely with the Coach not preparing the team more effectively IMO.
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+>The success starts with the coach and the failures are blamed on the coach. I see Stotts outta here if we get booted.
 
Nikolokolus said:
It may not happen by the end of the series with Memphis, but I strongly suspect that whatever is hampering his game is fixable and by next season he will have regained whatever health/mojo/whatever that he's missing.
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I sure hope so. Lillard has all the tools to be great, but his confidence seems to be shaken. One of the alarming things about last night's game was how off his shooting was. Usually when he misses a shot it's just barely off, but last night he was often way off.
 
Lillard was horrible. He better step it up.
 
MarAzul said:
Actually, I would like to see him do what he can. He has terrific handles so use them for team mates. This 0 for 6 from three looks like standard box for him and it doesn't need to happen.
Tonight, I was watching him intently when Meyers gets on the court. He flat out won't pass the ball to Meyer even when he is wide open. What the fuck is up with that? Meyers is the best
three ball man we have and everybody but Lillard knows it. Hell, when we were down 20, Meyer should get the ball and shoot the fucking thing every trip down the court.
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He also can't seem to get the ball to Leonard on a pick and roll when the two defenders stay with Lillard and Leonard slps to the basket. Not an easy pass but he needs to figure out how to do it.
 
jlprk said:
Lopez has to hang back because Aldridge won't cover him. All Blazer problems lead to that softy Aldridge.
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Aldridge definitely needs to step it up on defense. Saw a national commentator call him out for taking plays off and it's true; with his length and skills he should be a monster on help defense. If they need to play him less minutes so he can play two way, then do it.
 
Lillard is struggling for sure. He's over relying on just jacking shots, or he's over relying on getting calls. He hasn't gotten the calls all season he needs to stop waging this challenge on the refs and just start playing smart ball again.
 
Schilly said:
Lillard is struggling for sure. He's over relying on just jacking shots, or he's over relying on getting calls. He hasn't gotten the calls all season he needs to stop waging this challenge on the refs and just start playing smart ball again.
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Agreed. So many times he breaks down the defense and all he needs to do is pick out one of the many open teammates, vs. jacking up a contested layup.
 
Shooter said:
I sure hope so. Lillard has all the tools to be great, but his confidence seems to be shaken. One of the alarming things about last night's game was how off his shooting was. Usually when he misses a shot it's just barely off, but last night he was often way off.
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He's a hard worker, conscientious, seems to love the game and he's not 30+. All of that tells me that with some time to heal and to reflect and "get in the lab" during the off-season, he should be well positioned to get through whatever caused his second half swoon this season.

If it looks like this same time next season, then maybe you can hit the panic button a little bit.
 
stampedehero said:
+>The success starts with the coach and the failures are blamed on the coach. I see Stotts outta here if we get booted.
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I think they'll chock it up to injuries and he'll be back next year, unless LMA leaves, then blow it up and get a young up and coming coach.
 
Stotts refused to appoint an assistant as defensive coordinator and I think that's a mistake. We need an elite defensive asst coach to straighten out the efforts on both ends. I was hoping Wes would be that guy while he's injured but I'm ready to bring in a Laimbeer type guy to assist Stotts
 
Was it about the time that Mathews got hurt that he started struggling? I wonder if it could be as simple as there is no one in the backcourt to help. I wasn't paying too close attention to him specifically but I don't recall seeing much defensive scheming against him, he just looked really passive.

What do you guys think needs to happen to see more success in game 2? How has CJ been playing prior to the playoffs, could he be used to let Lillard work off ball and get some shots coming off screens? Seems like they need to force his involvement a bit more without, you know, forcing it.
 
riverman said:
Stotts refused to appoint an assistant as defensive coordinator and I think that's a mistake. We need an elite defensive asst coach to straighten out the efforts on both ends. I was hoping Wes would be that guy while he's injured but I'm ready to bring in a Laimbeer type guy to assist Stotts
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They have one even if they don't give him the title.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...llard_and_his_defense_make_a_playoff_vow.html

Vanterpool, who works extensively with Lillard, said he feels Lillard this season has had "slippage" in his defense, because he has lost focus on some possessions. But overall, he says Lillard's fundamentals and anticipation have improved each season.

"When he first came in the league, getting posted up was a big concern, a very huge deal,'' Vanterpool said. "Now, it's not even an option for other teams, no matter who it is.''

Lillard said he has become better at recognizing other team's play calls, thereby allowing him to anticipate plays, and Vanterpool said Lillard has learned how to use angles to beat his man to spots on the floor.

"I've said it before: I don't think I'm the greatest defender,'' Lillard said. "But I do feel I have improved each year. I can still get a lot better, but because I can get better, I don't think people realize that each year I have gotten better.''

**

For Lillard, defense comes down to one concept:

"You either want to do it, or you don't,'' Lillard said.

He says he wants to not only play defense, but become great at it.

How can he do it?

"That guy right there,'' Lillard said, pointing to Vanterpool.

It was last week in Portland after a game, and Vanterpool had come into the locker room to find CJ McCollum. He was on McCollum's hip, in a defensive stance, showing him positioning and hand placement.

"See the conversation he is having now? He's always talking about having our hands active. Tipping balls,'' Lillard said.

This season, Lillard finished with a team-leading 97 steals, 33 more than he had last season. For context, only three Blazers players in the last 11 seasons have recorded 100 steals - Wesley Matthews (twice), Andre Miller and Ruben Patterson.

The challenge for Lillard, Vanterpool points out, is shouldering the immense offensive load the Blazers demand of him, while also having the mental and physical stamina to play lock-down defense.

"You have to want to shut someone down, and I'll tell you, it's (hard). Especially when you have the responsibility to score,'' Vanterpool said. "But I think it's good and important that he accepts that challenge and looks at it like he has to take it as a personal challenge defensively. That's the first step when it comes to getting better.''
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riverman said:
Stotts refused to appoint an assistant as defensive coordinator and I think that's a mistake. We need an elite defensive asst coach to straighten out the efforts on both ends. I was hoping Wes would be that guy while he's injured but I'm ready to bring in a Laimbeer type guy to assist Stotts
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+> How about Laimbeer....? Naa.. He is hated worldwide and in Portland he wll never be popular
 
riverman said:
Stotts refused to appoint an assistant as defensive coordinator and I think that's a mistake. We need an elite defensive asst coach to straighten out the efforts on both ends. I was hoping Wes would be that guy while he's injured but I'm ready to bring in a Laimbeer type guy to assist Stotts
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+1000 on this
 
I don't know if you guys watch the pregame warm ups Dame does before the game. The PR staff posts them on facebook. Anyway, he is swishing jumpers from the center court logo. I don't think this has anything to do with his injury because he's draining them before the game. It seems this is all mental and we need some Buddhist monk to ward off any negative energy!
 
magnifier661 said:
I don't know if you guys watch the pregame warm ups Dame does before the game. The PR staff posts them on facebook. Anyway, he is swishing jumpers from the center court logo. I don't think this has anything to do with his injury because he's draining them before the game. It seems this is all mental and we need some Buddhist monk to ward off any negative energy!
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Either that or Memphis is pulling out all the stops to deny him any open look from deep, while smothering him at the rim inside. It gets to a point where fighting the straight jacket will only make it tighter. IMO, Dame needs to drive and kick, move without the ball, and pray his teammates start hitting shots so the ball will come back around his way once he's open.
 
UKRAINEFAN said:
Aldridge definitely needs to step it up on defense. Saw a national commentator call him out for taking plays off and it's true; with his length and skills he should be a monster on help defense. . .
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I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned this. Aldridge put up some nice numbers and he played well for most of the game, but on a handful of plays he was lackluster or simply didn't bother. I'm used to seeing that from him in the regular season - but you can't afford to take any plays off in the Play-offs.

This team has an effort/focus problem. When your two longest serving veterans, ie. Aldridge and Batum both play in effort spurts - it is emulated by the youngsters and lower tier players. It permeates this team top to bottom.

What sort of a leadership example does that set?
 
UKRAINEFAN said:
He also can't seem to get the ball to Leonard on a pick and roll when the two defenders stay with Lillard and Leonard slps to the basket. Not an easy pass but he needs to figure out how to do it.
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Yep, I have seen him bounce pass it to Leonard on those rolls to hoop Twice! Both failed. Geez!
 
HailBlazers said:
Either that or Memphis is pulling out all the stops to deny him any open look from deep, while smothering him at the rim inside. It gets to a point where fighting the straight jacket will only make it tighter. IMO, Dame needs to drive and kick, move without the ball, and pray his teammates start hitting shots so the ball will come back around his way once he's open.
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This. Teams have been chasing Dame off the 3 point line all year. It became clear early that Batum wasn't going to punish anybody for cheating off him. Dame has actually done a nice job of getting to the rim while teams are overplaying him on the perimeter. But you can't expect him to do that against the wall Mem puts up in the paint. There's no question he's struggling with his confidence and rhythm at this point, after these frustrating recent months where the shots he used to get aren't there anymore. He's pressing, & he's forcing it. But if you started last year's Dame from the Hou series against the Grizz last night the result wouldn't have been much better, if at all. This Grizz D is a different animal. Dame is going to need some help from his backcourt mates to at least give their D something else to think about. If they're able to hone in on blanketing Lillard while sagging off Batum/Aflallo/CJ/Crabbe without paying a price it's not going to be a very long series.
 
WarriorFan said:
Was it about the time that Mathews got hurt that he started struggling? I wonder if it could be as simple as there is no one in the backcourt to help. I wasn't paying too close attention to him specifically but I don't recall seeing much defensive scheming against him, he just looked really passive.

What do you guys think needs to happen to see more success in game 2? How has CJ been playing prior to the playoffs, could he be used to let Lillard work off ball and get some shots coming off screens? Seems like they need to force his involvement a bit more without, you know, forcing it.
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No, it was about the time he whined because the coaches didn't originally vote him into the AS game. I'm a huge Dame fan, but I think he's got a fragile ego. Chris Paul abused him a couple times as well and he hasn't been the same. He needs to get the swagger back, like now, or we can pack our bags and start dreaming about next year.
 
MickZagger said:
No, it was about the time he whined because the coaches didn't originally vote him into the AS game. I'm a huge Dame fan, but I think he's got a fragile ego. Chris Paul abused him a couple times as well and he hasn't been the same. He needs to get the swagger back, like now, or we can pack our bags and start dreaming about next year.
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Right and MOST IMPORTANTLY he needs to start killing so LA can know what he's leaving.
 
MickZagger said:
No, it was about the time he whined because the coaches didn't originally vote him into the AS game. I'm a huge Dame fan, but I think he's got a fragile ego. Chris Paul abused him a couple times as well and he hasn't been the same. He needs to get the swagger back, like now, or we can pack our bags and start dreaming about next year.
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When I made a thread about this around the time of him talking about it, I said he sounds like a whiner, and people dismissed it. I love the work he does in the community, and the way he gets in "dame mode" on the court. But much more so lately he's become a whiner. To officials, and this incident as well. It sucks.
 
Kaydow said:
This. Teams have been chasing Dame off the 3 point line all year. It became clear early that Batum wasn't going to punish anybody for cheating off him. Dame has actually done a nice job of getting to the rim while teams are overplaying him on the perimeter. But you can't expect him to do that against the wall Mem puts up in the paint. There's no question he's struggling with his confidence and rhythm at this point, after these frustrating recent months where the shots he used to get aren't there anymore. He's pressing, & he's forcing it. But if you started last year's Dame from the Hou series against the Grizz last night the result wouldn't have been much better, if at all. This Grizz D is a different animal. Dame is going to need some help from his backcourt mates to at least give their D something else to think about. If they're able to hone in on blanketing Lillard while sagging off Batum/Aflallo/CJ/Crabbe without paying a price it's not going to be a very long series.
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Then he must use that penetration to open the lanes, punish the help defender by dishing it to them for a slam, or utilize that mid range jumper.

You can beat Memphis with 2's. The 3 ball has made teams lazy because they think they can make up big points with threes. If Stotts started punishing teams from 2, then the three will open up.
 
MickZagger said:
No, it was about the time he whined because the coaches didn't originally vote him into the AS game. I'm a huge Dame fan, but I think he's got a fragile ego. Chris Paul abused him a couple times as well and he hasn't been the same. He needs to get the swagger back, like now, or we can pack our bags and start dreaming about next year.
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Well said
 
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