Lills in the clutch

[illmatic99]

Got chills reading some the quotes by this kid.

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...tml?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Before he took the court to take that shot, Lillard told teammate Ronnie Price he was "about to win this game." He didn't, but Lillard's killer instinct and self belief are critical traits of being a late-game assassin.

BRoy reincarnated.

much much more in the article.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I hope he can keep it up. He's good, but he's still got a lot left to learn, it'd be a damn shame if he got complacent with too much early success.

 

[THE HCP]

MOTHERUCKER! I THOUGHT THIS SAID LILLARD WAS ON CRUTCHES!

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

MOTHERUCKER! I THOUGHT THIS SAID LILLARD WAS ON CRUTCHES!

Nah. That's wife your after tonight - she couldn't walk straight. We had a good night and super-rough.

Nah, FAMS - why you trying to jinx us? Come on - we finally have a legit stud PG. Back it off.

 

[Boise Blazer]

I love that I have no problems with him taking the last second shot, to the extent that I would rather have him take a bad shot than almost every other player taking a good shot. The only exception is when Batum is in that zone he gets in.

 

[jlprk]

He'll be better when the defense doesn't know whether he'll shoot or drive, with seconds left in the game. Roy was the size of a SF and had either option.

 

[HailBlazers]

I love that I have no problems with him taking the last second shot, to the extent that I would rather have him take a bad shot than almost every other player taking a good shot. The only exception is when Batum is in that zone he gets in.

And Batum was in the zone, standing right next to him, waiting to actually win the game.

 

[illmatic99]

I remember a few games last year where we had NO ONE who wanted a shot at the end.What a change.

 

[Boise Blazer]

And Batum was in the zone, standing right next to him, waiting to actually win the game.

I would hope that as time goes on he will read that a little better to decide which is the better option. That shot he took wasnt necessarily a bad shot and was online just didnt quite get it. Batum probably would have nailed it. But if we have 2 cold blooded killers that are fighting for that chance then Im very happy with.

Side note: It does seem like Lillard and Batum are working out the kinks right now on demanding the ball in certain situations. I have noticed a couple times where Nic asked for the ball you could tell the Dame really didnt want to give up the ball in certain situations but eventually gave it to Nic. I hope thats just growing pains and doesnt turn into a bigger issue. I dont think it will but it sits on the back of my mind sometimes when watching that situation. Its amazing to see the new Nic that does actually demand the ball. Still catches me off guard but I love that he has so embraced the role.

 

[Natebishop3]

And Batum was in the zone, standing right next to him, waiting to actually win the game.

Actually he wasn't. He had cooled off at that point. I think he had miss two or three shots in a row. He never really warmed up again after being taken out for a rest. Lillard, on the other hand, was on fire in the 4th.

 

[HailBlazers]

At this point, I'll take Batum with a hand in the face over Lillard.

 

[Natebishop3]

At this point, I'll take Batum with a hand in the face over Lillard.

Why?

 

[magnifier661]

Confidence is a very valuable asset for clutch shooting. You gotta believe you can make any shot in any given situation. If you miss; then you aren't down. You still have the confidence to take the same shot over and over again. This is exactly what I see in Lillard. He isn't afraid to miss 10 last second shots in a row and still take another.

 

[HailBlazers]

Why?

While Lills is dead on with space, Batum seems to shoot better with a little pressure.

 

[Natebishop3]

While Lills is dead on with space, Batum seems to shoot better with a little pressure.

I'll take the hot hand, and at the time of that shot, Lillard was the hot hand.

 

[HailBlazers]

BRoy reincarnated.

No doubt over here, he's the closer of the future. But exciting as the comparision is, B-Roy never made his teammates better. It was just him, the savior. Draw up an ISO and go to work.

My expectations for Lillard, albeit grandiose, are for something more evolved. A team player of sorts, even in the clutch.

 

[magnifier661]

No doubt over here, he's the closer of the future. But exciting as the comparision is, B-Roy never made his teammates better. It was just him, the savior. Draw up an ISO and go to work.

My expectations for Lillard, albeit grandiose, are for something more evolved. A team player of sorts, even in the clutch.

That's what I think may be the biggest difference. Lillard has the ability to make everyone around him better. That's extremely valuable IMO.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I'm a big Lillard fan, but what have you seen so far to assert that he makes everyone around him better? I mean, Wes has been hitting the 3 at his normal clip, and his D is improved in large part because he has two healthy ankles. Nic's been asserting himself, but it is b/c LIllard's setting him up in places to succeed or b/c he's free of McScribbles and has a place in the offense? I don't know that LMA's "better", in large part b/c I don't think he's fully back from his hip yet.

I'd love for it to be the case, and I think the fact that he can shoot helps out the others, but I'm wondering what you're using to make that assessment.

 

[magnifier661]

I'm a big Lillard fan, but what have you seen so far to assert that he makes everyone around him better? I mean, Wes has been hitting the 3 at his normal clip, and his D is improved in large part because he has two healthy ankles. Nic's been asserting himself, but it is b/c LIllard's setting him up in places to succeed or b/c he's free of McScribbles and has a place in the offense? I don't know that LMA's "better", in large part b/c I don't think he's fully back from his hip yet.

I'd love for it to be the case, and I think the fact that he can shoot helps out the others, but I'm wondering what you're using to make that assessment.

Wait it looks as thought Wes and Batum are shooting at a much higher % this season. Also, it seems the team is also shooting at a much higher % from last season as well.

 

[illmatic99]

Agreed. BRoy definitely made his teammates better too by scoring and drawing multiple coverage, similar to Lillard, but neither player really directly helped his teammates.

I think Dame is closer to Kyrie than CP3. Which isn't really a bad thing.

 

[Further]

He'll be better when the defense doesn't know whether he'll shoot or drive, with seconds left in the game. Roy was the size of a SF and had either option.

Not really. per draft express
Height w/o shoes
Roy 6'5.25"
Lillard 6'1.75"
Difference 3.5"

Wingspan
Roy 6'8"
Lillard 6'7.75"
difference is Roy had a quarter inch larger wingspan

Roy was the size of a SG in todays NBA, not a SF, but he was skilled and smart enough to play SF for periods.

 

[KingSpeed]

No doubt over here, he's the closer of the future. But exciting as the comparision is, B-Roy never made his teammates better. It was just him, the savior. Draw up an ISO and go to work.

My expectations for Lillard, albeit grandiose, are for something more evolved. A team player of sorts, even in the clutch.

Roy, when healthy, made Steve Blake look really good. They had great chemistry.

 

[HailBlazers]

Roy, when healthy, made Steve Blake look really good. They had great chemistry.

Yup, and imagine if he had made LMA better. Fully expect Lillard too, but really wanna see him help the other role players shine (Batum, Mathews, Leonard).