Michael Wallace Chat: ESPN

[magnifier661]

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/49449

What do you make of Portland's good start to the season?

I don't think this winning streak is any sort of fluke. It's tough to fall in love with anything Portland does, because they have a snake-bitten recent history that has always lead to some sort of heartbreak, be it from injuries or just regression at the most inopportune time of the season. But Dame Lillard is playing like a true playmaker instead of a shoot-first scorer. And Aldridge is showing some consistent toughness in and around the basket. Other guys are filling in nicely. They have a formula. They have to stick with it.

I can understand his response. He has a good point. How many times have we fell in love with this team, only to see injuries and internal failures. I still personally believe that this season is different. There is just something in their eyes, body language and how they are winning that isn't of the norm.

 

[Strenuus]

Like a lot of people said, barring injuries we exceed most peoples expectational numbers.

 

[Samuel]

I'm still really skeptical about this team, but fortunately the 9 games after the road trip should tell us whether they're is for real or not.

And honestly, if the team performs poorly during that stretch, it might get the ball rolling on solving those problems now vs. being exposed when it's too late.

Mostly, I just want to see Stotts use a little bit more of the bench and play in a way that feels a touch more sustainable over the long haul.

 

[magnifier661]

I'm still really skeptical about this team, but fortunately the 9 games after the road trip should tell us whether they're is for real or not.

And honestly, if the team performs poorly during that stretch, it might get the ball rolling on solving those problems now vs. being exposed when it's too late.

Mostly, I just want to see Stotts use a little bit more of the bench and play in a way that feels a touch more sustainable over the long haul.

Yes this next 10 games will show us a true understanding of this team. I'm hoping for 7-3, but realistically a 5-5 is most likely.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/49449





I can understand his response. He has a good point. How many times have we fell in love with this team, only to see injuries and internal failures. I still personally believe that this season is different. There is just something in their eyes, body language and how they are winning that isn't of the norm.

Agreed. Our main 9 guys all have the hungry let's get to business eye of the tiger look. And even our third string seems more focused, they still cheer on the bench but its more controlled, like a nice play now let's get back to business cheer. I know Aldridge lillard and Matthews want a ring right now, they aren't the kind of guys to "settle" for a goal of just reaching the playoffs.

 

[HailBlazers]

Dame Lillard is playing like a true playmaker instead of a shoot-first scorer.

This, has been one of the most pleasant surprises of Damian's game. He always manages to get his points, but never at the expense of his teammates. Man we are lucky to have him.

 

[RR7]

This, has been one of the most pleasant surprises of Damian's game. He always manages to get his points, but never at the expense of his teammates. Man we are lucky to have him.

I agree, though I would like to see him mix it up a little more. He usually is distributor first two quarters, and then looks more to score, and I'd like to see it vary. Come out one game and score a ton in 1st quarter, adn then, when defense is on you, get guys going, I dunno. Overall, can't really complain though.

 

[Eastoff]

I agree, though I would like to see him mix it up a little more. He usually is distributor first two quarters, and then looks more to score, and I'd like to see it vary. Come out one game and score a ton in 1st quarter, adn then, when defense is on you, get guys going, I dunno. Overall, can't really complain though.

The ability to know when and how to change gears quickly I believe comes with experience.

 

[RR7]

The ability to know when and how to change gears quickly I believe comes with experience.

For sure. He recognizes, though, that he is changing gears. And occasionally will turn it on earlier or whatever. But he's even said in interviews, I like to get them going early, and then look to score later. Not that it ALWAYS happens that way. Who knows. He knows better than I do for sure. Could be that by doing that, makes it so much easier for him to score, because the defenses have discovered they can't sag off anyone else.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Having been a Blazers and Ducks fan for 20+ years each, it's easy for me to go into every game day thinking, "This is the beginning of the collapse." It's only my own irrational exuberance that keeps me from being a total stick in the mud.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

It's tough to fall in love with anything Portland does, because they have a snake-bitten recent history that has always lead to some sort of heartbreak, be it from injuries or just regression at the most inopportune time of the season.

It ain't just recent, Michael.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

Having been a Blazers and Ducks fan for 20+ years each, it's easy for me to go into every game day thinking, "This is the beginning of the collapse." It's only my own irrational exuberance that keeps me from being a total stick in the mud.

Welcome to my life.

 

[Spud147]

Having been a Blazers and Ducks fan for 20+ years each, it's easy for me to go into every game day thinking, "This is the beginning of the collapse." It's only my own irrational exuberance that keeps me from being a total stick in the mud.

I am so with you on that, part of me is always waiting for disaster to strike. Fortunately for me, I actually got to watch them win a championship back in the day.

 

[cmeese47]

I am a cynic and will always probably be one until the team has some playoff success I will remain cautious.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I am so with you on that, part of me is always waiting for disaster to strike. Fortunately for me, I actually got to watch them win a championship back in the day.

I was 3 weeks old when that happened; I never got to see them win it all...