Nate: I think we can play faster.

[KingSpeed]

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/i...07_philadelphia_103_trail_blazers_sprint.html

 

[jlprk]

In the past he gave lip service to the cause about twice per season. But in the last week he's said it about 3 times, making me think that this time he's really trying to speed things up.

But I still think he doesn't know how. He lacks the brain to think about offense. That's how he played, too. He got about 5 points per game for years as a starter. It was always 4 on 5.

 

[BBert]

Sounds like a Chip Kelly quote. Chip knows how. Nate, I'm not so sure. No matter the speed, you still have to execute.

 

[magnifier661]

I am really thinking Nate has finally let go. Finally given his players some running room to make a few mistakes, for a fast pace. We maybe onto something here.

 

[HailBlazers]

But I still think he doesn't know how. He lacks the brain to think about offense.

Yea OK.

If anything Nate has over thought things. It doesn't take much IQ to push the ball, more skill and chemistry. I agree with MAGS, the success of the offense will be reliant on Nate giving them the space to do their thing.

This team needs to get in the gym and practice 3 on 2 fast breaks! twas bit ugly last night.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I thought Nate was going to shut it down the second I saw the aborted 3-on-2 where Nic thought he was going to take an open 3, then changed his mind, then passed, then got nothing. Good on Nate to stay with it

 

[Pinwheel1]

But I still think he doesn't know how. He lacks the brain to think about offense. That's how he played, too. He got about 5 points per game for years as a starter. It was always 4 on 5.

Yet he still shares the all time rookie assist record for 25 in a single game.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I don't think this team has any other choice but to play fast. They're not deep enough at power forward and center to play a conventional style for 66 games. Good for Nate if he's going to commit to it.

 

[B-Roy]

This team needs to get in the gym and practice 3 on 2 fast breaks! twas bit ugly last night.

Amen.

There was a play last night where Wesley was dribbling it down on a 3 on 2 fast break, pulled up and passed it to Batum on the wing and ended up taking a bad layup attempt. They can play fast all they want, but they gotta learn how to do it first.

 

[jwhoops11]

Amen.

There was a play last night where Wesley was dribbling it down on a 3 on 2 fast break, pulled up and passed it to Batum on the wing and ended up taking a bad layup attempt. They can play fast all they want, but they gotta learn how to do it first.

Obviously, converting the original fast break is optimal, but there are so many more positives to "playing fast", most I think go overlooked.

Not looking at a stat sheet here, going from memory from being at the game, the offensive rebounding (I want to say 17), and second chance points were huge. The Blazers also shot 97 shots, and made 9 three pointers (a lot of those on secondary breaks). Again, from memory, I think there were ony 10 Blazers turnovers, that's outstanding.

Playing fast for the Blazers got Philly out of defensive position, which to me is the key. If Portland continues to push the pace and can beat opposing teams down the court, that 14 fast break points they had will really be just icing on the cake.

I coach, and from day 1 we always teach playing fast as the key to basketball. Beating your defensive player down court is the easiest way to score. You want to score, make things happen by putting yourself in position to make a lay-up or rebound the missed one and puting it back in. I liked that Nate was still letting them run, the last 5 minutes of the game. I think it shows dedication to the new style.

 

[jlprk]

Yea OK.

If anything Nate has over thought things. It doesn't take much IQ to push the ball, more skill and chemistry. I agree with MAGS, the success of the offense will be reliant on Nate giving them the space to do their thing.

This team needs to get in the gym and practice 3 on 2 fast breaks! twas bit ugly last night.

I guess I should have said he lacks the personality or the inner traits. That's what I meant by brain type, not IQ. He is almost too mentally strong. The one time I met him when he was a player, he took me, with a camcorder hanging from my neck, as a challenge and gave me his best stern scolding.

 

[ABM]

17 fast break points tonight. A step (or stride) in the right direction.

 

[Nikolokolus]

17 fast break points tonight. A step (or stride) in the right direction.

we averaged 10 per game last year, so yeah, I'd say that's the way to go.

 

[Mediocre Man]

The pace has been great this year. I really hope it continues if we have a couple of hiccups along the way. Hopefully player movement gets better, and they attack the rim in the offense better

 

[BrianFromWA]

I'm glad it's faster, but we're not remotely good at it yet. Tony Wroten's high school team ran a better break than most of ours. But I like that Crash is leaking out and Felton's finding him (so far) for easy points.

The BrianFromWA treatise on offensive efficiency:
1) Easy shots (layups, dunks, fast break points)
2) FTs
3) Open 3's
4) anything else

As long as we're getting #1, we aren't completely dependent on 2 and 3 (which we're hit-and-miss on) or Flaming Bag or Iso Ball #4. And that makes it easier to score 60points in a half.