One thing to work on..

[julius]

I think that one thing (of many) that teams need to work on to go from good to great to excellent, is how they play with a lead.

Portland doesn't seem to have that down yet. They played a lot of games last year and so far in the pre-season this year (yeah, I know...2 games) where they get a lead and change how they play. Or just flat out go away from what is working, to milk the lead.

I know the game is usually a mixture of runs, but the really good teams don't settle when they get up by 8 or 9 points, and think they can just phone it in. They have to keep the foot on the pedal.

Hopefully Portland starts doing that this season.

 

[Rhal]

I noticed this a few games last year but when we had a lead or it was tied we stop wanting to take open three's and wanted to pass the ball and eat up more clock. That resulted in bad shots, lots of kicks out to LMA to take an 18f with 2s on the clock, or turnovers. Something I hope we fix this year.

 

[kjironman1]

Just the overall idea of putting teams away. Lots of times last year they would let teams back in it when they had the game won. Dallas comes to mind with I think a 30 point lead. Had to put the starters back in when they got it down to 10.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I think that one thing (of many) that teams need to work on to go from good to great to excellent, is how they play with a lead.

Portland doesn't seem to have that down yet. They played a lot of games last year and so far in the pre-season this year (yeah, I know...2 games) where they get a lead and change how they play. Or just flat out go away from what is working, to milk the lead.

I know the game is usually a mixture of runs, but the really good teams don't settle when they get up by 8 or 9 points, and think they can just phone it in. They have to keep the foot on the pedal.

Hopefully Portland starts doing that this season.

In the NBA no matter how big of a lead you have the other team always makes a run.

 

[jlprk]

the really good teams don't settle when they get up by 8 or 9 points, and think they can just phone it in. They have to keep the foot on the pedal.

An alternative explanation is that the foot is consistently hard on the gas pedal (offense) but consistently soft on the brake pedal (defense) for the whole game. The team isn't inconsistent as the game wears on.

 

[riverman]

I think the Blazers too often in the past have played a lazy 1st half and without a big enough cushion, been unable to use the bench for extended minutes in the 2nd half. I hope we bury teams early for a change instead of this comeback after halftime philosophy

 

[jlprk]

Aldridge sets the pattern for teammates of the early activity and little late production. He says he only does what is comfortable.

 

[Natebishop3]

Hotter blazer dancers. They've really been scraping the bottom of the barrel.

 

[julius]

In the NBA no matter how big of a lead you have the other team always makes a run.

I addressed that.

I know the game is usually a mixture of runs, but the really good teams don't settle when they get up by 8 or 9 points, and think they can just phone it in. They have to keep the foot on the pedal.

That wasn't what I was talking about. I meant the WAY the team plays once it gets a lead. I think the saying is "play the score".

So if you go up by 8, you shouldn't think "game over, I can let up"

 

[riverman]

I think one of the things that needs to be worked on is the bench rotation. It's one area I'd like to see the coach improve. Blake and Kaman will make it easier for him but it'll be interesting how he juggles the minutes.