So did Dame finally hit the rookie wall?

[Natebishop3]

April 1 vs Jazz

17 points off 7-16 shooting, 5 assists, 5 boards

April 3 vs Grizz

17 points off 8-19 shooting, 6 assists, 5 boards

April 5 vs Rockets

11 points off 4-12 shooting, 7 assists, 3 boards

April 7 vs Mavs

15 points off 6-19 shooting, 4 assists, 1 board (so far)

Seems like his play has dropped off a bit in April, especially his shooting. The last couple games have been the worst. Think he's tired?

 

[MickZagger]

More like tired and uninspired.

 

[Natebishop3]

More like tired and uninspired.

That was the other thing I was thinking.... it seems like his play has dropped off a bit since the Blazers were essentially eliminated from the playoffs.

 

[Further]

Also I think he is stepping back a bit to let Leonard, Maynor, Barton and others have a chance to shine. They are not focusing on wins anymore, but on growth for evaluation and improvement.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

He may not win Rookie of the Month for April at this rate. He is still doing well but not head and shoulders above the other Rookies. Not that it means much of anything since he will win Rookie of the Year no doubt.

 

[Natebishop3]

Also I think he is stepping back a bit to let Leonard, Maynor, Barton and others have a chance to shine. They are not focusing on wins anymore, but on growth for evaluation and improvement.

I don't know if I'd say he's stepping back. He took 19 shots tonight, 19 against the Grizz, and 16 against the Jazz. His shot just isn't falling. I'm wondering if that's from fatigue finally catching up with him.

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

Having LA, Batum, and Wesley banged up are not helping take any defenders away from him lately either.

 

[Natebishop3]

Having LA, Batum, and Wesley banged up are not helping take any defenders away from him lately either.

Yeah, his played noticeably dropped when LMA went out, but Aldridge has been back the last two games and he still isn't shooting particularly well.

 

[PapaG]

The "rookie wall" typically comes at 40-50 games, because the NBA plays more games than the NCAA or the Euro league by a long shot, and in a condensed period of time.

He's just not playing up to the very high standards that he has set for himself the last week or so.

Big deal. Players go through stretches like these all the time unless they're an MVP-level player.

 

[Natebishop3]

The "rookie wall" typically comes at 40-50 games, because the NBA plays more games than the NCAA or the Euro league by a long shot, and in a condensed period of time.

He's just not playing up to the very high standards that he has set for himself the last week or so.

Big deal. Players go through stretches like these all the time unless they're an MVP-level player.

I think it says a lot that 17, 6, and 5 is a bad game for him.... but I'm just curious if this is finally fatigue or what. His March was so outstanding that I have to wonder if he's just burned out a bit.

 

[Rhal]

I think it says a lot that 17, 6, and 5 is a bad game for him.... but I'm just curious if this is finally fatigue or what. His March was so outstanding that I have to wonder if he's just burned out a bit.

He seems to be getting a lot more defense attention and trying to get bailed out by the refs to much.

 

[Shooter]

He sure seemed to hit the wall tonight. Looked uninspired and listless most of the game. I guess it had to happen at some point.

 

[jlprk]

He seems to hate the city and its fans.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

He seems to hate the city and its fans.

And America.

 

[THE HCP]

Don't know if this got talked about on here tonight, but Dallas on 25 occasions (we counted in the TV truck) double teamed Dame as he dribbled across half court. Scouts know now that they need to get the rock out of his hands.

 

[Natebishop3]

Don't know if this got talked about on here tonight, but Dallas on 25 occasions (we counted in the TV truck) double teamed Dame as he dribbled across half court. Scouts know now that they need to get the rock out of his hands.

Dallas has played him extremely well all season.... but he's been having trouble shooting the last four games.

 

[magnifier661]

I don't think so. In recent memory; I don't think I've remembered any rookie averaging the type of minutes dame had this season.

I gotta keep reminding myself he is still just a rookie. There are vets that have trouble with minutes this large.

 

[jlprk]

I don't think so. In recent memory; I don't think I've remembered any rookie averaging the type of minutes dame had this season.

I gotta keep reminding myself he is still just a rookie. There are vets that have trouble with minutes this large.

He's #20 for rookies all-time in mpg. When #15 Sidney Wicks finished his rookie season, a reporter asked him how he felt about his season. "Tired," he said.

http://bkref.com/tiny/LOGC2

 

[THE HCP]

Dallas has played him extremely well all season.... but he's been having trouble shooting the last four games.

Yes he has. I think teams now know not to go under on the pick n roll. He might be tired as well, but I will give other teams defense credit as well.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yes he has. I think teams now know not to go under on the pick n roll. He might be tired as well, but I will give other teams defense credit as well.

I have a hard time believing that after five months teams have suddenly figured him out, which is why I was wondering if it was fatigue.

 

[handiman]

He looked very obviously tired last night, but that doesn't necessarily mean the rookie wall. Fatigue comes and goes for anyone. We'll see if he bounces back over the last five games.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

He's #20 for rookies all-time in mpg. When #15 Sidney Wicks finished his rookie season, a reporter asked him how he felt about his season. "Tired," he said.

http://bkref.com/tiny/LOGC2

The last rookie to play more minutes per game than Dame? King James.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I have a hard time believing that after five months teams have suddenly figured him out, which is why I was wondering if it was fatigue.

Could be a lack of teammates in the Starting 5. Matthews, Batum, LMA... all have been out in the last couple of weeks, giving defenses one less thing to worry about.

 

[julius]

And America.

White CHRISTIAN America.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

White CHRISTIAN America.

'Murica.

 

[BlazerWookee]

I have a hard time believing that after five months teams have suddenly figured him out, which is why I was wondering if it was fatigue.

It's not so much that they've figured him out, it's just that now when he gives up the ball it doesn't automatically go to someone who can make them pay for double-teaming him aggressively. Guys like Claver, Freeland, and Leonard don't demand as much attention as Batum, Aldridge, Hickson, and Matthews...

 

[BlazerWookee]

The last rookie to play more minutes per game than Dame? King James.

That has to be the second most nauseating nickname in the league.

 

[craigehlo]

don't demand as much attention as Batum, Aldridge, Hickson, and Matthews...

LA is the only guy that demands attention. If we had wings that could drive AND shoot (seems like a pipe dream I know), then Lillard would have much easier shots.

 

[BlazerWookee]

LA is the only guy that demands attention. If we had wings that could drive AND shoot (seems like a pipe dream I know), then Lillard would have much easier shots.

On the contrary, all four guys are very capable of making a team pay for leaving them a little too open in order to apply extra pressure to Lilliard.

 

[THE HCP]

That has to be the second most nauseating nickname in the league.

But the King is a Blazers fan!