The Felton - Wallace Connection

[e_blazer]

From their Bobcat days:

[video=youtube;Noqxq-nvTgo]

[video=youtube;WRnfkfntGlw]

[video=youtube;ArHxxF9jitY]

 

[Mediocre Man]

The problem I see is that while those were great plays, they were these things called fast breaks. (I looked it up) I don't see that happening here

 

[e_blazer]

The problem I see is that while those were great plays, they were these things called fast breaks. (I looked it up) I don't see that happening here

I think that the trade for Felton signals an increase in pace for the Blazers. I guess we'll have to wait and see, but it seems to me that the team has matured and picking up a PG who likes to push the pace would be pretty consistent with opening things up a bit.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think that the trade for Felton signals an increase in pace for the Blazers. I guess we'll have to wait and see, but it seems to me that the team has matured and picking up a PG who likes to push the pace would be pretty consistent with opening things up a bit.

Mmmm ... *stifle* ... mmmmmmmm ... *snort* ... mmmmmwhahahahahahahahahaha.









You know what will signal a change of pace for the Blazers? When Nate quits or is fired.

 

[Mediocre Man]

I think that the trade for Felton signals an increase in pace for the Blazers. I guess we'll have to wait and see, but it seems to me that the team has matured and picking up a PG who likes to push the pace would be pretty consistent with opening things up a bit.

Dude? 11 years as a head coach. He will NEVER change

2001-2002 pace 89.0 (24th of 30) SEA
2002-2003 pace 88.0 (27th of 29) SEA
2003-2004 pace 89.9 (15th of 29) SEA
2004-2005 pace 87.9 (27th of 30) SEA
2005-2006 pace 87.6 (28th of 30) POR
2006-2007 pace 88.3 (29th of 30) POR
2007-2008 pace 87.9 (29th of 30) POR
2008-2009 pace 86.6 (30th of 30) POR
2009-2010 pace 87.7 (30th of 30) POR
2010-2011 pace 87.9 (30th of 30) POR

 

[Ed O]

Dude? 11 years as a head coach. He will NEVER change

2001-2002 pace 89.0 (24th of 30) SEA
2002-2003 pace 88.0 (27th of 29) SEA
2003-2004 pace 89.9 (15th of 29) SEA
2004-2005 pace 87.9 (27th of 30) SEA
2005-2006 pace 87.6 (28th of 30) POR
2006-2007 pace 88.3 (29th of 30) POR
2007-2008 pace 87.9 (29th of 30) POR
2008-2009 pace 86.6 (30th of 30) POR
2009-2010 pace 87.7 (30th of 30) POR
2010-2011 pace 87.9 (30th of 30) POR

Probably not.

I think it's funny that people assert that Andre Miller was the reason the team hasn't run in the last couple of years.

Ed O.

 

[Natebishop3]

Yeah, I don't see things changing. Nate exerts far too much control over the team to have things change now.

 

[ripcity67]

Felton
Roy/Mathews
Batum
Wallace
LMA

Looks like a running team to me. I don't think we sprint for 48 like GS/D'antoni style but we will be faster depending on the lineups we have in there.

 

[julius]

I wonder how many times we'll hear that 'Nate wants to run' and that with Felton he'll finally have that 'fast break' PG he's wanted for years.

 

[Natebishop3]

I wonder how many times we'll hear that 'Nate wants to run' and that with Felton he'll finally have that 'fast break' PG he's wanted for years.

But instead all we'll see is Ray in the corner waiting for Roy to pass him the ball.

 

[Blazinaway]

Felton
Roy/Mathews
Batum
Wallace
LMA

Looks like a running team to me. I don't think we sprint for 48 like GS/D'antoni style but we will be faster depending on the lineups we have in there.

A very good defensive team and that can lead to some nice fast breaks

 

[Mediocre Man]

You guys just ignore the stats?

 

[Klinky]

I've been hoping for a more uptempo offense since we got rid of Z-Bo. Maybe Z-Bo wasn't as big of a black hole as I thought he was & it was just Nate's stagnant offense(maybe a little of both).

I am under no illusion that Nate is actually going to push the ball. We have him talking about Felton playing SG so that Roy can play PG. I love that. We can have our gimpy SG play as PG & let our PG play as an undersized SG. While we're at it, let's make our SF play at SG too! Bravo! Nothing like players playing out of position to make for excellent cohesion and unconfused offensive plays! Sounds like speed to me.

We'll probably see a handful of plays like this next season. Glimpses of what could be, but unfortunately never will, so long as we have McSluggish as our coach.

 

[Nikolokolus]

This reminds me of something


[video=youtube;JHpvpcCJmVw]

 

[e_blazer]

Mmmm ... *stifle* ... mmmmmmmm ... *snort* ... mmmmmwhahahahahahahahahaha.









You know what will signal a change of pace for the Blazers? When Nate quits or is fired.

I think Nate will play to his team's strengths. When Roy was the team's best player and most of the roster was composed of guys with little experience, that was a slow down, iso-oriented game. Now, the roster is full of guys who have much more experience and who will thrive in the open court. Our best player is a gazelle at PF and his wing-man at SF can fly. The team went out of its way to get a running-oriented PG and Nate was fully involved in that process. The handwriting is on the wall, but some of you refuse to see it because of your omnipresent cynicism about Nate. Keep pointing to stats from the past, I'm looking at the roster and the moves that the front office is making. I'm not looking for the Blazers to be in the top 3rd of the league in pace, but they're not going to dog it anymore either.

The proof will be seen on the court next season either way. Until then, by all means don't stifle yourself too much. You might hurt something.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Guess what? Roy was out most of the year and we still played at the slowest pace in the league.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think Nate will play to his team's strengths. When Roy was the team's best player and most of the roster was composed of guys with little experience, that was a slow down, iso-oriented game. Now, the roster is full of guys who have much more experience and who will thrive in the open court. Our best player is a gazelle at PF and his wing-man at SF can fly. The team went out of its way to get a running-oriented PG and Nate was fully involved in that process. The handwriting is on the wall, but some of you refuse to see it because of your omnipresent cynicism about Nate. Keep pointing to stats from the past, I'm looking at the roster and the moves that the front office is making. I'm not looking for the Blazers to be in the top 3rd of the league in pace, but they're not going to dog it anymore either.

The proof will be seen on the court next season either way. Until then, by all means don't stifle yourself too much. You might hurt something.

I didn't realize Brandon Roy played for the Seattle Supersonics.... that would explain why Nate had such a slow offense back when he coached in Seattle...

The truth is, Seattle was built to run with Rashard Lewis, Luke Ridnour, and Ray Allen, but they didn't.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I'll jump in with e (great post).

The proof will be next season, but I believe the Blazers will push the pace. The starters are in their prime and want to run and have enough experience to make good decisins. There will be a concentrated effort to get up and down the floor and run. Of course these thoughts will be mocked all summer with Nate comments.

Personally I'm not that excited about Felton as I don't know much about him. But I understand he likes to run and with Felton, Matthews, Aldridge and Batum all young and probably looking to run, looking forward to see what this team can do . . . and I don't think they are done yet.

No more projects, time to get players that will compliment Aldridge.

 

[Minstrel]

I think that the trade for Felton signals an increase in pace for the Blazers.

Why? Andre Miller was famed as an up-tempo point guard. If McMillan really planned on changing his philosophy, why would they trade away a guy known for being excellent at pushing the pace?

 

[Nikolokolus]

Shit. I'll bet anybody, right here, right now, 20 bucks that the Blazers finish in the bottom 5 in pace next year (assuming there's a season).

Going once? Going twice? ...

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Anyone have stats as to our pace pre-Wallace and post-Wallace? I'd like to think our pace increased with the acquisition of Wallace, as he constantly would push the ball up after a steal or rebound.

 

[B-Roy]

Anyone have stats as to our pace pre-Wallace and post-Wallace? I'd like to think our pace increased with the acquisition of Wallace, as he constantly would push the ball up after a steal or rebound.

We only played about 23 games post Wallace. Even if there's an increase in pace (and I doubt there is), I'd be much more convinced by the previous however many years.

 

[Public Defender]

I think the question is whether McMillan actually knows how to coach an uptempo team. It's not just a matter of yelling "run" after the team grabs a board.

I would be interested in seeing where Bernie Bickerstaff's teams were, in terms of pace. If those teams ran - and also won games - I'd be interested in seeing McMillan give more of the responsibility for the offensive end of the floor to Bickerstaff, and McMillan can worry more about the defensive end.

 

[jlprk]

You know what will signal a change of pace for the Blazers? When Nate quits or is fired.

There's a third way it might happen--revolution from within

Since Andre's arrival there have been signs. First, McMillan was derided in the national media for not starting Miller, to keep things slow. Then he and Miller had the public argument over this very issue and Nate lost. Then Roy declined so Miller started doing things his way, alley-ooping to Aldrige. Posters said wow, McMillan has changed. McMillan just stood there and scowled at fast breaks. This season, Bernie got them playing faster. Nate watches and isn't sure whether he approves.

Nate was dictator over young players, but now that Pritchard's influence is gone, we're getting experienced players who know McMillan is full of it and just ignore him. (Same for Jason Quick, so he quit.)

So we may actually speed up this year with Felton ignoring Nate and using Bernie's offense from Charlotte, alley-ooping to Gerald Wallace.

 

[Blazer4ever]

I see no point in running just for running. If Felton is able to steal the ball on the perimeter (like in the 2nd highlight), It's not like Nate is going to get up from the bench and immediately call a timeout or something.
I see good coaching as trusting the players and allowing freedom. Teaching them to go with what the other team gives them. If there's a good opportunity take it, no matter if there's 5 or 15 left on the shot-clock.

 

[Blazer4ever]

And of course, if it's a fastbreak there could even be 22 seconds left, I'm assuming it's obvious.
The question is if you run after a defensive-rebound, running after a steal usualy happens. Running after a defensive-rebound I guess depends on a coach's philosophy.

 

[RoyToy]

Portland doesn't need to up the pace as much as they need to get better on the fastbreak.

Andre Miller just wasn't a guy that was a blur out there and he doesn't fly by defenders. Felton is more of that kind of player. He's quicker on the break.

Aldridge also isn't a great outlet passer, which is key to starting the fastbreak. He'll grab a rebound a pivot for 2-3 seconds and be overly cautious. If you watch Tim Duncan the ball is out of his hands to Tony Parker at half-court in a split second.

 

[B-Roy]

I see no point in running just for running. If Felton is able to steal the ball on the perimeter (like in the 2nd highlight), It's not like Nate is going to get up from the bench and immediately call a timeout or something.

Hehe, funny scene in my head. I can see it happening.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Portland doesn't need to up the pace as much as they need to get better on the fastbreak.

Andre Miller just wasn't a guy that was a blur out there and he doesn't fly by defenders. Felton is more of that kind of player. He's quicker on the break.

Aldridge also isn't a great outlet passer, which is key to starting the fastbreak. He'll grab a rebound a pivot for 2-3 seconds and be overly cautious. If you watch Tim Duncan the ball is out of his hands to Tony Parker at half-court in a split second.

That reminds me of the championship team. It was 5 years or so before I was born, but Walton and Lucas would grab rebounds and without looking, turn and fire the ball to midcourt all in one motion. That team ran the break so well. They should have put that on video for clinics, man. It was a thing of beauty to watch.

 

[jlprk]

Walton was the greatest outlet passer I've ever seen. He would leap for the rebound, move his hands toward where he calculated the ball would intersect him as it came down and he went up, turn his head toward his teammates scurrying toward the opposite hoop in anticipation of his pass, snag the ball with both hands no-look because his head was turned around from the ball as far as he could rotate his neck while he calculated his best pass receiver, rotate his body in midair without bringing the ball below his head so that the other center couldn't steal it, and make the pinpoint pass to the best receiver (the one farthest from his defender) way downcourt for the wide open layup. Then he would land. Then he had excellent speed in getting down there in case the layup failed.

Walton had several signature moves like that that no one has ever done before or after. Sabonis was an oaf at passing in comparison, with his failed behind-the-back passes that were always intercepted.