Scalma and Ukrainefan, you are missing the meaning that I see in Meyers interview. He is clearly sensitive to the barrage of negative vibes that he is getting and is reflecting the truth that basketball is a game of confidence. What Meyers is missing is that zoning in that he has shown in earlier years when making 40% or more of swish3s, screening with excellence, and sharp passing. Both Dame and Meyers stated that feeling the confidence (which is what they mean when talking about getting the feel or getting the rhythm) is needed for optimum success. Yes, Meyers is stating some opposites, especially when he says that the criticism by fans is not a factor. "I could care less" is an opposite platitude. I think he says that because he hopes that saying this might decrease the negatives that he will receive.
What Dame, CJ, Allen, Noah, Chief, or any of the Blazers must feel as a major negative force against their performance is the kind of criticism that is showing in this forum. The negative vibrations of being booed that we saw in the game 4 playoff are hard to overstate. What all of the Blazers need is the feeling of fan support for the positives that they accomplish to play their best. When a player shoots with that "in the zone" feeling (or rhythm) based on confidence in what he can do for the team, you see the kind of success so vividly demonstrated by Curry, Durant, Thompson, and Green for the Warriors. When a player shoots with the haunting sounds of boos from his home court fans, the elements of fear negate that feeling of excellence and lead to missed attempts.
If you listen to the Dame and Meyers interviews carefully, you can see why it is important to provide these guys with confidence that leads to success. IMO, choosing to boo and to post condemning comments about Blazers is just destructive behavior. To make progress, I suggest that we look for ways to boost Blazer confidence, bringing more success with swish3s, screens, ball movement, defense, and wins next season.
