This team operates so much better when Lillard is the 'Man'

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

The past couple games when we have run the ball through Lillard more our offense has looked damn good.

Since he has been getting more looks his FG% has skyrocketed and our team just is getting a lot better spacing.

After a slow start to the season he is back to some really solid all-star numbers:

19.8 PPG 6.2 APG 5.2 RPG 1 SPG .456 FG% .439 3FG%

 

[magnifier661]

I will agree with this, but I think the combo of an aggressive Lillard and Aldridge is the unstoppable game plan.

And if you look at the real numbers, our bench is the real X factor. When their game is on, we can't be beat

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I will agree with this, but I think the combo of an aggressive Lillard and Aldridge is the unstoppable game plan.

And if you look at the real numbers, our bench is the real X factor. When their game is on, we can't be beat

I agree so much with an aggressive LA, we need to see him throw down some dunks more often... Get easy buckets that also start momentum.

The bench is a great point but at the end of the day if Dame and LA are on nothing can stop us. There isn't a duo in the NBA that can take over a game while keeping teammates involved like Dame/LA.

 

[magnifier661]

I agree so much with an aggressive LA, we need to see him throw down some dunks more often... Get easy buckets that also start momentum.

The bench is a great point but at the end of the day if Dame and LA are on nothing can stop us. There isn't a duo in the NBA that can take over a game while keeping teammates involved like Dame/LA.

Agreed

 

[Sinobas]

LaMarcus needs to stick to posting up, hitting the boards, and making open jumpers. The Blazers offense really suffers when they start it off by giving it to LA posting up 18 feet away from the hoop. Everyone stands around and he throws up a brick.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

LaMarcus needs to stick to posting up, hitting the boards, and making open jumpers. The Blazers offense really suffers when they start it off by giving it to LA posting up 18 feet away from the hoop. Everyone stands around and he throws up a brick.

I agree, we have at least 4-5 possessions a game where LA just posts from 15+ with about 14 on the shot clock and throws up an awkward jumper when Dame, Wes, Batum, etc. are wide open at the 3 point line.

 

[Sinobas]

LA should try to play more like Tim Duncan and less like Dirk Nowitski. Dirk is really the only big man guy in the league that makes a good living from the mid range game.

 

[riverman]

LA should try to play more like Tim Duncan and less like Dirk Nowitski. Dirk is really the only big man guy in the league that makes a good living from the mid range game.

Dirk has never had 6 blocked shots in the first half of a game in his career

 

[BrianFromWA]

phenomenon was explored a bit last season...

 

[Natebishop3]

Yup, but that's all mentality. Dame has that superstar mentality. It's in his DNA.

 

[Strenuus]

Dirk has never had 6 blocked shots in the first half of a game in his career

but he's going to be a hall of famer and he has a ring. he wins.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Yup, but that's all mentality. Dame has that superstar mentality. It's in his DNA.

He is a real superstar, not a fan/league made man like Harden or Kobe.

 

[Natebishop3]

He is a real superstar, not a fan/league made man like Harden or Kobe.

The NBA is working on it though. He's in a bunch of league commercials right now.

 

[Sinobas]

Dirk has never had 6 blocked shots in the first half of a game in his career

Ok, that was one half. LA has also never averaged more than 1.2 blocks per game (his high was his rookie year). Nowitski's high is 1.5. Anyway, that's not even the point. LA is more valuable as a poor man's Duncan than a poor man's Nowitski (which is what he's trying to be now).

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

The NBA is working on it though. He's in a bunch of league commercials right now.

Well he is likable on and off the court. He is clutch, funny and pretty open to fans (from what I've seen). Plus he isn't a complainer.

Basically Damian Lillard is like the "great white hope" of NBA superstars. He is literally the complete opposite of guys like Harden or Griffin.

 

[riverman]

Dame will become the #1 pt guard in the modern game given a little time. He's already a superstar for all the reasons you guys mentioned. Camera friendly, good interview, humble but confident. He's got all the tools and a will to win. Also a really, really top notch agent

 

[illmatic99]

We really underrate the value that Nic brings sometimes. Not having Dame create so much of the offense is crucial to relieving defensive pressure.

But after that shaky start, I see some serious fire in his attack this year. You can't guard him with one guy.

 

[Boise Blazer]

I think that Lillard tries really hard to get his teammates involved early in the game and I get and commend him for that but I also believe there are clearly games where he needs to be more aggressive early and that by doing so he could be just as effective and helpful for the team by opening up his teammates later in the game.

 

[Natebishop3]

Dame has improved so much at getting to the rim and finishing. That is one area that he is markedly better than he was in his rookie season. He's still an assassin from deep, but he has definitely added to his game.

 

[Boise Blazer]

Dame has improved so much at getting to the rim and finishing. That is one area that he is markedly better than he was in his rookie season. He's still an assassin from deep, but he has definitely added to his game.

Absolutely agree and that immediately makes me think that if he could get that Tony Parker floater down pat he would be damn near unstoppable.

 

[Natebishop3]

Absolutely agree and that immediately makes me think that if he could get that Tony Parker floater down pat he would be damn near unstoppable.

It's something that he had to improve on if he wanted to make that next step. Guys like Curry and Parker and Paul have a mid-range floater, so Lillard needed to add other aspects to his game if he wanted to be in the same conversation as the elite point guards in the west. It's still going to be so difficult for him to even make the All-Star team this season. It really depends a lot on how the team is doing by the time the coaches choose.

 

[donkiez]

Dame will become the #1 pt guard in the modern game given a little time. He's already a superstar for all the reasons you guys mentioned. Camera friendly, good interview, humble but confident. He's got all the tools and a will to win. Also a really, really top notch agent

In the post Chris Paul era yes. Dame will will be a top tier with Wall, Curry, Irving, etc. I honestly cant say I would want any of them over dame, Curry is the only player I would consider. Dame's personality and composure, as you mention, really elevate him also but most of those guys I mentioned also seem to be good guys. Overall though, Dame seems to have the "it" factor that captures pop cultures attention and transcends the sports of basketball. 5 bar Fridays, Madden covers, Philippine basketball, rap events, series winning basketball shots.......... this kid is just taking off.

 

[Natebishop3]

In the post Chris Paul era yes. Dame will will be a top tier with Wall, Curry, Irving, etc. I honestly cant say I would want any of them over dame, Curry is the only player I would consider. Dame's personality and composure, as you mention, really elevate him also but most of those guys I mentioned also seem to be good guys. Overall though, Dame seems to have the "it" factor that captures pop cultures attention and transcends the sports of basketball. 5 bar Fridays, Madden covers, Philippine basketball, rap events, series winning basketball shots.......... this kid is just taking off.

Curry is flash, but I have seen him disappear in big moments. I'm really not that impressed.

 

[magnifier661]

Curry is flash, but I have seen him disappear in big moments. I'm really not that impressed.

I agree. I just don't see Cuury being that "go-to-guy" like Lillard.

 

[Natebishop3]

I agree. I just don't see Cuury being that "go-to-guy" like Lillard.

I really don't understand all the love that Golden State gets. They got bounced in the first round last year. The whole Splash Brothers thing has been blown way out of proportion.

 

[magnifier661]

I really don't understand all the love that Golden State gets. They got bounced in the first round last year. The whole Splash Brothers thing has been blown way out of proportion.

I can't wait to blow them out in Golden State

 

[Boise Blazer]

I can't wait to blow them out in Golden State

Ooohhh ... BOLD ... I like it.

 

[jlprk]

We really underrate the value that Nic brings sometimes. Not having Dame create so much of the offense is crucial to relieving defensive pressure.

Batum overdoes it. Lillard gets a lot more efficient when he knows he's the Man.

 

[BrianFromWA]

Batum overdoes it. Lillard gets a lot more efficient when he knows he's the Man.

You, sir, are correct, sir.

 

[illmatic99]

Batum overdoes it. Lillard gets a lot more efficient when he knows he's the Man.

Well, ya. Not really comparing the two. Just saying having Nic around makes Dame's job a little easier in the grand scheme of things. Watch for how much BKN will trap Dame and force Wes to make plays on SAT. DEN did not figure it out and doubled LA every time for some reason last night. kinda stupid leaving Dame with single coverage everywhere.