To win the Playoffs and the NBA Championship, the Blazers need to optimize use of talent from the starters and bench. We need to aim for getting open shots from the highest % shooters in each game, and must be prepared to make substitutions frequently to keep the FG%, screens, kick out passes, drives, cuts, dunks, and in the paint scoring as it was in those many recent quarters when we achieved 12+ point leads. Surely, we must avoid low scoring quarters (less than 26 points) by using team work, screens, assists, active talking, and precise passing. And we must consistently maintain defensive intensity enhanced by enough substitutions to keep fresh legs on the court at all times.
To allow maximizing the scoring power of the Dame and CJ back court, we must count on front court talent to score, space the floor, open the paint for drives, defend the rim and paint, and distribute scoring. We have seen success and disappointment in the last 10 games that shows what I think we should do and not do. When the Blazers score 15+ swish3s, we win. When we have 130+ points, 26+ assists, 36+ Center points, rebounds lead of 10+, and consistent determined defense, and we will more probably win!
Running the offense through Nurk, and in the Jan 30 UTA game through Meyers, leads to excellent offense, defense, and wins. We need to plan for play through optimized vision and passes from the Center from the start to the finish of these games. Observing the role that Enes is playing, especially in the OKC and MEM losses, with decreased performance of Chief, Mo, Jake, and Rod, and the defensive debacle, I believe that Blazer coaches must be ready to instantly bench him, even after only 4 min (his usual last 4 of the 1st Q time) if he is missing short range shots, weakly rebounding, losing the ball, or fluffing on defense. For example, in the OKC game, 12+ of his min should have gone to Meyers to make 3+ swish3s that would have won the game. And with Meyers, Jake, and Zach in the game to relieve Nurk, Mo, and Chief, we have the talent and team chemistry to score points (perhaps 30+) that we are now leaving silent on the bench!
For the success that is possible this year, Blazer coaches need to get out of the paralyzed passive substitution behavior exemplified in the OKC game to place our best scoring and defensive talent on the court. Blazer coaches apparently will substitute Enes for Nurk at about the 4 min to go mark each 1st Q. If Enes is playing well, hustling, scoring, rebounding, and defending, OK. But if not, switch to Meyers for those min the 2nd and 4th Q. Enes plays the low post, in contrast to the Nurk and Meyers high post. And Meyers offers the Blazers most efficient swish3 scoring. Meyers is enhancing the effectiveness of the front court, but Enes is not. The decisions that Blazer coaches make for the 2nd and 4th Q to optimize offensive and defensive talent offer the potential for winning the Playoffs and the NBA Championship.
To allow maximizing the scoring power of the Dame and CJ back court, we must count on front court talent to score, space the floor, open the paint for drives, defend the rim and paint, and distribute scoring. We have seen success and disappointment in the last 10 games that shows what I think we should do and not do. When the Blazers score 15+ swish3s, we win. When we have 130+ points, 26+ assists, 36+ Center points, rebounds lead of 10+, and consistent determined defense, and we will more probably win!
Running the offense through Nurk, and in the Jan 30 UTA game through Meyers, leads to excellent offense, defense, and wins. We need to plan for play through optimized vision and passes from the Center from the start to the finish of these games. Observing the role that Enes is playing, especially in the OKC and MEM losses, with decreased performance of Chief, Mo, Jake, and Rod, and the defensive debacle, I believe that Blazer coaches must be ready to instantly bench him, even after only 4 min (his usual last 4 of the 1st Q time) if he is missing short range shots, weakly rebounding, losing the ball, or fluffing on defense. For example, in the OKC game, 12+ of his min should have gone to Meyers to make 3+ swish3s that would have won the game. And with Meyers, Jake, and Zach in the game to relieve Nurk, Mo, and Chief, we have the talent and team chemistry to score points (perhaps 30+) that we are now leaving silent on the bench!
For the success that is possible this year, Blazer coaches need to get out of the paralyzed passive substitution behavior exemplified in the OKC game to place our best scoring and defensive talent on the court. Blazer coaches apparently will substitute Enes for Nurk at about the 4 min to go mark each 1st Q. If Enes is playing well, hustling, scoring, rebounding, and defending, OK. But if not, switch to Meyers for those min the 2nd and 4th Q. Enes plays the low post, in contrast to the Nurk and Meyers high post. And Meyers offers the Blazers most efficient swish3 scoring. Meyers is enhancing the effectiveness of the front court, but Enes is not. The decisions that Blazer coaches make for the 2nd and 4th Q to optimize offensive and defensive talent offer the potential for winning the Playoffs and the NBA Championship.
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