"Trail Blazers players say the words that could change season: ‘Enough is enough’"

[Rastapopoulos]

http://theathletic.com/2551501/2021...ds-that-could-change-season-enough-is-enough/

 

[Rastapopoulos]

So what exactly are we doing differently these past two games? Anyone?

 

[e_blazer]

If that's all it took, what took them so long?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Didn't watch either game, but Travis and Holton seemed to indicate on Tuesday that the defensive effort from Dame was about the best they'd seen from him all season.

 

[e_blazer]

So what exactly are we doing differently these past two games? Anyone?

They're definitely being more aggressive on both offense and defense, but the main difference is they're making shots. To me, it seems this team feeds off of their ability to score at a high clip. When the shots weren't dropping during the recent home stretch, it seemed to me it impacted the effort level all over the court.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

It's obviously my 12-0 prediction for the rest of the season.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

They're moving the ball better which is getting them higher quality shots which means they're making them at a higher clip. It isn't just about shots dropping or not. It's the quality of shots that matter. I think they've pretty much thrown out the coach's directives and are taking it upon themselves to try and figure this out.

 

[Strenuus]

Too little too late.

 

[tester551]

So what exactly are we doing differently these past two games? Anyone?

They're definitely being more aggressive on both offense and defense, but the main difference is they're making shots. To me, it seems this team feeds off of their ability to score at a high clip. When the shots weren't dropping during the recent home stretch, it seemed to me it impacted the effort level all over the court.

I missed the Indiana game.
The Memphis game, I saw that they started the game with intensity (which historically is rare), they gave consistent effort on defense, they focused on attacking the basket (instead of taking contested long-range jump shots), and there was more ball/player movement.

This renewed effort and focus is great. A much needed change. However with all self (team) improvement, the true measure of growth comes when you meet resistance. I'm not sure the Indiana team (injuries) or the Memphis team (young - off night) can really be classified as 'resistance'.

If we can see the team continue to play like this through the Spurs game, I'll start to buy in.
More often than not, when teams have the 'player only' meetings - it goes well for a bit. Players start falling into the old habits (which necessitated the player only meeting in the first place), trust erodes, and things fall apart quickly.

 

[Orion Bailey]

I have a theory.
Lol.
Just finished the game barn with internet and a 55” tv. After almost two years of working on it, we were able to watch the first game in the game barn against indy.

now we have watched two. Both blowouts!

i don't think im allowed to watch another game in another place now....


Its all about the barn man! The barn!

 

[Natebishop3]

So what exactly are we doing differently these past two games? Anyone?

Playing mediocre teams?

I'm not going to be convinced that any kind of change has happened until we beat a decent team like the Clippers, Nuggets, Jazz, Nets, etc.

 

[wizenheimer]

they have certainly looked like a different team. Of course, that's holding them up to the standards of that 5 game losing streak; and it's not like they curb-stomped the Nuggets & Clippers

I don't know if it was Stotts or an assistant coach or Dame himself, but when Dame got switched onto Brogdon defensively in the Indiana (late 1st Q/2ndQ?), the entire tone of the Blazer defense seemed to change.

Brooklyn and Boston will be a different level of challenge than the last two games. On the other hand, the eastern conference is pretty blah right now. If you take out the Knicks and the Wizards, the other 8 teams in the top 10 have a combined 43-37 record over their last 10 games; 5 of the 6 playoff teams have gone 6-4. And it's not like Western Conference teams are doing much better. Nobody except the Knicks and Wizards is hot right now; no top team is playing dominant basketball

might be a crack there for Portland to sneak thru but they will have to start consistently beating teams with better records before I find it credible

 

[julius]

This is the mindset they needed in game 1, not game 61.

 

[Hoopguru]

I think when they are home they are more distracted and comfortable.
The last two games Dames not the only pone bringing the ball up either, I noticed Powell and CJ doing it more. More movement makes a huge difference. Nurk is tuning himself into shape, getting more from Ant and Melo and Dame is getting more sleep on the road. They are trying to play better D and we we see tomorrow nighty against the Nets, two teams that are below average in D but lethal on O.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I have a theory.
Lol.
Just finished the game barn with internet and a 55” tv. After almost two years of working on it, we were able to watch the first game in the game barn against indy.

now we have watched two. Both blowouts!

i don't think im allowed to watch another game in another place now....


Its all about the barn man! The barn!

If you build it they will win.

 

[blazedanugz]

Uptick in defensive effort

BALL MOVEMENT

 

[TBpup]

That's great....and Dame was taking the lead on defense which seemed to spark the team.

But in the name of Bill Shonely, why did it have to take so freaking long?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I don't know if it was Stotts or an assistant coach or Dame himself, but when Dame got switched onto Brogdon defensively in the Indiana (late 1st Q/2ndQ?), the entire tone of the Blazer defense seemed to change.

Side note: Dame seems pretty fond of what sounds like self-help jargon. "I was going to be present"??

 

[Mr. Robot]

things might be better for a couple of games, but i dont believe it will be better long term

today more than ever, fire terry stotts!

 

[James lamphear]

So what exactly are we doing differently these past two games? Anyone?

Last night we were aggressive on offense taking the ball to hoop instead relying on the 3 point shot. Plus gets you to the free throw line. Defense on in some cases was pretty good the 3rd quarter wasn't good but at least I see them putting effort into it but still ways to go.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[Hoopguru]

Im sure Dame words were, if we don't turn it around and start winning coach is gone!

 

[Strenuus]

Im sure Dame words were, if we don't turn it around and start winning coach is gone!

Thats worse case scenario. Stotts and olshey need to be fired if we are to ever have a chance.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

Too little too late.

If I am ever in a position to buy you a beer, it will only be half full…………

 

[HolyBackboard]

So what exactly are we doing differently these past two games? Anyone?

We've seen this Blazers team do this in short bursts this season (@lakers, New Year's in the Bay vs. Golden State, Philly X2), so they know they are capable of playing this way for a full 48 minutes. Unfortunately, knowing they can play this way also leads to sub-par effort, inconsistency, and thinking they're better than they really are.

What has stood out to me these past two games are:
- A sense of being humbled this month. Dame referenced not being ashamed to play desperate, and the team is finally scrapping and grinding.

- LEADERSHIP! Dame leading by example and setting the tone defensively against Brogdon. CJ not only playing physical with Grayson Allen to start the Memphis game but also holding Nurk accountable for his sloppy turnover that almost led to a Morant highlight dunk. It's a shame the coach is not the one holding the player's accountable, but a team that can hold each other accountable is crucial to long-term success.

- Getting everyone involved. Look at the shot distribution from the Memphis game: Lillard 15, McCollum 15, Powell 14, Nurkic 10, Anthony 11, Simons 8, Covington 6, Kanter 4

- Along with spreading the wealth, Portland actually started to value the possession! Gone were the quick, contested jumpers. We ran sets, got to the line, and started utilizing Nurk and Powell more effectively.

- Lastly, plain, old, simple effort. Portland finally played like they wanted it more. This roster may be imbalanced, but it's talented as hell. Sometimes you just need to play hard and the results will come.

Now we've seen this from the Blazers before. With 10 games left the question remains, can they sustain it? Or will they fall back into their bad habits that have led them to fighting for the play-in rather than home-court advantage?

 

[Mr. Robot]

- Getting everyone involved. Look at the shot distribution from the Memphis game: Lillard 15, McCollum 15, Powell 14, Nurkic 10, Anthony 11, Simons 8, Covington 6, Kanter 4

- Along with spreading the wealth, Portland actually started to value the possession! Gone were the quick, contested jumpers. We ran sets, got to the line, and started utilizing Nurk and Powell more effectively.

- Lastly, plain, old, simple effort. Portland finally played like they wanted it more. This roster may be imbalanced, but it's talented as hell. Sometimes you just need to play hard and the results will come.

im not sure this is sustainable, in fact, im pretty sure it isnt, cause sooner or later, were gonna revert to dame & cj mccollum iso ball

but like i said, this team can play much more enjoyable bball, its up to the coach and the players to make it happen

involve everyone and the players will buy in, dont involve everyone and no-one will bust his ass on defense just to see dame & cj mccollum & carmelo iso chucking

 

[chris_in_pdx]

My question is, why did they have to wait so long and for the situation to get so bad that they HAD to say "enough is enough" and turn the switch on? This is what we saw during the bubble last season as well. Suddenly the Blazers were motivated and energized and not at all the same team that was floundering before the COVID shutdown. Are all the players and the coaching staff so complacent and comfortable that it takes the kind of month like April was to "wake them up" into playing to their potential? I really hesitate to go down the "millionaires just cash checks and don't really care about the game, the team, and the fans", but that's sure what it looks like, especially when the fan base was calling for heads after the Memphis back-to-back debacles.

 

[Hoopguru]

im not sure this is sustainable, in fact, im pretty sure it isnt, cause sooner or later, were gonna revert to dame & cj mccollum iso ball

but like i said, this team can play much more enjoyable bball, its up to the coach and the players to make it happen

involve everyone and the players will buy in, dont involve everyone and no-one will bust his ass on defense just to see dame & cj mccollum & carmelo iso chucking

Yeah, if other players know they can get theirs it helps their confidence. All the contenders have the iso and P&R going with their stars but defense is what makes them contenders.

 

[AldoTrapani]

This team is hilarious. They beat two scrubs and now “enough is enough” lmao

 

[Chris Craig]