We are not a good team

[Mediocre Man]

Should someone take the cake out of the oven? I think it's getting burned.

Just like last season when we went on the 13 game winning streak, I said it was only because we were making shots. This season it has been the same early. Our offense is horrible, and our defense is flat out embarrassing.

I think it would really benefit us to add a PG who could consistantly get into the lane...one that Nate will play, and also a SF who can as well.

 

[¹²³]

 

[Sedatedfork]

Of the 3 games we lost 2 were games that we would have won if we would have executed down the stretch. These are flukes or at least are correctable. We are still a good team IMO. Give it time. Oden should be in very good form by January, and he is getting there if last night's game is any indication of his progress.

 

[bluefrog]

LOL!

 

[Nikolokolus]

So even though this team is at .667 and still on pace for 54 wins they're not a good team anymore because they've hit a rough patch, where more than likely their schedule finally caught up with them?

I can understand the concern, but anyone who was expecting a strictly linear progression out of this team with no downturns, dry spells, or stretches of bad play is fooling themselves.

 

[MrJayremmie]

15-10 after MAYBE the hardest schedule in NBA history (our first 24 games)? We aren't a good team?

It was 20 years since a team has played soo many road games through their first 24. We played 24 games in 45 DAYS! We also were the only team to ever start a season playing something like 5 playoff teams who all won 50+ games.

15-10 and we arne't even playing NEAR to our potential.... Roy is gettin' into his groove, LMA is back, Oden is starting to find it!!!! We will be fine.

Our last 7 games (starting in NY) have been horrid, but I think with time off and a home-stand we will be ok.

Believe!!!

 

[#1_War_Poet_ForLife]

 

[Kaydow]

winning % is 60

pace of 49 wins

And no, we aren't a bad team. We are a pretty good team . . . BECAUSE of B-roy. He's the only guy who brings it every night. We have a lot of young, inexperineced guys that will improve with time. But without Brandon, we are a rudderless ship. Probably a 35 win team. He may get us 50 wins if he stays healty.

C: Joel has been awesome in every facet. I feel so confident with him in the game that he'll gobble up rebounds, block shots, set picks, and finish at the rim. And now he makes his free throws too. Oden needs more time. Even on his good nights, he still does things like fumble the ball out of bounds a couple of times.

PF: Lamarcus brings it about 70% of the time, when he's on he's great, when he's not . . Frey is a 6'10" jump shooter who you can push around.

SF: Rudy & Outlaw are just plain streaky. It's all 3's and dunks for these guys, or . . . clank! Batum is cut out of the same mould.

SG: Brandon Roy for President. By far our best and most clutch player. Maybe our only clutch player. You can't overstate the importance of him to this team.

PG: Blake is a b/u playing with the starters. I'm not even talking about last night. He's a b/u, let's face it. He shoots it pretty well, he doesn't turn the ball over. No dribble prenetration whatsoever, as evidenced by his paultry 4 assist/game. I liked him coming off the bench in Denver a few years ago. Don't get me wrong, Sergio isn't any better. He can't shoot and he's out of control with the ball at times. And Bayless isn't ready. He looks like he came from an And-1 tournament right now. Guess we're stuck here for a while, or until a trade.

 

[craigehlo]

And no, we aren't a bad team. We are a pretty good team . . . BECAUSE of B-roy.

During this losing streak, it often looks like he's out there by himself since no other player can create their own shot and it's finally catching up with us. If we could get a solid 20 PPG consistently from our starting SF, it would really solve a lot of problems.

 

[Kaydow]

During this losing streak, it often looks like he's out there by himself since no other player can create their own shot and it's finally catching up with us. If we could get a solid 20 PPG consistently from our starting SF, it would really solve a lot of problems.

Exactly. When Rudy, Travis, and LA are on - it makes us dangerous. When they are not, B-roy is 1 on 5. He's had to work so hard the last 5 games it's rediculous. He won't hold up like this - he's just taking too much punishment. It's not fair to put that much on him.

 

[HOWIE]

I think Portland is a good team, they are not a great team. They need to learn to close out games and I'd like to see them attack the rim rather than dribble and shoot a jump shot. Hopefully this is somethng that will become clear during the season. I am hoping that Bayless is going to be that point guard we invision he can be and lets be real about the small forward, sure we could add someone, but Batum is only 19 and going through a tough patch. It sucks losing a double overtime game like last night, but I don't think that Portland is a bad team, but they sure aren't a great team yet.

 

[Denny Crane]

Better or worse since Oden came back?

 

[HOWIE]

Better or worse since Oden came back?

Better with Oden, funny thing is with this team. If one guy is on fire everyone is on fire, if one guy is off it seems to me that everyone is off. It's a little weird how close this team really is.

 

[julius]

I'd hate to have seen how the fans reacted when, in 90-91, the team hit a patch of games where they won 3 out of 11.

Sometimes, we over-react to losses and look foolish. This is an example of that.

 

[MrJayremmie]

Better or worse since Oden came back?

Definitely better. Specially our defense. And it also allows us to always have Greg/Joel in the game to anchor our D, which is awesome and really helps. They can both be aggressive because if they get fouls the other one can always come in. I think that helped us a lot.

I don't think its too much of a difference on offense right now, but it will be soon. But overall, I think we are better, and hopefully will continue to get better.

The last 7 games have been weird. Ever since the Detroit game we just look different. Its like that game gave them a false sense of confidence.

 

[craigehlo]

Better or worse since Oden came back?

Much better. He's commanding a lot of attention for opposing defenses with his mere presence in the block.

 

[#1_War_Poet_ForLife]

Then why are so many of the fans going "Is Oden a bust? Should we have taken Durant? Is Oden emo?".

 

[Crimson the Cat]

We are not a good team - false.
Some fans overreact. - true.

 

[craigehlo]

We are not a good team - false.
Some fans overreact. - true.

Some fans are perfectly happy with having low expectations and missing the playoffs yet again = True

 

[julius]

Some fans are perfectly happy with having low expectations and missing the playoffs yet again = True

And some fans are overreacting to some hard losses, 2 of which are against two of the better teams in the league, and acting like they are proof of a losing season.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

Some fans are perfectly happy with having low expectations and missing the playoffs yet again = True

Some fans are perfectly happy with having realistic expectations - True.

Some fans don't factor in how difficult it is to play in Utah, get home at 1am, and then play a double-overtime game that same day. - True

Without a doubt THIS team is making the Playoffs.

 

[craigehlo]

And some fans are overreacting to some hard losses, 2 of which are against two of the better teams in the league, and acting like they are proof of a losing season.

It's not the record that is troubling. I'll take 15-10 if the team is playing smart basketball, but it's not even close currently.

You are only as good as your most recent stretch, and this is eerily reminiscent of the meltdown last year after the streak ended. Same terrible perimeter D. Same bad shot selection. No easy buckets.

Let's not forget it took a lot of effort in the road trip to beat non-playoff teams like the Knicks and Wiz. There's a pattern of bad play that's been going on for several weeks.

 

[MrJayremmie]

Some fans are perfectly happy with having low expectations and missing the playoffs yet again = True

Naw, its just that 15-10 through that schedule isn't a time to scream "the sky is falling". I love reading the critiques and I agree with so many.

 

[MAS RipCity]

Should someone take the cake out of the oven? I think it's getting burned.

Just like last season when we went on the 13 game winning streak, I said it was only because we were making shots. This season it has been the same early. Our offense is horrible, and our defense is flat out embarrassing.

I think it would really benefit us to add a PG who could consistantly get into the lane...one that Nate will play, and also a SF who can as well.

Why trade for one, when we have Bayless. I'm sure KP will get into his ear soon about giving this kid playing time.

 

[Ghost Pepper]

Our team has lost to Boston on their court... who believed we would win that game??? Come on!! We lost to Orlando with a Hedo miracle and the Clipps cause one of our best free throw shooters missed 3 of 4. How is that terrible? Utah....well that place may be as lopsided as Bosten for whistles up the butts. All in all I'm not panicked whatsoever. YES I'm disappointed that Blake brain farted so badly in a game that was OVER but the rest is par for the course.

 

[Nikolokolus]

Then why are so many of the fans going "Is Oden a bust? Should we have taken Durant? Is Oden emo?".

Because some people had bought into the ridiculous hype that's been built up around Greg since he was a freshman in highschool; that he was going to be the Next Bill Russell right out of the gate, and anything less is a "disappointment." The other reason is far simpler, people are upset because this is the "intar-nets" and it wouldn't be the "intar-nets" if people weren't overreacting.

 

[Kaydow]

Better or worse since Oden came back?

Better. Because the two headed monster of Pryz/Oden keeps them both fresh. Joel looks so much stronger, healthier, and physically (dare I say) dominant? than I've ever seen him. Keeping his minutes down has to be a huge part of that. And Oden benefits from Joel as well. I thought these guys would get in each others way, and it has been one of the bright spots of the season. A big part of why (most nights) the Blazers win the battle on the boards.

 

[oldguy]

First five games, hardest schedule in NBA history. Check, 2-3 and behind them.
10 out of first 14 games on the road. Check, they came through with an 8-6 record.
Most road games in the last 20 years for this point in season. Check, they came through with a 15-10 record. That's all behind them.

15-10 with a ball-busting schedule. On pace to win 49 after, BY FAR, the toughest part of our schedule. For the second youngest team in the league.

Our starting SF has played a handful of minutes this season, so we're starting a rook. Nic is going to be a stud, but he needs seasoning.

LA has been streaky, true, but it seems to me that he produces when the guys get him the ball in good position. Problem is, after LA starts well, the team just goes away from him. I don't get that, but they will work through it.

Rudy has been inconsistent, but that will turn around. He's used to being the guy, and he's not on this team. He just has to find his balance. He'll get better....much better.

The posters calling Greg a bust are going to be eating a LOT of crow before the end of the season, if he stays healthy. I believe that they are still trying to let Greg learn to play lockdown D, and not put the responsibility of carrying the offensive load, yet. That will come before the end of the year.

Improvement from Nic, Rudy and Greg. Much easier schedule, with a much higher % of home games....equals more wins as we move ahead from here....equals MORE THAN 49 wins.

You chicken little types need to chill and try to enjoy watching these kids learn to play together.

 

[PapaG]

During this losing streak, it often looks like he's out there by himself since no other player can create their own shot and it's finally catching up with us. If we could get a solid 20 PPG consistently from our starting SF, it would really solve a lot of problems.

How do you propose getting a 20ppg SF without giving up either Roy or LMA, and how does the 20 ppg SF keep getting 20 ppg on this team?

 

[PapaG]

The posters calling Greg a bust are going to be eating a LOT of crow before the end of the season, if he stays healthy.

Who is calling Oden a bust?