What is our weakness?

[gatorpops]

But Roy and LaMarcus are more effective within this range. I'm fine with our pick and pop game. We just need to have a fucking clue on how to get LaMarcus and GO rolling the the basket and get them the ball on the move. GO is especially much more effective if you get him the ball while his moving to the basket.

In the first quarter I think, Oden got a pass as he rolled down the lane and got nearly to the rim with the ball and as he went up he got stripped by I think Ty Lawson. They never went back to it but it almost worked and I thought at the time that they should have tried it again. ?????

 

[hasoos]

Our biggest weakness is the attitude with which the team plays the game. Go watch a Boston game. They come in with a scowl on their face, every player from top to bottom of the rotation plays physical, and they don't stop when they put you down by a dozen points, they don't stop when they have you down by 40 points. They come in, kick the shit out of you, and walk off the court like they kicked some ass.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

In the first quarter I think, Oden got a pass as he rolled down the lane and got nearly to the rim with the ball and as he went up he got stripped by I think Ty Lawson. They never went back to it but it almost worked and I thought at the time that they should have tried it again. ?????

I still, for the life of me, cannot understand how someone with so much upper body strength has so much trouble holding on to the ball. One would think that he could hold it so tightly that he'd be nearly busting the seams. Is he just nonchalant with it, or am I overestimating the control he has over this issue?

 

[hasoos]

Anthony was taken out and was put back in later in the fourth. When Anthony was out, Billups took over the scoring load for Denver. They both took breathers.

Not in the critical 4th quarter they didn't. And not at the same time. We subbed in that wonderful Miller/Blake combo for Rudy and Roy in the 4th quarter, when Denver had not shown the ability to stop either. By the way, that same Miller/Blake combination has not been successful once yet, not in any pre season game (in fact they were flat out awful together in pre season) and not in any regular season game. So why does Nate continue to go to it?

When Golden State had Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond those 3 guys played pretty much 45 minutes a game if they needed to in order to win. So don't give me that bullshit that our young players needed to be pulled out. They are young and have legs to burn.

 

[Idog1976]

I'm tending to agree with a comment made by Charles Barkley tonight:

Portland needs a banger PF that can score under the bucket.


As much promise we all see in LMA, he's NOT going to be this type of player! Yes, we blew it by not drafting Blair!

Short of complaining, can we package Travis + Blake or Bayless and a top pick and pursue a solid veteran PF that can bang?....and score from 3 feet in?


Yes, we are rebounding - but we are NOT scoring in the paint! And we should not expect this from Oden, Pryz, LMA or Howard.

If we plan to win a championship - it will happen only after this weakness is addressed.

Any thoughts?

Outlaw, Blake, Przybilla for Battier and Landry.

 

[RoyIsClutch07]

Individually and as a group.

Mental Toughness

 

[Pontius]

You know, I think I'd trade LMA + Miller + Bayless for Bosh + Calderon

and be quite happy with a ring!

It's that easy, huh?

I think this falls in line with all your other genius trade ideas. Go play NBA2K and make all the trades you want. Maybe you could simulate a championship after a certain number of tries.

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

It's that easy, huh?

I think this falls in line with all your other genius trade ideas. Go play NBA2K and make all the trades you want. Maybe you could simulate a championship after a certain number of tries.

LOL

You just crack me up Pontius!

 

[BoomChakaLaka]

Individually and as a group.

Mental Toughness

110% with you on this point.

Question is, how do we gain this mental toughness?

1. I think this might start with coaching;

2. I think we truly need a banger PF role player, most likely a vet, that can come in and turn momentum around with inside scoring and physical toughness. I remember Brian Grant used to provide this for the team; Kersey used to provide this by diving all over the floor (hustle); Kermit, Lucas, Neal (when his knees were still good), all were the type of players who offered "toughness" - all were momentum changers.


Physical toughness contributes to a teams mental toughness.


We lack both.

 

[Denny Crane]

FYI

LMA 64 minutes, 3 ORB, 10 DRB, 13 total rebounds.
Luol Deng (a SF) 57 minutes, 6 ORB, 8 DRB, 14 total rebounds.