What this teams needs . . .

[mgb]

The McMillan offense is thoughtful and slow, depending upon set plays, which create assists. Opponents are more opportunistic, jetting in there when they see an opening, so they have fewer assists.

Of course, most of our baskets come off of broken plays, which cancels what I just said, so I won't bring up that part.

Plus we do a lot of ISO which takes away from assists.

 

[STOMP]

Andre isn't the greatest PG in the league, but he's easily the best guy running the show in Portland since PIP. I really appreciate having him as a Blazer despite his imperfections. Having pretty much every other guard and forward besides the Johnsons and Crash possess at least passable jumpers hides his lack of a deep ball. It's impossible to guard most ball handlers one on one because they'll just run their man off a screen if thats the D a team is determined to play. Good perimeter D is a team effort and Andre is very smart at team play. He communicates well, knows when to take a foul and can reasonably switch onto either opposing guard. Wesley, Nic, Gerald, LA & Camby are all excellent on switches and above average defenders which also helps mask AM's lack of elite foot speed on D.

to the OP, agreed with many that having Greg (or another solid Big) would really help their rotation for when they go up against other big teams... 2/3rds of the league is in the same boat lacking quality depth up front so it's obviously not the easiest role to fill. Maybe Freeland can help? The other thing I'd like to see added is another player who can go at the end of the clock. Brandon of course used to be that guy and Travis & Bayless could do it too (though obviously not as well). Their lack of this sort of player really shows when they're up late in the 4th trying to burn clock and close teams out. It's too easy to double team a Big, it pretty much has to be a perimeter player... Petteri? Elliott?

STOMP

 

[tlongII]

We need a healthy Oden next year, but even without him I believe we're on the cusp of being an elite team.

 

[maxiep]

IMO, we need the following things:

1. A consistent outside shooter. We have guys that can light it up from outside, but they're too inconsistent to be counted on game after game. Teams sag on us and dare us to beat them from outside.

2. A rugged widebody backup PF that can defend, rebound and score on putbacks in the low post. I remember when we were dealing with RLEC we were talking with Philly about Miller AND Brand. Elton Brand would have been great--albeit expensive--in that backup PF position.

3. A healthy GO. Man, that would solve so many problems. So. Many. Problems.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

we need oden, and some 3 point shooting. miller is the best pg we have had in forever

 

[RR7]

Parker was 1-5 in the second half tonight. In the first half, he was primarily covered by Batum. Second half, I was sitting back waiting for him to just abuse Miller. And waited. waited. waited. still waiting.

 

[illmatic99]

Along with GO, we need a vocal leader who holds guys accountable. I don't believe this team has much mental fortitude with a diminished Roy these days. I don't trust anyone (outside of Brandon) to make a basket or FTs, or even shut down a guy on D to win a game in the playoffs.

Maybe I need to reconsider. Hmmm.

 

[jlprk]

Parker was 1-5 in the second half tonight. In the first half, he was primarily covered by Batum. Second half, I was sitting back waiting for him to just abuse Miller. And waited. waited. waited. still waiting.

Miller was the best Blazer tonight. It was almost too bad that Batum took the final glory away from him.

 

[mgb]

Miller was the best Blazer tonight. It was almost too bad that Batum took the final glory away from him.

I don't know, that score wasn't possible without a perfect pass by Miller.

 

[handiman]

When Miller plays like he did down the stretch last night, shooting, passing, and defending, we're very tough to beat. Unfortunately, that's far outside the norm for his overall game. The assists and steals are always gonna be there, but the shooting was exceptional.

 

[TripTango]

The McMillan offense is thoughtful and slow, depending upon set plays, which create assists. Opponents are more opportunistic, jetting in there when they see an opening, so they have fewer assists.

But what about the fact that most of our baskets come off of broken plays?

 

[TripTango]

Parker was 1-5 in the second half tonight. In the first half, he was primarily covered by Batum. Second half, I was sitting back waiting for him to just abuse Miller. And waited. waited. waited. still waiting.

Still waiting?

Andre has the kind of savvy and poise that can be very difficult to quantify. He's the old dude at the Y with a ratty headband and goggles that quietly exploits the weaknesses of younger, flashier guards. He's not all that quick, he's not a shooter, but somehow he makes plays that put points on the board, one way or another.

 

[jlprk]

Miller is tough-minded. When he goes for a layup through opponents' arms, it goes in. He doesn't wilt and just go for the foul. That's experience. Pritchard's gone and we're done setting records for average age.