Why does this team struggle with large leads?

[Further]

I understand it happens on occasion, but this team routinely goes up by 15+ points only to give it all back. I don't think this is normal. I'm glad that the Blazers are able to still pull out a victory more times than not, but this is becoming a troubling trend. This is a good news bad news type of situation. The team is good enough in spurts to crush the opposition, like they did tonight going up 19 to 2 at the start of tonight's game. Bad news is they seem to fall completely apart in just as quick a moment, turning the ball over and missing easy shots.

Any ideas about why? Any ideas about how to correct this?

 

[BlazerCaravan]

We're a streaky team and our defense is inconsistent when you start substituting guys in and out... our bench isn't close enough in talent to keep things going offensively, and they're worse defensively in some positions. Basically, our bench is good if you're 41-41 team, but the team has jumped up a couple levels and now the bench looks a lot worse for it. So, we do need to improve the bench in running the offense and getting steady points within said well-run offense.

 

[magnifier661]

It reminds me of the 1990 team. We would have 15 point leads in the fourth and give them back. I think it's just a growing phase

 

[e_blazer]

Tonight, it was the bench.
Starters: LA +11, Nic +22, Lopez +6, Lillard +21, Wes +11.
Bench: Robinson -9, Wright -15, Freeland 0, Williams -17.

Lakers' bench outscored ours 60 to 23. That isn't going to cut it.

 

[KingSpeed]

We're a streaky team and our defense is inconsistent when you start substituting guys in and out... our bench isn't close enough in talent to keep things going offensively, and they're worse defensively in some positions. Basically, our bench is good if you're 41-41 team, but the team has jumped up a couple levels and now the bench looks a lot worse for it. So, we do need to improve the bench in running the offense and getting steady points within said well-run offense.

CJ McCollum.

 

[magnifier661]

Tonight, it was the bench.
Starters: LA +11, Nic +22, Lopez +6, Lillard +21, Wes +11.
Bench: Robinson -9, Wright -15, Freeland 0, Williams -17.

Lakers' bench outscored ours 60 to 23. That isn't going to cut it.

Technically the Laker bench is better than the starters.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

It's boring to have a huge lead all game. Lose the sense of urgency

 

[OneLifeToLive]

I think it comes down to defense and the lack of it.

 

[e_blazer]

I'm not a fan of the way Mo Williams plays the point. I'm beginning to think he should be used strictly at the backup 2 position and play Watson at the backup 1.

 

[MickZagger]

Cause even when were up 20 were still hoisting up 3's. Teams like that are always a threat to blow big leads. That's the time when we need to work it inside to Aldridge.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Technically the Laker bench is better than the starters.

Yeah, there's a lot of tired old fogeys starting for the Lakers, and some hotheaded young guns off the bench. I like their spirit.

 

[STOMP]

the NBA doesn't let home teams get blown out, especially in the first half. If the visiting team gets a big lead early, expect most every call to go against them so as to make it a competitive match so the home town fans don't leave disgusted.

it's not this team

STOMP

 

[Further]

Tonight, it was the bench.
Starters: LA +11, Nic +22, Lopez +6, Lillard +21, Wes +11.
Bench: Robinson -9, Wright -15, Freeland 0, Williams -17.

I think Stotts might need to start always having either Lillard or Aldridge in at all times, and also needs to encourage Batum to take on a more commanding presence when Lillard is out.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I think Stotts might need to start always having either Lillard or Aldridge in at all times, and also needs to encourage Batum to take on a more commanding presence when Lillard is out.

I don't know how much more Batum can do; he was great out there save for a couple of bad turnovers (iirc).

 

[Further]

I don't know how much more Batum can do; he was great out there save for a couple of bad turnovers (iirc).

I'm not so much talking about just tonight, but overall when Lillard is out this team can act rudderless, Batum had all the ability to be that rudder.

 

[Strenuus]

CJ McCollum.

If you're talking about just having another body coming off the bench, then okay.

But if you're expecting him to pay early dividends... I'd wait on that, IMO.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I think it comes down to defense and the lack of it.

Yep and thats going to be even more of a problem in the playoffs unless we can find a better center to anchor the defense.

 

[PHXBlazer1]

I think it's part of the process to becoming a contender. Last year we found ourselves down by 20 a lot, and we frequently came back and made a game of it, and won a few. So we learned how to play from behind. Now we're good, and we're not really used to it yet. The lesson this year is how to stomp on team's throats when we get a big lead and not give them any hope that they can come back. Good thing is, we're still finding ways to win when teams come storming back, with the exception of fuckin Phoenix. Well, come to think of it, we haven't had too many big leads this season. I'm kinda drunk, but my point is, this team is learning how to win.

 

[illmatic99]

BBall is a game of runs. This happens to every team. Our bench needs a little work, but we'll be fine.

If you remember a few years ago (08-09) when we had a stretch of just destroying opponents by 20-40 for a couple weeks. The difference was when we went up 15-20 in the first quarter, our bench increased that margin to 30. Then when the other team made their run our lead was too insurmountable and the final margin was huge.

Now we go up 15-20 in the first, the bench comes in and that margin is dwindled immediately.

I think changing the rotation slightly might help. Keeping Nic or Dame on the floor at all times will definitely steady the ship. The sample size is tiny, but I'd like to see our best and worst five man units on 82games.com. I bet anything that our worst lineups are those w/o either Nic or Dame.

 

[Sinobas]

It's just one of those things I've never understood. But if you think about times we've been down by 20, we usually cut it to single digits at least, at some point. It seems that big leads rarely last in the NBA. The team that's behind turns up the heat, and the team that was kicking but coasts a little bit, and that difference in intensity makes all the difference in the world.

Then when you let the momentum get out of control like that, it can be hard to regain control of the game. The Blazers got shell shocked and tenative.

 

[Kaydow]

The NBA is a game of runs, with few exceptions this is true for everyone. Elite defensive/rebounding teams like Indiana, SA, & formerly Chicago don't squander 15-20 pt leads very often because it's difficult to score 30+ points in a quarter against them. They don't give you a bunch of open 3 looks, or let you pound the offensive glass to get back into games. But most "good" teams struggle with this like we do. Oklahoma City has in recent seasons had many games where they open up huge lead, then let the other team back in the game. That said, the start of the 4th last night was awful. Bad turnovers, shot selection, and defensive play = blow 20 point lead in 6 minutes. After years of counseling to overcome them, my PTS symptoms from the 2000 WCF/GM7 reared their ugly head again (Did anybody else see Kobe throw a lob to Shaq in their living room last night? Just me?)

 

[Hobbesarable]

I understand it happens on occasion, but this team routinely goes up by 15+ points only to give it all back. I don't think this is normal. I'm glad that the Blazers are able to still pull out a victory more times than not, but this is becoming a troubling trend. This is a good news bad news type of situation. The team is good enough in spurts to crush the opposition, like they did tonight going up 19 to 2 at the start of tonight's game. Bad news is they seem to fall completely apart in just as quick a moment, turning the ball over and missing easy shots.

Any ideas about why? Any ideas about how to correct this?

Coach Stotts and his in-game adjustments. If something isn't working (like Mo Williams for most of the game), then you go to the next player (like Watson).

Stotts lets his players play through some of their struggles and I like that about him for the most part.

 

[Natebishop3]

Our bench. If they're on, we're fine, but if they're struggling like Williams, Wright, and Robinson were last night.... well..... it's just a flash back to last season. We have one of the best starting fives in the league, but we still have a weak bench. We need to get CJ back, and hopefully he makes a difference.

 

[Kaydow]

Our bench. If they're on, we're fine, but if they're struggling like Williams, Wright, and Robinson were last night.... well..... it's just a flash back to last season. We have one of the best starting fives in the league, but we still have a weak bench. We need to get CJ back, and hopefully he makes a difference.

I'm excited to get CJ back also. Last we heard was mid December I think. If he looks decent, it will be interesting to see how playing time works out for the back court. Does he cut into Wesley & Mo's minutes significantly? Does Dam get to rest more? His return makes our bench look a lot deeper.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm excited to get CJ back also. Last we heard was mid December I think. If he looks decent, it will be interesting to see how playing time works out for the back court. Does he cut into Wesley & Mo's minutes significantly? Does Dam get to rest more? His return makes our bench look a lot deeper.

Hopefully he cuts into Mo's minutes. A lot.

 

[magnifier661]

Hopefully he cuts into Mo's minutes. A lot.

I hope CJ can come out and prove that he can do Mo's job, but much much better. I don't know why Earl doesn't get much burn? I know Mo is a better scorer, but Earl seems to really work at setting up the offense and is especially good at defense.

I have a suspicion that the reason Stotts used Mo so much last night was to prep for today's game.