Why the Blazers struggle: a lack of steals

[BlazerCaravan]

This article caught my eye: http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-hidden-value-of-the-nba-steal/

Portland's defense is already nothing to write home about, but the most valuable part of defense, steals, is our worst. We are the worst team in the league at getting steals.

I know it's well duh obvious, but the statistical analysis of the article really put it in sharp relief.

 

[HailBlazers]

It's a good point, we're such an athletic team we could really use some fast break points.

 

[riverman]

I think we stole Robin Lopez and TRob and trading Gerald Wallace for the Lillard pick was a steal too, so not sure I agree.

 

[cmeese47]

We are already terrible at defense so what would gambling to force some extra turnovers actually hurt?

 

[Sinobas]

Stotts has them playing a prevent defense, and that lack of aggression carries over onto the offensive side as well.

 

[jlprk]

From the article links: Ronnie Price has been 6th in steals/minute and 7th in steal %. How many did he get tonight in how many minutes?

http://bkref.com/tiny/vg9mQ

 

[Charcoal Filtered]

I thought this year that stat would increase since our starters could afford to pick up fouls as well as having Lopez to help if Wesley or Nic got beat after going after a steal. I think we work too hard on the offensive end and could really use some easy buckets.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

Stotts has them playing a prevent defense, and that lack of aggression carries over onto the offensive side as well.

This. It's a bend but don't (well almost always) break defense and it is maddening.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Stotts has them playing a prevent defense, and that lack of aggression carries over onto the offensive side as well.

true. oh fuck me im agreeing with sinobas, we must be playing seriously bad.

i always say in football prevent defense doesnt prevent anything but a win.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I can't tell if it is the coaching or if it is something inherent, but it seems the Blazers have trouble anticipating what is about to happen when they are on defense. They rotate late, they close on a driver late. They don't seem to read the little signals that an offensive player may be giving off.

 

[milehighblazer]

Our inability to defend the pick and roll is atrocious, even the worst of screen-setters is able to look like a master of his craft against our defense. Also, we are never cutting off passing lanes, in fact it seems as though we encourage them to move the ball while we stand and watch it all unfold, then at the last second(late) decide to attempt to contest a shot.

 

[Blazer4ever]

The Blazers struggle because they don't use optimal lineups.
Why not start Robinson at PF?
Why is Wright even playing? He's not effective enough.
Our top players:
Nic, Lillard, *Lamarcus, Lopez, Mathewss
Mo, Robinson, Freeland*, Claver, Barton
Play only these players unless in garbage time or these specific situations:
Mc'Collum - 2nd quarter
Leonard - entertainment
Watson - Mo personal reasons
Crabbe - NBDL
Wright - stretch 4

 

[illmatic99]

Leonard - entertainment

I think by "entertainment" you mean if you feel momentary hate for yourself.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

I think by "entertainment" you mean if you feel momentary hate for yourself.

Some people cut themselves for pleasure.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Some people cut themselves for pleasure.

Mostly it's a chance to exert control over their lives... like when Stotts exerts control over his career prospects by playing Leonard.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Mostly it's a chance to exert control over their lives... like when Stotts exerts control over his career prospects by playing Leonard.

What ever the reason the result is similar, mockery from the outsiders looking in and a painful stinging sensation.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

What ever the reason the result is similar, mockery from the outsiders looking in and a painful stinging sensation.

Meyers Leonard, like cutting, results in a shame spiral.

 

[Eastoff]

We are already terrible at defense so what would gambling to force some extra turnovers actually hurt?

I came to post this. I agree, how much worse can we get?

 

[Blazinaway]

This article caught my eye: http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-hidden-value-of-the-nba-steal/

Portland's defense is already nothing to write home about, but the most valuable part of defense, steals, is our worst. We are the worst team in the league at getting steals.

I know it's well duh obvious, but the statistical analysis of the article really put it in sharp relief.

and with our recent bevy of stupid/lazy turnovers we have to be incredibly bad causing TO's vs our own, we aren't going to be a team that steals much with our D philosophy but early in the year we did a lot better job taking care of the ball, now we are so lazy and sloppy I find myself drinking heavily

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Our problem is deeper than steals.

At the start of this season this team was a team playing basketball, the result was incredibly fun to watch for people who appriciate the game. Ball movement and players moving without the ball to get open.

Now we just dribble around 3 point line and chuck a contested 3 or lillard drives into 3 defenders and gets blocked.

What we need is movement, and some Fucking effort from the players, after watching these last 10 or so games I'd keep rolo and Barton, Trob and lillard would be close seconds. Trade everyone else for people who want to Fucking play.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Reality is defenetly setting in and Lopez is showing he's just an avg. Center without LMA in there.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Reality is defenetly setting in and Lopez is showing he's just an avg. Center without LMA in there.

He had 20pts last night. Lopez is beast mode. I haven't questioned his effort all year, can't say the same for any other player.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Reality is defenetly setting in and Lopez is showing he's just an avg. Center without LMA in there.

This post is the opposite of insightful.

 

[Eastoff]

He had 20pts last night. Lopez is beast mode. I haven't questioned his effort all year, can't say the same for any other player.

Agreed. Lopez has been nothing but a fucking Terminator out there!

 

[cmeese47]

Agreed. Lopez has been nothing but a fucking Terminator out there!

Agreed giving up 22 to Vucevic and 28 to Jefferson terminated our chances for winning those games.

 

[jlprk]

What we need is movement, and some Fucking effort from the players, after watching these last 10 or so games I'd keep rolo and Barton, Trob and lillard would be close seconds. Trade everyone else for people who want to Fucking play.

Now we're talking. I like Whitsitt because I like roster and coaching changes. Secure players are lazy players.

Aldridge and Batum are as lazy as they come. As for Batum leading in distance per game, running in circles is mental laziness. Stand still like a man and get something accomplished.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

Now we're talking. I like Whitsitt because I like roster and coaching changes. Secure players are lazy players.

Aldridge and Batum are as lazy as they come. As for Batum leading in distance per game, running in circles is mental laziness. Stand still like a man and get something accomplished.

I wish these ass holes worked a real job before getting NBA money, I'd bust my ass for league minimum.