Comments on: One reason homecourt advantage isn’t as big in the playoffs as it is in the regular season

By: Rudie

Rudie — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:40:08 +0000

You said:
“I’ve said it all along, but I believe the longer the series goes, the better Portland will play. Part of it is the youth of the Blazers. They’ll grow and they’ll also probably stay fresher because of their young legs. But they’ll also be aided by their continued opportunity to become accustomed to playing against this very unusual team.”

I agree 100%. I have great feelings about the first game in Houston and even the second!

We’re so loaded with talent, and I wish we’d play 100%. Have Rudy drive all the way up to the basket. We can blow them away if we make a few minor tweaks.

By: two4larue

two4larue — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:56:44 +0000

“After seeing Adelman play for the run and gun inaugural Blazers and watch the teams he coached run and gun, is anybody amazed by the way he has coached a bunch of plodders?”

Rick is pretty adaptable. With Sac-town he ran a Princeton-style offense and used Webber/Divac as high-post passers. In it’s heyday, the Kings had some of the best interior passing I’ve ever seen in the NBA. Some coaches (I’m looking at you, Jerry Sloan) have a “system” and select players who will run that system, period. Rick has never had the kind of job security that Sloan has enjoyed in Utah, so he’s had to adjust his scheme to the talent on-hand.

So Dwight, you said Nate didn’t have the players prepared for game 1, but now they’ll do better on the road because he’ll have more time to prepare? Pick a side and stick with it. If the Blazers get a split in Houston this weekend, will you throw a bouquet towards McMillian and his staff?

By: John Thomas

John Thomas — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:32:05 +0000

Not to mention good old corruption:

If the NBA wants its marketing to take a certain direction, like say, mining the wallets of 300 million middle class fans in China, the officiating will reflect that monetary imperative.

By: The Judge

The Judge — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:05:28 +0000

Playoffs or not, it’s very tough to win on the road in the NBA and history proves it. But the Blazers are young, and most kids don’t care about the past. Here’s hoping the Blazers make some history of their own this weekend. Matchup to watch: Outlaw vs. Outlaw. He can’t lose. But so long as he continues to shoot fall-away 20-footers as often as Roy shoots lay-ins, the Blazers sure can.

By: Riles

Riles — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:07:19 +0000

After seeing Adelman play for the run and gun inaugural Blazers and watch the teams he coached run and gun, is anybody amazed by the way he has coached a bunch of plodders? I always liked him as a person and the way he worked with his players, but never thought Xs and Os was his strong suit. Guess I am like the 21 year old that was amazed how much smarter his dad became in the last four years. That being said which team has the greater ability to adapt during the series? Houston is fairly limited by the amount of weapons they actually have. If Portland continues to step forward in their development through the series they should win. Off this topic, I do like the concept of Veterans Memorial Field to replace the MC but I just don’t like the idea of a stadium there.

By: Droo

Droo — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:01:22 +0000

“The Trail Blazers, for example, played road games on back-to-back nights eight times. How many times did they do that at home? Zero.”

Actually, it’s against NBA rules to have back to back home games. The subject was discussed on True Hoop a little bit earlier this season.

By: Tree

Tree — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:00:45 +0000

Wouldn’t it be a great thing if game 3 was another trial by fire – where we come up short after a great effort…. but in game 4, we figure out how to win on the road and have another 20 point victory?

Constant improvement. Either way – coming out with a split in Houston would have to be considered a big lift for this team. If we win game 4 in convincing fashion – then take care of business on the home court – I think this team has demonstrated the type of growth that is going to take them to the next level.

The question then becomes – how much MORE growth can they do during this playoff run. If they can learn enough to beat the Lakers at home in the first two games – the dam has broken.

By: RipCity Peru

RipCity Peru — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:38:53 +0000

Good post.

The playoffs are more of a chess match for coaches–lots of time for thinking about what your opponent is up to. I suspect they try to anticipate what adjustments the other coach is planning as well as making their own.

Maybe we’re going to find out how much Nate learned about this aspect of the game when had his few tries at it with the Sonics. It is the players, however, who have to execute the game plan.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:48:15 +0000

Great point Dwight. Especially as the two teams start to get used to each other the home court advantage will lessen and game plan tweaks will be the difference. The first two games were a playoff baptism by fire for nearly every blazer and they learned quickly what it takes to win.

We have to feel good about the court savvy of roy and blake and the diagram skills of Nate.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:31:00 +0000

It’s odd – I was a nervous wreck before game 1, a nervous reck before game 2, but I feel strangely confident about game 3.

I wonder if the players feel the same way.