What a season this is for the NBA. The Indiana Pacers were about the fourth team to come into the Rose Garden this year that I watched for about a quarter and said, “THAT is one of the worst NBA teams I’ve ever seen.”

And frankly, the Pacers could well be the worst of the worst. Ugh, they’ve got one player — Danny Granger — that you’d want on your team.

But what bothered me a bit was the way the Trail Blazers began the game. Roy Hibbard did not start in the middle for Indiana, which instead opted to start a small lineup. It was a bit of Golden State East, with a bunch of little guys out there hoisting up threes.

The result was the Earl Watson ended up being responsible for defending Nic Batum.

And the Trail Blazers responded by not even looking as if they considered running Batum down to the post and letting him punish Watson. Instead, Batum missed a couple of threes and a long jumper, then departed the floor for a long stay on the bench.

You can say that’s no big deal, but I think heading into the playoffs, you’d want your team to show signs that it recognizes and can take advantage of mismatches. It’s what playoff series are all about. I’m not saying make Batum your primary option, but there has to be some understanding of that kind of HUGE matchup advantage. There has to be a recognition, at least, that it’s there.

Down the line somewhere, there is likely to be such an opportunity and if the Blazers don’t recognize and take advantage of it, it could cost a game.

Other than that, this was just an example of the Blazers going about their business and dispatching a team that really has no business winning against any playoff team. I feel bad for that franchise. No talent and no hope is no way to go through life.

The Indiana transition defense is horrid and Jerryd Bayless loves feasting on those teams. A good measure of how good opponents are defensively is always how many times Bayless gets to the basket. Against the lousy teams, he’s always able to stomp to the bucket with his head down and score.

He doesn’t score much against the teams that pay attention.

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Tags: Danny Granger, Dwight Jaynes, Earl Watson, Indiana Pacers, Jerryd Bayless, Nic Batum, Portland Trail Blazers

We’re about a week away from the trade deadline and I think that this time around, the Trail Blazers are going to pull the trigger on something.

Two reasons:

First, the obvious — the team needs another big man. And make no mistake, this is a long-term need, not just a temporary fix. Last summer, Portland chased free-agent Paul Millsap — indicating the team felt then that there was a distinct need for another big body who could rebound, play defense and provide inside scoring.

Now, with Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla out for the season, that need is magnified. So there is a definite need for another “big.”

But on top of that, the more serious motivation for a deal is the pending logjam at the smaller positions as Travis Outlaw and Brandon Roy return to the lineup after the All-Star break. Already, there are too many players for the available minutes. We saw at the beginning of the season how hard it is to keep everyone happy with playing time.

It’s not fair to coach Nate McMillan to keep making him deal with those issues. And the team’s roster is seriously out of balance with way too many small players and not enough big ones.

And really, doesn’t this team know by now who it wants to keep and who it is willing to deal? I would certainly hope so. My guess is that Martell Webster, Outlaw, Steve Blake and Jerryd Bayless are all available.

Who will come back in a deal? Your guess is as good as mine. There are undoubtedly players out there available who we didn’t know about. Kevin Pritchard will find somebody. I would guess there’s a young big man, perhaps a little more untested than we’d like, out there who could grow with this young team.

With the deadline now less than a week away, it’s going to be a fun time.

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Tags: Dwight Jaynes, Jerryd Bayless, Kevin Pritchard, Martell Webster, Portland Trail Blazers, Steve Blake, trades, trading deadline, Travis Outlaw

Chris Paul wide open at the end of a game for the eventual game-winner? The ball in Jerryd Bayless’s hands in the waning seconds for a jump shot? That’s what we saw last night. And in the end, the Trail Blazers gave back one of those hard-fought road wins they got last week.

Ugh.

Paul got open in a bit of a freaky play, falling down — and apparently out of sight — before getting up and finding himself open for what amounted to a free throw to win the game. It was like one of those football plays where the tight end goes to the ground as if to block and then gets up and into a pass pattern.

Then the Trail Blazers inbound to Bayless — way out almost near the halfcourt line. Now Brandon Roy might be able to get you a makeable shot in that situation — since just about any shot is makeable for Roy — but Bayless? Well, if he isn’t going to attempt to get the ball to the basket, I’m not sure I like his chances with a jump shot.

But that game was lost in the minutes before those last two possessions. The Trail Blazers, no doubt fatigued from their trip, didn’t seem to have enough energy to finish. Andre Miller, especially, seemed to have nothing left in the tank.

Next time around, I’d love to see Martell Webster or Rudy Fernandez get that final shot, by the way. It was another excruciating loss, quite obviously. And with the upcoming schedule, there may be more to come.

The All-Star break can’t get here soon enough for this team. It needs a few days off.

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Tags: Chris Paul, Dwight Jaynes, Jerryd Bayless, Martell Webster, New Orleans Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, Rudy Fernandez

Am trying hard not to post on weekends. Using them to rest up and since most people check this blog on the boss’s time Monday through Friday, I have been able to get away with it.

But that was some game. Probably the best one I’ve seen the Blazers play against a quality opponent in some time. Great focus at both ends of the court and an excellent defensive job.

Martell Webster was terrific on Kobe Bryant and is playing with great energy. He got plenty of defensive help, too, and Portland’s scheme on Kobe was terrific.

Andre Miller was solid, as he’s been for the most part lately and you have to give everyone who played a lot of credit. Brandon Roy, of course, was special. He seems to save his best for the best teams.

You just wish they came out with that kind of focus and energy all the time. Make no mistake, it was a special night.

(An interesting sidebar to the game: Jerryd Bayless did something in  the first half I don’t think I’ve ever seen. He hit four straight shots when he was basically behind the three-point line but had his toe on the line — getting credit for only two points. Each shot looked so close to a three-pointer. Man, look down next time, kid. You cost yourself four points.)

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Tags: Andre Miller, Brandon Roy, Dwight Jaynes, Jerryd Bayless, Kobe Bryant, Martell Webster

A few things about the game I just have to mention:

– Second night of back-to-back games and you use only seven players? What’s that about? LaMarcus Aldridge was obviously still favoring that sprained ankle and Brandon Roy was battling a tender hamstring. I think you have to protect your players better than that. Losing the game is chump change compared to losing one of your stars to an injury.

– I also don’t understand this whole thing with Andre Miller not being able to get off the bench in the fourth quarter. Really? As if Jerryd Bayless is going to make some outside shots that Miller can’t make? Not the way he’s been shooting lately. The most effective offensive play the Blazers had all night was Miller posting up whichever half-pint guard was attempting to defend him. I wouldn’t have minded seeing more of that down the stretch of the game.

– Don’t fall into the trap of blaming referees for that loss. Portland did more than enough to lose that game on its own. You don’t get called for a foul if you don’t have the ball tipped away from you. You don’t complain about calls when officials put you at the line in the waning seconds and you miss the first of two foul shots.

And by the way, there’s also no excuse for the coaching staff not somehow getting the message to Bayless that he’s got to miss that second free throw. It’s ridiculous. Out of timeouts, you have to roll the dice with the offensive rebound in that spot. And to not to be able to communicate the message to Bayless is mind-boggling.

– I feel bad for the Portland players, who are eventually going to pay the price for not having big men. It’s hurting the Blazers on defense as much as anything — where there is no one to mop up the mess when the defense breaks down. You beat your defender on the perimeter and it’s often a free pass to the basket for a dunk or layup.

That’s why I believe something must be done to add a player to the roster. I’m not saying mortgage your future to obtain a short-term fix. What I’m saying is, don’t sell these players down the river, either. Get them some help. They don’t need an all-star center — they just need a center. Period. Get them someone who can at least defend a little bit or it’s got a chance to get ugly.

And I don’t think that’s fair to the players who are out there busting their tails. In good faith with them, it’s time to at least attempt to get them some help.

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Tags: Dwight Jaynes, Jerryd Bayless, LaMarcus Aldridridge, Portland Trail Blazers

Man, that was the game of his dreams. I was very impressed.

The big thing for Bayless is the outside shooting. If he can knock down three-pointers and hit that pull-up jump shot from the foul line, he’s going to be an outstanding player. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d see that out of him.

But you’ve been reading here, so you know that.

There are several questions now, of course. First off, is this the real Jerryd Bayless? Can we expect to see this kind of thing moving forward or is he just riding a hot streak? Should he be starting? Why hasn’t he played more, if this is what he’s capable of? Can he avoid fouls consistently the way he did last night? He took a lot of charges and most of the calls went his way — will that continue?

All good questions. What do you think?

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Tags: Dwight Jaynes, Jerryd Bayless, Portland Trail Blazers

In pro football, they always say the most popular player in town is the backup quarterback. In Portland, it’s tended to be the backup point guard. Jerryd Bayless is no different. The fans love him. At least for one night, Tuesday, he paid them back.

Bayless was very reliable down the stretch of the win over the Sacramento Kings, finishing with 14 points after a big 8-for-10 night at the foul line. Can he do that against teams that don’t allow opponents to average 47 percent from the floor? Certainly, it appears we’ll get a chance to find out. Bayless’ minutes will be increasing, for sure.

It was a strange night for the Trail Blazers, who couldn’t sustain much of anything for long stretches. Portland opened the game with perhaps its best ball movement and player movement on offense this season. The Blazers didn’t always hit the open shots they got, but they were very unselfish and active — which seemed to coincide with Andre Miller’s debut as the singular point guard in the Portland lineup.

But Miller — who got a several “hockey assists” in the game as he made the pass that set up another guy for an easy assist — left the court and Portland’s offensive game deteriorated quickly. It was back to the old “stand around and watch somebody else play” offense and the Blazers trailed by 11 at the half.

The same thing happened in the third quarter when Portland came out with the obvious intention of getting LaMarcus Aldridge going down low. Aldridge, after a miserable first half, responded and went on a splurge that resulted in the Blazers getting back in the game.

Again, though, it didn’t sustain. Portland fell back heading into the fourth quarter, leaving it to Bayless and Roy to close the game out.

Steve Blake and Bayless were on the floor together down the stretch of the game and I assume Coach Nate McMillan will just go with whomever is clicking down the stretch of future games. Nothing guaranteed — which is fine.

This was a decent win. The Kings are an impressive team on the rise with Tyreke Evans looking more and more like the best player in last June’s draft.

Good thing for Portland that it won, too. The next five games are going to be tests.

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Tags: Brandon Roy, Dwight Jaynes, Jerryd Bayless, LaMarcus Aldridge, Nate McMillan, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Steve Blake, Tyreke Evans

Yes, I have to admit that Greg Oden was probably my biggest source of joy in watching the Trail Blazers this season. To see him improve on the floor right before our eyes was a delight. So with him out, what are we to watch?

Here are just a few things of interest:

– LaMarcus Aldridge. Will he now step up into that all-star class that he’s always talked about? The time is ripe. The team needs more from him now. He’s a key cog — he’s got to play like that consistently.

– Brandon Roy. Obviously, an all-star already. I’d like to see him take that next step and do more to get his teammates involved. Make sure that Martell Webster and Steve Blake not only get shots but get those shots from the spots where they can make them.

– Jerryd Bayless. OK, all the fans are on your side — as they always are for the young kid on the bench. You’re going to get time on the floor now. Make your shots. Show you can get the ball to other people. And quit being such a foul machine. Actually guard someone without hand-checking.

– Steve Blake. Make a few shots, OK?

– Andre Miller. Keep doing your thing. I know you’re not used to coming off the bench but try not to stink it up in the first five minutes you’re out there. Take the shots you can make. Only.

– Kevin Pritchard. I know you don’t want to make a deal now. And I’m not advocating you deal from weakness just to make a short-term  impact. But if this thing doesn’t get better soon, you’re going to have to do SOMETHING.

– Nate McMillan. If your front office can’t turn one of those guards into a big player, you might have to use all those guards at one time and play some small ball. That means fast breaks, spreading the floor, getting to the basket. Repeat — fast breaks. Play fast. If you need some help with this, pull out that Golden State tape from a few weeks ago.

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Tags: Brandon Roy, Dwight Jaynes, Jerryd Bayless, Kevin Pritchard, LaMarcus Aldridge, Martell Webster, Nate McMillan, Steve Blake

I don’t think there’s any question Portland needs another big man, preferably a power forward but possibly a backup center. And to get one, you have to give up something.

Multiple sources in the NBA have told me that Jerryd Bayless seems to be the most available player on Portland’s roster. A couple of sources indicated over the weekend that Bayless has asked the team to trade him, because of his lack of playing time. I wouldn’t blame him — young players want, and need, to play. And if he wants out, the team should try to accommodate him.

Bayless has begun to see more action lately, but you have to wonder — is that being done to help teams get a better look at him? A showcase? I mean, how can you ask a lot for Bayless when he’s not even playing significant minutes for you? If I’m sitting in another NBA office and the Trail Blazers are asking me if I want Bayless, I’m going to have to answer, “Why would I want somebody you don’t think is good enough to play for you guys?”

Even with Bayless as bait, I’m not sure what the Blazers could get in return. On Dec. 15, Andre Miller can be traded and I think he would be a better trade piece. Miller is more respected around the league than he seems to be in Portland. Somebody might be willing to bite on him.

But you wouldn’t likely deal both Miller and Bayless. More likely, it will be Miller OR Bayless. Man, the decision to keep Patty Mills around is really beginning to hurt. Ime Udoka would be a pretty handy fellow to have around right now, quite obviously.

The Blazers, during the Kevin Pritchard era, have not been anxious to make trades in mid-season. I’m afraid, though, that philosophy is going to have to be abandoned right now. This situation screams for some sort of deal — and to be fair, it has all along, even before the injuries.

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Tags: Andre Miller, Dwight Jaynes, Jerryd Bayless, Kevin Pritchard, Portland Trail Blazers

No official announcement yet, but there’s little doubt in my mind what Nate McMillan is going to do when the season opens Tuesday night.

He’s going to start Steve Blake at the point and Nic Batum at small forward, along with Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, just like last season. But the one change he’s going to make is Greg Oden at center. Oden forced this move, playing so well in the exhibition season that he left McMillan no choice. It’s Oden’s job and there’s hope in the Rose Quarter it will be his job for the next decade.

McMillan has been waiting for Blake to come around during the entire preseason and finally, Thursday night in Vancouver against Phoenix, he did. That’s all Nate needs, I think, to declare Blake the starter — even though you could make the case that Miller has outplayed him. Eventually, it could be Miller’s job but for right now, it’s going to be Blake.

It’s been relatively easy for the Blazer coach to make substitutions with the injuries the team has suffered early. But when Rudy Fernandez is ready to go, it’s going to get tougher in a hurry.

I don’t know how much Jerryd Bayless is going to play, unless he passes Miller in the rotation — which I can’t see happening. And Rudy needs his 25 minutes. This is where it’s going to get interesting — because Travis Outlaw expects big minutes, too.

Understand, by the way, I have no inside information here — this is what I think Nate McMillan will do. Not necessarily what I’d do, either. For me, I think Miller would have to start. But I just can’t see the coach doing it — at least for now. I think McMillan’s perception is that his “first unit” functions better with Blake at the point.

My argument is that, given time together, it’s always best to play your best players with each other — and I think Miller is a more talented player than Blake. And I think Miller would fit very well with the others after just a few games together.

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Tags: Andre Miller, Brandon Roy, Dwight Jaynes, Greg Oden, Jerryd Bayless, LaMarcus Aldridge, Nate McMillan, Nic Batum, Portland Trail Blazers, Rudy Fernandez, Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw