Comments on: The rest of the Blazer season hinges on… http://www.dwightjaynes.com/the-rest-of-the-blazer-season-hinges-on Just watching the world float by... Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:40:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Dwight Jaynes http://www.dwightjaynes.com/the-rest-of-the-blazer-season-hinges-on/comment-page-1#comment-6283 Dwight Jaynes Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:39:48 +0000 http://www.dwightjaynes.com/?p=1738#comment-6283 In regard to a previous post... the Blazers, even after that Washington game where they were credited with "forcing" a boatload of Wiz turnovers, is still 22nd in the league in forcing turnovers. On top of that, they're last or near last in fast-break points. That makes it very difficult to win, unless you make a ton of jump shots. -- Dwight In regard to a previous post… the Blazers, even after that Washington game where they were credited with “forcing” a boatload of Wiz turnovers, is still 22nd in the league in forcing turnovers. On top of that, they’re last or near last in fast-break points. That makes it very difficult to win, unless you make a ton of jump shots.
– Dwight

]]> By: cbb http://www.dwightjaynes.com/the-rest-of-the-blazer-season-hinges-on/comment-page-1#comment-6244 cbb Mon, 26 Jan 2009 23:15:32 +0000 http://www.dwightjaynes.com/?p=1738#comment-6244 The problem is that these guys are too soft when it comes to fouling. If you are late on the rotation and you're going to get called for a foul anyway, knock the guy into the seats. Its not flagrant if you get him with your body. Watch what Boston and every other good defensive team does. Nobody walks down the lane for a layup with a couple of guys reaching in. They lay a body on them. A blocking foul has the same consequences as a reach in foul. Only after a guy gets knocked down a couple of times they start pulling up for short jumpers. I hate it when guys play like that on the weekends, but this is the pros. Play like it. The problem is that these guys are too soft when it comes to fouling. If you are late on the rotation and you’re going to get called for a foul anyway, knock the guy into the seats. Its not flagrant if you get him with your body. Watch what Boston and every other good defensive team does. Nobody walks down the lane for a layup with a couple of guys reaching in. They lay a body on them. A blocking foul has the same consequences as a reach in foul. Only after a guy gets knocked down a couple of times they start pulling up for short jumpers.

I hate it when guys play like that on the weekends, but this is the pros. Play like it.

]]> By: Arvydas http://www.dwightjaynes.com/the-rest-of-the-blazer-season-hinges-on/comment-page-1#comment-6233 Arvydas Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:34:42 +0000 http://www.dwightjaynes.com/?p=1738#comment-6233 This team already has what is takes to make some noise late in the season if: -they get a great contribution in 2nd half of season from Martell Webster both defensively and offensively. Getting Webster back is like making a trade without making a trade, you get a bona fide 3 point shooter and legit NBA athlete -More growth from Batum and Oden, which one of these guys is wiling to step up and not make any friends on the court. These guys have to get nasty and willing lock-down a Kobe, Duncan, Billups, Artest whoever....shove them around, and knock them on their rear-end. Remember when Brian Grant stood up to the biggest bully of them all: Karl Malone. This team already has what is takes to make some noise late in the season if:

-they get a great contribution in 2nd half of season from Martell Webster both defensively and offensively. Getting Webster back is like making a trade without making a trade, you get a bona fide 3 point shooter and legit NBA athlete

-More growth from Batum and Oden, which one of these guys is wiling to step up and not make any friends on the court. These guys have to get nasty and willing lock-down a Kobe, Duncan, Billups, Artest whoever….shove them around, and knock them on their rear-end.

Remember when Brian Grant stood up to the biggest bully of them all: Karl Malone.

]]> By: blazerandbeaverbeliever http://www.dwightjaynes.com/the-rest-of-the-blazer-season-hinges-on/comment-page-1#comment-6230 blazerandbeaverbeliever Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:28:26 +0000 http://www.dwightjaynes.com/?p=1738#comment-6230 Isn't it important to note along with fg% the turnover ratios we usually have. Our to's are low, and we force opponents to's, this leads to both steals for us, and lately more easy buckets as our running game is improving, but also open shots when we take a chance and miss the opportunity leaving the other team with a open shot. So we may be poor at holding the opponents to a lower fg% but how do we stack up against other teams in the steals/ turnover department?? Content with the defense, want more intensity sometimes, but it will come. Isn’t it important to note along with fg% the turnover ratios we usually have. Our to’s are low, and we force opponents to’s, this leads to both steals for us, and lately more easy buckets as our running game is improving, but also open shots when we take a chance and miss the opportunity leaving the other team with a open shot. So we may be poor at holding the opponents to a lower fg% but how do we stack up against other teams in the steals/ turnover department?? Content with the defense, want more intensity sometimes, but it will come.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.dwightjaynes.com/the-rest-of-the-blazer-season-hinges-on/comment-page-1#comment-6229 Kevin Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:20:53 +0000 http://www.dwightjaynes.com/?p=1738#comment-6229 "But for DEff, the Blazers are 19th." That is actually a big improvement over most Nate coached teams. His average in 9 seasons is 23rd and the highest any of his teams have ever finished is 17th. We all know Nate talks a lot about defense but it doesn't seem he's great at teaching it. “But for DEff, the Blazers are 19th.”

That is actually a big improvement over most Nate coached teams. His average in 9 seasons is 23rd and the highest any of his teams have ever finished is 17th. We all know Nate talks a lot about defense but it doesn’t seem he’s great at teaching it.

]]> By: Rusty http://www.dwightjaynes.com/the-rest-of-the-blazer-season-hinges-on/comment-page-1#comment-6226 Rusty Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:03:51 +0000 http://www.dwightjaynes.com/?p=1738#comment-6226 Dwight, To me, the issue with the Blazers defense is not one strictly of age (I won;t say "young") but of experience, or lack thereof. As was mentioned previously, we have 4 rookies getting significant playing time. No other team in the league comes even close to that, and I think that although we may want to ignore it, inexperience is real and it has an impact on how well the team plays. It shows regularly with the inconsistent nature of how the Blazers play (both offense and defense). I also think the team still relies on Brandon Roy too much (also a function of inexperience). So until Brandon decides that he is going to become a premier defender (and I have no doubt Brandon can become whatever he wants on the court), the team will not play defense to the level it needs to be successful in the playoffs. Dwight,

To me, the issue with the Blazers defense is not one strictly of age (I won;t say “young”) but of experience, or lack thereof. As was mentioned previously, we have 4 rookies getting significant playing time. No other team in the league comes even close to that, and I think that although we may want to ignore it, inexperience is real and it has an impact on how well the team plays. It shows regularly with the inconsistent nature of how the Blazers play (both offense and defense).

I also think the team still relies on Brandon Roy too much (also a function of inexperience). So until Brandon decides that he is going to become a premier defender (and I have no doubt Brandon can become whatever he wants on the court), the team will not play defense to the level it needs to be successful in the playoffs.

]]> By: torridjoe http://www.dwightjaynes.com/the-rest-of-the-blazer-season-hinges-on/comment-page-1#comment-6225 torridjoe Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:01:44 +0000 http://www.dwightjaynes.com/?p=1738#comment-6225 Well, if you agree that % is affected by pace (which clearly it must be; if you shoot 50% on 90 possessions, you will still lose to the team that shoots 45% on 110 possessions), then you should be agreeing that it's not the best stat to use at all--because it's unadjusted for pace. Since EFF is corrected for pace, it's a better stat. If you allow 105 points per 100 poss, that's clearly better than allowing 110--and it's apples to apples. Well, if you agree that % is affected by pace (which clearly it must be; if you shoot 50% on 90 possessions, you will still lose to the team that shoots 45% on 110 possessions), then you should be agreeing that it’s not the best stat to use at all–because it’s unadjusted for pace.

Since EFF is corrected for pace, it’s a better stat. If you allow 105 points per 100 poss, that’s clearly better than allowing 110–and it’s apples to apples.

]]> By: Joe http://www.dwightjaynes.com/the-rest-of-the-blazer-season-hinges-on/comment-page-1#comment-6222 Joe Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:58:45 +0000 http://www.dwightjaynes.com/?p=1738#comment-6222 Dwight, I admit I probably don't have 1/4 of your basketball knowledge, but it seems to me that the best defensive teams grow together. That is why I think having 4 rookies in the rotation has a big effect on the team defense. I would think that 2-3 years from now (assuming we keep this team mostly intact) that this has a chance to be a very good defensive team...but it is going to take time Dwight, I admit I probably don’t have 1/4 of your basketball knowledge, but it seems to me that the best defensive teams grow together. That is why I think having 4 rookies in the rotation has a big effect on the team defense. I would think that 2-3 years from now (assuming we keep this team mostly intact) that this has a chance to be a very good defensive team…but it is going to take time

]]> By: Jeff http://www.dwightjaynes.com/the-rest-of-the-blazer-season-hinges-on/comment-page-1#comment-6214 Jeff Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:22:20 +0000 http://www.dwightjaynes.com/?p=1738#comment-6214 Dwight- Love this site man. While I think that the Blazers having a young team is a valid excuse, you're are right about their defense. Terry made a great point: good teams get stops when they need to. That's the big difference. Remember the Drexler, Porter, Duckworth, Kersey and Buck teams? Those guys always got the key stop. When Buck arrived, that's when they went from first round & out to contenders. While I think Oden will be a difference maker on D, I think the team may have to make another aquisition similar to getting Buck back in 1989 to take the next step. That was a huge trade. One thing is sure for me though: it's fun to have these discussions again. Dwight- Love this site man. While I think that the Blazers having a young team is a valid excuse, you’re are right about their defense. Terry made a great point: good teams get stops when they need to. That’s the big difference. Remember the Drexler, Porter, Duckworth, Kersey and Buck teams? Those guys always got the key stop. When Buck arrived, that’s when they went from first round & out to contenders. While I think Oden will be a difference maker on D, I think the team may have to make another aquisition similar to getting Buck back in 1989 to take the next step. That was a huge trade. One thing is sure for me though: it’s fun to have these discussions again.

]]> By: luanne53 http://www.dwightjaynes.com/the-rest-of-the-blazer-season-hinges-on/comment-page-1#comment-6205 luanne53 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:38:07 +0000 http://www.dwightjaynes.com/?p=1738#comment-6205 Thanks for your blog, Dwight. You are spot on about Blazer D. Don't worry about the naysayers. Go Blazers! Thanks for your blog, Dwight. You are spot on about Blazer D. Don’t worry about the naysayers. Go Blazers!

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