Subscribe Feed (RSS)Atlanta will provide a pretty good test tonight, assuming the back-to-back thing isn’t a problem for the Hawks. And, really, it’s time the Trail Blazers began turning up the dial a little bit.
Portland hasn’t played well in more than a month. The defensive shortcomings are becoming more apparent and there hasn’t been much in the way of improvement in the way the Blazers defend. Come on — nobody expects them to turn into a defensive juggernaut overnight. But it’s not unfair to expect them to get better — isn’t that what young teams are supposed to do?
The Blazers embark on the final stretch of the season with some very difficult games ahead. There can’t be any doubt in anyone’s mind that this is a playoff team. Forget all that talk about their age, they belong as one of the top eight teams in the West. But it’s time they started sharpening up.
What you’d want to see down the stretch: No more uncontested shots. Tightening up against the dribble penetration into the lane. Better transition defense. Better coordination with team defense. More minutes on the floor for Greg Oden. More contributions — on the boards, defense and offense — from the small forwards. More fast-break baskets.
Is this too much to ask? I don’t think so. Portland, knowing it had a tough early-season schedule, came out of the gate quickly this season. But other teams have had time to scout, assess and adjust to what the Blazers do well and not so well. I think it’s appropriate now to expect Portland to do the same thing.
Exactly what I was thinking. We aren’t championship material and the window is closing fast because the Lakers and wherever LeBron goes in 2010 will be THE contenders…
It’s to much to ask for a team coached bye nate.
I hope Blake can get his 3-point stroke back, because that would be huge for this team. He wasn’t great against the Grizz, but he was a steady force out there on the floor.
Although if Nate continues to play Sergio heavy minutes, I don’t have a lot of faith in holding our current playoff seed.
OT: Garnett’s knee.
Yes, the rest of the league has figured out how best to attack the Blazers on offence. Now all the schemes that worked early on in the year are all old hat to the better teams. I’d love to see a little straight up man to man D more often.
Oden’s knee ????