SB Nation User Blog: Titlein2011

This loss will be a positive.

Titlein2011 — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:44:38 -0000

Most often you hope your team learns lessons while still attaining a win, the Blazers have done that and yet it hasn't sunk in. A loss to a poor opponent is what will hopefully shake the cage and wake the monster up that the Blazers were in the final quarter of last season. Brandon can say that it is still a matter of understanding how all their pieces fit together, and not so much their effort, but effort has more to do with it than game plan, plays, or defensive schemes. Lamarcus played against one of the softest defenders in the league yet how many times did he take it inside? When we are tired we fall back to what is easy. The Blazers have played as many games as any other team to this point of the season. The Blazers have won with defense, and perceviered over weaker talent, while having tired legs. That should be commended, but if you truly want to be the best you have to gut out wins, and tonight they did not, simple as that. No big deal, so long as you acknowledge it, and use it as motivation to learn and grow from it to raise yourself above the other equally and greater tallented teams of the league by always giving unending effort, always. The shots may not fall the game plan may not be perfect, but it will not be for lack of effort that you lose. Martel got this lesson tonight, lets hope players of this team do not allow themselves to be above this accountability. Losses happen, poor shooting nights happen; next time lets hope for a quicker reaction to the lack of energy by the team than two thirds through the second quarter. Maybe a loss in Utah will happen too. It will indicate the guts of our team, and our leadership. I'll be excited to find out, if not in Utah it will happen at some point, but I know I am hoping for some disappointed Salt Lake fans.

Break out the rally caps! Never giving up may be Nate's greatest coaching quality, a warriors mentality.

Go Blazers!

To help aquire free agents we need to end the Blazer myth...

Titlein2011 — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:26:18 -0000

We are not a small market team. Average yes, but 23rd in the US is not small. Especially considering we are a 1 team town with no other NBA options within 10 hours driving.

We are a larger market than Cleveland, San Antonio, Sacramento, OKC the list goes on. We need to stop perpetuating negativity about the market the team we support comes from. This is not 1 persons faux pau, I hear Blazer fans say it all the time. If we ever want to be considered something other than a small market team (which wouldn't hurt for aquiring players) than at least the fans of that team need to quit perpetuating the myth.

Portland is a great place to be, it's a middle market with no other competing sports options creating a rabid fan base. The Blazers have a phenomenal coach, GM, and one of the wealthiest owners in sports. Not only that Nike and Addidas US headquarters are located in Portland. Start a chain letter, tell a friend, email a NBA free agent. This is the Summer to break the myth!

Almost time to usher in the new TP Era.

Titlein2011 — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:55:05 -0000

The Spurs front office is very intelligent they know that their championship window is closed due to the age and health of 2 of their 3 legged attack. They need to add youth, and if possible remain viable as a possible playoff team in the rebuild process. Their most valuable trade chip is Tony Parker. Whom happens to fit our biggest need. You give up Blake, TO or Frye, Batum, picks, Euros, and either Bayless or Rudy and Sergio. Channing would seem to fit well with the Spurs. A young player matched with the best active mentor still playing. I would see Rudy and Sergio as guys that would fit the Spurs mold, and provide the team with a strong youthful foundation. You have a future base of youth that can provide a strong direction for the Spurs future without having to completely rehaul their roster.

As far as TP the 2nd, Tony would be a great 2nd option in clutch moments. He doesn't have to play with the ball in his hands, and automatically gives us the playoff veteran savvy we lack. Parker would also be a great teacher to help bring up GO in ways to effectively use his talents.

I'm sure most think this is a pie in the sky post. I think with the front office of the Spurs this fits not only their needs, but they seem to view talent in the same way as KP, a gm that came up with in their system. The Blazers would end up light on the bench at the SG and PF position, but we would still have the ability to sign players to fill those positions, and Bayless could fill a 3 guard rotation covering either the point or sg. Also with the addition of Parker I would imagine the desire of quality veterans willing to come our way would be greatly increased. The fact that it hasn't been floated out there makes me feel even a little better about it. Of course I haven't heard any LBJ rumors either, but my homering has it's bounds.

Blazers top priority, to find a coach for GO.

Titlein2011 — Sun, 17 May 2009 07:48:14 -0000

No disrespect to Maurice Lucas, I don't even know if his health will permit him to coach for awhile, but we need a great coach for GO. I've thought of over paying to get Ewing from the Magic, Kareem is taken in LA, Hakeem is doing community work I believe, and I'm not sure about Mr. Robinson. Ideally we have a home grown talent, Walton?

I say bring in the most underated player to hold down the center position. Not yourvidas, not myvidas, but Arvidas Sabonis. Sabas had all the tools, definsively he was not as strong as what Greg can be due to declining athleticism, but offensively he was amazing. GO would be hard pressed to find a better tutor. I'm guessing Sabas may be a little light on cash, and would be willing to venture away from his homeland once more for a couple years to bring along the veteran faced young one. Sabas speaks pretty good English, and his kids should be old enough that his wife should no longer have to drive them to school after her 9am happy hour.

At a minimum a summer session with Sabas would be phenomenal. Worry about replacing Penn later KP, go get Sabas. Nate just watch the you tube high lights and you'll remember how amazing he was. Do your self a favor though mute the sound. I have never found a player with such horific back ground music to their high light reel. Some body with you tube skills do this man justice and give him some decent beats. For the sake of all that is audible.

Everything is gonna be alright.

Titlein2011 — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:38:27 -0000

This was and is a year for the Blazers to grow into a team with a future of challenging for titles. With the way the Blazers finished the year we all got tingly feelings, and to be honest if it wasn't for a miracle by Finley we very well would still be living the dream. But we have gotten what we wanted experience, and lessons that will pay dividends for our future championship runs.

These are my humble thoughts starting from the top(KP) in regards to our playoff experience, and work my way down. Not to say the playoffs are over for us, but I do not see 3 wins in a row happening for our beloved Blazers.

KP: For the long term potential of this team he very well made all the right moves, but that will yet to be seen. I think it is apparent that in the future KP will need to have a greater willingness to add a player, most likely a smaller piece to tweak a roster during the season. I think as a team is older, and more mature this makes more sense, because the window for the team to adjust markedly improves. Example 1 John Salmons, would have been a tremendous need fit for our team. I won't beat the topic to death, but look what the guy has done for the Bulls. This is the closest I would ever get to critquing KP, I think he is the gold standard. This summer may show us why KP did not pull the trigger on Salmons. Realistically our window isn't now, it's 2 years from now, don't be greedy and go for instant satisfaction. Not only that, but who could have forseen our increase in level of play in the final month of the season.

On a 2nd note we have to trade a SF and a PG this summer. We can expect guys to be good team mates for only so long. I truly feel we will see a blossoming of any players from those positions we trade. No different than what we have seen with Von, or what I feel we will see from Diogu. But you can only play so many guys, and you keep the players that fit with in the team and give you the style of play that you believe will translate into wins. I thought this position jumble may have been cleared out at this years trade deadline at the pg position at least, but I would think we will see those moves made this summer. I love all our players, and do not wish to see any of them leave, but for players to recieve their fair opportunity and to keep team accord it must be done.

Nate: There is another reason I think of Nate as Sarge, he's stubborn. He coaches his players with a mindset of a former player, and that is you don't mess with guys playing time and their confidence. That is unless you are a rookie, or your name is Sergio. You have to earn it with Nate, but once you do, he will be loyal. This loyalty has paid huge dividends during the season and has led us to a 10+ game average improvement year over year for the last 3 years. Nate has shown us through the latter part of the season that he will give up control once you show him he can trust you. The example to me is his loosening of the reins in playing a more fast paced offense that can be more turn over prone. Key word is show, that doesn't mean once that means on a consistent basis, and then he will pull the trigger on change. I believe this is crucial for the stability of the team, and players for consistency and security as to players roles on the team.

But, I do not agree that this is the same way a coach should treat his team in the playoffs. You don't have the luxury to ride out a player struggling, or a series of mismatches. Nate in my opinion is learning just like the players in what works and does not work in the playoffs. To be fair he has a bunch of guys that haven't played in the playoffs so coaching players with such an irregularity of play has got to be difficult. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see Nate has been averse to throw a rookie in a playoff game that he has not completely gained the trust of definsively over 1 of 2 guys that have long time loyalty points in the final 5 minutes of the game. But, Blake has been getting burnt out there, to the point that Roy was put on Brooks and Blake was put on Battier, and it worked. Rudy is a better scorer and just as good on defense but with more height and athleticism. Rudy is not a rookie, Olympic games and cup play in Europe has shown him how to play, and his ability to play with huge pressure. He has lacked consistency due to the gruelling NBA season compared to what he was used to in Europe, but that goes out the window come playoffs. I expect to see a greater consistency with Rudy next year, now that he will know what to expect. I am sure that Espana fans want Nates head right now, but I think they will see a Nate with faith in Rudy next year. I love, love the lineup of Roy, Rudy, LMA, Travis/Martel/Batum, and Oden next year. This should be our final 5 minute of the game players. I think we will see that early on next season. I think Nate has made mistakes like everyone else on the team. I think he will learn from those mistakes and we will be a better team, and go further in the playoffs next year because of it.

Roy: Played the way we would hope. He wasn't perfect, defensively I would like to see a greater consistency in effort through out the game. I also would have liked to have seen just a little more faith (I stress little) in his team mates in minutes 5-2 at the end of the game.

Rudy: great feel for how to play playoff basketball. He seems to be calmer than any other regular season game I can remember. He will have many opportunities to show what he is capable of. I expect a break out year for Rudy next year with the addition of a mid range game, a greater ability to create his own shot, and more consistent play as noted previously.

GO: Great play, atletically we are truly starting to see what GO is capable of after microfracture. I wish that Pete Newell was still alive to work with Oden. I'm sure there is someone who is or will come out to replace Pete's camp. Oden needs to cut down the cheap fouls by only attempting to take the ball at the top of the shot, and avoiding contact with guards. We'll see refs lay off once he shows us that next year. I would love to see us pick up a Kareem/Ewing type coach to groom Greg. I understand that is Lucas' job, I just don't know that he is the optimal guy, and his health has made him unavailable so I may be flat out wrong. Think about this, when was the last summer GO could truly work on his game? I would say it would have been the summer after his junior year of high school. He broke his wrist going into his freshman year of college, and was sick most of his summer he was drafted before hurting his knee. Last summer he was limited due to rehab. GO is good now, I can't wait to see him after a summer of fine tuning to what he has learned he needs to know to excel in the NBA game.

Props to Dave: Dave noted that we needed 3 options to win a title, because in the playoffs teams will make adjustments to take away options 1 (Roy) and 2 (LMA). I would say that once again Dave has shown his genius through what we have seen in this years playoffs. I think with a summer of work GO will be that option. I also believe Rudy can be that player too if needed.

Joel: 0 complaints 0 issues, Joel is a true vet, he is consistent and a leader. Like Blake I feel this will be Joel's most productive year, not to his fault, but because of the up and coming beast that has been backing him up.

Blake: Solid play, but an apparent limitation definsively due to his lack of athleticism. In the playoffs your star player controls the game more. This has neutralized some of Blakes effectiveness.This is true also of the regular season, but it is amplified in the playoffs. I think this will be the best year we get out of Blake, and that we will see more of a Rudy Roy back court next year. The largest reason not to is defense, and Blake's is not an improvement over Rudy's. Tied in with the fact that Rudy is a greater offensive threat. Blake is key to our team, but I believe we will start to see a transition next year. We also have a wild card with a guy named Bayless. It will be fun and interesting to see how this and any moves we make all play out.

LMA, Travis, and everyone else: I think it is funny how different playing in the playoffs truly is. Everyones weakness' they have fought and overcome through the regular season seem to hit the reset button come playoffs and the struggle to work through those same issues starts anew. I think you have to have grace with everyone, and focus on the learning points as much as possible to shorten the curve come next years jaunt in post season play. In the same way those players over came their struggles in the regular season; they to will overcome the similar issues they have had in the post season. If I picked out one thing to work on for anyone it would be a stronger use of LMA in final moments of games to ready him for the times he may need to be the man because Roy is being triple teamed. LMA just seems to be averse to taking the big bucket, no different than KG, and he's above average,(sarcasm font) even though I can't stand his act.

Refs: We always get talked about as not being a major market, and thus a ref slant. I say youth has more to do with it than anything. We are not a small market. Is Cleveland a small market? No, well Portland's market is larger than theirs so why all the small market talk. We are a mid market, I would say a greater issue is that we are on PST so the East coast bias can tend to rain. I only mention this becasue in my opinion teams from major markets do tend to get a little love with calls, and even with a vet team in the late 80's early 90's we didn't get the calls a top team would have liked to have recieved. That's our stake, we will get more calls as we get older, and wiser. But, the bottom line is the Blazers will eventually play well enough a little ref slant on occasion will not matter.

Our playoffs are not over, but the mountain to climb has gone from a Mt. Hood to an Everest, and I just don't see it happening. I look forward to seeing us win game 5 in Portland, and what magic may come after that.

On a side note I really did not care for our final true play of the game that lead to a Outlaw missed 3. For 1 as previously noted, I did not understand how Rudy was not on the floor for that shot, and secondly I felt that we should have controlled our own destiny. Play for the final shot, shoot a 3 with enough time to possibly launch another quickly if you miss. Not pass it in and heave it. In respect of Nate this could have been fault of Travis, and not Nate, I do remember this happening in a game near the midway point. But timing of the shot being taken had to of been discussed with the team during the timeout. You have a team of guys with only 1 guy on the court who truly wants to shoot it (Rudy wasn't playing). Show faith in them, that they can make the bucket and push it to overtime. Don't encourage the helter skelter nature of the team that Nate had previously noted after game 2. If you lose it's because you missed, not because you missed a rushed attempt in hopes of getting a stop and possibly getting the ball back. I realize there are a lot of senarios and everyone has an opinion. Just my vent.

Looking forward to June/July, and the magical makings of KP's final tweaks through the draft and trades. Sorry to the die hards for selling out and calling the season early. Maybe I'm just guarding my heart from getting stepped on any more for this year.

Vote for Roy as a top player to build a team around

Titlein2011 — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:23:26 -0000

Vote for Roy as a top player to build a team around

Poll is at the bottom of espn's nba home page. Roy is currently in 2nd to Deron Williams. It's interesting to see what states pick Roy. For instance Deleware seems to have a lot of love for Roy, but Idaho is the 2nd coming of Utah fan.

Dave's most distinguishable quality...

Titlein2011 — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:14:12 -0000

His humor.

His latest gem of genius in regards to Russell Westbrook's ability to bring down 8 offensive rebounds as a point guard.

"That's just Barry Manillow wrong"

He is a true veteran he brings it night in night out. Dave has a true respect for his craft/hobby. I have to say the insight is great, but the humor is classic. I guess this is my man crush valentine to Dave. Thanks for the genius of your humor.

What is your favorite funny line by Dave?

Jason Quick talks Big trade in Todays Chat

Titlein2011 — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:25:51 -0000

The link on www.Oregonlive.com should be up shortly for Jason Quick's online chat he had today. In it he discussed that the Salmons trade does not pass the smell test, but that there are 2 trades that are being discussed. He was some what vague so as not to disclose something he shouldn't.

1 is with a Western conference team, and would be a minor deal. His personal feeling was that it would be unlikely to happen.

The 2nd trade he mentioned, was a trade that could bring us into title contention possibly. It concerns 1 player that has been rumored in past trade talks with the Blazers. The trade would bring over 2 players to the Blazers from an Eastern Conference team, filling 2 positions, that have been seen as a need for the Blazers. The Blazers would be giving back 2 players plus Rlec. The 2 Blazers being traded are not starters, but are players that are in the regular rotation.

In my opinion this is the Gerald Wallace and Raymond Felton trade we have been discussing in previous posts. They fill the SF and PG upgrades we have been looking for. Realizing that Felton is an improvement, but not necessarily the answer. The Blazers would be giving back Sergio, Travis Outlaw, and Raef. Both are role players, but not starters.

This is a great trade for all parties considered when you figure in the all powerful dollar. Rlec and other large ending contracts are of greater value this year than any other year, due to the 2010 Free Agency class and our current recession. The Bobcats ownership has been looking to shed $, and if you watched the recent game in Charlotte in regards to attendance, you can see partly why. Out of all the year ending contracts the Blazers have the only one that actually pays you back for the $ you would pay out for the remainder of the year.

Gerald is a lot for them to give up, but they get a poor mans version of their player back for less than half of what they are paying him now, and they get a back up point guard that fits the offensive mindset of Larry Brown however lacking he is on the defensive side. The Bobcats will not have to decide on giving Felton a long term contract or waiving him to avoid the double salary hit against their cap for the summer of 2010. They become major players in the 2010 free agency spree.

The Blazers get a dominating SF who only lacks a solid 3 pt stroke. Nate very well may have to tweak the offense slightly to curtail more to Wallace's strengths, slashing to the hole! With Felton we get a solid pg who's some what lack of a pass first mentality will mesh well with Roy. Even if Felton is not the answer, he will be a valuable trading chip next year, possibly for a top flight back up power forward. I believe Bayless will be handling pg duties by the end of next year.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a pick or picks thrown in by the Blazers, and that the trade would be consumated at the deadline, or after Wallace shows he is up to playing from his partially collapsed lung, whichever comes sooner.

What do you think?

Are these the players Quick is referring to?

If so do you like the trade, or do you think it is unrealistic and for which team?

If it happens I say hello Division champions for 2009, and Western Conference finals participants with a Championship contender status for 2010!

I say trade LA, Travis, RLEC, and pics for Bosh so long as he will sign an extension.

Titlein2011 — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:50:24 -0000

I say trade LA, Travis, RLEC, and pics for Bosh so long as he will sign an extension.

This is the best plausible Blazer trade in my eyes. In no way do I have any dissatisfaction with either player, just a matter of getting a phenom who is young with what we have, and becoming better through a trade while not creating a deficiency. I also feel this trade is realistic in regards to what we give and what we recieve. Without going to trade machine we may need to throw in some Toronto garbage, but whatever. Toronto should be willing to do this trade with the thought that odds are in strong favor that Bosh will sign somewhere else. Toronto can stay young while not dropping in level of play. Considering the risk of losing Bosh for nothing; I think this option could be very appealing. I think a trade like this will not go down until the trade dead line. Hopefully the log jam at SF will not create an issue prior to that time.

Is Roy accepting Rudy's role on the team?

Titlein2011 — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:13:31 -0000

I'm going to be sacreligious here and say that Roy needs to accept Rudy and take advantage of what he brings to the team. In the same way Roy can be averse at times to fast break ball, he seems to be asserting his control with Rudy on the court by somewhat excluding him.

Who has been getting the loudest cheers at the Rose Garden..... Rudy. Roy is a great guy, but everbody has an ego and no one is perfect. Rudy in a small way is a threat to Roys complete control of the team. Not that Rudy will take over, not at all, but Rudy takes a little bit of the control of the team away from Roy and he doesn't like it, who would. I think it's subtle, but it's there. Roy's never had an issue with Blake and there is a reason, Blake isn't that good; so unless we are going to play out the rest of our days with a great backup pg we need to either make a trade for one or move Rudy to the point.

Roy was happy with Bayless why because he looks to score and not to control the play of the game through the pg position. He's mentioned that a star pg may not be best for the team, because they may not be willing to let Roy control play come the 4th quarter. But that is why Rudy is so great he can play the point for the first 3 quarters and then hand off the reigns to Roy come the 4th, and it would be seemless because of the player Rudy is. Nate in the near future may need to step in with Roy to discuss adopting this style of play and how it can benefit Roy not take away from what he does. If he's completely against it than Roy should play Point and Rudy can play sg. Obviously more playing time together very well is all that is needed, but hopefully it comes sooner rather than later.

I realize this could have been part of a previous post, but I am really curious to what other Bedgers think on this specific topic. Some of you may want to stone me from this post, hopefully I can't be somehow excluded from the site.