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Even Dallas Media Left Scratching Their Heads
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  1. DHawes22
    DHawes22
    Posts: 6476

    Posted 02/13/2012 12:21 PM

    From Rob Mahoney: Two-Man Game-
     It’s a genuine curiosity that Portland didn’t operate through LaMarcus Aldridge (33 points, 14-26 FG, 12 rebounds, one turnover) on every single offensive possession in both overtimes. Nate McMillan’s teams are typically fantastic at running plays that put the best players in a position to succeed and rely on those players to create (via scores in their comfort zone, passes out of double-teams, etc.), but the Blazer offense was entirely too reliant on Felton and Jamal Crawford (19 points, 6-23 FG, three turnovers) down the stretch. I don’t mean too harp too much on the final 10 minutes alone, but considering how good of a shot creator Aldridge has become, the Blazers’ closing possession distribution was pretty indefensible. Dallas defended Aldridge with Brendan Haywood for much of the game, and despite Haywood’s best efforts to contest shots, deny position, and limit angles for potential hook shots, Aldridge converted bucket after bucket. The man only forced both overtime periods with difficult, contested scores, after all. I’m not precisely sure who should be to blame for Portland’s uncharacteristic misuse of resources (McMillan? Crawford? Felton? Aldridge himself? LeBron James?), but someone in the Blazers’ locker room has some ’splaining to do.
    READ MORE>>>

    If you were like and were wondering why our guards in overtime (Felton, Crawford) who shot a combined 10-40 from the floor were doing all of the shooing in the final two frames, instead of dumping the ball down low to our All-Star, then you were not alone. If you read what Mahoney stated, he knew Dallas had no answer for LA and he also knew that Dallas wasn't going to defend him any differently in crunch time: Brendan Haywood, man-to-man, straight up defense. Aldridge was beating him the entire night and even hit two prior shots to force both the first and second overtime.

    To start the second overtime, Felton or Crawford shot the ball the first four times. Aldridge didn't get an attempt up until the 1:43 mark, which of course, dropped for two points. He only ended up taking one more shot the rest of the game. Now, one might think fatigue could have been an issue since he logged 52 minutes (47 going into overtime No. 2), but he had showed no signs of slowing down as his numbers were 14-24 for 31 points after the first overtime.

    I don't have the naswers. I don't have any theories. I'm just baffled. For a team looking for a signature win on the road, it just seems very strange one of the game's ten best players wasn't even getting looks down the stretch when it mattered most. Last but not least, I worry about Aldridge getting upset. He was HOT and we failed to get him the ball. This is the LA we've all been waiting for, right? The one who WANTS to take the clutch shots. The one who WANTS to become Batman. Well, we have him now. it's just time to put him to use. Hopefully, we get a chance soon and deliver the rock to LA in the clutch.

    What are your thoughts on this?
    I am a fan of
  1. CarlJ1
    CarlJ1
    Posts: 398

    Posted 02/13/2012 12:57 PM

    I feel that LA should of had 40+ in this game but, that's the problem with this team all season they forget the player that has have sucess and the others feel like "oh I haven't done nothing all game let me try to take over I could get hot" and I hope LA does get upset because that's what's missing with this team someone need to get at other players I remember when Juwan was here and I think it was against Detroit and we were ahead by 20+ and we started to fool around and Detroit came back and almost won the game and after the game the story broke that Juwan got at everyone in the locker room and after that we played the way they were suppost to play it can't just be the coach who does it this team is too nice to say what needs to be said to each other and until that happens this is the team that we are going to have.
    I am a fan of Respect, Loyalty, Honor & Pride the same thing the Blazer & their true fans are made of RIP CITY STAND UP!
  1. BlazerManiac
    BlazerManiac
    Posts: 678

    Posted 02/13/2012 1:36 PM

    Nate needs to fine Crawford and Felton for not gettting the ball to LA 80% of the time in games.  Drive the ball up the court, get the ball to LA and if he is doubled teamed kick the ball out.  I am tired of this driving the ball up the court and in the first 7 seconds of the 24 second clock Crawford and Felton shoot the ball.  They need to learn they are not the key to this team even though their ego's think they are.

        CRAWFORD & FELTON need to pass the ball
    I am a fan of JJ the Double Double Beast.
  1. D_pickett
    D_pickett
    Posts: 608

    Posted 02/13/2012 8:55 PM

    I'm not too upset with Crawford taking his shot. That's why he's here. I'm more upset when he doesn't take an open jumper in an attempt to facilitate. And one thing that no one seems to give Felton credit for is his ability to finish at the rim. Of all the layups missed by this ball club, I'm pretty sure NONE of them have been Felton's attempts.

    That being said, YES LaMarcus HAS TO BE the go-to guy late in games. He proved in the Dallas game that he's clutch. He's an All-Star, and he can get his own shot. I don't necessarily blame anyone though; I think the sudden loss of Brandon Roy left a noticeable scar in the fabric of this team. Late in games, I think it's in everyone's mind (except maybe the new Blazers') "Man, we could use Brandon right now. He'd close this game up."

    So perhaps it's a combination of everything. New players combined with Nate and LaMarcus who are used to seeing the game closed from the backcourt. They probably never saw the obvious flaw that we're talking about, but hopefully they realize it soon... like before this season gets completely out of hand.
    I am a fan of
  1. Tobyus Sanchezo
    Tobyus Sanchezo
    Posts: 1600

    Posted 02/13/2012 10:17 PM

    How many back to back games have we won this season? There's part of your answer, tuckered out Blazers stank!
    I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three
  1. Tobyus Sanchezo
    Tobyus Sanchezo
    Posts: 1600

    Posted 02/13/2012 10:27 PM

    Aldridge is big down there. Dirk is getting older, and he can't play forever. They're gonna need a new PF after awhile, so I'd expect Dallas to make serious offers for LaMarcus in the future.
    I am a fan of playoffs in two zero one three
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