Jan 02

Watching the game against the Clippers I noticed a bunch of times when Gerald Wallace was open, and nobody passed to him. I have noticed this before, but when I looked at the stats after the game I saw Gerald Wallace only took 5 shots and had 0 points. He also did not attempt a free throw which was very surprising, considering he averages 9 free throw attempts per game. Was it because he wasn't aggressive? or was it because he didn't have a chance to be aggressive?

I think it was because he didn't have a chance. Wallace only attempted 3 inside shots. He either missed them, or he was called for a charging foul. I never used to be hesitant about Gerald driving to the basket, because it seemed like he always made it, got fouled, or both! But now it is different, every time I see Gerald drive I find myself cringe, afraid of a charging foul. Wallace knows how to be an aggressor, but it seems like he doesn't get an opportunity sometimes to be one. 

The first 2 games of the season he was phenomenal! He was being aggressive, and that was a big reason why we did so well. In last nights game, he wasn't aggressive and look what happened. We need to give the ball to Gerald more. Sometimes the players just don't see him when he is open, and I get that. I just wanted to see "Crash" be "Crash" and I didn't last night.

Last nights game had some positives. Mike Barrett said in his blog, "The biggest positive I take out of Sunday's first road game of the season is that this team played one good quarter out of the four, and it was nearly enough to get a win." I could not agree more with that statement. Just think, once the players get used to the new offense and play more than ONE good quarter. Wow..they will surprise a lot of people.

Go Blazers! Lets beat OKC!