Comments on: 2010-11 NBA Blogosphere Previews: Portland Trail Blazers

By: Ian

Ian — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:14:30 +0000

I think it's extremely foolish to refuse to run plays for a guy who was drafted to be more than just a defensive presence and who showed great promise on offense (the advanced stats back me up on this). Steve Blake may have known the offense better, but quotes from Aldridge and Oden reveal that they really liked playing with Miller. I hope this season turns out better than last year, but I just feel that this team won't advance in the playoffs with Nate as the coach.

By: T.Smith

T.Smith — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 23:23:49 +0000

Ian, the inability of our spot up shooters, last year, to hit open shots made iso's for Roy an effective O. Steve Blake started but Miller got his minutes in while Blake was around. Blake new the offense better and Miller was a better fit with 2nd unit. This year spot up shooters crowd the bench. I think the 2nd unit key this yr will be for Bayless to adapt a more Tony Parker style of play. Getting free throws is great but on his way to the rim, when the "D" collapses, I know somebody gets open for an easy shot. You want to motivate a big man? Give him highlight reel dunks a couple times a game. G.O. was drafted for his "D" not his "O". Anything he gives you as far as points is a plus. Honestly, I wouldnt run a play for him until the final 4 minutes of each half. Anything else he would get to that point would be off hustle and scraps.

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 05:11:22 +0000

Don't get me started on the fact that Nate McMillan actually decided to start Steve Blake over Andre Miller for a good portion of the season, as well. Blake had a nice year (for him) in 2009, but he has never been anywhere near as good as Andre Miller- you know, the guy Portland ended up paying $7 million per season to get after years of putting off spending in order to get capspace in the summer of 2009.

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 05:08:54 +0000

I've given Nate a chance for several years, but he was totally outcoached in both the 2009 series against Houston and the 2010 series against Phoenix. By "caveman offense", I refer to the continued insistence that 4 guys remain relatively static while we see Brandon Roy isolation after Brandon Roy isolation. Roy is great, but I think Portland succeeds largely in spite of Nate as opposed to because of him. I mean, Nate went on record early last year saying that he didn't want Greg Oden to focus on offense! What a ridiculous load of crap!

By: 1ofthe7

1ofthe7 — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 04:28:59 +0000

For Ian..... ... It was a bit nightmarish as far as injuries go, but it could have had 'nightmare on elm street' on our hands if it weren't for Nate. He is a very good coach. Maybe not 'phil jackson', sure. But even red auerbach didn't reach phil's ring count. But Nate is, I believe, in the top 3. Most other coaches would not, or rather 'could' not get what Nate did out of his team. Any team for that matter. Give him a chance.

By: LukeBabbittFTW

LukeBabbittFTW — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 02:25:32 +0000

What the heck is "caveman offense"?

By: Ian

Ian — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 23:35:23 +0000

Last year was truly horrific for me as a Blazer fan, watching player after player go down with injuries. I can only hope this year will be better, but I'm afraid to have such high expectations as I did last year. Nate McMillan's caveman offense certainly won't do us any favors, though.

By: michael breneiser

michael breneiser — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:55:24 +0000

i agree with natsthecat for the most part,but... if GO comes back and does what we all have been hoping he was drafted for...then there will be no question who will be the MVP, difference maker, as well as overall fan fave! GO has the whole (blazer) world in his hands!

By: natsthecat

natsthecat — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:34:15 +0000

Wesley Matthews really should be a choice for MVP. While I love Batum, I think Matthews is more assertive, so may end up being the difference maker this year.