Trail Blazers Weekly Recap: 1/4 – 1/10
A weekly analysis of the Trail Blazers
After a restful week last week, the Trail Blazers hoped that they could ride a 2-1 week into one of the toughest weeks of the year. Unfortunately, playing the West’s elite resulted in a 1-4 week and fans starting to think lottery more than playoffs.
That is, until Damian Lillard reminded us why he is our franchise player.
Grizzlies 91 vs. Blazers 78
Why did we lose?
Lillard was rusty in his first game back, and the stifling Grizzlies defense only made things worse. Look, the Blazers are starting from scratch and four of the five Grizzlies’ starters have played together for years. Thier defense is at the point where it is very difficult to shoot your way to victory, which is hard for a team like the Blazers to overcome. The Grizzlies seemed poised to take down another Terry Stotts offensive scheme with no end it sight, with the Blazers scoring just 78 points.
Improvements?
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We have to be able to battle against the tough Memphis bigs. They have arguably the best frontcourt in the NBA, so it’s hard for any team to match their size and skill. But they just outworked us, grabbing 17 offensive boards to our seven. It wasn’t just the bigs, the physical defense forced 21 turnovers from the Blazers. Portland will need to match the physicality if they want to compete with Memphis.
What did we learn?
Even with the starting five of the last few years, the Blazers have struggled against physical defenses. We need to return the favor with our own physicality on defense, rather than rely on finesse to win games. Maybe another viewing of 30 for 30 on the Bad Boys of Detroit should be in a film session soon.
Clippers 109 vs. Blazers 98
Why did we lose?
It’s too easy to blame the loss on the absence of C.J. McCollum in what is probably the most embarrassing lineup goof of the NBA season. But I’m not going to, because despite the adversity, the Blazers had cut the game close midway through the fourth. I’m blaming this loss on post dominance again. Simply put, DeAndre Jordan was a man amongst boys with dunk after dunk that swung momentum every time. He and Chris Paul have mastered the pick and roll offense and when they are clicking like they were, it’s almost impossible to stop.
Improvements?
I know that last week I criticized the Blazers for fouling too much, but that was against the Nuggets. We need to realize that everytime Jordan has a monster dunk, it has the potential to deflate the opposing team. Foul him whenever he has it and block him like an offensive lineman whenever he has an ally-oop. He is one of the worst free throw shooters in the NBA and we should’ve exploited it.
What did we learn?
That we can make games interesting in the face of adversity. The game was out of reach for most of the time and despite no McCollum, we we’re able to make the game close with some clutch shots by Lillard and some beautiful scoring by Mason Plumlee. Plumlee really impressed with a few nifty sky-hooks over the lanky Jordan.
Warriors 128 vs. Blazers 108
Why did we lose?
Just three years ago, one could imagine that one day these two teams would battle for the West’s elite. Instead, only the Warriors are on track to become the best team in NBA history. Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry play so well together that it looks like they are schooling kids on the playground most of the time. Add in a league leading eighth triple-double from Draymond Green and it seems absolutely impossible to beat this team. Lillard scored 40 points and we lost by 20… yeah they might be the best team ever.
Improvements?
The Warriors shot 52% from the field and 56% from three…
You know (and I’m reaching here because I honestly think there is nothing you can do) if I had to chose an improvement, I’d say next time focus all your attention on that three headed monster of Curry, Thompson and Green and then make someone else beat you.
What did we learn?
That we are nowhere close to competing with the Warriors, but we could be someday. Our two leading scorers are compared to the splash brothers all the time, but we need the supporting cast to help as much as theirs do. Shaun Livingston, Harrison Barnes and Andre Iguodala come off the bench! Is there really anyone you think that could take them down? Spurs maybe, but it’s a big maybe.
Blazers 115 vs. Thunder 110
Why did we win?
Lillard Time returned in full force with an astounding 17 points in the final minutes including five three-pointers in a row. Cap that off with a vicious Plumlee block on Serge Ibaka and the Blazers simply took the game from the Thunder’s grasp.
Improvements?
Look, I admit I’ve been criticizing the Blazers recently about relying on the three to close out games. Despite that it’s still a very risky strategy, the instant excitement that style of play brings is addicting. If there was anything to improve on it’s to not put ourselves in this position to begin with. We lost the third quarter by eleven, if we didn’t come out flat at halftime then… ah I’m glad we did, it gave us the most exciting game in Portland all year.
What did we learn?
We learned this week that Lillard wants to play his entire career here. Pretty incredible he could say something like that and then back it up with the game last night.
Going 0-3 to start the week was rough, but after last night it feels like we went 4-0. We might not be the best team, but damn we can still put on a show.