Apr. 16, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Kaleb Canales reacts from the while sidelines while playing against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at the US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Trail Blazers 125-107. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports.

Earlier today it was announced that former Blazers Offensive Coordinator, Kaleb Canales would be leaving the organization to take an assistant coaching job with the Dallas Mavericks. Canales’ most prominent role with the Blazers was a brief stint as Head Coach in the wake of Nate Mcmillan’s dismissal in 2012. When current Head Coach, Terry Stotts, was hired, Portland kept Kaleb to help coordinate the offense. However; Stotts has decided to eliminate the Kaleb’s position and make coordinating the team a collective staff effort.

So what does this mean for Portland? Despite the appreciation the Blazers have for Kaleb Canales, this is decidedly good. Kaleb is an offensive specialist, as is Stotts, so combining their talents left the Blazers with mediocre defense. Stotts hopes to hire a new assistant by summer league. I’d wager dollars to donuts that a defensive specialist is in our future, and one couldn’t come at a better time.

Lillard has struggled with on-ball defense all season, but has taken criticisms to heart and will be training with 1995-96 Defensive Player of the Year, Gary Payton, this summer. While I admire Lillard’s initiative, he can’t be the only one to improve. The Blazers must function as a defensive unit and suffocate their opponents. The Memphis Grizzlies exemplify my goal for the Portland Trail Blazers. I want to see them dominate the full 24 every time. If they can do that and teach Meyers Leonard not to bail out opponents with bad fouls, they’ll be in great shape.

One of Portland’s biggest problems is the inability to balance offensive inconsistency. Sure, they’ll get hot for a while, but when the shots won’t fall they lack a higher defensive gear to make up for it. That’s why it’s so important that they see Kaleb’s departure as an opportunity rather than a setback. Defense is the one element of basketball that is always in the player’s control, but without the proper guidance it’s difficult to excel. The Blazers gave up the 2^nd highest field goal percentage in the league this season (47.4%) and must bring that down considerably in order to be a playoff team again. Kaleb just isn’t the man to make that happen.

Let it be known that Kaleb Canales’ contributions are not to be undervalued. His leadership in times of crisis and support in times of success have been priceless to the Portland Trail Blazers. The offensive minds of Canales and Stotts have simply overlapped into an area of redundancy the Blazers needed to address. So congratulations, Dallas, you’ve got a great guy coming your way. But if I see you use him to get to LaMarcus as BlazersEdge writer, Ben Golliver, suggested, you’ll have the best fan-base in the NBA very unhappy with you.

I would definitely hire Kaleb Canales if I wanted to pursue trading for LaMarcus Aldridge or signing him as a free agent in 2015

— Ben Golliver (@blazersedge) May 3, 2013

Best of luck to Kaleb in all of his future ventures. It’s been great having him on our side.

@davidmackaypdx | @ripcityproject | davidmackaypdx@gmail.com

April 7, 2013; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard Will Barton (5) reacts after a dunk against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Will Barton shocked the Dallas Mavericks, the Portland Trail Blazers, and every spectator in between with a career performance in last night’s 91-96 loss to Dallas. Starting shooting guard, Wesley Matthews, left the game in the second quarter after sustaining a right ankle sprain, and would not return; at which point, the Blazers trailed 22-40. It looked like another disappointing loss for Portland on the scoreboard and roster alike, but Barton really stepped up in Portland’s time of need.

Will’s Stat Line: 22 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 0 turnovers.

Barton shot 7/11 from the field and 8/9 from the free throw line. Perhaps more impressively, he was consistently able to post up Dallas’ Vince Carter and get important stops for Portland in the 4th quarter. Think about that for a moment. Will Barton is 6’5” 170 and Vince Carter is 6’6” 225. Carter has had one of the most notable resurgent seasons in recent memory and the wisp of NBA physique that is Will Barton was able to hold him to 2 points in the final frame.

Will’s exceptional play on both ends of the floor is what allowed Portland to stay in this game. In fact, there were a few instances in which Will made an exceptional pass only to have LaMarcus fail to convert (sorry big guy). Barton showed simply flawless decision making at times. He was in position to reel in the defensive rebound on nearly every possession, he was aggressive in traffic, he created opportunities for his teammates, and he finished when it counted. Actually, he finished many of his shots while being absolutely clobbered. The often silent whistles were not enough to keep him at bay and his ferocity paid dividends.

Barton’s determination was the highlight Portland needed to quell their late season’s erosive monotony. Sometimes the fans need to be reminded that although the outlook is bleak for now, there are rays of hope bursting through fog. There are moments in life that we take with us and grasp tightly in our loneliest instances of self-doubt; last night’s coming out party will be there for Will throughout his NBA career and beyond. As for me, seeing his reception from the home fans and the rest of his teammates when all was said and done was bigger than a W.

Of course, one night does not an all star make. Look for Barton to see extended minutes if Matthews remains sidelined for any period of time. He won’t get these numbers every night (or even again this season), but we all know what he is capable of. With excellence comes expectation, and this glimpse has left him teetering on the cusp of the latter.

@davidmackaypdx | @ripcityproject | davidmackaypdx@gmail.com

Feb 6, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) drives against Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

If the Blazers have a chance for redemption it’s tonight. Dallas is the least challenging game remaining on Portland’s schedule and it is going to be a true battle. The Mavericks are now three games behind the 8th seed (Los Angeles Lakers) and will give the Blazers everything they have. This matchup may be Dallas’ last chance at a post-season. On the other hand, Portland has lost 7 games in a row and will do everything in their power to break the pattern. Neither team is the most physical n the NBA, but this contest could get chippy quickly.

Portland and Dallas have faced off three times this season, each winning their games at home. Last time they played in the Rose Garden, Portland recovered to from a 21 point deficit to win off of a LaMarcus Aldridge fade away in the final second. Don’t think the Mavericks will have forgotten. This time, it is the Blazers that are short handed and the Mavs will look to exploit this in any way they can.

Blazers Starting 5: PG Damian Lillard, SG Wesley Matthews, SF Victor Claver, PF LaMarcus Aldridge, C J.J. Hickson

Mavericks Starting 5: PG Mike James, SG O.J. Mayo, SF Shawn Marion, PF Dirk Nowitzki, C Chris Kaman

LaMarcus is the key to Portland’s success tonight. He has been the highest scoring Blazer in each of their previous meetings because the Mavericks and Blazers share one fatal commonality; a lack of interior defense. The question is, who will bend and who will break? If Aldridge can get Dirk into foul trouble, Portland may be able to seize control. If not, they may be in for a hard time.

Dirk is more than capable of taking over if he is allowed even the tiniest window of opportunity. This is where things get tricky. LaMarcus will have to play him incredibly close without fouling. If LaMarcus racks up 3 or 4 early on, it could turn into a runaway. Portland needs him on the floor to keep Dirk at bay and provide the bulk of their scoring. Who gets the better of who in the post will determine who walks away from this game with the W.

Portland will be without Nicolas Batum for a 3rd straight game. As Portland’s best perimeter defender, it may be difficult for him to watch O.J. Mayo sink threes in the corner. Batum brings so much to this Portland team, it is hard to imagine how they could fill the hole he leaves behind. Sure Claver is decent, but he is hardly as capable as Batum when it comes to transition defense, facilitating, and 3 point shooting.

This is where the Blazers must capitalize on their largest mismatch. Damian Lillard has to be able to make Mike James look foolish in order to pick up the slack. James is slow on defense, so Lillard should have plenty of open looks if he can avoid the double. More importantly, getting to the rim will be at the top of his to-do list. This is the kind of defense Damian thrives against. Expect him to come on strong as a three point threat, and finish well inside against Chris Kaman.

Under these conditions, the Blazers will win:

• LaMarcus stays out of foul trouble
• Damian Lillard looks to score first
• Portland stops O.J. Mayo from heating up
• Dirk is kept off the free throw line
• Portland plays all four quarters
• J.J. Hickson exploits Dallas’ interior weaknesses on offense
• The lights flicker and a super villain appears on the jumbotron, demanding the Mavericks forfeit the game (super hero intervention not withstanding)

Ok, well most of those need to happen anyway. I’m excited for this one. It could very well be the Blazers’ last hurrah of the 2012-2013 season. Truth be told, the odds are not in our favor, but at this point, that’s what makes it fun! Tune in at 6:00pm PST to watch our boys make a stand. LaMarcus will have his hands full, but look for him and Lillard to lead the way.