Pacers Finish Off Blazers
posted: 11/28/2007 at 11:04 PM
This game was lost during a six-minute stretch in the third quater. The Blazers went through a major offensive cold spell, and the Indiana Pacers took full advantage. They reeled off a 17-0 run and built a 12-point lead. The Blazers did battle back to tie the game, but never again got over the top, and the Pacers won it 95-89. In that crucial third quarter, the Blazers shot just 5 for 23, and were outscored 25-13. Even a 30-point fourth quarter wasn't enough for Portland to come all the way back after so much damage had been done in that third.
It wrapped up a very impressive set of back-to-back wins for Indiana, who won at Denver on Tuesday night. They've now won 5 of their last 7 games, and have recorded wins over Utah, Denver, Portland, Dallas, and New Orleans.
The most impressive part is that they've done most of this without Jermaine O'Neal, who sat out Wednesday's game with swelling in his knee. The Pacers are in no hurry to rush him back, and why would they be? Jeff Foster, who has always been a Blazer killer, is a beast on the boards, and had 17 rebounds against Portland. Eight of those 17 were offensive rebounds. The guy could play for my team any time.
The Pacers have now won 4-straight games at the Rose Garden, and 8 straight over the Blazers overall. No other team from the Eastern Conference can claim a streak like that against Portland.
The Blazers have now lost 7 of their last 8, following that impressive 4-0 homestand. The offensive struggles continue, and the schedule only gets more difficult. Their next three are on the road, at Dallas, San Antonio, and Memphis.
One bright spot in the loss, was the play of Travis Outlaw. After getting nailed by Foster well after the whistle in the first half, Outlaw bounced to his feet and was looking for a face-to-face confrontation. I've never seen that kind of fire in Outlaw. After that, he was as agressive as I've ever seen him, and ended up scoring 26 points, and pulling down 7 rebounds in 31 minutes. If this is what it takes to light a fire under him, I hope he gets ripped in the head early in every game.
The Blazers have badly needed a third scorer, to go along with Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge, and Outlaw was that guy in this game. The big test for Travis now is, which player will we see against the Mavericks on Friday? Consistency has been the knock against him.
As we've talked about many times, defenses around the NBA are keying in on stopping Roy. Teams double him on the perimeter, and put him on the floor when he comes into the key. He struggled shooting the ball again in this game, going just 4 for 14. To his credit, he still nearly picked up his first-career triple-double, and ended with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Aldridge had 22 points and 9 rebounds.
The Blazers started the night looking to push the tempo to get easier shots. It worked from time to time, but they still didn't hit the 90-point mark. They've now scored 87, 74, and 89 in their last three games. They also managed just 4 fast-break points in this game. They've simply got to figure out a way to get some cheap buckets, and some easier looks at the rim.
To hear Nate McMillan's post-game comments,
click here.
We hit the road early Thursday morning, and will be in Dallas in the afternoon. The team will practice when we get to Texas, and then Friday night take on the Mavericks. The Mavs will be looking for revenge, after dropping the first meeting of the season to the Blazers in Portland. Following that game, we'll head to San Antonio, and take on the Spurs on Sunday. That's followed by a back-to-back, as we take on Memphis on Monday night.
Talk to you from Texas.
RSS FEED
Mike, Is Nate Narcoleptic?? I understand a very young team playing without a sense of direction at times...as in the third quarter....but what's Nates excuse? there was a ridiculous stretch where every shot was either a 3 or a very long 2 with NO attempt to attack the rim. and Nate just sat on the bench watching. I like letting the team play without running set plays each time, but when the team is completely sucking and is totally lost, Nate needs to straighten them out. I couldn't watch the rest of the game. It was like the players didnt really care and Nate was sleeping through the 3rd quarter.
MB,
I disagree with you that Comcast isn't making money by not making a deal with other providers. They are making money on every person that is forced to switch to Comcast to watch the Blazers games. That's why they've offered the channel to other providers at such a high price that not one provider has made a deal with them. NOT ONE!
So it's obvious who's fault this impasse is, Comcast's, and of course the Blazers for allowing this to happen and not doing anything about it.
I'm glad you say we can 'dump' here because 'dump' is exactly what the Blazers have done to many Blazers fans and continue to do so as long as they allow this to go on.
Robert, you can listen to the game online at nba.com and it's free. Go to scores, they have them on the main page, and click on game info and the page that comes up has a link to listen to the game.
Here are the ph #s of many of the providers that are not carrying Comcast.
DirecTV: (800) 747-9294
Dish Network: (866) 517-9467
Charter: (866) 731-5420
Willamette Broadband: (888) 222-5314
Country Cable: (503) 588-8247
If one of them is your provider give them a call and ask for the channel. It won't matter much until Comcast offers a reasonable deal, but if ever do you'll want your provider to know that you want the channel.
Indiana made the adjustments at half-time. They used the extra defender they didn't need to guard Joel to double everywhere on the court. We scored 3 points in that six minute stretch with Joel on the floor. It's a lot easier to get buckets when all of our players can force the opposition to guard them.
Joel isn't the only culprit. Defenses are leaving Blake wide open with regularity. Someone besides Roy, Aldridge, and Martell need to find a way to get the ball in the bucket to start the game and second half.
I'm happy for Joel in his promotion, but i don't think it was for the better of the team. Not if you're looking for offense or easy buckets. Frye has struggled a lot, but he at least forces the opposition to guard him and can make teams pay for doubling Aldridge. That allows Roy and Aldridge to be more effective.
Right now, there doesn't look to be any easy answers. However, i think Jones will help, tremendously, if he can get back, healthy and in shape. It may take a while, but he'll pay dividends.
If Oden were playing right now there would be a deal with Dish and Direct. However, since he's injured and the Blazers aren't a hot team to watch, their stock is down. It is absolutely all on Comcast. They are choosing to make nothing this year, wait until Oden is healthy, and get a better deal next year. They will be a team to watch and in more demand than now. There won't be a deal this year, just be ready for that. Comcast is holding all the cards and unless someone is willing to overpay for Comcast SportsNet this year, no one will see it on Dish or Direct. A tough price to pay, but that's what happens when the greedy cable company stays greedy.
MB-I like this team and I think we are now seeing that some of our win total expectations were a little high (35-38 was what thought) because the team is just too young and inexperienced.
The biggest difficulty I am having in LOVING this team (I am a season ticket holder, by the way) is their lack of toughness. I LOVED seeing Travis respond with his play to Jeff Foster's dirty play, but how about anybody else? Foster had a season high 17 rebounds last night, only 1 off of his career high. On Monday, Adonal Foyle had a season high 10 rebounds.
This team is backing away from contact and getting pushed and bullied around and not doing anything about it. How else can you explain the lack of driving to the hoop in the third?
LaMarcus is young and of course still learning. We love LaMarcus, but he needs to get tougher and learn when to take a charge and when to block a shot and when to give a hard foul. I just HATE looking like a group of pansies out there and I feel like that's what is happening. Joel is the only guy with any toughness. I mean, we got taunted by Jamaal Tinsley of all people? Are you kidding me?
I think part of it is that this team is so young that they are lacking in confidence and not sure how to respond...but also think this team might be...too nice? We need some attitude. I'd be curious as to what your thoughts are.
We were at the game last night. Same story, but different quarter. It's like watching a sine wave...up and down and up and down, but all the downs seem to be in the second half. Too much jump shooting, not enough movement away from the ball and we're still walking it down the court and not trying to drive into the key and kick out. It's like the team and coaches need to watch this on TV sometime... we run till we get to the 3 pt line and then stop and walk the ball around the perimeter. That doesn't create any confusion for the defense. I'd like to thank KGW-8 for carrying what few Blazer games we get to see this season! Someone seems to have customers' best interests in mind.
Regarding the Comcast negotiations.
It's funny to me that Comcast is taking the heat for this. This whole situation seems pretty straightforward to me:
1) Comcast paid tens of millions of dollars for the rights to broadcast Blazer games.
2) The negotiation chip in Comcast's court is they are betting that a large portion of cable customers in the region want to watch Blazers games.
3) The negotiation chip in other cable providers' courts is they are betting that a large portion of cable customers in the region don't care about watching Blazers games.
So, in terms of Dish, DirectTV, other cable providers - they are holding out because they think you don't care whether or not the Blazer games are on TV. And maybe they're right.
Personally, I have a hard time shooting any criticism at a company that believes in broadcasting a huge portion of Blazer games.
The best part of the game, BY FAR, was when Outlaw jumped up after being knocked to the floor, and confronted Foster. I was so proud of him for doing that. It's SO important that our young guys aren't in awe of their opponents, and are willing to stand up for themselves.
I love having quality people on the Blazers, but you have to draw a line somewhere. I think we need to get a few more tech. fouls than we have, just to light a fire. I'm sick of watching this team live up to their reputation as softies.
By the way, Tinsley did indeed punk us, that was SAD.
I agree with Rudy all the way.
Lamarcus is playing soft. Someone (Oregonian?) commented on Lamarcus getting easy buckets by the basket, well that's because the point guards penetrated and his man rotated off. Then he got an easy dunk on a nice assist, so I don't credit him for those plays. Pryz can do that. Lamarcus doesn't cut on the pick and roll, doesn't make good fouls (he hand checks instead of dropping people to the floor and contesting shots), and is getting pushed around for the rebound. Without Oden to compliment his finesse, we're screwed. Aldridge doesn't seem big or tough enough yet...not to mention he is scared of the double teams and overreacting with a forced shot or a rushed pass that allows the defense to catch up on their rotations. Ugh, he's young and its frustrating.
Speaking of double teams, poor Roy. He can't go anywhere without one defender on him and another one shadowing him. With Blake shooting horrible, we need Jack starting with Pryz. Two and a half (Roy, Lamarcus, 1/2=Webster) offensive threats in the starting line up doesn't cut it and the defense just clamps down on Roy and Lamarcus. I believe in Webster, but we have a lot of growing pains to deal with as he learns the game. But he must stay a starter because he will be a good if not great player one day...once he learns to move more efficiently.
Overall we don't attack the basket enough. Martell is trying, and failing but learning. Roy can't go anywhere. Blake can't get to the basket and takes stupid jumpers. Lamarcus, see above. Pryz can't catch a quick pass by the basket. Outlaw is afraid to attack the rim for some reason (he did a little last night though, thankfully). Jack does, but is getting close to the same treatment in the second unit as Roy does in the first since Frye/Lafrentz are sucking. Sergio does and makes plays, but his unforced turnovers (none last night) are unsightly...just horrible sometimes.
We need some tweaks with line-ups, a healthy James Jones to help lead us out of ruts, and to get TOUGH!!!
We'll get it at some point, but this season is all growing pains and very frustrating.
Where was Channing last night? Why didn't he play and how big is the dog house he's in?
I understand making a statement (Nate) but when the team is in need of some off the bench enthusiasm. Put him in and see if he's getting the picture. If not, pull him out and put Raef back in.
Play games but keep them on the court and in the best interest of the team. I'm down on the kid, but he might of helped last night.
Our schedule doesn't get easy anytime soon....so we need to figure something out and fast.
Let's go Blazers!!!!
Where do I start? This team looks like my portfolio....like a yo-yo...up one quarter down the next. I agree with the mix of comments from other Blazer fans. I thought the presence of Maurice Lucus the young Blazers would "man-up" and be a warrior like Maurice was in his playing days. I feel that Nate needs to show more emotion and frustration with a verbal display during the game and during the timeouts. Let's see more movement without the ball when we are being defended "man-to-man".
I think Sodapopinski has oversimplified the situation a bit. Comcast has paid money for exclusive Blazer coverage, true. This kills NBA League Pass subscribers on all other providers who are paying a premium and are cancelling because of blackout restrictions. Unfortunately (and I am guessing), Comcast is asking for a lot more than other carriers are willing to pay (exclusivity, desire to switch end-users from sat to cab, and need for x% of returns will do this to you). I am certain this is not a 1-way street, btw, but when one company holds all the cards and is very threatened by satellite and other cable providers they don't have much incentive to be reasonable at the bargaining table. Having come from the industry, I've not been surprised. Ultimately, most of the blame should go to shortsightedness on the Blazers part. They got their money and that's what matters.
Btw - my comments were not intended as a slam on sodapopinski. See note from another blogger on how their cable provider explains the comcast issue.
"I called our cable provider and asked what the holdup was in getting CSN. The answer was that Comcast is requiring providers to carry CSN on their basic programming tier and wants $2.00 per subscriber, instead of letting other providers place the channel on one of their extra-cost tiers and recover the costs from mostly just those who want the service. This is unacceptable to everyone involved, from our small provider to Dish Network and Direct TV. So, unless Comcast relents in their demands, it's so long Blazers except when they're on KGW or one of the nationals."
It's tough right now. We have to keep looking forward and fighting through this guys. I am hearing way to much slamming of the Blazers...lets support instead of point fingers. We all know its gonna be a challenging year...but within that we continue to get exp and learn. Remember..these guys are real young and and lack quality NBA exp. We will look back and laugh on these early days. The future of RIP city is growing before our eyes, we will be the top of the league soon. Until then keep strong and keep together guys..we are all in this together, one big family.
R.I.P Taylor...you are greatly missed. *21*
Why aren't we playing Josh McRoberts? Channing Frye is cold and instead we put in Lafrentz last night, why?!?!
JOSH McROBERTS!!!!! Why aren't we playing him? Instead last night we put in LaFrentz, why?!?!
Hi MB
what arh3721 asked is the same thing I was going to ask. Why not McRoberts?
I know most of the fans wants to win this is a learning year and we haven't got the experience to keep up or attack then why not let McRoberts get some quality minutes? Nate says we need McRoberts because he is big and I believe a banger,well if he doesn't get some time how is he going to help? When we are down to our last player will we say he was just to inexperinced to help?
Anyway, this is a building year. and the season is young and the players are young so give all the players experience. The more experince players we have the more we have to choose from.
Our dismal third quarter was like I heard you say Mike, The Blazers seem content to jack up 3 pointers. OK!!!, you mentioned one player I just forgot which one because the whole team was doing that, and Brandon was the only one hitting any of them.
We caught up with Indiana because we was driving to the basket and creating pressure. Indiana didn't handle the pressure any better than we did, They just started driving sooner than we did and that to me was the difference in the game. I know the team is inexperince and driving to the rim is tough, but they are smart and can learn. I don't think it is because they are soft, I don't think they know for sure how to attack.
I am an old bowler, I have wisdon and experience. and because of that I can either beat or keep up with the new bowlers. Most of them has much more skills then I do and I know if they just learned to play different with different lane conditions they would wipe me out. This is much like the Blazers, play what conditions the opponent gives you. If they take one thing away from you (Brandon) find a different way to attack. but don't stand back and say I don't know how to play different. Learn, Learn,learn.
I am completely happy with most of the games. We stay in the game and we usually have a chance to win. I wished they believed in blowouts, but I think that bores them. when the game is close you will win a few and loose a few. We will get ours just be patient.
Old people blabber a lot
Harold
Even with Oden back next year, our roster still isn't quite there - there isn't a strong enough presence at the PG position. Unless we can get OJ Mayo or Eric Gordon in the draft, I'd try to deal the pick/Raef's soon to expire contract and maybe a few young guys (Sergio, Frye - maybe some playing time this year could boost his value) for Richard Jefferson and Josh Boone (obviously this is based on whether or not the Nets decide to blow it up and start over next year, wich I think they will). It worked on the ESPN trade machine - plus the Nets would get a top 10 pick and cap room for '09 - perfect for a rebuilding team. Roy would slide over to the point - he's our best playmaker and the offense should begin with him. Jefferson would fit in perfectly at the 3 - a bit of a health risk but he's above average at almost everything, is consistent and is still young. Roy, Martell, Jefferson, LMA, Oden. I think they all complement each other fairly well - Roy as a playmaker/scorer, Martell as an increasingly dangerous spot-up shooter, Jefferson as a slasher/scorer, LMA with his inside/outside game and Oden patrolling the paint. And we'd be left with a decent bench (remember Fernandez is coming over next year too). That's just one idea though, I'm sure there are others that could benefit us as well. Also, let's use our cap space this year to get some solid veteran/bench help - not blow it on trying to get someone like Shawn Marion or Antwan Jamison (which would also probably involve losing other players). Targets (no particular order): 1) Craig Smith - gives us a change of pace inside presence that can bang, score and take up some space. 2) Eduardo Najera - pesky defender, good rebounder, big body 3) Brent Barry - remember when Detlef came over a few years back and was really solid as a glue guy off the bench for us? He has a high BB IQ and would teach our guards alot. Remember, we have THREE young potential stars in Roy, LMA, and Oden. Let's put solid, experienced guys around them and make sure we have enough cap space for them down the road. Go Blazers!
Jeesh, the Trail Blazers haven't played a game in almost 2 weeks!
I hope they aren't too rusty. This has been on LONG road trip too...San Antonio, Houston, Denver, Washington DC, Dallas, Memphis and then finally back home against Miami...only to go on the road again against Utah!
Man, the schedulers hated the Blazers this year!
5 games on TV so far this year. Good job Trail Blazers.
Hey MB,
I think every Blazer fan should take a look at Zach's new team (lost by almost 50 last night !), and be thankful that we get to watch a first class team compete hard every night.
It's frustrating to watch games being lost in the final minutes, but Orlando, New Jersey and Indiana are playing very good basketball right now.
The Blazers have a lot of good pieces in place, and the LAST thing that they should do is panic and make a trade that gets them a few more wins in the short term. They have enough talent to be a playoff team right now (once they get a little more experience). Adding Greg and Rudy to the mix next year will make them even better, but even Greg and Rudy will take their lumps next year.
Go Blazers !
Phil
Regarding some comments on the Comcast situation. First, I cannot agree more on SodaPopinski's comments. The situation can be either Comcast asked for too much money or the other providers wanted to pay too little money. The bottom line is that every corporation is running for profit, and you cannot ask them to agree on the contract that loses money. Even if you don't believe the other companies want to pay too little, you can complain about Comcast but not the Blazers organization. In the long run, I think this deal will totally benefit all the Blazers fans. Even if you lose the chance to watch several games this seasons, you are almost for sure will be able to see much more Blazers games in the future (especially when Oden is back!). I still think this is a good move by Blazers especially its commitment to the fans in the long run.
Ok, now about the game. I notice that when Roy get the ball, he always stop first for few seconds. I understand he may just try to find a teammate to pass, but in some situation, the other team can set their defense when he stops. If you check the team who plays up-tempo game, the players either pass or drive the ball instantly when they get the ball. Of course I am not the coach, but maybe a small suggestion will not hurt.
I thought this was the most imbarrasing game of the season. It was a joke. The only one who played with heart the whole game was Outlaw. And that came after a hard foul early in the game. Is that what it takes to get this team motivated. When I was their age, I played ball for 3 hours a night and am paying for it now in life, but I miss every minute of it. These guys don't seem to know what hard work is. Sometimes, well, a lot of the time, they don't even appear to know how to play basketball. Jack driving to the hoop with two wing men ahead of him. Pass the damn ball. Not feeding players when they are hot. No cutters. How about when surgio has the ball, cut to the basket. Kind of reminds of SABAS who was like piccaso without a paint brush.
16 thousand fans? I don't think so. Perhaps 16k paid, but I believe there was only about 8 or 9 thousand fans at that game with absolutely nothing to cheer for. Players have it wrong. Fans don't cheer for you to play better. They cheer as a result fo things you do. So, play hard and people will cheer.
Gray
Hi MB:
It is quite simple and you know it, since we talked about it a few weeks ago.
We have the parts for a sports car and Nate is trying to build a truck.
Nate is a good coach, but perhaps not a good fit for the mid-term Blazers project. Nothing our boss doesnt already know.
Take care,
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