SodaPopinski

After last night's loss to the Clips, a game in which we lost to a team without Kerry Kittles, Marko Jaric, Chris Wilcox and Shaun Livingston; a game in which we allowed a 17-2 run to begin the first six minutes of the 3rd quarter:

So, once again folks, that's our head coach saying that allowing a team to go on a 17-2 run to begin a second half in which we entered with a lead is an "example of how we need to play games."



I mean, it's sort of funny, but at the same time, it's humiliatingly sad.

This team is going to continute its downward spiral with this guy at the helm.

-Pop

__________________

CelticPagan

But they didn't quit when they got behind, they came back to take the lead. The difference makers were Zach Randolph having a really bad night, horrible free throw shooting, and of course, giving up so many offensive rebounds.

TP3

no "buts"....this is PROFESSIONAL basketball and all that matters is the L.

SodaPopinski

Why do you think we gave up so many offensive rebounds? Could it possibly be because we had an inexplicable lineup with three point guards and Darius Miles as our center for a stretch? Could it be because Cheeks - for no reason - only played Ruben Patterson (our best hustle guy and guy who almost never gets beat for a rebound if the ball is in his vicinity) for 26 minutes?

I could care less that we fought back. We shouldn't have needed to. A team with a decent coach would have stomped down when they had their foot on the opponent's throat.

-Pop

__________________

Quigly

don't forget the 14 to 4 run or whatever the clips put on the Blazers later on.

I watched the game on TV and fell asleep in the 3rd quarter. Up till then it was a very low level of basketball. Portland just doesn't have enough talent. I woke up to see Telfair playing.

Perhaps Cheeks was making a public statement like that to keep the players from deep depression and self loathing.

Telfair is fun to watch.

Ed O

I agree, Soda... if this were against, say, the Spurs or the Mavericks or Kings or any of a number of other teams that are clearly higher on the food chain, I think his comments might be OK.

Against the Clippers? I'm as willing to find a silver lining about things as the next guy, but that's a bit much.

Ed O.

__________________
"In the end, it all comes down to talent. You can talk all you want about intangibles, I just don't know what that means. Talent makes winners, not intangibles. Can nice guys win? Sure, nice guys can win -- if they're nice guys with a lot of talent. Nice guys with a little talent finish fourth, and nice guys with no talent finish last."

-- Sandy Koufax

Captain Chaos

I couldn't agree more. I have been thinking Portland did have enough talent but that is gone now. The Clippers have improved somewhat but Portland should still beat them. You look at the starting lineup and Portland is not as talented as many teams in the league. The backcourt is behind the 8 ball from the get go. And the frontcourt can have it's problems as well. I thought the Clippers announcers said it best...Portland is consistent about playing inconsistent basketball. Portland just has too many streaky shooters and not anyone who will play well night after night. I think the two players I like seeing each night are Telfair and Patterson. With Patterson it's quite obvious. Telfair brings a different level of energy lacking from the starting backcourt. Portland would win games like the one against the Clippers on hustle alone if others played like Ruben and Telfair. I hope changes are coming soon and Telfair gets more minutes.

Kmurph

Gut the team NOW.

This is how POR plays with veteran talent? I mean, come on, this is ridiculous. Damon, DA, NVE, Ruben, SAR, Theo.....

These are the results that POR "veteran" players get? While Telfair & Outlaw sit on the bench. Play the kids now, I doubt they could do any worse, and even if they did, a better draft choice lies ahead. I'd rather suck this season, get a good draft pick, and hopefully get SOMETHING of value in young player\picks for our expiring deals than suffer through this joke of a team, that is deluding itself into thinking they are a playoff contender.

This team is a mess, and Cheeks is only part of the problem.

__________________
Quit the Webster hate

mook

I'm in general not a big fan of tanking the season and playing the youngsters excessively.

however, if Mo honestly feels like the Clipper game was about the level of professionalism and defense we can expect out of our veterans, then I have to agree with Kmurph.

right now we are playing like a .450 team, and in reality probably are a .450 team. we're a lotto team. we've already tanked, even though we didn't want to.

we might as well start Telfair and Miles, and get Pryzbilla and Outlaw far more minutes.

we're not going to improve much by staying the course, and it's not like we can fall a long ways anyhow.

Oldmangrouch

Either make a legit attempt to compete now, or focus on rebuilding. Quit dithering in the freakin', friggan', fraggin' middle!
(This last line was brought to you in honor of our favorite mod, HAP! )

Dan

I too agree with what was said here. If you're going to be content with this kind of crappy performance, you might as well have a bad team with players that are the future, instead of the past. I dont think that just playing Telfair and Outlaw will be enough, because in reality, they'd still have to play the vet's major minutes.

Unless they trade 2 of the 3 ending contracts, playing the youngin's doesn't really work.

fargin freaking friggen, furking, flaging, frig!

__________________
A Buddhist walks up to a hot dog vendor and says "Make me one with everything".

when will the loss of life end?

The world respects the power of our example, not an example of our power.

I'd like to say I made this, but I didn't

Terrible

I can't believe that more players don't want to go to Portland. The job security is amazing, and you get over paid for being very average!

That includes coaches!