lazlo

Well, I don’t see the Blazers winning a single game as long as coach Cheeks does not “read” what is going on on the floor.

1. Why is Wells playing the 3 spot? Dallas has a big front line, and they take advantage of it, especially on offense, as Bonzi makes a short small forward. Wells should play the 2, and, ocassionally, put him on the 3 spot, but just ocassionally. And playing the 2, he can basically overpower his defender, being able to go inside or outside, depending on what the defense is giving him. This (playing in the right position) goes also for Patterson, who spends many minutes playing out of his position.

2. Why don’t we use a bigger line up? Even without Pip, we can use a bigger line up. Move Wells to the 2 and put Sheed on the 3. Who will play the 4? I say Zach. How can this guy get only 11 minutes and go 0/0 from the field? I just don’t get it. In the 2 victories in the regular season Randoplh played a total of 51 minutes for 12/19 from the field, 15 rebounds and 29 points. He should be on the court a lot more.

3. Start Sabas. I got nothing against DD. He’s a fine worker, and certainly faster than Sabas, but Sabas gives you a lot more on offense. Although it is true that Sabonis has had very limited time against Dallas in the RS, I believe that giving him a minimum of 15-20 mpg would make a difference. Most of all, he's got a high bball IQ,... and sets great picks.

4. Move the ball better, move without the ball better and take higher percentage shots. If you analize the statistics, in game 1 the assist to field goals made ratio was 17/35 and on game 2 it was 15/33. Both are below 50%. During the RS that ratio for Portland was 62.3%, with an average against the Mavs of 22.8 apg. There have been plays on offense with just 2 or 3 passes, with no added value in them, and the shot has been a bad one with just 2 seconds remaining in the shot clock. That is nonsense baskatball.

5. Cheeks, talk to the refs prior to the game to clarify concepts. That was a strategy KC Jones used in the past. Ask the refs if what Dirk does when he moves in the pivot is travelling or not. Tell them to pay attention to that particular circumstance. Look, stranger things have happened. In the 2nd Wolves-Lakers game, Minnesota got three 3 second calls against them (how often do you see that?).

6. My big question mark: Who should start at PG? I honestly don’t know.

7. Make the players practice free throws. We are dying by the free throw line.

Conclusion: I think the Blazers can win these series. Actually, I think they can win it all. We got all the talent, we just need a little bit more of basketball IQ... and a little more love from the refs.

bfan1

I like Mo-but he is getting out-coached by Nellie.

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Terrible

Being out- coached by Nellie says a lot!

bfan1

I am far from an analyst and get dizzy when I hear someone say so and so is playing the 3rd spot and so and so should be covering so and so and on and on...I get it at times and at others I do not...BUT...what I can see is that Portland and Dallas are LOADED with ability. Nellie just seems to have an edge when it comes to decision making. I am sure his experience is the main reason. I do not mean to criticize Mo. I DO like him, and believe that it is because of Mo that this team has come as far as it has-that should not ever be overlooked. Mo may just yet find a way to outsmart ol' Nellie.

We are not out of this thing and it will be a testament to Mo should we get a 2-2 split. I think we can-it's just "how it is" with this team. I can't wait for tomorrow night!

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TP3

Good stuff, Lazlo! The BIG line-up would do some damage. Make them adjust to us instead of the other way around.

ABM

I like your thinking. However, I would still start DD. He did some major damage last night. His hustle and intensity (esp. late Offensive Robounds) were greatly needed. Sabas is still just a step too slow. The fronted him nicely and he just couldn't find any rythem.

I wouldn't balk at a starting lineup of Davis, Randolph, Wallace, Wells, and McInnis.

Schilly

ABM I agree, but I'd almost go for Daniels over McInnis, Mostly for defense, but also Daniels seems to play a little more under control and is a better shooter.

ABM

That's funny. I was thinking the "exact" same thing when I let the post fly - but just went with it.

Daniels did well when he was in the game last night. Certainly didn't hurt the team.

hasoos

DD rumbled big time last night and got Portland rebounds that kept them close. I do not like the idea of startin Sabonis over him right now, you take Sabonis out of the bench, and the bench would not have much scoring left. The problem I have with Cheeks is that he seems to be making the same mistakes over and over again from game to game, and not using players who did significant damage over the season to Dallas, to his advantage. Both games have been close, but Portland is in a must win next game or its broom time.

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JayBlazerFan

The Blazers are playing the Dallas game. Flash and finesse.

Where is Zach?
And where is Ruben??? 8 minutes?!!!

Pound it inside - over and over and over!

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