[wastro]

4 turnovers!

I Love this image

[BBert]

I really like the name 'El Mago' for Sergio. If he passes you the ball, and you shoot it, it will go in. It's like magic. He just has a way of getting a guy the ball in the right place, at the right time, and in a player's shooting rythm.

Travis is really looking good. I thought he was a difference maker in games earlier in the season, even when he didn't do much on offense. But lately he's becoming so consistent and efficient too. I'm ecstatic. But mostly, I'm relieved. I've been such a vocal supporter of Travis for what seems like so many years, and I may not end up looking like a complete idiot (again). And I can't imagine how Quick thinks we won't be able to keep Travis. I know nothing about salary issues, but the way he's playing and the potential he's showing, I don't see the Blazers just letting him walk.

I seem to recall a hot debate about Livingston recently. In this game, the kid (and he is still a kid) looked awesome (ok, except for a couple of kid mistakes towards the end). I think he has a tremendous amount of potential.

What a great game. I feel so good about the future of this team right now.

[mgb]

What I don't get about Outlaw is why doesn't he take it to the basket more? It's great he's hitting more jumpers but he needs to take it to the basket.

[ThatBlazerGuy]

I also am thinking that if Travis gets an offer under 4M we are going to match it. Kid has improved drastically this season. He could be one of the primary reasons we do not want to take on Nene's salary, because if we have Nene's huge deal the chances of re-signing Outlaw drastically decrease. I agree, because I believe Travis is and will be a better player than Nene.

[wastro]

Originally Posted by ThatBlazerGuy

I also am thinking that if Travis gets an offer under 4M we are going to match it. Kid has improved drastically this season. He could be one of the primary reasons we do not want to take on Nene's salary, because if we have Nene's huge deal the chances of re-signing Outlaw drastically decrease. I agree, because I believe Travis is and will be a better player than Nene.

I think he'll get the MLE somewhere, easily. General managers LOVE potential, and Travis oozes potential every time he steps on the court.

[hasoos]

It was a fun game to watch tonight, its always nice to see a game the Blazers lead from end to end. A few thing I noticed tonight.

1. The second half Nate took advantage of Dunleavy's biggest weakness. Dunleavy has the problem where if the opposition makes an adjustment, he always adjust to match up with them. Unfortunately because of this, he is always letting the opposition dictate the tempo of the game and play to their strengths, not his teams strength. When the Blazers went small, he did too, and this left Brand as the only shot blocker/middle plugger in the game, and he was completely locked down covering Zbo, who he couldn't cover anyways. This opened up the lane, and gave Zbo a player he could see over to hit the open guys for jumpers.

2. Sergio Rodriguez really didn't have as good as game as it looked. What it came down to is that they ran the same play over and over again, and the Clippers just never picked up on it. If they ever did, that looping pass to the 3 point shooter on the opposite side of the court is easy pickins for a steal. Rodriguez also needs to learn how to take the easy shot when he is a couple of feet from the hoop rather then pass it back out side. There is no reason not to take it if it is there.

3. I was happy Martell got minutes tonight and was productive. Dixon had an excellent game as well. The big guy IMO that broke the Clippers was Outlaw. I don't think anybody expected him to come out in the 3rd/early 4th and hit like he did. There was no need for him to get rebounds, all the shots were going in. The Clippers just flat out could not stop him, he had the "Hot Hand" so to speak.

4. Sam Cassell, I am not sure what is wrong with him, but he definitly looked hurt, not very mobile, not the guy who typically kills us.

5. I think until Livingston proves he can hit an outside J, you can let him take that all game long. All you have to do is wait for the stretch where he starts taking them, and you can get back into any game with the Clippers within a few minutes.

6. Magloire really didn't have a great game again, and at some points I will still laughing about how pathetic his play can be. Fortunately the Blazers weathered those stretches with a few guys off the bench hitting a lot of shots so it didn't have much impact.

7. Last but not least, the Blazers body language is good again. Once again they are meeting up after every play, high fiving and "giving some love", communicating and encouraging each other. That is what I like to see.

[YardApe]

How did Jack do?

[hasoos]

Jack was solid all game. Even was hitting from way outside. He was picking hit times to shoot pretty well and working off screens. He probably would have had more assist if the pick and roll guy in a lot of plays (Magloire) was actually worth anything. Magloire got stuffed at least 4 times on the inside.

[alext42083]

Originally Posted by hasoos

2. Sergio Rodriguez really didn't have as good as game as it looked. What it came down to is that they ran the same play over and over again, and the Clippers just never picked up on it. If they ever did, that looping pass to the 3 point shooter on the opposite side of the court is easy pickins for a steal. Rodriguez also needs to learn how to take the easy shot when he is a couple of feet from the hoop rather then pass it back out side. There is no reason not to take it if it is there.

Yeah I noticed every play was the same when Sergio was in there. High pick and roll and kick out to the shooter.
But I thought Sergio played it well. The Clippers never adjusted to it, and the Blazers were scoring nearly every time off it, so why not keep running it?
12 minutes, 7 assists, just one turnover is something Nate would probably be happy with from the backup PG
He does possibly not take the easy layup when it's there, but that's just his makeup. He's rather pass it.

4. Sam Cassell, I am not sure what is wrong with him, but he definitly looked hurt, not very mobile, not the guy who typically kills us.

They mentioned on TV that Sam's suffering some foot injury, plantar faciatis.. I think. Still.. he took Sergio to school on the offensive end a few times on a bad foot.

[Utherhimo]

its sam c he can school every rookie!