Pick and Scroll
Nathan Begley | Monday, February 22, 2010 at 10:24AM Your daily (Mon-Fri) roundup of links from around the blogosphere, typically Trail Blazers related.
• Mike Barrett thinks the Blazers need to get it into gear if they want to make the postseason.
Portland is now 4-5 in the month of February, and is 11-13 in 2010. There is still time for a recovery, but time is not on their side. Of all the emotional body blows this team has taken this season, this one, self-inflicted as it was, may be the toughest to bounce back from. Monday we head out on a five-game road trip that could decide if this team makes it to the post season or not.
• The Oregonian’s Jason Quick sums up Camby’s “close, but no cigar” performance:
Newly acquired center Marcus Camby had 18 rebounds and four blocks, including two key rejections and one big offensive rebound down the stretch, but he was beaten to the key rebound of the game by Boozer.
“You gotta get that board,” McMillan said. “It’s the ball game.”
• Rip City Project designates Rudy Fernandez as the new Savior/Whipping Boy, I figured it would be Aldridge myself.
I’m officially nominating Rudy Fernandez for the Most Polarizing Blazer role now that Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw are out of town. His energy in the passing lanes and in transition is infectious to the rest of the team. He changes the game when he gets out and runs, as well as when he makes hard cuts to the rim. But when the defense swarms him and there’s no space coming off the picks, he isn’t really going anywhere and can waste valuable time doing just that. He wants to create, the Blazers need him to create, but as exciting as some sections of his work can be, the painting as a whole still winds up being a bit of a mess, despite the complete lack of turnovers.
• Casey Holdahl checks in with Nicolas Batum after missing a huge three.
• Bust a Bucket takes the Zen approach:
It was all too fun to last, and just like every other NBA game ever, the team that was down big rallied. The Jazz started hitting shots.
• Kevin Pelton has five thoughts on last night’s game. He’s one more: Don’t blow a 25 point lead.
• Dwight Jaynes questions Nate McMillan’s rotation:
But at certain times this season I just shake my head. McMillan spent an NBA career as a bench player and he seems so overly concerned with his “second unit.” Man, it seems like a PE class out there some nights as he uses 10 players before the second quarter is over. Is he trying to make sure these guys get their varsity letter?
Are Jaynes’ criticisms fair? Is McMillan allowing his time as a bench player affect his rotation decisions? Is that a bad thing? Let us know in the comments below.
Reader Comments (4)
Regarding substitutions, last night the team needed more Cunningham and less Howard.
horrible coaching and rotation last night. utah shut them down playing their quasi zone defense and portland's reaction to it was utterly befuddling. pass that rock, pass that rock. i don't want to see andre miller hucking up those flat footed, dead duck 18 foot jump shots ever again. 18 foot jump shots + andre miller = bench.
whienoise:
totally agree about the zone response and andre miller's flat footed shots. add jerryd bayless to that last too. when he shoots from the perimiter it's EXACTLY what opposing teams want him to do
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