Game 21: Portland vs LA Clippers 7:00pm TNT

[d-train]

The only trade that breaks up this team is trading Lillard. This team is built around Lillard and is 100% committed to playing through Lillard. The strengths and weaknesses of the team are derived from Lillard. Trading CJ or Nurkic would make the team worse but you would still be left with a team that plays the same way. The difference would be a team that plays through Lillard and is worse. The limitations of this team is the limits of its best player.

It's easy for a guy like Barkley, who bears no responsibility, to say Blazers should break this team up. Especially now, towards the end of Lillard's career and the team is going through a period of struggle. Barkley can jump on and off 5 bandwagons a day. The actual building of a team is a slow process that requires perseverance, discipline, and patience. Barkley had the qualities of a player on a great team but certainly does not embody the qualities of someone who can build a great team.

[Blazinaway]

Blazers seemed to lose any momentum gained from that last game...perhaps having a couple days off, but most likely running into a much better team that is clicking on all cylinders.

The Clippers are likely the team to come out of the West in my book, so I expected a big loss. HOW the team lost is certainly concerning...continuous ISO play is certainly not going to work against great teams.

It was funny hearing Webber low-key calling out Stotts in the 3rd quarter. He is an awwwful commentator, though...

One can think what they want of Webber but IMO its refreshing and SPOT ON hearing him harping on our ISO ball and its negatives. Was glad it was on Natl TV so many more can hear as our announcers of course can't be as open and honest as he was. I am so sick of ISO ball

[Epicurus]

Move over Gene Hackman. Blazinaway is taking your thunder. Eight passses before a shot.

BTW, what team runs isos the hiighest percent of their plossessions? Hint--not the Blazers (who have a bit more than half comparatively to the league leader). Which team has the highest point per isolation playtype? ( hint: It is the Blazers).

[Epicurus]

I think some folks with their hatred of isolation playtypes would be happier following the Orlando Magic.

[d-train]

Every team should tailor their playbook to take advantage of what their personnel does well. This is what the Blazers do. And, it's a work in progress. Webber's claim that Blazers game plan has a fundamental problem is ignorant. There isn't a universally correct amount of ball movement, player movement, or isolation. Stott's is the person who can tell you if the Blazers need more or less ball movement, player movement, or isolation. Webber is clueless about the Blazers personnel and its gameplan. Webber couldn't get a NBA coaching job and if he did, he would fail miserably.

[Blazinaway]

I think some folks with their hatred of isolation playtypes would be happier following the Orlando Magic.

I like watching good team ball with significant passing, this team at times can play that way but for me it way too often devolves into ISO ball, if you like that good for you I don't

[Epicurus]

Some rather poor teams use nearly no isos;some rather good teams use no isos. Some rather good teams use lots of isos; some rather bad teams use lots of isos. Why does touches per possession translate into good team ball. That term to me means players are doing what they can to contribute to wins. It may well be that some players touches are best left to offensive rebounds and their contributions are found in their screening, deceptions, and defense.

As far as the Blazers, they this year(up to last nigt) are second in ISOs at about 10.4% of their possessions so ending. This is about half of the leading Rockets and not quite double the Magic, the lowest in ISOs. Last season the Blazers were towards the middle of league (despite the never ending whining about thir ISO ball). I like offensve efficiency--good shots converted, low turnovers, offensive boards, and using the foul line. How that happens is of little concern to me.

[Epicurus]

This page offers charting of ISOs in the league thusfar. It tells of the percent used per 100 possessions and the points per,among other factors. Interesting regarding the Blazers is that their 10% ISOs result in the league's highest points per possession and the least percent of ISOs resulting in turnovers. https://stats.nba.com/teams/isolation/?sort=POSS_PCT&dir=1

[DaVoiceMaster]

Blazers seemed to lose any momentum gained from that last game...perhaps having a couple days off, but most likely running into a much better team that is clicking on all cylinders.

The Clippers are likely the team to come out of the West in my book, so I expected a big loss. HOW the team lost is certainly concerning...continuous ISO play is certainly not going to work against great teams.

It was funny hearing Webber low-key calling out Stotts in the 3rd quarter. He is an awwwful commentator, though...

One can think what they want of Webber but IMO its refreshing and SPOT ON hearing him harping on our ISO ball and its negatives. Was glad it was on Natl TV so many more can hear as our announcers of course can't be as open and honest as he was. I am so sick of ISO ball

Webber was a broken record. He could only say one thing all night long. Iso this and that and it's horrible. Well, that iso ball got the Blazers to the Conference Finals last year.

He can bag on the iso ball if he wants, but after the 50th time hearing it, it's time to move on.

Did anyone else notice how often Marv Albert's called the wrong player? He named Whiteside a few times when he wasnt even in on the play and/or the play went the other way. It might be time for Marv to hang it up.

[d-train]

Did anyone else notice how often Marv Albert's called the wrong player? He named Whiteside a few times when he wasnt even in on the play and/or the play went the other way. It might be time for Marv to hang it up.

It's a good day when he puts the right undergarment on.