Current Road Trip
Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 3:29 am
This has been a grueling trip for our boys, but I really like what they've done.
Losing to Orlando, Boston and Toronto (in double OT mind you) is nothing to be ashamed of. Those teams are all supposed to hold serve at home. That's the 1 seed, the 3 seed and the 6 seed . . .so all playoff squads. An OT win in Atlanta and on their last road trip a Double OT W in Chicago are signs that a team is able to execute. We're beating the teams we should be beating (something young teams often struggle with).
The Friday night game against the Heat allowed us to hear a great soundbite from Nate, "Guys, we need to focus on our defense, we know we can get a score when we want." I love that message to this team.
Remember earlier in the seaon when we had trouble executing our offense? Nate confirmed that we don't have to worry about that from this team anymore. They can score when they want. Or at least that's how they feel.
The grit and determination, heady play, confidence and patience from such a young team is just amazing. Players have accepted their roles and the result is a team that feels like it has 8 starters. 8 guys have scored at least 20 points this season. The Blazers might have the best and deepest bench in the league.
25-16 halfway through the season? Who would have thought that this team would be on pace for a 50 win season!!
Its a tough conference, a difficult schedule and there's still half a year to be played, but what a ride!
Losing to Orlando, Boston and Toronto (in double OT mind you) is nothing to be ashamed of. Those teams are all supposed to hold serve at home. That's the 1 seed, the 3 seed and the 6 seed . . .so all playoff squads. An OT win in Atlanta and on their last road trip a Double OT W in Chicago are signs that a team is able to execute. We're beating the teams we should be beating (something young teams often struggle with).
The Friday night game against the Heat allowed us to hear a great soundbite from Nate, "Guys, we need to focus on our defense, we know we can get a score when we want." I love that message to this team.
Remember earlier in the seaon when we had trouble executing our offense? Nate confirmed that we don't have to worry about that from this team anymore. They can score when they want. Or at least that's how they feel.
The grit and determination, heady play, confidence and patience from such a young team is just amazing. Players have accepted their roles and the result is a team that feels like it has 8 starters. 8 guys have scored at least 20 points this season. The Blazers might have the best and deepest bench in the league.
25-16 halfway through the season? Who would have thought that this team would be on pace for a 50 win season!!
Its a tough conference, a difficult schedule and there's still half a year to be played, but what a ride!