Because BlazersEdge and Dreamshake are both a part of SBNation. Blazersedge is a very good site. Along the same line, the Oregonian has the best coverage of an NBA team I've ever seen. Puts the Chronicle to shame, but that's expected since Portland cares a lot more about the Blazers than Houston does about the Rockets.
It would be a dream come true if the Blazers do not try to front Yao. No offense to your big men, but right now, Shaq probably is the only one in the NBA that can play Yao straight up and not get badly burned. Even Dwight Howard was fronting Yao the entire second half our last game against the Magic. Yao's offense is so good right now that the only way to prevent him from taking a high percentage shot is to deny him the ball completely, which is most effectively done by fronting him or double team. Historically Yao has never had problems with big bodies on him. He is bigger than anyone else. He always struggle with smaller defenders that are much quicker than him.
that's for sure. its kind of weird, because i HATE utah and dallas and their fans but its hard for me for now to bring up as much hate for portland and their fans. im sure this series will bring moments though.
I don't disagree that Yao is an offensive mismatch for Portland (and every team in the league, really). However, Przybilla has always played solid defense on Yao. In three games versus Portland this year, Yao is averaging: 2.1 less FGM/game 13% worse shooting from the floor 4 less points Assuming Przybilla and Oden play like they've shown they can versus Yao, he wouldn't be dropping 50 points. And to be honest, I doubt Yao has much to say about whether or not Houston wins this series. He'll probably get 18-25 PPG and 10 rebounds, but the real key player will be Roy. If Roy can average 25-5-5 against Battier and Artest, then Portland wins. If he struggles with their defense and physicality and makes mistakes, ya'll will win.
im not used to such classy opposing fans...im a little confused by their tactics so ima keep acting tough until i figure them out
That wasn't a very accurate article. It doesn't mention fronting as one of our weaknesses (imo it's our biggest weakness) and underrates Kyle Lowry's role on our team. It also underrates our bench, which is one of the best and most explosive in the league. Our starting unit is league average, our bench is one of the best.
That was brilliant. I really only disagree with two points: *He says Yao "is not what you would call a premiere defender." Ummm... right. Isn't he 2nd-team all-defense this year, quite justifiably? *He says our bench "doesn't have a lot of pop." Huh? Wafer is explosive, Lowry attacks on O and plays great D, Landry is an overall stud and Deke is still out-of-this world defensively. If that's not "pop," what exactly is? But I really loved this quote: "Houston does not depend on turnovers or blocked shots to key their defense. They're inexorable, not opportunistic." Exactly. The greatest defenses don't hang their hats on gambling.
Okay here is part two of the Blazer's Edge report. this is more of the "how do we play/defend" the Rockets and what do the Blazers need to do to win. It's very good. Click Me!!!!
The article reminds me of a nagging suspicion I've had, that Adelman is asking too much of his players, too much independence and thinking for themselves to solve problems. Wearing out their brains While this is good for elite troops operating alone, if he is such a great coach, he should have some great ideas and be able to implement them to help the team when it collectively fumbles.
I was amazed to see that the Rockets staff had provided the players with a list of all possible playoff seeding scenarios before the Mavs game. That's a ridiculous and mind blowing distraction Excuse the triple post.
The goal might have been to stress the importance of the game and add extra motivation. Winning or losing was probably the difference between a 2 seed and 5 seed.
No doubt. But it is something complicated that weighs on the mind, when they need to be fresh, innovative, making decisions. Especially since Adelman relies on them to make clever plays and the best decisions.
And be determined. ------ Now even Battier, purportedly the more intellectual among the group, said he wasn't going to think about all that. There are components to exhaustion, mental and physical. It is not enough to have balls, so to speak, one must also have brains. When faced with a difficult situation the determination is ultimately mental, and the solution obviously so. And this is especially critical since the coach seems loathe to do the thinking for them.
