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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2010 15:04:42 GMT -5
That first game really showed you how much PHX misses Lopez. Without him, they had to play Collins a lot, and Collins gives you literally NOTHING on offense. Because of that, they were able to hide Aldridge on him and let Camby shut down Amare, which he showed he is capable of.
Lopez may not be a great offensive player, but at least he has the size to make you put Camby on him because he can overpower LA. Once Camby switches to Lopez, Amare can go to work on Aldridge.
The other problem for PHX is, this is probably the worst possible matchup they could get. PHX in an uptempo game is almost unstoppable. They play well against teams like Denver and Utah because those two teams can get suckered into the running game, but they don't have the ability to keep up with PHX because they run it so well. Portland, on the other hand, refuses to get sucked into an up and down game. PHX, without Lopez, doesn't have the size to make Portland pay in the halfcourt. And don't even talk to me about Frye, that guy is a glorified jump shooter.
That being said... I'm going to stick with my original prediction. I think, and thought before this series even started, that the Blazers can win, but I'm not going to flip flop after one game.
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Post by Mighty Mouse on Apr 19, 2010 17:19:48 GMT -5
That first game really showed you how much PHX misses Lopez. Without him, they had to play Collins a lot, and Collins gives you literally NOTHING on offense. Because of that, they were able to hide Aldridge on him and let Camby shut down Amare, which he showed he is capable of. Lopez may not be a great offensive player, but at least he has the size to make you put Camby on him because he can overpower LA. Once Camby switches to Lopez, Amare can go to work on Aldridge. The other problem for PHX is, this is probably the worst possible matchup they could get. PHX in an uptempo game is almost unstoppable. They play well against teams like Denver and Utah because those two teams can get suckered into the running game, but they don't have the ability to keep up with PHX because they run it so well. Portland, on the other hand, refuses to get sucked into an up and down game. PHX, without Lopez, doesn't have the size to make Portland pay in the halfcourt. And don't even talk to me about Frye, that guy is a glorified jump shooter. That being said... I'm going to stick with my original prediction. I think, and thought before this series even started, that the Blazers can win, but I'm not going to flip flop after one game. I hear what you're saying about Lopez, and have heard it from others as well. But no matter how you slice it, the loss of Robin Lopez is no where near the loss that Brandon Roy is. Or Greg Oden. I'd say its maybe on par with Joel Przybilla, but Joel is still a better player. Portland is overcoming much, much more devastating injuries during this series, and they took it right at Phoenix in game one. No excuses. The fact is, even with Lopez, the Blazers are a bad matchup with for the Suns. IMO, this series is over. Everything Portland did last night can be repeated in each game. Nate McMillian has (remarkably) come up with a game plan that Phoenix is essentially powerless to stop. Phoenix will get a game or two. But once this series leaves Phoenix, it isn't coming back. I promise you that.
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Post by Mighty Mouse on Apr 19, 2010 17:41:06 GMT -5
Actually, it might (probably will) come back for a game 5. I forgot the 1st round wasn't the 2-3-2 format.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2010 18:02:08 GMT -5
Did I compare it to the injuries Portland has faced? I don't think I did... I wouldn't be that stupid.
Portland has overcome a TON this season. More than any team should have to overcome. I wish the were fully healthy because I think a healthy Blazers team is the best team in the West.
However, I bring up the Lopez injury because he could actually come back for this series. If Oden, Pryz, or Roy could come back for this series, I wouldn't focus on Lopez so much. But Robin could be back for this series.
All I'm saying is, if Lopez comes back, PHX is so much more dangerous.
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Post by Mighty Mouse on Apr 19, 2010 19:50:14 GMT -5
True, true.
1. If Lopez is coming back, he better hurry up, because PHX isn't gonna be around much longer. At this point a sweep wouldn't shock me. A 4-1 series wouldn't surprise me. I'm expecting Portland to wrap it up in 6.
2. If Lopez does come back, I don't see him having the effect you imagine. I don't think Portland would change their effective way of dealing with Amare in order to better play Lopez. Aldridge would take Lopez and the Suns would have to prove that he is a threat offensively before Nate would consider switching Camby off of Amare. And even then I'm not sure they would. I'd rather have a Lopez/Aldridge mismatch to worry about then one where Amare has the advantage.
Also, its not like LaMarcus is a rag doll that Amare can walk all over. He held is own on more than a few possessions in game 1.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 19, 2010 22:38:56 GMT -5
By the way, dont take my arguing for PHX as a sign I dont like the Blazers. I love Portland. Like I said, I wish they were healthy because they could definitely beat the Lakers. But without Oden, Pryz, Outlaw, and with a subpar Roy, they just can't do it.
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Post by Mighty Mouse on Apr 19, 2010 23:31:39 GMT -5
I know you love Portland. I just couldn't have been more impressed with that game one showing, and after seeing how this team has responded to adversity over and over and over and over and over and over this year I've learned not to doubt them.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2010 1:07:27 GMT -5
I know you love Portland. I just couldn't have been more impressed with that game one showing, and after seeing how this team has responded to adversity over and over and over and over and over and over this year I've learned not to doubt them. Its funny, they lost Roy and everyone started saying they had no chance. At first I believed it, but then I started really thinking about it. This team lost Greg Oden, who was playing GREAT when he went down. They didn't miss a beat. They lose Pryz, who had filled in admirably. Didn't miss a beat. Lost Outlaw and Blake, who had been playing significant roles. Didn't miss a beat. And before the game started, I really did start to buy into the possibility that Portland could win the series. I still thought PHX would win, but to just count Portland out after all they've been though is stupid. God I wish Oden hadn't broken his knee. I remember him DOMINATING the title game in 07. He was playing so well this season. Its really not fair.
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Post by obsidian on Apr 20, 2010 1:07:42 GMT -5
Not having Outlaw has been a blessing Miege... now we don't have him Jacking up horrible shots anymore and for him we got a defensive master in the middle. I think that when it comes down to it once we get past the Suns and Mavs the Losers are going down!! sorry meant lakers...
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2010 1:47:21 GMT -5
Not having Outlaw has been a blessing Miege... now we don't have him Jacking up horrible shots anymore and for him we got a defensive master in the middle. I think that when it comes down to it once we get past the Suns and Mavs the Losers are going down!! sorry meant L*kers... Hmm... I always kind of liked Outlaw. Since you watch Portland more than I do, I will take your word for it.
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Post by Mighty Mouse on Apr 20, 2010 2:14:31 GMT -5
Not having Outlaw has been a blessing Miege... now we don't have him Jacking up horrible shots anymore and for him we got a defensive master in the middle. I think that when it comes down to it once we get past the Suns and Mavs the Losers are going down!! sorry meant L*kers... Hmm... I always kind of liked Outlaw. Since you watch Portland more than I do, I will take your word for it. Yeah, Outlaw did more harm than good for years.
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Post by Mighty Mouse on Apr 21, 2010 1:41:22 GMT -5
I really envisioned tonight going differently. Everything I said regarding the Blazers and Suns played out in the opposite fashion tonight.
Its gonna be a crazy series.
The one thing that stood out to me was the tempo battle. In game one, Portland did everything in the book to FORCE the Suns to play slow. The Suns struggled, looked uncomfortable, unhappy, and they lost a tight game. In game two the Suns said F U and ran til their hearts were content. Portland looked uncomfortable, uninterested, tired, and they got BLOWN OUT.
This is going to be a trend for the rest of the series. When Portland is able to control the tempo, they're gonna hold PHX under 100 and its gonna be a tight, physical, close game. When Phoenix is able to control the tempo, they're gonna score 120 and Portland is going to be blown out.
I'll repeat that . . . When the Suns get their way, Portland is going to get run off the court.
When the Blazers get their way, its likely going to end in a tight game. Anyone can win a tight game. Only one team can win a blow-out.
Portland CAN NOT let Phoenix control the tempo or they have already lost the series.
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Post by Mighty Mouse on Apr 21, 2010 2:18:23 GMT -5
On another note . . . I knew Phoenix's owner was cheap, but the Suns slogan is "WE R ORNG" ?? The court says "PHX" ? How expensive are vowels anyway?
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Post by TrailDucker on Apr 21, 2010 14:00:28 GMT -5
I hate to say this, because it may lead to Rudy forcing us to either trade or give him a buy out at the end of the season (which is a big possibility anyway) but I think we really need to start Mertell for Rudy. One to guard J-Rich, because obviously in game 2 he KILLED Rudy and two Rudy is not taking advantage of being guarded by Nash. If Webster starts I would see Nash being forced to guard Miller.
Maybe it will light a fire under his ass also
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Post by TrailDucker on Apr 21, 2010 14:05:04 GMT -5
although, I totally forgot, this is all thrown out the window if Batum is gone So I'm crossing my fingers he's ok, then I may say start Bayless over Rudy, but then who would we have scoring in the second unit?
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