I've watched Wesley Matthews play in high school, college and the NBA. Didn't see the Laker game but if Wes was guilty of "a lack of effort", that would be the first time in his carreer.Originally Posted by Kingspoint
I've watched Wesley Matthews play in high school, college and the NBA. Didn't see the Laker game but if Wes was guilty of "a lack of effort", that would be the first time in his carreer.
Went to the Cavs/Spurs game last night.
Was fun watching Delevadova and Mills go at it against each other, but the Cavs are really terrible.
His nickname is "IronMan", as he plays in more pain as much as Iverson, but he does only put in enough effort to pace himself for a whole game. He refuses to play up to his potential, especially on Defense. It's a team-wide issue. Batum could be a 1st Team All-Defensive Team member and Matthews could be 3rd Team. But, because they believe that they needed last year to avoid foul trouble at all costs, none of them would play close enough Defense to ever commit a foul. The team is DEAD LAST in steals per game at less than six per game, at least one full steal worse than the 29th worst team.
Batum, Matthews, Aldridge and Lillard all play matador defense for the first three-and-a-half quarters of any game. They only turn it up the last half of the fourth quarter. It's such a bad habit that they had last season that it was carried into this season when it wasn't necessary, as their bench is capable enough to sub for them if they get in foul trouble. This has now become Stott's fault, as he allows them to get away with it.
Matthews' rebounding effort has been poorer as the season has progressed (as has Lillard's), and it's not the first time Matthews has taken a whole game off at the Defensive end.
It all comes down to the Starters thinking too highly of themselves in not wanting to risk foul trouble. As a result, they give about a 75% effort on average every night in an effort to pace themselves, Matthews included. At the beginning of the season, that wasn't the case, as they were giving 100% efforts in the 3rd Quarters and the 4th Quarters. They still only gave 75% effort in the 1st Quarters at the beginning of the season, but they turned that around in the second half immediately out of the break. That's no longer the case.
Robin Lopez is the only exception. He gives 100%,....100% of the time.
And, the next time I see Aldridge guard someone beyond 12 feet will be the first time. As one fan put it succinctly, teams coming in know that they're going to be in a scrimmage type of affair, and not be worrying about facing any physical pressure.
The Trail Blazers' Aldridge, Batum, Matthews and Lillard just think they can outshoot someone to win while putting up half-ass efforts on Defense. They are finishing tonight the easiest three weeks of their season schedule (I'll be there hoping they can put up something resembling a defensive effort before their season goes down the drain) before embarking on the most difficult part of their schedule on the season. After tonight's win (they should win at home, but then they should have beaten the Lakers, too), they could easily lose five in a row.
Last edited by Kingspoint; 03-05-2014 at 06:18 PM.
"One problem with people who have no vices is that they're pretty sure to have some annoying virtues."
Houston's got the three-seed. The Blazers can't put up the effort to hold onto the three-seed.
"One problem with people who have no vices is that they're pretty sure to have some annoying virtues."
It is funny how much people's general disdain for Dwight Howard has kept the Rockets under the radar. He has quietly reentered the top 5 in the league. He has them in the top 12 in team defense despite playing with some of the worst defensive guards in the game.
Variatio delectat - Cicero
Revering4Blue (03-05-2014)
If the Pacers play as gawd-awful poorly as they did tonight in Charlotte, they'll get absolutely clubbed in Houston.
Whatever you do, do your best to not allow the struggles of life to interfere with the pleasures of living.
Not trading away Asik has to be considered one of, if not, the best non-moves at this deadline, as this ensures that the Rockets have a rim-protector on the court at all times. Reportedly, the Lakers turned down an Asik/Lin for Gasol offer at the deadline..bad move, LA.
The Aaron Brooks for Jordan Hamilton deal was/is a solid under-the-radar move by Morey.
Whatever you do, do your best to not allow the struggles of life to interfere with the pleasures of living.
See where Portland gave up a whopping 38 points in the first half tonight. Should be their 6th time in the last 7 games where they hold the opponent under 100. Gee, imagine if they gave 100%
And against a Hawks team that amazingly, with Horford (lost for the year) and Millsap in sick bay, had scored at least 100 in their previous 5 games. Granted, four out of the previous five were losses, but still, give credit where credit is due. When Kyle Korver can't buy a basket, you know that you are going to be in for a long night.
Whatever you do, do your best to not allow the struggles of life to interfere with the pleasures of living.
I guess Portland's season will survive another day or two.
Kudos to Joakim Noah: Two triple doubles in the last four days.
Without Millsap and Horford, that is one ugly team.
Matthews was glued to Korver all night. (Batum said in his best Franglish that Matthews was Korver's boyfriend) While Korver shot worse than I've ever seen him since he entered the league last night, Matthews was mostly responsible for his NBA-record 127-game 3-pt streak coming to an end. Also, regarding Matthews' reputation for hustle, his commemorative glass coming out at the end of the month shows him diving for a loose ball.
Yes. They survived for one more day. But, now begins a brutal 5-game road trip with a game in Miami shortly after that.
Last edited by Kingspoint; 03-06-2014 at 04:46 PM.
"One problem with people who have no vices is that they're pretty sure to have some annoying virtues."
Brand played Center. Need I say more?
Aldridge was 1-13 (all of his shots were long, so it's not the groin, just a timing issue), so it just shows how really bad the Hawks (and the entire East less the Pacers and Heat) are right now.
Last edited by Kingspoint; 03-06-2014 at 01:13 PM.
"One problem with people who have no vices is that they're pretty sure to have some annoying virtues."
Those six of seven were against some horrible teams and in large part from great efforts by the bench players.
The Starters gave effort last night on the Defensive end. Next game at Dallas.
"One problem with people who have no vices is that they're pretty sure to have some annoying virtues."
dup
Last edited by Kingspoint; 03-06-2014 at 01:14 PM.
"One problem with people who have no vices is that they're pretty sure to have some annoying virtues."
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