What's wrong with the Blazers?

[Dre2g]

I think it's a combo of Wallace and Strickland. Wallace getting ejected every other game is not helping the team, and getting a new player always takes some adjusting.

[Spike]

Yeah and they're a team with a lot of veterans that's been through a lot of wars and they're coasting right now waiting for the playoffs. Now you would think that after losing (and really choking) in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals at the Staples Center last year, they would see how important it is to play the regular season and get that top seed in the West. With the Lakers it's kind of more understandable for them to not be playing great ball throughout the year because they already got their ring.

And also about Strickland. I'm not really sure that's a great signing because he plays a position where Damon Stoudamire and Greg Anthony are already sharing minutes and for Stricky he has to kind of put up his numbers so he can sell himself on the open market this Summer. And with a team with as many stars at the different positions that the Blazers have, getting another guy that feels like he needs to do a lot on offense is not a good idea.

[Marc]

I've been thinking... perhaps because they don't have a bonified team leader? You need a leader, that's the first step in having team chemistry. I whole heatedly agree that Wallace's temper tantrums need to stop - that hurts the whole team.

[SC-Jared]

Definitly too much talent/not enough minutes for everybody.

Players on the Blazers openly say they'll leave once they get a ring (or don't get a ring). They do not like going from being the leader of one team, playing 48 minutes, to coming off the bench as a role player, getting 20-25 minutes.

Plus, Strickland was a HORRIBLE move- now Staudilmire isn't as confident and very upset. Strickland won't help the team anymore than not being on it at all.

[Spike]

Poor Blazers just lost Bonzi Wells for the year because of a torn ACL. I could be wrong, but it just doesn't look like it's their year.

Of course, the bright side along with Kemp's absence is this shortens Dunleavy's rotation even more and in the playoffs usually coaches shorten their rotations but I think the Blazers will really miss Wells because of his young energy off the bench. A team like Portland who's having a hard time motivating themselves these days could sure the use energy that Bonzi brings and feed off of it.

Sure, there's Rasheed, but let's face it he brings "bad" energy sometimes with those technicals and you never know if he's going to be able to stay on the floor with his temper.

[Dlamb32]

IMMATURITY! Their coach is immature - instead of accepting blame for his team being down at halftime despite subpar performances by Shaq and Kobe, he whines about Shaq throwing elbows. This from the coach who made Hack-a-Shaq popular.

Their players whine, not just Wallace wither, but they all whine after wvery call, or no-call. the problem with the Blazers, they are old but they are immature.

[Marc]

Originally posted by Dlamb32
IMMATURITY! Their coach is immature - instead of accepting blame for his team being down at halftime despite subpar performances by Shaq and Kobe, he whines about Shaq throwing elbows. This from the coach who made Hack-a-Shaq popular.

Their players whine, not just Wallace wither, but they all whine after wvery call, or no-call. the problem with the Blazers, they are old but they are immature.
Welcome to Sports Central, Dlamb32! You made some valid points. Did you hear about how Pippen and Schremph (sorry for the spelling) got into a big fight in practice? The team has terrible chemistry.

[Dre2g]

And then Sheed getting in a small argument with the ref after the 2nd quarter of game 1 was just pathetic. :(