New starting lineup and possible 4th quarter shuffle

看板BLAZERS (波特蘭拓荒者)作者Rostow (When?)時間18年前 (2008/02/07 10:08)推噓5(5推 0噓 0→)

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New starting lineup and possible 4th quarter shuffle Posted by Jason Quick February 06, 2008 14:58PM Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan has decided to shuffle his starting lineup, beginning with tonight's home game against Chicago. The new lineup, which will probably be used in the five games leading up to the All-Star Break: PG - Steve Blake SG - Jarrett Jack SF - Brandon Roy PF - LaMarcus Aldridge C - Joel Przybilla In other words, Jack moves into the starting five and Webster joins the "white unit" of reserves. McMillan was adamant that the changes have nothing to do with demotions or promotions, but more with balancing the starting and reserve units. He has been struggling with finding a way to compensate for the loss of the injured James Jones, who was a catalyst of the "white unit" with his ability to spread the floor and make three pointers. Webster, in theory, can become the new James Jones, and history has shown that Webster plays well with Sergio Rodriguez, the "white unit" point guard who likes to penetrate and kick to teammates waiting at the three-point line. Also, McMillan feels the starting unit has become stagnant on offense, particularly at the start of games, and his theory is that Jack's ability to penetrate will alleviate some of the defensive pressure being put on Brandon Roy. Also, McMillan said he thinks the Blazers will be able to play faster with essentially a three-guard lineup. "I'm excited to see how it works out,'' Roy said. "He went to that lineup (for parts of) last game and we were able to play fast, and I thought that was good. So I'm looking forward to tonight, and I hope guys says 'Let's try to make it work'. And I think it will allow me to play a little more free.'' Roy said the starting unit has fallen into a habit lately of starting the game by using their bread-and-butter, fourth-quarter plays, which basically feature Roy bringing the ball up and trying to create off pick-and-rolls. "Coach doesn't want me to do that so early,'' Roy said. "That's kind of our money play, and as of late we have been going to it so early that when it comes time for the fourth, teams are ready for it. Teams are like, 'OK, we've been seeing that all game long.' So we want to see if we can kind of shake it up a little and hit them with it later so maybe they are not as prepared.'' McMillan said he is aware this leaves the Blazers with a small lineup, but he felt he could survive the next five games against Chicago, Detroit, Indiana, Houston and Dallas by using Jack and Roy together. After those five games, the Blazers have the All-Star break, after which Jones' sore left knee is expected to be healed. If that's the case, McMillan said he expects to return to the original rotation. The starting lineup isn't the only thing being looked at right now. McMillan said he has spent the past several days analyzing his fourth-quarter rotations, and has reached a point where he is leaning toward playing center Joel Przybilla more if LaMarcus Aldridge continues his struggles. "The thing is, we gotta get some production there,'' McMillan said of the center position in the fourth quarter. "It will be a read on my part, but we have to look at that, no question.'' There has been so much clamoring about Przybilla's lack of play in the fourth quarters this season, but what people don't understand is that if Przybilla plays, then either Aldridge or Travis Outlaw has to sit. And if one thing has become certain in McMillan's mind, it's that Outlaw is no longer a small forward - he is strictly a power forward. "That's where he gives us an advantage,'' McMillan said. That brings us back to Aldridge, who I think has been very sporadic and at times a liability for this team, particularly down the stretch of games. His jumper has been decidedly off, and his defense has been less than inspiring. Earlier this year in a double-overtime loss in Toronto, Przybilla did not play in the fourth or in either overtime, even though Aldridge was struggling through a 5-for-17 shooting day and getting killed by Chris Bosh on defense. After the game, McMillan said he stuck with Aldridge because he is one of the franchise's foundations, and he is going to have to learn to play through those types of games. However, those types of games for Aldrdige have become increasingly more common. He enters tonight with a season-low 16.9 scoring average which comes on the heels of some unsightly shooting nights (2-for-9 vs. Denver, 5-for-14 vs. Houston, 3-for-12 at Atlanta, 6-for-21 at Orlando, 5-for-17 at Toronto and 6-for-17 at Chicago). What is making it worse is that Aldridge has been out of position (LeBron James' game-winning drive) or merely shoved out of the way on defense too many times lately - and at times when the game is on the line. Doesn't there come a time when the coach has to say foundation or not, part of your learning experience will be being benched if poor play persists? "I would have to agree,'' McMillan in responding to that notion. "And we will have to look at that. It's not out of the question.'' Now before anyone thinks I am piling on Aldridge, it should be noted that Aldridge should be applauded for his effort and hustle on Monday against Denver. Despite his poor shooting, he found ways to contribute, which is a trait McMillan wants his young star to develop. He had four blocks and 12 rebounds, several of the rebounds coming after he dove on the floor to tap the ball to a teammate. I'm just saying that I think Aldridge has more in him. Since he scored a career-high 36 at Utah on Dec. 31, Aldridge hasn't scored more than 20 in the next 16 games. In his 25 games prior, Aldridge had 10 games of 20-or-more points. And I understand McMillan's way of thinking that this is still a developing season, but I think the mindset has to change a little now that the Blazers are serious playoff contenders. The best players on that given night have to play down the stretch. The fans deserve that. The players deserve that. The team deserves that. But lately, has Aldridge deserved that? I think it's time he shows what he is made of. Starting tonight. --Quick http://tinyurl.com/2axfrl 為了彌補James Jones受傷後2nd unit三分的不夠力， McMillan決定把Webster調到替補，Jack上來扛二號，新先發陣容為Blake-Jack-Roy-Aldridge-Przybilla，這個陣容將會維持到James Jones傷癒歸隊，屆時將會重新使用原來的先發。此外，Aldridge最近狀況奇糟無比，這使得McMillan有考慮第四節多用Przybilla。 -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 61.228.98.9