The instruction for Thursday’s training was simple: ” Simply play. “Two days after a heavy defeat conceded against the Warriors (98-131), Chauncey Billups had decided to do without specific exercises or work on different tactical plans.
A choice that seems linked to the observation made by Damian Lillard. According to him, the Blazers must ” think less. We did it too much in matches. These mental “blockages” are probably not the only explanation for the failed preseason by the Blazers.
Two days before losing to the defending champions, they fell with a similar huge gap to the Kings (94-126). Even before that, the men of Oregon had started their preparation with two defeats against the Clippers (97-102) and the Jazz (101-118). Only a big victory against the modest Maccabi Ra’anana (138-85) made it possible to unlock the counter of victories.
” We are still getting to know each other, the defensive rotations… I had never played with Dame, Justise (winslow) no more. No one had played with Jerami (Grant). We have a lot of new players, different schemes. That takes time », wants to relativize Josh Hartby highlighting, by comparison, the collective experience of the Bucks or the Suns.
His feeling also applies to their coach: Chauncey himself is still getting to know us, my game, Jerami’s game. He tries to find combinations, all those things. And I think he does a good job. We really used the preseason to observe and try to understand. »
The play in? “Not the end of the world”
” Nothing he presents to us, what he puts us through or what he expects of us is superficial. It’s also part of the adjustment for us collectively. He asks us to think collectively and to understand why we do such and such a thing and the purpose behind it. So I would say he is tactically adept “, adds Damian Lillard, according to whom these principles must be reflected on the floor.
The star of the team struggles to determine a clear collective objective. Having to be content with aiming for a qualification in “play-in”? ” It’s not what I would want, but if it is so… It wouldn’t be the end of the world. I wish we were in a better situation than that, but we’ll see. »
Rather than this poor record of one win for four losses, the same as that of the Lakers or the Spurs, Josh Hart highlights the current counter, reset to zero a few days before the resumption of the regular season. ” I’m not ready to panic, it’s not my style. I don’t believe we’re here to try to get Victor whatever his name is. (Victor Wembanyama). »
No “tanking” therefore, to target the Frenchman, probable n°1 of the 2023 Draft, but the former Pelicans player warns: “ Rip City Nation, you have to be a little patient. The team is new but we are a group of competitive guys who want to succeed. We’re going to make Rip City proud to come out and support us. »
