Dec 17, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) controls the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the first quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Lillard Calls Out Teammates as The Blazers Culture is in Peril
In an astounding 45 point loss last night, the Portland Trail Blazers gave Rip City another example of just how bad the Blazers are. Although the Denver game ended in just a 12 point loss, that game wasn’t close until garbage time. I bring this up because when looking back on this week, the Blazers illustrated they are the NBA’s most bi-polar team.
Earlier this week, Portland played some solid basketball with a tough loss to the Clippers and had a solid win against OKC (We said that we had to cherish it!). However, instead of capitalizing on the momentum, Portland has gone backwards.
“Man, it’s OK to turn the ball over, it’s OK to make mistakes, but we have to play with some (expletive) heart and compete out there,” Damian Lillard said to ESPN after the game. “This isn’t about what the coaches are doing, this is on us. “We have to take responsibility for what’s going on. This (expletive) is ridiculous. We’ve got the talent; we’ve just got to put it together consistently.”
It’s nice to hear that Lillard still has faith in the team. Like the rest of us, we are rooting for this team to succeed after falling in love with them last season. There is still time, but it’s running out.
However, another teammate seems to be giving up on the season.
Sep 26, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Festus Ezeli (31) poses during media day at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Festus Ezeli Contemplates Season Ending Knee Surgery
Who is going to write about the importance of the human knee in Blazers history. Seriously we’re up to at least 10 solid chapters by now.
Ezeli seems to be looking at this season for Portland and thinking long-term. From the games so far this season, it just seems to be the smart move. That admittedly hurts to say based on how badly we need him.
The Warriors will win the West, there is just no question at this point as it would take a miracle to dethrone them. The Blazers aren’t even close to challenging them at any level in the game. The team just isn’t exciting enough to have Ezeli risk damaging himself any more. Ezeli wants to play healthy in the future. Resting this season and repairing his knee could pave the way to a longer career, despite the blow to Portland.
With Ezeli out of the picture, it’s trading time. The Blazers can’t afford to wait if they want to save this season. RCP still believes that we’re still not in abandon ship panic mode. Remember, the Blazers turned it on in early January last year to save the season. It’s still possible.
Possible yes. Likely? All signs point the opposite direction.
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