Trailblazer Turmoil?

February 14, 2012, 8:27 am

Jason Quick and Dwight Jaynes joined the MSP with a blunt and flippant message for the Blazers troubles in the close games and guard play. Though, when Quick confronts head coach Nate McMillan regarding Nicolas Batum coming off the bench, if there is a plan for the starting line, the troubles at guard and the Blazers inability to win close games, Nate McMillan sounds off in an uncomfortable exchange.

The Blazers lost 2 straight at home before going on the road to barely beat a terrible New Orleans and losing in double overtime to the defending champion Mavericks behind guard play that touted 13 for 50 from the floor. If the Portland Trail Blazers were going to stir things up a bit with their starting lineup, you would of thought that it would have been on their day off yesterday.

The guard play has been nothing short of alarming and almost embarrassing. However, Nate McMillan said he's sticking with the same starting linuep he's used during this season and says Felton will remain the starting point guard because he's the best player at that position. Does that hurt the Blazers? Or does it give them more confidence that their coach feels they can get the job done?

In games decided by five points or less, the Trail Blazers are 1-9. They don't have that closer they were looking for. It's always good to have confidence in your core group of guys and sometime it pays off, but to bring guys off the bench to be a spark to the game, who have proven they can do so, might be the breath that could bring some life to a stagnant and comfortable roster. Quick discusses the increasing role of Elliot Williams, meanwhile continues to push for Batum to start. But what's the general consensus from the Blazers internally?

Through all of this uncertainty, the Blazers will play tonight at the RG in the first of 3 games in 3 nights and will sport six games in eight days before the All-Star break. The Trail Blazers are 2-5 against those five teams they'll see before the break.

Jason Quick joined the program and talked about the lack of confidence waning for Raymond Felton and the inconsistencies continually presented in distributing the ball and finding someone to close games. Felton is the 247th most efficient player of 335 active players and is 47th of 60 in point guards. Many know, right now, he's not getting the job done, and has said that he will continue to take those kinds of shots.


GET LAMARCUS THE BALL!!! That's the feeling most people have right now. But is that really the answer?

Jason Quick and Dwight Jaynes talk about the level of confidence the players have in their coach. How much are they continuing to buy into that message? Quick and Jaynes, like most people, are waiting for Felton to flip the switch.

Nonetheless, it has been nearly four years since the Trail Blazers have lost three games in a row at home. The Wizards did win a decisive game against Detroit, finishing on a 22-2 run, though one cannot wrap their head around a Blazers loss tonight to one of the worst teams in the NBA.

That doesn't stop the tension between journalists like Blazers Insider Jason Quick when he continues to press coach Nate about a roster switch, nor does it stop Nate McMillan from bringing the heat back on Quick, with broadcasters to back him up.

Check out Jason Quick and Dwight Jaynes on the MSP.