The Floor or the Bench?

We have most of our team from the end of last season. They should already be "gelling". They are not. It seems to be the same old mystery. We have the talent, but for unknown reasons it doesn't manifest on the floor in a consistent manner. The only player that seems to be reasonably dependable (on the floor) is Zach Randolph. He averages double doubles regularly. Zach has his own "All-Star" aspirations and I admire his ability to "go for it". He did this last year and ended up with the Most Improved Player award. Honestly, I don't see Zach as an issue. I do see his efforts being thwarted by an overall lack of team-well-something.

I can't help but consider the idea that the problems on the floor is a result of a problem on the bench. Who? Mo Cheeks, that is who. Mo is a well liked person and has been, if anything else, the glue that has held this team together through what seems to be a never ending onslaught of problems that can be likened to juvenile delinquency. There would be no other reason to remove Mo Cheeks than out of sheer necessity.

Many of these problems have gone away but the damage lingers. Damon's ability to turn his life around is proof that change is possible. But he, along with others, seem to be at a place where they are ready to move on. They are looking for new direction. They need more.

I appreciate Mo's work at holding these guys together. Now that some are gone, and others have either made changes, or are trying to, there seems to be the need for challenge. The team needs a more powerful force pushing them and forcing them to focus their new found energies into the game. It may sound philosophical in nature but burn out is a real thing and it can be damaging.

I think the Blazers are burned out on Mo and Mo is burned out on the team. For either to grow and find new success, a change may be the only answer. As I said, we have the talent on the floor.