Portland Trail Blazers: Ideas for Saving Their 2011-12 Season

Lately, I feel like I've been writing more negative than positive about the Portland Trail Blazers. While it hasn't been all bad, a lot of that negativity has stemmed from several recent frustrating performances on the court.

Last night's home blowout loss to the Washington Wizards was certainly the most eye-opening loss of the season. Even without LaMarcus Aldridge, who suffered an ankle injury in the first quarter, there is no way the Blazers should have lost like that, showing no defensive energy or pride on their home court.

Sometimes, it just comes down to who wants it more, not who's the better team.

The Blazers are the better team, by far, but looked deflated and disinterested for much of this contest. They did score 109 points, which you don't do by accident, but that number probably has more to do with Washington's defense than the Blazers' level of effort.

Even with all the bad, I do believe that this is a good team, with the potential to do great things—both this season and beyond.

For starters, they have been a few missed shots here and a few unlucky bounces there from having several more wins. Being 1-9 in games decided by five points or fewer, when that total amounts to over a third of your total games played, has something to do with bad execution and something to do with bad luck. 

The fact that this team keeps it close that often is a good sign. But they need to execute at the end of games, which will make a big difference in a short season like this one.

Another indication of what they are capable of can primarily be found in the first month of the season. Quality wins over Philadelphia, Denver (twice), Oklahoma City (should have been twice), the Los Angeles Clippers and the Lakers are closer to the real identity of this Blazers team. 

Up until recently, they had been dominant at home, before losing three straight over the past week and a half.

What's it going to be, Blazers? A team that, as of two weeks ago, had the second best home record in the Western Conference?

Or a team that hasn't put together two consecutive wins in over three weeks?

This team needs to get back to an aggressive, motivated style of play. Over the past few seasons, they have developed an identity as a team that plays through adversity, takes nothing for granted and works for everything they earn.

Right now, that identity seems to be in flux.

There is still plenty of time for them to turn things around. But to do that, the team's attitude needs to change. Playing time and shots cannot be taken for granted, or assumed as a right.

Nobody wants to upset the team's chemistry, but the truth is that winning can usually generate good chemistry, especially on a team like this. Wesley Matthews got benched last night, but showed his true colors when he came out with an admirable offensive performance behind Nicolas Batum.

Batum also took advantage of the increased role and was the team's best player last night. Who knows how long Aldridge will be out, but if the injury is a minor one, it could prove to be a blessing in disguise for the team. 

They will miss him, for sure, but it gives Nate McMillan an opportunity to throw guys like Chris Johnson, Elliot Williams, Nolan Smith and Luke Babbitt into the rotation over the next two games, in which the starters will need a little extra rest.

Are any of those guys the answer? While it's not likely the Blazers have the next Jeremy Lin sitting on their bench, if they're willing to play hard on defense, then any or all of those guys deserve a shot at cracking the rotation.

Nate needs to find a way to get them to play harder, and with more focus. The first step is letting them know that, while it's okay to make mistakes, it's not okay to just give games away. The players need to be held accountable.

Tonight against Golden State would a good place to start. It's a back-to-back, on the road, in a place where the Blazers don't win and without their leading scorer.

It doesn't sound like a game this team should win...which is exactly why they need to.

It's time for them to turn the tables on their recent misfortunes, and see how a little more pride in their effort can go a long way.