Apple iPad helps Portland Trail Blazers roll off 11 straight wins

posted by Alan F. / Nov 26, 2013, 8:26 PM

Apple iPad helps Portland Trail Blazers roll off 11 straight wins

With a 13-2 record, the Portland Trail Blazers are the surprise team in the NBA. Coming off a 33-49 season in 2012-2013, what could possibly have helped Portland become a possible NBA finalist for the first time since the Bill Walton days? How about the Apple iPad. Portland is using the tablet during games as players sit on the bench and review video allowing the players to make adjustments in real time. This has allowed them to rip off 11 straight wins including yesterday's 102-91 victory over the hapless New York Knicks.

The tablet is set up so that individual players can call up video on demand. For example, LaMarcus Aldridge looks at where the double teams come from when he has the ball. Wesley Matthews uses the slate to improve his defense, checking his stance and his spacing in comparison to the opponent. He also can see how an opponent is scoring off of him so that he can make stops on defense. The software on the iPad does its job so quickly that by the time the evening's starters are taking their first breather on the bench, they can go over video of their performance from that night's game from the opening tip through the last time out.

"It does [help] because you get to see it [again], and in the game everything happens so fast. You ask yourself, 'Did I rush it? I felt like I rushed it.' [The video can tell me] when I'm in that same situation -- off a flare screen, when Nic [Batum] passes over the top -- [if] I have more time to get the shot o. ff or [if] I have to shoot it at that speed again. Or, could I have driven it? You're not replaying [a possible mistake] in your head, psyching yourself out, You can actually see it."-Wesley Matthews, Portland Trail Blazers

In sports, when a team does something different and it starts paying off with victories and championships, you can be sure that other teams will follow. We wouldn't be surprised to see other NBA teams employ iPads and other tablets in the hopes of copying the Blazers' success. And there is no reason why other teams playing other sports can't use the slate to help them make mid-game adjustments.

Earlier this year, the NFL said that it had a more serious use for Apple's slate. An app put together by Doctors helps diagnose a concussion immediately after a huge hit. As life saving as that may be, team sports is abut one thing, the thrill of victory. That makes Portland's NBA team real trailblazers as they use the Apple iPad to reel off win after win in an attempt to get a seat in this year's finals, And if Portland does end up taking on LeBron James and the Miami Heat for the NBA title next June, it might be a match up of Portland and its iOS tablet against LeBron and his Android powered Samsung Galaxy Note 3 phablet.

source: Blazers'Edge via AppleInsider

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40 Comments

1. darkkjedii

Posts: 30778; Member since: Feb 05, 2011

That's what winners do, use apple. MLB, NASA, NBA, NFL, medical industry/institutions, schools from elementary thru college, President Obama, and best of all....THE darkkjedii. +1 apple

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 8:31 PM 7

3. ocilfa

Posts: 334; Member since: Aug 03, 2012

Obama lol...

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 8:35 PM 4

4. darkkjedii

Yeah, as in the Prez...lol

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 8:48 PM 0

7. quesoesgrande

Posts: 217; Member since: Aug 03, 2011

Yeah... As in the man who is ruining the US healthcare system as he lies to us. Lol winner!

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 8:53 PM 2

12. darkkjedii

Yes, he's a major winner.

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 9:22 PM 1

26. Sauce unregistered

Every president we have, there will always be something wrong with him/future her. Get your ignorant political head out of the crack pan and adjust yourself to being open minded.

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 10:43 PM 3

6. quesoesgrande

Thank you for that blanant display of blind fanboyism. It really, really made my day. -sarcasm-

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 8:51 PM 4

9. Sakeem

Posts: 856; Member since: Sep 05, 2012

Dude..........that was very fanboyish. Lololol. "That's what winners do?" It sounds like you were joking, but if not....its still funny. Lol. On topic.....great use of technology. Its early but they seem like they will be a tough team this year.

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 9:06 PM 3

14. darkkjedii

It woke up the android fanboys, the came running like ants to sugar lol. Quesoesgrande's in an uproar lol. I'm loving it.

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 9:26 PM 2

19. Sakeem

I spit out my drink when I read it. Lol. I'm still laughing.

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 9:38 PM 2

11. willard12 unregistered

Last time I checked, the Miami Heat were the back to back NBA Champions. You can see them featured on the latest Samsung Galaxy Note commercials.

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 9:19 PM 5

15. darkkjedii

See them for what? Yankees 27 rings, Steelers 6 rings, bulls 6 rings. Those are all that matter to me. Now note that.

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 9:28 PM 0

24. Zero0

Posts: 592; Member since: Jul 05, 2012

The Heat have the most recent ring. That's what counts.

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 10:30 PM 2

33. darkkjedii

Sure do

posted on Nov 27, 2013, 7:00 AM 0

32. ardent1

Posts: 2000; Member since: Apr 16, 2011

There will never be another Dennis Rodman. That guy is probably the most under-rated player in his times. No one is going to break Rodman's NBA records.

posted on Nov 27, 2013, 5:59 AM 1

16. skyline88

Posts: 696; Member since: Jul 15, 2013

ya, just like every other pathetic American thing

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 9:28 PM 1

18. darkkjedii

Don't be jealous of America, we rock...simple as that.

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 9:30 PM 0

39. Blazers

Posts: 709; Member since: Dec 05, 2011

Better get in line right now to pick up your loaf of bread for tomorrow. Jackass

posted on Nov 27, 2013, 6:05 PM 0

25. oNEWorld

Posts: 140; Member since: Aug 01, 2013

I think u meant darkfanboii ...

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 10:33 PM 1

31. androidrockzz

Posts: 51; Member since: Feb 04, 2012

Cheating!

posted on Nov 27, 2013, 12:43 AM 0

40. CradleVindicated

Posts: 11; Member since: Sep 26, 2013

If that so, Portland will be the champs this year or in 2050? Lol In your dreams darkkjedii hahaha

posted on Nov 29, 2013, 1:59 AM 0

2. ocilfa

Sorry, but isn't that the coach's job?

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 8:32 PM 3

5. darkkjedii

Who cares who's job you don't think it is. You don't play or coach in the association, you nag and whine on PA.

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 8:49 PM 1

8. quesoesgrande

And you blindly follow apple like the good little s h e e p they've trained you to be. (Apparently, referencing the fluffy, white animal is offensive.)

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 8:55 PM 4

13. darkkjedii

I'm not blind. I have 20/20, that's why I use apple.

posted on Nov 26, 2013, 9:24 PM 0

21. PBXtech

Posts: 1032; Member since: Oct 21, 2013

You're starting to sound like Mxy. It's cool someone uses more than one type of tech, but the only thing you're missing with this article is the pom poms. Simple truth is any tablet could have done the same job for the Trail Blazers. The Brand is irrelevant.