Game 1 Recap: Blazers 76, L*kers 96

by Dave on Oct 28, 2008 11:45 PM PDT Comment 137 comments

Well, that was not pleasant.

But then again, it was not wholly unexpected. Maybe we didn’t foresee getting creamed that bad but Portland has always had a harder time in Los Angeles than they have at home and blowout losses to the L*kers are not unheard of, even in otherwise good years. If you want the long and the short of the game, look more to L.A. than you do to Portland. They know exactly what they’re shooting for this year. The last game they played, though a loss, was in the NBA Finals. I’m sure they heard some of the talk about Portland getting better and eventually rising to their level. They came out to show that it hasn’t happened yet and that if you’re going to talk about anyone it should be them. They did it too. You could twist, turn, shuffle, and caffeinate the Portland lineup all you want…it wasn’t adding up to a win tonight.

Obviously the story of the night is Greg Oden’s foot, which goes well beyond the game. I haven’t heard any concrete news, inside or in public, other than what you have: some kind of foot pain, probably a sprain, X-rays inconclusive, MRI tomorrow. People are already beginning to jump off bridges just as they did with the Brandon Roy surgery this summer. I don’t know what to say other than I can’t go there anymore because it’s just too crazy and exhausting. It’s probably a minor deal. If it’s not a minor deal the worst case scenario is probably that Greg is out another few weeks, misses the devastating early part of the schedule, and returns when things get easier for us anyway. Until we hear more it’s impossible to judge more. I can already hear the cries of “injury prone” which I don’t buy any more than I buy that the team is somehow cursed by the fates. You can’t call a guy injury prone based on a couple years. Also Oden’s injuries have all been different: wrist, knee, foot. This is not a Yao Ming situation where his body is so big that it rips up his feet in the same way every season. That’s a chronic injury. Wandering maladies to different parts of the body aren’t predictable so there’s no reason to assume they will continue throughout a career. That said, if there’s a broken bone in his foot it won’t be great news as the feet bone of big men take a notorious pounding. But until it’s proven to be something besides a sprain why not assume it’s just that?

As far as the game goes, we came out tight, switched to flat, poked our heads out like a post-winter groundhog for the predictable NBA “trailing team takes a stab” run, then faded faster than Gilligan’s hopes of getting lucky with Ginger. Much of the credit has to rest on the shoulders of our stalwarts, Lamarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy, both of whom had subpar games. Be careful how much blame you assign and in what areas though. I think it’s fair to say both of them looked jittery. This is not entirely unheard of from Lamarcus but it was a shocker to see Brandon missing shots he hits in his sleep. Fans might not have been the only ones placing too much importance on this game. However the L*kers also knew exactly what they were doing, and what they were doing was pinching our two main players like a drunk businessman after the behind of a cocktail waitress.

Here’s what happened:

The L*kers locked down on Brandon with Kobe Bryant, giving him help whenever Brandon made a move to the basket. He was double and triple-teamed on the way to the hoop. They doubled Lamarcus immediately on most possessions. Brandon didn’t have enough momentum to finish strong even when he got close to the rim and Lamarcus was forced into a variety of jumpers, some with spins included for free. The guy they elected to single-cover was Greg Oden. Oden got plenty of short jump hooks but he can’t hit that shot yet. The L*kers’ aggression thus went unpunished. The Blazers’ fourth and fifth options couldn’t put together enough offense to take the pressure off of Roy and Aldridge either, as the L*kers usually recovered. They were helped in this by the Blazers’ inability to move the ball back to Roy and Aldridge once it had left their hands. The stars had usually used up too much of the clock trying to get their own shots and when the ball went to someone else it was shoot or bail out desperately.

Now, here’s what’s going to happen pretty soon:

Opposing teams will try this dual-pronged assault against Roy and Aldridge. First of all it won’t work that well against Brandon as most teams don’t have a Kobe to throw against him. So they’ll have to commit to true and early double teams against Roy as well as Lamarcus. This will ensure even more single-coverage for Oden. But eventually that jump hook will come, which will also open up the possibility of him spinning around the other way against that coverage for a monster dunk. Not knowing which way Oden is going to turn and having to respect the short shot as well as the hook, a single defender is going to be overwhelmed. So the opponent will have to start sending two men against Oden. At that point the whole “double team Roy and Aldridge” scheme is going to fall apart completely, as there aren’t enough defenders covering enough ground to make all of that work. Lamarcus and Brandon are going find easy shots. Instead of being somewhat covered the Blazers’ fourth and fifth options are going to be completely free. At that point it becomes a string of dominos. You won’t be seeing sub-80 point nights anymore.

The key there is a little better offense for Oden, which means a little patience from all of us. It’s going to come. You just saw tonight that it obviously isn’t here yet. Even without that Oden offense we still could have compensated better tonight if the players understood better how to set each other up when they, personally were stymied. This is one of the perils of having a younger team, though. When things go south it’s hard for them to find a way out.

The offense really was the story of the game. Other than some inattention to getting back, letting a few transition buckets go and frustrating Nate, the defense really wasn’t that terrible. The Blazers did not commit a ton of fouls. 46.8% field goal percentage allowed isn’t great, but considering how the night was going it could have been 52% without much provocation, so you have to be satisfied with that for now. The one area where Portland fell apart was rebounding. We were shaky for much of the game. I can’t overstate how important it is that we become a very good defensive rebounding team especially. It’s hard to break down opposing defenses when you can’t get the ball. Turnovers were surprisingly low for a game where we got hammered this badly, which is good. We also shot well from the three-point line at 42%. (Of course the L*kers shot 70%...) Again you have to point a finger at the horrific 34.5% overall field goal percentage though, for reasons described above. When you see more dunks for your team in two seconds of an NBA Live commercial than in 48 minutes of actual game you know you're in trouble. You’re not going to win games shooting that poorly unless you somehow dominate the boards or turnovers.

Individual Notes:

--Brandon Roy had the stinkiest start to a game that I can ever remember him having. He came back to score 14 with 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals. Even in semi-failure mode he’s decent. The whole team needs to learn that NBA goals can’t be achieved or lost in one night. The cliché is right: it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Brandon will relax and rebound. Unless and until the Blazers are actually competing for a championship there’s no pressure because there’s nothing they can lose that can’t be regained. By the time they are competing for a championship they will have learned how to play in situations like this. That goes for Brandon too. Brandon did get the chance to play point a little tonight but it didn’t improve his performance or the team’s. We’ll see.

--Lamarcus Aldridge came out with a ton of jumpers. He does have to play on the wing more with Oden in there but that doesn’t mean he has to finish every shot there. 4-12 and 8 points while letting Gasol go 7-10 for 15 isn’t the matchup we needed. Remember again: our guys are young and haven’t learned how to score consistently while under full, intense, NBA-level defense yet. We saw that tonight.

--Rudy Fernandez had 16 points on 5-10 shooting with 3-5 from beyond the arc. He also had 4 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals. He looked great. But understand this also…he looked great in part because of the defensive attention that was being devoted elsewhere by the L*kers’ first unit and because the defense wasn’t as intense in the L*kers’ second unit. That is not to degrade Rudy’s performance at all. Rather it’s to say--lest anyone be tempted to crown him the best player on the team because he had the prettiest performance tonight--that had he been in Brandon’s shoes with that kind of attention being paid to him he probably would have had a more Brandon-like showing than what he did. Rudy excels specifically when he’s the complementary guy who slips through the cracks. He played that role to a “T” tonight. (You can say, however, that Rudy is far more capable of helping in this way right now than Oden is.) Probably the favorite part of Rudy’s game for me is the speed and confidence with which he shoots from distance. I absolutely love it when he fires because the time between him conceiving the shot and him executing it is minimal, which means he’ll always be hard to defend.

--I thought Oden’s game wasn’t bad…what we got to see of it anyway. 5 rebounds and a block in 13 minutes is OK. He looks slow out there but recall again the story I shared in the pre-game interview at ForumBlueandGold. I saw Amare Stoudemire recovering from his knee surgery at Summer League and he looked horrible. He was slow, heavy, and couldn’t jump an inch compared to normal. He’s pretty darn good now. The hard part about dealing with Oden’s game right now is his tardiness getting back, which puts even more pressure on our wing players to sprint down the court to prevent opposing fast breaks. However when Oden is in front of somebody they do have to go a long way to get around him even if he doesn’t block their shot every time.

--Travis Outlaw was exactly Travis Outlaw, no more…no less. On the bright side he scored 18 on 8-15 shooting and had 4 rebounds and 2 assists. He was one of the few semi-reliable offensive threats tonight. On the other hand it was Travis offense all the way, which means a lot of jumpers outside the flow of the team offense. Also, even though it’s not fair entirely to judge a guy on his ability to watch Kobe Bryant, I think Travis is showing he’s not going to be a great perimeter defender. This puts a serious crimp in the plans to feature him at small forward. You have to wonder if maybe he’s a combo forward off the bench, which puts him in direct competition with Channing Frye, which brings up even more questions about long-term futures on this team for those two players. We’ll have to watch and see how much success Travis has, if any, guarding threes. As far as starting him instead of Batum, this was an amazingly poor game to make judgments about in that regard. If anything I’d say this shows that when facing really good opponents we might not have any perfect options at small forward right now.

--Steve Blake played his usual game: 9 points on 3-6 from distance, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, only 1 turnover. He had trouble defending the perimeter and trouble getting his own shot when he was forced to.

--Joel Przybilla stepped in heroically for Greg Oden after the latter went down. This is just what you’d expect. He had 10 defensive rebounds and 11 overall. However you could see the offense just melt as the L*kers zeroed in even tighter on our main scorers with Joel in. It’s a cost-benefit thing that I think we’d come out on the winning end of for 20 minutes a game but not so much for 30-35. I will go on record right now saying I love Steve Blake and I love Joel Przybilla but I’m not so much in love with them in there together anymore. Teams are paying attention to us this year and the offense is going to get exposed. This also holds true to some extent for Sergio and Joel. It’s just hard playing two players out of five who have trouble getting their own shots.

--Channing Frye came in to make a difference but never got off the launching pad. It looked like he had worked on his jumper over the summer and wanted to come in and show it. He ended up 0-7 and 0-3 from three-point land. Personally I am comfortable with him not shooting three pointers even if he can hit them occasionally. Our team needs other things, like competent midrange play…and defense…and rebounds. Frye had 3 rebounds and 4 fouls in his 17 minutes.

--Jerryd Bayless got 15 minutes of garbage time to spread his wings. He got back on defense pretty well and had a couple of rebounds plus he was aggressive with the ball. He also had a couple of turnovers and missed 4 of 5 shots though. You get some slack in your rookie year so we won’t evaluate too much based on this one game.

--Sergio Rodriguez only got 5 minutes. He got a rebound, committed a turnover, collected a foul, and missed his only shot. I think maybe he wasn’t entirely diligent about his defensive positioning, which could explain his lack of minutes when the game was still in doubt. I’m a little surprised Bayless got all the garbage minutes though. It might not hurt to play both of them together if you’ll let Jerryd just be a scorer.

--Nic Batum, despite losing the starting nod, came in at the end of the game and played hard. He had 3 rebounds and a steal and hit his only shot in 4 minutes. We’ll see more of him.

--Ike Diogu was Ike Diogu: couple of minutes, couple of free throws, couple of rebounds. He just isn’t moving that well.

Random Thought:

A serious, withering pox on TNT for making us miss the starting tip of the season. Seriously, has any first game of a double-header ever finished on time in the history of their broadcasts? Can’t we just stagger the starts a tad more?

One-Sentence Game Summary:

Now that that’s out of the way, can we start the real season?

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

0 recs | Comment 137 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

in summary....

we just plan sucked! Hopefully the guys will learn from it and be better prepared for the next game!

by Enigmah on Oct 28, 2008 11:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The real season indeed.

That was like….a bad dream before you wake up to play your first game

He who laughs last thinks slowest.

by prezofdeath on Oct 28, 2008 11:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The shooting blew. The rest wasn't even bad and that's something to work from.

We were very close to the Lakers in rebounding (much better than e.g. against Utah in the preseason). Same with assists and steals, and we had less turnovers. All of these stats were not stellar, but okay. The shooting percentage and points given up on easy fast breaks in the paint were not.

The goal for the week is finding a way to get the “Big Three” working individually (especially LMA) and together on the court right from the start and not pull the rest of the team down. That should result in easier points/higher percentage shots on the first unit and thus more confident second unit guys not coming in when there is already a double-digit deficit. The Lakers today had the better game in both units, which was not according to plan.

Odenied: If you're given lemmings—make lemming-ade (Bow4Meow)

by Norsktroll on Oct 29, 2008 12:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Defense was pretty awful

The Lakers got whatever they wanted all night.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Oct 29, 2008 6:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn Dave

That was a lot to write in a short period of time. Pretty easy on the eyes, too. Props to you and thanks for the commentary!

Schonely got a raw deal. NO ONE gives Schonely a raw deal.

by OhOhOden on Oct 29, 2008 12:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nate messed up

You can’t play the whole preseason developing confidence and chemistry with 2 specific units, then on the day of the first game, completely change both units with a single move. Travis Outlaw starting was just a pitiful use of our parts. His inefficient scoring, lack of passing, lack of defense and lack of general awareness really hurt this team on the first unit. He’d be able to get away with a lot of these problems better when placed on that second unit that runs. Batum would’ve been the perfect starting 3 despite his lack of experience. I don’t understand why Nate would devote so much time and energy developing our units, and this turn his back last second. He really looked beleaguered out there today. Not a single unit, or group of players looked good out there today. We have the players and talent there, and there are multiple groupings that can play winning basketball, but Nate put way too much emphasis today on experience and not nearly enough on chemistry. I hope in time Nate learns how to better run with lineups and player substitutions.

by as11osu on Oct 29, 2008 12:06 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

I have to agree...

…starting Outlaw is perhaps the single biggest mistake I’ve ever seen McMillian make.

Not just that, but the stat line makes Outlaw look like he did much better than he actually did. He got several points in garbage time, and was taking some poor shots earlier.

I think it’s time we shopped Outlaw.

by JordanLeDoux on Oct 29, 2008 1:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Though I wouldn't blame this loss on Outlaw, to clarify.

by JordanLeDoux on Oct 29, 2008 1:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where's the reset button?

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Oct 29, 2008 12:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No kidding

Beaver believer!

by mannyfresh1 on Oct 29, 2008 12:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

rudy should be starting.

honor terry porter

by Ben. on Oct 29, 2008 12:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I and probably a couple others said the same thing in the gameday thread. The question on my mind would be, who comes from the bench to replace him and Roy on SG? Bayless?

Odenied: If you're given lemmings—make lemming-ade (Bow4Meow)

by Norsktroll on Oct 29, 2008 12:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah i would play both roy and rudy heavier minutes, outlaw healthy minutes at the 3 rather any time at the 4 and then use bayless in whatever spots are left at the 2. give sergio a few more minutes at the 1.

honor terry porter

by Ben. on Oct 29, 2008 12:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ben, do you mean having Rudy replace Blake

in the black unit? Because that’s what I’m thinking, for at least some of the game. I really want to see him and Brandon play together. They’re both smart and mature, make good decisions with the ball, move well, etc. We should have our five best players on the black unit, and it’s obvious Nate isn’t comfortable with two rookies on that unit. Yes, I know Rudy is an NBA rookie, but he doesn’t play much like one, does he?

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 29, 2008 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no…

blake/rudy/roy/aldridge/oden (or przy) depending on injury.

although i like your proposal better than blake/roy/outlaw/aldridge/oden (or przy)

honor terry porter

by Ben. on Oct 29, 2008 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's a way to start Rudy without a 3rd SG

Roy normally plays about 38 minutes a game, resting for about 5 minutes at the start of the 2nd and 4th quarters. So play Rudy 6 minutes at the start of the 1st/3rd quarter (3-guard offense with Blake). Bring Rudy back when Roy is resting at the start of the 2nd/4th quarter. Play either a 3-guard offense with Rudy, or a 2 guard offense without Rudy, for about 3 minutes in mid 2nd/4th. Play Roy/Rudy at the 1/2 guards for about 4 minutes at the end of the 2nd/4th.

1st/3rd – 6 min PG/Roy/Rudy
                - 6 min PG/Roy/SF
2nd/4th – 5 min PG/Rudy/SF
                - 3 min PG/Roy/Rudy or PG/Roy/SF
                - 4 min Roy/Rudy/SF

Total 3-guard offense 12 – 18 minutes
Total PG/SG/SF 36 – 30 minutes

Total Roy/Rudy at 1/2 guards 8 minutes
Total “other PG” for Blake/Bayless/Sergio 40 minutes

Total Roy 38 minutes
Total Rudy 30-36 minutes

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Oct 29, 2008 3:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

offense

On the other hand it was Travis offense all the way, which means a lot of jumpers outside the flow of the team offense.

Dave- could you or someone explain the flow of our offense? Having watched the team last year and again tonight, it seems that is exactly what we are lacking, a flow. Fundamentally, I think the Blazers need a point guard that opposing defenses take seriously as a threat to go to the basket. Your description of the Lakers game plan is correct. Jackson is smart, knowing that Blake cannot create, all you have to do is overplay BR and LmA. Oden is not going to put up big offensive numbers for quite some time.

Start Rudy at point. Or Roy. And develop a running game. If I see Steve Blake pull back to the three point line on a fast break one more time…In this league you have to take advantage of the opportunities you’re given.

by Blazin' on Oct 29, 2008 12:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Good point. I guess “flow of the offense” implies there was some, doesn’t it?

But seriously, we usually take “flow” to mean “smoothness”, of which there was little tonight. I guess I meant it more like “continuity” or “chain of motion”, both of which can be present even when the offense looks rough to the point of breaking apart.

Let’s say Brandon Roy is driving the ball on the way to putting up a shot. It may not be the right shot and he may be double-teamed, but usually he’s got enough escapability and has positioned himself well enough on the floor that he has options. He can put up this shot or that shot. He can go left or right. He can even opt to pass to the corner where Steve Blake is standing. That’s what I mean by “flow”. Both he and the ball have potential to go several places. The chain of motion has a chance to continue.

Outlaw, on the other hand, has a habit of maneuvering into situations where he doesn’t have options. If he retains the ball there’s only one shot. He basically only goes right because he doesn’t have a good left hand and the defender stands there playing him to the right. He can’t go any farther or escape. He gets in places on the court where there aren’t good, attacking passing angles either. The only pass he can make is a complete backwards bail-out. (And that after eating clock with the dribbling.) So his main option is to leap in the air, perhaps twist, and shoot. There’s no possible flow or continuity to anything else. That he hits those shots is much to his credit. That he HAS to hit those shots not so much. Either way there are no options. There’s no possible next step. So there’s no flow.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 29, 2008 12:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Outlaw does force a lot of shots

but did you see that 15-foot jump-brick Oden puked into the backboard? Made me cringe like a leaf of lettuce on a hot grill.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 29, 2008 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bingo!

The reason we forget how poor Blake is for this team is that he didn’t play much in preseason. You got it right on the head, no ball movement makes it too easy to defend this team. We have to get somebody who can get into the paint and do something with the ball. Blake is just too physically limited.

Unfortunately we ain’t got no better choices yet. Sergio is about the same and Bayless is too raw.

On the SF position, same dilemma. We really need somebody to be able to take it to the rim. Outlaw was probably the best choice, but not much of a driver.

At this point we are going to have trouble scoring unless the long-ball is going down -same situation as last year. Too much reliance on team jump shooting.

by ralphzillo on Oct 29, 2008 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think this is where we miss Webster

This year’s Webster was showing an inclination to take it to the rim, which gave both units two slashers—Martell and Roy on the first unit, Rudy and Sergio/Bayless on the second. Without Webster, you’re forced to either start Travis, a jump shooter, or Rudy, which takes a ton of energy and smarts out of your bench unit. The balance on offense is out of whack, and I’m curious to see what adjustments can be made given the more limited skillsets of Travis and Batum.

by abdelnaby on Oct 29, 2008 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dave,

I really saw what you meant about good teams shutting down Plans A and B. This game should be brought up anytime anyone talks about the difference between veteran teams and our young team. The L*kers shut down our primary weapons and dared us to beat them with our other options, bad shots and long jumpers. How many shots did Blake have in the first half? 8 or 10? It seemed like way too many.

I also dislike TNT right now. It’s the first day of the season and it’s the featured double header. Why did we miss any part of that game? They can take 1892.8 minute TV timeouts, but they can’t delay the tip off?

On a side note: How does Batum go from projected starter to only playing garbage time? He might have provided some energy to the first unit. He’s a hustle player. We needed him or Rudy out there.

WWKPD?
Ambassador to the Miami Heat

by Magnum on Oct 29, 2008 12:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You're not the only one

asking the Batum question. I don’t think there’s any way it would have led to a win, so from a certain perspective it’s a moot point. Also Travis did end up the game’s leading scorer and one of the only Blazers providing real offense. However I wonder if the last-minute switch contributed to the mental jitters we saw early. It kind of made it seem like something other than a normal game, didn’t it?

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 29, 2008 12:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did Roy start the game in a funk?

The first thing I thought about when I heard Travis was going to start was that Roy might be upset, or at least it would affect his mental state going into the game.

For about a week he had campaigned in the press and with the coaches for Batum to start. He went beyond just saying he was ok with it, but rather that he preferred it that way. I was a quite surprised he was so public about saying who he wanted to start, and I didn’t think Nate would be too pleased about that. Nate never mentioned Brandon’s comments and he just said he would wait to make the decision and that was what he was paid to do. That’s pretty normal coach-speak, but he may also have used those words because of Brandon’s comments. I believe Nate changed his mind about starting Batum because he didn’t want to start a 19-year old rookie, but he may have also thought an added benefit would be to let Brandon know who was running the team. That may have never crossed Nate’s mind, but I still wonder if Roy’s mental preparation wasn’t thrown off by Nate’s late line-up change?

I argued against Nate’s initial decision to start Batum in a previous thread (in favor of starting Rudy, not Travis), but it seems like a worse decision to prepare for a week with Batum in the starting line-up and then change that line-up on the day of the game. The team has too many new pieces to adjust to a last minute change like that this early in the season.

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Oct 29, 2008 1:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't agree with ya

"believe Nate changed his mind about starting Batum because he didn’t want to start a 19-year old rookie, but he may have also thought an added benefit would be to let Brandon know who was running the team. "

Watch what happens if BRoy goes to management and says, “I can’t play for Nate”. (note: I don’t see that happeneing) In todays NBA STAR players run the team not the coach.

by usmcr3049 on Oct 29, 2008 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You guys are overthinking this.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 29, 2008 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perhaps

Like I said, Brandon’s comments may have never crossed Nate’s mind when he decided to not start Batum. But even so, after playing two preseason games and practicing for a week with Batum starting, it may have unsettled Brandon when he woke up the day of the game and suddenly found out his choice wasn’t starting.

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Oct 29, 2008 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he is that easily unsettled...

…maybe he isn’t really the Brandon Roy we love.

Outlaw is his best friend remember (reportedly), and I doubt he’d be too upset with his best friend next to him. I think Roy would be more discombobulated if Rudy was starting over Outlaw, because that would make Roy the SF which is the only thing he has said he DOESN’T wanna do.

Roy was kept in the same position he has always played and played next to Outlaw, which he has closed games with for at least a season’s worth of games.

If Roy and LMA play as badly as they played, there ain’t no coming back. Batum wouldn’t have made the difference, and since another SF took his place in the lineup I doubt it screwed Roy up— or rather, I doubt that was the reason Roy was so bad, since SOMETHING was screwing him up.

The point of having Batum in there is to fit in and be invisible except when needed. Outlaw is a ballhog, but Roy controls who gets the ball. Roy should be able to dictate what happens on the offensive end of our floor, and since he has played with Outlaw so much I just can’t see that switcharoo being the big problem.

Nerves, hype, Oden going out, opening night, LA… that’s what got us.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Oct 29, 2008 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nerves is when you miss your first two or three shots

When you miss your first 9 shots something is bothering you. Anyway, enough psycho-babble from me.

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Oct 29, 2008 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Roy is that bummed about Batum

Then he isn’t Brandon Roy. He is a headcase.

The turnovers Roy was having and his worst start to a game in his NBA career just aren’t real likely to be tied to NICOLAS BATUM. That is way overanalyzing the importance of this move.

Aww shucks, the same SF I played every 4th quarter with last season is in the game with me. I’m so down that I’m gonna miss all my shots because I am that easily swayed.

Nerves can last a lot longer than a few shots if you never get a chance to get your bearings. Oden getting hurt early, the Lakers swarming defense, Roy missing gimme’s and LMA not picking up any slack helps make nerves and overwhelmedness last longer than it should.

Roy is normally unflappable. He has played well with Z-Bo, Magloire, and numerous starting lineups. Again… if he is that easily thrown for a loop, he isn’t a very mentally strong player.

I haven’t seen anything to suggest he isn’t strong mentally. He had a bad, awful game.

I forgive nerves after all the hype and the national audience of the game. Having that much issue with the rotation is headcase material.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Oct 29, 2008 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your making the case that something was bothering him

Just as you say Roy is normally unflappable. He isn’t a rookie playing Kobe for the first time. He has played Kobe multiple times and played him well. He has played on national TV and played well. If he played that bad just because he was nervous about playing against Kobe on national TV, then he isn’t the Brandon Roy we know. Nerves disappear after a few minutes. If he let nerves bother him that long, he wouldn’t be the mentally strong player we know he is. May we just agree to disagree?

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Oct 29, 2008 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm agreeing something is bugging him

Just doubt it’s playing next to one of his best friends and a guy he ends every game with.

He is normally unflappable. That’s why it is so odd he looked so nervous.

The big stage and opening night and LA and Oden going down just seem so much more plausible than a power grab attempt by Nate to override Roy’s opinion and play a lesser player just to show who is boss, and then that maneuver by Nate throws Roy off so much that he plays awful for the first half.

Nerves can last as long as they last. He is normally mentally strong, but not last night.

I’m agreeing he wasn’t Roy last night, but I do not think it was for mundane, petty reasons.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Oct 29, 2008 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok

But let me be clear about what I said and didn’t say.

1. I didn’t say Nate decided to play Batum to show Roy he was boss. I said Nate may have seen that as an added benefit of the decision he already made to not start Batum, but that may have never crossed his mind.
2. I didn’t say Roy was upset because he had to play next to (his friend) Travis.
3. I suggested Roy may have been upset (i.e. a little angry) that he didn’t get the starter he had lobbied for in the press (very unusual for him to do) and to other coaches, and that decision was reversed the morning of the game, which may have affected his game.

I just haven’t seen Roy let nerves cause him to play like last night. But I may be totally wrong, and you may be right.

by BlazerFanSince1970 on Oct 29, 2008 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You have a point, BFS70

That very well could have added to Roy’s funk.

Sergio has a knack for making passes that lead to layups and dunks, for both teams. - Ben G.

by jamon51 on Oct 29, 2008 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Roy looked nervous

Not hurt that Batum didn’t start.

I don’t think this was a powerplay by Nate over Roy. That is probably way overthinking it.

The assistants (like Monty and Dean) love, love, love Travis Outlaw. They have a close relationship with him. Outlaw was pretty much out of the running for the starting spot, and they reportedly talked to Nate about it and Nate decided to give Outlaw the chance to show he can start. Perhaps Outlaw revealed to the assistant coaches he wanted to start but didn’t want to make a big deal about it.

Maybe I can overthinking it as well… it is probably a mix of everything, but not in a cynical way. The whole team struggled with the big stage of national TV and opening night, and I guess Nate felt like Batum would struggle in that situation and experience was better since the Lakers SF ain’t a threat to take advantage of Outlaw’s awful defense.

I can almost guarantee this wasn’t a power play by Nate. It doesn’t fit his M.O. My armchair analysis is that he let the assistants talk him into giving Outlaw a chance because the matchup was defensively favorable.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Oct 29, 2008 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks KP

I mean Mortimer :)

Sergio has a knack for making passes that lead to layups and dunks, for both teams. - Ben G.

by jamon51 on Oct 29, 2008 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree the tip-off was ridiculous

I’m watching the season opener down 5 already.. Thanks TNT for ruining the entire experience.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Oct 29, 2008 6:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is good news for the rest of the season

We’ve already used up 3.7% of our alloted 27 losses. That means our winning percentage from here on out will be even better.

The most amazing thing about my amazing ego is I have amazingly little about which to be egotistical.
The pick and roll this year will emphasize "roll" followed by "dunk", followed by the wailings and lamentations of your women.

by jscot on Oct 29, 2008 12:24 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

LOL

+1 rec

Sergio has a knack for making passes that lead to layups and dunks, for both teams. - Ben G.

by jamon51 on Oct 29, 2008 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

flow

I agree about Travis’ game. There was a point in the second half when he was passed the ball wide open and chose to dribble 10 feet, no closer to the basket, to a defender to put up his patented jump shot. A useful guy to have off the bench but limited.

It is with Rudy that my hopes for this team lie. Because he has a sense for the game. Great timing. Did you notice in the second half when Rudy set up the three, on several occasions we got offensive rebounds. Not conclusive, I grant you, but my sense is that his timing with passmaking enables an offensive rebound two touches later to happen. That’s flow.

by Blazin' on Oct 29, 2008 12:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It used to be

you weren’t supposed to shoot a jumper without knowing your rebounders were in position. You’re right…that provided another option.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 29, 2008 12:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Steve-

I hate to say it, cause I know he’s a popular player, but Blake’s offense is defensive.

by Blazin' on Oct 29, 2008 12:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

good way to put it

ignacio

by ignacio on Oct 29, 2008 12:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeh

very true

and a lot of guys’ defense is offensive

He who laughs last thinks slowest.

by prezofdeath on Oct 31, 2008 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and

Hi Dave! Great site.

by Blazin' on Oct 29, 2008 12:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i'm not dave but hi!

a warmhearted welcome to the Bedge!

He who laughs last thinks slowest.

by prezofdeath on Oct 31, 2008 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So I guess everyone so far

is for completely revamping our lineup and units? With Greg gone we’ll have to plug Joel into the first unit, and that’ll leave an opening at the backup C spot. Here is what I’d like to see if we keep the 2 separate units…

1st Unit:
PG Steve Blake
SG Brandon Roy
SF Rudy Fernandez
PF LaMarcus Aldridge
C Joel Przybilla

2nd Unit:
PG Sergio Rodriguez
SG Jerryd Bayless
SF Nic Batum
PF Travis Oulaw
C Channing Frye

by as11osu on Oct 29, 2008 12:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

nope, not me

I want to see the units Nate had practicing together for the last 2 weeks of training camp. That means Batum starting at SF, and the bench unit staying intact. With any other lineups all it is doing is basically throwing away anything and everything that was learned in training camp.

by usmcr3049 on Oct 29, 2008 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought Travis did a respectable job guarding Kobe

It’s freaking Kobe Bryant already…yeah, Travis got beat a couple times and he’s not the next Bruce Bowen or Battier, but for the most part I thought he held his own and kept Kobe from going absolutely bonkers which in itself, especially in a blow out, is hard to do.

by LOOSH on Oct 29, 2008 12:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I guess

I was watching a different game than you were. Just about every time I noticed Trout trying to D up Kobe, I saw Kobe going right by. Its okay, he’s not exactly built to defend a player with Kobe’s quickness. That is the main reason I’m all for putting him back at the backup PF spot. He’s less of a glaring liability at PF, plus he’s able to exploit opposing 4’s easier than 3’s. It also allows Frye to play the 2nd unit C and help open up the lane (with his pretty J) for the rest of our penetrating guards (Rudy, Bayless).

by as11osu on Oct 29, 2008 1:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

When Kobe tried he went by any Blazer with ease

He didn’t try that much last night. He didnt need to.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Oct 29, 2008 6:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm gonna keep this short and positive

Rudy looked fabulous. He was calm, steady, and cool. Definitely played in the big games and he looked the part.

Przybilla was a rebounding machine again. He got in foul trouble when players kept beating our defenders off the dribble.

Outlaw knocked down his shots, but I don’t think we win a lot of games if he shoots 15 times.

I don’t think anyone else to be mentioned. Move on play better.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Oct 29, 2008 1:01 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

well summarized

by hotstuffdb22 on Oct 29, 2008 5:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rudy may be our best player

With apologies to Brandon

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Oct 29, 2008 6:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rudy's good

but he wasn’t being guarded by K-be. (And the last time he was, he got pulled into a game-breaking four-point play.) I wouldn’t crown him Top Blazer just yet.

by abdelnaby on Oct 29, 2008 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rudy made the offense flow

and the offense did not flow because the Lakers took their one and only option away…..The hard work and hustle plays make Rudy quite valuable to this team…..these are the intangibles, so to speak, and if you get your butt kicked standing around, then shame on you…
If you get your butt kicked playing hard and hustling then that gulp is easier to swallow than the slow sipping we saw in last nights game

by 67 on Oct 29, 2008 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Outlaw

Had a good game for not having Oden in there.

Sergio, grab the playing time by the horns.

by TheGreatDane17 on Oct 29, 2008 1:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Outlaw and a good game

and how much it has to do with his teammates. When Travis has a good game or has a bad game, it has virtually nothing to do with who else is or isn’t on the court, and how well they’re playing. Travis’ good games involve strictly the percentage of long jumpers he’s hitting.

by as11osu on Oct 29, 2008 1:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Outlaw is not going to make or break this team.

This team needs a plan on offense. Plain and simple. Same thing last year. There is too much dribbling. Too much retreating. Not enough movement. Not enough attacking. I wish I understood offensive theory better to decipher the problem although there is a good post on the subject up right now; “Part 3”

by Blazin' on Oct 29, 2008 1:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Outlaw looks the same, but armed with a bigger ego

That’s scary. That means less defense and more fadeaways after zero passes.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Oct 29, 2008 6:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank You

That was a painful game for any and all Blazer fans. Thanks for an excellent recap but especially for reminding me how things can work on a night when it seemed nothing was working and eveything went bad. Right now, as I write this I have such mixed emotions. I always want The Blazers to beat The L-kers, and I’m a homer about this, I always believe we can. If there is a bright side to this I think it resets expectations and focuses reality for this team. Which oddly I think is probably a good thing for this team. If the N.B.A. and the sports media and we as fans became intoxicated with the hype surrounding The Blazers this was the sobering event that should wake us up. The aura of optimistic pre-season hope and feelings shouldn’t be gone but this was just a good reminder that we are still a young team and that against experienced upper echelon teams if we don’t bring our A+ game we are going to get “it” handed to us on a platter. No, it’s easy to get swept away on a wave of emotion after a game like this, but in all reality there is a lot I think The Blazers and we as fans can learn from this. But at least for the next 8-16 hours just tell me again how it CAN work and I’ll just look forward to a whole new game.

"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"

by Krang on Oct 29, 2008 1:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

While I did see the writing on the wall...

I didn’t expect it to be written in primary color crayons. At first I thought switching out Batum was a strategic maneuver by Nate and was planned. Now I do not. The chemistry was different and Nate shouldn’t have second guessed himself.

Well, honestly, we needed this reality check. Hopefully the guys won’t be too down on the ride home.

Stay healthy, Blazers. We still believe.

by Rake on Oct 29, 2008 3:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Great recap

As a (non-US) Blazer fan since only last season, I can’t claim any real insight. But I do think this is a great recap and there have been some excellent comments. My thoughts:

1) Given the hype, probably a good thing to get the “back to reality” thing over early. There is a difference between a team that went to the finals last year, and a team with the potential to go to the finals and we saw it tonight.

2) Greg will be great, as he has size, hands, feel, touch, and isn’t intimidated. Yes, he needs to get conditioning back and to lose the nerves and gain confidence, quickness, and offense. But he still has the tools.

3) I agree on the comments discussing the problems with Blake and Outlaw. If Roy’s handle is up to it, I think a lineup of Roy, Fernandez, Batum/Webster, Aldridge and Oden has the balance the Blazers need. Yes, it taxes Roy’s energy, but I also think Rudy is a natural scorer in the backcourt and his feel for the game has been amply demonstrated already. He needs to be there at least as much as Manu plays for SA. You have to design an offensive system to make everyone a threat in some way, even if the individuals can’t take their man one on one (cf. Bowen on the baseline 3 in SA).

4) Coach Mac is overthinking things. He need’s a leaf out of Nellie’s style – go with the people you can go to war with, back your leaders, let the egos (e.g. Trout) sort themselves out.

Go Blazers!

by borisadmin on Oct 29, 2008 4:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I feel that overthink thing as well

last minute switch up may have ratlled nerves too..lotta shots that coulda/shoulda fell..missed open looks aren’t good defense …but the inability to create much more than jump shot offense hurts the perimeter

geting behind at least gave the team a chance to look at diffenernt line-ups. . but it’s more difficult for any of our players to know what to expect on the floor when the faces are shifting which leads to uncertainity and hesitation (non-flow)

As they do learn learn one another better and the rotations settle and injuries heal it’s bound to look better

opening night jitters was clearly apparent — deer in the headlights looks on the bench will fade..It is daunting to face off in Hollywood

by LetsBlaze on Oct 29, 2008 4:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully Roy learns from this

Just as Kobe turned it on when we made a slight run, Roy needs to learn when he needs to take over a game. I know he likes to get his teammates into the game and was probably very concerned about making sure Oden was involved right away, but when that isn’t working it is time for him to get super aggressive. It’s his team and he needs to act like it. Sometimes that may not work, but the team takes cues from him on aggressiveness so by default it should pick them up.

"From Bill Walton to Brandon Roy, we wanna know it all
From Clyde Drexler to Greg Oden, from the basket to the ball
Every move they make is covered, somebody make the call
The shot clock's always running at Blazers Edge"

by blazermaniac32 on Oct 29, 2008 5:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't Over-react.

Let’s not all over-react. Injuries in the pres-season combined with 4 rookies guaranteed that if you’re going into the lion’s den on the homecourt of a team that is clearly one of the top two in the league, and that is starting a veteran unit with plenty of playing time together – that it’ll be a rough night. And so it was.

The injuries in pre-season robbed the Blazers of critical time needed to install a system to accomodate the rookies and the change over to a different playbook. And, because Blake, Frye, and Fernandez missed a portion or much of the pre-season, Roy and Oden were coming off of injuries of their own, and Webster was knocked entirely out of the lineup, we simply didn’t gel offensively. Losing Oden for much of the game didn’t help.

All of this angst – in my book – is an over-reaction.

To start with, once Nate saw the reality, and that no-one, including Roy, Aldridge, Frye, Oden and the rest could hit a shot (.345 won’t win games), he used the game much as he used pre-season. He played some small-ball with Rudy, he let Bayless get minutes to acclimate and learn, and he let Outlaw play over Batum – to protect Batum.

Let’s face it. If you start Batum with Oden – you’re starting two rookies against a championship and veteran squad that is picking up exactly where they were last year, and that doesn’t have any weaknesses to speak of.

Losing Webster definitiely hurts – and will continue to hurt. As I’ve said before, we don’t have an effective second team SF to step up. Outlaw is a combo PF/SF whose strength is scoring, not distributing or defending players like Kobe, and Batum is very, very green.

This team needs time – nothing more. They needed the full complement of players for the full pre-season – and they didn’t have them. Combine that with the Rookies, and you get a game like this one.

That’s all this is.

So, no, you don’t start huge arguments over this game to debate changes that wouldn’t have made any difference. Oden will start. Period. Batum will be spotted according to where Nate thinks he can be most effective. Fernandez is still being worked into the lineup.

Patience, and little humor would help everyone. The world didn’t move, only the reality settled in.

by Eben Calder on Oct 29, 2008 5:34 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

I agree.

by PoliSam on Oct 29, 2008 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with everything except Batum

but only because I thought the last-minute switch to Travis sent a bad message to the team. Given how the game went, who now wouldn’t have liked to see Nic start?

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 29, 2008 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Oden.

I completely disagree that because Oden’s injuries have been to his wrist, knee, and then foot that he shouldn’t at all be labeled injury prone. These kinda guys are very common, its always something else. A recurring injury is usually the worst because if a long rehab didn’t do the trick, then its unlikely another one will either. This doesn’t mean that because the injuries are different then its just an anomaly. I agree that it is still early to label Oden injury prone, but he is getting pretty damn close.

Its a conundrum. The injury last night stemmed from him being jittery out there and uncomfortable with the knee, allowing him to make a very unnatural landing. The problem is it will take time on the floor for him to get comfortable enough to not get hurt because he is favoring the last injury, time he won’t have since he is hurt.

I love how fans in your shoes always invoke Amare. Amare is the exception more than the norm. A guy who had a major knee surgery and didn’t just come back, but came back as a high flyer. Amare had already put in two seasons of 82 and 80 games before his injury, and his other season was one in which he played in 55 games. He had demonstrated durability before the injury. Oden had demonstrated, at Ohio State, that he was in fact an injury question mark, BEFORE the injury. I distinctly remember reports of a bad physical relating to his knee before the draft, reports the Blazers said were garbage.

I am currently giving Oden about 50-50 odds of being a productive NBA player. Lower odds of being a good or great center. The problem is even if he can get healthy, how explosive will he be after all the surgeries? Is he all that enticing without the athleticism he may very well have left in college? Does he care?

Deion Branch came back from microfracture this year too and he also injured his foot in the first game back. Even though the two injuries are not directly related, the fact that he is more injury prone on the shaky knee and after a lot of time off the field is no coincidence.

I like the Blazers and I want them to get over the hump, but you need to see any production form Oden as a bonus. The players and coaches need to start viewing it that way too. I know its hard because getting that first pick really caused you to invest a lot of optimism in the guy, but the outlook is not good. I really thought the blazers should have taken Durant, especially when the physical stuff came out. I always thought Oden was getting way too much credit for looking like a great center, as opposed to actually being a great player, like Durant.

by michaelfox99 on Oct 29, 2008 5:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You are way too pessimistic about Oden

and it’s way too early to be going down that road.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 29, 2008 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

MF99

I am currently giving Oden about 50-50 odds of being a productive NBA player.

That’s a really lame statement, no offense. You might as well say “Oden might become a great player or he might become a crap player or somewhere in between, mark my words!”

Sergio has a knack for making passes that lead to layups and dunks, for both teams. - Ben G.

by jamon51 on Oct 29, 2008 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pathetic

I feel asleep in the third quarter. I’m keeping in mind this was the home opener for one of the two or three best teams in the league.

But..

1. Nate, enough with the freakin’ plays! Let your guys play basketball, my God! While your guys were trying to get player A the ball at point B, the Lakers were running and freewheeling it down your throats.

2. Greg Oden is a bust. There, I’ll say it. He’s an injury-prone big man with limited skills and he clearly lacks passion for basketball. He may never play one game in a row his entire career and even if he does he a major, MAJOR project. He shouldn’t be starting in front of Prz. He should be getting 15 mins off the bench each night.

3. Travis Outlaw needs to learn how to pass or he needs to sit. A year later shooting fadeaway jumpers still sucks. I don’t care that he made a couple last night.

4. LMA? Anyone seen him?

5. Brandon Roy will be fine, but I was still a little discouraged by his play.

6. Blah. About as bad a start as anyone could’ve ever predicted.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Oct 29, 2008 5:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Leeroy is back at it again. Love you, man, but you get so down over a bad game that I wonder if you can dig yourself back up.

Happen to notice that Oden, in preseason was A) getting opponent centers in foul trouble B) demanding a lot of double-teams C) dunking the ball? I love Joel, too, he’s a very good defender and great rebounder, but it’s 4 on 5 on offense.

But you’re behind your game, Leeroy, I would have expected you to be calling for Nate’s head. But guess what? Out of this first ten games, we’ll probably lose 6-7, and the ones we win aren’t too likely to be in places like LA. That’s life.

by jscot on Oct 29, 2008 5:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

THe one nitpick you could possibly have with me is Oden

And maybe bust is a little harsh. But I’d be thrilled if Oden averages 60 games, 10 points, and 10 boards over his career. And deep down inside, you know I’m right. Preseason doesn’t mean a thing.

So maybe not a ‘bust’, but the expectations are way lower than they were the day he was drafted. Where’s his passion? Where’s his will to play? Did you steal it from him?

Nate’s fine, he just needs to loosen up and quit trying to script every movement his players make. Let them play.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Oct 29, 2008 6:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And that was against the Lakers!

Imagine when Oden actually goes up against a physical team.

Where did you get that I would call for Nate’s head? I’ve always been a Nate guy. If anything I think he has less to work with than most Blazer fans do.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Oct 29, 2008 6:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ok last post I promise, I don't you to think I'm throwing in the towel

But the team isn’t as far along as I expected, and we’re in the real games now. That game last night wasn’t even competitive. That was the varsity against the JV squad. That’s not going to cut it if you’re serious about chasing a playoff spot this season. There’s a lot of potential but some major weaknessess have also been exposed. After one game. That’s not good.

Greg Oden is a major project, even his die-hard defenders can’t escape that fact. So why not start Prz, a proven solid veteran, and bring Oden off the bench for 15 mins? Certain rookies are ready to start NBA games immediately. Greg Oden is not one of them.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Oct 29, 2008 6:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Bust" is a little harsh.

“Injury prone” is starting to look correct.

“Project” is definitely right. He has one move, the power move to the hoop for a dunk.

“Shouldn’t be starting ahead of Pryz” is also right, given “project” above.

"It's not a joke -- it's not a game." — B-Rex

by timbo on Oct 29, 2008 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

starting behind Pryz is wrong

That one offensive move is one more than Joel has. Greg also has much better hands, shown last night by Joel fumbling a couple of passes away underneath the basket. And while Joel is a more experienced defender, he’s not as strong as Greg—Bynum was pretty much having his way once Greg left the building. I agree that GO isn’t clearly better than Pryz right now, but it’s more or less a wash, and the difference is that one of them is clearly out of shape and can improve quickly, and one is basically at his ceiling. And Joel’s injury-prone as well, don’t forget.

by abdelnaby on Oct 29, 2008 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

One game is no better assessment

than the opening preseason game was.

No, last night wasn’t competitive. The L@kers themselves weren’t competitive in one of those games against Boston, if I remember right.

Everybody has bad games. Everyone. This was a bad game, but it proves nothing about anything. It just doesn’t.

Pryz can’t catch the ball. He is no offensive threat at all. What you would gain on the defensive/rebounding aspect, you lose offensively. You have to balance it. Even a raw Oden is a defensive presence and a good rebounder — and an offensive threat. An experienced Pryz is a good defender, an awesome rebounder, and an offensive liability. Net? Perhaps about even right now. But if you break even right now, you play Greg to develop him — by the end of the year, he’ll be miles ahead of Joel.

If we play like this for 10 games, then we’ve got a problem. We won’t.

by jscot on Oct 29, 2008 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Blazers were down by 20 in the second quarter

but played the Lakers even after that. Rudy looked great. Roy found his shot in the second half. Travis played well for what he does. These guys are young and had a major case of the jitters. Everyone needs to relax.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 29, 2008 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"offense"

Hey Dave,
Why does the center start at the top of the key in the rotation Portland was running last night? I saw numerous occasions where either greg or joel were at the top of the key, often getting the ball. Last night the offense looked like the preseason opener first quarter, slow, and kind of discombobulated, can you explain this?

by appel82 on Oct 29, 2008 7:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

meant to reply to "LOL comment

oops

by appel82 on Oct 29, 2008 8:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Usually a team will start

their big man up top for a couple of reasons:

1. Draw the opposing big man out there too so the lane is open more for drivers or, in this case, a guy like Lamarcus Aldridge.

2. Allow their center to go down and set up quickly without the opponent being able to camp out down there against him to root him out.

In this case either is likely.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 29, 2008 8:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Long time poster from Blogabull here,

and I just wanted to wish you the best regarding Oden: and to say not to worry too much. Dave made an excellent point: the injuries don’t appear to be linked in any way. I’m in medicine, and I have to agree. Anything with a genetic origin would have probably been noticed a long, long time ago.

He’s a phenomenal talent. He’ll get there, and when he does, you’ve got one of the three best centers in the NBA.

What i’m hoping for is an eventual Bulls/Blazers rivalry. That would be sweet.

See you guys in the 2010 finals.

The poster formerly known as Freethefro.

by MPG on Oct 29, 2008 6:58 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

Thanks for the kind words

I watched the first half of the Bulls game last night and while the stats won’t show it, I thought Rose was excellent. Obviously he has some growing to do, but he is incredibly quick and fast, makes good decisions and looks like he will be a good scorer and a good facilitator. Hinrich was also moving around pretty well. I think all they need is a bit of an interior game and they will be excellent.

by blazermaniac32 on Oct 29, 2008 7:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for stopping by!

Rose looked pretty sweet last night. He’s a player.

Blazers vs Bulls in the Finals would be pretty sweet…

Thanks for your medical opinion! There is a huge difference between being unlucky and being fragile. In my athletical days, my back always gave me problems. It made me sorta injury prone and limited me over time. When I broke my leg, it wasn’t being injury prone— it was unluckiness.

None of Oden’s injuries are similar to my own back problem, or other injury prone big men. It just ain’t the same and people are obviously concerned for good reason (Oden will be awesome) but at the same time need to slow down and relax.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Oct 29, 2008 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks MPG

Seriously. We needed that.

Sergio has a knack for making passes that lead to layups and dunks, for both teams. - Ben G.

by jamon51 on Oct 29, 2008 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No problem buddy.

Oden’s the kind of player other fans can enjoy because he also seems to be a genuinely good guy. There’s nothing worse than an incredible talent who happens to be an incredible jerk. Better yet, LMA compliments his weaknesses well, and vice versa.

I look forward to a rivalry in the years to come.

The poster formerly known as Freethefro.

by MPG on Oct 29, 2008 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oden and my take away

We were clearly outmatched but the game could have been closer if we’d made those wide open shots. Clearly a case of the nerves there, but LA played solid defense too.

Oden looked out of his league. Completely 100% out of his league. Frankly, that is 100% the Oden I expected to see before all the trailblazer hype. I was surprised when Oden got the start over Pryz, and this is why. I have a feeling we’ll see more of this against the real centers of the league, but he’ll look better against the weak centers.

Here’s hoping Oden is okay and improves quickly. I don’t think this is the year we reach the finals, but lets wait a few months and see how this team warms up.

We haven't done anything yet... but don't blink.

by ratbastird on Oct 29, 2008 7:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

From scanning the gameday threads and reading here...

… it looks like we are in for another long season of whiney, don’t know their butt from a hole in the ground Blazer fans.

I was expecting Nate sucks comments within the first 10 games of the season, considering our schedule, but after the first game? Man, some of you are really impressive. And of course we already have our first “trade Travis” demand. Don’t want to be accused of sitting on our hands when there are players that need to go.

Roy and Aldridge had a poor game. So what. Does anyone really think they are going to suck all season long? Travis is a jump shooting SF that can’t really defend 3’s that well. As if we didn’t already know that. Steve Blake isn’t a Deron Williams or Chris Paul clone. Really? I never realized that. And of course Nate can’t coach a lick. He made the Olympic team staff as part of some affrimative action program, no doubt.

I know that each fan is entitled to their opinion. Too bad many of those are of the type to make one barf.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Oct 29, 2008 7:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey tim...

Easy on the post there bud. I hear you, but I honestly think/hope those comments were sarcastic by people in the game day. If they weren’t, they were people who don’t know anything about the game and those comments should be read accordingly.

This site has acquired more casual fans and as such they’ll be focused on “win win win and do it NOW” instead of all the details that are actually important. What we can do on our end is have patience, and attempt to educate them about the subtleties of the game and what’s going on with this team. Honestly, there will still be those fans out there, but you’ll always have that noise. If we can bring them into our conversation instead of sinking down into their conversations, we’ll do a better job of changing minds. We can help them go “oh… okay”.

I have a friend though, that is just like the fans you described. He loves the blazers and HATES when they lose. He gets ticked at the team and players and will actually just stop watching. He doesn’t want to watch the team lose, he doesn’t care why they’re losing, if they can’t actually be contenders he doesn’t want to watch. I suspect we’ll be getting a lot more fans like that this year.

We haven't done anything yet... but don't blink.

by ratbastird on Oct 29, 2008 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rat, I respect your opinion....

… but some of this stuff is way over the top.

It is one thing to criticize a player for a poor game, like folks getting on LaMarcus and Frye for settling for jump shots or Travis seeming to take his shots without regard to the offense or his really poor defense. Those are basically observations. It is when the comments transition into assigning blame, trashing players and coaches and calling for trades that it becomes too much.

I might agree that some patience on my part with “new” fans is warranted. However, many of the comments are not coming from newbies. And as far as patience goes, shouldn’t the call be for patience from the fans? It’s one freaking game and against the defending Conference champs.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Oct 29, 2008 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They're the Blazer fan version

of the San Francisco 49ers White Wine & Brie crowd or the typical Laker fan who arrives late and leaves early.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 29, 2008 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ugh just woke up

really felt like that game was a dream…could barely sleep…this MRI news cant come quicker

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Oct 29, 2008 7:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I am troubled, stunned, and on cranial vacation right now.

Rudyculize: The act of Rudy making others look slow, dim and generally oafish.

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Oct 29, 2008 8:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

At least we got to see Oden's block on Bynum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsCiTq4RnY0

Oh wait, no, I don’t think I did get to see that. Did that happen before TNT switched over? Screw you, TNT.

by shralpster on Oct 29, 2008 8:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow., that happened before TNT Switchd over

just seeing him fresh , he looks quick nimble and can jump. By the time TNT Switched over he had hurt his foot and looked terrible.

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Oct 29, 2008 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

what a disappointment.
my take:
- too many of us (including the Blazers) believed the press reports
- this team is really young, younger than we thought
- Rudy was/is fearless
- the lineup/rotation is in flux, but will be worked out
- great wake-up call, nothing will be given to the Blazers

on the friday

by rburg on Oct 29, 2008 8:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Also

The lakers are really darn good and know what they’re doing.

We haven't done anything yet... but don't blink.

by ratbastird on Oct 29, 2008 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blazers caught in the headlights

What we saw last night was playoff basketball from the Lakers and seeing as how there’s virtually zero playoff experience on the Blazers it’s not surprising that they lost their heads. Additionally the Lakers moved the Blazer’s key players out of the spots from which they’re used to shooting and anytime you do that the percentage drops. Combine the player’s nerves and the Lakers pressure and you get what we saw – the whole offense siezing up like a deer caught in the headlights. This snowballs into easy points for the oposing team and then you get a blowout.

This was not a bad experience for the team. Thankfully they’ve got the talent to learn and improve from it. Remember this game when the team plays it’s first playoff game later this year and don’t be surprised if we see a similar result.

They’re still learning to walk but they’ll be up and running soon enough.

Spanish Main: The point of departure for enormous wealth in the form of gold, silver, gems, spices, hardwoods, hides, alley-oops, assists and three pointers.

by LaughingJon on Oct 29, 2008 9:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My take

This was a poor example of basketball, period…you can sugar coat it all you want, look for every bright point, but you still come up with only one conclusion, albeit generalized…The Lakers are a superior team (to the Blazers)man for man all the way down to the coaching staff…..
1. The Lakers had a game plan….and most important, one that worked(they have the players)
2. they put defense into the equation and it took effect on a team that couldn’t handle it
3. they took advantage of a slow and poor transition team
4 We could not execute our game plan, because the Lakers knew what it was …..(and when it changed (when Prys and Rudy came in) we scored and looked better)
5. We dribble way too much and get into the offense too late (and we have no second option because our offense is stagnant [nobody moving]) except Rudy
6. we did not stop the ball on defense and did not “overplay” to help the team defense
7. Jump shot, jump shot, jump shot…this is what the Lakers gave us and this is what we took ……you live by the jump shot, you die by the jump shot

there are so many other points, but the Lakers were prepared and we were not… so instead of losing by 6 points we were blown out…there are no lessons here….we have a long ways to go and we are young….but this is not the only reason we have a long ways to go……were we beaten by a far superior team…yes, perhaps the best in the NBA….how many years will it be, before we get to this level?….well a lot can happen between now and then, so getting to that level will be more than just a dream

I am sorry for the negative comments…I do think very highly of our team…but I don’t like our execution and the lack of fundamentals (installing them daily into our game)…I also do not see the hustle plays and aggressiveness needed as a compliment to our play…these are the things that bother me….the time is now, to GET-ER-DONE

by 67 on Oct 29, 2008 9:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you almost 100%

I would say that the blazers missed some wide open shots at the beginning that could have built confidence and kept us in it. then again, I would also say the lakers eased up on defense towards the end. We played the better team, and we played a team playing the game like we should be playing down the road.

We haven't done anything yet... but don't blink.

by ratbastird on Oct 29, 2008 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

KP's own words, "This is a jump shooting team" Has anything changed?

Oden – eventually should add inside scoring, work in progress
Rudy – should be able to make a huge impact, but looks like off the bench for now
Bayless – too raw right now
Batum – how do you say raw in French?

So right now, too easy to defend this team. Squeeze Roy and LA and everybody else will just fire up jumpers. Nobody has the chops to drive the lane and finish. This is a team with some major holes that really haven’t been addressed. Specifically point guard and SF

by ralphzillo on Oct 29, 2008 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My Take

This loss really falls on Nate and Roy. My biggest frustration with this team is the lack of any movement on offense. We have a team full of unselfish players who look to pass but Nate refuses to have any cutting to utilize this asset. The whole offense probably took one practice to implement. Start by looking to dump the ball to either Oden or Alrdridge then either jack up a contested shot or if you get doubled kick the ball out to the closest wing and start the ball moving on the outside hoping to beat the rotations for an open 3. When a team doesn’t have to double the bigs the only other way to get an advantage is with penetration from our guards or to beat them by hitting our contested jumpers. Either way we are still a jump shooting team. We will win or lose based on if we are hitting our jump shots.

In the first 3 quarters Roy looked like a rookie. He looked to have the worst of the first game jitters. I don’t think I have ever seen him look so shaky with the ball. He was not able to hit his shots and even when he was able to penetrate he wasn’t real aggressive to the hoop. I noticed a number of times where he had an advantage but wouldn’t take the shot or go to the rim. The good news is it looked like he settled down somewhat in the fourth. Although, even then he was not being aggressive in getting to the basket. He just started hitting his shots. I wonder if the change in the starting lineup added to the jitters. Nate changing the lineup at the last minute showed that Nate was nervous about the game and could have added to the other players jitters.

Brett Pill - Lord of the double.

by malarky on Oct 29, 2008 9:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No doubt they were nervous

and it effected their play…but the Lakers defense choked them from the start, and they had no recovery plan….You are right about the jump shot…it always leads to passive play and if you do not have other options, it is easily defended….this team needs more than the jump shot
   You are right about Roy….he is a calm player ….maybe too calm for his teams own good…..this passive play is not good for the team…..I saw several times that Roy (and others) stop entirely after a play and do nothing…..cut back out,slash to the hoop, position for a rebound, etc……no flow and a complete shutdown. if you will….this team desperately needs some hustle and aggressiveness…very lackluster team…except for Rudy and Batum
   and poor Oden…..lumbering is a kind word for almost total awkwardness (Big men need to be in good physical condition to help them with this) …Oden’s physical condition is poor by NBA standards and the problem is two fold….he needs to play to help his conditioning and he can’t play because he is hurt all the time ……….and being in poor physical condition will add to more injuries and less playing time….a never ending scenario….
     One other question….Nate chose to rest the so-called big 3 in the last preseason game….Did Jackson rest his stars….nope…… and guess what, the Blazer players need to play some ball….every day….especially as a team….it is their offense that needs development and you develop very little sitting on the sidelines

by 67 on Oct 29, 2008 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Correct.

Nate chose to rest the so-called big 3 in the last preseason game….Did Jackson rest his stars….nope…… and guess what, the Blazer players need to play some ball….every day….especially as a team….it is their offense that needs development and you develop very little sitting on the sidelines

And where were the quick timeouts to regroup last night? The game got out of hand very quickly…………… and………… Nate…….. sat.

"It's not a joke -- it's not a game." — B-Rex

by timbo on Oct 29, 2008 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the pressure will be on Nate

The team has been assembled and now it’s the coaches turn….Although I think he is a good coach, I still see some strange patterns in his approach to game situations and team prep….I guess you may call it the arm chair view (second guessing)….I would not comment, though, from just a fan’s perspective

by 67 on Oct 29, 2008 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love the Oden doubters.

As long as the foot injury isn’t serious (and I don’t think it is, because he played many minutes on it), Oden will have some huge games before December. When he does, I am going to say, “I told you so” and feel great about it.

I think I’ll start keeping a file of quotes from the Oden haters. It will really make for a great post.

by PoliSam on Oct 29, 2008 9:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

lets just hope for an update soon

then go from there =)

I really do hope hes ok, it seems likeits getting downplayed….nate called it a tweak, x-rays were negative, oden said “ill be back in the gym tomorrow” and it was just “tender”. So lets just hope its nothing serious,l and perhaps he misses Fri/Saturday games, and is back next week.

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Oct 29, 2008 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I smell HIGH MAINTENANCE.

"It's not a joke -- it's not a game." — B-Rex

by timbo on Oct 29, 2008 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quote me, Sam.

"It's not a joke -- it's not a game." — B-Rex

by timbo on Oct 29, 2008 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Expectations were too high

putting a ton of pressure on the entire team and which now has many fans in a negative mood. We will easily recover from the total mental unpreparedness displayed in this opening night showing.

Some other thoughts -

- Don’t worry about BRoy. Once he settled down he looked like the smooth, in control shifty guy we’ve grown to love. He is a big time player.

- It’s unfortunate that our two best players play the same position

- Aldridge is a lot better than he looked last night

- Surprise, surprise. Only 4 or 5 minutes for Sergio. Will Nate ever give him a chance? Answer, probably not.

- Here is the hugely depressing part: I’m afraid that Greg will end up making Sam Bowie look like look like Lou Gehrig. He is as fragile as glass. Broken wrist, broken knee. So far this season – which has barely gotten underway – two rolled ankles along with a foot sprain (break? ….that X-Ray “inconclusive report” bothers me a lot).

- I think we can appreciably improve on last season’s record even without Oden and that’s what we should be gearing up to do.

by TwoDeep on Oct 29, 2008 10:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

x-rays negative?

http://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/index.ssf/2008/10/greg_oden_injures_foot_xrays_n.html

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Oct 29, 2008 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

with you…expectations are high and not realistic…it’s tough to have patience ….and most fans want to see something a lot better than what they saw last night….they will see better…However, I hope that patience doesn’t become the scapegoat….You have to put a competitive product on the floor ( or at least an entertaining one) Since they feel they have a good nucleus of players to get to the next level, the pressure is now on the coaches to mold this into a team……
any realistic person knows this is a work in progress team……So now all we are looking for is hard work and progress….
The skepticism from me comes from seeing the overall game play…Lack of fundamentals, hustle and aggressiveness, and a one dimensional, offensive approach…Also this team lacks quickness and is very slow and methodical (non-reactive)….if they lost by 15 and I was watching exciting play, I would have shelved my negative comments until after the first 25 games

by 67 on Oct 29, 2008 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the inevitable Nate hates Sergio line

no reason to play your #2 PG in garbage time when you have a rookie PG who needs floor time. And let’s face it, this game was in garbage time by the second half.

by abdelnaby on Oct 29, 2008 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If that was by design then I agree

but I am pretty sure the game had no design at all……except maybe, we will lose, but that’s OK were young and still learning how to win…..and the Lakers are the best team and they are playing on their home court….So lets work on jump shooting our way out of embarrassment….exactly what the Lakers were hoping for….

by 67 on Oct 29, 2008 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don´t know. Nate played Batum few minutes and he needs floor time too.

I don´t like to go too much into Nate´s mind.

Sergio + Rudy = 16
Sergio + Bayless = 16
Batum 8+8=16

by amlmart1 on Oct 30, 2008 3:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That makes you a rare bird on Blazers Edge, my friend!

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 30, 2008 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If accurate, that

report makes me feel a lot better.

by TwoDeep on Oct 29, 2008 10:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah, me too

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Oct 29, 2008 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was good to see them in a real game

Eh, howzit, brah. You get any da kine?

by tominhawaii on Oct 29, 2008 10:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Frye is a power forward. He's used up his ANNUAL quota of 3 point shot attempts...

…………………………………….. I bet he’s gonna give us a 25 year supply though.

"It's not a joke -- it's not a game." — B-Rex

by timbo on Oct 29, 2008 10:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

he was a loose cannon

something like 0-7, 0-3 from 3

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Oct 29, 2008 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just a note:

We actually outrebounded the Lakers. The Lakers just had more rebounds since we missed so many more shots. Rebound rate is the best way to measure rebounding rather than rebound differential.

by poster on Oct 29, 2008 10:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Gimme some more Bayless and hold the Frye's

2-4 the who

by 24thewho on Oct 29, 2008 10:44 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

ugh

Quick update from the Blazers: Oden is having his MRI today at noon and we’ll find out the severity of the sprain mid afternoon. Stay tuned.

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Oct 29, 2008 10:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

little different.

Quick update from the Blazers: Oden is having his MRI today at noon and we’ll find out the severity of the sprain mid afternoon. Stay tuned. The Blazers are holding practice today so I’ll be out there to get reaction/news from the team.

Rip City Baby...People have no idea what is coming.

Follow my twitter www.twitter.com/PDXBlazersFTW, @PDXBlazersFTW. Lots of random Blazer Posts from links I find around the blogosphere.

by lanepete on Oct 29, 2008 10:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I actually dreaded visiting Blazers Edge today

because I knew there would be a ton of crying and moaning. Dave did his best to defuse it in this post but to little avail. Like it or not folks, this is the team we’ll have this year, so you might as well enjoy watching them. I was just happy to actually be able to see a Blazer game, in high-def no less.

The only thing that really bothered me about the game was the obvious jitters that prevented even Brandon from making easy shots. He even blew a layup. Shots from almost everyone on the team were falling short — a sure sign of a lack of confidence.

It was great to see our guys on such a big stage. They’ll do better next time.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 29, 2008 11:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

well there wasn't much to be all gushy about

So you should expect the inevitable…embracing the team is Ok and most of us in here (negative or positive) still enjoy the Blazers as their team…Accepting poor play is a lot different than accepting a bad game or two….Many see the same problems that plagued the team last year and recognize that if things don’t change, we will be in for a long season…..Yup. it’s early and speculation is premature…there will be better play by the Blazers…after this first game they left themselves a lot of room for improvement….no argument this was a tough challenge, out of the blocks, for a young team (buried in hype)…

by 67 on Oct 29, 2008 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The moment was too BIG for them

I think all that talk the Blazers were doing can’t replace actual big game experience. It didn’t help when the coach is making last minute decisions and your big new rookie goes down with an injury. The team looked really frazzled and out of sorts which is surprising to me since most of the guys on the court were from last year. Rudy might be new, but his experience showed last night and tells you that no matter how much someone talks, they have to walk the walk. Rudy plays like a veteran, but I’m mostly disappointed by the performances of LMA and Roy. They don’t have much of an excuse, they looked like the rookies.

BINGO, BANGO, BONGO

by blzrfan on Oct 29, 2008 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

They looked emotionally exhausted.

They’ll do better next time. Whatever doesn’t kill me etc.

"Personally, I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day." --Dave on rooting for the Lakers or Celtics

by MiledAnimal on Oct 29, 2008 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone remember Roy's start of the season last year?

Couldn’t hit a layup, saw the same thing last night…. but thats okay, because after he gets back in the flow (and it should happen faster now that it is his 3rd year) he’ll be fine, and so will the Blazers.

"Hightide was the only "Yes" vote" - parkinglotj

Joel Freeland=Stud

by hightide on Oct 29, 2008 11:38 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

that was one of the hardest things to watch

but it’s gonna be fine. there is no way we play that bad the rest of the way out. shots weren’t falling at all and the team had the jitters for sure. you have to give credit to some seriously inspired laker D. they were pumped and came out like a team that almost won the finals last year. i’m more concerned about oden, not because i think the injury is too serious but i just can’t stand to push back his timetable any further. but all in all we just need to move forward.

by avalonzero on Oct 29, 2008 11:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

also it was probably good

we got knocked down for our dream cloud just a little bit and realize we haven’t won any rings yet.

by avalonzero on Oct 29, 2008 11:48 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Positives

Sergio’s effort in his little time was great. His defense on the opposing PG was good.

Roy is knocking down the 3

Travis looks like mid-season form.

Batum got a little garbage time confidence

Bayless got his first action

Sergio, grab the playing time by the horns.

by TheGreatDane17 on Oct 29, 2008 11:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I just finished watching the game right now...

… thank god I didn’t stayed up this night.
Neither Roy nor Bayless should play PG, we cannot have Roy making plays for other players who can’t score like him and Bayless is not ready to conduct the game. All PG minutes should go to Blake and Sergio.
Roy And Rudy can play together as 2-3, no matter if we are low, we will have a much better offense, Bayless can be the backup SG when Roy or Rudy needs some breathing minutes, but we need both in court as much time as possible.
And of course, we need a scoring center, Oden has to develop his shoot, cause he is not going to dunk every play, and Joel is more a rebounder than a scorer.

by ABSF on Oct 29, 2008 12:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Men Against Boys

How embarassing. The Lakers are a tremendously good team: well-balanced, poised, fast, tough, and just too much for the weird gang that played against them last night. Aldridge, however, brought his usual maturity and effort. We’re lucky to have him on the team.

If you say "basically" at the beginning of a sentence, you probably also put ketchup on everything you eat.

by CosmoPlavix on Oct 29, 2008 1:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs