Pre-Season Game 1 Recap: Trail Blazers 110, Kings 81

by Dave on Oct 7, 2008 11:05 PM PDT Comment 119 comments

The Blazers gave us a great glimpse tonight at what life is going to be like for the next decade or so. If this game didn’t get your engine revved as a Blazer fan you probably need to replace the spark plugs. They didn’t just win it, they won it with style, displaying a basketball joy that’s been missing around these parts since the early 90’s. The crowd was really into it too. Major props to Portland for filling up the arena for a pre-season game and getting that crazy. The love affair is back.

Boxscore

Team Observations

You can’t draw many long-lasting inferences from Game 1 of the Pre-Season, especially since the Kings were without two of their starters and three of their top ten players overall. If you’re going to make any big jumps here, the one that might apply is that our second unit is probably going to be a little better than your second unit…and by “probably going to be a little better than” I mean “is going to crush like a dump truck running over an empty beer can”. Seriously, potentially bringing Travis Outlaw, Rudy Fernandez, and Jerryd Bayless off of the bench to score on people makes my stomach twist up in that “so much excitement I’m gonna throw up” way.

From a team standpoint I was impressed how, after getting off to a muddled start defensively and with rebounding, we pulled our act together and shut Sacramento down. 47 rebounds to 39 and 10 blocks to 3 makes winning much easier. Again, though, this is the Kings and not even the best of the Kings. They’re not exactly intimidators, especially inside. Nevertheless they had us going in the first half. Our renewed concentration and effort turned the tide. Shutting them down in transition was also important, an area which improved as the game progressed as well. On the offensive end you like how the team took smart shots and hit a high percentage of them, especially from distance. Three-point shooting will be the straw that breaks opponents’ backs this year after our frontline hits them in the solar plexus with a sledgehammer. We hit open shots, which is all you need to do out there. The ball movement and cutting on offense were highlights of the evening as well. 32 assists on 39 made shots is incredible. It’ll be harder in real games and against defensive-minded teams, but the general theory is in place and that’s half the battle.

Individual Observations

--I assume that the minute he stepped on the court everybody saw the difference between Greg Oden and not just everybody else in the game, but pretty much everybody else on the planet. I mean, “RAAAAAWWWR! GREG SMASH NOW!” What? Huh? Say, you’re pretty hu… “YOU MOVE NOW! GREG DUNK BIG!” Oh sorry…I was standing in your way there. My mistake. (I don’t mean to convey any limited conversational skills on Greg’s part…there just aren’t polite words and whole sentences for what he does out there. It’s primal.) His offense obviously needs some work, but then again what’s wrong with a back-down dribble, a spin, or an offensive rebound and then a monster slam? Sounds good to me. The Sacramento commentators hit it on the head when they said even with Greg’s limited repertoire so far you’ll pretty much have to double team him just to keep him from taking whatever he wants. That’s going to be a huge key to Portland’s offense (and a good reason for those distance shooters to hit). You see already how he can catch the ball softly and pass. Start drooling. Once he gets a little jump hook going you can say bye-bye to your defensive plans. In the meantime he needs to take a page out of Shaq’s book and simply run down the court and take position about three feet from the hoop on offense. No fancy moves necessary. Catch, pivot, slam, hear the crowd roar (or complain, depending on the venue).

Not all was rosy in Oden-land however. As you no doubt saw he is still pretty heavy. He can still retain strength while losing some of that weight. He’s nowhere near as quick or explosive as he was a year ago. Part of that will come with the knee recovery, of course, but he does need to drop the poundage. For one thing it will save some wear and tear on his knees. For another, his calling card has not just been size, but size with cat-like movement. He needs to get up and down the court, to move better through the lane, to recover better when the play goes around him. He had two blocks late but I would have liked to see a little more defensive intensity. Also it would make me happier if he considered every rebound his personal property and got affronted if anyone stole one from him.

--Hoo boy! Did you forget what a joy it is to watch Brandon Roy? There were plenty of reminders tonight. Scoring, passing, arrrrgh! My toes are curling as we speak. You know who Brandon is. Enough said.

--It was pretty obvious that the game plan was to feature Lamarcus Aldridge on offense early. He forced or rushed shots that he’s normally comfortable with but then he worked his way back into the game. Lamarcus will likely remain the top option on offense for the foreseeable future. That’s not a bad thing. You got some small glimpses of what he can do defensively when he’s free to roam. That’s even more exciting.

--I was definitely impressed with how Martell Webster came out. His defensive effort was superb compared to the old Martell. Good position, moving feet…he’s really putting in the work. Great to see.

--I thought Sergio had a good game, highlighted by those threes he was splashing down to end the half. His passing was spot-on, as usual. He looked more contained and comfortable too. He’ll need to work more on the defense to keep whatever minutes he’s earning, as the Kings were going straight at him with success in the first half. He tightened it up later in the game though.

--Rudy Fernandez was probably the feel-good star of the night. He gave us a sample of what he can do. Through-the-opponent’s-legs pass in Game 1. Nice. Two things impressed me the most. First, and earliest on, was the way he moved his feet but still kept contained on defense. He didn’t over-pursue or get out of position on his man. He didn’t reach and grab. He made the right decisions almost all the time. Again…Kings…not great litmus test…but still I was incredibly happy to see his defensive game adjust to the NBA style. Second, he inspired the Blazers to move without the ball. He did it first by making himself a target for Sergio’s passes. After that the other guys caught on and all of a sudden all of the guards--Rudy included--were whipping passes to cutters for easy scores. This team was plenty unselfish last season. Too often that unselfishness led to just more perimeter passes and jump shots. The key to scoring big for this team in the halfcourt, other than feeding Oden for dunks when possible, will be that ball and player movement.

--Jerryd Bayless did everything he needed to. He hit the open shot, passed, rebounded, drew a couple of fouls. We’ll overlook the turnovers in Game 1. He also played credible defense immediately.

--Joel…12 rebounds in 22 minutes. Yeehaw.

--Travis hit some nice shots and also got 7 boards. If he can become a regular rebounder it will help this team immensely.

--Ike Diogu bulled his way around for 10 points. It’s hard to tell what kind of impact he can have. He looks pretty big compared to when I’ve seen him in the past, which can be good or bad depending on the situation. He seems to have retained his quickness.

--Nicolas Batum got a sky-high dunk and looked plenty cute doing it. I believe in a post-game interview he told our own Ben Golliver that in homage to the great Darrell Dawkins who named all of his slams, he’s christening that dunk “Sophia”. (C=

Golden State tomorrow, but I don’t think that one’s on TV. [It is on TV...KGW. Still...] If you can, I’d suggest getting some tickets and checking this out yourself.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

3 recs | Comment 119 comments

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Comments

Ike needs more rebounding production

Period.

I am going to dog and dog and dog him.

He wants and needs it.

the Spanish contributors on this board are hellah cool

by G_dubs on Oct 7, 2008 11:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He's not going to get tons of minutes in which to do so

Channing is the first option off the bench for LMA, then Ike will have to fight for time against using the back-up PF spot to get Outlaw minutes.

But yes, if Outlaw can get 7 boards, Ike needs to too.

Claire Redfield dunk shot: missed
Claire Redfield Off Rebound (5 REB)
Claire Redfield jump hook shot: made (26 PTS)

by rmcdougall on Oct 8, 2008 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rec'd it.

“Rec’d what?”

“THAT one.”

"Mister Oden is a very, very big human being." - Jerryd Bayless

by QualityPie on Oct 7, 2008 11:11 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Ignore the Rudy stats....

Anyone that watched Rudy play tonight knows that Rudy>MJ, you are only now beginning to see it :)

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Oct 7, 2008 11:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Rudy’s stat line indeed did NOT reflect his contribution. Beautiful stuff out there. Just beautiful.

I don’t know if you caught it but at one point Rudy got by his defenders, rose into the air, started to lay the ball up with his right hand, saw the defender coming from that direction, switched it over to his left hand in midair, and then said, “Naw…I’ll pass it instead.” (C=

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 7, 2008 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about the ally oop that turned into the reverse layup??

I got visibly excited on that one

"I figured out how to get the canoe down the mountain, but I will need a snow blower and all your butter"-Michael Kelso

by 92wastheyear on Oct 7, 2008 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That play scared my wife.

Well, she wasn’t watching the game, and it wasn’t so much the play as my high decibel reaction to the play.

That was just craaazy!!!!

superfluous

by lukeyhere on Oct 8, 2008 7:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My upstairs neighbors certainly heard my reaction.

The wife was like: You might want to quiet down.
Yeah right.

The NBA needs new stat categories for Rudy, like: ACP (Amazing Circus Play) and JDP (Jaw-Dropping Pass).

PryzOden is REJECTOR

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Oct 8, 2008 7:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I may have wet myself once or twice from Rudy plays.

Fans of other teams that didn’t see the game will see the box score and think, eh he’s not that great. Just wait till he plays their team.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt this good after a PRESEASON game.

by Bskey on Oct 7, 2008 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

other fans won't know what hit them

best 6 points and 5 assists ever

"It was halfway through the fourth quarter of an exhibition game, a 30 point blowout, and I absolutely did not want it to end. Time: move slower so this moment stretches.

Dunk Parade.

Forever."

-Ben

"...our second unit is probably going to be a little better than your second unit…and by "probably going to be a little better than" I mean "is going to crush like a dump truck running over an empty beer can""

"YOU MOVE NOW! GREG DUNK BIG!"

-Dave

by Magnum on Oct 7, 2008 11:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

each one was a highlight. between the legs, behind the back, two oops, a nice jumper, a left handed, off the backboard finger roll, and a dunk off of a Sergio oop…

oh yeah, I forgot to mention good D.

nice.

Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'. -the shawshank redemption.

by pdxborn on Oct 7, 2008 11:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think I've had such a great time at ANY game

awesome performance by our Blazers tonight, many more to come that is for sure!!

by j-rog on Oct 8, 2008 3:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Rudy is greater than MJ ( Marty was visibly excited if ya know what I mean)

Each assist was exciting. Spontanious Ru-dy and O-den chants were the bomb. My new seats (1st season tix for me) were great and I was amazed!! Rex got a little dinged up at the end…

"I figured out how to get the canoe down the mountain, but I will need a snow blower and all your butter"-Michael Kelso

by 92wastheyear on Oct 7, 2008 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't see the game but I feel Rudy decded scoring was not necessary so he focused on assisting is team mates

Is my feeling right?

by cbp on Oct 8, 2008 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was shooting

Rudy’s 3-ball wasn’t falling last night, and he was trying to blow the lid off of the arena with a huge THREE, but it kept missing…

He was definitely having fun out there passing, and you’re right— we didn’t need more scoring, with the easy buckets he was getting people.

Here’s a 8 minute highlight reel of the game and it has all of Rudy’s nice passes (his 5 assists were ALL highlight worthy).

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

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Oct 8, 2008 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

At the 1:38 mark . . .

. . . the play is a fast break bingo-bango-bongo of Oden with the defensive rebound,
outlet to Roy at midcourt, ahead to MarWeb in the lane for the easy dunk.

But what just gets me is the rebound to begin with.
Hawes drives to the hoop, and the Blazers D collapses deep in the lane, Greg and LMA posted up deepest.
One of those two (can’t tell WHO; I think it’s LaMardridge) smacks the ball as Hawes rises toward the hoop,
and the deflection bounces way out, with the defense collapsed way IN, especially Oden & LMA.

And then as the ball bounces high and away, Oden (in great position for a rebound in the lane, close to the hoop)
just kinda drifts through the bodies (Kings AND Blazers) in three long, easy strides,
staying right under the ball as it comes out to guard-rebound territory,
and it’s his, and was his the whole time.

Granted, Roy was under it and would’ve gotten it if Greg didn’t get there,
but once Roy realized Greg WAS there, he moved downcourt to receive the outlet pass.
Once Roy gets used to this, he’ll be halfway down the floor IMMEDIATELY;
this is the Blazer fastbreak potential we’ve been talking about them not having, and Greg gives it to them.
Guys like Roy and MarWeb and Trout and LMA have been playing missed shots for the rebound,
which is great, but they’ll start to get a sense of when Greg’s got it, and go long and fast for the Portland hoop.

Watch it again.
He’s THE man if the ball comes down anywhere near the hoop,
but it suddenly ricochets randomly out to what I think announcers are talking about
when they mention “the elbow” (corner of the lane, end of the free throw line).
And he just . . . MOVES. Tracks the ball from directly under it like it has a homing device on it,
like Anton Chigur staying with the signal of the briefcase of money.
It’s like it’s high noon and Greg is the ball’s shadow – he moves that easily, that undeniably, that casually.
And it comes down with him under it, which is where he was the whole time,
no matter WHERE “under it” was as “under it” slid from near the hoop to near the perimeter.

He didn’t just stay with the “under it” spot, he WAS that spot – he defines it.
The congestion of bodies from the Hawes-to-the-hoop action didn’t affect that at all.
He moved like a ghost and a shadow.

"Mister Oden is a very, very big human being." - Jerryd Bayless

by QualityPie on Oct 8, 2008 5:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey

If any body want to see pictures of today game, you can look on oregonlive.com. Oden looks like his muscles are made out of rocks. He looks strong.

by RipCity on Oct 7, 2008 11:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Here's one.

Even Brandon Roy gotta say, “That ain’t right.”

"Mister Oden is a very, very big human being." - Jerryd Bayless

by QualityPie on Oct 7, 2008 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like this one

Oden blocking Hawes

by Gargen on Oct 7, 2008 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oden's waist = Hawes' ribs.

Oden’s armpit = Hawes’ scalp.

Oden’s scalp (almost)= Backboard.

Oden’s legs = Took a year off to bleed freaking MARROW as a healing compound.

What’s this dude gonna be like when healthy?!?

"Mister Oden is a very, very big human being." - Jerryd Bayless

by QualityPie on Oct 7, 2008 11:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is just sick!

"It was halfway through the fourth quarter of an exhibition game, a 30 point blowout, and I absolutely did not want it to end. Time: move slower so this moment stretches.

Dunk Parade.

Forever."

-Ben

"YOU MOVE NOW! GREG DUNK BIG!"

-Dave

by Magnum on Oct 8, 2008 12:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I heard the slap of the ball on the other side of the court

GO blocked him so hard on that, that I was sitting behind the backboard of the other basket and could hear the slap of his hand on the ball. Sounded like someone getting hit by a dodgeball.

by tmac16550 on Oct 8, 2008 1:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sacre Bleu!

I’m a little amazed the Oregonian misspelled Sacramento.

by Corvid on Oct 8, 2008 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey Sohpia!!

I <3 Rudy

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Oct 7, 2008 11:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

oops

First its Sophia(sorry)

Second, I meant to respond in a fanshot, but it ended up here. My bad…

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Oct 7, 2008 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I <3 Rudy 2

the Spanish contributors on this board are hellah cool

by G_dubs on Oct 7, 2008 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No Broadband, No TV, No Radio

I’ll stick with the locals.

GO CHEESEMAKERS!

I’m out.

Elizabeth had a partner and he had a rap from the cops, Him and Lenny Suckerpunch were just out Tooling around

by Lizzy Lowblow on Oct 7, 2008 11:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That was amazing!!

I have zero regret in splurging for those season tickets!!
It was crazy entertaining tonight in the Garden!!! Rudy sent chillz down my spine! Batum’s monster dunk was awesome! Oden showed us a glimpse of his dominance. Rudy is the best thing that could have happened to Sergio.. and whoa, Sergio can shoot!! Bayless proved he can play the point!! Roy was Roy (our insurance policy)!!

It was great!! I loved it!! I can’t wait for the season to start!! … and my seats are in the boom stick end of the arena, so I am going to get a nice collection of boom sticks this season, and that will make my 4-year-old very happy :-)

I LOVE MY BLAZERS!!!

the wisdom of peasants is demonstrated in their ability to pretend that they are fools.

by sagebru5h on Oct 7, 2008 11:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Game is on TV

008 KGW
Wed, Oct 8, 7:00p – 9:30p

"Thanks for coming to the game." - Kevin Pritchard

by DarthBlazer on Oct 7, 2008 11:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Games like this are bad for my sleep quantity

by Gargen on Oct 7, 2008 11:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Golden State will be on KGW

Second to last paragraph. Plus the schedule shows it’s on t.v. as well.

FYI, Dave.

Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'. -the shawshank redemption.

by pdxborn on Oct 7, 2008 11:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My bad

I’ll fix it.

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 7, 2008 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

thx

Sorry, I thought I had the link in there, but it’s not working for me. My mistake.

Btw. That was the loudest most enthusiastic crowd I have ever seen for a pre-season game.

Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'. -the shawshank redemption.

by pdxborn on Oct 7, 2008 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

32 assists on 39 shots

if I had to pick one stat to summarize the game that would be it.

"It was halfway through the fourth quarter of an exhibition game, a 30 point blowout, and I absolutely did not want it to end. Time: move slower so this moment stretches.

Dunk Parade.

Forever."

-Ben

"YOU MOVE NOW! GREG DUNK BIG!"

-Dave

by Magnum on Oct 7, 2008 11:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow. WOW.

And I thought the shooting percentages (FG’s: 50.6% to 28.9%) were adequate summary.

But . . . 32 assist on 39 baskets.

"Mister Oden is a very, very big human being." - Jerryd Bayless

by QualityPie on Oct 7, 2008 11:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Highlights

So for those of us who couldn’t see the game, where and when can we find some highlights. Y’all are driving me crazy with these giddy descriptions and I want to see it for myself. The game, to quote Channing Frye, sounds like it was a “buffet of goodness.”

Idiot's Collective: The Return of Rip City

by iCollective on Oct 7, 2008 11:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

See the fanshots for a link to the ESPN highlights

by Gargen on Oct 7, 2008 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

thx 4 that

Get busy livin', or get busy dyin'. -the shawshank redemption.

by pdxborn on Oct 7, 2008 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

more highlights

KATU:
http://www.katu.com/sports/30608489.html?video=YHI&t=a

"Thanks for coming to the game." - Kevin Pritchard

by DarthBlazer on Oct 8, 2008 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Excellent. As good as Brandon Roy is (up there among my favorite all-time Blazers), I daresay he might not make as many highlight reels this year, not on a team that includes Oden, Rudy, and a Martell that dunks like that.

by iCollective on Oct 8, 2008 12:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Longer Highlights

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

"Thanks for coming to the game." - Kevin Pritchard

by DarthBlazer on Oct 8, 2008 3:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Darth-B

I was stuck at work behind the firewall needing a browser plug-in to view the Justin TV…I saw the ESPN highlights, but wow. Greg and Rudy and Martell and Sergio all looked great. Rudy is a human highlight film. The Espanola Pistola…??? “Hispanola” (which I’ve seen today) is not correct geographically. That is an island in the Americas (Haiti and The Dominican Republic). I do like the Spanish Armada for the tandem of Surge and Rudy.

the Spanish contributors on this board are hellah cool

by G_dubs on Oct 8, 2008 4:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for this link.

It brings tears of joy to my eyes. The kids are growing up. Aside from the stellar play the obvious observation is that this young team is going to have a GREAT home court advantage this year and draw a huge reserve of energy and fortitude from the crowd.

Imagine what the RG will be like when the games count.

Free Joel Freeland! (with the purchase of 1 Wafer)

by LaughingJon on Oct 8, 2008 7:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great game!

Can’t wait til the 1st regular season home game. Luckily I will be there.

by j-blaze on Oct 8, 2008 12:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wow! wow! wow!

Settled right back into my half season tix with my brother, beer in hand, excitement in the air, old game friends saying hi again for the first time this season. You could feel the anticipation. When Greg’s name was announced as starter, I almost couldn’t believe it. I’d been waiting almost a year and a half for this moment. I got goosebumps. Opening tip-off…Greg easily won. First posession in the low post…Greg backs down his man and fiercely rams it down his throat for 2 points. Yes, it’s only pre-season. Yes, it was only the undermanned kings. Yes, it’s too early to get too excited. But here was Greg, still overweight, hadn’t played in an organized game in well over a year, coming off knee surgery, playing for the first time against opposing teams nba players not in practice…and still he greatly impacted the game. This kid is going to be special….Oh yeah Rudy was pretty good too. Those dimes he had were alright. I LOVE THIS TEAM!!!!!!!!

by oden is GOD OF WAR on Oct 8, 2008 12:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

does the

Gameday thread break a record for most preseason comments? 1342 last I checked? Or are there no records for this sort of thing?

by usdblazerfan on Oct 8, 2008 12:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Some of my favorites plays of the night & positive player observations

Greg Oden: Caught the ball in the half court set completely defended by Hawes. Pivoted toward the basket with said “defender” still in position. Oden jumps and stuffs it in said “defender’s” face who is then called for the and one.

Sergio Rodriguez: Three 3 pointers in a row to tie and take the lead for good. All three pointers went above 12’6" in the air.

Brandon Roy: Scored in four different ways without even trying. Lay-in off a crossover drive, lay in off a post up, pull up jumper & spot up jumper.

Lamarcus: Couldn’t hit squat with his jumper so he adjusted on cuts to the basket and started slamming the ball with authority.

Martell: Nearly hit his head on the rim on a backdoor cut & one hand slam behind his head for extra style points. He was really cocking the ball back on his slams tonight.

Pryzbilla: In position for every rebound opportunity every single time.

Rudy: Gave the head nod to sergio and just took off at a full sprint backdoor cut on that first alley-oop flush. Watching him pass… all I could say is Beautiful Basketball. (I am realizing I am probably a giant donkey for doubting his game)

Batum: Friggin cleared for take off. Holy Moly that two handed stuff was just not right. I think he was well outside the key on baseline when he jumped.

Bayless: He drilled his first three pointer and needs to work on his free throws because that dude is going to get to the line a lot with his ability to get into the lane.

Outlaw: One handed rebound dunk putback showed great confidence. Looks stronger than ever. His crossover pulled also looks really clean.

Diogu: The kings were just beggin for mercy and was involved in about 5 straight offensive plays with drives, post and cuts resulting in a couple of really strong dunks.

Unofficial dunk count: Oden 4, Aldridge 3, Martell 4, Pryzbilla 1.5, Rudy 1, Travis 1, Diogu 2 & Batum 1.

I doubt that I’ll ever enjoy a preseason game that much again. My wife had so much fun that she suggested we get season ticks. Dang. Good. Night.

by tweener on Oct 8, 2008 1:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

jump on that ticket idea.

my other half alway’s shoots me down. :(

"You just WATCHED history No need to study it! You LIVED it."
Mortimer

by faith on Oct 8, 2008 1:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rudy, How could you doubt him after the Olympics.

Who thinks that he will be better than Manu in the long run? I do. Who thinks the blazers need another piece to be a championship team? I think they just need time, we are pretty stacked at every position and our guard play is is versatile (roy, rudy, blake) enough that we dont need to find a big-time PG, especially with bayless/sergio developing.

Think about Miami winning a championship, who was their PG, Jason Williams? I know D-wayde probably handled the rock more in those playoff games so I figure we have at least equal talent handling the ball for our team and it may get better by the time playoffs come. Last year Rajon Rondo was the champion PG, of course look at the vets he had around him, but I think that in two years assuming all players healthy, ROY+LA+ODEN is >/= KG+Pierce+allen in 08 and Rudy+Roy could do just as well as Rajon.

by tevisthe4th on Oct 8, 2008 3:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not doubting Rudy now, but I went on record here a year ago

that I thought Rudy was too skinny and too streaky of a shooter. I think I’m still right about those issues, but I absolutely underated the rest of his game. Had no idea about his passing, bbiq & etc.

by tweener on Oct 8, 2008 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ya know

He shot 50% from the field, over 40% from 3, and 90%+ from the line, right?

He seems pretty consistently a great shooter— but like every shooter, there are some days better than others, but I’d reserve “streaky” status to the Juan Dixons of the world, who either go 7 for 9 or 2 for 11, and never inbetween.

If he is a small forward, he is too skinny; actually, not too skinny, just probably too weak. He’ll never get BIG but we can make him stronger. If he is a guard, he can handle most SGs in the league easily enough, and the same with PGs… and then we work as a team to handle the ultra quick ones any PG woud have a hard time keeping up with (even Bayless).

His passing in his highlight reels always got my juices bubblin’. I imagined him doing those lobs to Oden and LMA, instead of Nameless-Black-American-Who-Isn’t-Good-Enough-for-the-NBA that he was playing with in Spain.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Oct 8, 2008 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He is often a little unbalanced with his jumper though, especially off the dribble

Something else he has in common with a young K-Mart. Well, we will have to wait a little to see the two in the same game.

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

by Norsktroll on Oct 8, 2008 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your FACE is often a little unbalanced with his jumper though, especially off the dribble

Yeah, since he likes to do the quick hitting pull up “he-shouldn’t-shoot-that-but-it-went-in” 3’s, he’ll drift on those, but it makes it look cooler.

Maybe he IS a streak shooter, but I think there is a difference between being streaky (which usually suggests 1 good game out of 5 or so) and just having the random bad night, in between lots of solid-to-great shooting nights. I’ve seen him not have a great night shooting before, but it’s much more rare than a good night.

There’s no such thing as a 3 point shooter who shoots 40% every single game. They don’t exist. He seems like a dude who has more good than bad, and does a lot more on the court as well.

I guess calling someone “streaky” is more of a slur to me, so maybe I am taking it to mean something stronger than intended.

I’d consider Martell in previous years to be streaky— either all the way ON or all the way OFF.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Oct 8, 2008 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He does this leg scissor kick on his jumpers . . .

. . . that kinda looks like being off balance, but what it does is create space.
That kick puts his body kinda slanted for the shot, which LOOKS wrong,
but the upshot is, the defender can’t get anywhere near his face, much less his release.

That’s just his natural BALANCED shooting stroke.
Nothing off-balance about it at all; it just puts his body at an angle
similar to what an off-balanced shot looks like from most players.

"Mister Oden is a very, very big human being." - Jerryd Bayless

by QualityPie on Oct 8, 2008 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Greg didn't foul out!

But probably would have if given more minutes.

"Thanks for coming to the game." - Kevin Pritchard

by DarthBlazer on Oct 8, 2008 1:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

2 of the calls were pretty bogus from where I was.

Greg’s fouls given versus fouls forced numbers were great except for those last 2.

by Bskey on Oct 8, 2008 2:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He drew way more than he committed.

I don’t know where I saw it, but some post-game write-up put his fouls-drawn at 9, if I recall correctly.

Fouls-drawn-to-fouls-committed ratio, to me, is more important than total fouls committed.
Snaq and Coby in their prime have been good examples of that: Foul often, DRAW fouls even more often.

"Mister Oden is a very, very big human being." - Jerryd Bayless

by QualityPie on Oct 8, 2008 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

great recap.

can’t wait for tomorrow.

"You just WATCHED history No need to study it! You LIVED it."
Mortimer

by faith on Oct 8, 2008 1:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the recap

Now we know Greg can dominate inferior front courts. And that Rudy can get three spectacular highlights on ESPN with just 6 points :-))

And that almost everybody on the team can pass. Over 30 assists in a pre-season game, are you kidding? Nate should really consider moving Bayless alongside Roy asap and Blake/Sergio into the second unit alongside Rudy so at all times there are two guards on the floor who can seriously pass to keep the flow going.

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

by Norsktroll on Oct 8, 2008 3:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Dave

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 8, 2008 3:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Too funny ... and fun:

This from Portland Mercury’s blog of the game:

“Clyde Drexler could trot in on a unicorn right now and he wouldn’t get any more cheers than Rudy just got.”

"They are all human. There's nobody I'm really scared of, or worried about playing against." -- Bayless

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Oct 8, 2008 6:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Lol

That’s great, and pretty telling of the atmosphere.

Claire Redfield dunk shot: missed
Claire Redfield Off Rebound (5 REB)
Claire Redfield jump hook shot: made (26 PTS)

by rmcdougall on Oct 8, 2008 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Upward

Any doubts as to who the ROY winner will be this year have been decisively settled. And then, on the 1st team, you can put Rudy. And, perhaps, even Bayless – but we’ll see. My take is pretty simple. The entire team is stepping up. You can sense it. The skill level has definitely risen. They have come to play ball, and everyone started months ago. And it shows. The enthusiasm and winning attitude of players like Rudy and Oden and yes Bayless, whose dedication to teamwork and winning is infectious, are taking everyone else up a notch. Suddenly, we have an inside game and an outside game and we have the shooters and passers to play it all. Players like Rudy are special, because his court awareness, passing, and ability to move without the ball, This team cannot only play offense, but they’re showing that they can be very tough defensively. Oden, Martel, Rudy, Bayless etc. can d up a lot of players already. I wonder right now how many people would want to trade anyone – for anyone else.

by Eben Calder on Oct 8, 2008 6:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

20 points, 17 rebounds, 3 blocks

from the center position. That’s going to be the norm from Greg and Joel. Book it.

"Greg Oden is the strongest guy in the NBA" - Channing Frye.

by TallTimber on Oct 8, 2008 6:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep.

I love it.

PryzOden is REJECTOR

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Oct 8, 2008 7:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Needs more boards

Greg will start demanding more rebounds. I think its’ a matter of smarts and experience for him.

Claire Redfield dunk shot: missed
Claire Redfield Off Rebound (5 REB)
Claire Redfield jump hook shot: made (26 PTS)

by rmcdougall on Oct 8, 2008 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't get to see the game up here ...

… so the boxscore was all I had to go on. Seeing in your recap that Rudy was something special is an added bonus.

Just from the box it looked as if Brandon was his usual self, Sergio played well, Martell played better and Joel was a monster. Not just 12 rebounds, but 3-3 shooting. A Sergio / Bayless / Fernandez / Travis / Frye / Pryzbilla 2nd unit might be better than a quarter of the league’s starting fives.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Oct 8, 2008 6:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, sure, if you're playing 6 on 5

by pualo on Oct 8, 2008 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My favorite (previously unmentioned) parts

points in the paint : 54
fast break points : 12 LINK

When was the last time the Blazers had numbers like that?

And there was someone at the end of Rudy’s passes. Remember how Sergio’s passes used to surprise his teammates? Not too many fumbles last night – and none were serious.

There was at least one new Blazer fan created last night. I took my 12 yr old g-daughter. She’d gone to games in previous years but was more interested in Blaze and the blimp than the games, but last night she paid attention through the entire game and said “I’m going to watch the game tomorrow night!” And for the first time she has a favorite player : Rudy. It was fun to be able to explain “that play is called an ‘alley oop’.”

At one point Sergio was the leading scorer and was getting lots of noise from the crowd. That was good to see. I think there are a lot of fans out there who want to see him do well.

Remember a couple of years ago when I didn’t know that “sick” was a good thing? Last night I found myself thinking (watching Rudy) “that was a sick pass”.

Maybe the pressure will be off Oden – I think there were lots of people who went to see Oden, but went away talking about Rudy.

My closing thought at leaving the game “is there room for all these guys?” and Channing wasn’t even out there. Great game guys!

It's time to retire Terry Porter's jersey. Please!

by jorga on Oct 8, 2008 8:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I still can't get over the 11 turnovers

Unacceptable!

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 8, 2008 8:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You wanted to dunk on me, kid? Think again!

Photo credit Allan Borrud, The Oregonian

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

by Norsktroll on Oct 8, 2008 8:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You could see that block coming a mile away.

Hawes paused before making his move as if taking a deep breath before his inevitable destruction. Oden just stood and waited…go ahead, make my day.

superfluous

by lukeyhere on Oct 8, 2008 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

as dave said..

primal. as quiet as greg is, he wants to rip your head off if you come in the lane. what was hawes thinking? and i can tell you, after that block, none of the kings went anywhere near the lane when greg was in. rip city baby..

by blazersunited on Oct 8, 2008 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dave you are such a truoble maker.

Got a call from my father this morning, wondering if I had anything I wanted to tell him. You know, like, anyone new or famous I may be dating? I was like, “no dad, i hate men you know that!” after obligatory chuckle he just comes right out and says " i read on blazersedge that Nic Batum named his dunk after a ‘Sophia’ “, why?”

ROFL Apparantly he doesnt get the joke. I tried to explain but he didnt get it. Anyway, thanks for the shout out! You’re awesome-ness reaches a new level every day!

Sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 8, 2008 9:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ha HA HA HA!!!

PryzOden is REJECTOR

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Oct 8, 2008 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He should get worried when you son starts calling Nic "Daddy"

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

by Norsktroll on Oct 8, 2008 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My son would be more apt to say "father figure" LOL

but yea, my dad seriously thought Dave was being totally serious. I tried to explain how i comment on here all day long and practically beg Dave to give me front page shoutouts and thats exactly what he did. I also said everyone on BEdge knows I think Batum is super hot =)

He still isn’t convinced.

Sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 8, 2008 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So apparently we shouldn't mention

that as Batum was leaving for the parking lot last night Ben got him on tape singing, “Sophia…I just met a girl name Sophia. And suddenly that name will never be the same to meeee…”

—Dave

by Dave on Oct 8, 2008 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great musical, but are you insinuating that Batum will get killed by a rival gang in the end? Not nice.

There’s a place for us,
Somewhere a place for us.
Peace and quiet and open air
Wait for us
Somewhere…and that would be Boise, Idaho.

We might want to stick to Dr. Seuss references :)

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

by Norsktroll on Oct 8, 2008 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Boise is great, i hear TONS of liberals or progessives at least and i have family there

I wouldn’t mind visiting the great city a couple times.

But do we think he has a more realistic chance of being there ? Ike is fat and I cant say he’s gonna be terribly productive.Ike doesnt impress me and I think he will be trade filler if needed .

i can invision Nate putting Batum in late in a game on a defensive posession only to fill the roll Jones played last year, getting a LLLOOONNGGG arm into the ballhandler’s face.

Sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 8, 2008 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You want to write Batum into the game day roster over Ike?

Then you won’t like Mr. Hollinger’s take on Nic.

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

by Norsktroll on Oct 8, 2008 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

im not saying that.

Dont put words in my post please! Im simply arguing that

a. Batum has hugely more upside than Diagu
b. Diagu is out of shape
c. Batum plays better defense overall than him already and has the potential to be way better at defense, Diagu doesn’t
d. Batum is a serious project but that doesnt change the fact that late in the game, James Jones, who has terrible lateral movement on defense and was kinda slow was always in on the defensive posession and in my opinion Batum could/will most likely fill that specific role.-NOT Diagu.

Sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 8, 2008 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

diogu, but yeah, I agree.

he did hustle with that big booty of his though.

"You just WATCHED history No need to study it! You LIVED it."
Mortimer

by faith on Oct 8, 2008 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What Jones had

that Batum doesn’t (yet) was a lot of experience. He just seemed to always know where to be to make the play.

I’ll be surprised if Nic gets that role this year or next. In the future, he’ll be a lock-down guy for us throughout the game, but Jones was always an experience substitution, and Batum is very far from that.

Nic only gets playing time if he is in the game day roster over Ike. You have to name 12 to the active roster. Nic is going to have to beat out Sergio, Ike, or Bayless to crack the top 12, once Channing is back, anyway. My guess is he has to beat out Ike, and that’s going to take some doing still.

My guess is Nate gives Diogu enough opportunities to see if he can steal Channing’s spot (if not, he’s gone). He doesn’t need to give Nic opportunities, they know what they think he will be, and they know he isn’t even close to it yet.

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 8, 2008 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah i agree I guess I wasn't trying to argue that he will do that NOW

or this season even. But I imagine that is the role he will play. I say he beats Diagu most times frankly b/c I dont put much value or worth on Diagu.

sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 8, 2008 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think

Nic is going to play a much bigger role than that in a couple of years.

Diogu? I don’t think anyone knows what we have there. He was drafted #9 for a reason. There’s some talent there. But whether he’s really going to show it or not, I don’t know.

I have a feeling Ike needs to really shine before Channing gets healthy again, or he’s done, cooked, finished.

by jscot on Oct 8, 2008 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ike is fatter than he was when he had the presser

he’s been kickin it in Cali all offseason while everyone else has been rehabbing or working hard. Its annoying. I dont think he fits the culture. Am i totally prejudging him? Obviously, but he has made a bad first impression on me so there..

Sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 8, 2008 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Didn't know that

That would be stupid coming up to a contract year.

by jscot on Oct 8, 2008 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would post a YouTube to show a bit of what he can do when healthy

But you can’t watch that, right?

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

by Norsktroll on Oct 8, 2008 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not at work :(

He can be serviceable. Long term? Negative.

Thats all.

Sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 8, 2008 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ironic.

I get blasted for “prejudgment” and poor Diogu get’s the shaft from the blaster.

I dig your comments sophia.

"You just WATCHED history No need to study it! You LIVED it."
Mortimer

by faith on Oct 8, 2008 5:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also in regards to Hollinger's take

I think it’s accurate and realistic. However, every BAD player or Developement player is not immediatly relegated to their team’s D league affiliate. Hollinger is simply attempting to connote that Batum is GGRREEENNN behind the ears and has serious development to do to be a proficient pro all around by saying he is going to the D League.

And PLEASE dont tell me you believe EVERYTHING Hollinger says? Please?

Sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 8, 2008 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

In fact, I posted the link to our team preview in a comment on his chat in the fanshots, and think he is way off with that. He only has Roy (top 5 SG), LMA (top 10 PF) and Travis by one point “above league average” in his PER rankings.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/hollinger?team=por

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

by Norsktroll on Oct 8, 2008 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great that you posted this b/c I was gonna use it to support my

“hollinger is irrational” theory.

SOphia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 8, 2008 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think I see how he is coming up with those projections

It looks like Hollinger is using the production from a player’s last 2 years to determine what the “normal” level of production for that player is, and then he adjusts that based on a players age/experience. Blake, Przybilla, and Frye all had a very bad season in 2006-2007 for reasons that aren’t really applicable to the 2008-2009 season. Blake struggled without consistent minutes or a consistent role in 2006-2007, he was traded at the beginning of the season and traded again mid-season. Przybilla was playing through some serious injury issues that year. Frye was being completely misused by Isiah Thomas.

The problem with Hollinger’s formulas is that they assume that 2006-2007 was a normal year for these players, while a person who takes into account the situation that the players were put in can see that it was not.

by trk on Oct 8, 2008 5:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope Batum goes to D League

The PT will help him develop.

by jscot on Oct 8, 2008 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh oh... gotta be careful with what we say.

Sophia’s dad is watching. Don’t need a guy showing up at 1 in morning with a shotgun because we failed to show the proper respect for his daughter.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Oct 8, 2008 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The way you say that . . .

. . . it’s like you don’t know TiH at all.

"Mister Oden is a very, very big human being." - Jerryd Bayless

by QualityPie on Oct 8, 2008 5:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think her dad reads the comments

Blazers Edge has an alarmist vision

by tominhawaii on Oct 9, 2008 3:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

We were giddy last night. i had a hard time falling asleep because I was thinking about what I saw.

We haven’t done anything yet. This is something that’s occurred to me the past couple of days. For all the potential, all the good, all the everything, I haven’t been talking about the blazers because they haven’t done anything yet. they haven’t made the play-offs, they haven’t won a championship, they haven’t done anything yet. All the celebrations have been celebrations of mediocrity instead of expectations. We celebrated the 13 game winning streak because we were surprised by it. It was shiny and new. Still, we haven’t done anything yet. We hadn’t even blown teams away by huge demoralizing measures… until now. Still, it’s preseason and we haven’t done anything yet.

Oden surprised me. My expectations have been rather low for his first few months. It was clear he was tired, heavy, out of shape. It was also clear that this guy could bowl over anyone out there. His presence, with Pryz, got in the mind of the kings to the point where they didn’t take it inside. They did, and BAM it was blocked or BAM they were knocked to the ground with bone shattering force because they just ran into a brick wall. I expected this to some extent, but I didn’t expect his effortless scoring. I also didn’t expect his low rebound number. Still, I was completely amazed and happy to see that Oden will deserve the starter spot when he’s in shape.

Pryz was a BEAST out there. 3/3, leaning in to foul instead of just taking a charge and sending the guy FLYING to the floor because Pryz was ALSO a brick wall. He pulled down 12 rebounds and reinforced that the paint was OUR house. There was no trespassing on this team or you’d be shot. The defense down low was AMAZING in the third. We came back in, adjusted, and became even better.

Rudy, how do I sing praise of thee. Your stat sheet does not say enough about how you moved, how you made others move, how you completely helped us murder this team. His stats don’t say it, but the highlight reel should.

I could go on… but i won’t as i have a meeting.

This team is raw. This team needs to work on team defense. These team needs to understand cutting and moving without the ball so that passes aren’t fumbled or go astray because the person wasn’t cutting, not because it was a bad pass. That said, with what I saw, this team has NO weakness that time and experience won’t heal. This team hasn’t done anything yet, and yet this team is set-up to dominate like no other team I’ve ever seen. We’re not there yet, we have a long way to go and we’ll have ups and downs… but we’ve seen the glimmer of what can be. We’re not there yet, but I’m firmly convinced we will be.

Ford: Bill, you're claiming victory already? Have you had a "Mission Accomplished" banner printed yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2008/columns/story?page=DraftDebate-080624

by ratbastird on Oct 8, 2008 9:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If ...

… to “posterize” is to dunk on someone, what did Rudy do to the Kings with the between-the-legs and other nifty passes?

… I mean, aside from demoralize.

PryzOden is REJECTOR

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Oct 8, 2008 9:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Rudyculize?

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

by Norsktroll on Oct 8, 2008 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

lol. i love it.

PryzOden is REJECTOR

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Oct 8, 2008 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Last time I carpool with him...

So my ride insisted we leave with 2:00 left in the 4th. Jerk! Next time I will insist on walking home. I lingered in the tunnel long enough to see Steve Hill hit both his free throws… Nice!!

I was wondering if Luke Jackson got any playing time in those final minutes? If not, I hope he gets some minutes tonight.

the wisdom of peasants is demonstrated in their ability to pretend that they are fools.

by sagebru5h on Oct 8, 2008 10:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You know what team they looked like?

I just looked at the highlights online, and these Blazers reminded me of one of the great, dominant teams of all time — the Harlem Globetrotters.

by Kaboomm on Oct 8, 2008 10:33 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

true

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

http://www.myspace.com/y5k

by Y5k on Oct 8, 2008 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank goodness we're all keeping this in perspective!

…in the perspective of “that was freaking awesome!”

Just too many great things from last night to list….but I gotta say, the team finally turned the corner with the wife. She’s a fan from the 70’s (I still hear waaaay too many stories about Lucas, Walton, et al), who stayed beholden to the team through the mid-90s. But once the Rasheed era arrived, she hopped off the boat. Each year I kept saying the team has changed…..it’s getting better and the bad apples are being moved out. Each year something happened to prove me wrong.

Last year, she begrudgingly acknowledged that the losers were gone, but the team still wasn’t anything special. We had lots of “discussions” about that one.

But after last night, she’s back fully onboard. The magic is back for her.

Of course I simply call her a johnny-come-lately, bandwagon fan….. :-)

by antediluvian on Oct 8, 2008 10:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

My biggest regret about the game:

Amalmart didn’t get to see it! He would have been so proud of his fellow Spaniards … both of them.

Almost every time Rudy touched the ball, something good was about to happen. If that game wasn’t just a mirage and he can truly pass like that (he was simply amazing) Nate has to find some way for him to be on the floor with the starting unit.

I’m thinking at the three, but did anyone else feel that Rudy and Martell had a real close connection with each other on the floor? On that one play, Rudy turning his back to the basket seemed to key Webster to take off from the baseline toward the basket with Rudy finding him with a backwards blind pass followed by Web’s monster dunk. And that was only one of 4 or 5 remarkable Rudy passes.

I thought I was dreaming.

Amalmart, if you have no other way to see this game, my DVR gives me the option of copying the game recording to a VHS tape. As far as I know, my VHS recorder still works, and I would be happy to ship a tape to you. I mean, you just have to see this game. The stats don’t show it but Rudy was indescribable and Sergio was damn good too.

by TwoDeep on Oct 8, 2008 10:57 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Amlmart

Was able to watch the online feed that people found…

…but I ain’t sure.

Rudy sure was amazing. I was shocked to see he only had 6 points and 5 assists. If there ever was a statline that didn’t tell the whole story, that was it.

I remember watching his YouTube highlights, and even though the dunks were nice what got me real excited was the passing. He’s got amazing court vision and a flair for the dramatic, and I love it.

One way or another, we need Rudy out there.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Oct 8, 2008 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

as Barrett puts it

he’s a freak of nature.

Seriously court vision or should we say court psychic..

sophia

"Feminism encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcreaft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians. [speech at GOP Presidential Convention 1992] Rev. Pat Robertson

by BlazerFan1 on Oct 8, 2008 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh

And I think you could make some real cash, the FOLDING kind, from copies of that game.

Nice lil’ side business to make a quick million!

Morty

by Mortimer on Oct 8, 2008 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've heard some people have wider vision

than normal. That backwards pass to Webster made me wonder if Rudy does.

by jscot on Oct 8, 2008 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just in case...

… Amimart didn’t found the game, he can download it from here http://bt.davka.info/

by ABSF on Oct 8, 2008 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hi, TwoDeep. I actually could watch the game. Insane and inomniac. From 4:00 AM to 6:30.

Thanks for you having me in mind.

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

by amlmart1 on Oct 8, 2008 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

NUTMEG

btw, having lived in europe for a decade and watching lots of football (soccer) i can tell you that rudy plays like a soccer player, which i’ve heard said of nash before. he has different angles and sees the floor differently. and i had no idea that he and sergio would be so good together, but it shouldn’t be surprising. see:

http://thepaintedarea.blogspot.com/2008/10/here-comes-spanish-fly-combo.html

and the between the legs pass is called a NUTMEG. let’s get this out there, because it won’t be the last time we see it, i assure you.

by blazersunited on Oct 8, 2008 11:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Nutmeg it is.

by jscot on Oct 8, 2008 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm thrilled!

I’m already talking smack to my buddies whom are fans of the team which i shall not mention…I think this is the first time in a very long time that we have more potential all stars on this team (at least 3) than they do(probably only 1, maybe 2)….this season can’t start soon enough!!!!

Every child must be encouraged to get as much education as he has the ability to take. We want this not only for his sake-but for the nation's sake. Nothing matters more to the future of our country: not military preparations-for armed might is worthless if we lack the brain power to build a world of peace; not our productive economy-for we cannot sustain growth without trained manpower; not our democratic system of government-for freedom is fragile if citizens are ignorant.

-President Lyndon B. Johnson

by saregister on Oct 8, 2008 12:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs