I think we are close. I think if we attack the hoop a bit more, and shoot less three ptrs, that would be “vintage” blazer ball. IMO.

The trademark of the championship-level Blazers (Walton era and Drexler era) was dominance of the boards, quick release and outlet passes, lots of fast-break points and putbacks. The Hustle Board was a good indicator of those Blazers. They would pick apart your defense and punish you for every mistake.

It looked exactly like this week’s Chicago game, but every night.

The trademark of the Blazers during any period of struggle was complaining about the calls, standing and hacking on defense, and not moving the ball on offense. Today’s Blazers still look a little like that but they’re making progress.

The trademark of Blazer fans is they show up, they LOVE their team, and they don’t boo their own side. They do boo the refs too much.

It’s a good question about what’s the Blazers’ trademark demeanor. I think the less complaining about the refs, the better the team is playing. I don’t think the classic Blazers were silent assassins — I think they were high-energy on the court but didn’t have to trash-talk you because you knew they were breaking you down. Brandon Roy is already that guy today.

Greg Oden is the Anti-Walton – Oden vs Walton, low-post vs high-post vs, power dunker vs point-center, slow, powerful and awkward vs speed, agility and footwork, ESPY awards vs young radical

LMA is the Anti-Lucas – LMA vs Lucas, high-post vs low post, outside vs inside, marshmallow vs Enforcer

2008 team is the anti-1976/1978 team – Live by the jump shot/die by the jump shot vs rebound, outlet pass and fast break, set it up and (soon to be) dump the ball inside to the big guy vs break for the basket and Walton will get you the ball

To me, vintage Trail Blazer ball has always been about teamwork and basic fundamentals. This franchise was built on certain principles, foremost the assemblage of quality character athletes who bring their individual talents together for the common purpose of not just winning, but representing and reflecting the greatest fan-base in sports.

Rarely has the PTB tried to acquire “thee guy” aka the self-important super-star to lead the team to wins. Walton and Drexler come to mind as two of the greatest players in PTB history, yet they were surrounded at 4 other positions on the floor with complimentary role players we all respected as people formemost, players second. This team based concept is often abandoned by other frachises willing to stake their chips on one guy, or in todays more modern version, two usually. The difference being, in the team concept, theres little ego interference, and in the superstar philosophy you get the L*kers.

The other aspect of vintage PTB style of play is the depth of the roster, which gives the coach considerable allowance to make wholesale subsitutions during game play and more flexability to adapt to other teams particular schemas. The best part of this depth is again the inherent and altruistic nature of the team. Players are willing to sacrifice minutes and individual glories for the common goal. That selfless style of play and attitude has re-emerged in P-town and its always why I have admired the Portland Trail Blazers as the greatest team ever.