Everyone Wait ! The Cart Is Ahead of The Horse!!

by hotstuffdb22 on Dec 20, 2008 5:48 AM PST Comment 33 comments

Quick claims The Player has gone through a transformation.

However, we've known since the beginning of last year that Roy would be great, maybe not as soon as we all expected. Okay, so Roy is taking steps to greatness, we can all agree on that. But these are microsteps.

Defeating Phoenix, yes, is huge considering the context. However, it's only one game.

Anyone who has been a fan of the Trailblazers for at least 10 years, will agree with this: Following this team is like attending a Wedding on Friday and a Funeral on Saturday.

Roy gave us a wedding to celebrate this past week. But folks, I warn you, the Funeral is ahead.

We still don't have a second chair violin, though we do have a few people trying-out for it. Brandon Roy is doing a great job playing like Freddie Highmore who starred as Evan Taylor in August Rush. However, what the directors of August Rush didn't show the audience was all the heartache and pain Evan Taylor and the others went through for the final performance. And also, this story itself was a fairy tale.

We face Denver twice and Dallas ahead. One thing we'll know at the end of the week is how long the wedding reception will be.

At the end, this is all somewhat like a fairy tale. Until we have a 2nd fiddle, and consistency in other places, expect the highs to be high and the lows to be low. This team, and Brandon, will be great when the Funerals turn into hospital visits. Brandon has placed a camel on his back the past several games, but neither he nor the team are anywhere close to being given the noteriety of being mentioned with the top teams in the league or the top players.

If anything this shows, the gap between Brandon and the rest of the team is large. Further, because of the size of the gap, the coaches need to realize there are some major pieces missing. For as great Brandon is, the team is that much further behind. When Steve bLAnk is your guy providing some second fiddle on different nights, things are not as great as they might seem.

0 recs | Comment 33 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

You emphasized the letters L and A

Unrec. Kidding. But really, your post is fairly typical of Blazer fans who haven’t shaken off the Jailblazer era. Just enjoy the ride man. Reading your post is like attending a funeral on Wenesday and coming home to find your dog dead.

I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

by haildablazer on Dec 20, 2008 6:05 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I don't totally agree..

I’m definitely past the J-era… I’ve followed this team too long and see the same patterns… I’m just hoping we break into some blue sky eventually

by hotstuffdb22 on Dec 20, 2008 9:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lamarcus will get there

I’m not too worried.. we’re not one of the best teams in the NBA this year…

If Roy has fully turned this corner, it is going to only continue to open up opportunities for anyone around him to step up in the role of second fiddle. Honestly, I LMA’s perimeter defensive ability on pick and rolls could prove to be clutch in the area (D!!) where we really need more consistency..

Boycott Rose Garden Concessions!!!
http://www.blazersedge.com/2008/11/8/657044/boycotting-rose-garden-con

by idoltime on Dec 20, 2008 6:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I understand what you're trying to say.

Just because Brandon Roy has taken a step forward doesn’t put us in championship contention. Aldridge and Oden need to gain confidence, consistency and more experience for them to go deep into the playoffs. But that will come with time. We weren’t going to win it all this year anyways. Not sure how that is as bad as a funeral though. Death is a pretty devastating thing. Losing basketball games doesn’t compare. And Steve Blake has been very good this year. A defensive stopper he’s not, but who in the NBA is? There aren’t many. And how many of them can distribute and hit a three?

Poor grammar is poor communication.
Poor communication causes misunderstanding.
Misunderstanding causes fighting.
Fighting causes war.
War causes death.
Therefore, your poor grammar may just kill us all.

(One of Two Official Blazer's Edge Poets Laureate for the 2008-2009 Season)

by T Darkstar on Dec 20, 2008 6:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

This wedding party is lasting for a very long time

Broy, LMA, and Greg are young, and KP and PA aren’t going anywhere for a while.

So whether it’s one championship or five or ten, enjoy this wedding feast. It’s going to be a long one.

I think I can only add "The NBA, where caring for everybody but the fans happens". --amlmart1

by prezofdeath on Dec 20, 2008 6:43 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

What you are missing

There is a lot more value in what just happened than an extra game going in the W column. What just happened is that Brandon Roy staked his claim to being a premier player.

Everyone has known he is very good. But he’s 30+ for five games in a row (well, 29 in the blowout when he only played 3 quarters). That could just be a good player on a hot streak. But 52 points is more than that, it means the whole world is now recognizing Brandon as a dominant player, the guy who can single-handedly beat you even when your whole defense is geared to stop him. And he did it without totally dominating the ball, or taking every shot.

That means defensive schemes have to change. Brandon used to be dangerous in the fourth quarter. Now, you had better be ready for him from the start, because he will crush you. And he will get your guys in foul trouble, too.

Brandon is staking his claim to superstar status, and when that happens, the defenses have to adjust. And when they adjust, other guys get easy looks, layins, wide open 3s, etc. Brandon has always made everyone around him better. Scoring 50 (and 30 plus for 5 games) does that, too.

If you can't convince them, confuse them -- Harry Truman, U.S. President

by jscot on Dec 20, 2008 6:45 AM PST reply actions 5 recs

jscot you nailed it perfectly! Rec

Before Brandon had this 52 point game the term Superstar could not be applied to him and be able to back it up with a strong argument. He didn’t just have a 52 point game against the TWolves or OKC, he did it against a playof quality team. That playoff quality team tried their best to stop him and they barely slowed him down. Now I know that PHX is not known a great defense team but they are team with a lot of highly respected names on it and even the Celtics and Flakers have to take them seriously.

Brandon Roy can now stake his claim to the right to be included in the same conversation as Dwayne Wade, Dwight Howard, Koobie, or even…Yes! LeBron James. LMA and Oden just need more time before we will be able to see just they are truly capable of. I am hoping that now that BRoy has shown the way, that LMA will step his game up and show us what he is really made of. Come On LMA!

Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LaMarcus Aldridge you are LaMONSTER!!!
BRoy is a SUPERSTAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will do this just once to honor BRoy!
43:49 Mins 14-27 FG 5-7 3s 19-21 FTs +12 1 Off 5 Rebs 6 Asst 1 Blk 52 Points - BRoy vs PHX 12-18-08

by LaMarvelous on Dec 20, 2008 11:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well said.

I would like to expand on the L*kers and Celtics a bit as I have seen a few things I think may have been overlooked so far this year.

L*kers – We have always given them a hard time in the Rose Garden, we need to beat them down in LA and people will take notice. They have a dynamite team with “lights out” shooting and that makes them hard to stop. If Brandon has truly stepped into the next level of play, he will force other teams, including LA, to either double team him, or place the best player on him. I cant wait to see the next Kobe vs Roy. It will be epic.

Celtics – The starters were on the floor in the 4th. We pushed Garnett to “rally the troops” at the end of the game. Not to mention due to Garnett getting upset, a professional athlete was on the bench crying. Granted it was Big Baby, but we caused that. Hell, our Bench caused that. Even if we cant beat them, we are certainly more then just a thorn in their side.

They both know what we have on our team and they know what they need to do to stop us. With Brandon stepping his game up now, the next time we play either of these teams they will have to change the way they play. It will be fun to watch even if we dont win those games. Be sure to look at the body language of the opposing team when the game is over. You can tell if a player has been pushed to the brink of exhaustion. We do that to teams. We force them to play their best, and I am proud to see that teams HAVE to play their best to beat us. (Well, barring a couple games we didnt play our best this year *cough*clippers*cough*)

"OK, it's going to rain tomorrow. And there is going to be a Greenpeace meeting and hippies are going to be protesting" ~ The Buffet of Goodness on Portland

by Blazer on Dec 21, 2008 12:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

totally agree..REC

Honor Terry Porter

by Philthyanimal on Dec 20, 2008 8:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

remember Chaz in the movie wedding crashers?

He would love following this team…

all the weddings and funeral… mmm mmm.

by Bust a Bucket on Dec 20, 2008 8:02 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

If you had written this...

near the end of the 13 game win streak last year, many folks would probably sagely nod their heads in agreement. But the team is better this year than last year. Roy is better than last year. Some steps, somewhere, somehow have been taken and the team is improving. Championship contender now? Of course not. I still expect a dogfight just to make the playoffs.

You mention the inconsistency…highs and lows. Yep, I think that was a good tag for this team in years past, but that is also the biggest difference I see this year. When they are in close games, it feels like they should win and will win. I don’t cringe in anticipation of a complete breakdown in fundamentals in the 4th quarter. That makes games MUCH more enjoyable.

And 10 years is just too long to label THIS team. This team has existed for 3 years. They are not the evolution of the previous team, or a descendent, or a close relation or anything like that. The old team was burned to the ground, the ashes were swept up and this team was planted like a little seedling tree, nurtured and cared for. Now the tree is gettin’ just about big enough that we can put up the tire swing and start planning the treehouse.

The cowards never started
The weak died along the way
Only the strong survived
They were the Trailblazers

by lukeyhere on Dec 20, 2008 8:10 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

where is this team?

Are we borderline playoff contenders? Can we match last years NOH? Will we turn heads in the playoffs like the 76ers?

Honor Terry Porter

by Philthyanimal on Dec 20, 2008 8:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope we are not the 76ers

They moved in the wrong direction hoping to become real contenders

by Norsktroll on Dec 20, 2008 8:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

it was still an impressive run they made

Honor Terry Porter

by Philthyanimal on Dec 20, 2008 8:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's a dirty little secret -- DENVER IS BEATABLE.

Pass it on.

"Now with a non-provocative footer!"

by timbo on Dec 20, 2008 8:21 AM PST reply actions 2 recs

You are so very right timbo! Cleveland hath shown the way...

Run the video of this game for the troops Nate! This is the ultimate scouting report!

by LaMarvelous on Dec 20, 2008 11:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

They just lost in Phoenix

If you can't convince them, confuse them -- Harry Truman, U.S. President

by jscot on Dec 20, 2008 11:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Denver sucks almost as much as Salt Lake City......

I dunno I got something against land locked states.

The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.

by faith on Dec 20, 2008 8:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Dunno about Denver ...

have only flown through there. But SLC: you are so right. I’d heard so much about how nice it was. Went there a few years ago on a comp trip my wife got. What a pit. The surrounding mountains might be nice, but the city itself? @$#%^! Fugly.

Open invitation: all you who are self-proclaimed ping pong experts. If you think you can beat me - or if you just want to see how it's really played: cdd37@yahoo.com. This means you, too, Jerryd.

by TTRocks on Dec 20, 2008 9:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think we can sweep Denver

I like the fact that we have 3 days to prepare for them. We will be focused as they are currently on top of where we want to be. I like that we play at their place first. They played Cleveland and got blown out last night while we watched and learned. They play at Phoenix tonight while we watch and learn. We will have 3 paractices and a walkthru, they will have a walkthru. I like our chances. If we don not beat them now (without injury affeacting things) we will have trouble finishing above them by seasons end.

by FlyinSouth on Dec 20, 2008 9:02 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I completely agree...

This week is a big one… we should be denver in a back to back.

We’ve shown we can’t yet play at the championship level with the celtics…

But if we could be denver back to back, we’re legitimate 1st round competitors this year, that’s how much I stake on these two games

by hotstuffdb22 on Dec 20, 2008 9:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It is weddings and funerals

because our adoring fans follow with their hearts but not their heads. The team is great fun but not exactly dependable. BRoy is way ahead of everyone in terms of athleticism, skill and consistency. We are missing a piece or two that will prevent us from making serious runs against the top tier teams. How do I know? Because the head tells me so. But my heart says go Blazers.

by oregonslee on Dec 20, 2008 9:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think we've got the pieces

The pieces are Oden, Aldridge, Rudy, Roy and possible Bayless and Webster. I think next year when Oden is really 100% and Rudy really learns to play in the NBA this team will be special. If anything this team needs to consalidate. Get ride of so many shooters and get role players. If Bayless Isn’t the answer at point then get someone who can drive and finish.

by blazerchamp on Dec 20, 2008 10:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Shooters are role players.

They aren’t the end all be all of course (there are various roles to be played) but they are the weapon of choice to complement a slasher that collapses the defense (Roy) or a dominant post player (hopefully Oden). See Houston in Hakeem’s day for a prime example. All that team was was Hakeem and 11 sharpshooters.

by zaruga on Dec 21, 2008 12:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A hard rain is going to fall.

When was the last time a slow paced, jump shooting team with a lack of perimeter defense made it out of the first round of the playoffs?

Blake-92% of all shots are jump shots
Outlaw- 87%
Rudy-85%
Frye- 83%
Aldridge-64%
Roy-64%
Oden- 19%

The good news is that the three most important players on the team don’t shoot that many jump shots. The bad news is, almost all out role players are jump shooters who are also defensive liabilities. The Blazers need a good perimeter defender who takes it to the rim. Gerald Wallace comes to mind (only 38% of all shots are jump shots).

by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 20, 2008 11:27 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I've been on the Wallace bandwagon for awhile

People always complain that he’s not a great outside shooter, but it’s not like we’re hurting in that department. The other nice thing is that he’s versatile enough to play the 3 or the 4 so you can still surround him with good shooters, but still have a couple of guys on the court who are a threat to get to the rim. Every time I’ve watched Charlotte play (which admittedly isn’t a lot) he just looks like one of those great hustle guys who’s always flying around the court after loose balls, and has great open court skills; I’m reminded a little bit of Jerome Kersey.

by nikolokolus on Dec 20, 2008 11:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He is amazing.

I’m actually watching a lot of Bobcat games on league pass this year. He is truly amazing. He currently has the 4th best rebounding rate among small forwards who play more than 15 minutes a game. I love his hustle.

The only scary thing about him is that it seems like he almost gets killed every game. He just runs at the ball so hard regardless of the consequences. I have seen him get hit in the face and head numerous times this year, which isn’t good for a guy who’s already had so many concussions.

by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 20, 2008 11:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm Winston Wolfe. I solve problems.

by Norsktroll on Dec 20, 2008 12:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i think the missing piece is that in the 2nd half of the season

oden will start to score. i don’t usually make guesses or go out on a limb, i wait and see. but i can just feel this one coming together…

and it will make the jump-shooters make sense.

ignacio

by ignacio on Dec 20, 2008 1:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Precisely

If it doesn’t happen in the 2nd half of the season, it will happen next year. But I expect it to happen sometime in the next couple of months.

When we drafted Greg, we traded away our low-post threat (Zach) because we didn’t need him anymore. At that point, we began to build around Greg and Brandon — the low-post monster and the penetrating wizard. What do you need around stars like that? Shooters to keep teams from collapsing on your low-post guy and clogging the middle against your penetrating wing.

The amazing thing is that we’ve been so effective without the low-post threat. But when it comes, you will want all the shooters you can get.

If you can't convince them, confuse them -- Harry Truman, U.S. President

by jscot on Dec 20, 2008 11:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs