What we tend to lose sight of is the fact that "inconsistency" is the mark of  young teams.    The fact is that the starting line-up consists of Roy (24), Oden(20), Aldridge(23), Batum(20) and Blake28).  Two are rookies, two are in their third year, and only Blake can be considered a veteran. 

4 of those players have exactly 5 and 1/3 years of combined NBA playing time.  And, if you substituted Martel (22) for Batum, those 4 players would then have exactly 7 years of NBA experience.  Yet, the Blazers are 19-12.

The second team, in turn, consists of Pryzbilla, Outlaw, Fernandez, Rodriquez and Frye. Bayless, Diogu and Randolph are non-factors.

Personally, I'm a little amazed that we actually have the record we have - given this simple fact.   After all, what we tend to forget as fans, is the fact that most NBA players don't individually hit their stride until they have 4 years or so in the league. 

Every bit of frustration fans exhibit comes back to this statistic.  Hot and cold hands, inconsistency, up and down games, defensive lapses, and the rest.  Fans, in turn, get frustrated.  Coaches also get frustrated.  And then, like yesterday after the loss, they start bickering about it.

No other team in this league is playing 4 starters with only 5 & 1/3 years experience with a winning record.  Indeed, it's not even close. 

Look around the league at all the rookies - and if  you did, and thought about it, you'd be much more satisfied with the Blazers as they are - and perhaps be a little more forgiving.

Consider those drafted this year who got so much hype.  How are they doing? 

Try, inconsistent.  Rose has a good night - and a bad night on a 13-17 team.  Love has had 7 points in his last two games on a 5-24 team, Augustin 6 points in his last two games and more turnovers than assists on an 11-20 team.  Westbrook had 10 points, 5 TO's and 5 Assists last night - on a 3-28 team, and is averaging 13 pts, 4.2 assists and 3.1 turnovers in 29 minutes.  Beasley, the second coming of Lebron is now coming off the bench - not starting - on a 16-12 team.  Gordon is playing 28 minutes and scoring 9.4 points with 1.8 assists on an 8 - 20 team.  Mayo is averaging 37 minutes and 20 points - but that's on a 10-20 team. 

Last night was a classic example of the inconsistency of young teams.  We love Rudy.  But did you love 3 points in 19 minutes?  We like Sergio.  But did you like 4 points 1 assist and 1 turnover in 14 minutes?  We like Batum - but did you like 3 points and 2 rebounds in 16 & 1/3 minutes?  And Blake, the starting PG and the only real "vet" in the starting lineup, gave us 5 pts in 34 minutes last night.  15 points - 4 players. 

And then, of course, we want Oden to be the second coming of JC, but one night he gets 5 rebounds and foul trouble, the next night he's got 10 rebounds, 16 points, and only 1 TO and 3 fouls. 

And then tell me just what the coach is doing that causes these wide swings in the production of these players?  Fans complain about substitutions.  That's great.  One night  you put a second team guy in for 20 minutes and he gets you 3 points, the next night he gets you 12 points.  And there is no third option.  

Wake up and smell the roses.  Get off Oden's back a little.  The kids 20 years old for goodness sakes.  Deal with the fact that we're starting another 20 year old rookie at SF - because there's no one else - and we simply aren't getting the production we need at that spot.  And when you decide that the Sergio - Fernandez connection merits starting in a run and gun environment, ask yourself what you do when Rudy's shot isn't falling - like last night?  And other nights.  Or how you keep Oden in that game when the big guy is still not fully in shape - and a running game will cut those minutes - not increase them.  Or, if you decide Pryz is the way to go - how you will compensate for his lack of scoring?

And then ask yourself - how are we doing so well, not why are we doing so poorly? 

And then Give Mac a break - and show a little appreciation. 

And try a little patience.