I just don't understand

by BlazersOrBust on Feb 1, 2008 10:08 AM PST

We are 18 months removed from the nadir of the existence of the Portland Trail Blazers. That season, that "team" lost three out of every four games in such a nonchalant, disjointed, and dispirited fashion that it was a shame to call yourself a Blazers fan. Those players simply didn't give two rips -- not for each other, not for each other, and certainly not for us, the fans.

When that squad wasn't getting annihilated on the court, they were embarrassing themselves off of it. Patterson demanded a guaranteed 25 minutes a night or a trade and openly defied McMillan's authority as coach. Telfair "mistakenly" brought a loaded handgun on the team plane. Cars registered to Randolph were drag-racing in a 20-MPH zone. Randolph was investigated for felonious sexual assault. And our three-headed Cerebus of a front office was an incompetent joke.

And the people of Portland were disgusted. Disgusted with the open contempt the players displayed towards the coach and the organization, fed up with turning on KATU at 5:00 and seeing another off-court incident being reported, flat tired of cheering for a team that didn't respect them nor each other. The Blazers played before an indifferent, half-full Garden every night; Kobe and LeBron got louder cheers than any Blazers player; Paul Allen made serious attempts to sell the team. Eighteen months ago we were scouring the details of the Rose Garden's lease and evaluating the likelihood of the NBA approving a relocation request.

And now, eighteen months later, we stand on the brink of a dynasty. We have one of the brightest up-and-coming coaches in the game, a roster brimming from top to bottom with young talent, a general manager with the touch of King Midas, and a rejuvenated owner willing to spend whatever it takes to bring a championship to Portland. I've been in the Garden this year when fans were blowing the roof off for a regular-season game in December. It gives me goosebumps to recall now.

Yet somehow, in a fashion that truly boggles my mind, I've read on this site -- one of the most knowledgeable, passionate basketball sites I've found on the web -- diaries calling for Nate's head on a platter. Posters excoriating Frye, Jack, Sergio, and Webster, demanding their trades or outright releases. Casting aspersions over the entire roster and coaching staff when we lose a game. Saying they're tired of making excuses for this team.

I'm sick and tired of it. Remember where we were 18 months ago and look at where we are now. We ought to be thanking our lucky stars on bended knee every single night -- that this franchise has resurrected itself from its ashes and recaptured the full devotion of every single Blazers fan in a year and a half. There are franchises that have been "rebuilding" for the past decade.

I get up at 3:30 am to watch streaming video of this team live because I don't want to miss a second of it, and I'm not saying it to toot my own horn -- I know I'm not the only one here doing it, or who would do it if necessary. And if a 21-year-old isn't a consistent shooter yet, or a foreign point guard learning a new style and a new language yo-yos up-and-down, or if we lose a game on a last-second layup by the best player in the world...a dash of perspective might be warranted here. Because 18 months ago, the buzz, enthusiasm, and accolades that the Portland Trail Blazers now garner from every corner of the nation would have seemed a fantastical mirage.

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I agree

but it is also a fans right to say what they feel, and sometimes be irrational and spontaniously react with emotion, and not intellect, thats why we have KP

life is like a bank, you can only take out as much as you put in. -Cal Ripken Sr.

by winnerwinner on Feb 1, 2008 10:14 AM PST 0 recs

I think you're filtering the positives

I've seen a bit of what you're describing...

But I've seen a lot more posts openly grateful for the new team and many comments about the excitement of the coming dynasty.

You've got to expect a bit of knee-jerk reacting over a loss because the expectation set is so different now. Probably not fair; probably not realistic; but it is certainly reailty.

All in all, I think this is a site that shows a great deal more temperance than many other places.

by Fizbin on Feb 1, 2008 10:15 AM PST 0 recs

I don't see it.

What are you talking about? Links?

by Jumbo on Feb 1, 2008 10:26 AM PST 0 recs

Lots of stuff

I don't want to go through and link to it; that's too tedious for me. If you don't want to believe it without the concrete proof, that's cool. When we were 5-12 there was a "Fire Nate" groundswell with corresponding diaries, just after the Cavs game people were bemoaning Nate's terrible coaching, and people are near-constantly calling for Jack to be traded and alternately throwing Sergio under the bus. I've been a part of these discussions so I know they've happened. Just keep an eye out for what I mean: a weird reactionary "we gotta win now!!!" mentality that irks me. If you don't see it or disagree, c'est la vie.

by BlazersOrBust on Feb 1, 2008 10:42 AM PST up 0 recs

Okay, how's this for concrete evidence

Here are the diaries up right now:

Yours, which is essentially a defense of all that is right and good with the Blazers.
A poll on Z-Bo--implying that things are better now.
Rudy Gay link--neutral, I think you'd agree.
Scoreboard watching--neutral post about other games though I suggest that we watch scoreboard (read: standings) now only because the team is better.
Did Nate really say this? Really a defense about something that may have been taken out of context at TrueHoop... overall, I'd say complimentary of Nate.
Roy celebration post.
All star jerseys--more Roy celebration.
Is their video--more Roy celebration.
Downside to Roy being good--a satiric post or perhaps someone actually really, really protective of Roy. I say that is really more Roy celebration.
Roy is an all star--big time Roy celebration with 112 comments right now.
Another Roy is all star diary.
My post about being pretty cool with the last loss.
Expectations--a diary really celebrating what our heightened expectations are.
Devin Harris--the diary about a trade that was ridiculed because our team is so awesome we can wait.
Finaly Play--people concenred about the lack of Joel in the final play of the Cleveland game. But even here you have defense from none other than Dave about that decision.
Roy didn't appear 100%--people comparing Roy to LeBron: the best player in the game!!!
All star anticipation--more Roy love.

So to me, you're basing your entire diary on the Nate's use of Joel in the last seconds of a close game. And you're demanding evidence to the contrary?

My friend, it seems to me that it is incumbent upon you to come up with evidence to the contrary of the last 17 separate diaries and the main page of this website if you're going to write stuff like this.

by Fizbin on Feb 1, 2008 10:56 AM PST up 0 recs

Oh

Snap! - Dude!

Ball Don't Lie

by bothteamsplayedhard on Feb 1, 2008 11:09 AM PST up 0 recs

Fizbin... eh?

Dark crystal?

You're looking at just the past couple of days. The poster is rerrering to the history of this site this year. He's accurate as there have been. they stopped about 8 games into the 13 game winning streak.

They've started up to some extent (GET RID OF JACK!) since we've started losing again.

Some complaints have been valid, others are unduely negative and without appreciation for where we came from. only a few of us actually thought the playoffs were possible and that isn't the goal for this year.

Well... it's Roy's goal, and that's awesome. It wasn't managements goal though. Their goal this year was to teach and figure out what pieces fit so they can make moves over the next two years to put the final pieces in place.

"No way. I love this town. We're gonna bring back the glory years. These boys are my boys. This is my team and my town." - Greg Oden when asked about leaving.

by ratbastird on Feb 1, 2008 11:38 AM PST up 0 recs

Get used to it

every player who puts together a string of crap games is going to be singled out to be traded. It's a pretty fundamental constant in sports-fan commentary throughout the ages. Along those same lines, back seat driving the coach's decisions when we lose a close game are is just what fans talk about. Overall I would characterize the mood around here as ranging from overjoyed to ecstatic about the team.

by Jumbo on Feb 1, 2008 11:50 AM PST up 0 recs

Yes, Yes, Yes

Go figure. People share their emotions when it comes to something they are passionate about. I could not agree with you more Jumbo. Thank God for people who have not been emasculated.

I'm hip, I'm slick, and all the women want my phone number!

by silkybrown on Feb 1, 2008 11:55 AM PST up 0 recs

Emasculated?

Well, whatever you'd like to call me, that's fine.

You see... I don't want the blazers to blow the team apart after a few bad games. I can see the big picture, and I'm in it to win it. If bloggers here had their way, nate would already be fired and we'd NEVER have gone on the run we did. I'm sure other players would be gone too.

This is a team that requires patience while they learn and grow. Nate learned that lesson, but far too many bloggers aren't educated enough or can't see beyond a couple games to learn the same lesson.

You can focus on the short term picture or the success that's down the road. THANK GOD KP is in charge and taking the big picture view. Trader bob is what you get when you can't see beyond your nose.

"No way. I love this town. We're gonna bring back the glory years. These boys are my boys. This is my team and my town." - Greg Oden when asked about leaving.

by ratbastird on Feb 1, 2008 7:47 PM PST up 0 recs

Oh additionally?

Whatever happened to support your team? WE can objectively critic, and that's awesome, but would you really go up to the blazers and rip them apart like you blog here? That's just not cool man. Scream hard when they're doing well and scream louder when they're not. They're our teams and our players and we should have their back.

That doesn't mean we don't tell them "how, quit stepping out of !@#!@#$ bounds!" It means you don't rip them down and ask to fire or trade them every ten seconds and maybe be a LITTLE bit consistent.

"No way. I love this town. We're gonna bring back the glory years. These boys are my boys. This is my team and my town." - Greg Oden when asked about leaving.

by ratbastird on Feb 1, 2008 7:51 PM PST up 0 recs

That's what I tell my wife ...

...whenever she complains about my beating her. Hell, domestic violence predates the whole concept of marriage. Why the hell are people complaining about it.

Sure, if people want to find stuff to complain about, they have the right. Those of us who are tired of it also have the right to point out how they sound like spoiled, or un-informed or just plain ridiculous.

by timg56 on Feb 1, 2008 2:05 PM PST up 0 recs

There is no such thing...

...as a sports fan who doesn't sound ridiculous. We're grown men who watch other grown men play games. And we care. Absurdity is an integral part of the package. Listen to yourself. You just asserted your first amendment right to call other guys spoiled and un-informed because they whine about your favorite basketball players in a manner which you disapprove of.

by Jumbo on Feb 5, 2008 12:55 AM PST up 0 recs

It'd just be nice

if the fans were a little more educated and had a little more loyalty to their team and players.

"No way. I love this town. We're gonna bring back the glory years. These boys are my boys. This is my team and my town." - Greg Oden when asked about leaving.

by ratbastird on Feb 1, 2008 7:41 PM PST up 0 recs

I see the same thing.

Up to a third of the postings seem to fit this description. Just count all the people who questioned Nate's coaching over the final possession of the Cav's game. And I've seen the "I'm tired of the excuses" line more than once.

It's one thing to ask "I wonder why Nate didn't double team James" or How come Joel wasn't in to defend the basket against a Lebron drive?" But the impression I got (which, granted, could be my problem) was one of Nate lost the game or Nate sucks as a coach.

by timg56 on Feb 1, 2008 1:57 PM PST up 0 recs

I'm confused

so one person (I'm assuming you've nominated yourself) gets to question Nate's coaching decisions, but if several people do it, all of a sudden you get an impression that everybody thinks Nate sucks and should be fired? Maybe all those people who questioned Nate's coaching just thought he should've double teamed Lebron or Joel should've defended the basket.

Maybe it's really you who thinks Nate is a bad coach (and this is just the impression I get) and you think he should be fired, but you don't want to admit to yourself. So you project your subconscious feelings on to the BlazersEdge community and then lash out at this phantom collective of NateHaters because you're jealous of the fact that they're expressing feelings in the open which you've kept bottled inside because you're too afraid to face the truth.

by Jumbo on Feb 5, 2008 1:04 AM PST up 0 recs

I do understand, just don't agree

You know its one of those things, that the grass is always greener on the other side for some people, they just aren't sure which side is the "other side" and thus look for things to complain about.

I understand people being upset about how we loss games, I mean I have felt down right miserable after some of our losses this season. That is because I care too much. I however would never say something like fire nate or trade this guy or that as the result of one loss. I do however understand the passion, people haven't felt this much passion for a long time and right now people are getting a little carried away sometimes because it's so new.

I also understand people taking about the possibility of trades, you have too that is what makes blogging and fan boards so much fun, you play the GM and speculate.

I personally I appreciate everything this team has done and is. I also tell myself day in and day out, keep it in perspective. Fernandez may or may not be a great or even good nba player, Oden may or may not be a force. We can not predict these things before they happen. I mean who would have believed it if you said that Trout was going to develop into the blazers most clutch fourth quarter guy besides Roy 2 years ago? No one. In fact there were times when I straight disliked the kid and hoped he would be benched or traded, not because of his potential but because of his decision making. But look at him now, same age, great coaching and a couple of confidence boosting shots under his belt and he his an emerging star in the NBA.

People need to keep it all in perspective and appreciate what they have this year. It is something special and throwing words around like dynasty and championship although exciting is a little like calling for these guys heads. We aren't these things until we actual are these things, for now we are a good team with a lot of upside. I for one want to believe but don't think it would be fair to build them up just to tear them down and I am seeing a lot of that happening, here and all over the media. Just enjoy it moment for moment.......

Peace and best luck to Roy in the All-Star game.

by blazhead on Feb 1, 2008 10:27 AM PST 0 recs

Fire Nate!!!!!

I just love posting that, that's all. I love Nate. I also love riling up people like you.

by robrun2 on Feb 1, 2008 10:27 AM PST 0 recs

People like me?

Do explain. I'm interested to see the kind of person I've revealed myself to be through posting a diary. :)

by BlazersOrBust on Feb 1, 2008 10:43 AM PST up 0 recs

FIRE BlazersOrBust!!!!!!

Just kidding, people loves you, I do, but we all worship Chaos as god in BE.

I like Brandon Roy, whatever planet he comes from. (Bill Walton?)

by amlmart1 on Feb 1, 2008 11:08 AM PST up 0 recs

Concepts are perfect, but just perfection=death.

You revelead as a person with whom I could embark on any trip or project. We´ll be Perfection and Chaos, the mixture wich makes and spreads life.

I like Brandon Roy, whatever planet he comes from. (Bill Walton?)

by amlmart1 on Feb 1, 2008 11:22 AM PST up 0 recs

fan

The term Fan comes from the word Fanatic, fans are irrational most of the time, just get use to it. At least here on BE we have some of the most rational fans, including Dave to bring us all back to reality.

Thanks for the post.

by usmcr3049 on Feb 1, 2008 10:42 AM PST 0 recs

I will keep calling it like I see it

I will be wrong sometimes, but I won't be a monotonous drone of homerisms.

If we never criticized would the character of this team ever have changed?

Frye, Jack Sergio, Webster & Nate have all deserved criticism at points of this season.

With that said I will completely agree with your well written diary in that we should be escatic over the change of our fortunes.

by tweener on Feb 1, 2008 10:43 AM PST 0 recs

I agree

blind homerism would have led us to another 21 win season. I understand the sentiment and I was one who was making outrageous claims for trades. It is fun because others here obviously think along the same lines. There is no harm in talking about things like this. If that is the case, well, then I guess you take this stuff too seriously.

This team should be cherished and beloved for what they are, but realize there is a high probability that 65% of this team will not be around in two years. The players deal with it as a business, we don't need to follow suit. We can be irrational, have our abilities to understand the game called into question, learn and teach here. It is a fun site meant to spark conversation, and to an extent, controversy. This is fun just talking about this, and yes, we are very lucky to have this team and these players at this time. Don't confuse the frustration and knee-jerk reactions for the common feeling on this site. Rip City, Rip City to all and to all a good night.

They are like a vampiric Kobayashi - Classic Dave on the Knicks, 2/1/08

by Rodendridge on Feb 1, 2008 11:03 AM PST up 0 recs

Wow...

Some posters totally missed those posts, or they're in denial.

I agree with you, and you'll feel better to know that I did a poll on what people thought and it really turned out that it was only a minority but vocal few who felt that way about nate.

We do have some fans who are HARSH on the young players, and i hate it. Instead of being objective it's almost personal.

I just tune it out now. It irks me, but I can't do anything about it. I pointed out why Nate was a good coach and how we needed time. We then went on the 13 game winning streak and suddenly people changed their minds.

Others argued they only wanted to fire nate because he wasn't doing what they wanted him to and so he needed to be gone. He fixed that and we won. I argued that this was a short term approach. Nate is learning as well, and some of it will just be time. Voice criticsm but firing nad bashing... man... it's a marathon. We're not like boston!

But... it does no good because they've all decided their going to bash.

So... I think you just need to let it go when you notice you're repeating yourself. They're just a vocal minority.

"No way. I love this town. We're gonna bring back the glory years. These boys are my boys. This is my team and my town." - Greg Oden when asked about leaving.

by ratbastird on Feb 1, 2008 11:25 AM PST 0 recs

I dunno

If we're on the brink of a dynasty. That's assuming a lot. We're on the brink of being a very good team, with the potential for winning multiple championships.

by jksnake99 on Feb 1, 2008 11:25 AM PST 0 recs

doubting thomas

Roy plus Aldridge plus oden plus rudy plus outlaw plus webster plus... TEAMWORK

Yeah, I'm going dynasty.

"No way. I love this town. We're gonna bring back the glory years. These boys are my boys. This is my team and my town." - Greg Oden when asked about leaving.

by ratbastird on Feb 1, 2008 11:34 AM PST up 0 recs

This is a blog and a forum...

A great place to discuss things. The fact of the matter is people are going to disagree sometimes. I for one, think that people do tend to be drastic at times on this site. There are many who, in my opinion, blindly defend players and coaches at times. There are also those who, in my opinion, blindly call for drastic measures when it is silly.

So even if there is disagreement, let's not miss the point. PEOPLE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE BLAZERS. The Rose Garden is selling out. There is excitement in the air.

And if I want to say that I get sick and tired of a professional athlete who's getting paid 1.5 million dollars to not step on the baseline every game, I am darn well going to say it. Also, if it doesn't make sense to me that your favorite team has a one point lead to protect, and the coach for whatever reason doesn't put your best interior help defender in the game, I'm going to voice my concern.

So which group should we censor? This is a great site the way that it is. Retards and all. If you don't like it, go to the Golden State of Mind Web sight and tell them how good of a player Brandon Roy is.

I'm hip, I'm slick, and all the women want my phone number!

by silkybrown on Feb 1, 2008 11:51 AM PST 0 recs

You say "yes"

I say "no", you say "Why" and I say "I don´t Know".
The Beatles?.

I like Brandon Roy, whatever planet he comes from. (Bill Walton?)

by amlmart1 on Feb 1, 2008 12:01 PM PST up 0 recs

You say Tomato and I sat Tomato.

...this just doesn't work in a text format at all!

I'm not stubborn, just obstinate

by T Darkstar on Feb 1, 2008 3:26 PM PST up 0 recs

Er... sat=say

Tominhawaii must be rubbing off on me. And that sounded creepy.

I'm not stubborn, just obstinate

by T Darkstar on Feb 1, 2008 3:27 PM PST up 0 recs

I support the blazers

but you should HEAR the words that are a coming outta my mouth when jack does that.

Seriously... he does it a LOT!

@#$@#@#$

It peeves me more than missed free throw rebounds.

Still... overall I'm happy with the team. Jack provides some darn nice things for our team, but man... ACK

freaking line... line meet jack feet... this shall be that LAST that you meet... I'm getting you darn restraining order... DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?

"No way. I love this town. We're gonna bring back the glory years. These boys are my boys. This is my team and my town." - Greg Oden when asked about leaving.

by ratbastird on Feb 1, 2008 4:01 PM PST up 0 recs

I don't think we should censor

ANY group. I'd just like for fewer calls for drastic measures when it's silly -- but everybody's entitled to their own opinions. Like you said, PEOPLE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THE BLAZERS. Even with the over-the-top reactionary folk, passion is a good thing and it bodes well for us.

P.S. I DID go to GSOM and tell them what a good player the Roybot is. :) Didn't go over incredibly well.

by BlazersOrBust on Feb 1, 2008 5:01 PM PST up 0 recs

lol

that's awesome.

I'm hip, I'm slick, and all the women want my phone number!

by silkybrown on Feb 2, 2008 12:54 AM PST up 0 recs

I've definitely noticed the same thing

I don't want to document it either, but there are some absolutely hyper-critical posts that go up here, and I don't understand it at all.

I agree with you B.O.B. and Ratbastird.

By the way, so many of these posts are self-righteously like "YEAH, I am going to crticize my team, that's what any fan SHOULD do."

I totally think that statement is off balance. As a fan, you SUPPORT your team, and then call them out when they need it. 2 years ago, it was neccesary to criticize them, it was terrible all around. But now, I think you give them a ton of leeway until they start to show that they arent just making mistakes but consistently doing the wrong thing, that's when you start to really need to call people out.

Then there's the absolute hatred of Jack... that just blows my mind...

Brandon Roy 007

by TimG on Feb 1, 2008 12:46 PM PST 0 recs

well said

I liked that last bit and agree 100%

Although I do reserve the right to curse every time Jack steps on that @#$%@#$% line.

Maybe I'll just drink and we'll see how long it takes to get drunk :)

"No way. I love this town. We're gonna bring back the glory years. These boys are my boys. This is my team and my town." - Greg Oden when asked about leaving.

by ratbastird on Feb 1, 2008 4:03 PM PST up 0 recs

I agree also

I believe what this diary was about was disagreeing with people's attitudes rather than arguing that they shouldn't say what they feel. By all means, say that you think KP should be fired for the Zach-to-the-Knicks trade or say that the 20 year old (at the time) Martell Webster is "obviously" a bust. Say that even you could do better than Nate at coaching this team or say that Sergio has absolutely no potential. Many will disagree with you and some will probably call you silly for saying such a thing. While following this site for around a year I've realized something: The "usuals" tend to not make these over the top criticisms as much as the fly-by-night posters.

BlazersEdge is great because the rational posters are in the overwhelming majority. I have some tolerance for the immediate gratification, instant-expert, quick to criticize fans out there....as long as the loonies aren't running the asylum.

by WarEaglePDX on Feb 1, 2008 1:38 PM PST 0 recs

I feel the same way

particularly the knee-jerk way the community seems to hate on Nate and Jack. Maybe it's because the two kind of look alike, so they get confused. Should we call them the Suit and the Jersey?

In all seriousness, I don't like the weird bipartisan vibe that sometimes comes out of these discussions, i.e. "You're either critical of your team, or you're a blind homer!" or vice versa, "You're either on board with the coming dynasty, or you're a hater!" There's an unwillingness to agree to disagree sometimes which is a little hard to bear. And there is a difference between (to use a recent example, not to single anyone out) questioning or critiquing Nate's decision to sit Joel, and going on some internet tirade about how Nate and KP are torpedoing our chances and selling the season and the fans down the river. You can disagree or be critical without being some rabid watchdog over every little thing--isn't that the reason we don't like Canzano, after all?

Finally, to BlazersOrBust: I also wanted to cheer your usage of "excoriating", "casting aspersions", and "nadir". Well written, sir!

by abdelnaby on Feb 1, 2008 1:44 PM PST 0 recs

This is precisely what I meant

It seems like some people interpreted my initial post as, "You either toe the line and drink the kool-aid, or I think you're a Blazers traitor!" which is far from my belief.

"And there is a difference between...questioning or critiquing Nate's decision to sit Joel, and going on some internet tirade about how Nate and KP are torpedoing our chances and selling the season and the fans down the river." This is exactly what I was striving to convey. Where the line between nuanced criticism and strident criticism is drawn will be different for every single fan -- and I'll be the first to admit that I defend basically every decision that the current brain trust makes, so what seems unduly harsh to me may not appear so to other people.

Someone above, I believe TimG, talked about the "hyper-negativity" that comes up in some of the diaries -- I agree with him that on occasion, that kind of thinking can rear its head here, and for me the bloom's still on the rose of this Blazers team compared to the 05-06 incarnation so I don't like it. But as Jumbo and Fizbin said, being critical is part and parcel of being a fan, which is equally valid. I just wish that the criticism were a little less reactionary than it appears to be to me.

by BlazersOrBust on Feb 1, 2008 4:57 PM PST up 0 recs

Oh --

and thanks for the complimentary comments. :) Makes my nascent journalism side perk right up.

by BlazersOrBust on Feb 1, 2008 5:02 PM PST up 0 recs

You spend too much time on the internet.

There. I just cast that stone.

by little joey on Feb 1, 2008 2:12 PM PST 0 recs

Hate Nate?

People don't hate Nate, that is crazy Alaa. Can I call you Alaa? Hating would imply that we see no way they (Jack and Nate in this case) contribute to the teams success. I got creamed a month ago exulting Jack, but I have no problem shipping his goofy looking butt off this team if we can get Devin Harris. That is not hate for Jack, but rather me seeing a way for the team to get better. I do not hate anyone on this team, just want the team to get better.

They are like a vampiric Kobayashi - Classic Dave on the Knicks, 2/1/08

by Rodendridge on Feb 1, 2008 4:32 PM PST 0 recs

by "hate on"

I mean that we seem to turn on them quickly, not that they're considered a detriment to the team--at least, in Nate's case. Nate catches some flak, but this season and his potential Coach of the Year award seems to have earned him some pretty substantial goodwill thus far. On the other hand, the heat Jack gets from us fans is borderline absurd sometimes, in my opinion. I'm not sure if it's a backlash effect of Sergio love, or if we just need a scapegoat, with Zach gone and Darius practically invisible, but the crimes haven't quite justified the sentence, in my own opinion. Anyway, I think you trade Jack if it makes the team better, that's just good business, but at this point you need to really consider everything he brings to this team--I've always suspected his effect on the team's chemistry was stronger than we understood looking from the outside in, and those recent articles from Quick seem to have really underscored that. Just something to consider next time he steps on the out of bounds line, which to be fair is probably going to be in a couple of hours.

The name Alaa makes me think of getting scolded by my Hawaiian auntie. Always "Hah-lah!" this and "Aiyahh!" that. I'm not sure if that makes me less or more fond of it.

by abdelnaby on Feb 1, 2008 5:06 PM PST up 0 recs

LOL

I'm laughing, I'm crying, I'm agreeing with everyone.

But the point I will attempt to make is that people tend to criticize more than they praise. I am speaking of "people" in general, no one in particular. And certainly not everyone - maybe 50.5% of everyone. (And please, no replies saying "not me!")

When you've had a bad experience in a store, don't you talk about it? But a good experience is less often spread. You may return to that store again and again, but you don't plop down into your seat on MAX and say "I just had a great experience at ABC123" to a stranger, but you might say "I just tangled with the world's nastiest salesperson at 123". How often have we asked for the manager to complain about service ... compared to how many times have we asked for the manager to make a compliment?

Maybe we need to gripe to get it out of our system, I don't know. And certainly this site has been generous in praise of each and every Blazer - even most everyone has said they're willing to give D.Miles another chance.

Maybe we need to blame someone for our own too-high expectations. We lose, it's Nate's, Jack's or Sergio's fault. It doesn't matter that the Celtics, the Spurs, and the Mavs also lost. Jack steps out of bounds and people are irate. I believe K*b* had 11 turnovers all by himself the other night. Maybe if we start to EXPECT JJ to step out of bounds it might be more funny than tragic. Maybe Dave needs to add it as a bonus question to a game: in what quarter will Jack first step out of bounds? in what quarter will Jones miss his second 3PA? who will be first to pass to Joel at knee level? who will be first to post a diary complaining about Nate not playing Joel in the 4th quarter? Additional points if it is during the game open thread...

OK, this has evolved into me griping about people griping. Apologies all around. I'm starting to sound like my late mother who (in her 80s) used to complain to me about people around her complaining all the time. I'd just smile to myself and say to her, "yes, that must be very annoying." :-)

"jksnake99's advice : NEVER give up on a Brandon Roy led team." -- posted at halftime...

by jorga on Feb 1, 2008 5:08 PM PST 0 recs

but...

I DO expect JJ to step out of bounds! I was surprised he didn't the last game!

"No way. I love this town. We're gonna bring back the glory years. These boys are my boys. This is my team and my town." - Greg Oden when asked about leaving.

by ratbastird on Feb 1, 2008 6:38 PM PST up 0 recs

Kobe had 11 turnovers

For one, that is an abberation. Secondly, he also scored 39-40 points in the process. I just want our players to learn. If they keep repeating the same mistakes over and over and over, somebody should be held accountable.

I'm hip, I'm slick, and all the women want my phone number!

by silkybrown on Feb 2, 2008 12:59 AM PST up 0 recs

Held accountable?

They will be. KP isn't in this to make players feel good, he's in it to win a championship. If players make the same mistake over and over again, it significantly increases the possibility that they won't be here. It may increase the possibility Nate won't be here. It will impact their pay when their next contract comes up.

But over the last four years, Travis made the same mistakes over and over. It impacted both the amount and length of his contract, I'm sure -- but I'm glad we didn't throw him under the bus because of those mistakes.

Zach made the same off-court mistakes over and over, too. He got shipped out. The time comes to do that.

The only way you can hold them accountable, if you think the team isn't responding quickly enough, is to not go to the games....

by jscot on Feb 2, 2008 1:15 AM PST up 0 recs

Case in Point....

The Blazers were a losing team last year. In the offseason, we made moves and ultimately we have only one player in the starting lineup that started last year. Result: a winning team.

Magloire => Pryz
Z-Bo => LMA
Ime => Martel
Roy => Roy
Jack => Blake

Nate and KP are willing to make changes to better this team. One of the ultimate tradeoffs is winning now versus bulding for the future. Things are always as simple as we, as fans want to make them. Another example: Maybe Pryz plays such limited minutes because its been determined that playing heavy minutes makes him so much more susceptable to injury...and we all know that has been a problem for the Thrilla in the past.

by WarEaglePDX on Feb 2, 2008 1:40 AM PST up 0 recs

aren't*

Correction: "Things aren't always as simple as we the fans....."

by WarEaglePDX on Feb 2, 2008 1:41 AM PST up 0 recs

Good idea

"Dave needs to add it as a bonus question to a game:..."

I like Brandon Roy, whatever planet he comes from. (Bill Walton?)

by amlmart1 on Feb 1, 2008 5:14 PM PST 0 recs

What's to underdstand?

People are entitled to their opinions, even if you disagree with them. If you can't handle that, then why bother reading fan forums?

by fri2219 on Feb 2, 2008 12:18 AM PST 0 recs

I basically agree with most

But I'm afraid it's just not gonna change, ever. ESPECIALLY now that Blazers Edge is so popular and has such a wide range of Blazer fans; Blazer fans with different styles, opinions, and ways they express themself. I don't like it when people complain about stuff that has won us 9 out of 10 games (only to complain about it that 10th game), but I also know I just can't control how people react to things-- nor do I want to.

Overall, we got it pretty sweet here at BE. We got a great team that will get only awesomer as time goes on, and the fan base is loving it. The bloggers here are smart as freshly ironed pair of slacks and you can learn something new everyone about basketball here. But, of course, fans love to bitch and there is always an ample amount of complaining that will occur when something un-good happens.

All we can do is accept that fact, ignore the obviously dumb posts, and do your best to refute the ones that are simply misguided.

We all know Blazers Edge is better than pretty much any fan site revolving around a sporting event. You just can't shut out all negativity and whining, no matter how good things are going. Oh well.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Feb 2, 2008 2:35 AM PST 0 recs

Yup

Not everyone can be as imperturbable and omnipotent as us.

"I knew a guy who was dyslexic. He was also cross-eyed. So everything came out right." Tummler from Gummo (1997)

by tominhawaii on Feb 2, 2008 1:23 PM PST up 0 recs

You forgot add

"And we never make misteaks."

I like Brandon Roy, whatever planet he comes from. (Bill Walton?)

by amlmart1 on Feb 2, 2008 1:39 PM PST up 0 recs

Dag-nab-it

How could I forget that?

"I knew a guy who was dyslexic. He was also cross-eyed. So everything came out right." Tummler from Gummo (1997)

by tominhawaii on Feb 2, 2008 2:22 PM PST up 0 recs

Mortimer needs to be called "The Hammer"

Because he consistantly hits the nail right on the head. I hereby name Mortmer as my online director of PR. He always says what I want to say, but better. Long live Mortimer, the quintesential rational poster.

by WarEaglePDX on Feb 2, 2008 2:22 PM PST up 0 recs