Reasons to Watch the Portland Trailblazers in 2008-09

by Dave on Sep 21, 2008 11:32 PM PDT Comment 34 comments

Ben and I must be on the same wavelength. In his post below talking about media coverage in the Bay Area he invited (presumably former) Warriors fans to try out the Blazers for size. I wanted to do a post for new Blazer fans, folks on the fence trying to decide whether Portland is a team to follow, and our legion of internation fans beginning to follow our multi-national team. So without further ado, for anyone needing them (or just curious), here are five reasons you should consider watching the Blazers in the upcoming season.

1. Brandon Roy is a pleasure to watch anytime, anywhere.

Seriously, on most nights Roy is a one-man Beautiful Basketball clinic. Watching him you're going to see a young guy who plays the right way. He has a knack for knowing when to pass and when to take over. His moves are effective to the point of being unstoppable without seeming showy. This is a different kind of star, one you can't grasp through the Sportscenter basketball we've been fed over the years. Give him two weeks. You'll fall in love too.

2. Forget those guys in Chicago and Miami. Greg Oden is going to be the rookie story this year.

I don't necessarily mean Oden will rack up the best stats or that he'll win Rookie of the Year. He may even get off to a slow start. It doesn't matter. If you're looking for a long-term effect on the game, Oden is going to be your guy. In a strange way whatever struggles he has will only add to the drama. It's going to be like watching sportscars against a steamroller in a straight, downhill race. The cars may jet ahead, but if they're still on the track when the 'roller gets going full speed it ain't gonna be pretty. When Oden does bust out with a highlight, you will have been HIGHLIGHTED, baby. Nobody in this rookie class is going to drop your jaw harder.

3. But wait, there's more! Act now and we'll throw in two sleeper rookies!

If there's anything better than watching a top-notch rookie, it's following those sneaky, sleeper rooks from the ground up. These are the guys who make you look smart four years later when you're saying, "I called this back in Game 2 of their careers." Jerryd Bayless and Rudy Fernandez have a chance to be that kind of player. If the NBA kept stats on mean gazes Bayless would register double-doubles every night. He's a tough, quick, brick of a kid with a cold WWE attitude and no back-down in him. Plus the guy can score. Given playing time, he's going to be in double digits every night. Spain's Rudy Fernandez is tough in a different way: tough to guard. He's comfortable inside and out on offense and can dribble with both hands. He's likely to play the Puss in Boots Shrek role to perfection. He won't be the main guy but many will find him adorable and occasionally he could steal the show.

4. Portland plays team basketball.

I'll let you in on a secret: The Blazers should not have won 41 last year. Had they played by the standard NBA script Brandon Roy and Lamarcus Aldridge would have averaged 22 shots per night while the rest of the team tried to milk a turnip offensively. The star duet would have rocked the stat page and Portland would have won 33-35 games. Instead neither guy averaged 16 attempts, Roy scored 19 and Aldridge 17, the whole team shared the wealth and depended on whoever was open, and they finished at .500. This happened after they traded away the previous years' leading scorer and watched their #1 overall pick go down for the season. For a basketball purist, the attitude was a delight. The Blazers are well-coached and will be easy on your eyes most nights.

5. Resistance is Futile

Portland fans have never appreciated bandwagon hoppers, probably because the Blazers played the lovable loser role for years until they gave up the "lovable" part in favor of wretched, stinky, and abominable. Those years are done now. In fact if you're going to point to one team in the league that's not only likable but legitimately on the rise your finger had better drift to the Northwest. Obviously if you're a true front-running fan Portland's day has not come yet and you're going to have to do something gauche like rooting for the L*kers or Celtics. Personally I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day. But if you want to claim a team early on that has a good chance to give you bragging rights into the next decade the Blazers are your squad. They'd make a great adopted team or secondary rooting interest. Careful though...they have a way of becoming a primary passion. In any case, a few years down the road you can rightfully claim that you were there when it started. There are few greater satisfactions in sports than that.

Maybe Portland isn't the most obvious choice for mass consumption. This isn't your Applebee's or T.G.I. Friday's kind of experience. This is that newly-opened restaurant down the street where the food is fantastic but the crowd is only beginning to buzz. It can be your intimate little place for a while, then when it hits the big-time you can say you knew it all along. Get yourself a dish subscription, set your TiVO, and prepare for an interesting season. The door is open...give it a try.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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Yes!!!

Plus you get to see Blaze!

/sarcasm

Beaver believer!

by mannyfresh1 on Sep 22, 2008 12:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ohhh Dave,

SOOOOO many good things here, I dont know where to start.

1. Hopefully Roy’s game will get some national pub and people other than BBall junkies will fall in love with it as well. Roy is like a nice short story as compared to a comic book, they both have layers and texture that takes a while to absorb.

2. Screw Chi and Mia, Rose will struggle as most 1st year PGs do and Beasley will have so much negative pub it will preculde him from the running. As angry as Stern was with Chalmers and Arthur, think about how mad Stern is at the guy who was there…..but lied to Mr Attorney Stern. No way Stern lets Beasley get ROY, much like he gave NY Ewing, Odens envlope will of been put in the freezer before the drawing if ya know what I mean. Oden will lead the league in broken backboards and Sportcenter highlight dunks. Add to it his 18/13/3 and he will have the substance to match his flair.

3. “HURRY, CALL WITHIN THE NEXT 10 MINUTES AND WE’LL THROW IN 2 OTHER ROY CANDIDATES!!!” Love it, and cannot wait to see these 2 play and tear up the 2nd units of opposing teams.

4. Speaking of Rudy, after watching Team Espana, play in the Olys, it reminded me a lot of how we played last year as much of the international game is predicated on dribble penetration/kick out to the open man for a wide open shot. That sounds soooo much like how we played past year, hopefully that will east the transisition from Int to US play. You are correct in the fact that we do not play like a “normal” NBA team, we do have a bit more of an international flair as both LMA and Roy only shot 15 shots/gm, but had no problem hitting a wide open Jones or Webster in the corner with little to no regard of their own stats. Most Euros have trouble moving to the nba due to the way most play here, drive in put up a crazy shot hope to make it on Sportscenter.

5. Much like the Columbia River breaks down granite and basalt, slowly but surely, we will learn and grow into this monster that will become a force of nature much like the Columbia. The power and the force will build up over time and wave after wave of talented players will wash over opposing teams, reducing them to sand. All it will take it time and with an average age of about 23 we have lots of that.

The 28th cannot get here soon enough.

The season cannot get here soon enough.

by SpyderRyder on Sep 22, 2008 12:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Great post, Dave!

.. especially your great description of Brandon. They get to see basketball played the right way! I’ve been following the Blazers for a long time. I gotta say that, as far as I’m concerned, newcomers are more than welcome. As Ann (I think) recently said, “Whats not to like?” :)

by jayfisher on Sep 22, 2008 1:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Another reason ..

for newcomers to enjoy the Blazers is their fans. We’re good people.

And, if you believe in justice, we deserve what’s to come (and the L@kers don’t!).

We also have an wide following from Spain to Australia .. and even more exotic places, like Hawaii and Idaho. :)

by jayfisher on Sep 22, 2008 1:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not to mention people from

Scotland (please hold onto your kilt when the breeze comes up the Columbia River gorge, jscot, my grandmother may be watching)…

and France (can you ship over a few boxes of champagne for next June?)

by Bust a Bucket on Sep 22, 2008 1:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, Bust a Bucket ..

Sorry, I didn’t mean to leave out the Scottish. At first, they just didn’t seem all that exotic. However I need to rethink this .. especially now that you reminded us of kilts and breezes in the Gorge .. lol!

by jayfisher on Sep 22, 2008 1:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We're used to the wind blowing

but the kilt fastens nicely. I’ve never actually seen one blown off by the wind. What’s the problem? Real Scottish men don’t mind a little breeze.

Grandmothers? Pshaw. You’re worried what your wives and girlfriends might see and compare.

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 Sep 22, 2008 8:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not so much worried about them...

prolly not much to see…

by Bust a Bucket on Sep 22, 2008 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ah yeah baby...

It’s nice to see a neat list that explains what we are all feeling deep down inside.

by Bust a Bucket on Sep 22, 2008 1:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Can somebody get Dave

a Rudy t-shirt with the Puss in Boots caption “Fear Me…If You Dare!”

I want to (he claps his hands twice) but I gotta (he makes a serious face)

by jnstarbird on Sep 22, 2008 6:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Boots

Dave, I think you’ve hit on the best nickname for Rudy. “Puss in Boots” is great, though too long and “Puss”, well that won’t do, so I reckon “Boots” would work great.

Excellent post.

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

by LaughingJon on Sep 22, 2008 6:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Puss in Boots?

I dont like it. Back when someone suggested Gladiator- thats works around here.
Nice post tho typifies the potential of the team and expectations of the fans.

Now could we get on with it already?

"meow." -- My cat Bonzi wondering why Outlaw shouldn't start.

by bow4meow on Sep 22, 2008 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that is about the most culturally insensitive nickname ever

but a good one nonetheless… of all the great Spanish heroes, you had to choose the American cartoon caricature of a Spaniard

by keephopealive on Sep 22, 2008 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

AB

Voiced by a Spaniard, though.

I want to (he claps his hands twice) but I gotta (he makes a serious face)

by jnstarbird on Sep 22, 2008 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hold up,

You’re telling me people exist who AREN’T sure that the Blazers are worth watching??

Whoa dude..my mind has been blown.

;-)

You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose.

-- Unknown

by SloppyJoe on Sep 22, 2008 7:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Your message is for others...

…but you are preaching to the choir in here. Blazer Edger’s don’t need reasons to watch The Blazers. Most of us watched em through the painful years. This season we are waiting to watch Oden, Brandon, LMA and Bayless and Fernandez as well as just about everyone else on the roster having potentially great pre-season buzz. It’s all good. BUT it wasn’t too long ago I remember trying to get psyched up entering a season when the new chips on the table had names like Telfair and Ha, and our core was Randolph and Miles battling a SAR for position and playing time.

It’s good times now. According to courtside The L&kers charge their fans a premium for home games against teams they have deemed “premium” draws. According to rumor The Blazers are NOT considered one of the visiting teams that they deem a premium draw. I think we should take that personally! Let’s start by beating them on their opening night so bad their fans want a refund! I’m psyched for this season!

"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"

by Krang on Sep 22, 2008 8:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I can see the day when the PTB become that premium draw

You’ll see their fans actually showing before half-time to see the next best thing.I wouldnt be surprised if you even spot a few Outlaw jerseys in the crowds. Wouldnt that be sweet?

"meow." -- My cat Bonzi wondering why Outlaw shouldn't start.

by bow4meow on Sep 22, 2008 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"I'd rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day."

Thanks Dave, there’s been so few of your wonderful one-liners lately, I was beginning to wonder whether you’d stuck them in the deep freeze.

"Screw the chalupa – it’s the victory I want." --timg56

by MiledAnimal on Sep 22, 2008 9:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

One-liners can't be forced

They also generally come in response to spontaneous events, such as occur in games. When I sit down to write a post it’s mostly pre-planned. That makes it harder to throw them in. It feels more like I’m trying to be funny rather than giving an honest, yet light-hearted, description of reality. Look for the return of the quips as the season approaches. In fact there might be a few in the upcoming team-by-team reviews.

—Dave

by Dave on Sep 22, 2008 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dave...

you have a real way with words. Where do you even come up with your material? I mean, sportscars versus a steamroller? GENIUS! If you could make this happen, I would pay the Pay-Per-View fee to watch it (NOTE: as I’m not one for the gratuitous loss of life, maybe we could have the automobiles run by remote control or drone or something? Just a thought.).

Also, I’d like to personally comend you on your efforts to uphold your strict guidelines in regards to the F@kers… Just know that I will always have your back on this front.

"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car"

by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Sep 22, 2008 9:59 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

speaking to my heart

As a Nuggets fan who has jumped on the Portland bandwagon (love the city, love Steve Blake from his days as a Nugget, Aldridge and Roy from college, Oden from high school, Fernandez from the Olympics, and Blazers FANS are some of the most amazingly dedicated fans I’ve ever seen), #5 applies directly to me. Even though they’re not my favorite team, I will be proud to be a part of this growing team, and in 15 years will look back at this Trailblazers team with great satisfaction. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ’em! But I’ll cry if they ever face the Nuggets in the playoffs.

by jbock37 on Sep 22, 2008 12:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

All those for whom the Blazers are a secondary love

are of course expected to root for their primary team should the two ever meet. That’s natural and understood.

A Blazers-Nuggets playoff series, though highly unlikely this year, would be quite interesting because of the contrasts. Veterans versus youth, unabashed scoring superstars versus less-selfish guys, tough versus smooth…I would pay to see how that turned out. I think four years from now it would be a foregone conclusion, but one of the eventual stories of the Blazers making their playoff return (provided they do) will be how well they handle it against a team that has been there.

—Dave

by Dave on Sep 22, 2008 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

secondary love?

secondary love is a bad thing. I have a hard time accepting bandwagoners.

"meow." -- My cat Bonzi wondering why Outlaw shouldn't start.

by bow4meow on Sep 22, 2008 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not the same thing

A bandwagoner is someone who only supports the team when they are really good, top championship contenders, and bounces from team to team based on who is good.

Secondary love is when you have one team that will always be your first love, but you’ve grown to love and appreciate another team as well.

I like the Warriors. Not because they are good, but because I like watching the style of play. I hope they succeed. I would love to have them be the team we beat in the WCF one of these years. I’m not a bandwagoner, but they would be a secondary love for me.

I used to like Phoenix, too, but they got Shaq. So much for that. I liked them when they had KJ, too.

by jscot on Sep 22, 2008 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

a pretty fine hair to split

I think a bandwagoner is anyone who see’s the next best thing and climbs aboard.

I hear what you are saying about secondary love, but is it right to love another team knowing the PTBs love is not usurpable?

The way Iook at it, I love the PTB and hate the rest. Fantasy sports has destroyed loyalty and secondary love is a reason for divorce.

"meow." -- My cat Bonzi wondering why Outlaw shouldn't start.

by bow4meow on Sep 22, 2008 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Only other teams have badwagons, the Blazers

simply cause people to come to their senses.

by raoulduke on Sep 22, 2008 3:19 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

LOL

rec

by jscot on Sep 22, 2008 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll have to bookmark this if the Blazers ever meet the Mavs in the playoffs

St. Bayno's 120 Haiku Prospects: Nicolas Batum in the paint—prairie grass, blown by wind.

by Norsktroll on Sep 22, 2008 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watch It Grow

It works. I’ve already enjoyed these rookies. And, with Roy and Aldridge, it’s like adding some yeast to the cake. Watch it grow.

And tough? I think those days of wondering are long gone. Oden changes from Mr. Nice guy to Mr. Enforcer when he steps on the floor, Bayless has the build and mentality of an NFL Linebacker or Safety. It was Bayless who was shouting at the REF’s, “they ain’t got no time outs”. It’s Oden who Frye said “he wants to dunk on your head, that’s what he wants”. It was Rudy fearlessly slamming it home against Howard, and it was Bayless knocking down anyone in his way when he decided he was going to the basket. If you want to get knocked down, stand in front of Bayless or Oden – they’ll be happy to oblige. Roy’s got to be looking ahead to this crew.

by Eben Calder on Sep 22, 2008 12:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Superfandom

Best line – “Personally I’d rather give an elephant a prostate exam on Chili Day.” Now that’s a dedicated fan.

by BlazerNation on Sep 22, 2008 1:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Excited for portland

I have to say, as a seattlite and former sonics fan, the Blazers are a pretty nice “consolation prize” if you wanna look at it that way. Yes my team is dead and gone but the blazers have long been my “secondary” team ( I went to Lewis and Clark) and being able to really devote my energy and fandom to them in this exciting time is pretty awsome. I know i’ll be coming down to P-Town a couple times this year to attend some games. I’m just praying FSN in seattle decides to broadcast the Blazers now that the sonics are gone.

by moflow on Sep 22, 2008 5:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The PTB a "consolation prize"

If I didnt know better Id have accused Mortimer of making a comment like that. “Consolation Prize” was Seattles drafting Durant at #2, before bailing on its fans. I havent seen professional wrestling moves blown that bad, and Ive seen a few missed dropped kicks that somehow land an opponent on his back.

Dont forget to fill out the Sonics>PTB conversion Form at the Bedge site (click on the cat icon). There is a 72 hour wait period during the initial background check before you can adopt the PTB as your primary.

"meow." -- My cat Bonzi wondering why Outlaw shouldn't start.

by bow4meow on Sep 22, 2008 8:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Not Just Native Oregonians are true blue Blazer fans!

I see by Dave’s reply above that he understands what I’m about to say, but for those that don’t believe that ‘secondary sports love’ exists, if natural, fun, etc., perhaps this will help. Because I am a loyal (1/2) season ticket holder of the Blazers, and I’m no bandwagon jumper!

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Boston. My grandfather took my Dad to the Fenway bleachers to watch a young guy named Ted play left field. My dad took me to my first game in 1967, the Impossible Dream year when Yaz earned the last Triple Crown. I remember walking home from second grade with a radio on full blast, listening to the beloved Sox. Mom was also a great hockey fan in the days of Orr. I was lucky enough to get a 1/4 of a season ticket in ’84-’86, getting to watch the best NBA team ever in 1986, when ex-Blazer Bill Walton anchored an impressive bench. I was 20’ from where Bird stole the ball (and didn’t even see it live). My best buddy popped a champagne cork seconds before the groundball to Buckner… (It took a while, but I’m talking to him again now ;-)… And yes, I’ve REALLY enjoyed the Boston team’s success in this new millenium… So, suffice it to say: sports is in my blood.

My wife and I moved here in 1993, and I’ve been a Blazer fan since. I’ve had multiple Blazer Boxes and have been an off-an-on season ticket holder, and I even had the pleasure of working as a consultant for the Blazers (not in any exciting basketball related job, but I still worked in those offices on game day. Fun stuff!)

I by no means have given up my Boston teams, and have been on cloud nine with the Celtics joining the Pats and Sox to make Boston truly the City of Champions… But the Blazers are now my favorite team – as long as they’re not playing the Celtics… Sorry, but I’m loyal!

I’m stoked about the Blazers upcoming decade of dominance. And if they play the Celtics in the finals, I’ll be the happiest fan in the world, because I’d be extremely happy with either result…

But by no means am I a bandwagon jumper. I hate those guys! My sports year is a success if the Yank-mes, Canadians, Cowboys, and Fakers don’t win… (of course, when Boston wins, it’s a year-long celebration for me… so I haven’t been too sober the last few years!) It’s been an awesome sports millennium so far, and I expect to get even better with the Blazers playoff run this next decade.

Go Blazers!

by Visionary1 on Sep 22, 2008 10:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Drexler was it

I was born and raised in Arkansas. I discovered basketball when I was 10 or so, and having no pro team in the area, I watched the league with an open heart. Gradually I found myself always rooting for the Drexler, Porter, Robinson Blazers whenever I watched their games. This all culminated in me screaming at my television one horrible, horrible night in early June of 2000, and moving to Portland a year later. I live in Chicago now, but the first thing I do when I turn on the computer in the morning….is check my e-mail. But right after that I hit Oregonlive for Blazers news. I don’t follow any other sport. I don’t root for any other pro team. Never have, never will.

I want to (he claps his hands twice) but I gotta (he makes a serious face)

by jnstarbird on Sep 23, 2008 6:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs