Game 36 Preview: Warriors vs. Blazers

by Dave on Jan 10, 2009 12:24 AM PST Comment 128 comments

I have some critical breaking news for you! We actually get to talk about (gasp!) A GAME! That's right, a game! That real, live bouncy-shooty-basketball thing that this team does when it's not contemplating litigation and crunching cap and tax numbers. Seriously, the light schedule this week has been an absolute godsend when it comes to the Roy hamstring injury but it's been an unfortunate week to be dealing with all of this other stuff. No distractions.

A Look at the Warriors

Here's the rundown of the NBA team hierarchy:

Champion or NBA Finalist

Championship Contender

Solid Playoff Team

Playoff Team

Playoff Contender

We're going to stop right there for a second because it wasn't so long ago that the Warriors were firmly ensconced right in the two lower designations there. Let's continue with the non-playoff designations:

Tough Matchup

Could Beat You On Any Given Night

Complete Patsies

OKC Thunder

I'm giving you this rundown so that when I say, "You have to watch out for the Warriors because despite their .270 winning percentage they can beat you on any given night" it's both a literal description of the truth and a testament to how far they've fallen.

Golden State is in horrible shape right now. Their game is all about getting up shots. That's par for the course by the bay. The problem is they're letting the opponent get up even more shots are their opponents are outshooting them 47.1% to 44.6%. They allow more field goal attempts, more makes, and more points than anyone in the league. And unlike in past years the offense just can't keep up. The Warriors aren't getting up a lot of three-point attempts and they aren't great at shooting from that distance anyway. Their high rate of foul shots drawn isn't enough on its own to make up the field goal discrepancy. Welcome to 10-27.

Despite the offensive deficit the Warriors do a few things well. They block more shots than anybody else. They continue their recent pattern of forcing frantic turnovers (as well as committing them). The byword in Golden State is "disruptive". If they can get you out of your game they just swarm over you like locusts. If, on the other hand, you stay on your feet against them then you're the Raid and they're history.

One of the reasons Golden State has a hard time winning if they can't bowl you over is their astonishingly putrid defensive rebounding. They're not bad on the offensive boards but defensively they are the worst rebounding team in the league and it's not even close. Combined with the...less than stellar defense that's a killer.

Despite all of this the Warriors still have plenty of talent. The problem is that half of it is injured. Guard Monta Ellis has been out for the season. Now forwards Stephen Jackson and Brandan Wright are down as well. That puts a lot of pressure on Corey Maggette and newly-arrived Jamaal Crawford to score. Fortunately both love to do just that. Maggette is recovering from injury himself but has been productive the last two games. He's the kind of athlete that causes our smaller defenders trouble. Crawford never met a shot he didn't like, defense or no defense. Andris Biedrins continues to rebound the heck out of the ball. He could either give the Blazer centers fits with his mobility and soft touch or he could get overwhelmed trying to stop Greg Oden. It remains to be seen. Guard Anthony Morrow, red-hot the last time the Blazers met and being trumpeted as the Next Big Thing has more than returned to earth. He hasn't scored 20 since he last played Portland and has achieved double-digits only 7 times. Kelenna Azubuike and C.J. Watson remain solid. Those are the kind of guys who are going to have to have standout games if the Warriors are to beat the Blazers tonight.

Keys to the Game

1. Take out Biedrins and you take out the Warriors. They just don't have enough firepower at the smaller positions to make up for a bad game from him right now. Push him around, keep him outside, and don't allow him any offensive rebounds. Ballgame.

2. The Blazers should feast like it was a Snickers commercial on offensive rebounds the Warriors will give up. Leaving your end of the court without having scored should be a sin.

3. If you penetrate, how are they going to stop you? Please do.

4. One place where the Warriors can get an advantage is on the line. In particular we don't want them fouling out our stars, which includes Greg Oden. Make them earn their points honestly even if they hit shots for certain runs during the game. Better to have defended two-pointers go in than to give up threes or free throws.

5. Don't turn the ball over to this team.

Final Thoughts

We really ought to beat this team tonight no matter how much or little (or if at all) Brandon Roy plays. A loss would be disappointing. It's hard to imagine this off-court stuff affecting the team's play but with all of the other junk going on a win would be just the tonic we need. A blowout loss, however, would cause more confusion and angst than normal. That better not happen though.

Check out the Warriors' point of view at GoldenStateofMind.

Enter the Jersey Contest form for this game here.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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Comments

My prediction

Corey Maggette will single handedly foul out Greg Oden. Blazers by 15

"When I have the ball, I experiment." #5

by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 10, 2009 12:30 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone know

how many second round picks the blazers have this year, and who’s they are?

by winnerwinner on Jan 10, 2009 5:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Three

Our own, Denver, Chicago

by Norsktroll on Jan 10, 2009 5:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

thanks

by winnerwinner on Jan 10, 2009 5:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, Portland has four second-round picks in the 2009 NBA Draft.

http://www.realgm.com/src_future_draftpicks.php

Those picks include its own, one from Denver, one from Los Angeles, and one from New York.

by AK1984 on Jan 10, 2009 6:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

this is right, the denver, la and ny all coming from chicago

honor rasheed wallace

i like ike

by Zaron5551 on Jan 10, 2009 6:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I just remembered that we traded Ömer Asik to Chicago for a pick from them (thought it was their own) and one from Denver

Sorry if that was incorrect

by Norsktroll on Jan 10, 2009 6:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's no big deal.

Anyway, here’s the specifics of that three-team deal.

FROM CHICAGO
Sonny Weems (Draft Rights)
2009 Second-Round Draft Pick (From New York)
2010 Second-Round Draft Pick

FROM DENVER
2009 Second-Round Draft Pick

FROM PORTLAND
Omer Asik (Draft Rights)

TO CHICAGO
Omer Asik (Draft Rights)

TO DENVER
Sonny Weems (Draft Rights)

TO PORTLAND
2009 Second-Round Draft Pick (From Denver)
2009 Second-Round Draft Pick (From New York Via Chicago)
2010 Second-Round Draft Pick (From Chicago)

http://www.nba.com/bulls/news/trade_080626.html

In any event, that was a good move by Kevin Pritchard.

by AK1984 on Jan 10, 2009 8:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Good overview

It was especially good since Asik tore his ACL this season, which people here really wouldn’t have liked. Chicago seems still very high on him, but they don’t have a good history of developing big men. He might be the next good one out of Turkey after Okur, but that’s a while in the future – if it ever happens.

by Norsktroll on Jan 11, 2009 9:35 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My prediction

The Grizzlies will cut Miles, the Warriors will sign him, and then D-Miles will play in the game…..Darius will go up for a dunk over Greg Oden, only to have it swatted into the upper deck.

Darius Miles will feel so ashamed of such an utterly abhorrent dunk, that he’ll retire having played only 9 games since his previous retirement, leaving the Blazers with a ton of cap space and an awesome poster to hang at the practice facility.

If you think I'm insulting you, I'm insulted that you'd even think that I would think of insulting you.

by prezofdeath on Jan 10, 2009 12:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Interesting Prediction...

Do you also do weather reports? jk :)

Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
Bring It Big Tonight LMA!! and he did - more RBs please.
B-REX ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ROWR!!!!!!!
44:02 Mins 11-21 FGs 4-7 FTs +5 2 Off 6 Rebs 2 Ast 26 Points LMA vs Pisstowns

by LaMarvelous on Jan 10, 2009 12:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i hate getting mad at your favorite player too

but he has played well enough the last two games. lets just hope he can hit more shots then he misses, and maybe up his usual anti of steals :-)

They LIED!!!

http://www.nba.com/news/miles_10_080919.html

by maid tu rek on Jan 10, 2009 4:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

howed i miss????

this was for you on the thread directly below, hmpfh

They LIED!!!

http://www.nba.com/news/miles_10_080919.html

by maid tu rek on Jan 10, 2009 4:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

hopefully LMA has figured out how to score when guarded by 6'6'' guys by now

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jan 10, 2009 12:36 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

If Corey Maggette owns him again

I AM GOING TO LOSE IT

by trailblazersfan on Jan 10, 2009 12:41 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Yeah, if that happens I will lose it also...

all over my carpet. Man I hope that doesn’t happen. I don’t want to clean up the mess… :)

I also hate getting mad at my favorite player. :(

by LaMarvelous on Jan 10, 2009 12:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

add

Travis Outlaw to the list of players who need to recognize when he has rec league sized guys guarding him

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Jan 10, 2009 11:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope that he spends most if not all his time as back up PF and the he gets some rebounds...more than a few.

by LaMarvelous on Jan 10, 2009 12:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I dont know if it matters

this game as everyone but Oden will be defended by SFs

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Jan 10, 2009 12:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That matchup

nearly ruined my at-the-game experience the last time they played in Oakland. I expect LMA to go off tonight because the Warriors don’t really have anyone who should be able to stop him. They’ve got Turiaf, but he’ll be busy fouling Oden.

by torsoheap on Jan 10, 2009 12:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He knows.

Just shoot it a few inches inside the three point line.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Jan 10, 2009 12:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm guessing an ugly game for both teams but a W for the Blazers

by BR7formvp on Jan 10, 2009 12:37 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

a win by 2 points for the Blazers

Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare

"He should have his face
shaved into the back of his head.. Then there would be no escape" OutlawisRejector on what Bayless' next haircut ought to be...

by BlazerFan1 on Jan 10, 2009 12:38 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

why 2 points?

Activate Shavlik Randolph

by appel82 on Jan 10, 2009 10:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

TroutFTW with less than 10 seconds on the clock?

by LaMarvelous on Jan 10, 2009 12:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It’s hard to imagine this off-court stuff affecting the team’s play

just wanted to add a hear hear to that … the players didnt seem fazed in the slightest by the media attention at practice today.

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben. on Jan 10, 2009 12:44 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm not surprised . . its all about the game

the match-ups . . . who you’ll be stopping and how…who you are lookin to tear up…contracts whatever…blah blah blah

"The Portland Trail Blazers are aware that certain teams may be contemplating signing Darius Miles to a contract for the purpose of adversely impacting the Portland Trail Blazers Salary Cap and tax positions....."

by LetsBlaze on Jan 10, 2009 9:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If Brandon doesn't play

pound it inside to Greg and Joel all night, and get Biedrins in foul trouble.

If Brandon does play, pound it inside to Greg and Joel all night, and get Biedrins in foul trouble.

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

by jscot on Jan 10, 2009 12:52 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yes!

Let’s NOT be a jump shooting team tonight. They already beat us once this year. I have been looking forward to this game since that terrible game there.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Jan 10, 2009 11:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep, this needs to be a redemption game. Losing this one would terribly embarrasing.

BRoy or B-Rex down the middle!!! Drive! Drive! Drive! Drive! Drive! Drive! Drive! Drive!!!!!!!!!!

RRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Was that one loud enough and long enough, timbo?) :)

by LaMarvelous on Jan 10, 2009 12:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I will be very upset if Pay-Up

doesn’t get some time. This is a custom made game for him. Drive, drive, drive, scream!

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Jan 10, 2009 12:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Tonight’s game is the perfect one to get the Blazers’ post play on track.

by torsoheap on Jan 10, 2009 12:21 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerryd_bayless

read the end of the first paragraph of this.

absolutely hilarious. saw this at bust a bucket.

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben. on Jan 10, 2009 1:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Did you see what is the first among the references?

Sergio + Rudy = 16
Sergio + Bayless = 16
Batum 8+8=16

by amlmart1 on Jan 10, 2009 1:16 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah.. someone emailed me about the nickname and i used language similar to that, im wondering if that’s who snuck it in?hilarious.

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben. on Jan 10, 2009 1:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Is Bayless aware of this knickname?

and if so what does he think?

by trailblazersfan on Jan 10, 2009 1:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i will ask him. i don’t know.

i know that either him or a family member/friend monitors blazers sites.

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben. on Jan 10, 2009 1:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hope he takes it mostly as

a compliment. A predator that will hunt you down, rip your throat out, and win.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Jan 10, 2009 11:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

At this point it is a compliment

I was pretty involved when that nickname first came up and it was riff on his short arms (it was always meant to be sarcastic, as in his short arms were listed in some draft previews but we thought it was bunch of BS) but it morphed (very quickly) into a take on his competitive fire. This dude is fierce…..so Jerryd if you’re out there….the Rex nickname is a 100% positive!!

Homer: "Yikes....a bear is eating my father!!"
Selma: "I'm Selma"
Homer: "A talking bear is eating my father!!"

by 92wastheyear on Jan 10, 2009 11:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

here, here!

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Jan 10, 2009 12:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed! B-Rex! The nickname rocks and so do you Jerryd!!!!!

by LaMarvelous on Jan 10, 2009 12:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I must be the only one who is like "meh" about the nickname

While we might not find it insulting, I’d understand why others would. And usually if a nickname can be interpreted in bad ways, it’s not my first choice.

I normally don’t like the whole first-initial-last-name thing, but Jay-Bay works surprisingly well.

Of course, I usually just call him Bayless, so I’m boring.

by Timmay! on Jan 10, 2009 1:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Naw

I’m with you. I think B-Rex is just ok and think the first initial-part of the last name trend is boring.

Whatever happened to good nicknames like The Glove? The Pearl? The Twin Towers? The Mailman?

by torsoheap on Jan 10, 2009 1:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That it!!!

Yer back on my list!!!

Homer: "Yikes....a bear is eating my father!!"
Selma: "I'm Selma"
Homer: "A talking bear is eating my father!!"

by 92wastheyear on Jan 10, 2009 1:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

haaaa hahahaha :)

I knew it wouldn’t last long.

by Timmay! on Jan 10, 2009 1:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

what about predator

i think it works just as well as B-Rex, and you could say if he was going down he would take u with him like predator tries to do to arnold. Although jay bay does flow well.

by phillyduck23 on Jan 10, 2009 2:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

J-Bay is cool

because it sounds like an online shopping site for Jews.

by pualo on Jan 10, 2009 2:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

In a move that is sure to please you

We over at realgm have started referring to Jerryd as “The Face”.

by TSE on Jan 10, 2009 2:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

YESSSSS

that is my favorite one, hahaha

They LIED!!!

http://www.nba.com/news/miles_10_080919.html

by maid tu rek on Jan 10, 2009 4:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I prefer T-Rex or better yet, just Rex

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jan 10, 2009 1:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Hah. I edited that after reading the Bust a Bucket article to replace the “short arms” bit with “fierce demeanor.” Looks like someone added it back in, though :-P I’d never seen anyone mention him having short arms before seeing Wikipedia. I found this page with player measurements: http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/?year=2008 and his wingspan is a little small, but his standing reach measurement looks normal.

I think “B-Rex” has caught on because it matches his intensity. It’s definitely a compliment.

by driver8x on Jan 10, 2009 2:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

did someone just add another sentence?

by BR7formvp on Jan 10, 2009 1:21 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

awesome. there you have it in full now.

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben. on Jan 10, 2009 1:22 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

that was me

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jan 10, 2009 1:22 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

i salute you.

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben. on Jan 10, 2009 1:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Remember when the biggest controversy of the year was our loss against the Warriors?

Travis hitting a crazy shot, Rudy fouling on the inbounding play or not, getting a technical…
I miss those times.

by Norsktroll on Jan 10, 2009 1:51 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget all the BE regulars that were banned.

I miss farty for one.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Jan 10, 2009 12:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That was really only a controversy for those BE regulars, technically. :)

by Timmay! on Jan 10, 2009 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This is as close as I've seen Dave

to saying a game is a must-win. In a lot of respects I think it is, although of course the season will go on if we lose. But I’d really really like to win.

"...we have so many experts who think that you have to play defense, you have to rebound, you have to be a possession coach, you have to execute. I just laugh. Explosive offense is not as intimidating as dominant defense. But it is scary when you don't know how to stop someone." - George Karl, Nuggets coach

by jamon51 on Jan 10, 2009 2:23 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

The West is brutal as usual (there was a graphic in the Cavs-Celtics game that showed seeds 2-7 are currently separated by 2.5 games) so it is critical to beat the GSWs of the league, especially at home. The way I see it, each of these games Portland loses at home means they have to “steal” one from a playoff team on the road – a difficult proposition.

Bayless has been testing the fences for weaknesses

by blazeraddict on Jan 10, 2009 9:04 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

oh yeah, the schedule gets easier now!

we’ll see if this means wins.

the blazers are still young enough, and brandon’s leg is dubious until he actually plays and plays reasonably well (though he never plays that bad, when he plays, or i’ve adjusted my memory files)…. anyway, yeah, basketball!

this other stuff has bored the bejeezus out of me. (i hope that word doesnt seem too profane — it’s a weak version of what went through my brain.)

ignacio

by ignacio on Jan 10, 2009 2:23 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Bad feeling about this one.

We’ve had trouble this year against up tempo teams like GS and NY. And Warriors small forwards seem like kyrptonite to LaMarcus and Dirk. Crawford always scared me, he takes the same shots every game…there’s always a hand in his face. Every once in awhile though, all those shots go in and you’re in for a long night.

With regards to Biedrins…I don’t know if any center this year has been “overwhelmed” guarding Greg Oden. There have been highlights and flashes of a post game…but Greg has yet to truly dominate a game.

Let’s hope this isn’t the night where the Warriors manage to drop 125 and make Nelly proud.

Hopefully we can put em down like we should on paper.

by OneTrickPony on Jan 10, 2009 2:26 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'll be there

with my 24 year old son, heck yea! Let’s kick it.

There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)

My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons

by johnv59 on Jan 10, 2009 3:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Larry Miller

sent an email to the league office warning them not to mess up refereeing decisions tonight.

I know you can put admiration in bags, because admiration is real, and tominhawaii says that everything that is real is measurable.

by jscot on Jan 10, 2009 8:14 AM PST reply actions 2 recs

NooooooOOoooooOoOoOooooOooooOOooooooo...!

by Mortimer on Jan 10, 2009 8:40 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

rec

I know you can put admiration in bags, because admiration is real, and tominhawaii says that everything that is real is measurable.

by jscot on Jan 10, 2009 9:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

We made them look like a good defensive team last time

[Joel started last time]. Other than Brandon, our starters had such a bad game, that the 4 bench players played almost twice the time that the 4 starters did [120 mins: 66 mins].

They block more shots than anybody else. They continue their recent pattern of forcing frantic turnovers (as well as committing them). The byword in Golden State is “disruptive”. If they can get you out of your game they just swarm over you like locusts. Dont think that disruptive equals bad. Its a different form of defense, that doesn’t seem to measure well in statistics. To the extent that GSW successfully imposes their style of defense, they come across looking like a good defensive team. They challenge opposing teams to impose a winning style in return. More experienced teams than the Blazers have succumbed to their style — ala Dallas playoff loss.

To the extent that Blazers are a young team and are not able to impose their will with disruptive defenses, we actually make them look like a good defensive team. We should win tis time around, given that (a) they have too many key players with injuries; (b) we have gelled a lot more since that early game. Still “disruptive defense” is diametrically opposite to PTB’s “slowest pace in the league”; and these games are very challenging for us to win.

by FromAfar on Jan 10, 2009 8:44 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think Roy will rest against the running team...

Would love to see Shavlik face off with Biedrens…The Europeans exploit through well executed fundamentals . . . players with good fundamentals D them up well…

Besides my wife is going to the game with her friends 11 yo son and I want the kid to see Shav play :-)…

Her first Rose Garden trip

by LetsBlaze on Jan 10, 2009 9:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

O did I spell his name wrong? {wink;-)

by LetsBlaze on Jan 10, 2009 12:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oakland is my birthplace

so i have a soft spot in my heart for ~~this~~ any warriors squad, but i’d love for them to get pounded tonight. No stephen jackson, but does it really matter who Nellie plays? It seems like the more unexpected the line up, the more dangerous the chaos can get.

BTW, who all is going to this game? thinking of buying some tickets at the resale center but don’t want to pay the fees.

Activate Shavlik Randolph

by appel82 on Jan 10, 2009 10:54 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Maggette isnt playing tonight,

he is in Chicago for a a funeral of a family friend.

Warriors by 12. Just kidding we are most likely going to get blown out today(and when I say we, I mean the Warriors).

What is the status of our petitions to fire Robert Rowell and have Chris Cohan commit Hari Kiri, or at least sell the team?

by warriorsscore110 on Jan 10, 2009 11:12 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the news

We need all the good news we can get right now. We’re like a porcelain doll, pretty and cute, but easy to crack.

by TheTinfoil on Jan 10, 2009 11:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Show me three guys in the league that stop Maggette consistently...

you just hope he misses….

by LetsBlaze on Jan 10, 2009 12:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Corey showed up at Duke and was just amazing

Man amongst boys at age 18…rediculous…

by LetsBlaze on Jan 10, 2009 12:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My concern is the feed

I think I’d rather have the Warriors feed to hear their take on the Darius thing.

by tominhawaii on Jan 10, 2009 11:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm in the Bay Area these days

I can summarize their take after the game if I have time.

by rmcdougall on Jan 10, 2009 11:38 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just expecting the common sense to come out soon

I’m just wondering where it will come from.

by tominhawaii on Jan 10, 2009 11:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

we could place a call

to Dr. Laura

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Jan 10, 2009 11:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

she's lacks common sense, so not a good idea.

honor rasheed wallace

i like ike

by Zaron5551 on Jan 10, 2009 4:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

not according to her

and she is a doctor so she must be right.

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Jan 10, 2009 5:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

she a degree in chemistry and no degree in anything relevent to what she does

honor rasheed wallace

i like ike

by Zaron5551 on Jan 10, 2009 6:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

just to let you know

I am just kidding

thought it was obvious but as this goes on it appears that it is not

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Jan 10, 2009 8:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lame

I just checked, it’s on NBA TV. Doesn’t that mean lame NBA TV announcers?

by tominhawaii on Jan 10, 2009 11:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nossir

They pick a feed and use the local announcers.

Mor’

by Mortimer on Jan 10, 2009 7:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ditto. I'll be watching on the CSBA high def feed.

by Timmay! on Jan 10, 2009 1:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

TY

Perfect practice makes perfect.

by Ojala John on Jan 10, 2009 1:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I am trying to reconcile

that they are the leagues best shot blocking team with Dave’s point #3, which is

If you penetrate, how are they going to stop you?

Their excellent shot blocking seems to be the answer to this question.

Is it just me or does this seem contradictory?

Note that I am still all for the Blazers getting lots of penetration (read that how you will.)

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Jan 10, 2009 11:37 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I agree and see the contradiction

But it still seems true. There’s a difference between driving on a big front line that really prevents shots (like ours on good nights) and driving into a few very athletic players who can block shots.

I feel like they block shots like Batum or Wade block shots. Rarely, and when they don’t, they only nominally contest the shot.

by rmcdougall on Jan 10, 2009 11:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

it seems weird that they are even good shot blockers given their team.

It will be interesting to see if they are weak side shot blockers then I would expect them to be giving up a lot of points from behind the arc. If that is the case then we should kill them on the offensive boards as shot blockers not named Duncan tend to get out of position for rebounds a lot.

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

by jonestr on Jan 10, 2009 11:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Shot blocking

doesn’t stop penetration unless you let it. The best shot blocking team in the league gets around 6.5 rejections per game. We should penetrate on the Warriors at least 40 times. Shot blocks are only effective about 1 time in 8. Sometimes teams get a lot of blocks precisely because they’re letting teams inside so much, whereas teams with lower blocked shot totals don’t let opponents get in the lane to get blocked in the first place.

—Dave

by Dave on Jan 10, 2009 12:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the explaination, Dave. After reading jonestr's comment I was wondering also...

by LaMarvelous on Jan 10, 2009 12:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Holding up a coin between both knees?

Sergio + Rudy = 16
Sergio + Bayless = 16
Batum 8+8=16

by amlmart1 on Jan 10, 2009 2:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Although Andris Biedrins is a proficient shot blocker, he's an inferior man-to-man interior defender.

by AK1984 on Jan 10, 2009 7:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone

have a projected starting lineup for GS? No Jax, no Maggette… —> ?

by torsoheap on Jan 10, 2009 12:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I went over to GSOM

and asked. I’ll let ya know if they respond.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Jan 10, 2009 12:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's a reply from Golden Boy.

“Nelly’s always changing the starting line-up. My guess is Biedrins, Belilnelli, Crawford, Azubuike, and Watson. The only thing I know for sure is that Biedrins will start.”

There pretty cool over there.

My favorite teams are the Blazers and any team that is playing the Lakers.

by OCBlazerFan1 on Jan 10, 2009 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I think GSW fans are pretty relaxed.

That line-up looks small and soft, but if Crawford gets going, the Blazers might be in for a long night. I don’t see anyone on there that should pose any trouble for LMA.

by torsoheap on Jan 10, 2009 1:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Biedrins will start no doubt

question is PF -will it be Randoph or Kurz
Belinelli can play as PG replacement while Watson is more close to real PG then Beli
IMO Crawfish will start too (90% sure)

my guess = Biedrins Randolph Azubuike Belinelli Crawford
(if Belinelli and Crawford will make their first shots then watch out)

Their stupidity is actually entertaining

by Skeptic con Urquell

by Lat We N Trash on Jan 10, 2009 1:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, neither Marco Belinelli nor C.J. Watson can effectively play the point guard position.

My guess is that Jamal Crawford will get plenty of playing time, with Marcus Williams possibly seeing a few minutes of game action for the first time in like forever.

by AK1984 on Jan 10, 2009 7:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

GSW fan here

We’re actually reallllly dreading this matchup. Aldridge is pissed and we don’t have Maggette’s magic touch to keep him in foul trouble, the only real reason we won last time was because LA kept steamrolling Mags. Who are they going to put on him? Anthony Randolph? While he shows flashes of brilliance, he also commits some UGLY turnovers. And the last game he was in after Brandan Wright got hurt? That guy got called for traveling like, 3 times in 5 minutes.

The Warriors are at the same time the most exciting and most frustrating team in the NBA to watch. Brandon Roy doesn’t scare us, and him being out isn’t going to hurt the Blazers that much. Generally speaking we don’t guard superstars any worse than any other team in the NBA. It’s always the no names that kill us. Heat? Daequan Cook. Magic? Courtney Lee. I want to say that Rudy Fernandez is going to sink at least 5 3 pointers in 25 minutes of play, but even he’s too big of a star. No, it’ll be Steve Blake (not saying he sucks, just saying he’s a no name relative to the rest of the Blazers).

by ikai on Jan 10, 2009 3:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Brandon Roy doesn't scare anybody

until he’s done with them. Then it’s too late to be scared. You just got pasted to the wall, shook down, and jacked up. Only the crying is left.

—Dave

by Dave on Jan 10, 2009 6:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

By the way

for all reading, that comment was written BEFORE the game. It was not in any sense gloating, rather a statement about what Brandon Roy does in all times and in all places. Amen.

—Dave

by Dave on Jan 10, 2009 10:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

They are bring in some guys that they found during a pickup game down at the local YMCA....

JK :)

by LaMarvelous on Jan 10, 2009 12:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

GSW fan again

Your comment is actually closer to reality than you think

by ikai on Jan 10, 2009 3:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I lurk but never post on other teams sites

You guys are pretty cool

by southern oregon on Jan 10, 2009 3:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

When I Played Ultimate...

we’d say “Ten seconds of defense earns you two minutes of offense.”

I think you could adapt that for this game: 8 seconds of defense will earn you 24 seconds of offense. The Warriors are not going to rotate the ball and look for a good shot; they’re going to put up a shot in the first 8 seconds. Play solid defense for 8 seconds, use the clock and rotate the ball to get your own shot, and you’ll win this game by 30.

by LicketyBrindle on Jan 10, 2009 4:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Just heard Brandon is gonna play

"..[Travis Outlaw] could jump, grab a rafter, eat a sandwich, and then dunk.."
tmundal 12/30/07

by LetsBlaze on Jan 10, 2009 5:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Rudy , I don't know....

"..[Travis Outlaw] could jump, grab a rafter, eat a sandwich, and then dunk.."
tmundal 12/30/07

by LetsBlaze on Jan 10, 2009 5:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This game is supposed to be on NBA TV.

Does anyone know if it will be blacked out for Dish network subscribers?

All right.... That's confiscated. All of it. And I want you on the next transport off this rock or I'm gonna shoot you where it don't grow back!

by Colthusker on Jan 10, 2009 5:13 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Probably

It’s blacked out on my Oceanic NBA League Pass. I gotta watch NBA TV.

by tominhawaii on Jan 10, 2009 5:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I would like us to win this game please

I will be annoyed if we lose.

Boomshakalaka

by jksnake99 on Jan 10, 2009 5:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

No doubt

this is what tipped the balance.

I know you can put admiration in bags, because admiration is real, and tominhawaii says that everything that is real is measurable.

by jscot on Jan 10, 2009 10:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Do Brandon and Rudy play??

by Kartemax on Jan 10, 2009 6:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I've been told yes

"..[Travis Outlaw] could jump, grab a rafter, eat a sandwich, and then dunk.."
tmundal 12/30/07

by LetsBlaze on Jan 10, 2009 6:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Here it is.

Link.

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 Jan 10, 2009 6:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

hey my first post on that was 5:10 - -

I was quicker than Quick

"..[Travis Outlaw] could jump, grab a rafter, eat a sandwich, and then dunk.."
tmundal 12/30/07

by LetsBlaze on Jan 10, 2009 6:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's pretty quick.

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

by T Darkstar on Jan 10, 2009 6:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So is Darkstar a Jerry reference

as in Darkstar crashes…etc etc

"..[Travis Outlaw] could jump, grab a rafter, eat a sandwich, and then dunk.."
tmundal 12/30/07

by LetsBlaze on Jan 10, 2009 6:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nah, just been using it for years.

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

by T Darkstar on Jan 10, 2009 6:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

awright just checkin

"..[Travis Outlaw] could jump, grab a rafter, eat a sandwich, and then dunk.."
tmundal 12/30/07

by LetsBlaze on Jan 10, 2009 6:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

eh...Shav told me....thought it was safe to say so

"..[Travis Outlaw] could jump, grab a rafter, eat a sandwich, and then dunk.."
tmundal 12/30/07

by LetsBlaze on Jan 10, 2009 6:39 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bayless

Who will be the first pg off the bench?

by hayeclan on Jan 10, 2009 6:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Probably Sergio, with Roy and Rudy playing.

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

by T Darkstar on Jan 10, 2009 6:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Outlaw

Is it just me or does anyone else watch Outlaw the same way we used to watch Ainge, NO NO NO NO NO NO NO YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

by hayeclan on Jan 10, 2009 6:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The GM Ainge did the same thing.

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

by T Darkstar on Jan 10, 2009 6:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I present to you the Blazer adult beverage game for tonight

Player – Action (# of drinks)
Travis Outlaw – Takes a trout shot (1), makes a trout shot (2)
Greg Oden – Travels/stripped (1), great post move (2), takes 3pter (finish drink).
Steve Blake – Drains a three (1), blocks a shot (finish)
Rudy Fernandez – Makes a three (1), alley oop from sergio (3).
Sergio Rodriguez – Turnover (2), Made three (3)
Jerryd Bayless – Drives and scores (1)
Channing Frye – Gets PT (1)
Shavlik Randolph – Get PT (Finish)
Lamarcus Aldridge – Scores on a fast break (1). Scores 20 points (3)
Brandon Roy – Dunks (3)
Joel Pryzbilla – Conflict with another player (1), Block shot (1)
Nicolas Batum – Dunks (1), Steal (1)

by ColeFitz88 on Jan 10, 2009 6:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs