Media Row Report - Bobcats

by Ben Golliver on Jan 28, 2009 11:57 PM PST

JB: Hey man, do you remember draft night?

DJ: when we made Blazers Edge melt down? How could I forget.

-----------------------------------------

Mo' credit to the Lakers for tonight's 88-74 home victory against the Bobcats. Just go right down the list of best case scenarios for the Blazers facing a team on the second half of a back to back and they all happened last night: a double overtime win (super tired and willing to settle for a split of the back-to-back), a late plane arrival, and a key injury (best wishes to Gerald Wallace... sad to not get to see him tonight). This win was all set up for Portland before tip off.

It took awhile for the Blazers to realize, as Brandon Roy put it, that Charlotte "was tired from the jump." Cue Bayless entry at the six minute mark with the Blazers trailing11-9. By the time he checked out 2 minutes into the 2nd quarter, the score was 36 to 19. By careful calculations on my abacus, I am able to determine that that was a 27 to 8 run in about 8 minutes of gametime. I am also able to conclude that that was the ball game.

The Blazers never looked back, pounding the ball inside to both Greg (14/14/3/2) and LaMarcus (25/9), who took turns dunking, hook shotting and running the break. Add to the mix a sick touch pass from Rudy, a flying fast break denying block by Batum and an acrobatic buzzer-beating layup from Rex and it was about as exciting for the home crowd as 88-74 games get. That didn't stop hundreds from leaving the RG early. Haven't seen much of that this year.

The Blazers are chilling on a 3 game win streak with no practice tomorrow and 2 days before Utah. Nobody in the Blazers locker room, nobody, is complaining about that.

Random Game Notes:

By my count, the Blazers are now 11-3 when Greg goes for a double-double. Two of those 3 losses are arguably 2 of the worst losses this season too (Warriors and Clippers).
Tonight's warmup music was selected by Travis Outlaw... "All My Life" by J Roc and Lil Wayne.
Great line from Brandon postgame regarding the All Star voting, which gets announced tomorrow night. "Somebody really had to be focusing on Bruce Bowen." hahahaha true that, Brandon, true that.
B Roy also said he never really expected to be that high on the all star voting this year. He put Kobe Bryant as his starting 2 guard on the Western Conference team. He didn't say anyone else should be there at the 2 other than Kobe. He said "I haven't given it too much thought this year" compared to last year.
Here's some breaking news for you: tomorrow night, Brandon Roy will be announced as an All Star.
When Sergio checked back into the game in the second quarter, a (drunk?) fan could be heard yelling "LEAVE BAYLESS IN!"
Brandon was doing his whole persecuted-by-the-officials act out there today. He ended up at the line only once so I'm not sure how much his yacking helped.
Speaking of the officials: Rudy got called for traveling and a carry on back-to-back possessions. You don't see that very often.
Sean Singletary is not an NBA player. Not trying to be mean. Just saying.
There was a Shavlik sighting. I think he got a haircut recently.
On the big screen, they asked the players which super power they would have if they had their choice. Just about everyone said the ability to fly, although Brandon said he wanted to be invisible and Channing said he wanted to have the "super power to have all other super powers." Bayless said he wanted "super strength." Of course he did.
Best sign of the night: "I Crave Attention." That was it. Awesome.
I heard a rumor some of you guys like Ione.
I also heard a rumor she's not the only Blazer Dancer on that site.
I also heard a rumor that no one should mention John Salmons. Ever. Again.
So I was a running a little late for pregame today and got stuck in traffic, where I drank way too much Red Bull. So a ball rolls over to where I'm sitting during shootaround and Alexis Ajinca comes over to retrieve is. Ajinca is a tall dude with very long legs, so bending over to pick up a ball for him is more difficult than complex yoga is for us normal-heighted people. So I reached down from my sitting position and cupped the basketball with one hand, trying to soft toss it up to him. That's when the Red Bull kicked in. Rather than peaking around his waist for the easy catch, the ball took off, ending up near his head at way too fast a rate, causing him to startle backwards to avoid getting Cheikh Samb'd. My bad, man, my bad.

Nate's Post Game Comments

Nate on his favorite thing about tonight: "We wanted to just come out and be aggressive defensively. Make it a physical game. We knew they played last night. They played double overtime. This is a team that scraps. We wanted to set the tone defensively, picking up, pressuring, making them work for everything and then offensively go inside. I thought our bigs tonight established inside. They don't double team so they were getting single coverage and both Greg and LaMarcus were able to score."

Nate on increasing the tempo: "We wanted to push. We knew they played last night and probably got in here really late. So we wanted to keep the pressure on them both ways. Not only defensively but offensively, making them work to get back. We didn't have anything early."

Nate on LaMarcus: "I thought he did a nice job tonight, he faced the basket a little more, I think that's a good move for him. He was able to knock down his jumpshot and get to the basket. The fact that they pretty much play straight up, Coach Brown is a coach that holds everyone accountable for their man, so you've got single coverage down there, just you and the defender. He was able to score.'

Nate on Greg: "I think he's starting to get comfortable. It seems like each night out he's getting better. He's not in foul trouble. He's playing smarter, as far as the cheap fouls which have sent him to the bench. He's staying out of foul trouble and staying on the floor. He's doing good things. He makes good decisions with the ball on the block. If they give him single coverage he's been able to score. He has been the guy that has established that low post presence for us."

Nate on the schedule getting tougher: "One more game before we're on the road. This is what I was talking about maybe a week ago. Take advantage of home. Try to get hot. We've won our last 3 and now Utah on Saturday, get that before we get back out on the road. We're winning games, that's the main thing. Taking one game at a time. We got this tonight, we knew this would be a tough game. But we got some breaks with their schedule. Injuries. We took advantage of it. Now we have Utah coming in who has had our number this year. We have them at home and we need to get that before we go out on the road."

Nate on not taking care of the ball: "No question. There was one thing that we didn't do well that we normally do, is take care of the ball, 19 turnovers. At the half we felt that the turnovers and the second chance points were the two things that kept them in the game. We continued to turn the ball over, we were too careless with the ball. We normally do a better job of taking care of the ball. I thought at times we played the scoreboard and got loose with the ball as opposed to continuing to execute. I thought we went off on our own and tried to score and we didn't keep the ball movement. I thought we got a little loose as far as our passes and decisions. You're playing the scoreboard when you're up by 15 or 16 points and that can break your rhythm. We definitely got to do a better job of that.

Nate on adjusting to the early traps: "We knew they trapped after free throws and dead ball situations. A couple of times our guards dribbled right into the trap. We just gotta be aware of that, that's part of the scouting report. You gotta be alert to that."

Nate on whether the team has found a groove: "I hope so. We need to find that. We talked about finding a groove and getting hot is what we've said the last week or so. We've been able to get our last 3 games and 1 more before we go on the road to end this month. That's the goal for us, to finish out this stretch at home where we are winning ball games. We lost one to Cleveland but for the most part we've done a good job at home."

Nate on Saturday's matchup: "It's a division game, and again, a home game. We've got to protect home court. Utah has had our number this year so we've got a shot at them at home and we'd like to go out on the road with a W."

More Nate on Greg: "I think he's learning. He's making adjustments to how the officials are calling. We're showing that to him on tape. Just being out there, going through it, he's making adjustments. The more he plays and he picks up what the officials are calling and what he needs to do, he should get better. Now he's staying out of foul trouble which allows him to be out on the floor and when he's out on the floor he's making some things happen. You've got to be out there to be productive and he's starting to avoid the cheap fouls and play position defense. He's rotating a little quicker but he still has a ways to go. There's a lot of areas he can improve on and he knows it. He continues to work at it."

Click through for tons of kicks pictures!

-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com

IMAGES

Nazr Mohammed.

Okafor.

Sadly, this was all we saw from DJ Augustin tonight. I was impressed.

Juwan Howard.

By popular demand: the Air Gollys.

-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)

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Comments

Ben....

Oh my God that Ione link. Can I like wash your dishes or something to make it up to you. I can safely say that has been your single best contribution to this site ever. You are the Brandon Roy of bloggers. All Hail.

"Only dunk and go to the defense." Rudy Fernandez

by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 29, 2009 12:02 AM PST reply actions

i do what i can.

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben Golliver on Jan 29, 2009 12:10 AM PST up reply actions

Doesn't do nudes

but does do “tasteful implieds,” according to her. Does that mean the picture implies that, yes, if you were here at the photo shoot with me, I would love you like a bagel loves lox"?

by torridjoe on Jan 29, 2009 10:59 AM PST up reply actions

+infinity

That link made my day.

by torsoheap on Jan 29, 2009 11:59 AM PST up reply actions

You dressed up just to take a picture of your shoe, didn't you?

And I think the ’Cats really need to work some more Blue into their shoes, Orange and Black makes them all seem like special edition Halloween shoes.

by usdblazerfan on Jan 29, 2009 12:03 AM PST reply actions

Not entirely sure why I capitalized

blue, orange, or black. I wasn’t trying to ruffle any grammatical feathers out there.

by usdblazerfan on Jan 29, 2009 12:05 AM PST up reply actions

no way. lol. look how worn those things are…

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben Golliver on Jan 29, 2009 12:09 AM PST up reply actions

Nice boat shoes

I used to wear those Channing Frye style.

≤ˆˆ≥

by tominhawaii on Jan 29, 2009 12:11 AM PST reply actions

i got a light summer version that i do the same. nothing beats top siders.

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben Golliver on Jan 29, 2009 12:12 AM PST up reply actions

Here's what you need

Robert Wayne Velvet Distressed Loafer

≤ˆˆ≥

by tominhawaii on Jan 29, 2009 5:10 AM PST up reply actions

mind blown

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben Golliver on Jan 29, 2009 2:14 PM PST up reply actions

Regarding this:

Rudy got called for traveling and a carry on back-to-back possessions.
You don’t see that very often.

Seemed to me like there were a LOT of offensive fouls called, both ways.
There was some harping afterwards on the Blazers’ turnovers, but I’d like to see
how many turnovers for both teams were whistle-driven.
That crew was just calling everything to the letter, and they were consistent and fair about it.
I, for one, am not worried about the TO’s.

Do it! Do it! Do it 'til you're satisfied!

by QualityPie on Jan 29, 2009 12:19 AM PST reply actions

the first half went by really quick. i think the commissioner called down and said to slow it down we need to get some more ad time out of the game in the second half.

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben Golliver on Jan 29, 2009 12:22 AM PST up reply actions

Jr. Blazerdancers parents called and wanted more dance time

“COME ON BACK OUT”

"Only dunk and go to the defense." Rudy Fernandez

by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 29, 2009 12:23 AM PST up reply actions

I don't understand JR Blazer Dancers

who is the target audience for this?

Bad idea

Dunk

by Billy Ray Bates on Jan 29, 2009 12:37 AM PST up reply actions

In case it needs saying…
the parents of the dancers. The Jr Blazer Dancers make about 25 little girls extremely excited and makes their families moderately proud. I don’t think their role is to entertain us in the same way as the Blazerdancers or the much hotter stunt team.

by pklym on Jan 29, 2009 12:40 AM PST up reply actions

I find it slightly offensive to trot out underage girls for that

I don’t care what their parents think either. That’s not what I pay to see.

Dunk

by Billy Ray Bates on Jan 29, 2009 12:42 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Maybe it's for the underage boys in the crowd.

Would that make it less troubling?
No? Just MORE troubling? Okay.

Do it! Do it! Do it 'til you're satisfied!

by QualityPie on Jan 29, 2009 1:42 AM PST up reply actions

I agree.

When I went to a game around Xmas, I was shocked to see 10 year old girls trying to do an adult routine. I can understand wanting to give them a chance to strut their stuff, but I’m sure they can find some more age-appropriate clothes and routines for sure.

I was creeped out more than I was offended.

by torsoheap on Jan 29, 2009 12:12 PM PST up reply actions

what about

the junior junior dancer out there last night with the big girls? Had to be no more than 4, shaking her groove thing! I thought it was cute…

by torridjoe on Jan 29, 2009 12:56 PM PST up reply actions

My biggest (only) problem with the Jr BlazerDancers (according to Blazers.com it is one word)

They should wear shoes. At the very least socks. It is hard for me to understand how they are allowed to run all over the court barefoot.

"Only dunk and go to the defense." Rudy Fernandez

by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 29, 2009 12:43 AM PST up reply actions

I wish they'd dress a little more seductively.

≤ˆˆ≥

by tominhawaii on Jan 29, 2009 5:04 AM PST up reply actions

whoa boy

tom took the bait

Don't Redeactivate Shavlik Randolph

by appel82 on Jan 29, 2009 7:05 AM PST up reply actions

I have no idea what they look or dress like

But I imagine they look dress like JonBenét Ramsey and she had it going on before the tragedy.

≤ˆˆ≥

by tominhawaii on Jan 29, 2009 7:20 AM PST up reply actions

lol

actually when I see the JR dancers come out I am reminded of the scene at the end of Little Miss Sunshine

Dunk

by Billy Ray Bates on Jan 29, 2009 8:35 AM PST up reply actions

Really?

That’s not right at all. Even I can’t joke about scantily clad little girls dancing like strippers. That just ain’t right!

≤ˆˆ≥

by tominhawaii on Jan 29, 2009 9:19 AM PST up reply actions

A first on B.E.

Tom calls something ‘not right’.

Dave – can we have this thread bronzed for posterity?

by DonkeyShins on Jan 29, 2009 10:58 AM PST up reply actions

Im reminded of sparkle motion

by tevisthe4th on Jan 29, 2009 3:07 PM PST up reply actions

"tasteful implieds"

their outfits need to imply tastefull, as Ione might say… :)

by torridjoe on Jan 29, 2009 11:01 AM PST up reply actions

And I just realized, Juwan Howard's and Augustin's kicks . . .

. . . pretty much the same model, ain’t they?
I mean, cosmetic detail aside.
Same sole, stitching, logo placement, the whole kit and caboodle.

And Nazr’s look wonderfully not overstabilized,
Look like gloves for feet.
I like that.

Do it! Do it! Do it 'til you're satisfied!

by QualityPie on Jan 29, 2009 12:27 AM PST up reply actions

It was shocking how many soft offensive fouls were called. Sitting up in the 300s I couldn’t really see them, I don’t doubt they were fouls, but most the time they probably wouldn’t have been called (there was one on each team in about 8 seconds).

by pklym on Jan 29, 2009 12:26 AM PST up reply actions

Like when they called Sergio for a foul when he passed the ball

Just passed it. What was that?

"Only dunk and go to the defense." Rudy Fernandez

by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 29, 2009 12:31 AM PST up reply actions

People

left early when they realized there were to be no Chalupas.

What the heck we scored as many points in the first quarter as the whole second half, it shoulda been chalupas for sure! Now I am 5/6 on games this year, boo.

Notice the huge cheer Frye got when he checked in?
I am glad I am not the only one that loves fryelock and all his superpowers.

I was surprised to see Shav get the garbage over Ike but happy Nate spread the love around.

by pklym on Jan 29, 2009 12:29 AM PST reply actions

wow

dj augistine really is short.

by northwestj on Jan 29, 2009 12:32 AM PST reply actions

The real question

Was the (drunk?) fan yelling “LEAVE BAYLESS IN” drunk on Red Bull?

When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.

by jscot on Jan 29, 2009 1:37 AM PST reply actions

lol you know Ben took some pleasure in almost hitting Alexis in the head.

You know it.

If you agree with me: Good, I like being agreeable.
If you [think you] don't agree with me: You really do agree with me. You just haven't realized that I use sarcasm alot, so whatever you didn't agree with, take the opposite of it, and that's what I really mean.

by prezofdeath on Jan 29, 2009 1:41 AM PST up reply actions

Have to say this

On the Cheikh Samb thread, I thought about writing, “Oh, no, now my name is going to be verb!” But I was short on time and didn’t think it was right to post without reading to see if anyone else posted it in all those other comments. I still don’t know if anyone posted it.

But I LOL and ROFL, etc. over Ben’s verbing his name. I knew someone would do it somewhere, I wonder if Ben is the first.

When I rule the world, everyone will know how to use Excel.

by jscot on Jan 29, 2009 1:43 AM PST up reply actions

Makes me want to tell Lamar Odom he has something on his shirt.

And then flick his nose when he looks down.

Do it! Do it! Do it 'til you're satisfied!

by QualityPie on Jan 29, 2009 1:43 AM PST up reply actions

I think we all know who it was:

Ben.

by rmcdougall on Jan 29, 2009 11:00 AM PST up reply actions

Yeah Ben!

Love the air Golly’s. Can you throw down in those?

"Rudy’s flashy passes had the place whispering to each other like we were in junior high" ~BlazermaniacAndy

by courtsideerrandboy on Jan 29, 2009 2:29 AM PST reply actions

ione is the only reason i dont picket the blazer dancers before games.

by Blazerland on Jan 29, 2009 3:09 AM PST reply actions

Cue Bayless entry at the six minute mark with the Blazers trailing11-9. By the time he checked out 2 minutes into the 2nd quarter, the score was 36 to 19. By careful calculations on my abacus, I am able to determine that that was a 25 to 10 run in about 8 minutes of gametime.

You should retire the abacus and get a calculator; that sounds like a 27 to 8 run to me :-)

by driver8x on Jan 29, 2009 9:24 AM PST reply actions 2 recs

Rec

If we were ahead 11-9 it would have been a 25-10 run. We were behind though.

by Zaig on Jan 29, 2009 9:44 AM PST up reply actions

I'm too lazy to do the math

but I’ll trust you guys are right and rec this.

by prezofdeath on Jan 29, 2009 9:51 AM PST up reply actions

i am an idiot.

thank you. fixed.

Blazers Edge.com

by Ben Golliver on Jan 29, 2009 10:38 AM PST up reply actions

As Barbie said

“Math is hard”

by DonkeyShins on Jan 29, 2009 10:58 AM PST up reply actions

Wasn't the math

He did the math right, just switched the teams scores, which is an easy thing to do when the lead changes from one team to another.

by Zaig on Jan 29, 2009 11:04 AM PST up reply actions

Tonight’s warmup music was selected by Travis Outlaw… “All My Life” by J Roc and Lil Wayne.

We gotta get these guys some Eternity’s Breath by Mahavishnu Orchestra; or Sorceress by Return to Forever; or Elohim’s Voyage by Weidorje. – Elgin

I get what I deserve. I deserve what I get. I have it so I deserve it. I deserve
it for I have it. I get what I deserve. What I deserve - what I deserve what
I get. I have it so I deserve. - Gentle Giant

by 22baylor on Jan 29, 2009 10:06 AM PST reply actions

Friends don't let friends...

Play fusion jazz at a basketball game. You don’t want a bunch of confused fans wondering why there was a violin solo in Dorian mode.

Although I do think it would be cool if when the Blazers win games they’d play the full choir portion of ‘Ode to Joy’ from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

by DonkeyShins on Jan 29, 2009 11:01 AM PST up reply actions

I would love some classic rock

Pretty much anything by AC/DC would be appropriate. I haven’t been to the Rose Garden in forever, but I know in Oakland and in Boston, it’s all hip-hop. Why not mix it up with something else?

Blitzkrieg Bop is a classic for that.

by rmcdougall on Jan 29, 2009 11:02 AM PST up reply actions

AC/DC

So overdone at sporting events.

by Zaig on Jan 29, 2009 11:03 AM PST up reply actions

Deep Purple: Highway Star

That one never gets old. – elgin

by 22baylor on Jan 29, 2009 11:03 AM PST up reply actions

I'd like some classic rock too

The Kinks “Lola” would be good warmup music.

by Corvid on Jan 29, 2009 11:17 AM PST up reply actions

Last year when it was Raef's turn to pick the music

He picked Stranglehold by Nug

"Only dunk and go to the defense." Rudy Fernandez

by Sabonis4Ever on Jan 29, 2009 4:16 PM PST up reply actions

hey man

it’s not like I was asking for some Kenny G or anything like that.

Besides: Charlie Daniels plays violin in dorian mode, too. – Elgin

by 22baylor on Jan 29, 2009 11:02 AM PST up reply actions

Great read, Ben...

Thank you!

"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 Jan 29, 2009 10:11 AM PST reply actions

thanks Ben

you rock, and so do your shoes – Elgin

by 22baylor on Jan 29, 2009 10:16 AM PST up reply actions

Sick block by Batum gets no love?!?

Maybe it’s because Roy stood and watched it while the Stach stepped in front of him and tipped it in…Still a sick sick block, I had a Jerome Kersey flashback afterword.

2-4 the who

by 24thewho on Jan 29, 2009 10:49 AM PST reply actions

Commonplace

He’s had some of those fast break crushing blocks on Sportscenter already. We’re used to them!

by Zaig on Jan 29, 2009 11:03 AM PST up reply actions

Bayless dwarfs Augustin

Wow.

by Cablinasian on Jan 29, 2009 11:12 AM PST reply actions

To the story teller..."blazer"

Your story is quite funny as I personally know Ione and know that she drives a little sports car, doesn’t hang with any Michelles in Ptown and is more than likely to be wearing jeans in the winter. Nice try though. Maybe you got her confused with her sister who does in fact drive an SUV and has a best friend named Michelle in Portland. Get your facts straight man…thats how rumors start.

by laughing on Feb 1, 2009 3:53 PM PST reply actions

Why do I get a funny feeling that you are in fact Ione?

Clyde the Glide >>> Jordan

Cliff the Stiff got mad at my brother who was trying to sell him a cellphone when my brother called him Uncle Cliffy. Apparently, he doesn't like that name very much.

by BeaumontTXBlazerFan on Feb 1, 2009 10:54 PM PST up reply actions

Sorry to say, your gutt feeling is off. I would never let her see this crap, she didn’t do anything to deserve this. Don’t even know how I stumbled upon this website but thought I should set the record straight as a friend should. Leave her alone. She is a good person. Those dancers get so much critisism as it is, when they’re just doing their job.

by laughing on Feb 2, 2009 12:58 PM PST reply actions

Just because one or two people makes a bad comment about her, you shouldn't blame the whole website.

I know I haven’t said anything. And hit the little word that says “reply” underneath a post that you want to reply to.

Clyde the Glide >>> Jordan

Cliff the Stiff got mad at my brother who was trying to sell him a cellphone when my brother called him Uncle Cliffy. Apparently, he doesn't like that name very much.

by BeaumontTXBlazerFan on Feb 2, 2009 8:15 PM PST up reply actions