The Trail Blazers played a good first quarter in this game. But after the first quarter it seemed to me that the momentum was in Atlanta's favor. The Blazers caught a break in the first half with Joe Johnson not shooting the ball well and they couldn't take advantage of it. If the Blazers are going to have trouble taking advantage of other teams mistakes then they're going to have trouble winning in the west.

I'm not ready to panic yet though. I did believe before the season started that the Blazers would get off to a slow start. I just didn't think they would lose 2 of their first 3 at home. I figured they'd struggle more on the road. But nevertheless they're 2 and 3 and they have plenty of room to improve.

One is that Greg Oden needs to keep a handle on the ball in the post. He's leading all centers in turnovers. He can't do that if he wants to be effective in the post. I've been critical of the Blazers thus far because they haven't been pounding the ball inside to Oden where it seems he has a mismatch every night. But it won't matter if they pound the ball to him if he keeps turning it over.

In my opinion they need better point guard play from both Miller and Blake. These are both starting caliber point guards who aren't playing like starting caliber point guards. I don't put a lot of blame on Miller though. He's a smart veteran who knows what the Blazers offense should be doing and they don't do it.

Travis Outlaw needs to be more aggressive and attack the basket. He seems like he always wants to take tough jump shots much like Tracy McGrady did when he was healthy. Outlaw has the ability, I think to be an effective slasher. When he takes the ball inside then it will open up the 3's that he loves so much.

Martell needs more minutes. He's such a spark for this team and I don't understand why he's almost always on the bench (it seems to me). Martell is an improved defender and maybe the Blazers best perimeter defender. He needs to be on the floor more. I understand you have to get Rudy and Travis their minutes but Martell doesn't need to be sitting on the bench as much as he has been.

One last thing. At the end of the game, why wasn't Joel in? The Blazers it seemed like were getting out hustled in the last couple of minutes. It also seemed like when the Blazers went with the small lineup that they couldn't grab a single rebound. It's not like Joel was in foul trouble. Even if he was you still have to take the chance and put him in the game. Either him or Oden. And if they foul out in the last 3 minutes so what. it's not like you're losing them for the entire half or something.

But if you're a Blazer fan and you're panicking you shouldn't be. Once Nate figures out who works best with who and he gets the right rotations set. Which shouldn't take more then 20 games. This team will be just fine. They're the 3rd best team in the west I think and they'll be just fine. Just give it some time Blazer fans. Everything will be okay.