Rose Garden faithful: I'm calling you out

by CMCWizard on Dec 2, 2009 11:47 AM PST

There have been a lot of things about this season that haven't gone according to plan. Brandon not being Brandon. Aldridge getting off to a slow start again this year. Inconsistent play on both ends of the floor. Inconsistent effort from the players. That's all been analyzed to death, and will continue to be; however, one thing has been more disappointing to me than all of that. The Rose Garden isn't consistently loud this year, and that's on you Trail blazer fans. I see a few explanations to the change:

1) The Blazers have played a fairly weak schedule thus far. I know that it's tough to get up for a winless New Jersey team or for Minny when we've already crushed them twice. Weak competition can be bland to watch, but I dunno bout you guys, but I have season tickets to watch OUR team play. Sure seeing D-Wade is nice to see live, but watching Oden grab 20 boards was much better. Last night the crowd was TERRIBLE. Perfect example of the weak crowd showing: Blazers were down 8 going into Miami's last offensive possession of the half. We get a stop we can close to 6 or 5 the crowd was dead, no D-Fence chant, nothing. So it's not just the bad teams. Possible explanation, but a weak excuse IMO.

2) The Blazers have been extremely inconsistent, particularly on offense going through big droughts in most games. It's easier to cheer when a team is getting big hoops, especially when coming back on D needing a big stop. More often than not this year, the Blazers haven't come through in tight, winnable games in these respects. In past years, last year in particular, the team responded to a very LOUD crowd when they were down 10, 15, etc. They might not be responding well to the crowd now, but that's no reason to stop supporting them at home. The RG was a special place last year. 7-4 is not special, but the crowd isn't making the building a difficult place for opponents to play either.

3) Maybe it's the lack of Chalupas for many of the games this season. Are you fans disgruntled that you aren't getting your free, post-game calorie load? 'Nuf Said.

4) Is the crowd blandness explained by it being so early in the season still? Perhaps. However, we're all over the players when their effort isn't there. That first Rocket's game last year when Roy hit the game winner was a raucous crowd. That game was in November. The player's performance has a lot to do with that, what an amazing game, but the crowd was a lot more into the game in the first three periods that I have

seen at any point thus far this season.

The RG was a tough place to play last year. We need to make it that way. Get loud. Disrupt the opposing team. Don't let them hear anything they say on the offensive end of the court.

Portland. Step your game up!

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The Rose Garden has been plenty loud when the team has put effort

how many arenas will have fans patiently waiting despite a 30 point blowout just to cheer loud again when the team was within single digits to win? The problem isn’t the fans…there have been games where you can hear how loud the arena has been on TV, being inside the RG is much louder than that.

Cloudy is Sergio. Makes other people look good, can’t score himself. -Cablinasian

Greg Postertag is probably wielding a jack hammer of a Wenis - AK1984

by Philthyanimal on Dec 2, 2009 12:04 PM PST reply actions

when the team gets blown out by 30 to a 5 win team

can we really expect the croud to cheer?

also, please go back and read ben’s excellent piece on the teams new ticket pricing that was instituted this year.
I’ll give u a hint, its way more expensive, and many fans arent able to afford to go. seats are filled now by, i believe, less die hard fans.

as far as the assertion that the rose garden isnt as loud, do u have a measurement of noise last year and a measurement of noise this year to compare the too?

bottom line, if the team acts right , the fans will cheer.
when the team is on some other drama bs, fans will leave, be morose and if I were there in the last few games, i would have thrown my drink on the court and left.

The Princess of Blazersedge

It just takes an iron fist to keep the riff raff under control and her princess hand is mad strong- Idoltime

by BlazerFan1 on Dec 2, 2009 12:19 PM PST reply actions

It's been a lame crowd all season

No need to for soundometers to measure, it’s been very noticeable. And it hasn’t only been the last couple games, even the games we won, seemed tame.

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Dec 2, 2009 12:29 PM PST up reply actions

It has been a lot quieter this season

and a lot more hostile when the team plays poorly. At the end of the 31 -2 run by Memphis, about 30% of they crowd started booing the team. Fans are just getting tired of the same old mistakes night after night after night. Plus after a 34-7 home record last year, fans are accustomed to the team winning.

The truth is the Blazers look horrible this year. Even the most dedicated homer should just admit it. The Chicago game was as close to perfect as a team can get. Five or six people were in double digits. It was a true balanced attack, and that’s what we need. Somewhere in the mystique of Brandon Roy, people actually started believing he was an explosive scoring machine. The top scorers in the league are averaging almost 30 points a game. How many 30 point games has Brandon even recorded in his career? I’m not going to look it up, but I know it is pretty underwhelming for a two-time All-Star. The truth is the Blazers have always needed 3 scorers to win games. Usually, it is Brandon, LMA and someone else – maybe Rudy, maybe Blake, maybe Travis, maybe Greg. When the team doesn’t have 3 strong players scoring, they usually lose. Brandon’s a victim of his own hype. He’s seemingly convinced that him taking 25 – 30 shots a game and denying other people the ball is good for the team. It’s not. He should work on efficiency, take high percentage shots, and realize his days of attacking the basket over and over and over have passed. It’s predictable and easily defended. And taking the ball away from Greg is suicide. Nate always says, “We want to get the ball inside.” Actually, Nate, your star player, who you just gave the keys to the offense, has no real interest in getting the ball inside.

The offense should be turned over to Andre Miller, plain and simple. No Nate, no Brandon, just Andre. Let’s ask Nate if he called his own sets in his 10th year as an NBA player. I’m sure he did. Brandon’s contract is a two way street. He is our marquee player. He is also NEVER going to get traded. Just grow a set, Nate. Do what is best for the team and tell Brandon to deal with it. The team will perform better, they will start winning, and nobody will really care if it’s not a 100% perfect fit for Brandon. Without Brandon, the Blazers would never be as good as they are now. With the current version of Brandon, the team will never win a championship. If Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen couldn’t carry their respective teams to the promised land (before they all landed on the Celtics, of course), then… Yea, I don’t even need to finish that sentence.

You need every member of your team Brandon. On some days, you even need Juwon Howard. Figure it out!!!!!!!!!!!! Support for your thought process on team management is dwindling.

by Sean M on Dec 2, 2009 2:26 PM PST up reply actions

I agree with a lot of that

But I’m not that impressed with Miller. And no, it’s not because he hasn’t had his opportunity to shine. I’ve never been a huge fan. I do agree that he’s better than Blake, but not in half court sets. Adding Miller AND Oden creates congestion. It just does. Miller can’t spread the floor with his shooting and when he drives, he’s never had to deal with having a 7’ beast plugging the lane. If we were a true running team, all would be lovely. That said, I loved that we were slow and efficient last season, but Miller isn’t a pg that should be in a slow and efficient system.

If we’re going to hit the open trade market, I hope KP goes after some shooters, either at the 1 or the 3. We should be looking at something similar to Orlando’s model, to spread the floor for the big guy and to open the lane for Roy.

It sucks, because Martell has such a beautiful stroke, he just doesn’t actually make much. Sure he can get hot here and there, but watching performances like last night make me want to scream. He (and Rudy, wtf?) are suppose to be our shooters.

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Dec 2, 2009 2:37 PM PST up reply actions

If you are not a fan of Miller, it's doubtful I can change your mind.

All I can say is he gets it. He understands the fundamentals of the game. So does Juwon. Unfortunately, Juwon isn’t all that talented at this point (maybe he never was).

Right now Greg is rarely clogging the lane on offense. He occasionally gets deep post position and has an easy finish. Usually, he is outside the key backing his defender down. Put Greg and Andre together for more minutes and not only will Greg score more, but Andre will have 12 points a game in layups off of dishes from Greg. Those two have a connection, and the team should be letting Andre develop Greg.

The Blazers are built to run. They don’t, but they could. The T’Wolves game wasn’t a hallucination. Andre ran the offense the whole time he was in there according to Nate, and it was beautiful. No, the Blazers won’t run every possession even if Miller controls the offense. I understand that. Miller said himself that a good offense is mixture of running and half court sets depending on the situation. I leave it at this. What we have isn’t working. We have options with Miller we have not tried. We are losing anyway. Why not? The team can’t do any worse than a loss.

by Sean M on Dec 2, 2009 3:01 PM PST up reply actions

Absolutely

Andre and Rudy are the only two that consistently cut in from the weakside when oden has the ball. Andre gets it. If Roy could learn to do these types of things he would find scoring much easier. ISO everytime is not fun to watch, easy to stop (particularly given multiple nights of a playoff series) and does not get anyone else on the team in rhythm.

Inside out play sets up rhythm.

Somebody pointed out that setting up post plays takes a lot of the clock, heck the system we use now relie on the guard dribbling around until there are undr 10 seconds left on the clock anyway, why not spend that time positioning greg and pitching it in and out until a good opportunity is ayailable.

I love Roy, but this ISO thing has got to decrease a touch and team offense needs to flourish. You can have 5 of the best shooters in the league on the court and if one guy is running ISO plays 30% of the night, the rest of the guys will look a bt listlless.

"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man

by PDXBuckeye on Dec 2, 2009 7:18 PM PST up reply actions

Obviously I don't think what we're doing is working

And just because I’m not a fan of MIller, doesn’t mean I think he doesn’t get it or sucks. I just think he’s overrated by some of the fans here because we’re sucking. It’s a bit of the backup quarterback syndrom, except in this case I agree that Miller is better than Blake and should be starting. I just don’t think he’s the answer to all our problems.

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Dec 2, 2009 10:34 PM PST up reply actions

I agree Miller is not the answer to all our problems.

I don’t think the Blazers’ management thinks he is the answer either, or they would have offered him a longer contract. I believe Miller was ideally looking for a 5 year deal. 3 years with the last one a team option seems to be the Blazers’ saying, “We will give you a shot, but we are not sold. Make us believe.” I mean we offered Hedo 5 years in the twilight of his career so Miller kind of got the short end.

I simply feel that Andre Miller has made a career of playing a certain way. The Blazers’ current offensive system does not allow him to maximize his talents. It confuses me. He ran the team beautifully in that T’Wolves game. How could Nate ignore that? Give him the keys and see what happens. He may fall flat. But why bring him here and misuse his talents? At least give him the opportunity to play his style of ball and give the team his best shot. If it doesn’t work then re-evaluate.

by Sean M on Dec 3, 2009 9:49 AM PST up reply actions

The only thing that annoyed me about the fans is the big cheer that went up for chalupas last night when the game had already been decided in Miami's favor.

'Cuse 88-Cornell 73. My Big Red failed to beat the spread by 2 points. Hence the new avatar.

by jksnake99 on Dec 2, 2009 12:19 PM PST reply actions

can u blame them?

i would want something to leave with after bein at that game

The Princess of Blazersedge

It just takes an iron fist to keep the riff raff under control and her princess hand is mad strong- Idoltime

by BlazerFan1 on Dec 2, 2009 12:21 PM PST up reply actions

yet most fans didnt realize

they had a 25 dollar spirit mountain food voucher on the back of their ticket

Cloudy is Sergio. Makes other people look good, can’t score himself. -Cablinasian

Greg Postertag is probably wielding a jack hammer of a Wenis - AK1984

by Philthyanimal on Dec 2, 2009 8:41 PM PST up reply actions

But then they'd have to go to Spirit Mountain

Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game

by iDea on Dec 2, 2009 10:35 PM PST up reply actions

I quit driving Five hours each way . . .

       when Blazer Business Management signed this HORRRRRIBLE
cable TV deal with . . .
                                           COINCAST.
                                                                   Oh, and they SUCK !!!!

Previously I would be in on your call to alter things at the Rose Garden,
since for many years I attended games at Rose/Memorial ! Unfortunatly,
I’m in BOYCOTT mode !!!

It's GO time !

by walkoff41 on Dec 2, 2009 12:21 PM PST reply actions

If you went to see your favorite band live in concert and they played out of tune, would you cheer them on or be upset that you paid good money for little return? People forget that going to games is about entertainment too. These players aren’t *just*athletes. If I’m not entertained because our guys are playing like total crap, why would I cheer? Do I have to cheer or risk being called a disloyal fan?

I think that’s nonsense.

There’s a huge difference between a team trying to do better and a team going through the motions. The Portland Trail Blazers are your favorite band and they’re playing out of tune right now. You’re welcome to cheer them on anyway. But don’t call me a disloyal fan for being frustrated and refusing to reward mediocre effort with a hoarse throat.

"Sometimes that light at the end of the tunnel is a train."
-- Charles Barkley

by halo_on on Dec 2, 2009 1:49 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

Rec

The relationship between the crowd and the team is a two way street. The Blazers started last night’s game by giving up 7 unanswered points, a hole they never got out of, and looking uninspired and unprepared in doing so from the get go.

Sorry, but when the Blazers come to play, the crowd will too.

Two points scored by GO’ = "thunderdunk"

by T$ 225 on Dec 2, 2009 2:05 PM PST up reply actions

I agree, however...

I do agree that the crowd was bad last night as it was the first game I was able to see during the regular season. It was not nearly as loud as the first preseason game that I attended. However, the team was not able to ignite the crowd when they finally did get stops in the fourth quarter while missing several key shots in the lane at the same time to cut into the lead.

by boomboom88 on Dec 2, 2009 2:08 PM PST reply actions

i kind of agree

two things:

1. the more popular the Blazers become, the more casual fans will trickle in. This is both a positive and a negative. I submit as far as fan knowledge/volume, it is a negative.

2. i think the crowd has felt kinda short-changed, the starts have been horrible. so they are somewhat justified in their blahs.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Dec 2, 2009 4:51 PM PST reply actions

uh i didnt put the part i agree with....i think the crowd should be better

put down your lattes. oooooh yeah i went there

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Dec 2, 2009 5:02 PM PST up reply actions

you did pay upwards of 50 to 100 dollars to be there

our effort as fans should reflect the effort we want on the court.

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"No water, just my woman." -Andre Miller

by FrenchToast on Dec 2, 2009 5:20 PM PST reply actions

crowd noise

there has been a ton of tension in the building, it is palpable. People are more anxious, simmers them down a bit. i still chant dfense on most possessions, people look at me funny from time to time and kids outright stare. It is all part of the fun to me.

And leaving early last night was dissappointing. I thought it was fun to see oden go down with the ship, but fighting it the whole way. record setting night and about 30% of the people missed it. kind a sad in a way.

there was one guy in my section that was yelling at people for leaving early, calling htem names and everything. I was a touch annoyed at the people leaving and the guy yelling at them both, and then the name caller got up and left early…very strange…

"Oh Yeah!" ~ Kool Aid Man

by PDXBuckeye on Dec 2, 2009 7:22 PM PST reply actions