Live Chat: 10:45 Pacific Tonight
by Dave on Dec 7, 2009 10:40 PM PST
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OK, it feels like we all need a chat to take the pressure off...or at least have some fun when enduring it. I have some time, so join us live in about ten minutes to talk about the Blazers, life, blogging, or just getting through it all. My only regret is that I passed on picking up a six pack of Jubelale because I didn't know I'd be talking with you guys. The chats get even better after the fifth one.
Comments now open if anybody's out there.
--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)
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Should we be worried about the team Underacheiving this year? And why are some in the national media saying oden may be done for good?
I hope I can get a bunch of championships, like 15. " - Greg Oden
by mxpx5678 on Dec 7, 2009 10:48 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Hmmm...
1. No, especially since they haven’t yet. There are teams that sucked the year before who come back from the dead and kill you. Portland could be such a team next year even if this year doesn’t go great. But again, there’s plenty of time left in this year.
2. Because national people like to make splashes and headlines and get quoted. If Oden’s done I think it would surprise everybody…including perhaps the people who put those stories out there.
—Dave
because those people in the media
don’t understand what Greg’s injury actually is
"Your best?!?!! Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and &^%@ the prom queen"
Super Rodgers Bros.
#52
Odds of playoffs
50-50? Better or Worse?
I LaLove my Ducks. Best way to start a new decade imaginable... Oregon in the Rose Bowl January 1st!!!!!
Still decent I think
I can’t think of 8 teams that will for sure be better. Odds of advancing in the playoffs just got a lot slimmer though. We’re likely to draw a tough seed now.
—Dave
I think we will be able to make the playoffs, but likely as a 7 or 8 seed.
That is, of course, provided Rudy comes back reasonably soon.
We are finding out
Just how valuable Batum and Outlaw and Greg are to this team.
Those four faces on Mount Rushmore are always there to remind us that yes, if you do enough good deeds, you will change into a mountain when you die.
by ODEN on a stick on Dec 7, 2009 10:49 PM PST reply actions
Indeed
Especially when you take out every scorer known to man. Petunia Pig would be valuable to this team right now. But you’re right…losing your best defender plus your best bench scorer hurts. Then you lose your only post player and 2nd or 3rd best defender too. Plus Rudy. UGH.
—Dave
Rip City!
This is when the team needs our support the most. They have been hit hard, but they will recover. I think they still have a very good chance to secure a playoff seed.
On a side note, I enjoyed Dante’s goggle look. Shades of Bo Outlaw or—dare I say—Buck Williams.
I like Dante
I’m ready for him to be a Blazer for a while. He could be one of those guys in three years that makes you REALLY happy…a guy you just assume was a first round pick somewhere.
—Dave
I enjoyed Dante’s goggle look.
They seemed to affect his shooting eye at first, he was laying some ugly bricks against Houston. But he seemed to have made an adjustment and was knocking down his jumper again, tonight
Cunningam could be the Blazer’s next Cliff Robinson: a 2nd round draft choice out of the Big East who makes good and plays a significant role for a future finals team. I doubt Dante will ever defend as well as Uncle Cliffy, though, he had some serious latteral quickness for a skinny 6’10 kid
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Who will the blazers miss most this year
Batum
Oden
Outlaw
Rudy?
I LaLove my Ducks. Best way to start a new decade imaginable... Oregon in the Rose Bowl January 1st!!!!!
Can you still build around Oden?
If not, what are the other options?
by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 7, 2009 10:50 PM PST reply actions
This team never was building around Greg
That’s the point that many national people are missing. We never needed Greg to be the superstar like Ewing or Hakeem. We need two post plays in the first quarter, a couple passes to cutters, offensive rebounds, and a bunch of defense including intimidating blocks. Roy and company will handle the rest. The big loss with Greg is not superstar power, it’s losing a bunch of things that nobody else on the team does. If Greg comes back with anything at all he’s good for us.
No, this team won't win a title in the upcoming decade with Brandon Roy and LMA as the two main ...
main franchise cornerstones. Roy is a franchise cornerstone, yes; however, if LMA doesn’t take a back seat within the next 18 months or so, then this team will be above average for the long run. If Greg Oden doesn’t become a superstar at the level of Artis Gilmore/Patrick Ewing — who each never won it all in the NBA, although the “A-Train” was an ABA champ under Hubie Brown in Kentucky — then all bets are off. Even then, it won’t be a easy road to a title. So, even though Oden isn’t an athletic freak like Hakeem Olajuwon or David Robinson — nor is he an insanely well-coordinated bulldozer like Shaquille O’Neal — he’s nevertheless a five-star pivotman in his own right with superstar potential.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
I tend to agree.
I think the Blazers definitely DO need Oden to be an all-star in order to be a championship contender. There’s just no way you do it without someone of his caliber and if he isn’t a long term option then you need to find someone else to fill that role. My question was more about Oden’s viabilty in the long term. Are his injury concerns bad enough that you start to plan life without him?
Roy and Aldridge just aren’t going to be a good enough long term tandem. No championship without a dominant big.
by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 8, 2009 1:53 AM PST up reply actions
"Are his injury concerns bad enough that you start to plan life without him?"
No, not yet. Though, I dislike the idea of signing Greg Oden to a contract extension next summer — even if it’s an attempt to retain him cheaply — since that wouldn’t be fiscally prudent all things considered.
Rather, Oden will get the last and final year on his rookie deal to show the world what we know he can do out on the hardwood when his body is up to the challenge. So, as it stands right now, Oden 100% deserves the 2010-2011 as a make it or break it campaign.
From that point forward, Portland will hopefully know what it’s got with Oden regarding long-term health.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
How can you be flexible
with 9 guys, only 6 of whom have seen regular playing time?
That said, I don’t get why Bayless didn’t remain in the game either.
—Dave
Why can Jerry sloan get decent minutes from rookie guards
and we can’t keep bayless and all that potential on the floor when we only have nine guys..
by portlandpadre on Dec 7, 2009 11:00 PM PST up reply actions
Dave
what’s the worst sports weekend that you can remember?
Mine featured:
2 Blazers’ Losses
OSU Losing the Civil war (2nd year in a row now)
OSU losing a chance to play in the Rose Bowl (2nd year in a row now)
Oden going down
Niners losing to the Seachickens (and costing themselves a chance to make it into the playoffs)
Texas winning (keeping the BCS Title Game Bama-Texas I WANTED CONTROVERSY!!)
"Your best?!?!! Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and &^%@ the prom queen"
Super Rodgers Bros.
#52
That Texas game was rather unfortunate.
But how about the pride of Grant High, Ndamukong Suh? What a beast. I kept thinking Nebraska should have just put him in at tailback. Certainly would have been more effective than what they had going.
yes Suh is a monster and probably will be the #1 pick in the draft
he and Gerhart should be the top 2 in the Heisman voting…. They probably won’t though, voters love them some Tebow and McCoy
"Your best?!?!! Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and &^%@ the prom queen"
Super Rodgers Bros.
#52
As a completely biased Stanford fan
I would give it to Toby, but my money is on Ingram, despite his inferiority across the board…
Gearhart is a monster though. A complete stud beast. That's right,
he’s not just a stud, nor just a beast. He’s a freaking stud beast of a running back.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
Yeah, I think he needs to bring some people to offer testimonials on his behalf.
I would suggest #4 for Notre Dame, along with the entire Oregon defense.
Might as well add the USC defense too.
My trojans got bent over by Gearhart. Just absolutely brutalized.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
The Oden loss
then my Vikings getting their arses handed to them last night and their middle linebacker breaking his femur.
Oden, then EJ Henderson. Get well guys and we’ll see you next year.
put a body on 'em
I was thinking last night
get Favre out of there before he gets hurt!
it sucks to lose EJ again, but that was a lost cause game after Brett’s 2nd pick, and nothing good was going to come out of it for the Purple
Fortunately #4 survived to “sling” another day
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Do you question the coaching staff's handling of Bayless?
Also, what do you think of the Rudy rumors?: http://www.beyondthebeat.net/20091208375/2009-articles/december/whats-the-story-with-rudy.html
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
I don't know why Jerryd didn't stay in during the 4th tonight
It seemed odd to me. Maybe he made a mistake or two but he was also kind of taking over the game. I am not opposed to a Rudy or Jerryd trade in principle but I want it to be for someone who matters long-term, not just someone who can help us not stink quite so bad. I’d rather stink this year if we have to and keep eggs in baskets for later. I hope finances don’t rear their ugly head in this either.
—Dave
by Dave on Dec 7, 2009 10:59 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Rudy is untradeable at this point with questions over his back.
But trading either of them for a quick fix is useless at this point. Unless, for example, it was for someone like Gortat.
It's a tune-out fest.
Those are coming from opposing GMs and other team personnel. If I was an opposing GM, ideally from a contender in the division or conference, I would start a lot of rumors about Rudy, Jerryd and Andre being fed up with the team. There might be fire, but there definitely is a lot of smokescreens.
this is true
I think the vultures are circling since the Blazers are in a bad position.
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Dec 7, 2009 11:12 PM PST up reply actions
Roy has not looked very good when defenders are allowed to be physical...it really affects his ball handling
In addition he is not a great pick and roll player, and we tend to run a lot of those through him even though it usually winds up with him double teamed a few feet behind the 3 point line trying to throw a pass to the outlet man who is also slow about moving the ball which negates any advantage we get from Roy being doubled.
The post game on the radio was making a big deal about defenese, but seriously…the offense is more of a problem. 84 points on the knicks speaks to all sorts of offensive issues
Rooo-D!
What is it with Brandon?
It’s like he’s forgotten how to dribble in traffic….
The running theory is that his Summer off plus weight loss played havoc with his game
Seems as reasonable as any other theory.
he and Miller combined for approximately 1000 offensive fouls
have they forgotten how to (a) finish under control and (b) drive and kick. Seemed that way.
#52
jump stop
someone’s gotta re-teach them the jump stop!
by gotyourselfastew on Dec 7, 2009 11:54 PM PST up reply actions
true...i can remember one play in particular though where there were
4 knicks with at least one foot in the paint and due to our ineptness he felt it necessary to still try and get in the lane…wound up throwing some brick up.
Plenty of blame to go around on that one though
Rooo-D!
What, if anything, do you think the addition of Jeff Pendergraph (and possibly Patty Mills) will do for this team with the state they’re in right now? Help? Hinder? thoughts?
by BlazerNationBlog on Dec 7, 2009 10:52 PM PST reply actions
They would be much-needed additions.
At the very least, two more bodies wouldn’t hurt, and both seem like capable players.
I have
practice fodder
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
a little perspective
Shavlik > Pendergraph
Taurean Green > Patty Mills
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Agree with the first; insufficient info on the second.
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
I will repost my list once again
our owner has cancer.
our assistant coach— a beloved member of our title team has cancer.
our coach is injured
our star center is injured
our star SG has regressed dramatically
our above average PF has regressed
2 SFs are hurt for the year, or close
our key reserve SG is hurt, and possibly wants out
our key free agent signing is pissed off and playing poorly
our starting PG has regressed
our young PG with potential possibly wants out
two rookie draft picks are hurt
I mean come on.
Roy, Miller and LMA are giving garbage efforts out there. The other guys are at least trying, they just aren’t very good. Good thing we have Blake and Howard out there developing instead of wasting minutes on those projects Bayless and Cunningham.
#52
something about this really really rubs me the wrong way
“Our owner has cancer.”
It sucks for Paul, it sucks for his family, but Jake, it does not suck for YOU that Paul Allen has cancer. Get some perspective please
Don't understand why you are taking offense????
Sounds to me that jk was just listing the trials facing the franchise and expressing a little human empathy. Why so cranky?
Besides if PA does not recover and his sister decides to sell the franchise, we are all likely to be mourning not just our owner, but our team.
by upper left corner on Dec 8, 2009 9:04 AM PST up reply actions
why?
Because Jake is acting as though his life has no meaning because the Blazers are having a rough season. He has posted dozens, literally dozens, of comments to this effect in the last few days.
Paul Allen’s cancer is the very reason that this is so offensive. It’s a sport, large men getting paid crazy sums to entertain us. It’s not life and death.
And if your entire happiness in life depends in an NBA team’s outcome (unless you are one of those large men), then something is seriously wrong.
My Dad died from prostate cancer after an 11 year battle at age 73
I was with him at every step of the process. It was sad, even tragic from a personal point of view. But I don’t think it is beyond discussion. Death is part of life.
Including Allen’s and Lucas’ battles in a laundry list of problems facing the franchise is not the same as saying that everything on the list is of equal importance. Obviously, they are not. Jake never said otherwise.
by upper left corner on Dec 8, 2009 10:04 AM PST up reply actions
but that's kind of my point
your dad’s cancer is very different (in its effects on your life) than your favorite team owner’s cancer, even if the team might move as a result.
and, no, that doesn't mean that Jake can't feel bad about it
the level of gloom is frustrating me.
He can express his frustration, I can express mine, I guess.
thanks for this response
there’s a lot of cancer treatment happening in my family and workplace right now, and it really sucks, and I suspect I’m overly sensitive to the issue.
I'd say Roy/LMA together.
They’ve both played pretty bad this year. I was especially hoping that their roles as playmaker and scorer would crystallize this year, instead they have been largely rudderless (especially Aldridge). We’re still waiting for his annual post all star break explosion.
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
I think the team's attitude switched this year
I think they came in feeling they knew what to do, perhaps were entitled to contend, instead of with the quite, kick-butt, earn-respect outlook they had before they won 54. They didn’t seem to realize that it gets HARDER as you get better, not easier. I don’t know where that rests, but I don’t like the vibe around this team.
I’ve also been disappointed with the chemistry surrounding Miller, Roy, LMA, and Oden.
Nate has said that they need to "figure it out"
Do you think he realized that if the offensive system were changed to make better use of everyone’s skill sets that the chemistry issues would be more neutralized?
I suppose you could also make the argument that it’s the GM’s fault for bringing in players that don’t fit the system.
IT just seems odd to me every year Nate and the organization claim they are going to run…they finally got a point guard talented at quarterbacking a running attack, and they continue to give the bulk of the minutes to player that do not run well or dictate a slower pace.
Rooo-D!
Something weird happened with Miller
which killed the running. Keep in mind, though, that this is Brandon and LaMarcus’ first real chemistry adjustment too. The team basically cleared the way for them. They might have trouble knowing how to fold their games with others…to be a star that helps make other stars too. I don’t believe for a second that Brandon is selfish. But Brandon hasn’t had to make the same adjustments that, say, a Kobe did early on in his career with Shaq. There’s a reason the L*kers run pretty smoothly with Bryant even though he’s clearly 70% of their offense.
Phil's system is all about encouraging that also
"oh dear god. Please be more irresponsible". - Claire
that it’s the GM’s fault for bringing in players that don’t fit the system.
I hearken back to a comment made by Paul Millsap’s agent back in July. He said that Portland doesn’t target new players by the position they play (2,3,4 etc) but KP acquires the BPA and leaves it up to Nate to make all the pieces “fit”
I think the “puzzle” exploded this year. But they’ll use the injuries as an excuse and the beat will go on
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I find it interesting that you seem to absolve Nate of any responsibility in this post.
I think Nate has handled the whole Miller/Blake situation very poorly.
by upper left corner on Dec 8, 2009 9:07 AM PST up reply actions
Question about the injury to anybody who knows structural biomechanics/orthopedics
The press release following the surgery was that screws were placed successfully into his patella, right? And they projected a particular healing time based on some statistics, yada yada yada. Thing is, if the injury was just to the patella and there was no ligament damage as stated post surgery, why the conservative restrictions on him weight bearing? The patella doesn’t actually support any part of the weight bearing load to begin with, that is handled by the tibia and the femur. Is there concern that ligament stress from walking would create unnecessary tension in the patella?
"B-Roy is the best shooting guard I have played against"
-Ron Artest
what's the possibility of rudy/blake being traded?
by portlandgiirl91 on Dec 7, 2009 10:56 PM PST reply actions
I am not sure
That’s the rumor now but it may be a fan-media collaboration. I tend to think that they were on the block before all of this though. If the Blazers had a deal in mind earlier there might be good reason to pursue it now.
Will Mcmillan take the fall for all this...
or will the injuries buy him another year or an extension. I think this team is starting to shut down to the coaching voices.
We are getting outcoached night in and night out..
If the Blazers utterly bomb
Nate will probably be out, injuries or no. Injuries seldom save coaches anyway.
That must be horrible.
Like being paralyzed and everybody thinks you’re in a vegetative state, but you can hear everything, you just can’t move.
#52
Will Roy not touch a basketball this summer?
On game day, I leave the turkey alone because it is some chemicals in that thing. Nate Mcmillian 11/26/09
Roy should avoid
touching anything he touched last summer.
by Dave on Dec 7, 2009 11:08 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Will he be up for another ginormous contract this summer and worried about off-season injury?
I’m willing to bet that he touched a basketball, but didn’t do anything risky, on advice of his agent.
Given the rash of injuries
which remaining healthy players have appreciable trade value? Aside from Roy and LMA, I suppose Miller would be the most attractive bargaining chip?
Miller’s definitely the most attractive bargaining chip. but can we really afford to lose him with Blake not being on the top of his game is the question…
by BlazerNationBlog on Dec 7, 2009 11:06 PM PST up reply actions
No
Miller is too expensive. The young guys with talent, Rudy especially. Either that or expiring contracts.
if someone like Mike Bibby goes down
it won’t matter what Andre’s making, he’ll instantly be attractive to the Hawk’s GM
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Absolutely, it's Steve and Travis...
They are the only assets (other teams would find valuable) that we have that we would be willing to part with..
good point, didn’t think about the young guys. and I heard that rudy’s agent is in town? is that something we should be worried about? (from a faithful Rudy fan)
by BlazerNationBlog on Dec 7, 2009 11:14 PM PST up reply actions
Before the season our "problem" was too much talent and how to fit all the pieces together
Now the problem is not enough talent—or warm, healthy bodies, for that matter—and a sense of growing desperation that we may not be able to field a competitive team for awhile. I, for one, am grateful that Pritchard and the front office managed to get so many great players together in a short amount of time and given us a shot at winning. Can you imagine what would have happened if he had “thinned out” the roster as many (including myself) had been begging him to do?
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
about the same.
Honestly, you could replace Blake, Miller, Webster, and a few others with D-League all stars and not see a huge decline the way they are playing.
#52
Only you wouldn't have Blake and Miller and Webster
But instead one “better” player and a couple of scrubs—maybe—who’ve never played together before.
Look at Miller—arguably more talented and considered an upgrade by many coming into the season, but unable to mesh consistently despite veteran experience. If we had made a trade that level of uncertainty would have increased by a factor of two or three at the worst time.
Nobody can predict injuries, but they can plan for them. All right, I’m still upset that we kept Patty Mills instead of Udoka. :P
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
You never really know with "What ifs" like that
But I’d say that having a thinner but more focused roster would still be just fine. You play to make your “A” game the best it can be, not to bolster your chances in case Contingency Plan D comes into effect. if you lose Oden, Outlaw, Batum, and Rudy it doesn’t matter if you made a trade or not, you’re not the same team. Contingency Plan D means you lose.
I'm saying that there's another side to having a lot of young talent
When your championship window—even if we were fully healthy—is not this year. Was anyone really predicting we’d be in the WCF with Caron Butler or whomever minus solid young rotation players like Outlaw, Webster and Blake? If so, perhaps those people need another team and another GM.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
the last comment meaning:
I don’t think KP is the type to sell his young talent cheap, or—possibly to his detriment—ever.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
Can you imagine what would have happened if he had "thinned out" the roster as many (including myself) had been begging him to do?
Well, if he had flipped Travis for a decent backup PF/C this summer he’d have one less thing to worry about, right now
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
wouldn't it be nice to have milsap right about now?
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
by HD on Dec 7, 2009 11:59 PM PST up reply actions
can't put that one on KP
at least he “tried” to add a banger, but in the end it was Utah’s call
but “settling” for Travis/Howard as backups at the 4/5 has proven deadly…and I would say the same if Outlaw hadn’t broken his foot
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Public service announcement: The transactions flowchart is now up to date (except for the Google Maps version)
That interface seems to have broken down along with my old PC, which is why it took some time. But the PDF and the images are. See bottom of the sidebar.
Also working on a post about the history of patella injuries in the NBA.
Thanks for having me :)
Dave, am I crazy for feeling like the Blazers didn't really care tonight?
Or is it possible that there is a mental/psychological toll to the conga line of injuries, and that it just happened cha-cha at an especially tantalizing beat tonight?
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
Yes, and I haven’t felt this bad about myself and the Blazers in years. This team has turned me into a teenager again, and I’ll have to taste this defeat with every pot of ramen I make for the next two months.
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:06 PM PST up reply actions
I’ve seen some comments on here about how it’s not that bad, and I know that what I’m about to say is irresponsible and indefensible, but I don’t understand how anyone who was at the game could come away thinking that it was going to be okay. The Blazers just stood around and watched the knicks (sidenote: THE KNICKS OF ALL TEAMS!) beat them to 50/50 balls over and over and over again.
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:09 PM PST up reply actions
too true. there was no passion or energy on that floor for the Blazers. I’m watching the re-play of the game right now (lord only knows why..I guess I’m a masochist) and there are way toooo many plays where everyone is standing around waiting for someone else to step up on both ends of the court
by BlazerNationBlog on Dec 7, 2009 11:11 PM PST up reply actions
No motion in the offense, a lot of cheap fouls on defense, no responsibility taken by anyone.
Oh, and here’s something else: NO COMMUNICATION. The knicks, for all their disfunction, were talking to each other on the court, calling out defenses, shouting for the ball, helping each other out. The Blazers must have taken a vow of silence before they hit the court because they were acting like there had been a giant argument on the ride to MSG and no one was going to be friends anymore.
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:13 PM PST up reply actions
Interesting
ON TV it looked like LMA and Dre, at least, were being a somewhat vocal. There were several team huddles. Brandon being vocal? Not so sure.
Yes, there were huddles, but for the most part LMA’s and Dre’s vocalizations were either not answered, or alternately just expressions of frustration directed at no one in particular.
Take what I said about Roy never finding Blake (happened more than a couple times). Every time Blake would stand there waiting for the ball and when he didn’t get it, just kind of look frustrated and then half-heartedly jog back down the court, until he realized that his man was about to score an open layup, and then he would sprint, and then look more exasperated.
I never saw him go to Brandon and say, “Get me the ball. There’s no one on me.”
As for Roy, he was vocally yelling at the refs after every call. Kind of like Sheed Diet.
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:24 PM PST up reply actions
blake always plays like that, though.
especially the “finally moving fast when he realizes his man is about to make an open shot” part
The no motion part was driving me crazy
Felt like a team full of Nowitzkis trying to post up 1 on 1. Except that he’s about the only guy in the league who can consistently make those shots out of thin air and a fallaway turnaround shot or drive.
Totally agree. What was killing me, just absolutely murdering me, is the way Harrington would put up one of those ridiculous fade-away post up shots, only to clunk it, and I would think, “Yes! A stop!” only to watch LMA run down the floor and brick the exact same shot.
ARRRGGGG!!!!
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:25 PM PST up reply actions
I could not agree more with this comment
The game last night set off red alert “this team is not okay” klaxons in my fandom fortress.
Have you ever read Captain Corelli’s Mandolin?
"One of the bright spots of the young season has been rookie point guard Jonny Flynn, whose name sounds like he should be the lead character in a Broadway Musical. "What are you doing here, Jonny Flynn?" "Why I'm here to court trouble, and woo a girl, and build the most fantastical contraption the world has ever seen!" -- Dave, Game 7 Blazers versus Timberwolves preview
by BlazersOrBust on Dec 8, 2009 9:43 AM PST up reply actions
Przybilla and Aldridge haven’t cared all season. Mort and I were talking about Joel being pretty nonchalant weeks ago… can you imagine this Przybilla fighting Boozer, fighting Shaq, fighting Chandler? I can’t.
get well soon, big guy.
#52
Yeah :/ it seems like most guys are in a funk this year. like they don’t really know what they’re doing or what to do
by BlazerNationBlog on Dec 7, 2009 11:09 PM PST up reply actions
I had the feelig LMA may have resented Oden being given the lowpost
and Joel’s minutes going down/future here unclear had him thinking of next season possibly in Minnesota
ignacio
They seemed a little rattled, to be sure
But I think the bigger issue is simply a lack of scorers. I mean, Roy had 27, Aldridge had 19. Usually, we win games when those guys put up numbers like that. Needed more from Miller, but aside from that, who on the roster is a major scoring threat? Bayless scored much more than he usually does, but I think we are just short on firepower without Rudy, Travis, and Oden. I guess I would look to Martell as somebody who really needs to step up.
From my point of view, neither Roy nor Aldridge scored with any efficiency. Oh, and also, all these rumors about Roy wanting to play with Blake or whatever? Well he may want to play with him but he certainly doesn’t respect him on the offensive end. In the second quarter the Knicks stopped guarding Blake on the perimeter and just let an extra defender free to plug the lane when Roy drove. Roy never found him. Never.
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:11 PM PST up reply actions
They looked like they weren't mentally present
for much of the game. If I had to guess I’d worry about a bad road trip now, perhaps with a kick in the butt when they get home. But that next four-gamer may kill that dead. Right now in the back of my head I’m thinking a turn-around in January might be what we’ll settle for. But you never know. This team has surprised us before.
Thanks Dave. You’re right to say that the team has surprised us before, but I’ve also been surprised at how terrible they’ve been. Tonight I looked into glassy cold eyes of indifference that struck me as familiar, only I couldn’t place them…
Then I realized it was Derek Anderson all over again, and I was afraid.
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:17 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
LOL
you don’t post here often enough. Rec.
"One of the bright spots of the young season has been rookie point guard Jonny Flynn, whose name sounds like he should be the lead character in a Broadway Musical. "What are you doing here, Jonny Flynn?" "Why I'm here to court trouble, and woo a girl, and build the most fantastical contraption the world has ever seen!" -- Dave, Game 7 Blazers versus Timberwolves preview
by BlazersOrBust on Dec 8, 2009 9:44 AM PST up reply actions
What is it going to take to get Bayless some regular minutes?
It’s getting absolutely ridiculous. I’m starting to get really frustrated with our coaching staff’s inability to get him on the floor. He obviously belongs on an NBA court.
Oden fan for life
A GM should never trade a player to fix a rotation problem
Blake is a good backup PG. No reason to trade him just so Nate won’t play him.
I'm not so sure at this point. I think right now Bayless is a better back up PG thand Blake, and he's sitting on the bench rotting away.
Oden fan for life
by dario argento on Dec 7, 2009 11:10 PM PST up reply actions
Well, it's certainly on him that he's playing worse
He’s missing open three’s, there’s nothing coaching can do to help that.
But Blake’s minutes aren’t his fault. I’d expect almost every player in the NBA to want to play every minute they can. So if the coach offers them 40 minutes, they’ll be ecstatic.
They’ll never tell the coach “I stink out there tonight coach, play someone else instead”.
I Know...
Really was bad tonight when he was doing good and we were “kinda” making a comeback with 5:00 left in the 4th.. and he was benched…
On game day, I leave the turkey alone because it is some chemicals in that thing. Nate Mcmillian 11/26/09
not the first time its happened in a loss either. B rex gets hot and then he gets benched. just atrocious.
Oden fan for life
by dario argento on Dec 7, 2009 11:08 PM PST up reply actions
I am reminded of a situation in the 9th grade at a Catholic school
When I was the best rebounder and defender on the team but the coach didn’t like my stubborn tude about trying to use my left hand[the hand of the devil] and sat me as a punishment if I shot left handed.I have a clue how Rudy and JB feel
by southern oregon on Dec 7, 2009 11:06 PM PST reply actions
Can you still rebound and defend?
The Blazers could use you.
by Dave on Dec 7, 2009 11:14 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
my kids take care of my light work and yes at the age of 62 I think I would have a
Chanch at out running grandpa Howard once I got warmed up
by southern oregon on Dec 7, 2009 11:20 PM PST up reply actions
Is Blake the worst PG at feeding the post ever?
It seems like, when he isn’t pulling up at the 3 point line and immediately looking to brandon, Blake will stare at LMA for about 5 seconds then basically roll him the ball while LMA is double covered. Blake is the worst starting PG in the league. He isn’t even a PG, he is a shooter, and when his shot isn’t falling he contributes nothing!
Tony Luftman Is an Animatronic Robot created by Cyberdyne Industries for the purpose of the destruction of the entire human race, no one shall be spared.
Yes, he's truly horrible
about feeding the post… But, so is Brandon for that matter… And so is Bayless.. Hence, my hope for Dre and Oden showing the rest of these guys how to play post hoops… Sigh…
Oh blakie
But Blake looks so cool when he dribbles under the basket and keep dribbling until he gets to the 3 point line and makes a pass with 3 seconds left on the clock… That is so Awesome
On game day, I leave the turkey alone because it is some chemicals in that thing. Nate Mcmillian 11/26/09
Or puts up a wild Brandon Roy mid-range jumper
without Brandon Roy skills?
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
among the 66 rotation PGs, Blake is 60th in PER, ahead of Tinsley, Duhon, Ollie, Alston, Anthony Carter and DJ Augustin
#52
by jksnake99 on Dec 7, 2009 11:10 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Blake as PG in a D'Antoni system?
uh, no.
You don’t take the worst fast break PG in the league and put him in a SSOL offense.
Alston has a triple double this season. At least that's something.
Blake seems to drive a bit more in the last two weeks, but apart from that his game is only regressing.
winning is comfortable
or so I hear
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Dec 7, 2009 11:16 PM PST up reply actions
when I watched him blow a break
and then rim out a foul line jumper early in the clock, I had to turn away from my screen…
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Dec 7, 2009 11:11 PM PST up reply actions
Blake's main strength all of last year was being able to hit open 3's
Now he started the season bricking them and now is second guessing himself and is pumping and driving or doing something else he is not very good at.
When Blake doesn’t even attempt open 3’s with confidence he is no longer an asset to the team
Rooo-D!
He does some quiet things well
His spacing is good, which is a problem for many on this team. He knows how to react to the ball moving on offense. But we kill him with those iso plays, particularly if he’s the iso guy! The team isn’t using him to his best effect either. But you’re right in that he’s got a ceiling that may be too low for what we need right now.
When does Bayless get playing time on this team?
I realize he is somewhat raw but he is awesome at times. Fearless driving to the hole if you compare him to Andre or Blake it would seem he deserves alot of the minutes they are getting. My favorite player tonight, and pretty much the only guy on the team NY couldn’t stop.
He could be the one bright spot in this mess
Temporarily play the bench more and see who is a keeper. We lost three major rotation guys probably for the entire year; see what the third-stringers can do if they are allowed to make mistakes.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
Dave, what do you think about the Donaghy allegations?
I mean, we all realize that the guy isn’t trustworthy… but the FBI is saying that Donaghy didn’t influence games, he just made picks based on referee biases.
If he is able to pick 70+% of games based on referee assignments…
get well soon, big guy.
#52
I believe the core of the story is true
He gambled, he was in cahoots with the mob, he had huge incentive to fix games. I don’t believe as much of the stuff he’s spinning out to sell books or keep himself in the news. If the conspiracy is that obvious I need a second witness.
I mean, this is scary stuff. The FBI is saying that Donaghy is right… and the stuff he is saying is scary to the point of wondering if the NBA is real.
get well soon, big guy.
#52
At a minimum
I am now 100% convinced that NBA refs play favorites and administer justice. They don’t just do make-up calls. They do make-up games!
The role of NBA refs in deciding championships, I don’t know… but the above is very troubling.
Drexler still contends the refs cost him at least a championship in Portland
I get the paper, so I don't care!
Yeah, I think we will hear more of this in the near future.
Oden fan for life
by dario argento on Dec 7, 2009 11:28 PM PST up reply actions
What years did LeBron, CP3, Wade, and D Will
get their big contracts?
"Your best?!?!! Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and &^%@ the prom queen"
Super Rodgers Bros.
#52
One thing that struck me from the Houston game
I believe it was the Mikes talking about Adelmans 4th q strategy. You always know who the starters are, but when it comes to the end of the game, he’ll play the guys who are “on” that night.
This seems like a brainlessly simple and effective concept. Why on earth wouldn’t it be employed by most coaches, especially Nate (or tonight, Dean)? I understand the desire to go with the guys who are most consistent, long term, but you also have to acknowledge that guys play in streaks, and some more than others. Martell, for example, when shooting well (not too much this season), is going to keep shooting well. Why not keep him on the floor in those situations? The same, or the inverse, could be said for most of the other guys on the team.
It’s frustrating how rigid Nate is.
Still on the Rex bandwagon.
the argument against that is that you want your best players in, even if they are not on.
Would you have wanted Roy to sit last year down the stretch when he was having a bad shooting game? no.
I actually like a coach who sticks with his best guys. The problem, to my eyes, is that Nate is playing the WRONG guys, not just failing to ride the hot hand.
#52
I agree that it may not apply to everyone on the team
But it applies to at least 3 positions when everyone is healthy.
Still on the Rex bandwagon.
Well Roy is the exception.
You need him to keep defenses honest whether or not he is having a poor shooting night. But beyond him and maybe Oden if he was here you play the threats to score that have been there all game.
Big time agree
Was going to make a fanshot about this…Roy and Aldridge should be in at the end of games even if they have played badly up to that point. Anybody else should have to earn the right to play in crunch time based upon their performance throughout the rest of the game
Rooo-D!
as long as by "performance" you mean more than just shooting (ie defense, energy, etc)
I don’t want to get in a whole “hot hand” debate but suffice it to say that there is a lot of statistical evidence that a player having made a bunch of shots that game doesn’t make it any more likely that he’ll make the next one.
#52
true...you can tell when a player is helping the team play better basketball
Bayless was clearly doing that in the fourth until the coach decided it was time to shove splinters up his butt
Rooo-D!
also, the Mikes said that Adelman told them he usually DID stick with his guys regardless
and that this is the first year he’s coached by feel and played the guys who are playing well that day.
#52
I thought that was interesting, too
And now he’s taken a team with major holes in it, and they are looking like a decent team. At the least, you have to say they are over-achieving.
Still on the Rex bandwagon.
somewhat
but that is a team full of extremely underrated players. Adelman is doing a great job, but a lot of the “overacheiving” is just that people don’t realize how good Landry and Scola and Ariza and Battier and Brooks and Lowry etc. are. Its a reasonably talented team.
#52
the difference is that
that’s a team with a bunch of “equally good” players, no stars that you have to put out there regardless of how they are performing that night, just a bunch of good players to where it’s a positive if you “ride the hot hand”.
"Your best?!?!! Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and &^%@ the prom queen"
Super Rodgers Bros.
#52
Breaking news!! tiger woods wife moved out of their house... Oh No!
On game day, I leave the turkey alone because it is some chemicals in that thing. Nate Mcmillian 11/26/09
Keenan Thompson is a funny cat
Always supporting Greg Oden.
by blazeraddict on Dec 7, 2009 11:22 PM PST up reply actions
i also heard she may get 80 mill
that’s a lot of mullah
by portlandgiirl91 on Dec 8, 2009 3:30 AM PST up reply actions
would you agree that aldridge has peaked?
his PER, and raw numbers have either plateaued or gone down since his sophomore year.
I think Aldridge is in the wrong system to peak
Stick him on the Suns and he would like average 22 and 12
Rooo-D!
He's also have a better fg%, and true shooting percentage
He would be throwing down dunks on the break as opposed to taking guarded 12-20 foot jumpers
Rooo-D!
That doesn't fix LMA's lack of a strong first step on dribble-drives plays from the high post, ...
which is a main reason why Chris Bosh and Amar’e Stoudemire will always be vastly superior to him.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
you could put anyone on the suns and they would average that
bayless leaves over my dead body
Start Andre (in a 2 guard lineup)
"Good defense always beats bad offense."-Al Iannazzone, Yes Network
if you should strike Oden down he will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine
#52
by thomasikehara on Dec 7, 2009 11:26 PM PST up reply actions
I don't think so
He has shown many times that he can be a 20/10 guy. He just isn’t real consistent. I think he can be that 20/10 guy if he becomes more aggressive
On game day, I leave the turkey alone because it is some chemicals in that thing. Nate Mcmillian 11/26/09
he showed more tenacity to bang down low
last season.
A PF averaging 3 free throw attempts per game is kinda pathetic.
This season, I believe he’s in the Villanueva, Bargnani, Scola, Jason Thompson, etc., tier. A step below where he was last season.
I think he has peaked, yes
I really hope he can get back to his peak (ie post allstar break last year) instead of continuing to play like he has this year.
#52
I think we haven't seen his peak until he gets stronger
I think he needs to develop or at least go to more post moves that don’t end in a fallaway jumper or hook. I know Bosh worked himself into a “post-player” body this past summer, and I don’t see why Aldridge couldn’t try for something similar.
outside of the Dallas connection, and a reliable jumper
I don’t see many similarities between Aldridge and Bosh.
Here’s a progression of Bosh’s FTAs, year by year: 3.8, 6.7, 8.3, 8.6, 8.3, 8.0, 10.1.
Aldridge’s: 1.8, 3.9, 4.1, 3.1.
Aldridge shies away from contact way too often, whereas Bosh actively looks for it.
Yup
I figured if he were to get stronger and put on some muscle, he might be willing to bang a bit more.
LMA is soft, lacks a quick first step on dribble-drive iso moves, often pops rather than rolls, ...
et cetera. LMA never has nor ever will be Chris Bosh, who’s so much better than him that it’s not even worthy of having a debate.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
Be careful
about making judgments early. Players do plateau. A fair number of players (anecdotally, anyway) tend to take a while to find themselves after making big contracts. Also LMA has undergone changes every year he’s been here. “Be the post guy. Now Oden’s the post guy. Ooops! Oden’s down. You be the post guy again. Alright, now get out of the post. Oden’s there. Post sometimes but we’re going to clog up the lane behind you. Oh no! Oden’s down again!” The guy has been asked to do a lot of different things.
I think being in and then out of the post has had a major effect
He may play better soon
ignacio
I'm concerned about LMA's mental toughness
Physically, he’s bigger than Joel
but sometimes he plays with all the scraptitude of Travis
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I wish with LMA that he would learn to drive the ball
and not just stand there like Joel. I thought he was a point guard in high school so obviously he has some of the fundamentals down. Yes it would be easy to strip a big guy like him but there are always right times and wrong times, just seems like with Lamarcus he only told there are no times….
What has happened to this team?
I’m sure this is an overreaction, and hopefully i can look back at this as such in a few months, but here are a few things I have observed about this season that have really made me worried about our team(discounting injuries):
-Brandon has lost his handles
-Aldridge has stopped trying
-Joel has stopped trying
-JB can apparently do nothing right in Nate’s eyes
-Martell has become his own worst enemy
-Nate has no idea how to change his system to accomodate changes in personnel
-Andre may be content with his 7 mill and doesn’t care about much else
-Overall effort is is putrid
-The coaching staff may have lost the team
hopefully I am way off base…
Tony Luftman Is an Animatronic Robot created by Cyberdyne Industries for the purpose of the destruction of the entire human race, no one shall be spared.
I don't think you are offbase at all
you left out that Brandon has stopped trying on defense though.
#52
The thing I've been wondering all season
is how much Brandon’s weight loss is affecting his offensive game. I know it should help with durability over the course of a season, but he seems to be shooting a lot more jump shots and doesn’t seem to be as effective going to the basket. I think some of his ballhandling problems are because physical defenders can bump him around more easily. Thoughts?
That and
I think the word is out that he cries for fouls. I think that could be why a lot of the time teams get away with bumping him around and fouling his shots more this year.
On game day, I leave the turkey alone because it is some chemicals in that thing. Nate Mcmillian 11/26/09
he did it and the suggestion of the coaches, and started getting more calls.
this year it seems to have stopped working, though statistically his ft attempts are about the same as last year.
#52
Why can't Orlando be stupid and send us
Marcin Gortat and Brandon Bass for Joel Przybilla?
It's a tune-out fest.
how about stupider
Gortat and Bass for my Przybilla jersey
by gotyourselfastew on Dec 8, 2009 12:06 AM PST up reply actions
Is it safe to say it would have been wiser to let LaMarcus fight for his next big contract this year?
The way he plays right now, I can’t see even the teams with big cap space next season throwing anything near max money at him. And the Blazers still could have matched.
Apart from not wanting to send a signal of preferring Roy vastly over him, that move has backfired quite a bit.
I kind of expected he and Roy to coast a little bit after getting their big pay days.
Oden fan for life
by dario argento on Dec 7, 2009 11:23 PM PST up reply actions
They need to take a look around the leage
Kobe, Lebron, D Wade, Carmello Don’t coast EVER .. you cant in this league. If you slip for one min you get capitalized on and made to look a fool
On game day, I leave the turkey alone because it is some chemicals in that thing. Nate Mcmillian 11/26/09
Watching Kobe and Wade go at each other on both ends of the floor
last Friday was some of the most aesthetically pleasing basketball I’ve seen all year. Two supreme talents just getting after it
Always supporting Greg Oden.
by blazeraddict on Dec 7, 2009 11:28 PM PST up reply actions
the SA at Utah game tonight was a much better product than what the Blazers have been selling
by southern oregon on Dec 7, 2009 11:35 PM PST up reply actions
That was a good game. With a happy ending!
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
That was a really bad contract. If they could have got him for $50M/5, they should have; maybe even $55M/5...
Outside of that, let the market set the price and match.
They substantially overpaid for him and that is going to have negative consequences on who the team can keep for many years to come…
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
The NBA might bump the luxury tax in the next CBA quite a bit. Or conversely do away with it, but limit exceptions to go over the cap to make it harder.
I like the idea of nixing the BAE and TPEs. I'm sure the MLE is here to stay, though.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
i think so
with Roy, it was a status thing. you HAVE to give your top guy the max a year early.
but with 3rd, 4th tier stars like LA who have yet to consistently produce, you can wait. I definitely think we overpaid for him by at least $10 mil.
actually
I cannot imagine the clamor that we would be having right now if LMA was still unsigned on top of all of this.
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Dec 7, 2009 11:31 PM PST up reply actions
The contract players
are both struggling. Complacency? Pressure on themselves? It’s important to give these things time though. Players do change from season to season. They often recover after a bad one.
It would've been a more fiscally prudent decision, yes.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
he'd help slightly, just because of the injuries
but I’m glad he won’t be here to stunt Nic’s development next year.
#52
Toronto certainly sucks. That's true for sure...
"A bizarre and extremely rare hybrid Blazer/Laker fan, Timbo has always struggled to contain the Beast Within, like Dr. Jekyll, Bruce Banner, or Ted Kennedy." — Miled Animal
Yeah, Hedo Turkoglu would've just added to this already huge mess.
I still can’t fathom what in the blue blazes Paul Allen and/or Kevin Prtichard saw in Turkoglu, who better have thanked Dwight Howard for carrying his Turkish backside to the NBA Finals last season.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
No better defensively
That’s for sure. We could use a three-point shooter and playmaker now that Blake has under-performed though.
in a Turkish prison
for the next 5 years, with little chance of parole
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Another angle of frustration
I play music, and have been on tour since October 6th, before the reg season started. Was in Europe all of November, and have been back in the US ,though still touring from the east coast,since dec 1st. My only way to stay in touch with my beloved Blazers has been following here . I have been getting thru the dog days of this tour with the fantastic idea of watching the Phoenix game on TNT in the comfort of my own home upon return. Now 10 days before my return its as if the team is almost no more. At least you all have gotten to at least see an almost loaded roster in person or on TV in your living room. I need something to get me home in good spirits, this isn’t helping. Tough times.
Finals week
Anybody else in the UO library right now? I think I had more fun working on a 12 page paper examining the rapid economic development of East Asia than watching the debacle that was tonight’s game…
Neil
by Three Match Ban on Dec 7, 2009 11:26 PM PST reply actions
Dave in your recap you wrote:
Joel Pryzbilla played 32 minutes with only 2 personal fouls. Some of that was the opponent, as the Knick bigs don’t play the kind of offense that draws fouls. Part of it is also the refs knowing our changed situation, I’m sure. It’s ironic that now that the Blazers can’t field a dominant center tandem the whistles are going to ease up, but I bet that’s exactly what happens. I’m OK with it, I guess, but I wish the whistles would have eased when it would have done more good. Joel had 8 rebounds and 4 points but also had 3 turnovers and wasn’t able to keep a defender near enough ease the pressure off of his teammates.
I’ve been meaning to ask about that, and you seem to confirm it: I had the suspicion that the refs were calling fouls closer on our centers when we had two good ones. I don’t have much to ask or say other than to be upset that our team should be treated this way. Could you elaborate on this situation, especially whether or not you think we got this treatment because we’re Portland, and not Los Angeles, and why refs would do this?
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
I really think Pryzbilla was dogging it. Especially defensively. There were a lot of make up fouls the guards had to make for his lapses. I really think his lack of intensity accounted for the fewer fouls.
Also, David Lee had whatever he wanted when Pryzbilla was guarding him. Really, he must have felt like he was a video game avatar and some kid had amped all his stats up to 99.
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:29 PM PST up reply actions
Just to make sure my question is clear:
I’m wondering whether the fact we only have Przybilla will cause the refs to call fewer fouls on him now that we don’t have two great defensive centers. I’m not so much asking about the NY game in particular.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
I got you. But you referred to the game recap so I was just giving a one-game perspective. In short, (at least for tonight) Joel didn’t play hard enough to get four or five fouls.
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:34 PM PST up reply actions
ok then
but maybe he played conservatively because he knew it was him or Juwan? Who knows what coach DD instructed him to do?
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
Eh.
If coach told him not to go after loose balls, challenge shots, play help defense, or hustle down the court, then I think it’s time he was fired for gross negligence. And I mean gross as in, “what’s in this old tupperware? Oh, gross!”
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:38 PM PST up reply actions
Lee would have always
been a problem for Joel. He’s not great in one-on-one situations on the whole. He’s a good help defender and rebounder.
Then why was Pryz on Lee for the majority of the game? Just interim-coach nervousness and newness? Even I could see that LMA was doing a better job of defending him.
I agree that Joel is a better help defender and rebounder than matchup guy, but he didn’t do either of those things with any determination tonight either.
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:40 PM PST up reply actions
Scola and Landry were giving Przy fits the other night, as well
and I can remember watching Joel shut down Tm Duncan in the post, last year
without help
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
It's very odd...the sports networks wanted to make greg oden into a name
you would have thought the NBA would be on board…they have done a lot with favoritism to bolster the careers of players. Oden has gotten the reverse of the “star” treatment that many other budding players get that league wants to market.
Rooo-D!
I'm wondering
if the refs are making calls taking into account how dominant our defense would be shuttling Przybilla and Oden. It seems like they both had many tight calls against them; in the NY game not so much.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
At least from what I've observed
When teams are down to 8-9 players in uniform the refs appear to know it. There are rules for what happens if a squad gets down to fewer than 5 but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of them being invoked. Refs will take it easier on teams that get way behind. I believe they also take it easier on teams that are injured. Or maybe the guys on shorthanded rosters know that not fouling is pretty much mandatory. Mix of both?
Ok, I misunderstood you
I thought you had meant that with healthy Oden and Przybilla the refs were blowing their whistles freely, knowing they could call questionable calls because of the center depth.
At any rate, that was my suspicion, whenever I wanted to feel angry at a loss.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
I don't think it would work to the negative
like “We could foul these guys out now!” I think the NBA is interested in having the best games possible, which sometimes includes fudging for the disadvantaged team.
yup
the association wants free flowing pretty games with runs and momentum changes…they usually do things to protect from all out blowouts or “ugly” defensive struggles
Rooo-D!
That seems to be the implication
and I don’t appreciate it, if it is true. And it seems to be.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
which was my suspicion
We have a huge luxury defending the paint with two centers like Oden and Przybilla:
Posit: every other team has a disadvantage driving our lane because if one great defensive center gets tired, the other can come in and dominate.
Posit: The NBA is interested in having the best games possible [meaning closest in competition?], which sometimes includes fudging for the disadvantaged team.
Conclusion: The NBA referees call more fouls against our centers when both are heavy to balance the competition in the lane.
I don’t mean to harp on this, but I don’t think the Blazers are the only ones against whom this applies, if it does.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
Also, that seemed to happen at times at Golden State
to our chagrin.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
Until the playoffs anyway.
Dave:
I think the NBA is interested in having the best games possible, which sometimes includes fudging for the disadvantaged team.
As much as it pains me to say it
Z-bo has more all star cred so far this year than LMA or Roy
by southern oregon on Dec 7, 2009 11:29 PM PST reply actions
On a different note, which bowl matchups are you looking forward to?
I think BSU-TCU should be fun, and the Las Vegas Bowl with OSU and BYU could be an entertaining shootout.
Smart match by the bowl selection comittee on the BSU TCU game
Takes a bit of the David vs. Goliath intrigue away, but resolves issues of either team saying they got slighted
Rooo-D!
I disagree completely
It’s like a JV game. Neither school gets to embarrass the BCS by beating a big conference champion and proving that there has to be a playoff. If TCU beat the hell out of Florida, for example, the consensus #1 all season, it would be obvious and ridiculous that they have no title shot.
by samuelleejackson on Dec 7, 2009 11:35 PM PST up reply actions
Totally agree. I was sorely bummed that the two mid-majors have to play each other. I want the pleasure of another Boise-OK or Utah-Alabama, and the soulless BCS has robbed me of that,
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:36 PM PST up reply actions
I guess I should clarify
Smart for the the selection committee, bad for fans of college football
Of course if one of the teams scores a blowout the can raise a stink about being undersold
Rooo-D!
I think they can already complain. I would love to see TCU-Alabama for the national title. Is there anybody here, who, after watching the Nebraska-Texas game, doubts that Boise could give them a run for their money?
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:41 PM PST up reply actions
i hate the matchup
no matter which team wins, they didnt get a chance to prove themselves againsts a big money school
bayless leaves over my dead body
Start Andre (in a 2 guard lineup)
"Good defense always beats bad offense."-Al Iannazzone, Yes Network
if you should strike Oden down he will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine
#52
by thomasikehara on Dec 7, 2009 11:35 PM PST up reply actions
God I loved watching
That BSU-Oklahoma game.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
Jeesh, this is depressing.
I don’t want to be a sour-puss fan. What can we be thankful for? What can we look forward to?
christmas?
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
by HD on Dec 7, 2009 11:32 PM PST up reply actions
Be thankful that everyone comes back next season.
We haven’t seen what this team can do when healthy.
by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 7, 2009 11:32 PM PST up reply actions
I hoped so.
It will be hard to stay in the playoff hunt if someone doesn’t get and/or stay healthy.
"oh dear god. Please be more irresponsible". - Claire
Also, not to sure how much better a 7th or 8th seed is
than getting a lottery pick. Which would you rather have—getting swept by the L*k*rs or picking 12th or 13th? Both sound bad to me now.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
Y'know, a lotto pick might be better in the long run than getting bounced in the first round.
Also, Portland missing the playoffs could spell doom for Nate McMillan. I’m all for that, obviously.
Dear Paul Allen:
Fire Nate McMillan & hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Sincerely,
AK1984
Our starting five might be able to play more than 300 games combined next year :)
It's a tune-out fest.
BEdge night.
Be thankful that kids from across the area can look up to our players as young men of tremendous character and integrity. Couldn’t always say that.
JOHN WALL
Ha ha. Just kidding. Kind of.
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:34 PM PST up reply actions
…not really…
T___T
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:36 PM PST up reply actions
i just posted about that
ben would lose it
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
by HD on Dec 7, 2009 11:35 PM PST up reply actions
- Dante playing solidly
- Jeff Pendergraph coming into the action
- More Bayless (it has to happen eventually. Right? Right?)
- All-Star Weekend, I’m stoked for this one with or without many Blazers
- The return of Nic after the All-Star break
- A mid-season trade?
we can always count on Norks for a thorough list!
Those are good.
I suppose there’s also always a chance that one of our non-injured regulars will hit a hot streak.
I also wonder how much Aldridge’s knee injury is affecting him. Maybe that heals up and he plays at a different level.
Yeah, Gasol and Mayo are hitting it in stride
And admittedly even Z-Bo and Gay aren’t playing like scrubs either
Don't worry.
Their front office will find some way to sabotage their season if the team doesn’t implode.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
Dave
do you think because of the injuries the blazers should make a few minor trades just to sure up depth issues (i.e. a cheap center for the season)? or are they fine the way they are?
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
I don't know how
they’d make a few minor trades suiting up 9 people. Most GMs won’t trade for injured guys. If you’re talking about 1-for-2 trades with the 1-side being Portland then you’re talking about two less talented guys coming back just for the numbers. In the case of Rudy or Bayless that would mean giving up talent. In the case of a guy like Howard or Cunningham it would mean two pretty bad guys coming back. In neither case does it help you. Even 1-for-1 moves are likely to be lateral in this situation. If the Blazers make a trade it’ll be for the long-term perspective, not the short-term.
thanks dave
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
by HD on Dec 7, 2009 11:43 PM PST up reply actions
might not make it
TheRealJP31
Can’t tell what it is but it’s white castle!!! I might have to head there while I’m in Indiana!! Sweet! Lol http://twitpic.com/sn59y
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Dec 7, 2009 11:34 PM PST up reply actions
We can relax
when the team bus makes it to the hotel and the players are safely locked away in their rooms away from any stairs or slippery floors.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
And he was what, 1 for 30?
I’d rather watch sergio shoot 3’s. And yes, I do blame the lakers for sending their spy to ruin the blazer’s dunk champion hopes.
Portland could coast along with their superior talent and stay right with us. Now that Portland woke up, the hammer cometh down.
by Batumshakalaka on Dec 8, 2009 3:19 AM PST up reply actions
one would have hoped Miller would be able to find him for some lobs, but no such luck
just another reason the Blazers are a lot less fun to watch this year.
#52
you would have thought "the best lob passer in the NBA"
would have been able to assume the Sergio role in the “Spanish Armada” alley-oop tandem.
#52
dave- if the blazers somehow managed to get the number one pick again and draft john wall would ben explode with excitement? or is his man crush for wall only about as big as his man crush for bayless last season? I need to know!
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
Wall> Bayless
Wall> Rose too
Come on you gotta listen unto me,
lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be. ~Johnny Cash
by HurraKane212 on Dec 7, 2009 11:36 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, Wall is the most exciting college player since Wade and Kidd in my humble opinion
And absolutely wrong in a slow-paced offense, unfortunately
the offense can change
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
by HD on Dec 7, 2009 11:39 PM PST up reply actions
can...hasn't yet in the past 3-4 year
but theoretically if a coach implemented a new system and benched the players who didn’t run it…it could change
Rooo-D!
that is what i was implying
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
by HD on Dec 7, 2009 11:44 PM PST up reply actions
ya i know u got my back
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
by HD on Dec 7, 2009 11:45 PM PST up reply actions
if we had wall nate would bench him too
he might get 5-8 mins a night for a couple of years
On game day, I leave the turkey alone because it is some chemicals in that thing. Nate Mcmillian 11/26/09
Blake just started throwing alley passes
Too bad he isn’t that good at them
On game day, I leave the turkey alone because it is some chemicals in that thing. Nate Mcmillian 11/26/09
14 assists in the first quarter last year
argues otherwise
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
the last one to Rudy was "generous"
but the first 13 were OK, and a couple of lobs to LMA were mixed in there
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Dave, in your limited free time...
…have you had a chance to watch Channing and Sergio play? Have any thoughts in general about how they’re doing?
Not Dave but I have watched them both
They are doing better than Miller and Howard
by southern oregon on Dec 7, 2009 11:40 PM PST up reply actions
Both of them were going to do better
Channing because he’s a natural fit in that Phoenix system, Sergio because he can get PT with Sacramento. I don’t regret losing either because they weren’t going to be fits here. I hope each does well. Rod Strickland led the entire league in assists right after we traded him to Washington for ‘Sheed. That didn’t mean I wanted him back.
"Lightning" Rod and Sabas
best passing duo seen in PDX since ’78
Strickland and Miller have a lot in common, I liked the give-and-go mojo Andre was working with Greg
(sigh)
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
The team feels disconnected from eachother. Do they need some sort of event or catalyst to bring them together?
I get the paper, so I don't care!
Maybe
Or maybe just time. Or maybe just a season where they really realize that it’s possible for them to suck if they don’t do it right. Or maybe it will just take a trade to change the chemistry again. Or it could take a new system to take better advantage of some players. The problem I have isn’t the chemistry overall. Somebody is always going to be cheesed off at something. The problem I have is that it’s affecting our primary players. That’s a bad deal. Also you have to remember that a by-product of all of the “talent” and “potential” we carry is that those supporting players aren’t really supporting. They’re potential stars…at least some of them are…at least in their own minds. That’s bad for chemistry. The L*kers don’t have that problem, eh?
Sometimes a new coach is simply necessary
as it’s been said players stop listening to a coach after 3 years
ignacio
Dave, if I divorce my wife and gay marry Mortimer, will you do the ceremony?
PS. What is your favorite ABBA song?
by tominhawaii on Dec 7, 2009 11:38 PM PST reply actions 3 recs
What do you mean, “do the ceremony”?
I get the paper, so I don't care!
by Name's Ash on Dec 7, 2009 11:42 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
You promised
to date me for a while first.
I love too many ABBA songs to pick just one. Sou-pah-pah Trou-pah-pah beams are gonna blind me…
Touche, touche.
Not as diabolical, perhaps, but infinitely more iconic. I mean, “D’oh” is in the dictionary because of him.
Daffy Duck
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:43 PM PST up reply actions
huey freeman
is the greatest in my book, also don’t overlook handbanana
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
by HD on Dec 7, 2009 11:48 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Tonight the team was drained
I think they’re feeling a little like we do. It’s sort of like what Dave and many of us have said — that the past week has drained us – taken so much out of us – that we almost couldn’t care.
Hopefully as we come back, they come back too without the season becoming too far gone.
Yeah, we're still in a decent position with regard to the standings.
Only 3.5 back in the division, so we will be fine if we resurrect some of last year’s heart and tenacity.
Beautifully put, RW
Us fans need to resurrect our heart and tenacity. They’ll grow out of it as they gain experience, but so far our young team seems to mirror our fans.
They were in NYC last night, one of only two trips this year
maybe they made the most of it last night which created a least-of-it tonight.
put a body on 'em
for the more veteran fans, has there ever been a season that was this far below expectations (for whatever reason) after 22 games? after 22 games?
I mean, the jscots of the world were picking us for 60+ wins. I was at the low end with 53. I feel like we’ll be fortunate to hit 45 now and missing the playoffs is a possibility.
When was the last time the Blazers were so far below expectations after 22 games?
#52
my memory is that we usually hoped to win about 48
no, this season is unprecedented
ignacio
The Mike Shuler years and some of the Dunleavy years were below "expectations" - for me at least
PA wanted a disciplinarian (Shuler). Then Whitsit picked Dunleavy and a cast of former high paid superstars. It didn’t work out. Under expections or not, I prefer this year’s team.
03-04 we were 11-11 after 22 games. I remember being sorely disappointed, even though I think general expectations were lowered.
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 7, 2009 11:55 PM PST up reply actions
My first guess is the 92-93 season.
One year removed from Game 6 in the NBA finals, and the cracks started to show quickly.
I don't know about 22 games
But the seasons after eras end are much bigger letdowns than this. What? I thought Tom Owens would be better than this!
I thought many of the predictions were homers
but I could not argue winning less than 54 games. However, each prediction should come with the caveat: BARRING INJURIES.
Come to think of it, though, I think even without the injuries we were having major problems working as a team that didn’t occur the last season and a half.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
probably 2004
I’ve repressed the details, but the end of the “Jail Blazers era” was like stepping off the continental shelf
this year isn’t so bad, but it’s no fun either
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I appreciate juwan
The old feller goes out there and gives you what he’s got. I hope the younger players on this team see that and can learn from him.
On game day, I leave the turkey alone because it is some chemicals in that thing. Nate Mcmillian 11/26/09
Juwan is usefull,he is not going to lose the game for you but I want to see Dante get most of his minutes
For the next few months,he might win a game for us
by southern oregon on Dec 7, 2009 11:50 PM PST up reply actions
Oh yeah I agree
Dante is going to be a great asset to this team, he can Ball
On game day, I leave the turkey alone because it is some chemicals in that thing. Nate Mcmillian 11/26/09
I thought it was all Pergo up there.
Honor Alaa Abdelnaby.
First in the NBA. At least alphabetically
over way over
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
by HD on Dec 7, 2009 11:49 PM PST up reply actions
Under
Ohio State is overrated but they do play good run D and will shorten the game drastically. Can’t count on the Duck defense to keep them off the field
Rooo-D!
if they can keep their offense on the field
i don’t think pryor is accurate enough to really hurt them with the pass so load the box and see what happens.
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
by HD on Dec 7, 2009 11:53 PM PST up reply actions
yeah...that will certainly be what Ohio State tries to do as well
Whichever team can best follow the gameplan on offense will win..(Duh!) i suppose
Strength vs strength when Oregon is on O
Weakness vs’ weakness when OS has the ball.
IT will be a low scoring first half though
Rooo-D!
ya most oregon games are
they like to wear you out, they are the tiger woods of college football
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
by HD on Dec 7, 2009 11:58 PM PST up reply actions
for a second there
i thought that was some obscure oldschool reference, then i remembered this is a basketball site
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
by HD on Dec 7, 2009 11:55 PM PST up reply actions
i love that movie
"Your best?!?!! Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and &^%@ the prom queen"
Super Rodgers Bros.
#52
interesting to note
nate has the lowest winning % of any coach who has coached as many games as he has.
CleBlazer .. thanks. Poor KP!
I would’ve said Roland Todd. I forgot that Stu Inman coached for a few games.
I wanted to say McCloskey
but it was probably the Todd-Inman combo that produced those 18 wins back in ’71. Sidney Wicks was a real sweetie pie, back in the day
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Comcast had those specials on this summer
interviews from Blazer history with Stu, Harry, etc. Brought back pre-championship memories
my first game at the MC was the 114-96 drubbing of the WC Knicks in Portland’s inaugural season
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
My thoughst are that based on talent the team should still make the playoffs
Given no more injuries and players that are currently out coming back and contributing.
So I guess if the Blazers don’t make the playoffs it is the fault of the coach and not the players
Rooo-D!
If the Blazers don't make the playoffs
I don’t think it’ll matter whose fault it is. Nate is probably going down.
It would be a miscarriage if Nate isn't extended
I think Nate’s good. I’d put Nate as the 3rd best coach in 40 years, behind (tied) Jack Ramsay and Rich Adelman. If Nate helps bring us a championship, he’d be right up there. I’m not ready to give up on him yet.
I'm not so sure
I’d put Nate on par with Mike Schuler. Mike replaced Jack and brought new “help” defensive concepts to Portland, but he was in over his head when it came to handling the egos of Drexler and Vandeweghe. The owner sided with the star players and soon Schuler was gone
Nate has lasted longer than Mike, but “expectations” for the team weren’t that high until this year
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
what is the likelyhood steve blake wins us more games
then the other pg’s?
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
by HD on Dec 7, 2009 11:57 PM PST up reply actions
I'd be surprised if they leave Nate in lame-duck state
If they don’t extend him, after stating they would do so on a year-to-year basis each Summer, that would leave him in a position where he’s going into the season knowing he’s likely to be gone at the end of the year.
If they don’t extend him, it likely means he’ll be let go or “resign”.
But as for the original question, it really depends on how well they pull out of this tailspin.
Nate already got an extension for the 2010-2011 season early this last summer.
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Dec 8, 2009 12:12 AM PST up reply actions
Exactly.
They’re signing him on a year-to-year contract for one season in advance. Which means this Summer, he’ll get an extension for the 2011-2012 season.
But if he doesn’t get that extension, he’s suddenly a lame-duck coach for 2010-2011, because the lack of an extension makes it look like they won’t keep Nate afterward.
OK, I understand what you meant now.
But I wouldn’t be too surprised if they didn’t add another year this summer and decide to wait and see the results next year (assuming he doesn’t get fired this summer).
by BlazerFanSince1970 on Dec 8, 2009 12:24 AM PST up reply actions
We need a rocket
So we can launch Steve Blake into the Sun…
that’s is all…
#52. Get well soon.
by Eat Politicians on Dec 7, 2009 11:58 PM PST reply actions
I realize that they technically aren't, but
Steve Blake, ferocious, and slam are things that just don’t belong together in a sentence
Rooo-D!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xssF20-8BE
Still on the Rex bandwagon.
by dan_the_man on Dec 8, 2009 12:01 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I think if Blake"y" did that
Mike Barrett would spontaneously combust
"Your best?!?!! Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and &^%@ the prom queen"
Super Rodgers Bros.
#52
Serious question
Which road trip this year will feature Rex breaking into Blake’s hotel room late at night and eating him?
Still on the Rex bandwagon.
From my close-reading of Jurassic Park, Rex can only see blake if he moves, so unless the li’l guy tries to make a mad dash for the bathroom (idiot!) he should survive un-eaten
"I could have done with other loves perhaps. But there it is, either you love or you don't" -SB
by nightbluefruit on Dec 8, 2009 12:02 AM PST up reply actions
Dave
if you had a nickel for every time you said “if i had a nickel for every time (fill in blank)” how much money would you have?
#52 Get well soon big guy
http://bedgewiki.blogspot.com/
Dave
If you were head coach of the blazers who would you start at PG: Blake, Miller, or Bayless?
"Rudy is not everyday a shooter," Fernandez said. "He's defense. He's passes. He's assists."
Give me everyone healthy
And I think I start Miller, Roy, Rudy, Aldridge, and Oden at this point. Give me everyone KP wanted and I start Rudy, Roy, Turkoglu, Aldridge, and Oden.
i wish we could start oden at this point
bayless leaves over my dead body
Start Andre (in a 2 guard lineup)
"Good defense always beats bad offense."-Al Iannazzone, Yes Network
if you should strike Oden down he will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine
#52
by thomasikehara on Dec 8, 2009 12:14 AM PST up reply actions
and play zone defense until the opponents set 3 point shooting records
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Could we cut Mills and make Darius play for us?
We are paying him, after all.
Related: Who knows why the NBA doesn’t have a IR policy like the NFL? If I guy goes down for the season you can call him done and sign someone else.
put a body on 'em
a 3rd Dave question: Do you think Martell will ever really improve?
Are his problems mental or basic ability?
ignacio
That's a really good question
And maybe an important one for the team, long term.
I think his problem is mental. When he’s on, he can be fantastic on both sides of the court. When he’s off, it’s like watching Steve Blake (see what I did there?). I hope he can find himself, because I really like him.
Still on the Rex bandwagon.
I believe he will improve
for exactly one quarter at a time. Then he will regress for a few weeks. Then you’ll see dramatic improvement again.
Seriously, the only way to see steady improvement from him is to make him a focal point of the offense and more or less design it for him to succeed. What are the odds of that happening on this team?
Martell being one of those players
who is more of a “star in the making” than a supporting role player. At least that appears to be his comfort level still. Not a fit for this roster right now.
—Dave
Martell is someone who can grow
I admit I was down on Martell two years ago. But as I’ve watched him I’ve been really impressed with his depth and his ability to grow.
—jfishy
Thanks folks!
I should think about turning in. Thanks for the chat. Maybe things will look up on Wednesday against the Pacers.
—Dave
thanx Dave .. you're one of the forces that keep us sane.
Sleep well!
-jfish
this year's Jubleale is a little off.
I’d go with Hibernation from Great Divide.
Dunk
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