(Brief) Game Recap: Blazers 108, Hawks 98

by Dave on Feb 21, 2009 2:20 PM PST

I really loved that game last night. It was just fun basketball to watch. As predicted it was pretty much a blow-for-blow affair. You hit a three? I hit a three. You blocked my shot? Take that then! Those athletic forwards of the Hawks bumped us around. Our skilled forwards poured in points. Their guards blistered us but couldn't stop Roy, Fernandez, and Blake. Both teams hustled. Both teams rebounded until that fourth quarter hit. The Hawks' defense had the Blazers shooting late in the clock. The Blazers' offense had them spinning in circles. What more could you want?

The game stayed within shouting distance until the fourth quarter when the Blazers streaked to the victory. Part of it may have been fatigue. But part of it was also the Blazers simply TAKING that game, which made me giddy. When the final period hit it was go-time. Rebounds, made shots, defense, more rebounds, passing, cutting, more rebounds...WHOOOO! The energy level went up about four notches. Good teams pretty much do that when you're still hanging around. The Blazers looked like a good team tonight.

Individually the efforts of Lamarcus Aldridge, Rudy Fernandez, and Nicolas Batum stood out the most for me. I mean, Brandon had an amazing game (27 pts, 7 rebs, 5 asst) but we're used to that. Lamarcus was using every trick at his disposal to fight the defense and he did not settle. It was like he knew we needed him tonight and he was going to come through no matter what. You saw shades of Lamarcus-To-Be last night and it was very, very nice. Rudy put together a complete and potent offensive game. He led the bench not only in scoring but desire. Batum did it with his energy and defense. Who could ever get tired of those blocked shots?

Travis Outlaw also had a nice energy game, Steve Blake produced well, and Joel Przybilla owned the boards. Channing Frye also did well off the bench with 3 rebounds and 2 steals.

The single best stat of the night to me was every Blazer who played more than 2 minutes had a rebound and 5 players had 3 or more. That's what we needed.

Props to the Hawks as well. They may become my second favorite team in the league. I enjoy what they bring. Though the match isn't airtight they remind me a little of the Drexler-era Blazers.

Great energy, great game...why can't we play them all like this?

You can check out your Jersey Contest scores and enter tomorrow's game here.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

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Your nice opinion about the Hawks

isn’t shared by Hawk Fan over at PeachTreeHoops. Lots of doom-and-gloom, players don’t care, Woodson sucks, etc. Tough crowd, that.

by MiledAnimal on Feb 21, 2009 2:27 PM PST reply actions

The Hawks have made a ton of mistakes.

We didn’t draft Chris Paul—neither did they. Both of us took a dude from Seattle with initials MW—kinda scary now that you think of it. Their Marvin is turning into a decent player, but he’s nowhere near the Guaranteed All-Star that many were predicting he’d be when he came out of UNC.

The difference is, we got rid of the lousy GM that passed on Paul and Deron—they haven’t. Many Hawks fans are still sore about Landlord over Roy, and I can’t blame them. There’s a reason that despite the nice record the Hawks have, and their current playoff seeding (4th in the East) Mike Woodson is still listed in the NBA Coaches Dead Pool—the organization is poisonous.

I like a lot of guys on their team—JJ is kinda like Brandon Roy Lite; Smith is a stud, and Horford is a beast. Bibby has helped them at point (whose point guard position is the most cursed BTW—Atlanta, Portland, or Houston?) but he’s not a long term solution.

But I think Portland has far better chances of evolving into a contender than the Hawks—and the biggest reason isn’t on the floor or holding the clipboard—it’s that the Blazers are presently a well-run team, and the Hawks are one of the biggest basket cases in the league. That they succeed on the floor to the extent they do is astounding.

There is no charge for awesomeness. Or attractiveness.

by EngineerScotty on Feb 21, 2009 2:39 PM PST up reply actions

Timbo's head just exploded. What, you can do worse than Frye?

Didn’t you wish we had a Channing Frye to come off the bench instead of a Solomon Jones?

Brandon is one of those quiet assassins. - Chris Paul

by Norsktroll on Feb 21, 2009 3:10 PM PST up reply actions

Good points

I love the Hawks roster, but there are serious problems in ownership/management/coaching, and it almost seems as if the success of the players comes in spite of the incompetence of the higher ups (the Childress debacle being foremost in my mind as the most recent incident). It would be nice to see those young guys have some structure/a chance to grow together, but I have a feeling that team could be in for some turmoil.

An admission: After the OKC game, I said some things. Stupid things. Things about Nate not knowing how to coach GO. It was only then I realized that I was in danger of becoming that which I most loathe - an uninformed, knee jerk fan who reacts to wins with wild delusions of championships and losses with trade and firing fodder. I will not be that fan. From this point on I will support the Blazers, the coaches and front office wholeheartedly, offering praise and criticism appropriate to the matter at hand. I will never again be "that guy".

Blazeaddict
2/9/2009

by blazeraddict on Feb 21, 2009 5:21 PM PST up reply actions

"The difference is, we got rid of the lousy GM that passed on Paul and Deron—they haven’t."

Nope, the Atlanta Hawks fired its former front office executive, Billy Knight, who made those mistakes.

It’s just that the its dysfunctional ownership group replaced Knight with an even more inept front office executive, GM Rick Sund, who’s been an epic failure in his stints with the Dallas Mavericks, the Detroit Pistons, and the Seattle SuperSonics.

by AK1984 on Feb 21, 2009 5:29 PM PST up reply actions

strictly speaking

Bremerton isn’t Seattle either…..

Oderint dum metuant

by WhiteRabbit on Feb 21, 2009 8:47 PM PST up reply actions

You are correct, sir...

one wonders when John Nash will find himself interviewing for jobs in Georgia.

There is no charge for awesomeness. Or attractiveness.

by EngineerScotty on Feb 22, 2009 12:20 AM PST up reply actions

Answer:

Sooner rather than later!

by AK1984 on Feb 22, 2009 2:02 AM PST up reply actions

That was good Scotty, real good.

It makes up for you lying about how Bayless owned Mayo last year. You’ve always had high credibility with me but it took a hit with that fabrication.

Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave

by TwoDeep on Feb 21, 2009 6:26 PM PST up reply actions

That fanpost...

…wasn’t intended to be taken seriously. :)

There is no charge for awesomeness. Or attractiveness.

by EngineerScotty on Feb 22, 2009 12:23 AM PST up reply actions

I've never gotten hung up on whether people agree with me

especially after a loss.

—Dave

by Dave on Feb 21, 2009 2:52 PM PST up reply actions

second!!!

Man, we should forfeit before roy’s hammy explodes, knocking him into LMA’s ear who loses his balance and hits Greg’s knee… - HurraKane212

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

by maid tu rek on Feb 21, 2009 2:36 PM PST reply actions

It was good to see an agressive LMA going to the basket

If he can bring that every night it compliments his jumper and makes it hell to guard for the other team. I hope this becomes the norm rather than the exception.

Also I noticed that there was a lot of hustle against the Hawks. Usually in past games it has appeared to be one or two guys at a time or if the entire units is involved it is for a spurt or two. This last game game felt like most of them were hustling through most of the game. It was fun to watch.

"Every time Troutlaw touches the ball, I pop an anti-anxiety pill."

by DaNoose on Feb 21, 2009 2:52 PM PST reply actions

I have never seen him dunk that much

it was awesome

Oderint dum metuant

by WhiteRabbit on Feb 21, 2009 8:49 PM PST up reply actions

if he plays with that mindset

every night hes an all star. hes as good at running the floor as any PF in the NBA right now. he rudy and bayless seem to me like they would benefit most from runnin and gunnin more

I am starting the coalition to BRING BACK IKE.

by DNP (CD) on Feb 21, 2009 9:40 PM PST up reply actions

Agree totally!

with DaNoose here. Especially about LMA….This has got to be the first game this year that LMA has really tried to drive to the hole. I love it, and have been waiting for him to get more aggressive. Maybe he has lacked confidence driving the ball, or the coaches have asked him to not to – (though I cant imagine why)? This so improves his game. I think he is realizing that if he is going to be able to get to the next level he’s going to have to be a threat to break someone down off the dribble – be aggressive – and take some contact!

Good job LMA! Give us some more of that!

"- It was "mascot night" at the Rose Garden, which apparently translates to a dozen inflatable versions of various NBA mascots being chased around the arena by Portland's "Blaze", which is some breed of rapist dog."
Seth: Posting and Toasting

by lethaldose on Feb 21, 2009 11:20 PM PST up reply actions

I'd like to see Oden

putting it on the floor and driving on people. I’ve only seen him do it a couple of times and he is actually a decent dribbler and looked good.

by lethaldose on Feb 21, 2009 11:28 PM PST up reply actions

I hear you about widening his game,

but I’d prefer for him to concentrate on bringing energy and effort in order to stay on the court consistently, rather than foul out repeatedly. I’d rather see him develop confidence on the defensive end and continue working on his post moves. When you have guys like Roy and Aldridge, it really isn’t necessary for Oden to develop additional offensive moves yet.

by premthegrem on Feb 22, 2009 12:31 AM PST up reply actions

it was bonafide!

Lately they’ve been looking like they got hit by a train. But last night, they were bonafide! Looks like they’re a suitor!

Loaded Orygun's recap of a TCB game vs the Hawks!

by torridjoe on Feb 21, 2009 3:08 PM PST reply actions

I saw a chance to make my move in the JC

The PTB played a Game to be proud of.

The gambler in me saw a chance to make a move & lost.

My Fan side & the PTB rules. 14 o’er .500, Go Bl\alzers!, Lizzy NOT!

Elizabeth had a partner and he had a rap from the cops, Him and Lenny Suckerpunch were just out Tooling around

by Lizzy Lowblow on Feb 21, 2009 3:17 PM PST reply actions

Was doubtful going in

I thought the Blazers were going to lose this one. I know from listening to the podcast that Dave was a little worried too.

I guess I still see the Hawks as that team that pushed the eventual champs to the brink. They were young, aggressive, and definitely not afraid to be on that stage. And they are still that team, of course. But something is up with the Hawks. I expected more from them last night. Then again, maybe the Blazers just plain kicked their butts.

I would love to see the Blazers do something similar to what the Hawks did in the playoffs last year, and then follow it up with a deeper run next year.

I’ve said it before: It is a true pleasure and privilege to watch this Blazer team grow.

by ofred on Feb 21, 2009 3:28 PM PST reply actions 2 recs

Well sed fred

Elizabeth had a partner and he had a rap from the cops, Him and Lenny Suckerpunch were just out Tooling around

by Lizzy Lowblow on Feb 21, 2009 4:05 PM PST up reply actions

+1

Perfect practice makes perfect.

by Ojala John on Feb 21, 2009 5:41 PM PST up reply actions

+ another and I'll rec you too with that last statement you made. .

Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave

by TwoDeep on Feb 21, 2009 6:28 PM PST up reply actions

eh...

I’d rather not lose to the Lakers in a game 7 ever again. Somehow it would hurt less if it was the Spurs or Nuggs or something. But not the Lakers. That would just suck.

by premthegrem on Feb 22, 2009 12:33 AM PST up reply actions

That would totally suck, you're right. But ...

…and it’s a big but.

If this Blazers team, this year, took the eventual champs (whoever they might be) to 7 games, I think the players and coaches would feel like they were more than on schedule.

I mean, I would cry and all, but I’d get over it and be ready to go after summer.

by ofred on Feb 22, 2009 8:13 AM PST up reply actions

I too was worried about last night's game

And when Bibby got red hot, I became more worried. But the Blazers were up to the challenge.

Like you said, Dave, that was an entertaining game and an impressive win. I’m a big believer in LMA, but I do wish he’d get after it like that every night. Sometimes, when LMA’s shot isn’t falling early, he gets out of sorts. Last night, he just seemed to get more determined. Early on, he kept the Blazers in it with his hustle and toughness.

BTW, I don’t know if I love the Hawks as much as you do. But I like Horford and I LOVE Joe Smith. Can that guy block shots or what? And he’s only like 6-5. (Regardless of what he may be listed at.)

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on Feb 21, 2009 4:20 PM PST reply actions

er, JOSH Smith, that is

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on Feb 21, 2009 4:22 PM PST up reply actions

Josh smith is 6'5"

I don’t believe you.

by OneTrickPony on Feb 21, 2009 4:23 PM PST up reply actions

I don't know who to believe?

I heard he was 6’9 in spike heeled pumps!

Elizabeth had a partner and he had a rap from the cops, Him and Lenny Suckerpunch were just out Tooling around

by Lizzy Lowblow on Feb 21, 2009 4:30 PM PST up reply actions

Look at this picture, he's got two inches or so on Josh Childress, who is listed at 6'8".

There is no way Josh Smith is only two inches taller than Steve Blake.

http://www.largefeet.com/images/hawks_05.jpg

by OneTrickPony on Feb 21, 2009 4:34 PM PST up reply actions

Josh ain't gots no shoes!

That I can see

Elizabeth had a partner and he had a rap from the cops, Him and Lenny Suckerpunch were just out Tooling around

by Lizzy Lowblow on Feb 21, 2009 4:45 PM PST up reply actions

Josh Smith is 6'7" tall without shoes, as well as just over 6'8" tall with shoes.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/?page=&year=2004&sort2=DESC&draft=0&pos=0&sort=

Yet, it’s Smith’s 39.5" maximum vertical leap that makes all the difference in the world.

by AK1984 on Feb 21, 2009 5:33 PM PST up reply actions

he could have grown since then

as he entered as a high schooler. Tyrus Thomas grew a few inches after being drafted.

Interesting that Roy has a better vertical leap than Smith.

by Cablinasian on Feb 21, 2009 5:53 PM PST up reply actions

Yes, Roy's hops are a well-kept secret

Early last season, I listened as Big Suke and the other hoops-ignoramus on The Fan were asked what Roy’s verticle leap was. As I recall, they estimated around 35". Both concluded that Roy possessed unexceptional athletic ability, and that only homers considered him an all-star level two guard. I concluded that THEY were not very observant. Further, I concluded that they were too lazy to do an internet search.

Er, like I was just now re/ Josh Smith’s height.

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on Feb 21, 2009 6:11 PM PST up reply actions

6-7 it is--my error

But nice hops, longish arms, and especially great timing= one hell of a shotblocker (especially with the left hand). I love watching Smith erase ’em. Not that young Nic Batum is chopped liver in that dept…

"We don't back down to nobody." --Joel Przybilla

by hurryup09 on Feb 21, 2009 6:00 PM PST up reply actions