Outsider Perspective on Blazers
So I watched the Cavs/Blazers game at my parents house and invited them to share it with me. Neither are familiar with the current team in the slightest (neither could tell me who Brandon Roy was... I felt like walking out at that point) as they became disillusioned with the team and the NBA during the Jail Blazer era, but both are big fans of the game of basketball. They agreed to watch the game as long as we listened to music (Rolling Stones and Phoebe Snow) instead of the commentary and I happily obliged as I hate TNT anyway. I was interested in getting their input on the team (both teams, actually) from an educated and unbiased perspective. Here were some of the highlights:
- My mom LOVES Brandon Roy. Even in this game where he was being defended rather well, she recognized that he's a master of penetration. She claims his pull up jumper looks better than Lebron's. She says the best thing about him is the way he controls the pace and calms down the game. My dad referred to him as a "very cool customer." High praise there.
- Speaking of Lebron... my parents actually had heard of him but still didn't know a whole lot about him and had never seen him play. My dad thinks he has too many tatoos (and likes the Blazers relatively clean look: "very professional") but an intimidating presence. Neither approved of his ball handling as they said it looked sloppy and he travelled way too much. On the whole, they "called" traveling A LOT and on pretty much everyone. They thought he was limited because he couldn't go left with that double team we were running (the one where he shaded him on his right and kept the help to his left). They were impressed with the way he passed the ball, saying he understands who to give the ball to.
- They liked Channing and approved of his shot selection (it was weird hearing my mom chirp "good shot" while my mind was saying "wait, don't!"). They said he has great shooting form. Imagine what they would have made of LaMarcus.
- Neither could tell the difference between Steve and Sergio which I thought was hilarious... although to be fair when you can't hear the announcers, they do look rather similar from the pulled back camera view. They thought the guards played great D individually but were disgusted by our defence on screens. A fan of the college game, my dad didn't understand why there isn't much effort put into popping out in front of the ball handler on screens up top to inhibit a drive. I didn't have a good answer...
- They had few kind words for the Trout. I tried to tell them that he works better off the dribble like that but they weren't impressed either way.
- They said it didn't look like the Blazers had played the night before which says a lot about how they presented themselves, I think.
- On our offense, my dad wasn't impressed. He thaught the guards did a poor job of involving others. My mom thought brandon should be playing point. My dad said that was stupid because he's not fast enough. Even though they seemed to like Channing taking his jumpers, they thought we "cut corners" in manufacturing good shots. I asked him what they should be doing instead and he suggested running cutters through the key.
- They weren't overly impressed with Przy which shocked me. I thought they'd love him, but they said he was just what a standard center should be and wasn't anything special. Whatever.
- They thought Greg got screwed by the refs which brings me to their biggest gripe of the night:
- Officiating. All night long they were wondering where the fouls were. It looked like just another NBA game to me, were the announcers saying anything?
Overall they thought the game was entertaining and impressive, considering the shots weren't falling. When I asked them if they would watch any Blazers games without me they said probably not, but they might go to one at the RG. They said the team looks like they really get along and all appear really pleasant but "it's still the NBA." Thanks for ruining them 'Sheed.
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"Thanks for ruining them 'Sheed."
Funny—good post. I would like to turn more people on to my team, but they are so rarely on national tv that my opportunities are limited.
It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla
Very cool post
My dad…cough…is a Lakers fan. He likes B’roy, though, but is one of those people who thinks Koe is a god and can do no wrong. It sickens me to talk ball with him.
by Billwaltonsbeard on Mar 20, 2009 11:49 AM PDT reply actions
I'm not gonna quote it,
but did anybody else… take particular notice of first two sentences of the first bullet too?
On a more serious note, the college game calls fouls much more tightly (i.e. according to the rule book)… offensive fouls, traveling, and everything. Last night was pretty standard NBA fare, but I would expect college BBall fans to think it looks pretty crazy.
by Gargen on Mar 20, 2009 11:55 AM PDT reply actions 3 recs
tee hee. master of penetration.
It's spelled "PRZYBILLA."
vanillathrillagorillaprzybilla
by RenoBlazerFan on Mar 20, 2009 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions
ha!
not intentional but pretty obvious now that I look at it…
"Travis has more hops than a bunny in a brewery. He elevates so high his seat doubles as a flotation device."
-Dave
by SabonisBonus on Mar 20, 2009 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions
*Takes off fancy white gloves, finger by finger*
Very impressive indeed, sir. Much congratulations.
Life is hilarious.
I too am finding it hard to bring people back to Blazermania
Actually, I still thought the team sucked and were all potheads until earlier this year when my dad was watching a game. I didn’t mean to but… I got totally sucked in. Hated Greg at the beginning, thought he was a bust. One week changed that and I was aboard the bandwagon. You can call me a bandwagon fan, I don’t care. I’m just happy that we have a good team again that you can count on not seeing on the front page of the Oregonian courtesy of a mug shot. GO BLAZERS!
p.s. Hopefully you’re parents will fully come around once they go to the RG. There’s still hope.
I Blazersedge daily, nightly and ever so rightly.
There's nothing wrong with being a bandwagon fan
Losing is not fun. It doesn’t matter how hardcore you are.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Especially if you're a girl
and you’re going to bring insightful discussion to the table as you, Blazerfan1, and others have. Keep it up, we could always use that diversity.
by MavetheGreat on Mar 20, 2009 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Wait, you're talking to Claire right?
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Hopefully your parents will have a better experience than Broyposse
Sounds like your parents are a lot like mine, a little old-fashioned and set in their ways, but very good people.
If you can't laugh at yourself, everyone else probably is already.
Liked their insight
sounded like they knew what they were talking about. I didn’t watch all of the game and the internet feed was horrible, but sounds like what I’ve seen time and time again.
Also, the fact they trust Frye with their shot speaks some volume to me, because Frye is a lot better than he gets credit for. His shot is good, but most shooters need some time and a groove. Most blazer fans can’t see that, and I can’t blame them, but I think frye is one of the most underrated guys we have, and based on his stats and showings, I can def understand why. He has it, but this is the first he’s stepped up and shown a bit of what he can do. I can’t blame nate for not playing him because we’re in this to win now and you can’t wait for hte people who can’t catch up.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
Also, I agree on Lebron and calls
Guy gets away with a lot as do other players.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
So
really i’m giving you the seventh rec because I agree and what I don’t know about they just sound all smart and stuff, but I figure i’m smart and we’re in line on most things so they must be smart about the rest.
The goal is not to be better, the goal is to be the best.
I watched a Blazer game with a newer fan the other day
He saw Aldridge take a jumper. “Bad shot,” he said. I agreed.
Travis then had an open three pointer, dribbled three feet in, faded back and to the side, and let fire. Swish.
“Horrible shot. Does he always do that?”
“Yes. That is the magic of Travis. The more difficult the shot, the higher probability of Travis sinking it.”
“But it’s a bad shot.”
“No, no. That is a Travis shot.”
draft dejuan blair
by Cablinasian on Mar 20, 2009 12:36 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
yeah I've learned to accept the "travis shot"
I don’t think I’ll ever understand it… but I accept it
"Travis has more hops than a bunny in a brewery. He elevates so high his seat doubles as a flotation device."
-Dave
by SabonisBonus on Mar 20, 2009 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions
"Poetry Man"
Phoebe Snow is a great singer. (“Don’t Let Me Down” )
and Phoebe Buffay is a fictional character played by Lisa
Kudrow
I googled and listened to half of "Poetry Man"
I don’t think I have an opinion about her. I don’t like Jazz at all though.
by tominhawaii on Mar 20, 2009 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
If it was considered cool to like jazz last generation
it has to be twice as cool to not like it now.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
If not liking Jazz is cool, then I'm the Miles Davis of not liking Jazz.
I love the Blues though. John Lee Hooker is da bomb.
me too..
i like jazz to an extent but blues is where its at
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. -PostingandToasting
by GreatOden'sRaven on Mar 20, 2009 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions
"Serves Me Right to Suffer" with Van and John Lee
is one of my all-time favorites. I don’t like Miles Davis type jazz, either, but Brubeck’s “Take Five” still appeals, as does1974 music like Van “Ain’t Nothing You Can Do.” Bob Marley, “Lively Up Yourself.”
Thanks
That was a fun read. Sounds like your folks aren’t so far away from becoming Blazer fans. Have your Mom watch a couple of interviews with Brandon, get them used to NBA officiating, etc. This is a VERY likeable team.
its like building a tolerance to heroin
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. -PostingandToasting
by GreatOden'sRaven on Mar 20, 2009 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I think it's more of
Getting used to bad stuff in prison.
by tominhawaii on Mar 20, 2009 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
your parents sound cool.
don’t give up the good fight man….it may not be henry’s responsabiltiy to convert the world, but it is ours….
keep up the good work and never give up never surrender!!! ;)
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
What happened with Henry? I missed something.
I'm a really really ridiculously good looking orange mocha frappaccino drinking manhammer sandwich
Check out the True Hoop link on the main page from a few days ago
"You're welcome friend
I love you."
- Tom "Dragline" inHawaii
by 92wastheyear on Mar 20, 2009 6:54 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah,...i guess someone accused henry of a hidden agenda..and he ...blew his top..
sort of…. bens got a link..I think it was on our main page a few day’s ago…
The Faith don't panic, the faith freaks out burns out farms and torchs small villages in the name of The Faith.
henry's very....righteous. self-righteous, i mean.
i’be noticed this before.
ignacio
Sounds like
your parents have never, and never will, have any real interest in NBA basketball. No biggie. Nice effort on your part.
Money quote
Even though they seemed to like Channing taking his jumpers, they thought we “cut corners” in manufacturing good shots. I asked him what they should be doing instead and he suggested running cutters through the key.
Amen. I want to see more cutting (like Rudy was doing earlier in the season and like Webster was doing before he broke his foot).
by DonkeyShins on Mar 20, 2009 2:29 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Webster!!
he could run through the key, cut off a screen, turn and sink a three.
very good basketball.
OH! HE JAMS WITH TWO HANDS! You gotta be kidding me!
Now don't get too excited Bayless, We'll let MB do that -
No get excited! TELL EM WHERE YOU'RE FROM!
Interesting post
I like hearing an outsider’s view, especially with them not hearing the announcers. It’s pretty much 100% them.
Reccamuendoed.
Bedge or go home -- Sabonis4Ever
Phoebe
“and every time we….”
There is probably no more terrible instance of enlightenment than the one in which you discover your father is a man — with human flesh.
Paul Muad'Dib - Dune (Frank Herbert)
My Translation: My Dad is a dude just like me, and my sons are dudes like me also. I love that.
Season Tix: Section 315, with my sons
It's funny that you mentioned your parents couldn't tell the difference between Steve and Sergio
Neither could Marv Albert. He kept on messing it up during his play-by-play.
Apparently or between Rudy and Sergio
And Rodriguez takes a 3!
Hah. We don’t let Sergio shoot.
This year is NOT a building season!!
by collectiveshane on Mar 20, 2009 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions
If the Blazers win a championship
I’m pretty sure they’ll change their tune quick. Let’s face it, if this team ever pulls this off in the near future, it would be big, no HUGE news across the state. Word will be out dang quick and on a mass scale what a team of good guys this team is.
I took my mom to the Indiana game and she is hooked!!!
She’s been texting me about upcoming games, and asking about the playoffs. She even has a favorite blazer, bayless, and frequently calls him “her boy”. I done good.
thats so cute. No luck with my mom though. she just grumbles about her lost tv time when the game is on.
I Blazersedge daily, nightly and ever so rightly.
i tried to get my wife (ex-wife) to enjoy watching basketball
and sometimes she could get interested in the last 2-3 minutes if it was close. i should mention she is from france, grew up in avignon and marseille.
i have told her this season about the success of nicolas batum, but at this point i don’t think she’s remotely interested anyore. (she’s very political.) her uncle meanwhile wears marseille blue and goes to see ‘futbol’ all the time.
interesting to me is the fact that french schoolkids do not play competitive sports as part of their experience at school. you have to join a club — which is quite separate, has nothing to do with your school. so less play. it’s not as ‘natural’ as it is in the u.s.a.
ignacio
yea its the same in australia
i wish we had a more school centric sporting system like the US , most high school kids play in a non school competition for a club.
i got my gf to watch a few games
she also said oden looked scary, and that broy is a great player.
she also said travis was good looking and rudy wasnt anything special!
but then again my area of sydney is extremely multicultural, where i can walk through the local mall and see white folks, asians, south americans, africans, arabs, europeans everyday.

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