Sunday Practice Report
by Ben. on Apr 19, 2009 9:57 PM PDT
145 comments
One sign that it might be an important practice: the entire braintrust shows up. As the team cooled down with free throws this afternoon, Nate McMillan met with (left to right) KP, Chad Buchanan, Tom Penn and Mike Born. The bug I installed inside the hood of Mr. Born's sweatshirt malfunctioned, so unfortunately I am not able to bring you the content of their conversation. It seemed light-hearted and probably did not involve reading aloud comments from Oregonlive.
The mood at practice was not particularly light or heavy -- there seemed to be a balance but also a certain tension or urgency in the air.
Nate purposefully skipped film session today to get the guys out on the court playing rather than thinking about what went wrong in Game 1. Given the hesitancy and timidity expressed on the court last night, particularly early in the game, it's hard to argue with that decision.
Nate said the team will return to film study tomorrow morning.
Nate admitted to having a hard time sleeping last night but said he has trouble sleeping after just about every loss.
Brandon was very serious and focused today but he was far more upbeat than he was last night. Indeed, I'm not sure I fully got across Brandon's appearance after Game 1. On a normal night, Brandon moves around off the court like he does on the court: not in a hurry, entirely at ease, full of confidence. Last night his eyes were focused on the ground, his movements laborious, his tone flat, his shoulders slumped. It was a different Brandon.
His most assertive declaration today was: "I'm calling [game 2] a must win." I think we would all agree on that but it was re-assuring hearing those words coming from the mouth of the team leader. He was more or less back to his usual self, even cracking a few jokes as the media session went on. He got a good laugh out of everyone when he admitted to staying up late last night watching episodes of "College Hill" on BET because he couldn't sleep.
LaMarcus's session was lighter. Curiously, in contrast to both Brandon and Coach McMillan, LMA said that he had no problem going to sleep last night and that he had moved on to thinking about Game 2 as soon as Game 1 was over. I say "curiously" because this approach seemed exceptional as members of the media (myself included), team employees and his fellow teammates seemed to take longer to process exactly what happened in Game 1.
It was illuminating to see how two talented players that share as much in common as Brandon and LaMarcus reacting so differently to the same situation. Given LaMarcus's subpar performance Game 1 performance, I think his Coach and teammates are probably glad he's not dwelling on it.
More than anyone else on the team, I think that those in the Practice Facility today are rooting for LaMarcus, both because the team needs him and because of what a solid playoff performance would mean for his future development.
This Will Probably Cause Drama
Randomly I caught a Wells Fargo gift package that was dropped from the rafters on Saturday night. I tried to John Wall pass the package to a (roughly) 10 year old kid in front of me. The gentleman pictured below had a different idea and went CP3 by swiping the gift package (estimated retail value: seven pennies) and refusing to give it to the kid, despite much heckling from those nearby.
Thanks to the many fine twitter folk who encouraged me to get a picture of him, I present this evidence. Can we blame this gentleman for the game 1 loss? Probably.
Does he deserve to wear that shirt? No.
15 = 16 not 1 = 1.
Please do not steal from children. That is weak like watering down your egg roll sauce because of the recession. Chinese restaurants: you're on notice too.
-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)
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His name is Mortimer
He will be punished.
"The Rockets broke the heart-shaped lock on our diary and read it. They know our shirt sizes AND our shoe sizes. They know our ballboy’s girlfriend’s nickname. They own us." - nightbluefruit
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 19, 2009 10:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That type of behavior makes me sick
people are going on their little high horse about booing the refs, but the fact someone would do that is really embarrassing.
"Kobe you empty headed animal food trough wiper! I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!" - Nicolas Batum
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Apr 19, 2009 10:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
seriously
that guy is a piece of garbage. that’d be like kicking Santa Claus is the crotch!
"Smile! You're on a poster!!" - Mike Rice
by lefty6283 on Apr 19, 2009 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't feel sorry for the kid.
He was cheering for the Rockets and farting a lot.
by MiledAnimal on Apr 20, 2009 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
people are going on their little high horse about booing the refs, but the fact someone would do that is really embarrassing.
Not sure I get this one. The people in the arena would have probably booed this guy louder than the refs, if the incident had been shown on the jumbotron.
Is there something I missed in comparing the ref thing to this incident? Everyone would boo this guy, regardless of the ref situation.
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nothing to get really
some posters here have been going on about booing the refs. As if that could be the worst thing someone could do, obviously it’s not.
"Kobe you empty headed animal food trough wiper! I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!" - Nicolas Batum
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Apr 19, 2009 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ohhhhh ok
I gotcha. I thought you were one of the people who were complaining about the ref booing, not the other way around. Thanks for clarifying, I really wasn’t sure what you meant.
Fans didn’t get their money’s worth with on-court action. If booing the refs helps them feel a little better… have at it. The refs won’t care either way.
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm almost BE-free right now so I haven't seen the ref threads today
BE is just crazy right now, and I’m on the road while visiting the PNW. So I wasn’t sure if there was a background I was missing here.
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No problem, I'm sorry for any confusion
I just can’t figure out why people are getting mad that fans are booing the refs. It seems like such an arbitrary issue that people find so objectionable.
"Kobe you empty headed animal food trough wiper! I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!" - Nicolas Batum
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Apr 19, 2009 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
they totally did show him on the jumbotron
just not long enough for the crowd to realize what happened. Me and my sister were like, “did that guy seriously just steal that from that little kid?”
I Blazersedge daily, nightly and ever so rightly.
by Claire on Apr 19, 2009 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It probably happened while one was floating above my head
I was distracted saying out loud “please go elsewhere, it’s not worth the trouble of 5 people tackling me to get it, when I’m not even trying for it myself”.
A draft caught it and it floated 5 rows up. :)
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
same thing happened to me
except that I kind of wanted it just to see what was inside. I had no chance though because much taller people had first dibs on it.
I Blazersedge daily, nightly and ever so rightly.
by Claire on Apr 19, 2009 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Someone caught one and posted about it a while back
The ones dropped from the inflatable car are 10% coupons off for a business or something.
Also, the T-shirts they shoot at the crowd have business logos on them (like Subway). They’re not Blazer shirts apparently.
I can’t imagine the Wells Fargo thing was any better. I thought the announcer said it was a $25 gift cert or something.
(If I’m wrong about this, someone feel free to correct me)
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They vary
I caught a shirt this year (my first one ever) and it was a Blazers shirt (but it was a child size). The blimp drops coupons from everything from a free Blazer hat to 10$ gift certificate to Burger King, to some lame random cd. The parachutes that drop in my section (twice all season, I sit in the 300 level) were 15$ off Blazer merchandise at the Rose Garden store and a gift certificate to Typhoon.
"The Rockets broke the heart-shaped lock on our diary and read it. They know our shirt sizes AND our shoe sizes. They know our ballboy’s girlfriend’s nickname. They own us." - nightbluefruit
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 20, 2009 12:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even I find that guy's jackassery to be way out of line, which is saying something coming from me.
by AK1984 on Apr 19, 2009 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
You're a pussycat.
"Aneurysm".
When Outlaw wins a game on a last-second shot, it’s called an "annthefaneurysm". QualityPie
by annthefan on Apr 19, 2009 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Boooo
Maybe he could steal Jorga’s Rockets shoes next :)
by Norsktroll on Apr 19, 2009 10:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Fans leaving early, grown men stealing from little kids...
Why are we impersonating L*ker fans?
My sig. is gone on vacation.
by prezofdeath on Apr 19, 2009 10:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It could be a beloved BE reader having a bad night...
by Norsktroll on Apr 19, 2009 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
heh heh
My sig. is gone on vacation.
by prezofdeath on Apr 19, 2009 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Norsk is trying to tell us something. :)
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Norsk is getting on his Dallas high-horse
He’s about ready to jump on the Blazers bandwagon after seeing Dallas beat San Antonio and us get killed by Houston.
Don’t sprain your ankle jumping off the bandwagon, Norsk. Bad riddance.
by tominrehab on Apr 19, 2009 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm riding on both bandwagons, thank you very much
And I don’t think Dallas ever had much of a bandwagon outside of Dallas.
by Norsktroll on Apr 19, 2009 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
when they collide in the WCF
and you’re hanging on the outside of both… you’ll get smushed (like Parker).
by tominrehab on Apr 19, 2009 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Por and Dal met in the WCF
Norsk would be the most balanced (and happiest!) commenter on this site.
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would create a little conundrum since I would really like the Mavs to win just 1 title with this group followed by many for the Blazers
But yeah, it would be an interesting problem to have.
by Norsktroll on Apr 19, 2009 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dirk needs a ring
solution? He signs with the blazers.
My sig. is gone on vacation.
by prezofdeath on Apr 19, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and he has said he'd take a reduced salary if he thought it meant a ring
My sig. is gone on vacation.
by prezofdeath on Apr 19, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A few moves this off-season will help aid the Mavericks in its title quest.
1. Draft a swingman in the first round.
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Chase-Budinger-502/
2. Acquire a backup center before 7/1/2009.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=d6834j
3. Acquire Shaquille O’Neal before 7/1/2009.
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=cofwst
4. Tender restricted free-agent Ryan Hollins to a one-year, $1,215,726 qualfying offer (i.e., 125% of his previous annual salary).
5. Re-sign Jason Kidd to a one-year, $10 million contract.
6. Re-sign Brandon Bass to a five-year deal worth the mid-level exception.
7. Move Jason Terry into the starting lineup in lieu of Antoine Wright, who’ll move to the backup small forward spot behind Josh Howard.
by AK1984 on Apr 20, 2009 1:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nature vs nuture?
Did this guy chose to be a fat jerk or was he born that way and cant help it?
by southern oregon on Apr 19, 2009 10:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
born a jerk?
That sounds like license to do whatever you want, I hope they never find the jerk gene. “I couldn’t help it, I have the Jerk Gene!”
by twggyy on Apr 20, 2009 7:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can I help smacking the taste out his mouth?
I'm a little confused by your tactics
by oderiferous emanations 74 on Apr 19, 2009 10:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hahahahah
This made me laugh harder than anything else today. Well done exposing this guy for all of BE to see.. a source of bad karma for sure. No Portland shirts for him.
by amitp06 on Apr 19, 2009 10:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Some idiot at the Nuggets-Hornets game just threw a beer cup (the announcers even said bottle) on the field 20 sec before the end
Now that is truly jerky behavior. Banned for life!
by Norsktroll on Apr 19, 2009 10:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought booing the refs was the worst thing anyone could do at a game
"Kobe you empty headed animal food trough wiper! I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!" - Nicolas Batum
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Apr 19, 2009 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
throwing batteries
draft dejuan blair
by Cablinasian on Apr 19, 2009 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
though I'm quite positive you were being sarcastic.
draft dejuan blair
by Cablinasian on Apr 19, 2009 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who brings flares to a sporting event?
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21... I know...
by FibonacciSequence on Apr 20, 2009 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes was I being a little snarky
but yes batteries would definitely be worse
"Kobe you empty headed animal food trough wiper! I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!" - Nicolas Batum
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Apr 19, 2009 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Isn't that why the Yankees don't wear names on their jerseys?
So fans with batteries and other projectiles don’t know which player is which in the outfield?
Sure, it doesn’t say much about the intelligence of those fans. But then, those are the fans holding batteries to throw at players.
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 11:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least nobody pulled a "Mulitple Migs"
Am I right or am I right? And on that note, I’m going to bed. Tomorrow is a new day and hopefully we all can get back to rooting for our Blazers.
"Kobe you empty headed animal food trough wiper! I fart in your general direction! Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!" - Nicolas Batum
by Sexual Tyrannosaurus on Apr 19, 2009 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No team that I like is playing tomorrow.
That’s probably for the best after this weekend. Tuesday it begins anew.
There’s no true joy without unhappiness to provide perspective.
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 11:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only if you are on the receiving end.
hakkaa päälle !
by timg56 on Apr 20, 2009 7:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
tis better to give than receive?
or is that just what they say in the adult film industry?
by tominrehab on Apr 20, 2009 8:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i've seen that before at hockey games
it’s one idiodic fan….the rest of the crowd is mad because it makes them all look bad. It’s really suckish…it only takes one dork to make you look classless
My sig. is gone on vacation.
by prezofdeath on Apr 19, 2009 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh yes, it was followed by a lot of booing
And ball boys frantically trying to wipe everything up. And the Nuggets were blowing out the opposition, so if it was a Nuggs fan he was truly madly dumb.
by Norsktroll on Apr 19, 2009 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Y'know, he might've just been pissed off that beer sales had been cut off at that point in the game.
For that reason, I wouldn’t blame him for venting his frustration in that style. Yes, I’m just kidding here.
by AK1984 on Apr 19, 2009 11:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Say, when DOES the NBA cut off beer/alcohol sales anyway?
I wrote up two paragraphs here and deleted them… let’s just say the fans were pretty bad post-game, and shutting off the tap earlier might have been useful.
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 11:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cutoff is at the end of the 3rd Quarter.
If you are in line at the end, they will sell it to you, but no sales occur once the 4th Quarter has started. So if you hurry at the end of the 3rd you have 5 mins to snag one! As far as shutting off the tap earlier…what?! Nooooo!!! I agree that yes, there are a large amount of intoxicated people, but I would bet that the sole amount of alcohol wasn’t consumed at the R.G.
by RuQ on Apr 20, 2009 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
For the next few weeks
I will no longer acknowledge any allegiance towards my chinese heritage. Damn you Yao, damn you chinese restaurants for watering down sauces and charging for rice.
I got 6 years of playoff blue balls going on, and I'm ready to release. GO BLAZERS. ~Mortimer
by Philthyanimal on Apr 19, 2009 10:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Way to take one for the team
Not thrilled about the new sig though…
"The Rockets broke the heart-shaped lock on our diary and read it. They know our shirt sizes AND our shoe sizes. They know our ballboy’s girlfriend’s nickname. They own us." - nightbluefruit
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 19, 2009 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, but you can't blame him for wanting a happy ending.
The Portland Trail Blazers, however, may just shortchange us.
by AK1984 on Apr 19, 2009 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
can't happen
they’ve already overpaid. Thanks Blazers. – Elgin
Tonight felt like the day you open the mail and receive an acceptance letter to your dream school: the University of Playoffs. - Ben Golliver, Apr 15 2009
by 22baylor on Apr 20, 2009 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So funny BEN!
I actually saw this happen from my ever so HIGH up section 309, my leaned over and said and I quote " Hey fat-ass, Wells Fargo doesn’t want your business" he actually works for Wells Fargo, and will remain nameless. So great you caught him on camera! Okay i’m ready for Tuesday, as I still have the vomit taste in my mouth from Saturdays game.
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables us to recognize a mistake when we make it again" ~ Dupree
by Conraddon on Apr 19, 2009 10:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
wait so you know who he is?
I got 6 years of playoff blue balls going on, and I'm ready to release. GO BLAZERS. ~Mortimer
by Philthyanimal on Apr 19, 2009 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No sorry that wasn't clear at all, typing on Iphone
My friend that screamed the quoted sentence, works for wells fargo..
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables us to recognize a mistake when we make it again" ~ Dupree
by Conraddon on Apr 19, 2009 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd also like to point out the macbook charger..
in the corner of the picture. NICE, way to pick apple!
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables us to recognize a mistake when we make it again" ~ Dupree
by Conraddon on Apr 19, 2009 10:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
lol that belongs to ezra from the mercury. i constantly give him crap about being a mac guy so he will be glad to read this…
by Ben. on Apr 19, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
How dare you sir :)
mac only way to go, its pretty much like being a Blazer fan, or breathing… it just happens. " NBA where apple happens "
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables us to recognize a mistake when we make it again" ~ Dupree
by Conraddon on Apr 19, 2009 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How 'bout we not start a mac-vs-windows-vs-linux thing tonight?
Fans are already split over enough things today, ya know?
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can only tolerate those new Windows ads hoping they enable Paul Allen to re-sign everybody and bring us a great draft pick or FA
by Norsktroll on Apr 19, 2009 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Very good call.
I actually think it’s an effective campaign. Just from a marketing standpoint.
Except that mom buying a laptop for her kid. Your spoiled brat does not need Blu-Ray in his laptop. For some reason, that drives me nuts.
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Second THAT!
That kid bugs me, but your right about the marketing thing. A great response to the Justin Long mac/pc commercial.
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables us to recognize a mistake when we make it again" ~ Dupree
by Conraddon on Apr 19, 2009 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Blu-Ray comment is just in the spot because Macs don’t have them → because it’s not needed and because they want you to download movies.
by Norsktroll on Apr 19, 2009 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, I know.
I wish they’d handled it very differently than with a mom needing to make sure her kid can play blu-ray on a 15" screen.
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fare enough... Plus Ben would could kick me off the site.. GO PC's!
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables us to recognize a mistake when we make it again" ~ Dupree
by Conraddon on Apr 19, 2009 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
there's things i like about both
My sig. is gone on vacation.
by prezofdeath on Apr 19, 2009 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
On a random note, Better Than Ezra was an awesome '90s band.
by AK1984 on Apr 19, 2009 11:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Desperately Wanting" was criminally ignored upon release
Along with the rest of their music from that era.
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 11:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
on media row
is Ben better than Ezra?
by tominrehab on Apr 20, 2009 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hereby sentence this man
To 12 consecutive life terms as a Laker fan
"Ooo la la! The Blazers are le chic, no?"
by SabonisBonus on Apr 19, 2009 10:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah....
Gee whiz, I’m sure all those championships will drive him crazy for sure. Unfortunately for him, they don’t have parades in L.A. for making the playoffs, only for winning championships.
by Coop21 on Apr 20, 2009 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
nice screen name
wrong blog – Elgin
Tonight felt like the day you open the mail and receive an acceptance letter to your dream school: the University of Playoffs. - Ben Golliver, Apr 15 2009
by 22baylor on Apr 20, 2009 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really interesting comments post-game tonight (Nuggets crushing Hornets by 29) by Reggie, Kenny, Webber, and Fatso...
ALL FOUR said they would prefer to lose in a blow out than they would to lose a gut-wrencher like the Celtics did.
Kenny said it helps in the next game because the winner lets their guard down and the loser knows they need to put in more effort…
Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...
by timbo on Apr 19, 2009 10:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I saw that
Yet another reason why we’ll win Game 2… knocking on wood..
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables us to recognize a mistake when we make it again" ~ Dupree
by Conraddon on Apr 19, 2009 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking the same thing actually.
(although hearing that those guys agree, I’m doubting myself now). At least after a game like that, you know the worst is out of their systems…
"Ooo la la! The Blazers are le chic, no?"
by SabonisBonus on Apr 19, 2009 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know it was completely unintentional Ben...
…but without trying to, you did a decent marketing job for game 2,
I’m still in town. Deciding if I want to deal with overpaying for tickets. The first game would have been disheartening on TV. It was incredibly depressing in person.
Not that I’m in a give-up mode or anything. Still happy the playoff experience is happening, even in (relatively) bad times. They can still win this too. But wow was Saturday tough.
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 10:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
A lot of people in the game day thread (myself included) were bummed early on that they couldn't be there
At the end, it was more like “good that I didn’t also overspend to be there”
by Norsktroll on Apr 19, 2009 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just imagine those fans sleeping over night by the Rose Garden to get the tickets for the Playoffs.
I bet they did not have a good sleep there, and after the Blazers lost, and them loosing that much money.
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
by RipCity on Apr 19, 2009 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I was there... Thanks for that ;)
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables us to recognize a mistake when we make it again" ~ Dupree
by Conraddon on Apr 19, 2009 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry man.
But you can thank the Blazers and maybe refs for that crap.
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
by RipCity on Apr 19, 2009 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was there too
the game obviously was awful but the whole experience of camping out for the tickets and being part of that atmosphere was worth it at all
by Peteyhasnohead on Apr 19, 2009 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah and the football, music, and poker... Infact reminded me of college.. :)
I was happy to support the Blazers, even if it was a loss. I’ll be able to look back on that night 20 yrs from now and be able to say. “That was the night that the Blazers learned what the playoffs are all about, and went on to the finals” knocking on wood…….
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables us to recognize a mistake when we make it again" ~ Dupree
by Conraddon on Apr 19, 2009 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
exactly
where were you at in the line?
by Peteyhasnohead on Apr 19, 2009 11:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
#251
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables us to recognize a mistake when we make it again" ~ Dupree
by Conraddon on Apr 19, 2009 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see, I was 107
with all the people playing the bean bag game
by Peteyhasnohead on Apr 19, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah! Good times, did you see the black dude fighting with the white dude
over line position? that was right in front of me
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables us to recognize a mistake when we make it again" ~ Dupree
by Conraddon on Apr 19, 2009 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah! Good times, did you see the black dude fighting with the white dude over line position? that was right in front of me
These are memories you’ll cherish always. :)
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The NBA Where black dudes fight white guys for playoff tickets... hahaha
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables us to recognize a mistake when we make it again" ~ Dupree
by Conraddon on Apr 19, 2009 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kids, I still saw Mutombo play. And Brent Barry dunk.
Yeah, it’s always great to be at games even if they end depressing, and I totally wouldn’t mind standing in line for them. I have watched depressing soccer matches ending 0:0 and was still happy to be there.
by Norsktroll on Apr 19, 2009 11:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep, you got it.
I have a fanpost I’d like to write tomorrow night when I get back to Portland, if I have any energy left. It might get drowned out with the flow of fanposts right now, but there’s some positive stuff about being at that game.
Even as frustrated as I am (this is really the first chance I’ve had to vent about yesterday), this will be one memorable experience. Just not as positive of a result as I’d have liked.
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
hahaha
ya I was sitting in a chair right in front of the game watching that happen, was funny
by Peteyhasnohead on Apr 19, 2009 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really do hope that the Blazers learn.
Look at Rockets they did not learn it yet for 12 straight years. So is Denver never getting out of the first round for at least the last 5 years. Last year Hornets went far and in the begging of the season, everybody thought that they will be there with the L@kers, but they did not learn and tried to trade Tyson.
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
by RipCity on Apr 19, 2009 11:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You just nailed my positive thoughts about this game.
This will be a memorable experience that I’ll look back on… if they reach their potential.
I say that after watching the Sharks play in the NHL playoffs tonight…
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep. I made the trip up here to go to the game and visit the PNW
I’m in Seattle today, where I got to see my M’s embarrassed as well. Got to come to the hotel and see my Sharks stink up the ice. It’s been a bad sports weekend. I’m not sure I’m up for watching them get throttled at home again Tuesday.
I was really frustrated Saturday night that I’m in town to see the game, bought tickets, and the team never seemed to get ouf of the gates. Houston deserves lots of credit. The refs will be ignored for this. But the Blazers just rolled over.
That stretch with Channing Frye. And the fact that everything Houston threw up went in. It was amazingly deflating. The crowd was ready to cheer for anything and was given nothing.
BTW the team looked amazingly nervous in warm-ups. It was a really bad omen. During warm-ups, it often looked like a lid was on their bucket.
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You did attend the Phoenix game, right? Otherwise we could start blaming you for bad mojo :)
by Norsktroll on Apr 19, 2009 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is the only game I've seen in the regular season this year
Great first game, watching every hole the team has get exploited with no response, huh?
I’d happily take the jinx role, but last year I saw the game where they beat Denver down the stretch (The one with Roy’s block on Carmelo)
My wife’s not a fan right now… I had to convince her that not every game is as depressing as this. She pushed to come up here, since I hadn’t seen them all year, and feels bad that I seem more unhappy now than before.
(I voted for the Phoenix game, but was not there in person)
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That sucks
This was a very very special year to catch a home game. Very unfortunate you got the worst one.
"The Rockets broke the heart-shaped lock on our diary and read it. They know our shirt sizes AND our shoe sizes. They know our ballboy’s girlfriend’s nickname. They own us." - nightbluefruit
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 19, 2009 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can imagine my pause on paying for an overpriced ticket plus 15% fee...
…just to wonder if the team will even show up again, and wondering why I bothered.
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Got to end on a good note
"The Rockets broke the heart-shaped lock on our diary and read it. They know our shirt sizes AND our shoe sizes. They know our ballboy’s girlfriend’s nickname. They own us." - nightbluefruit
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 19, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some has to get a whistle, and blow it during the game if the refs swallow theirs.
Or if the Rockets have a fast break, blow the whistle and that way the play will stop. Nobody wont even know, except the fans next to you.
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
by RipCity on Apr 19, 2009 10:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Soccer fans are trying that for decades. It rarely works.
by Norsktroll on Apr 19, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The are is too big for that to work. B
ut in the NBA are if you sit close to the floor its different. The soccer field and arena are big and open.
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
by RipCity on Apr 19, 2009 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The area is to big on the soccer field, that why it is not working.
And Oden, once again, is a rookie, so non-stop fast break basketball is like fast-forwarding a song while he's trying to learn the lyrics.
by RipCity on Apr 19, 2009 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What might work is fans under the basket yelling out how long Yao was stationary in the key
Just to put that thought firmer in the mind of the refs to pay attention to it
by Norsktroll on Apr 19, 2009 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kind of like
when fans used to count to 15 when Malone took his “10 seconds” on his free throws
I believe in Greg Oden. To all the haters - get down with the program or stay off the wagon for all time. #52
by blazeraddict on Apr 19, 2009 11:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fans were yelling like mad when Yao spent 10 in the key on defense.
It was a topic of immense frustration in my section.
Can’t say if the front row folks got it. But there were people trying to point it out.
by Timmay! on Apr 20, 2009 12:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh they got it.
at least the ones around me did. But we were on the other side of the court and so the refs could not hear us. By the time the free throws were being shot on my side of the court the fans were to dejected to even clap those blow-up tubes together. It was a sad affair to be sure.
I Blazersedge daily, nightly and ever so rightly.
by Claire on Apr 20, 2009 12:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
you're a front-rower?
are you Bill Gates’ daughter or something?
by tominrehab on Apr 20, 2009 12:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
why yes, I am the secret love child of Bill Gates.
No, I just scored AWESOME seats for the first game. I have only been to one other game this year (timberwolves, yippee). My dad knows someone who has season tickets and wasn’t using two of them for the first playoff game. We were in section 119 so not front row. But we could hear why the front row people were saying.
I Blazersedge daily, nightly and ever so rightly.
by Claire on Apr 20, 2009 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ben... do you have any other face shots of that guy
I think I know who he is…
by tominrehab on Apr 19, 2009 10:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
If i was that guy, i'd be fearing for my life right now.
My sig. is gone on vacation.
by prezofdeath on Apr 19, 2009 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The good news, Hes prob not a BE guy, because he obviously not a real fan...
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables us to recognize a mistake when we make it again" ~ Dupree
by Conraddon on Apr 19, 2009 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh God, the TNT crew is now also on Twitter. That thing is going over the hill fast Ben :)
by Norsktroll on Apr 19, 2009 11:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
they better find a way to make money off that right away
because it’s blowing up like a supernova, a very annoying supernova
by Peteyhasnohead on Apr 19, 2009 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Twitter is what old people use to pretend they're hip.
“Look! I use something cool on the internet thing!”
“So, they have the internet on computers now too?” —Homer Simpson
by Timmay! on Apr 19, 2009 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay good god its 11:13
Goodnight BE, See you all on Tuesday night, where the comeback starts…
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables us to recognize a mistake when we make it again" ~ Dupree
by Conraddon on Apr 19, 2009 11:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
LMA's future
He sounds like he’s ready for the next game. I imagine he’s feeling a bit of pressure to perform this series. Most fans pegged him as a matchup advantage against the Rockets. After the stinker in Game 1, there’s going to be some pressure on him. I think this series will determine his career outlook as a Blazer from a financial aspect. He’ll be getting an extension this summer, the next few games may earn or cost him $10+ million.
I fear for the day Paul Allen is no longer the owner of the Blazers.
He needs to reproduce soon so we have an heir in succession.
by blzrfan on Apr 20, 2009 12:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm not as convinced, re: contract
I think this series (and playoff run, if they advance) will define Blake and Outlaw’s future. For everyone else, it’s growth.
Wait, we will get another full year before LMA’s contract negotiations, correct? If so, I’ll reconsider my statement.
by Timmay! on Apr 20, 2009 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
if we lose tuesday
i hope Dave lifts the moratorium on trade posts…
by tominrehab on Apr 20, 2009 12:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I doubt he would
There’s plenty time for trade talk over the Summer, whenever that may start.
I presume it’ll reach a fever pitch right before the draft, where KP might focus on stealing a veteran instead of a draft pick.
by Timmay! on Apr 20, 2009 12:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I stand corrected
Blazers can wait until next summer to negotiate. CP3 and Deron Williams signing extensions early got me confused. If the Blazers wait, LMA is a restricted free agent in the summer of 2010.
I fear for the day Paul Allen is no longer the owner of the Blazers.
He needs to reproduce soon so we have an heir in succession.
by blzrfan on Apr 20, 2009 12:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You could both be right
KP might not want to wait until next summer, when – theoretically – both Roy and LMA could hit the open market in a situation when a lot of teams have dollars to spend. Of course provided PA is willing to spend (a) they are restricted and the Blazers could match any offer even if that was more than planned, (b) we have their bird rights to go over the cap to re-sign them, © can offer more in total (one additional year) and (d) hope that they like Portland and the Blazers too much to leave anyway. While I doubt Roy has his agent look long elsewhere especially after the Sonics left (the only other team/city I think would have been a dream for him to play for growing up, maybe maybe the Lakers), I have posted before that LaMarcus could be a more unsure thing. His secret dream coming into the NBA might have been playing for his hometown (Dallas). Or to play with Tim Duncan in San Antonio. Or some other weird scenario. Who knows for sure?
http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/2/11/756079/lamarcus-and-2010-is-it-a
So KP might look to extend one or both already this year to not take any chance (and potentially get a better deal a la Martell which if he is healthy again would be excellent, don’t laugh), to a contract that of course wouldn’t kick in until the 2010/11 season. Especially for LaMarcus, since Roy will likely get maximum money anyway.
by Norsktroll on Apr 20, 2009 3:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you're confusing your dream w/ LaMarcus' dream
by tominrehab on Apr 20, 2009 3:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lol, I don't know except that they want to add a major guy in 09 or 10. But for all I know, nobody but LaMarcus does
I doubt his hope before the draft was “must get on Blazers roster”. We can only hope it is now. It’s even probable, but I think KP and the fans could rest more assured if he signs up for an extension ahead of time.
by Norsktroll on Apr 20, 2009 4:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
By the summer of 2010, the San Antonio Spurs could conceivably have enough salary ...
cap space to extend LaMarcus Aldridge a five-year, maximum-level offer sheet. Since Manu Ginobili will be a 33-year-old unrestricted free-agent, Gregg Popovich might want to retool the franchise’s big three by adding Aldridge to the equation.
Tim Duncan will be entering his mid-‘30s at that time, but Aldridge and Tony Parker would round out the ballclub’s core in the prime of their careers. While I’m surely not the biggest Aldridge supporter around these parts, I can still envision him fitting in well with the Spurs.
The Dallas Mavericks, on the other hand, don’t appear to be as smooth of a fit. Even come the summer of 2010, Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, and Jason Terry will most likely continue to be the organization’s core. Collectively, their total salaries for the 2010-2011 season are scheduled to be roughly $43 million. That, in conjuction with Nowitzki being Mark Cuban’s go-to guy and the franchise cornerstone, makes Aldridge seem like an unrealistic signing.
Of course, most of that is a moot point due to Aldridge being a restricted free-agent in 2010 and, therefore, putting the Trail Blazers in a prime position to match any offer sheet he may recieve from another team.
by AK1984 on Apr 20, 2009 5:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Given our situation
I think it’s obvious that if we let him get to RFA in 2010, our only real choice will be to match any deal he gets offered. It’d be one thing if he were our only star in which case I’d be all for putting a reasonable Al Jefferson type deal on the table and telling him to take it or leave it, because I don’t think that there’s any way a team built around LA alone will win a title, but realistically, barring another major Oden injury, we don’t need LaMarcus to be anything more than a third banana in the long run. With Paul Allen’s pockets, we can afford to pay him that much and not have to go into a spending shell, even if we’ll be pretty cap-strapped after that with those three contracts.
As flawed as he may be in the long run if he never improves, the odds of picking up someone better picking late in the first and without substantial cap space are slim at best.
by Royster on Apr 20, 2009 8:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't sell Aldridge short!
He is a young 3rd year player who continues to develop. He is long, athletic, shoots well and can run the floor with the best of the big men. We’d be ill advised to let him go ( I did want to trade him for the rights to draft Rose though and of course still would still do that trade ….. but Rose is special).
Brandon Roy just destroyed everything in his path. There's your rational analysis -- Dave
Also: COMCAST SUCKS!
by TwoDeep on Apr 20, 2009 11:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, he has a history of coming-up short in the playoffs.
How much longer are KP and Nate going to put-up with Aldridge’s disappearing act in big playoff games?
by MiledAnimal on Apr 20, 2009 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of the parachutes
there is one of the golden ones (worth more) caught in the “rafters” at the far end of the arena (Blazer bench end) that has been there for months. I don’t know if they can’t get to it or just not bothering till they need to get to that area for maintenance (do they clean the catwalks ever?)
And speaking of Wells Fargo … anyone else annoyed by the Wells Fargo display lights on the court floor? At least they are no longer there furingthe national anthem. I thought that was going too far. It certainly didn’t want to make me open an account there…
"Those were the Blazers' margins of victory while taking 10 of their final 11 games. They weren't just beating teams, folks, they were beating the holy hell out of them." - J. Hollinger, 4-17-09
by jorga on Apr 20, 2009 12:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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