Game 2 Media Row Report

by Ben. on Apr 22, 2009 1:33 AM PDT Comment 108 comments

So, then, I was like, it'd be really dirty if I put up 42. So I did!

Respect the bling before you call me soft kthx haters

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You live in Brandon Roy's city.

Roughly 20 feet from where he did it until we were satisfied against Houston back in November, B. Roy hit a falling down seat-of-his-pants impossible 3 pointer with less than 3 minutes to go to put the Blazers up 6, enough to ensure they didn't choke the game away held on for a 107 to 103 home victory over the Houston Rockets.

The 3 was the crown jewel of Brandon's 42 point, 7 rebound performance, a night that from the beginning had "Brandon will will this team to victory" written all over it. In just his second career playoff game, Brandon entered the pantheon by tying for second most points scored in a playoff game in franchise history. And he did it with Ron Artest and Shane Battier all over him.

After the game, the team was happier than we've seen in a week. Were they relieved? Absolutely.

And was there a sense that this was what was supposed to happen on Saturday? I would say yes.

This team expects Brandon to play like an elite player, regardless of the defensive schemes he's facing. This team expects Aldridge to show his Swiss Army knife versatility on offense. This team expects Rudy to hit a big 3 at the perfect moment (tonight it was at the beginning of the fourth quarter). This team expects Joel and Blake to play chippy; it expects Oden to flash a little something something.

So when those things didn't happen on Saturday, there was a lot of confusion. Amongst the team and amongst its observers.

But when things started clicking tonight it felt like order had been restored. All the bull--- about who is cheering or jeering too loudly evaporated in the wake of one man's developing greatness.

I'm glad I was there to see it. I'd call myself a witness but I'm pretty sure that phrase is copyrighted.

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Random Game Notes

Important: Are any of you guys planning to travel to Houston to watch Games 3 and/or 4? Do any of you live in Houston and plan on attending the games? If so, please email me. A TV station wants to feature you!
Was Oden's putback dunk with four minutes remaining his best play of the season? I say yes.
Loved Brandon on Aaron Brooks. Loved that. Hope we see it again. Brooks killed again tonight but he didn't dominate the game flow as he did in game 1.
So this guy was sitting courtside. I'm guessing you have feelings about his shirt. Why don't you share them in the comments?

Remember our Clyde Drexler interview? I had the chance to thank him personally for the first time tonight. It was an honor. Clyde says hi bedgers!!! Here's subpar photographic evidence.
I realize I write about Kevin Pelton almost as much as Henry Abbott does (which is bordering on unhealthy). But here's a classic KP2 moment for you. Sergio, Rudy, Travis, Joel and Greg are on the court simultaneously. I turn to Pelton and say, "Wow, how many minutes do you suppose this group has played together this season?" Without blinking or saying a word, KP2 straightens his psychedelic tie and cracks open Microsoft Excel. He plugs in a ridiculously complicated formula that included roughly sixty seven brackets. Roughly 2.5 minutes and 1.5 furrowed brows later KP2 replies, via live chat (even though I'm sitting right next to him), that this is, in fact, the first time this group has played together in the 2008-2009 season. Kevin Freaking Pelton, ladies and gentlemen. The man, the myth, the legend.
Travis's steal and dunk was a top 10 most satisfying moment of the season.
In the locker room postgame, Jerryd Bayless and Michael Ruffin are standing in front of the bathroom mirror. Bayless is roughly 1/3 of Ruffin's age. Bayless turns to Ruffin and goes, "Ruff, you need some help with that tie? A double windsor?" Ruffin just smiles (Ruffin is always smiling, by the way, so basically he had no reaction). Bayless is too much. Almost 8 months and 2,384 DNP-CDs later, he remains my favorite Blazer.
The first thought that popped into my head when Dikembe Mutombo went down was "Alonzo Mourning." Brother Wendell reports seeing Deke in tears after the game. TrueHoop writes that Dikembe is done, done. Career done. That is the type of news that will not sink in until tomorrow morning. Thoughts and wishes go out to Mr. WWTSM.
Before the game was over, talk had already turned to what Mutombo's absence means for the rest of the series. Obviously, it opens things up for Greg and puts more pressure on Yao to avoid foul trouble. I feel dirty for even writing this bullet point. Too soon. I will stop now. My apologies. It's a shame that had to happen.

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Nate's Postgame Comments

On whether this was Brandon's best game ever: "I would say [in the] playoffs. I thought tonight he played a really good game. In the sense that I dont think anything was forced. Artest is an unbelievable defender. He did a good job of just taking the looks that were there. He knocked down some big shots. No turnovers. He had the ball a lot. We tried to move him around a little bit more. Just a solid game by him. Artest is unbelievable, on the offensive end of the floor I thought Brandon stayed calm against the defense of Artest and Battier."

On the games from Brandon and LMA: "Well we needed those guys to score. Brandon had a tough shooting night last game. So did LaMarcus. If those two guys are not scoring for us it's going to be tough for us to win games. Not only do we need them to score we need some of our other guys to score. We need that third guy. I thought Rudy and Blake and those guys did a nice job of knocking down some shots. But Brandon and LaMarcus had a good rhythm tonight and we needed those guys to score to get that confidence. Our guys certainly gained confidence when LaMarcus and Brandon were scoring."

On the defense: "I thought defensively. Defensively just establishing that we could guard them. Artest started out really hot. A lot of those shots were tough shots, hands in his face and for the most part we contained the other guys. In the second half, Von started to get off a little bit. But we pretty much kept that first group under control, they didn't run away from us as they did in that first game."

On evening the series: "I think it's good. We've got to believe we can win. If we go in there doubting ourselves we lose before we even take the floor. After that first game, basically the last two days were about getting this team to believe that we can do it. As I said it was encouraging to look at that tape, even though they blew us out, we looked at that tape and said that was not the gameplan. We didn't do anything that we talked about doing in that game. I feel we have a shot. I think the teams are really evenly matched and I felt like we had a shot and we showed them things of what we looked like yesterday in practice and I thought today we did a better job defending. We got in foul trouble early in two of the quarters and they were in the penalty but we were aggressive on both ends of the floor."

On the inside game: "I just thought we got more movement. They are a very good defensive team. They do a good job on the ball. They do a good job off the ball. We needed more movement in our offense. I thought we got more movement tonight. We weren't standing and ball-watching Brandon and LaMarcus when they had the ball tonight. A lot more screens to free up our guys."

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Download Postgame Audio

Shift-click the links to load in your browser. Right click + save as to download the mp3.

Thanks to Mike Acker for manning the digital recorder to grab these for you.

-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)

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Comments

This was an absolutely incredible game

LaMarcus and Brandon validated themselves tonight, and it was in a big way.

"Ooo la la! The Blazers are le chic, no?"

by SabonisBonus on Apr 22, 2009 1:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

oh

and I think the Travis steal/dunk was THE most relieving feeling of the season. A true dagger.

"Ooo la la! The Blazers are le chic, no?"

by SabonisBonus on Apr 22, 2009 1:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great Coverage

ESPN was just another K*be/ King James Love fest…hardly mentioned the best game of the night….Now snatch game 3 and tighten the noose. Sorry to see a Class act like Mutombo end so bad!

"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot." - Bill Russell

by NOWINE on Apr 22, 2009 1:40 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It's the headline on ESPN.com

Brandon Roy is the headline (Rip-Roying Fun). And yes, Mutumbo will be missed. :(

"Ooo la la! The Blazers are le chic, no?"

by SabonisBonus on Apr 22, 2009 1:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I feel my own mortality coming on...

he’s only 3 years younger than me…

"The match in Los Angeles is a good opportunity to begin to demonstrate that we want to make war." Rudy Fernández (translated)

by G_dubs on Apr 22, 2009 4:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How old is he?

The rumor is nobody knows for sure.

by toolman on Apr 22, 2009 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

42, if I'm not mistaken

I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.

by Marie on Apr 22, 2009 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, it's embarassing how they cover the NBA

Even if the refs aren’t crooked, the announcing is not much different from WWF, in that it’s basically scripted.

You might have noticed Cheryl Miller reading off Brandon Roy marketing copy during game one. I wanted to feel proud, but it just felt… dirty.

by NeoSabonis on Apr 22, 2009 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That shirt is awesome

Ron Artest should have done jail time.

by david1978pdx on Apr 22, 2009 1:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nah, it's was nothing more than a harmless, albeit riotous fracas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMcKuArKQoE

I mean, look, Ron Artest was just resting ever so comfortably on the scorer’s table during a measly brawl when suddenly a cup of beer was chucked at him out of nowhere.

Y’know, after watching that video, the dude in Ben’s photo looks like he might be the actual guy. If it’s truly him, then that’s golden stuff right there.

by AK1984 on Apr 22, 2009 2:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I'm on Artest's side on this one.

by staylost on Apr 22, 2009 2:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not on either side myself, because people are wired to just do stupid things on occasion.

Luckily for everyone who as involved in that melee, nobody was seriously injured that faitful day. It could’ve been much, much worse, but thankfully that mess is just something to look back on and shake your head in a sort of dazed bemusement.

by AK1984 on Apr 22, 2009 3:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

On that faitful day?

Stop being a wussy. It was just a fight… not a freakin’ war.

by neBo503 on Apr 22, 2009 7:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, my writing about the "Malice at the Palace" was pretentious and wordy at points.

by AK1984 on Apr 22, 2009 8:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It blew a pretty good team apart.

by toolman on Apr 22, 2009 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know a Pacer fan who is still feeling the pain.

They didn’t even make it into the playoffs next year. It will be interesting to see if Bird has the technology to rebuild them. – Lee Majors.

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 23, 2009 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

s/b "into the playoffs THIS year"

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 23, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

are you sure that's the right link?

definitely not ron artest fighting…

by RudyBeMine on Apr 22, 2009 7:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, I'm a freaking moron. Thanks for pointing out my stupid mistake, too, for now I can fix it.

I accidentally linked some scene from Can’t Buy Me Love rather than the Detroit Pistons v. Indiana Pacers brawl. Well, that’s what I get for not sleeping whatsoever during the past 24 or so hours.

Anyway, without further ado, here’s a YouTube clip of the aforementioned slugfest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82Dzgz-Yino

All right, I actually linked it correctly this time for everyone’s enjoyment and all that jazz.

by AK1984 on Apr 22, 2009 7:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How freaking hot was LMA in the second quarter?

At half time all the people around me were buzzing about LMA’s performance.

"The brownies,'' Fernandez said after the game. "The brownies are good for me to make three-points.''

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 22, 2009 1:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Deke leaving makes me sad

I was at the game and was crushed when Deke went down. I wanted to cry. I can’t believe I just saw that man’s career come to an end.

by david1978pdx on Apr 22, 2009 1:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

ODEN!

But isn’t it cool that colliding with Oden caused the injury? Let these dudes know that Oden will not be taken lightly. And I LOVE how Oden pushed Yao like he didn’t give a ’ish who he is. Very cool!

by neBo503 on Apr 22, 2009 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, I don't think it is really very cool to be honest.

My heart sunk after I saw Deke go down like that. He was absolutely grimacing with pain and you never want to see that happen to anyone, especially a legend like Mutumbo.

I agree that it was nice to see Oden give Yao a little shove there.

Can I get a headband? One for my peeps, one for the fans in the really cheap seats, one for my momma, one for the mayor, and if you wanna get down with the players, YOU GOTTA GET A HEADBAND!

by peseme16 on Apr 22, 2009 8:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you needd to readjust what you think is cool

even if your comment was sarcastic it isnt cool.

I got 6 years of playoff blue balls going on, and I'm ready to release. GO BLAZERS. ~Mortimer

by Philthyanimal on Apr 22, 2009 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you suggesting he intentionally injured Mutombo?

That would be pathetically uncool.

"Well, Travis just showed us that we can go to Travis Outlaw." - Nate McMillan

by 12sharks on Apr 22, 2009 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great reporting job as always Ben

P.S.: Now you know your suit needs some ironing/pressing on the back :)

That stop and go by Roy is straight sick. I'm calling him "The Flu" from now on. - Wendell Maxey

by Norsktroll on Apr 22, 2009 2:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Kevin Pelton is a myth.

He real is a KomPuter.

by dpnim on Apr 22, 2009 2:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

*really

by dpnim on Apr 22, 2009 2:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've made like ten grammatical errors tonight myself, so one mistake by you pales in comparison.

by AK1984 on Apr 22, 2009 2:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

meh.

Force of habit.

by dpnim on Apr 22, 2009 2:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whether this was Brandon's best game ever?

And Nate says “In the playoffs…” Was he joking? Or did he forget this is only Brandon’s second game ever in the playoffs?

Also, what’s up with Clyde’s eyes in that pic?

by Spider99 on Apr 22, 2009 3:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How serious was Mutumbo's injury?

I know he said that it was all over, but I heard a report that it was a mild knee strain. Was that just talk radio speculation or did Mutumbo make a big deal over a minor injury?

by jstamp26 on Apr 22, 2009 7:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Reportedly it's a patella tear according to the Chronicle, maybe more (dislocated kneecap)

That stop and go by Roy is straight sick. I'm calling him "The Flu" from now on. - Wendell Maxey

by Norsktroll on Apr 22, 2009 7:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the way he tried looking at it and lifted his kneepads up

made me think it was a dislocated kneecap

by cloudydays on Apr 22, 2009 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That sounds gross

I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.

by Marie on Apr 22, 2009 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Torn patellar tendon

If the tendon has ruptured completely, Mutombo would require arthroscopic surgery and would have to have his leg in a cast for 6 weeks. If it has only partially torn, he might be able to recover without surgery. Either way, he isn’t going to be able to play basketball any time soon.

by trk on Apr 22, 2009 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great win, wish I could have seen it

And I did read that Canzano article that has a lot of you guys fired up.

I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.

by Marie on Apr 22, 2009 7:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It's not so much one article as his whole body of work making himself the center of the reporting

That stop and go by Roy is straight sick. I'm calling him "The Flu" from now on. - Wendell Maxey

by Norsktroll on Apr 22, 2009 7:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is funny that I don't know which one you are talking about

But it could be any of them.

"The brownies,'' Fernandez said after the game. "The brownies are good for me to make three-points.''

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 23, 2009 12:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You asked for comments on the guy with the shirt.

Why is he even pictured? Looks to me like an idiot seeking attention, now that his 15 seconds of fame is past.

Your shoe fetish thing is a better choice than that.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Apr 22, 2009 7:22 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If that's legitimately the dude from Detroit -- which seems possible after I re-watched the rumble -- ...

then I can’t hate on Ben for posting that pic. Now, if he turns out to be nothing more than just some smart aleck imposter who’s donning a Spencer’s-esque gag shirt, I couldn’t care less about him.

by AK1984 on Apr 22, 2009 7:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought that guy got an NBA ban

After pulling that junk….

Proud member of Duck nation!

by skywaker9 on Apr 22, 2009 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He got a ban for the Palace in Detroit

I doubt it’s the same guy, but it would be hard for the NBA to enforce that anyway.

That stop and go by Roy is straight sick. I'm calling him "The Flu" from now on. - Wendell Maxey

by Norsktroll on Apr 22, 2009 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Artest Shirt

As a Blazer “Insider” so to speak I happen to know that this guy was “sponsered” in here from some pretty high up Blazer types, to hopefully get into Ron’s head. He was strategically placed courtside straight across from the Houston Bench so he would be seen by you know who. (seemed to work, didn’t it). He was banned for 2 years from the league, but he is obviously available now for headtrips on Mr. Ronald Artest. Gotta love the length our upper management will go to get the job done…

by blazerinsider on Apr 23, 2009 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that is amazing, and thank you.

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 24, 2009 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I vote for fewer pictures of idiots seeking attention, and more pictures of shoes.

by Corvid on Apr 22, 2009 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Kick Pix

are my favorite part of the media row report

by tingeyga on Apr 22, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wonder if we'll see that Rockets fan with the fanpost today ;)

Nice win. Still it seemed more difficult than maybe it should’ve considering how badly the Rockets played. But a win’s a win and now it’s a series again.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Apr 22, 2009 7:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

no

Oden...Aldridge...Roy.....THE REAL BIG THREE

by CroRupt on Apr 22, 2009 7:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also what's with all those terrible shots Artest was taking? That was the old Ron-Ron

But it was awfully nice of him.

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Apr 22, 2009 8:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My hope is that we can keep the game just close enough so that Artest

will keep jacking up bad three pointers and really long two’s like he did last night. I mean, why try to give the ball to the guy who is 7 foot 6 when you can have Ron Ron throwing up off balance step back three pointers? Old habits die hard for some players.

Can I get a headband? One for my peeps, one for the fans in the really cheap seats, one for my momma, one for the mayor, and if you wanna get down with the players, YOU GOTTA GET A HEADBAND!

by peseme16 on Apr 22, 2009 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking that too

Those shots were ill-advised.

I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.

by Marie on Apr 22, 2009 8:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder what Artest's teammates are thinking today, cuz the game was up for grabs hand when Artest melted down

I saw him take at least two shots just in the 4th quarter that were like…’Whoa!" and had to have had his teammates raising their eyebrows

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Apr 22, 2009 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rice called it

when Artest was nailing everything he tossed up, Rice said it was a double edged sword—eventually he would cool off, but the information would fail to reach his brain and he’d keep shooting.

And that’s exactly what happened. Rice may be a crazy homer and something of a drunk by rumor—and sometimes it’s amusing when he predicts something and it’s totally wrong—but usually he knows exactly what he’s talking about. I like the guy.

Blazers by the numbers as the playoffs begin--at BEdge and Loaded Orygun

by torridjoe on Apr 22, 2009 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Outlaw's Missed Opportunity:

Travis could have forever erased negative comments regarding his BBIQ if, late in the 4th quarter when he stole the ball and sprinted to the other end for a flush with no Rocket going with him, he would have stopped and stood under the basket to eat a few seconds off the clock by waiting for a Rocket to approach before slamming it down.

That would have been so sweet and Travis and that play would have lived in infamy. I doubt there will be another like opportunity as it was really weird to see that situation with all the Rockets calling off the chase as they did.

If that was Brandon with the steal ya think he would have had the mental presence to do that? No doubt in my mind.

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

Also: COMCAST SUCKS!

by TwoDeep on Apr 22, 2009 8:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Travis would be my favorite player if he did that.

That would be talked about for a while.

I miss Martell. Come back soon!

by mannyfresh1 on Apr 22, 2009 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've never seen a player do anything like that.

Like in football. If you’re on the 30 yard line on 3rd down with 45 seconds left and up by 4. 100% of the teams in football will just run it up the middle or take a knee and punt it. This gives the other team lke 5 seconds for a ridiculous Hail Mary, so the game is all but over, BUT why has no one ever told their QB to run back to the 1 yard line and take a knee there when people get close to him?

by Zaig on Apr 22, 2009 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ask Brian Westbrook about making the smart play

to run out the clock instead of scoring. It happens in the NFL, just rarely.

You’re right, though, asking Outlaw to do that is ridiculous. Even Battier would just take that in and dunk it.

by Royster on Apr 22, 2009 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have seen the Phoenix Suns run down 7 seconds off the clock this year, with Nash escaping everyone trying to foul him, by inbounding the ball in the backcourt

Which is now allowed in the final two minutes, but the concept still seems to escape many teams when it matters. Rudy is pretty much the only player on the Blazers who occasionally runs back to get open. And we all remember Blake having to take two or three timeouts in that situation for not finding someone to pass the ball to.

That stop and go by Roy is straight sick. I'm calling him "The Flu" from now on. - Wendell Maxey

by Norsktroll on Apr 22, 2009 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And imagine what the comments would've been if he'd been called for 3 in the key

Spanish Main: The point of departure for enormous wealth in the form of gold, silver, gems, spices, hardwoods, hides, alley-oops, assists and three pointers.

by LaughingJon on Apr 22, 2009 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haha

….

Blazer Fan

by leeroyjenkins on Apr 22, 2009 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

As Casey remarked in the live comments, Trav almost travelled on that play. Now that would have been a low BBIQ play.

Not sorry that he didn’t stop to take down two seconds off the clock.

That stop and go by Roy is straight sick. I'm calling him "The Flu" from now on. - Wendell Maxey

by Norsktroll on Apr 22, 2009 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually that is not the case

in a fastbreak you never slow down to shave time off the clock. You play to win, not not to lose. Furthermore I’m pretty sure Travis is playing for reasons other than erasing negative comments about his BBIQ.

by appel82 on Apr 22, 2009 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm bidding on tickets now.

They are 4th row behind the blazer bench for game 4!!

Clyde the Glide, the greatest player ever

Cliff Robinson got mad at my brother who was trying to sell him a cellphone when my brother called him Uncle Cliffy. Apparently, he doesn't like that name very much.

by BeaumontTXBlazerFan on Apr 22, 2009 8:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

say hi to my buddy

who edits the Beaumont Enterprise.
He calls it “Buttmont.” Is that a widespread phenomenon?

Blazers by the numbers as the playoffs begin--at BEdge and Loaded Orygun

by torridjoe on Apr 22, 2009 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, no one like Beaumont who lives here.

It’s sad.

Clyde the Glide, the greatest player ever

Cliff Robinson got mad at my brother who was trying to sell him a cellphone when my brother called him Uncle Cliffy. Apparently, he doesn't like that name very much.

by BeaumontTXBlazerFan on Apr 24, 2009 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also famously known as Boremont.

Clyde the Glide, the greatest player ever

Cliff Robinson got mad at my brother who was trying to sell him a cellphone when my brother called him Uncle Cliffy. Apparently, he doesn't like that name very much.

by BeaumontTXBlazerFan on Apr 24, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

SI SE PUEDE PORTLAND!

I believe again, I never lost faith but I was worried…

Proud member of Duck nation!

by skywaker9 on Apr 22, 2009 8:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

New defense

Play Blake on Artest right from the start. Put Batum on Brooks.

Artest will try to post up Blake every play, and Houston will probably think that feeding him the ball is the right move. Artest will then shoot 15 foot jumpers with Blake’s hand in his face. (Like in the 4th Q.) Also this keep Brooks from dominating Blake.

by Zaig on Apr 22, 2009 8:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Great game

but it was still another example of our inability to play nba playoff-caliber defense. We needed just a monster game from Roy and LMA for us to eke out a narrow victory at home in a must-win.

Nate, to his credit, threw them everything we had with lots of different coverages, zones, schemes, and lineups, and the important guys all had good games, but I still have trouble seeing how we pull out this series.

Great game, though, and even if we go down in 5 or 6, I’ll consider this a very successful season.

by howlingfantods on Apr 22, 2009 8:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Congratulation to Ben

I just heard him interviewed on OPB radio. It was him and then K.P.

Heady company, lad.

Spanish Main: The point of departure for enormous wealth in the form of gold, silver, gems, spices, hardwoods, hides, alley-oops, assists and three pointers.

by LaughingJon on Apr 22, 2009 9:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Great game

We need more from our bench. Blake played exceptionally well, and LA played a brilliant Robin to B-Roy’s Batman. My absolute favorite moment of the night: Greg shoving Yao off after Yao locked him up. I REALLY want to see a stand off between those giants!

Golly Gee, I sure hope I didn't huwt anybody's feewings.... sniff...sniff....

I'm an elitist jerk, and I won't lie about it.

The WAVE is bad karma. When we lose, I'll blame it on our fans doing the wave......

by SuperDave on Apr 22, 2009 9:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

They get locked up,

Yoa does a litle acting and guess who get’s the foul, GO. The officials swallowed their whistles late in the game when Yoa fouled someone. Yoa should have fouled out or at least finished with five fouls. The NBA needs to address the flopping and acting. For goodness shake, it’s a basketball game not a play. Are the officials really that stupid?

by toolman on Apr 22, 2009 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yoa?

Are you doing this on purpose, or are you honest-to-goodness unfamiliar with Yao Ming?

by maalox on Apr 22, 2009 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sad thing is about 90% of Bedgers who have seen every game (and some games twice) did not need an Excel spreadsheet to know that this was the first time we used that lineup. Oh well something about needing to get a life

by FlyinSouth on Apr 22, 2009 9:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

It’s common Blazer knowledge that they used Gregzilla against only Boston this year. It’d be simple enough to check and see if they did it with Sergio or Blake in.

The fact that KP2 can do that with ANY 5 man lineup is what’s impressive.

by Zaig on Apr 22, 2009 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

who needs to get a life?

KP2 or BE users?

by appel82 on Apr 22, 2009 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

neither--bball is life

Goodbye Deke. The NBA will miss Mt. Mutombo.

by prezofdeath on Apr 22, 2009 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I could have told Ben that. Impressive nonetheless though.

"The brownies,'' Fernandez said after the game. "The brownies are good for me to make three-points.''

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 23, 2009 12:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Game 5 tickets ON SALE NOW!

Only at Blazers.com

Proud member of Duck nation!

by skywaker9 on Apr 22, 2009 10:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

WOOHOO!!!!

I got tickets. It took off a year of my life though….. Patience is a virtue…..

by jenstcy on Apr 22, 2009 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Problems with the Blazers website

I can’t seem to get into the ticketing website. Anybody else having problems?

by catlinblazer on Apr 22, 2009 10:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Too overloaded of course

BLAZERMANIA LIVES!

Proud member of Duck nation!

by skywaker9 on Apr 22, 2009 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

holy. monkey's. eyebrow.

Sergio, Rudy, Travis, Joel and Greg are on the court simultaneously. I turn to Pelton and say, “Wow, how many minutes do you suppose this group has played together this season?” Without blinking or saying a word, KP2 straightens his psychedelic tie and cracks open Microsoft Excel. He plugs in a ridiculously complicated formula that included roughly sixty seven brackets. Roughly 2.5 minutes and 1.5 furrowed brows later KP2 replies, via live chat (even though I’m sitting right next to him), that this is, in fact, the first time this group has played together in the 2008-2009 season.

this guy is unreal. i am now positive KP2’s moniker around Bedge is jscot.

Goodbye Deke. The NBA will miss Mt. Mutombo.

by prezofdeath on Apr 22, 2009 10:23 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

There are websites to look up things like that. No need to whip out the Excel :)

That stop and go by Roy is straight sick. I'm calling him "The Flu" from now on. - Wendell Maxey

by Norsktroll on Apr 22, 2009 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

websites like...?

Goodbye Deke. The NBA will miss Mt. Mutombo.

by prezofdeath on Apr 22, 2009 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

http://basketballvalue.com/teamunits.php?year=2008-2009&team=POR&sortnumber=3&sortorder=DESC

82games also had similar stats, but they are not up to date.

That stop and go by Roy is straight sick. I'm calling him "The Flu" from now on. - Wendell Maxey

by Norsktroll on Apr 22, 2009 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know what's funny: Our best unit in terms of adjusted +/- playing any meaningful minutes

Aldridge, LaMarcus – Batum, Nicolas – Bayless, Jerryd – Oden, Greg – Roy, Brandon

Future lineup much :)

That stop and go by Roy is straight sick. I'm calling him "The Flu" from now on. - Wendell Maxey

by Norsktroll on Apr 22, 2009 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's pretty awesome actually

even if it’s meaningless this season.

SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

by MrGrinch on Apr 22, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

dang good lineup

Goodbye Deke. The NBA will miss Mt. Mutombo.

by prezofdeath on Apr 22, 2009 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's the one.

Still need Excel to pick out a specific group, however, unless you’re really good at eyeballing.

by kpelton on Apr 22, 2009 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My eidetic memory might help ;-)

Just kidding. Nice that you found that info so quick.

That stop and go by Roy is straight sick. I'm calling him "The Flu" from now on. - Wendell Maxey

by Norsktroll on Apr 22, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really? I thought that KP2's moniker around Bedge was

http://www.sbnation.com/users/kpelton

by tingeyga on Apr 22, 2009 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I propose a BE meetup for Fridays game

Whose down?

I got 6 years of playoff blue balls going on, and I'm ready to release. GO BLAZERS. ~Mortimer

by Philthyanimal on Apr 22, 2009 11:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Loved the Rudy/Roy backcourt

Sorry Sergio but I think the Blazers need to tighten it up to an 8 man rotation. Rudy has quick enough feet to gaurd PG’s… Roy is smart enough he can stay a step ahead too. Plus Houston will get abuse with on the Other end with Brooks gaurding Roy or Rudy.

by Escrote on Apr 22, 2009 11:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Rudy had that big ol' turnover in his few minutes as PG

looked like too much adrenaline.

by Section323 on Apr 22, 2009 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The one where he passed it across the entire court into the stands?

Good idea, shame about the execution.

"The brownies,'' Fernandez said after the game. "The brownies are good for me to make three-points.''

by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 23, 2009 12:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ehh, the Sergio unit did fine last night

He only played about 4 minutes, but we had a +1 during those four minutes with BOTH Roy and LMA on bench. You look at the boxscore and you wouldn’t guess that with those two both sitting we’d a done anything last night.

by Zaig on Apr 22, 2009 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just have to say: this is an awesome team, and I feel privaledged to be a Blazer fan.

I don’t know what the ceiling is for this team: maybe just to be perennial contenders or perhaps win one or multiple championships… Maybe Lebron will play Jordan to our Drexler Blazers and deny us of the top billing and win 5 in a row (I could almost see that happening)… Either way, you can tell that something special is really developing in PTown and I want to find out what happens.

Travis Outlaw is Mr. Clutch

by two buck chuck on Apr 22, 2009 11:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nah....

LeBron says himself he’s leaving Cleveland after his contract is up. Now, if he was smart he would come over to Portland. Championship for sure!!!!!!!!

by jenstcy on Apr 22, 2009 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He said he's not sure what he's doing.

He flip flops all the time. Makes for more moneyz for him.

by Zaig on Apr 22, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

doubt he'd go to Portland

Salary cap restrictions notwithstanding, he’d never go to Portland. It’s too small a media market, it’s out in the boonies….nice place to live but too small for his ego.

by Coop21 on Apr 22, 2009 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it was all a dream
i used to read hoops vibe magazine
brandon roy rockin’ houston’s D, rose garden scene
hanging pictures on my wall
every thursday tnt, kenny, ernie and sir charles
[editor’s note: big rhymed “wall” with “marley marl,” so i feel ok with this line]
i let my tivo rock ‘til the hard drive popped
watch serg to rudy alley-oop, skippin’ ads for 30 rock
way back, when i had the red and black air jordans snatched
with the hat to match
remember bonzi wells, ha-ha, ha-ha
you never thought that rip city would take it this far
now we’re in the limelight ‘cause we dime right
time for a parade, despite no lafrentz trade
we feast like winners, the opposite of your dinner
peace to rasheed, brian g, scottie p
clyde the glide, bill waltony
we’re blowin’ up like we thought we would
call pdx, same logo same hood
it’s all good