To the Blazers...

by ripcitylivesagain on Apr 30, 2009 1:36 PM PDT

Dear Trailblazers,

Tonight is your night to shine, and prove to the world that you are special. Let the game come to you, don't overthink. Be proactive instead of reactive. If you have time see if you can watch a clip of 76-77 game 6.....it will make you hungry like the tiger. I have been a fan for 30 years and I truly feel we will advance in this series. Thank you for everything this year and believe in yourselves always. You will win tonight if you show emotion and have FUN!...

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 2 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Signed

-Everyone

by rmcdougall on Apr 30, 2009 1:37 PM PDT reply actions

Ryan?

by BOSAKI on Apr 30, 2009 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions

But whatever happens

We’re damn proud of everything you’ve done this year. STILL, GO WIN, CRUSH THE ROCKETS!

Proud member of Duck nation!

by skywaker9 on Apr 30, 2009 1:50 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

+1

Bedge or go home.

by Ojala John on Apr 30, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes Sir!

"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy

by Honka Playboy on Apr 30, 2009 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Dear Rockets,

With a win over Dallas you would have been the two seed playing the Hornets. I believe you would have won that series in five with the outcome never in question. Dikembe would probably still be Yao’s backup, meaning Yao would be fresher for the next round.

But that’s not what happened. Through gritty play, sweat and pain, you took a hard-fought 3-1 lead in this series. Impressive. Admirable.

It hasn’t come without cost. The toll was obvious in game five. You fought hard and gave it your all, but the rising confidence and younger legs of the Blazers combined with your bone-aching weariness stymied any realistic chance at a comeback.

Yao Ming is an incredible warrior – a giant among men – but he is still a man carrying a heavy load without an adequate option behind him. With every game he is asked to do more and more.

Chances are at least 50/50 that you can pull out a gruelling win with the home crowd behind you in game six to move on. But then what? As tired and depleted as you are, what realistic hope do you have to even compete with a well-rested Laker squad?
Daunting isn’t it? Still, I’m sure those thoughts won’t affect how you play tonight. A championship is a pipe dream at this point, but getting that first round monkey off your back is something to fight for, right? No pressure.

The Blazers on the other hand, still have a bounce to their step and will do their best to feed that monkey on your back and keep it there. Not out of spite. But because they are starting to believe in themselves. If they can be the ninth team in NBA history to climb out of a 3-1 deficit, why can’t they defy the other odds and win a championship?

I am looking forward to a great battle tonight. Win or lose you have won my heartfelt respect. I for one will think no less of you if you fail to reach the second round.

Cheers, Rockets! I salute you, but the countdown starts…

Floater. Blazers. Those are my two reasons for loving Portland.

by RebelRogue on Apr 30, 2009 2:41 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs

P.S.

We Believe.

(Interview w/ Ron Artest about Brandon Roy) Sager: "He's a better player than Kobe Bryant, better than LeBron James?" Artest: "He's the best player I've played against."

by blazerbeliever on Apr 30, 2009 3:03 PM PDT reply actions