Lighten Up and Tighten Up!

Partially because I really really love basketball and the Blazers, but partially because Blazer fans are acting more insane than usual.

As this team has grown, each year’s offseason fervor has been crazier than the last, but at least they have been crazy and irrational in a positive way (ie: Oden=God, Brandon>Kobe, multiple championships, 10-year championship window, etc). This year the inanity, pessimism, nitpicking, conjecturing, and in-general blowing-out-of-proportionness has been quickly approaching an unbearable level.

Let’s all relax and root for our team. Once we have something legitimate to [get excited about] [panic over] [obsess obnoxiously about], we should. Until then, let’s not stress about Brandon going 6-9 for 16 points in a preseason game that no one got to see anyway (16 points in a zaching preseason game and you people are flipping out? Good lord!).

The NFL, who previously went from 6 preseason games to 4, is now making noise that they want to go to 2…

The NBA needs to go from “interminable” to “a small handful.”

Seriously, what is being learned from these games? Cut it to 4 games, start the season two weeks earlier, and wipe out a whole bunch of the back-to-backs which burn out players and fans alike and skew game results.

Well put Krang.

I think the fans, especially those as die-hard as the ones on Bedge, are just anxious to get the regular season started. Some of us are in a state of Blazer panic due to a variety of reasons, while others are confident this team is more than solid. What everyone really needs right now is the regular season to begin so all of us can mentally heal over all these uncertainties.

Don’t we go through these struggles as fans every preseason??

I couldn’t keep reading 400+ comments that just felt like a freak out session. Not directed at any one individual or line of thinking, just maybe everybody needed a release of some kind.
Anyway, as I look at the last two years shortcomings, I see youth and inexperience and health as major contributors to the early exits from the playoffs. Joel is no longer the sole elder contributor. Miller and Camby are here over Blake and Outlaw. Aldridge, Batum, and Roy are another year older. And I feel a lot better about a 23 year old Wesley taking over for a 23 year old Webster. Youth and inexperience can no longer be a fall back for this team.
Health is still an issue but we at least we have three centers to fill the position instead of two. Once we get everyone back, we have some flexibility and a fantastic rotation of big men.

My point is that I see the team on an upward trajectory still. I like hearing Roy talking about wanting to take on the responksibility of carrying the team. I hear traces of Boston in his comments: sets for Ray, sets for Pierce etc. I’ve got more to say but have to go. Keep the faith!

We are all overly anxious to see how this season plays out. We want answers now. I think the thing that has really freaked everyone out is GO. If he was ready to go you probably wouldn’t have seen all those posts about Roy’s comments. He’s got everyone on edge. Saviour or bust? How can Pryz be about ready and Oden not even close? He’s not Sam Bowie. Bowie wanted to play and was effective when he did but his body wouldn’t let him. I’m not convinced that Oden really wants to play. Is the problem between his ears more so than his knee’s?

But I’m sorry to say I’ve given up on him (GO). I support the Blazers, win or lose, as I’ve done since 1970. I’ll fully enjoy each game. That’s the way I approached the injury ridden season last year. But if your counting on Oden, your just setting yourself up for another huge letdown.

There is WAAAAAY too much “sturm und drang” in the fan base.

So many people seem to forget this is supposed to be fun! It’s a game….and Portland has some amazing players.

Let’s get to the real games and forget all the minutia that is threatening to drown us as the preseason rolls one…and on….and on…..

as the “real fans thread” kthx.

But honestly, very well put. Rec.

That is just dumb. People don’t understand that great players have to be somewhat selfish. Roy is the best player on this team, he is the unquestioned leader, and the best in the clutch. I can think of some other “selfish” players named Jordan, Bird, Jabbar, Russell, Duncan, etc. Sure they needed help, but you better believe they demanded the ball.

Even once the season starts, it could be awhile before we’re running on all cylinders. Miller is notorious for starting the season slow and out of shape. Oden won’t be back until partway through the season, and probably Przybilla too. Matthews, Bayless and Fernandez have uncertain roles in the rotation. It’ll be awhile before it all gels. So I’m taking the long view this season and will try and enjoy it one step at a time, and hope that there are no more major injury setbacks.

totally agree. lighten up. watch some basketball. stop bein so negative.
Hell, who knows? it might even be fun to watch…