Media Row Report: Blazers 107, Nuggets 106
by Ben Golliver on Feb 26, 2011 4:32 AM PST
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PrintThe Portland Trail Blazers pulled out a 107-106 overtime victory over the Denver Nuggets in Portland in a surreal game that featured a badly shorthanded team against a team whose roster was so mashed up after a blockbuster trade that the various parts provide a cognitive dissonance factor when scanning the box score.
This one was a toss-up from the start and it seemed fitting that three Blazers three-pointers in the final 39 seconds were only enough to push the game into overtime. The final triple, a Brandon Roy leaning prayer from the left wing, set off the Rose Garden in a big time way, causing deja vu flashbacks to his winner over the Houston Rockets and prompting a euphoric reaction from his teammates.
"Every time I make one, it always feels like the first time," Roy said. "I was just so excited and so blessed to make a shot like that. It never gets old, it always feels like the first time. I was excited and the fans cheering, teammates jumping up and down."
Roy, who had praised Kobe Bryant's clutch play on Wednesday night, was happy to find himself in that same situation tonight. "I wanted to take the last shot against the Lakers," Roy admitted. "I'm just competitive, but at the same time we have a lot of talented players on this team. If I get my shot at it then I want to take it with confidence ... It felt good. Just going through so much, it's always good to make a shot like that. It's good for my confidence."
The big question during Roy's return form injury has been: How will he fit back in? Tonight, there was some ball-stopping, particularly in the first half, but down the stretch the Blazers were able to capitalize on his shot-making and ability to collapse a defense while still mixing in other options, including LaMarcus Aldridge and Andre Miller. The result was an unpredictable and varied attack that seemed to have Denver on its heels. Five Blazers finished in double figures: Aldridge led the way with 24, Miller had 18, Rudy Fernandez had 18 in a rare start and Wesley Matthews had 16. Roy finished with 18 off the bench.
It wasn't just balance in points, it was balance in offensive sets too. In the last six minutes of the fourth quarter and the five minutes of overtime, we saw Aldridge work in isolation, we saw Wesley Matthews scrap in a putback, we saw a Miller finish near the hoop off a dish from Batum, we saw a driving finish by Miller followed by another from Roy, we saw both Roy and Fernandez hit from deep, we saw Roy drive-and-dish to Matthews for a wide-open three, we saw Aldridge score again and then later get fouled in isolation, cashing in both free throws to provide the winning margin. That's a heck of an 11 minutes for the Blazers and a far cry from the 1-4 blandness that was so often derided in previous seasons.
Attacking, aggressive, movement, getting to the free throw line. A lot to like. None of it was lost on either Roy or McMillan.
"We did have a few more options [tonight]." McMillan told me. "We went to Miller who we felt had a match-up. L.A. against Nene. And then we finally went to Brandon. We were looking for matchups we could take advantage of. Tonight we did have more options with Rudy and Wesley spreading the floor. I thought LaMarcus, Brandon and Miller did a good job of making decisions, whether they had a match-up or kicking the ball out."
- Blazers GM Rich Cho gives Gerald Wallace his new jersey.
- Who here is familiar with The Diamond as Big as the Ritz by F. Scott Fitzgerald? Is this what he had in mind?
- Mike Acker over at Rip City Project is a great writer, but don't sleep on his photography skills. Check out this action shot of James Collier hitting a halfcourt shot with a one-handed fling to win a Toyota Tundra. That is a heck of a photo and he shot it from the 200 level.
- A couple nice shots of Blazers fans wishing Joel Przybilla well at his airport departure.
- Aldridge's block on J.R. Smith was ridiculous.
- Batum had two critical open court steals to keep Portland within striking distance in the second half.
- Roy on exceeding his allotted 15 minutes of playing time by playing 25 minutes: "I told coach if I have to go over mine, then let's do it ... I feel good. The biggest thing is just conditioning. I was telling our trainer, 'Let's try to build on these games. Let's not try to keep it at a set amount of minutes.' I want to try to build because that's the only way you can gain some momentum. But I thought 24 or 25 minutes was a good mark tonight. I'll sit down with coach tomorrow and see how I feel and we'll come up with a gameplan for Sunday."
- Roy said the doctors are scheduled to re-evaluate his recovery plan and the limits on his playing time next week. (That doesn't necessarily mean anything is going to change, just that they'll be looking at everything based on his progress.)
- In a post-game interview at center court with Mike Barrett, Gerald Wallace said: "That gave me the itch, I wanted to be out there with them."
- Luke Babbitt should shave racing stripes into his bowl cut to improve his lateral quickness.
- The Sean Marks highlight of the night unfortunately came when he got waived without ever playing for Charlotte despite the fact that the Bobcats had to waive a player to create a roster spot to accept him in the Gerald Wallace trade. Sad, but incredible.
We were due to win an overtime game. All of the things we talked about this morning, as far as losing the last game to the Lakers. I thought our guys did that tonight, we got stops, offensively the execution was good. Down six with a little over a minute, we hung in there, we made plays down the stretch, and having to win it in overtime. Making plays, getting stops, did the things we needed to do.
It's a great win for us, it really is. Our guys tonight -- LaMarcus continues to be just amazing. Playing 50 minutes against big Nene, establishing that paint for us. I thought we had balanced scoring tonight, moving the ball, Andre, all of our guards. We needed our guys to rebound the ball. We won the boards tonight, Dre with 9, LaMarcus with 14, Rudy and Wesley with 6 and 7, everybody got in there and did the things we needed to do. Brandon played over his minutes, so I know I'll be hearing from Dr. Roberts tomorrow. But just a great effort by the team, effort by the guys.
Basically we were looking for a slip for Rudy. If we didn't have Rudy, who had just knocked down a three, if we didn't have Rudy I wanted Brandon to go and get us something good and he did. Had Nene on him, I think, and was able to raise up and shoot it over the top and knock down a big shot to take us into overtime.
We have to keep his minutes under 15. We really have to follow that. Tonight, was really different in the sense that only having nine guys, Nic's ankle was bothering him, basically not many options on the bench tonight. But we've got to be slow with bringing him back, he did some good things tonight, two of his assists tonight were in the fourth quarter which led to six points. So good job of spacing the floor and moving the ball.
I'll talk to him tomorrow and get a feel for what he's thinking and what I envision or how I envision playing him. I think from the start we'll bring him off the bench and look to make him a focal point coming off the bench and then we'll go from there. Right now, we'll bring him off the bench but who knows. If Nic is not able to go at the small forward spot, if Camby is able to go, then we may have to look into putting him in that lineup. But until he learns the system and some of the things we want to do, we want to be slow with him and bring him off the bench.
We did have a few more options. We went to Miller who we felt had a match-up. L.A. against Nene. And then we finally went to Brandon. We were looking for matchups we could take advantage of. Tonight we did have more options with Rudy and Wesley spreading the floor I thought LaMarcus, Brandon and Miller did a good job of making decisions, whether they had a match-up or kicking the ball out.
No question. You need options. You need options. It's good to have those options down the stretch.
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Stop interviewing brandon, some :D people are going to have a heartattack over his comments.
The Faith don't panic, the Faith freaks out, burns out small farms and villages in the name of the Faith.
I dont really know what else to say
BR is back. Our site hasn’t been this active for a long time. Mr. big shot, you make your fans crazy today. thank you!
and Go, blazers!
by chinafansheartroy on Feb 26, 2011 5:41 AM PST reply actions
Go B Roy...........
Keep hitting those shots and getting healthy. And just maybe we can find someone with amnesia to take on the ridiculous contract.
We must endeavor to persevere.
What?..
We want him to play well and be healthy so we can get rid of him?..
Are you sure you don’t want to make a comment about how selfish he is too?..
Great feeling for me to see such a good guy get to take the stage again!!!…
#7
GO BLAZERS!!!…
Brandon would do well to talk less about himself, and more about teammates
He still sounds like he’s expecting the world to revolve around him. It doesn’t. This is LMA’s team now. To say that he wanted to take the last shot against the Lakers when LMA missed his, comes across as a jab against his teammate. I don’t know that he meant it that way, but it sounds selfish and petty. What happened to the Roy that said all the right things a few years ago? Humility is a virtue he should get reacquainted with.
Bring back the Uncle Cliffy!
Oh stop it
What difference does it make to YOU whatever Roy says?
He was just happy over the shot that went in to send the game to OT. That’s all. Nothing wrong with that. Let him say what he wants.
I swear there is some weird envy-resentment happening around Brandon. He has knee issues. That is not his fault. He is clearly trying as hard as possible, and he has ALWAYS put out 100% effort. Frankly I can’t find anything to fault him with. He has lived an exemplary life.
Brandon is humble and helpful. He lives to give back. That is very clear in his charity work and his advocacy for underprivileged kids with learning issues.
If he wants to let out some exultant words now and then because he did something to help us win, that’s totally cool with me. He Da Man. His character will always make that a true statement. It doesn’t matter if his game is slowed by injuries. He will always be Da Man. Ask any kid who has spent time with him or benefited by the fact that Brandon cares a lot.
Both teams played hard and ball don't lie. Rasheed is the Yogi Berra of hoops. We should start calling him Yogi Sheed.
by vavoom on Feb 26, 2011 9:03 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
the only difference it makes to ME is that I want our team to succeed
I personally have no envy or resentment toward BRoy. He is an awesome player, a fierce competitor, an excellent citizen and role model. I am encouraged to see him play with heart and passion. BRoy has posted a note in his locker that says STAY HUMBLE. Evidently, BRoy feels that remaining humble is good for him and good for the team. If that is good enough for BRoy, it is good enough for me.
Win the day!
by Blzr fan on Feb 26, 2011 11:35 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Agree...just want to see the Blazers continue to play team ball with LMA as
the #1 option. Saw one play where LMA was rolling to the basket and Brandon didn’t even look his way. This was upsetting. Hopefully it will be discussed and Roy will throw the ball in to LMA when LMA is rolling to the basket. Obviously Roy is capable of this.
Roy’s talent and skill showed up last night. I want him to use it to help his teammates as well as himself.
BRoy 2.0 will be a vast improvement over BRoy 1.0: TO BE RELEASED SOON
look for BRoy 2.0 to have the added feature of making his teammates better, and not depend on his fragile knees to enable hoisting of the team on his back
Win the day!
Plus I want a guy who is not only willing...but able to take and make the last shot
A guy like that is valuable
Shane Falco: “I want the ball”.
Jimmy McGinty: “Winners always do”
It is just a movie but that part is true
Harry Bosch: "Everybody counts....or nobody counts."
by 92wastheyear on Feb 26, 2011 11:18 AM PST up reply actions
screw you cockroach!
kidding
Jeff Pendergraph:
FGM - 3
FGA - 111
Min - 30
Reb - 10
by Tofu Anonymous on Feb 26, 2011 12:29 PM PST up reply actions
I think it has a lot to do with the questions.
after roy’s health went down, he is asked about his conditions more instead of team’s performance. “how he is doing”“how his kneels are feeling”“how he handles the situation” and so on. So it is natural for him to talk like this. I dont think you should judge solely based on the answers.
by chinafansheartroy on Feb 26, 2011 8:49 AM PST up reply actions 4 recs
Kinda overanalyzing what Roy's saying right now
Let’s not get caught up in all that.
It's always been that way...
People read way too much into what Brandon says.
Brandon doesn’t really say the politically correct catch phrases in interviews and people have the tendency to read the wrong intentions into what he says.
On the other hand… I love the guy!
#7
GO BLAZERS!!!
by Ilikeemall on Feb 26, 2011 12:53 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Thought he actually did pretty good in the interview
You could take one line and twist it out of context but he gave a ton of credit to his teammates and even tripped over his works trying to describe LMA’s play…mentioning that guys can’t double him effectively anymore because of LMA.
I didn't hear the interview, and I think I'll leave it that way
He’s playin’, and so is the rest of the team. Good.
people are taking some of what he said out of context. nothing new
by Eric Loftin on Feb 26, 2011 11:10 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
this
Would be nice if people would leave off the hate until Roy does something worth hating him for.
It was a good win.
by poorwebguy on Feb 26, 2011 11:26 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Right on
Harry Bosch: "Everybody counts....or nobody counts."
by 92wastheyear on Feb 26, 2011 11:36 AM PST up reply actions
like trying to sneak some weed wrapped in tin foil through an airport...
or have someone else’s gun in his luggage
Jeff Pendergraph:
FGM - 3
FGA - 111
Min - 30
Reb - 10
by Tofu Anonymous on Feb 26, 2011 12:31 PM PST up reply actions
I didn't hear it that way.
I’m sure LMA and Rudy want to take the last shot of any given game too. That’s just the way these dudes are wired. As long as B Roy works within the offense it’s all good.
wha??
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Feb 26, 2011 10:09 AM PST up reply actions
I'd rather that be a lot more PnR
too much isolation post with Aldridge. Those two could be insanely good at a strong side PnR with back door cutters and spot up 3’s taking advantage of double teams.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Feb 26, 2011 12:19 PM PST up reply actions
agree with this also.
I want Roy to be careful also. The plan to bring him off the bench at the end of quarters is a good one. Varying offense will keep the other teams guessing. I want this to continue and even improve. Wallace should be key in this!
Are you kidding me?
I want every single person on our team to say that they want the last shot. These guys are competitors, and if they start saying that they don’t want the shot, they definitely won’t be making it. He recognized his teammates’ contributions, and said all of the right things.
by anupam on Feb 26, 2011 2:00 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
I get it
and also am hoping for something more towards acknowledgment to his teammates as well. Part of the controversy over Roy has been reactions to how he handled himself in the more recent interviews and other public statements made when probed about his play. He really has said very little that projects a humble (with respect towards his teammates) and to some extent, “compromised” Brandon Roy. I mean whats wrong with being a viable option (maybe even second or third) on a good team?
I don’t want to deep read (the talk) too much and will let the play on the court be my final judgment. But I expect a much different Brandon Roy with regards to respect towards his teammates. They have always given him respect because he has earned it….they have now earned everyone’s respect and it wouldn’t hurt Roy to acknowledge them. He doesn’t necessarily have to come out and say it, it can be acknowledged in many forms.
He needs his teammates and they need him. It can be a better fit than it was before and that will depend entirely on Brandon Roy.
one other back burner note; Roy did pretty good on defense last night. He looked more mobile, but better than that had the energy and commitment. This is another case for keeping his minutes down and not succumbing to his demand for more. I’m sure much of his poor defense the last couple seasons was due to fatigue.(working so hard on offense no energy left for “D”)….This team still has issues with stopping the ball (drive penetration), but they can be a formidable defensive group otherwise. Especially with Camby back.
Up and running.........and almost defending.
Keeping up with the Marks digs?
I guess someone knows that we’re going to sign him back up after that 30 day waiting period!
My speculation on that is we will sign Joel and Ford, if both are released.
If joel is not released and Ford is then it may be Marks and Ford, but I think Ford will be a Blazer.
hg
Roy is a competitor
Roy is a compeitor and I don’t think it’s a knock on LA or anyone else. LA won the game tonight with the free throws. I don’t think Roy scored in overtime but he rebounded – played solid D & spaced the floor. All atheletes at the level of Brandon believe they can deliver – it’s simply their nature. The big question was if Roy could deliver again and if not could he accept that. I think proved he could and he played team ball not ME ball.
just keep this up Mr Roy!! Roy did blow off LMA on one play when LMA rolled to the basket...
But Roy also made some nice passes and this was great to see. He was a liability on defense but I did see him affect that last shot that Lawson made in regulation.
Also saw Lawson beat him to the rim….so Brandon just needs to know what he can do and not screw with his body…no matter how competitive he is. He needs to think about continuing to play, use his talent/smarts to prolong his career….hope his coaches can get this through to him.
and it should be noted that Dre doesn't always hit LMA when he rolls either
Harry Bosch: "Everybody counts....or nobody counts."
by 92wastheyear on Feb 26, 2011 4:42 PM PST up reply actions
Roy and LMA ran the PnR again, last night
same ol same ol, Brandon dribbled wide and avoided contact
I’m not saying they weren’t effective in 2007-2009, but there’s a clear difference between what Roy does and what ‘Dre does, and the kind of shots the play can lead to when it’s run correctly
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
You guys took not only Charlotte's best player
But the only original Bobcat left on the team, and the face of the franchise. The fans in Charlotte understand why it needed to happen, but are really in mourning over this.
The only thing you can do to encourage us would be to win a Championship. We’ll all be pulling for ya.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Feb 26, 2011 7:40 AM PST reply actions 6 recs
Thanks man
I think we all know how hard it is to see the face of the franchise go. We went through that when Drexler left to go to Houston. We won’t a championship this year, but by God we’re gonna try. One thing about our team, they don’t quit.
Look on the brightside
Your owner is the best basketball player ever.
Our owner is the worst blues musician ever.
dinasour type of guys choir boys
Yeah but our owner doesn't have the best track record as a GM
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
Uh, not so fast
Our owner is the worst blues musician ever.
Paul Allen is not the worst blues musician ever. Heck, he can’t even lay claim to the title of “worst blues musician among NBA owners” so long as that rat turd, James Dolan, owns the Knicks.
hey, knickfan!
how’d you feel about the Melo deal?
by Cablinasian on Feb 26, 2011 10:36 AM PST up reply actions
*scrolls down*
ah, that’s how you feel about the Melo deal.
by Cablinasian on Feb 26, 2011 10:37 AM PST up reply actions
gosh thanks
I have family in the Carolinas, and I sympathize with what y’alll are going through. But the Blazers are a team that everyone can root for. Our team has grit, it has heart, and it never gives up.
Win the day!
Not just Drexler, but Brian Grant!
We know how it feels to lose the heart of your team. And we will appreciate Wallace, trust me!
I only hope you come to love the work ethic of Dante. As excited about the trade I am, it sucks to lose such a hard working, do-what-it-takes kid like him. You will come to love him.
Not to mention Pryz.
by Ogre Winfrey on Feb 26, 2011 10:35 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
I bet he was happy to see the Blazers win last night...when soooooo freaking undermanned!!!
Maybe he is our new good luck charm!!!
Last night the entire team was clutch when it mattered
From Rudy’s steals to Wes’s put-back, Rudy and Brandon 3s and LMA’s clutch free throws. Dre keeping us close in the 4th…driving and drawing fouls + setting guys up. Nico’s defense. I wish we could find this game closer mentality every game. It seems to come natural for Brandon…closing the half with his coast to coast layup.
Crash may take awhile to figure out how to play with these guys. When we get them all synced up and get Camby back into the mix no-one is going to want to go first round with us in the playoffs. This team would give the Spurs a heart attack.
BRoy IMO, can say anything he wants as long as he delivers.
When he made that game tying 3 to go into overtime, I shouted welcome back Brandon and about 5 seconds later, the ESPN announcer said the same. With that the doubters and the haters can say what ever they want. BRoy is back and his BB skills will help this team in many ways.
I am sure he wants to be a star again, who wouldn’t? But he is playing team ball. That drive and dish for the 3pter was a classic move regardless of what you feel.
A note on the nuggets: I was saying to my wife that they were playing excellent ball for having all those new players. Her reply was, and she is not a BB fan, was “They may be new to the Nuggets, but they have been playing together in NY for quite some time”. Ding, why didn’t I think of that. that made the game even that much more exciting. No wonder somebody called them the nuggetknicks.
When games are played down to the wire, we will win some and lose some. I am so twilled that we won this one.
I can’t wait to get GW and Camby out on the floor. Whether he could have done better then BRoy when Nic went down or not is immaterial. He would have saved the risk of BRoy over doing it.
Joel says on Casey’s Center court, that he has that feeling that he will have a chapter two with the Blazers, but he was here much longer then he thought he would be so he is OK and is waiting to talk to the Charlettes front office to find out what his options of a buy out is. As to whether he will be back in 30 days or next summer, if Cho wants him. And Why wouldn’t he for a third string center with Greg, Camby and Joel’s history of injury. We might be able to keep one of them servicable for most of the year. Without any of them we did OK tonight. LMA is the man.
hg
Actually, we knickfans now refer to them as the "Knuggets"
And it broke my heart to see them tearing ish up agin’ the Blazers last night.
I, for one, absolutely hated the Melo deal. We went from having a very young team with a lot of upside and cap space to a capped out, mature team that’s now built around two ball stoppers.
The Knicks, pre-Melo, certainly weren’t going to win a championship this year. But Amar’e, Gallo, and Chandler were at least a promising enough nucleus to allow us knickfans to dream about the possibility of one someday with the addition of the right piece or two (Paul, Howard). But now we’re left with the sobering knowledge that this current edition of the Knicks is pretty much it. It’s the Amar’e/Melo Show now and into the foreseeable future… with little to no room for improvement. And while it may represent a slight, short-term improvement over the team we began the year with, it brings us no closer to a title this year. It’s all too reminiscent of the Isiah years.
And, yes, I really had a lot of affection for all of those young cats. Amazingly, they’ve also managed to transform Denver from a “love-to-hate” team into one of the more likeable franchises in the league. Usually, I root for the Blazers (unless they are playing the Knicks). But last night, I found myself rooting for the Knuggets.
ya, you guys kinda got screwed a little bit
Melo is a good player and everything, but I think NY gave up too much. Only time will tell. If they get CP3 or DWill I’m gonna P.O’ed.
um..yes..the Nicks paid much to high a price for MeloDrama.
Gallinari was ridiculous last night..and Chandler…I didn’t like to see EITHER of them with the ball.
Denver should have stood pat. MeloDRAMA would not have walked away from $20 million dollars when the new CBA is looming.
Last thing NY needed
Is the ghost in the defensive post Melo. He may get you a few points, 22-28 on 25-35 attempts.
Danillo has a pretty solid game and Chandler can play out of his mind. It’s gotta be frustrating to lose all the young talent for ame-first guy who half-a$$es on defense.
He really should have gone to NJ before the move to Brooklyn, but apparently NY just worried about jersey sales.
by SGT Lenny on Feb 26, 2011 9:51 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
Billups is a sick, sick player though.
I think that’s a pretty nice big 3.
wha??
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Feb 26, 2011 10:19 AM PST up reply actions
If Chauncey were only 3-4 years younger
…I’d feel somewhat better about the trade.
But when looked at from the perspective of how he might contribute to a title run in a year or two’s time, the 34-year old Billups doesn’t figure to be of much use. By that point his primary value will be as $14 MM expiring contract. Which probably won’t be nearly enough to flip for a Paul, Williams, or Howard.
Great Quote!!!
Blockquoted paragraph
“Every time I make one, it always feels like the first time,” Roy said. “I was just so excited and so blessed to make a shot like that. It never gets old, it always feels like the first time. I was excited and the fans cheering, teammates jumping up and down.”
Just love that quote! I don’t care what you guys say about Brandon, every time he hits one I feel like I did when I used to watch Clyde and that great Blazers team. All this Brandon hate. I admit that Brandon may need to take a PR class but do the BRoy haters really think there is a more prolific player we could get to come to PDX?
Damn you Dwight Jaynes!!!
i was there
and it was so loud! i love the RG. i’ve seen Broy hit those shots before, but it never gets old on my end either.
some guy hit the half court shot for a new toyota, totally awesome. the crowd went crazy
by extraneous solutions on Feb 26, 2011 8:20 AM PST up reply actions
the crowd was amazing last night.
Went with my brother to the game and he asked if I wanted to leave when the Nuggets were up by 7? with very little time left. I said “no”…the Blazers are playing hard. I want to stay till the end.
It was pretty funny to see people coming BACK to their seats!!!!
I’ve only left early twice..the NO game when the Blazers gave up after being called for a gazzilion phantom fouls by KEN WIPE MAUER…and the Knicks game…where I think the Blazers were wiped out from watching the Ducks game the night before.
Won’t ever leave a game where the Blazers are trying.
What is BRoys prognosis?
Is he at a “Let’s hope he can make a playoff run this year”?
or
Is he at a "Let’s cross our fingers and hope he can become 95% of the old Roy over the next 5 years?
by TrentEdwardsHoF2018 on Feb 26, 2011 8:36 AM PST reply actions
I'd take what he brought last night
For 20 minutes a game coming off the bench and finishing. That was Brandon Roy the all-star…with LMA the all-star.
So can we expect a Roy like that for the next 3 - 5 years?
I guess I just don’t know what peoples expectations are of him right now. As good as he played last night I still see people blasting his contract.
by TrentEdwardsHoF2018 on Feb 26, 2011 8:48 AM PST up reply actions
They won't blast his contract so much
If Roy can be a 20-25 assasin off the bench. I don’t think he’ll ever be able to shoulder starters minutes again, but if he can becomes Dale Ellis off the bench, it’s still a fantastic weapon for us.
It may not be worth $15M/year, but what price can you put on an All-NBA closer?
Closer is key
The BRoy we saw last night…you can’t leave him with single coverage in the clutch. You can say the same for LMA. Even 20 minutes of that makes us infinitely more dangerous.
Dr. Zeusmith coins a concept: NBA Closer. Well done.
I never thought of bringing in a fresh sub for game ending like a baseball reliever but it makes sense. Not quite the same as a three-point gunner (Eddie House does come to mind, so I’m sure there are plenty of others that would fit that bill); not quite the same as good free-throw shooters coming in to be fouled.
The cold-blooded super-star closer. 7 minutes, 9 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal. Triple-double per 36.
by Sashland on Feb 26, 2011 11:37 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I love BRoy in the role of closer
being the cold-blooded assassin who can be relied upon to take the tough shot at the end of the quarter or in OT is the role that BRoy can fulfil better than anyone else on our team. Let’s keep his minutes down, and preserve his knees for crunch time!
Win the day!
whatever, let's just enjoy the good,
I don’t think anybody, including Brandon, knows what his knees can take. I’m pretty sure Brandon will give all he physically can. Hopfully they can pace it for some longer availability, perhaps “as needed”. We shall see.
No kidding.
I would rather have Roy for 20 minutes if he can do what he did last night. Put the dagger in their hearts as only B Roy can.
Blazers fan since '91
REST IN PEACE MAURICE LUCAS 1952-2010 R.I.P #20
"We're family because of this stupid, stinkin' team." - Dave
by rise_stand_resist on Feb 26, 2011 11:09 AM PST up reply actions
Honestly, we just demolished the freaking Nuggets last night
I mean, the score was close but the truth is we absoluttely crushed their spirits!
That Roy THREE was absolutely cold. Ruthless. Impossibly brilliant.
Both teams played hard and ball don't lie. Rasheed is the Yogi Berra of hoops. We should start calling him Yogi Sheed.
by vavoom on Feb 26, 2011 8:45 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Woooooooooottttttttttt!!!!!!!
Still on cloud nine this morning!! What a game!
by ilikescotch on Feb 26, 2011 9:12 AM PST via mobile reply actions
We to the I
Awesome shot….unbelievable game…so BRoy is back? What does that mean? Less ball movement….I saw it last night…..The I and not the WE…he back tracked a few times from his post game interview…he is trying to make it about the team and not about him…but if this means the TEAM that has worked their tails off sans Brandon now is somehow bumped I am going to be one upset fan…I believe Cho will not let this happen…it takes a village….
I don’t see them winning the title immediately. Nicolas Batum
I turned it off when they were down five with like 12 seconds left...
…………………….
The Leeroy Rule: being insistent >>>> being correct
i bet its replaying somewhere today, i should find that
holy moses, they really won?
The Leeroy Rule: being insistent >>>> being correct
by leeroyjenkins on Feb 26, 2011 9:29 AM PST up reply actions
I never understand why people watch 98% of the game and then leave to beat traffic.
You didn’t even have to worry about driving home. D-O-H.
bandwagoners
I hate that. I sat in front of some people during a game early in the season and Babbitt was playing, and they thought it was Przybilla, they didn’t know about anybody on the roster, they were just there being hipsters because it was a “cool” thing to do for the night. Some younger couple in their 20’s on a date it sounded like. It’s kind of a cool date, I’ll admit, but the fact neither of them knew anything about the team killed me. They kept asking me stupid questions while I was trying to watch the game. That’s what I get for offering a little info one time! NEVER AGAIN…lol
by Eric Loftin on Feb 26, 2011 10:06 AM PST up reply actions
Come on!!!
Are we so set in our ways and such snobs that we can’t welcome new fans. I have been a fan of the Blazers from the get go, but there is a lot, I don’t know about BB and the team, and if I don’t know, I ask. if they are stupid questions then I figure if somebody enlightens me I won’t be stupid all my life.
Not saying you should lower your standards, but at least have emphathy for us that lives out in the Boon docks without the TV and Radio only, or a privilege of going to many games a break.
hg
by BBK on Feb 26, 2011 10:46 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm not saying I don't have empathy
It’s one example of ONE game I went to. I’m not a snob at all, and I don’t appreciate being called one. I happened to be very nice and accomodating to those people that night. I’m just saying, those people left halfway through the 4th quarter, those people didn’t care about the team, or the game, they were there for a night out. That’s a hell of a lot different than somebody having a vested interest in the team. Bandwagoner is maybe the wrong term, granted, but still. And I don’t live in Portland either. I have to drive at least an hour to get there and I’m only able to go to a handful of games if I’m lucky as well.
With all due respect, don’t harp on me if you don’t know me. Sorry for going off, it probably wasn’t your intention for me to take what you said the way I took it.
by Eric Loftin on Feb 26, 2011 11:20 AM PST up reply actions
I was more reacting to the Stupid questions than Band Wagon comment.
I ask lots of stupid questions, and I react to being called stupid for asking them. If you don’t ask then you don’t learn.
I only harp on you on the post you made, not anything personal. It takes all kind of fans, to make the Blazers fandom. and although, I may criique individual post, I don’t critique individuals. So, I could say don’t harp on me if you don’t know me, but that is not what I feel.
I thank you for your reply, and must say, if you don’t want to be harped upon then putting your feelings on a blog may be the wrong place.
Anyway no bad feelings meant just stressing my difference in opinions.
hg
thanks
I just took the snob thing a little personal is all. No hard feelings sir. Go Blazers!!
by Eric Loftin on Feb 26, 2011 11:50 AM PST up reply actions
Eric, Justice is it's own reward.
As soon as they find out that the Blazers won that game, that they missed the magical B-Roy 3 in the final seconds, that they actually missed an entire thrilling overtime period… they’re going to feel stupid. Doh!
"...everybody who...has been saying that Brandon Roy is bad for this offense, you can shush now... No...shush. Really...tssszt. Here's a cookie. Here's a pat on the head. Shhh." - Dave
by conspirator5 on Feb 26, 2011 2:14 PM PST up reply actions
I would better describe bandwagoners as guys who became fans when we picked Oden
And then ran for their lives when he got hurt. Guys who think this is the best team ever when we win, and think we should blow it up when we lose.
Blazers fan since '91
REST IN PEACE MAURICE LUCAS 1952-2010 R.I.P #20
"We're family because of this stupid, stinkin' team." - Dave
by rise_stand_resist on Feb 26, 2011 11:08 AM PST up reply actions
You're right
Bandwagoner is probably the wrong term. I don’t know what to call somebody who is just there because it’s something to do. Bored? I don’t know.
by Eric Loftin on Feb 26, 2011 11:21 AM PST up reply actions
recreationists
Harry Bosch: "Everybody counts....or nobody counts."
by 92wastheyear on Feb 26, 2011 12:11 PM PST up reply actions
how about season ticket holders who come to the game and then
proceed to catch up with each other’s social lives, conversing about same…DURING THE ENTIRE game. Oh and tell you (me) to please not yell so loud during the game?
What do you call these people?
I call them “other season ticket seat holder seat changers”
I'll top that.
How about people texting on their phones courtside? Seriously wow, you’re that close to the action and you’d rather play with your phone—that’s sad.
business or pleasure?
it’s just a fun comparison, but it seams Cho likely could be conducting business or at least communicating on some job related conversation….I’d give him a wide birth away from idle chit chat, regardless. Sometimes phones are not social toys.
Up and running.........and almost defending.
let's face it, different people come to the RG for different reasons
some folks come because they love the players and the team
others come because it is the only major league sporting action in town
others come because it can be a cool date or business engagement
others come for the entertainment
IF the Blazers marketed the team only to people who are hard core fans, they would sell fewer tickets, and the team would have less success on the court. So let’s appreciate all who attend the games, even if they lack the knowledge and sophistication of BEdgers
Win the day!
Ok fine. But can we stuff Blaze and mount him on the wall in the visitor's locker room at least?
by Eric Loftin on Feb 26, 2011 11:47 AM PST up reply actions
Agreed! I would also support ending the T-shirt throwing and the Blimp flight. I find Ronald McDonald creepy, and never eat those greasy Chalupas
but I am not a marketing expert, obviously
evidently someone at the RG think those things enhance the fan experience, or they wouldn’t include them in the Blazer games
Win the day!
I never even look at him
Harry Bosch: "Everybody counts....or nobody counts."
by 92wastheyear on Feb 26, 2011 12:16 PM PST up reply actions
I may buy him a nice colorful bikini bra top...
and instruct him to lift his shirt during free throws. He may just do it.
by Natsthecat on Feb 26, 2011 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
That might actually accomplish something.
"...everybody who...has been saying that Brandon Roy is bad for this offense, you can shush now... No...shush. Really...tssszt. Here's a cookie. Here's a pat on the head. Shhh." - Dave
by conspirator5 on Feb 26, 2011 2:15 PM PST up reply actions
Touché
That was my original intent. I can understand him not wanting to answer questions while he is trying to watch the game though. It is very distracting
hg
what bothers me way more than folks asking stupid questions
are the fans who keep making me get up for their runs to the concession stands or the bathroom
Win the day!
lol..or their beer
I don’t like drunk fans. Most of the time I’m taking students to the game, so hearing some lush drop f bombs three rows in front of us is annoying.
by Eric Loftin on Feb 26, 2011 11:57 AM PST up reply actions
sometimes I am tempted to give the drunks my business card!
(my day job is criminal defense attorney)
Win the day!
Zing!
I might’ve need your card too. I only drank tea last night (I was freezing!) but I was ready to punch the guy behind me. Hey fella — Despite your efforts, Nate can’t hear you. You don’t need to yell obscene instructions to him during the entire game.
Wiggada Wiggada Zers!
That was me
.
.
.
.
.
.
Not really
Harry Bosch: "Everybody counts....or nobody counts."
by 92wastheyear on Feb 26, 2011 12:12 PM PST up reply actions
And that’s when the Rose Garden started emptying out. Those of us who stayed till the end certainly got the last laugh.
For sure
The folks next to us took off right before …….A guy and his kid. Dad is a doofus…and the kid missed one of those moments that cement fanhood. Poor Kid
Harry Bosch: "Everybody counts....or nobody counts."
by 92wastheyear on Feb 26, 2011 11:30 AM PST up reply actions
I was “watching” the gamecast while talking to my mom on the phone as she watched the game. I started making sad “I can’t believe they’re going to lose” comments, but we kept watching. Of course, her version of the game was about 5 seconds ahead of mine, which made for a somewhat disconcerting experience, especially during the “bad” parts.
I was with my granddaughter
Age 15. She just couldn’t stop bouncing all the way to the car and “awesome” was said abut 1422 times. I think this game cemented her fandom for sure.
Exactly
I took my Daughter to the “miracle shot” game versus Houston……I can attest that she remains “cemented”
Harry Bosch: "Everybody counts....or nobody counts."
by 92wastheyear on Feb 26, 2011 4:45 PM PST up reply actions
How many times till everyone learns that in sports, it ain't over till it's over?
The most memorable comebacks and moments are often the most unlikely. When you turn off these games you risk missing a truly magical moment.
It’s not like our team and BRoy in particular hasn’t shown a flair for the dramatic, heroic, stunning finish over the last few years.
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Feb 26, 2011 12:46 PM PST up reply actions
yep. And I wanted to stay till the end fully expecting them to lose.
I felt like…these guys played completely undermanned…played their butts off…even if they lost, I felt as though they’d earned my watching them play till the end…whatever the outcome.
The lesson that stings is better rememebered.
I’ll bet you the next few home games people will be MUCH more inclined to stay right where they are at.
"...everybody who...has been saying that Brandon Roy is bad for this offense, you can shush now... No...shush. Really...tssszt. Here's a cookie. Here's a pat on the head. Shhh." - Dave
by conspirator5 on Feb 26, 2011 2:17 PM PST up reply actions
It was nice to see them get the win and see BRoy hit some big shots.
But, this team needs a frontcourt BAD. Wallace and Camby will help, but even with them they are a very small and depleted up front.
We can roll out a solid front court with Camby and Crash in the line-up
but I do agree…we definitely need at least one more solid big. It’ll will be interesting to see what the FO comes up with in the next few days. I wish they’d come up with something before the Sunday game.
That's a small lineup still.
You really don’t have a center (Camby is long but not big and plays like a PF) and Wallace at the PF is undersized. They’ll help rebound, but they’re not big players. They need big gerthy players that will bang around down low.
Between LMA and Camby
we most certainly stack up well with most front courts…at least for starting line-up. If Crash can be effective at the 3 we’re more than good for a starting line-up.
Camby does fairly well at center and so does LMA. I do wish we had a beefy defensive big but we actually have a pretty good 3,4,5 if we can get Camby and Crash on the court and integrated. Maybe we’ll actually get lucky for once with Oden next season.
One major advantage we have is that our bigs are pretty mobile and they all run the floor well. LMA was a man among boys last night. I’ve always been impressed with Nene but LMA was head and shoulders above. He scores on and guards centers every night.
Stack up with who?
Teams that matter? Not even. Look at the teams currently ahead of Portland in the standings, all five of them have a better overall frontcourt than Portland.
Portland has two guys, Wallace is a PF by virtue of not having anybody else to play that position. Just like T-Law, he’s not a true PF, he’s undersized to play that position and from what I understand he’s far less effective playing the 4 than he is the 3.
Camby is a great off the ball defender and rebounder, but overall he doesn’t do that great of a job of defending the low post. Same with LA.
Portland allows a ton of points in the paint and that’s not gonna change much with Camby returning and the addition of Wallace. They just don’t have much of a frontcourt at all.
I’m not worried about LA scoring, I’m worried about this team being able to defend the rock..
I think the Blazers could have easily won against the Lakers if even Camby
was back..and this is not counting Wallace.
Wallace is NOT Travis.
LMA can play the 4 and so can Batum.
Wallace is effective…he just tends to get injured with PROLONGED play at the 4.
How many points in the paint did Portland allow last night…oh that’s right 38.
And how many did they score in the paint? oh…50.
Oh but Denver didn’t really have any big guys…NOT.
And at least the Blazer players didn’t have to play a ton of minutes, so weren’t all exhausted defending the paint…NOT.
I prefer to look at what this team CAN do; rather than focus on what they CAN’T do.
And trust that the FO will find a few serviceable big bodies to foul hard and give the current roster (LMA) some rest.
You can’t point to one game in the season and say “look, they played great against this big lineup”. It doesn’t and has never worked that way. Even in that one game the size was an issue for Portland, but again, it’s the playoffs where true colors really start to come out. They just don’t have the size no matter how you slice it or no matter how blindly optimistic one wants to be.
They have two bigs…two non gerthy, non banging bigs. Blazers are small, there’s no getting around that and size wins in the NBA.
What about the Orlando game? LMA had his way with Dwight and Co.
Who has a huge amount of size in the West besides the Lakers? Dallas only has Chandler and San Antonio only has what’s left of Duncan.Maybe OKC now that they have Perkins and Mohammad?
Still LMA doesn’t want to be listed as a “C” for superstitious reasons but dude is probably the most gifted Center besides Dwight (unless you think of Pau as a Center then I’d still put LMA as #3 in the League right now). LMA is a match up nightmare for any team with slow, big centers/forwards.
As long as we have Camby back and healthy, I think we’ll be just fine.
They do fine
They really do…even defensively. LMA is a fine defender when he doesn’t have to worry about getting into foul trouble.
The points in the paint will change with Camby and Wallace back because our perimeter defenders will be locking down those goofy guards that keep driving the lane instead of filling in at power forward and center. Not many bigs left with decent post moves either. Nene was one and it didn’t do him as much good as it should have.
Get Camby back and one or two decent backups and we’ll be just fine. Wallace can play his natural position with LMA back at the 4.
They may not be all that against the elite big men with solid post moves but they’ll still a formidable crew.
Portland has two guys, Wallace is a PF by virtue of not having anybody else to play that position.
Gerald Wallace is more than capable of playing well at 4 in most cases. He’s 6’7 but he’s athletic and gets off the ground quickly, so he plays above his height. If he was 6’9 would it really make that much difference? Carlos Boozer is 6’8, Paul Millsap is 6’8, hell Charles Barkley was 6’4 1/2. And Wallace is a strong dude with some bulk.
Wallace may not be able to play every 4 in the NBA, but he really not that undersized there because he more athletic and has better hopes than almost anybody at that position.
Dujuan Blair is only 6'8
And he plays Center.
I think he's only 6'6 in shoes
wingspan is an important factor, too
you can think about rooting DB out of the paint, but that doesn’t mean it can be done
the Blazers have needed one of these bangers for years, now they finally have one
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
If Camby is not a center...
Then we might as well stop using the term.
Honestly, there are only 3 positions in today's NBA
point, wing, and big. I’m reluctant to call the last category even “posts,” since there are so many near 7 footers who just shoot jumpers. It doesn’t matter that Camby isn’t a traditional center like Hakeem, Ewing, Gilmore, Russell, Shaq, etc.
And with today’s rules, the game just isn’t that physical anymore. Yes, you need a Kendrick Perkins to deal with guys like Dwight Howard, but the length of Nic, LA, and Camby is enough to handle most good frontlines. Add in Wallace, and we’re one of the best. Granted, we can’t handle Dwight Howard (who we only have to face twice in the reg season), and ZBo and Bynum (if healthy) might gives us some trouble, but I challenge you name one other Western Conference big man that this team can’t handle.
Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!
this
Even with Camby in Oden’s place we have one of the best front courts in the league. If Oden comes back next year our front court is just ridiculous.
I agree, but we have to wait for it
We can’t do it all at once. We did make a big first step in acquiring a agressive back-up SF or PF. We have to wait to see if Portland is interested in signing Joel if Joel is released or 30 days for Marks. IMO we are going to use one roster spot to try to get Ford to get an experience back-up PG. The other may be filled with Joel, or a 10 contract or Marks or whatever until we know what Joel can do. The FO can’t make any comments on players under contract, so their hands are tied and I am not sure they would tell us anyway. It would be nice to give LMA fewer minutes now though.
hg
What a game !
Cant wait to see Camby and Wallace join them.
Hopefully Cho follows his word about adding more beef next week. I will give the trade an A once Marcus has a back up not named Oden.
Go Blazers !!!!
"We've got to get stops ! " ...... Nate McMillan
Just before tip off
as the starters were heading toward center court I saw the rest of the team, including Oden & Wallace, in a close huddle in front of the bench. I’d never noticed that “secondary” kind of huddle before and thought it was pretty cool.
I noticed that too
Brandon and Patty gathered all of the guys together for a huddle, then I saw Brandon talking.
Wiggada Wiggada Zers!
Me too
I was thinking “Wow, Roy really is part of our bench now.”
Rumor has it that Dos Equis first approached Aldridge, but Aldridge turned thrm down because the real 'most interesting man in the world' would not have to prove it in a commercial. - Canis Hoopus 1/7/11
I cussed. A LOT.
Then, the miracle at the RG happened, and I almost cried.
wha??
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Feb 26, 2011 10:13 AM PST reply actions
This is the Roy I want.
I do NOT want him back in the starting line up. for 2 reasons. 1st: if he does have to sit I dont want to go back and forth in the line up, and I like their chemistry right now. 2nd: it doens’t matter who starts as long as he can finish a game like that. He still needs to realize even with hitting that shot its STILL LA’S TEAM.
Agreed. Larmarcus is still getting better too.
His ability to draw fouls at the end of the game will improve with experience.
wha??
by Hipster Olympic Team! on Feb 26, 2011 10:39 AM PST up reply actions
Yep
He could be a perennial sixth man of the year award winner if they do this right! It’s great that he hit that shot but, like you said, it’s still LMA’s team. No longer a Brandon option one and LA option two, but more like an LMA option 1a and Roy option 1b (when he’s in and the game is on the line).
Crash-a-lacka-lacka!!
this
Brandon ties the game and LMA with the go-ahead clutch free throws. A good dose of clutch play from Rudy, Dre, Wes and the other guys too.
Agreed
Bringing Roy off the bench will extend his career and keep him fresh for the 4th quarter and overtime.
the bench is going to be really interesting
Nate is talking about bringing Wallace off the bench, so that makes Roy-Rudy-Gerald and this trio could be some real dynamite! Instead of giving back leads while the starters are resting, the Blazers reserves could be extending the leads, instead
Lots of late-game options, more toughness with Crash, this could be a Buck-Williams-like acquisition that propels the team deep into the post season
We’ll see how quickly Nate and the players make the rotation adjustments, but I’m encouraged and looking forward to see how they deal with the tough schedule in March, one game at a time
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
by two4larue on Feb 26, 2011 11:43 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Crash plays more like Jerome
but I hope he has an impact like Buck—heaven knows we’ve needed a banger!
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Ugh, Nate....
He’s making a tradition of bringing superior players off the bench if there is an incombent in front of him. Would Patty Mills start in front of CP3 as well if we traded Miller and Camby for him? If GW is healthy, you start him in front of Batum because he’s the better player. If Crash comes off the bench for more than couple of games, I’m going to blow a gasket.
The cake was a lie.
If he doesn't yet know the system
then Batum is the better player. Give it a couple of weeks for Crash to figure it out and he’ll be the starter.
Crash-a-lacka-lacka!!
Starting doesn't matter....it doesn't
If the bench is good enough for a three time all star (and that is what everyone is saying) then it is good enough for Wallace at least long enough for him to get intergrated
Harry Bosch: "Everybody counts....or nobody counts."
by 92wastheyear on Feb 26, 2011 11:33 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
That is, if the three time all-star is the same player that he was..
It’s really a stretch to see that he will be the same player, even though he has looked better in couple games he came back. Also, I think most agree that ideal spot for BRoy from now on is off the bench, due to his minutes needing to be managed as well as our need for scoring off the bench.
My point is, why not integrate him with the starting lineup to begin with if this is where GW is going to end up anyway? Instead of going through two adjustments, one to learn the system and next to play with the starters, just do it one fell swoop. Seems like needlessly stretching out Crash’s adjustment period.
The cake was a lie.
Agreed
Especially when the 3 time all-star is still closing games and playing 20+ minutes. It’s time to ditch the idea that the players on the bench are all sub-par and embrace the idea that, if we want to be elite, the bench has to pack some serious punch.
and Lamar Odom says "hi"
Kevin McHale, back in the day
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Can't really agree with
starting one player over another just because he’s a better player. I guess what I mean is that there can usually be much more to it. It seems more relevant to assess team chemistry and how the contributions of individuals mesh. In the end, minutes and where you put them is what counts.
you might want to follow up on exactly what Nate said regarding Wallace coming off the bench
it will be this way until Wallace learns the system and gets acclimated to the team. No conspiracy, so far.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Feb 26, 2011 12:22 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
It sounded like a different story than the Miller episode.
bq I’ll talk to him tomorrow and get a feel for what he’s thinking and what I envision or how I envision playing him. I think from the start we’ll bring him off the bench and look to make him a focal point coming off the bench and then we’ll go from there. Right now, we’ll bring him off the bench but who knows. If Nic is not able to go at the small forward spot, if Camby is able to go, then we may have to look into putting him in that lineup. But until he learns the system and some of the things we want to do, we want to be slow with him and bring him off the bench.
He’s not talking about Wallace having to complete with Batum for the starting position. He’s talking about getting Wallace integrated into the playbook. Which makes a lot of sense. I don’t want McMillan sticking a boot into the chemistry of the starting lineup in the name of “seniority.” I have no doubt that Wallace will either eventually start or Batum will be the same kind of starter he was in his rookie year, where the guy behind him actually had more minutes than he did.
And IMHO whatever happens I think Wallace will be a good influence on Batum.
"...everybody who...has been saying that Brandon Roy is bad for this offense, you can shush now... No...shush. Really...tssszt. Here's a cookie. Here's a pat on the head. Shhh." - Dave
by conspirator5 on Feb 26, 2011 2:23 PM PST up reply actions
Fail to Preview Fail. :p
"...everybody who...has been saying that Brandon Roy is bad for this offense, you can shush now... No...shush. Really...tssszt. Here's a cookie. Here's a pat on the head. Shhh." - Dave
by conspirator5 on Feb 26, 2011 2:23 PM PST up reply actions
I don’t want McMillan sticking a boot into the chemistry of the starting lineup in the name of "seniority."
Agree with this. The starting lineup has been playing well, (10+ games over since mid-December) and it’s not easy to start plugging new players back into the mix. Camby will eventually be back, and he’ll have to be reintegrated. Roy can’t play starter’s minutes, so he’ll keep coming off the bench. Wallace is new to the system, and Nate wants to ease him in, into an area where the team has struggled all season—the bench. The so-called 2nd unit can’t help but get better with Crash on board
Injuries may force McMillian’s hand again re: changing the starting lineup, but he shouldn’t shuffle things around when he doesn’t have to. Gerald doesn’t seem to mind if he starts or not, so I’ll take his words at face value and let the rotations align organically. Nate doesn’t even know which players will mesh the best together with GW until he sees them all out on the floor, and there’s not a lot of practice time in-between games at this time of the year
Camby joined the team at about the same time last season and he fit right in and filled a huge hole, so I’m optimistic. For all of Portland’s depth at the wing, Wallace plays more like a banger, and that’s certainly not a redundancy on this roster
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
the thing that is different about Wallace is that he is coming to the team in February.
The end of February. There are only…20 games or so left in the season.
This is a whole different dynamic than when Miller came to the team.
When Miller came to the team…and this is the part that really fried me and made me think McMillan is an idiot ( I did think this for a long time), Nate said “the players will earn their positions”…Miller player MUCH better than Blake did in pre-season.
Miller EARNED his starting spot in the lineup.
Did he get it? No.
Whole different scenario.
I believe McMillan has learned from that whole fiasco and will not ever repeat that mistake.
Wallace will benefit from watching the team from the bench at this point in the season and I’m sure he understands this.
I am sure it helps that Brandon is coming off the bench also.
And from what I’ve read about his career, he will probably start sooner than later.
Also, at this point in the season, I am sure NONE of the Blazers will complain about losing playing time!!!!
Miller player MUCH better than Blake did in pre-season.
Miller EARNED his starting spot in the lineup.
Did he get it? No.
I don’t think there was a huge disparity, Miller isn’t a fast starter and he failed Nate’s conditioning test. The team also started slow and Roy/LMA went to Nate and asked him if they were still going to be the 1st and 2nd options (with ’Dre and Greg getting the proverbial leftovers)
As recently as last spring, Nate reminisced about his dream lineups
Blake
Roy
Batum
LMA
Oden
Miller
Rudy
Webster
Outlaw
Przy
and how he never got a chance to play them for long because of injuries.
So it was never a matter of Blake beating out Miller, it was Nate feeling that ‘his" starting 5 was playing well as a unit, and he wanted Andre to lead the 2nd unit and play more uptempo. In theory you can see how Nate came to this conclusion, in reality it didn’t work out—or, before it had time to jell Rudy and Nic were hurt, followed in short order by Travis Greg and Joel. Suddenly Bayless, Juwan Howard and Dante were playing more minutes than anyone anticipated, while Mills and Pendergraph rehabbed their injuries. Then of course Roy tweaked his hammy, Nate and ’Dre had a shouting match and…the rest is history.
Whole different scenario. I believe McMillan has learned from that whole fiasco and will not ever repeat that mistake.
I’m not as optimistic as you. I hope Nate will keep Roy coming off the bench, and he’ll be stubborn with his starting 5 because they’ve jelled and they deserve the right to fail before being tinkered with…Wallace seems to be willing to come off the bench more so than ‘Dre did, so we’ll see how it all shakes down.
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
good points!!
Also remember Roy complaining about Oden clogging up the paint.
And not knowing his role.
I think the past mid-season thing may affect what Nate does with Wallace and also Wallace being more willing to come off the bench when this current team has played together up until now.
I think Miller may have been ok coming off the bench if he felt the starter was as good as he is…which I don’t think Batum is at this point…IF it was Miller coming to the team in February.
I also believe Miller when he said he was told he was going to be a starter.
I think he is honest and KP…maybe not so much. Could have been a matter of vague politic speak that Miller misinterpreted…anyway, I think at best Miller was mis-lead at worst he was outright lied to.
Wallace wasn’t told he would be a starter. He was just traded and didn’t come to the Blazers as a free agent.
Am also worried about what McMillan will do re: Roy.
I think McMillan has grown this year. I couldn’t stand a lot of what he did last year.
He’s done a much better job this year. I think Bickerstaff and Ambien may both have something to do with this.
Nate will listen to the older guy. And Nate is probably able to think on his feet a bit better when having the whole sleep thing going on.
And who knows…Bob Ociepka may also be a better coach than that goof ball Dean Demopoulos.
So yeah…I’m cautiously optimistic re: Nate and Roy coming off the bench.
And feel that Wallace vs Batum…really just see how it works best. Wallace is the veteran here and Batum may be just fine with coming off the bench as long as he gets a decent number of minutes.
Someone mentioned possible hairline foot fx…with Batum…that would really sk.
I wouldn't mind it if Nic came off the bench
I just have a feeling that Nate likes his starting 5 (including Camby) and has wanted to improve his “2nd unit” all season, and now he has a golden opportunity with Roy returning and Wallace “crashing” the party
what it’s going to come down to is: which combination of players work best together? Even McMillian can’t be certain of that, until he’s had a chance to see Gerald interact with his teammates, for a few games at least
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
IF it was Miller coming to the team in February.
I also believe Miller when he said he was told he was going to be a starter.
After ‘Dre was signed, we learned that the Blazers were interested in acquiring him at the 2009 (RLEC) trading deadline, but they could never get the deal worked out with Philly. I’ll always wonder “what would have happened” if KP had brought ‘Dre on board instead of letting the cake bake? Remember, Blake was injured (shoulder) and Sergio/Bayless were playing PG at the time. Miller could have stepped in and then—who knows? Maybe Portland doesn’t face Houston and they win a playoff series and the whole KP mess could have been averted—perhaps.
It’s interesting to think about, and I’m fairly certain that there wouldn’t have been a starting PG controversy during the following fall camp, if Miller had been on the team in March-April. Shoot, if the team had won in the first round, Andre would have been a beloved member of the team, instead of the new guy (leftover “4th choice” free agent that nobody else wanted, etc) who complained about not being the starting PG, and was criticized for not fitting in with Roy, etc
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Xedubx - Cho stated either way he will get starter minutes so what does it matter
Cho also mentioned that depending on the opponent Crash could guard Ariza or shift over to guard David West so I think they will take full advantage of Crash’s abilities…I’m excited for the next few games to see how he meshes!
There are two keys to the season, as I see it.
First, integrating Wallace into the lineup successfully. There’s not a surplus of shooting with he, LMA, Camby, and Dre on the floor, so we’ll need to change the offense a bit to cater to their strengths.
Two, getting Brandon Roy the super sub. If he can be an efficient offensive creator for 20 minutes per game, we’re dramatically better. The starting lineup should be very good, but the bench is a huge weakness. It’s also painful to watch Patty “create.”
It felt so, so good to see Brandon be a little bit of vintage Brandon. He doesn’t have the insane first step that he had in 07-08 or the agility of 08-09, but he at least made some shots. I still struggle watching him, because it’s sad to see a 26 year old move like Penny Hardaway… but last night was a good step toward him being a contributor.
How much did we need that win? We really needed that win.
He beat 2 or three guys off the dribble last night
I wouldn’t put that 1st step to bed just yet…remember he always looked slow…til would beat guys
Harry Bosch: "Everybody counts....or nobody counts."
by 92wastheyear on Feb 26, 2011 11:35 AM PST up reply actions
I watched the "Legend of Roy" youtube clip last night.
His first step wasn’t just deceptively quick, it was flat-out quick.
It’s also painful to watch Patty "create."
Oh man, you just reminded me of that ugly Mills turnover last night. At least he knocked down the 3 ball, but hopefully we’ll either see Ford backing up Miller soon, or Roy/Rudy will see most of the backup minutes at the 1-2
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
the real travesty is that Nate demoted Johnson in favor of Mills
Johnson does everything better than Mills – but because of a couple of bad turnover games and the teams overall struggles at one point – Mills got the promotion and stuck.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Feb 26, 2011 12:24 PM PST up reply actions
to be fair to Nate
Armon was so incredibly inept in those games that you literally couldn’t put him on the floor
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Feb 26, 2011 12:49 PM PST up reply actions
rookies from the WAC
can’t expect too much from them, it will be interesting to see what they do to keep developing during the lockout—without team supervision.
No summer league will hurt their progress
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I'm not giving up on them yet, I think that Armon and Luke will both
influence and spur each other to get past their rookie struggles, they’ve been playing together since like 2004 or earlier and they’ve both been demoted to the D-league this year, so they are going through everything together which I think will help.
But if neither looks better next year than I will admit we missed on both picks and our scouting didn’t discount their nice stats were inflated by playing against sub par competition in the WAC.
the scouts do the best they can to project these prospects
now it’s up to the coaches to draw out the talent. A lot of it is mental, some kids have the inner drive to succeed and some are just happy being there. Then other times, the player never gets an opportunity because of the roster he’s on
Calling Babbit and/or Johnson a bust at this point is premature. The ball is in their court, though, and playing time must be earned on a deep veteran roster. Not every kid can fight through that, and there are new rookies drafted every spring
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I am willing to give Armon time.
Babbitt OTOH….chose to stay in Nevada when he had a scholarship to Ohio State….to me this sounds like a guy who wants security and to be a big fish in a small pond.
This doesn’t seem like what it takes to succeed in the NBA.
And last night, once again…he was awful. Just awful. Stage fright? Whatever it is…he needs to go back to the Dleague and stay there.
Armon has at least looked decent at times when playing this year.
AJ has looked better, no doubt
but he’s got the tougher position to learn, by far, especially if Nate remains his head coach
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
That's not really fair
I admit I’m not sold on Babbitt, but to say that he “sounds like a guy who wants security and to be a big fish in small pond” is reading far too much into things. The guy chose to go to college near his family. We laud other guys for their close family ties — let’s extend the same courtesy to Luke. Or at the very least, let’s not invent reasons why he made the decision he did.
Wiggada Wiggada Zers!
I can invent my opinions. This is why they
are opinions. And I’m entitled to them.
My opining that Babbit wanted to stay where he is secure and a big fish in a small pond is my deduction given the way he’s played here. To me he looks totally overwhelmed, nervous and a bit stage struck whenever he has been on the floor. Which granted has mainly been in GARBAGE time..when what he does probably makes no difference whatsoever.
It also seems to me that if he was truly a competitor…which many in the NBA seem to be…(if not highly competitive, then really athletically gifted!!) he would have jumped at the chance to go to Ohio State on a scholarship.
Rather than choose to be near his family.
Not knocking the choice to be near his family. Just stating my opinion about how this may explain his performance so far in the NBA.
If one or two bad games justifies complete removal from the rotation
the Blazers wouldn’t have any players at all. Johnson had a 6 TO game and a 4 TO game about 3 weeks apart in November. Johnson had no more than 2 TO’s in any other game.
Mills has a similar TO rate overall, but two 4 TO games and two 3 TO games. Mills does have a better assist/TO ratio (1.7 vs. 1.2) – but Johnson’s is heavily weighted by two outliers.
Plus, Johnson shoots, defends and rebounds better.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Feb 26, 2011 1:52 PM PST up reply actions
Nate's not comfortable with either one of them
which is why they’re talking about signing Ford
Let’s face it, Portland hasn’t been developed young PGs that well for 20 years. McMillian was high on AJ coming out of the preseason, enough to sign off on the Bayless deal. But even with the most-patient, PG-developing-coach in the history of the league, Armon would have struggled this season—and he isn’t someone that you’d want running the offense for 15-20 mpg in a playoff series
Allen’s desire to see Mills out on the floor had to be a part of this decision, as well
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
*developing
geez
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
you don't decide whether a rookie is playoff capable based on a few early season games
you give those rookies the 10 – 15 min (the reality in this system with Miller) and develop him into a player through playing time.
Moreover, the point is that Mills is getting playing time – and Johnson is better.
Law of Logical Argument
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
by blacknoiseNW on Feb 26, 2011 4:11 PM PST up reply actions
I decided AJ wasn't playoff capable last summer
success in the summer league and preseason <<< experience against the rest of the league, after the scouts diagnose your weaknesses
Armon is a rookie from the WAC, he’s not a special talent who needed a role and PT carved out for him. If he keeps working hard he may develop into a decent NBA reserve, but this summer he’ll be unsupervised and what he does to train will be critical. (He doesn’t know what he doesn’t know re: the NBA, at this point in time)
I would certainly never defend Mills as a better choice for the backup PG minutes this season, but I’m not going to stress about Johnson’s development being stunted by Nate, either. If the team was 25-33 and heading to the lottery then I’d agree to play the rook, but they won something like 22-11 without AJ, so it’s hard to argue with Nate’s decision
My hope is that they’ll add a veteran PG asap, for injury insurance and ball control during the post season—where every possession is magnified. That’s no place for Mills, or Johnson
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I agree with pretty much all of that
except if it came down to it and you had to play either in the playoffs, dont underestimate the big game experience Mills has. The hopes of 20 million countrymen riding on your shoulders while your team plays the best in the world and your vying for a medal has to count for something.
I know Patty has had international experience
but you’ve got to admit that he’s really struggled over the last month, with his mid-range shot and overall decision-making. Portland wouldn’t be talking about acquiring TJ Ford if Nate was comfortable heading into the post season with Mills as Andre’s primary backup
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
oh yeah for sure, and it makes sense, no place for freinds and fuzzies
when we are talking play offs.
All I’m saying, is if push came to shove and no one got signed, then the onus is on Patty to get those parts of his games back to how it was for the first 25 games, so he can contribute if required.
All things being even, if he was able to get his touch back, and i think its a confidence thing, and he had to handle the ball at any stage of the playoffs then i think he has the mental capacity not to be overawed by it all, where as I think Armon may not
Patty helped get Rudy headed in a positive direction, again
If he does nothing else for the rest of his Blazer career, Mills should receive credit for that
I don’t mind him as a bench cheer-leader, but if Ford is signed…4 PGs on one 15 man roster is ridiculous
I would never count Patty out re: being resigned for next year, though. The buck stops with Paul
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
True - never seen a happier and thus more productive Rudy and Patty Cakes
is the glue that helps hold the bench guys together
Fernandez was just as happy during his rookie year
when Sergio was setting him up for oops and treys
it was just last year that we saw his moody side
Mills was helpful re: restoring Rudy’s state of mind, but I’ve never been a big fan of tiny PGs, and Patty isn’t really that much of a creator
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I actually think Rudy is happier this year than his rookie year
since he is getting more time on the court. No Webster, No Bayless, No Roy for the past two months (don’t get me wrong, I’m very, very glad he’s back as long as he doesn’t push himself too much, too quickly)…I mean I haven’t checked the stats but I’m pretty sure Rudy’s playing more min per game this year than his rookie year which is bound to make any player happier.
And if Rudy thrives on a friendship with a tiny backup guard on the bench, then at least Patty >> Sergio in my book.
It was never the minutes that Rudy complained about, in the past
it was how he was utilized, he didn’t want to just park in the corner and shoot the trey. Now Nate has Fernandez running PnRs with LMA and he’s happier. The team’s winning, and his shot is dialed in, for the most part
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
I think he may have also complained about minutes...
but u r right…Rudy likes moving. And is very good at it!!!
I followed the Rudy saga pretty closely, as most of us did
there were times when he said point blank (either during an Euro interview, or in his blog) that it wasn’t about the PT, it was the style of play. Many blamed Nate at the time, but it’s pretty clear now that the team was Roy-centric (there were very good reasons for that…) and Rudy wasn’t a good fit for the slow-paced system. KP tried to trade Fernandez on several occasions, but Paul Allen nixed the deals, so Fernandez was caught in limbo—which led to his loss of confidence and (his agent) making trade demands
All’s well that ends well. It’s ironic that Rudy and Roy are sharing he same backcourt coming off the bench—but clearly the team’s style has been adjusted because of necessity—and now Brandon is the one making the adjustment. My, how the worm does turn
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
All cylinders baby!
They were firing on All Cylinders, and we were all loving it! BRoy’s shot was another amazing one to add to his legacy. LMA continues to BEAST it up and everyone else played fantastic team ball.
It’s a good day to be a Blazer!
Crash-a-lacka-lacka!!
thats cool they pulled it out because that game was over
denver’s got to be feeling like the blazers did after that lakers loss
The Leeroy Rule: being insistent >>>> being correct
this was a much bigger game than the Lakers game
our team is battling Denver for playoff seeding, and a loss last night would have damaged our team in the standings far more than Wednesday’s loss
Win the day!
makes me feel a lot better about the Laker loss
balance has been restored to the Universe
"If I had a dime for every basket I made today, you'd still suck!" - from the book 'John Dies @ the End'
by sammymohawk on Feb 26, 2011 12:50 PM PST up reply actions
Didn't see anyone mention it here so i will.
I think everyone’s fear about brandon “trying” to get back on the court was that we would see a return of ISO basketball. We saw that a little bit with the Lakers game but I have to hand it to Brandon and not because he hit some big shots. The biggest thing I noticed was that the offense didn’t seem to stall very often when he was in the game. Maybe it was his teamates that reverted back to their old ways in the LA game. It was good to see him playing some pretty decent defense too. Encouraging signs. Brandon made a good point too regarding his teamates playing different now, playing with more confidence, keeping the defense honest so the opposition doesn’t just pack everything in on Broy. Good stuff. I’d be happy if last night was all we got from brandon each night.
I'm typing this here because I became jealous of everyone else with signatures in their posts.
by Flapbreaker on Feb 26, 2011 11:57 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Nice write up Ben
I bet it’s even more fun to report on games like this!
I'm such a loyal Blazers fan that even half my fantasy basketball team is injured.
when the haters can't enjoy yesterdays win, that's when you know there's nothing you can do.
Keep complaining and whinning, you’re only showing your true colors.
#52
by bustabucket on Feb 26, 2011 2:01 PM PST reply actions 3 recs
completely agree.
It seems there are some that will find reasons to complain, moan etc…no matter what.
Last night’s game was infreakingcredible. I am soooo happy that I was able to be there.
It was soooo much fun!!!!
Though I was slightly rooting for the Melo-less Nuggets...
… I have to admit that the term “Melo-less” is starting to bore me so much that this Portland W made me as happy as a Nuggets W would have.
Great win, nice to see Roy like that, and good luck next game, Blazers! :)
- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz
Last night's game showed me that George Karl still has the chops to coach
and during the ESPN broadcast they said he’s nearing a extension
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
Good to hear.
In all kinds of ways. He’s definately an awesome coach.
- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz
Utah fans were complaining about Sloan, too
until Jerry decided he wasn’t going to hang around, anymore
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
and the Jazz...very smartly..I think...dumped the cause of Jerry's resignation.
Truly think this was in support of the fans. I think the Utah Jazz fans really did like Sloan quite a bit.
did you ever read timbo's "view from" fanposts?
you should have seen some of the comments re: Jerry after the Jazz lost…you’d think they were Bedgers complaining about Nate!
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
hmm...I love Timbos view...did you know he's still posting them?
I guess the fans will always complain when there are losses. I was going on what the radio/media was saying about Sloan and the fans. Maybe the more informed or engaged fans…on the blog…knew more about the downside of what Sloan did. I think the more casual Jazz fans really liked him. But I may be completely wrong about this!
The radio said something about the Jazz supporting the loss of Sloan with the Williams trade. Could be complete made up journalism.
last time I checked
timbo was over at the pinwheel empire (I hope it’s OK to say that…)
When reached 40 years of following Portland basketball you have, be as passionate of the Trail Blazers you will not!
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