Gameday Open Thread: 'Wolves at Blazers

just wanted to pop the cherry

First one here...oh yeah baby...you know that.

Unfortunately, i can't be here tonight but i'll be wearing my brand new Greg Oden Jersey i got for xmas...ya, i'm THAT cool

written by the Blazer Thoughts artist formely known as "Scott R"

by saregister on Dec 27, 2007 11:41 PM PST 0 recs

jscot

Can you hear me, can you hear me running?
Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?

"Silent Running" by Mike + The Mechanics

It is up to you, to keep the streak alive.

Happy Kwanzaa! December 26, 2007 - January 1, 2008

by tominhawaii on Dec 27, 2007 11:55 PM PST 0 recs

AAAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!

Toooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Lateeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Fortunately, Minnesota is probably bad enough we don't need good juju, we just need to play well.

by jscot on Dec 28, 2007 12:52 AM PST up 0 recs

I seriously considered suggesting

that we all do the opposite of everything we've been doing during this streak prior to this game. For instance I make it a habit to never wear any of the opposing team's distinctive colors on game day, lest the basketball gods think I am rooting for them. No shirts, no underwear, nothing with even a hint of those colors. In this instance I would purposely wear those colors, you would post in the wrong place, K.P. would stop wearing pink, etc. We would do this to test and see if the Blazers were ready to win without the juju...kind of like removing the training wheels on your kid's bike for the first time. But I figured the fallout if we did lose would be so great that I'd better not make the suggestion.

--Dave

by Dave on Dec 28, 2007 5:24 AM PST up 0 recs

Yeah!

That's it! I knew it all along!

We haven't blown anything here, this is just a test!

Phew! Boy, was I worried.

by jscot on Dec 28, 2007 8:57 AM PST up 0 recs

Yeah

If the Blazers were playing the Pistons, I would be worried. Maybe you're saving the juju to keep the streak alive one more game, than should have been. Not that I'm looking past today's game. Well, maybe I am a little bit.

Happy Kwanzaa! December 26, 2007 - January 1, 2008

by tominhawaii on Dec 28, 2007 9:47 AM PST up 0 recs

I think that LaMarcus is

back. And I think he'll rise to the occasion of defeating Jefferson 1 on 1. Tonight will be what Seattle would have been without the rookie jitters of being on the big stage. Roy steers us to an empty the bench early fun time. The big two are done at the end of three, and Joel hogs the spotlight in the fourth with effort and minimal production. Zers by 20.

by ojala on Dec 27, 2007 11:59 PM PST 0 recs

I said Joel, I meant Josh.

by ojala on Dec 27, 2007 11:59 PM PST up 0 recs

I'm not sure we a good enough

for a human victory cigar, but McBob is a great candidate for that role.

by tweener on Dec 28, 2007 12:27 AM PST up 0 recs

We got this

They all know they can do better than they did against Seattle. I think they're in the mood for a blowout. We haven't had a good whupping during the streak. Minnesota is a team that can be whupped. I expect a big margin.

by Jumbo on Dec 28, 2007 12:20 AM PST 0 recs

Besides the streak

the only other storyline that interests me is Telfair. I'm curious to see how good he plays against us.

by jayseyfield on Dec 28, 2007 12:28 AM PST 0 recs

Easy buckets

On "Inside the NBA" last night, Charles Barkley made a good point (gasp!) about the Blazers: they don't score easy buckets. Roy and Jack - two guards - are the only guys who seem to score inside. If we're not getting lay-ins from one or both of those two, we're not scoring in the paint. With that in mind, I'd like to see us work the ball into LaMarcus against Al Jefferson (who struggles defensively; if he gets in foul trouble, they're done). Pick-and-rolls involving Joel or Travis would also be a good way to get some close shots. While I love it that guys like Roy, Blake, Martell, James Jones, and Travis have the confidence to take long-distance jumpers, if we want to make a serious push for the playoffs, we'll need to find easier ways to score. Moreover, that's the one way Portland has yet to win during this streak. Wouldn't Minnesota make the perfect guinea pig for a renewed focus on points in the paint?

by SabonisFan3386 on Dec 28, 2007 12:59 AM PST 0 recs

Unhappy with the win

Even though they were happy that they won against Seattle, our Blazers didn't seem very content with HOW they won. I think they realize that any team can beat anyone on any night and they gotta BRANG IT nightly!

The difficult win on an off night should motivate our boys to REALLY win.

Minnesota is AWFUL, but they have really scored some nights. Telfair is doing decent, Al Jefferson putting up the only reliable numbers, and then youngsters and lameazoid players.

Like Dave said, they are The Blazers 3 years ago. Almost exactly... they even got a broken down Ratliff, and Jefferson's face manages to do the impossible: Out ugly Z-Bo!

Now, McHale will prolly screw it up, but Minny might be okay in the not too distant future (like us, 3 years ago). Brewer will be a good all-round player, Telfair HAS gotten better (and is, what, 21?), Rashad McCants can score, Jefferson is a bonafide PF, and they'll get a super duper high lottery pick this summer.

I am too lazy to do the research, but with Ratliff coming off the books and lots of rookie contracts I imagine they'll have cap space too. But, sadly, McHale will lock up Kwame Brown or something to a 7 year max deal to poop it all up, but the chance is there to rebuild to something good again.

You gotta feel bad for their fans, and I hope they enjoy having a team and watching guys develop. Having a team with a 11 game win streak and is 4 games over .500 is nice, but I miss the days of daily 30 point blow outs and hobo makeshift rosters. Now that I know Oden/LMA/Roy are our main dudes for the next ten years, how can I pin my hopes on the 12th man turning into a superstar??

Minnesota don't know how lucky they is.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Dec 28, 2007 3:30 AM PST 0 recs

Dont look know but...

Denver is playing Golden State tonight, a blazer win and a denver loss means we would be tied for 1st place in the NW division. Either way one of Denver or GS is getting a loss tommorrow, that helps us if we do make a playoff push..

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Dec 28, 2007 3:54 AM PST 0 recs

As someone pointed out to me the last time

we were likely to have an identical W/L record to Denver, we would actually be in first place because we are winning this year's series against Denver thus far.

I of course brought this up and damned us for the short term future... as someone was so kind to point out. This time if things don't work out, that is on you my friend. You will have single handedly defeated our chances at the number one spot, this can't be blamed on Golden State not coming through, or Denver playing a hell of a game, only on you now that you brought it up. Just saying... (kidding of course)

by drawingjeremy on Dec 28, 2007 10:41 AM PST up 0 recs

Worse

He might have caused us to lose to Minnesota.

by jscot on Dec 28, 2007 11:08 AM PST up 0 recs

I am slightly sick of the juju talk

What I write on a sports blog or wear during the game has nothing to do with how we play. If you want to create good juju go give some blazers foot massages, maybe a pep-talk or a delicious and healthy high carb dinnner before the game because that might actually have an effect on the outcome, unlike some of the superstitions I have heard around here. If we lose to the T-Wolves tonight it wont be because I pointed out that we are close to 1st place, or Dave wore the wrong colors, it will be because the blazers didnt come to play. But, to each their own, I see nothing wrong with believing in positive juju, its just not for me. I just dont like to look for some pie in the sky excuse for why we are winning or why we are losing. If you do, more power to you, just dont blame me or others for not following suit.

GO BLAZERS

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Dec 28, 2007 12:32 PM PST up 0 recs

I don't think people are really that serious...

...with the superstitions.

But it's a way fans can feel like they have an influence on the success of the team.

In this case, however, there is a much more tangible way for fans to get involved in helping their team win--show up at the game, and GET LOUD.

This has REALLY been helping our guys this year. In fact, I don't know of many other sports teams where home field/court advantage means as much as it seems to for this group. (Maybe the Ducks at Autzen... Or the Kings at Arco.)

In short: Can the juju. Pack the seats!

by Majikj0n on Dec 28, 2007 1:36 PM PST up 0 recs

Remember the

(kidding of course)

In all honesty I am not a believer in juju, at all. I did actually post a diary when when Denver was losing to Sac at Arco last week and after they lost did get blamed for the loss (also in jest I think, but not quite as clearly as I thought I made my joke with the addition of the just kidding at the end)

I guess my point is that I don't change my underwear, socks, nor do I apply fresh deodorant because that's just the way I roll. It's just good fun to say that's why we are winning.

by drawingjeremy on Dec 28, 2007 1:54 PM PST up 0 recs

Somebody better tell KP

to stop wearing pink.

Seriously, if it makes people feel closer to the team and the action, it's a good thing.

--Dave

by Dave on Dec 28, 2007 1:59 PM PST up 0 recs

Hear Hear!

Couldn't agree more.

Still, it helps to have people in the seats, cheering hard!

I'll be there tonight. This will make it 3 of the last 4 games for me. More than I've ever been to in so short a span.

Will be wearing my Aldridge jersey. Go #12!

by Majikj0n on Dec 28, 2007 2:09 PM PST up 0 recs

Agreed.

Anything that makes fans feel more connected to the team is a positive. Athletes are famous for doing things (KP's tie) based on superstition, and it's only fair for fans to feel closer to the team by following suit.

I do think it's pretty funny though. It's a time where everyone can stand to bring on their own special form of OCD with purpose!

by drawingjeremy on Dec 28, 2007 2:43 PM PST up 0 recs

Let's Argue about Raef and Josh

I don't want this game to be even close. I'm hoping for massive Telfair turnovers and missed layups to go with a big lead.

In fact, I'm looking forward to tomorrow where we're arguing about McRoberts and LaFraentz deserving more playing time after both scoring 25pts in tonight's game.

I'd seriously love to get a long look at McRoberts tonight just to see what he can do and see a game get in the bag. Is Taurean on the team tonight or is he back in Boise? Another guy I'd like to see get some extended (whole second half!) run tonight.

by Fizbin on Dec 28, 2007 11:38 AM PST 0 recs

Yeah

Couldn't we all use a little more Raefer Madness in our lives?

by SabonisFan3386 on Dec 28, 2007 12:55 PM PST up 0 recs

From what I can tell...

...Taurean is back with the team, but still on the "inactive" list, with Darius and Oden.

He's been at the last two games, but in street clothes.

That is not to say he might not be reactivated before tonight's game. (But then who goes inactive? Raef? McRoberts?)

by Majikj0n on Dec 28, 2007 1:30 PM PST up 0 recs

Minny is motivated

The T-Wolves desperately want a win. Like other teams, they look at the Blazers and see a young team ripe for the picking, which gives them confidence, winning streak aside. They think they should be on a winning streak, not the Blazers. They would love to stop the Blazers, who are even younger than the T-Wolves, from making them look bad by comparison. They would love the media attention they would get from beating the Blzers. Telfair would love to hang a loss on his old team. Ratliff would love to cheer his team on to victory. Both of them probably think the Blazers were wrong to trade them away.

Blazers by nine.

by MiledAnimal on Dec 28, 2007 12:38 PM PST 0 recs

I'm excited to see

some interesting matchups tonight. I haven't seen a whole lot of green ever since we didn't draft him, but over the last two years i've tried to keep an eye on him and compare him to webster. I have to admit at times i've been jealous of his smooth athletic ability but in no way am i regretting drafting webster over him. I think this year webster has proved he was worthing of being drafted over green, so it will be interesting to see how those two match up tonight. Not only that but the more recent trade of basically telfair for roy. we clearly got the better end of that deal, but once again an interesting matchup. And before our lotto-luck i really liked brewers game, and as i'm sure many others i was hoping we'd land high enough to draft him (thank god we didn't (ODEN!)), so i'm excited to see his game for the first time in the nba. I'm interested in seeing this minny team and looking at them as a what-might-have-been blazer line up, and be quite thankful for KP in preventing us from becoming minny.

by martinti on Dec 28, 2007 1:25 PM PST 0 recs

Don't Overlook the T-Wolves.....

Overall they're having a dismal season but they have some capable players on the offensive end.....Jefferson is a consistent 20-10 guy and McCants and Smith are capable of having 30 point nights....Jaric has been a solid all-around player when he's been healthy. If LaMarcus is matched up against Jefferson defensively he'll have to avoid early foul trouble-we've seen him get taken out of games and become a non-factor several times this season because of this .

The Wolves recently scored 131 points and beat an Indiana team that overpowered the Blazers, so don't pencil in the "W" just yet. That being said, if I had to bet on one team I would take Portland.

by kenzc76 on Dec 28, 2007 1:37 PM PST 0 recs

yes but...

If I could bet on two teams... i'd take the blazers AND the timberwolves. I'd be at almost 100% then.

This is Portland. Portland loves its Blazers. Welcome to OUR house.

by ratbastird on Dec 28, 2007 4:01 PM PST up 0 recs

Way OT but funny

Bill Simmons' wife write his picks column this week. It's really funny if you watch football and have a wife. My wife used to like the Raiders because she thought their uniforms were pretty.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/071228

Happy Kwanzaa! December 26, 2007 - January 1, 2008

by tominhawaii on Dec 28, 2007 2:08 PM PST 0 recs

her logic makes perfect sense.

That is an awesome list.

Also, raiders uniforms look all kick assish.

Also... doesn't everyone pick football teams based on uniforms? That's why I could NEVER be a 49er fan.

I was a bronco's fan for a while because horses are cool. I'd root for the dolphins because dolphins are awesome, but those uniforms are just UGLY.

I joined a football fantasy league and apparently all my guys were bi for a while and couldn't play or something. I guess I would have had an awesome team if i'd done something about that.

I blinked.

Fox football fantasy league is way too clunky and slow and I didn't get a thing.

I really like the blazer uniforms too... as long as we don't go that god awful red.

This is Portland. Portland loves its Blazers. Welcome to OUR house.

by ratbastird on Dec 28, 2007 4:00 PM PST up 0 recs

My Wife Ticked Me Off

She decided to stop liking the Raiders when John Gruden moved to Tampa Bay because she liked Gruden. Then they frickin' won the Super Bowl. That is just not fair.

Happy Kwanzaa! December 26, 2007 - January 1, 2008

by tominhawaii on Dec 28, 2007 4:39 PM PST up 0 recs

I shall be at the game

and I haven't been to a game that we've lost yet.

Including the SLC game.

I expect a win and I plan on cheering hard to make sure we get one.

Frankly, I'd like a blow out, but I don't really care as long as we win.

This is Portland. Portland loves its Blazers. Welcome to OUR house.

by ratbastird on Dec 28, 2007 4:04 PM PST 0 recs

Sorry it took so long?

You just had a child. This place has hardly missed a beat. Except for the faint smell of diapers and wet wipes.

No need to appologize.

"Mother Nature started this fight, I think it's about time we ended it!"

by Krang on Dec 28, 2007 4:54 PM PST 0 recs

Technically

I clean him with the garden hose spray nozzle, wet wipes being expensive and environmentally unsound, but thanks!

--Dave

by Dave on Dec 28, 2007 4:57 PM PST up 0 recs

Dude

You gotta get a shop-vac. Once your son is accustomed to the noise, the clean up is a snap.

Happy Kwanzaa! December 26, 2007 - January 1, 2008

by tominhawaii on Dec 28, 2007 5:07 PM PST up 0 recs

I was thinking

about a sand blaster but you're right, a Shop-Vac would be far more economical.

--Dave

by Dave on Dec 28, 2007 7:08 PM PST up 0 recs

I am all for positive juju...

You just wont find me wearing the same pair of underwear or anything. If you like wearing pink ties or wearing certain colors, thats great, it usually makes for some good conversation and funny jokes. What I am a little annoyed with is the fear of negative juju. I just dont want to write a positive comment about the blazers and have it responded to as some sort of jinx or hex. For example:

"The blazers could lead the division after tonight"

response:

"Now the blazers will probably lose"

or

"Denver is losing to the kings at the half"

response

"It will be your fault if denver wins"

I just dont like getting blamed for things that are far from my control, even if it is tounge in cheek. Celebrate and create positive juju all day long, just dont ask me not to point out things about the blazers that could be percieved by some as creating bad juju.

ps the fact that I am talking about "juju" with even a smidgon of seriousness should make my entire post ignorable anyway...

GO BLAZERS

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Dec 28, 2007 5:09 PM PST 0 recs

oops

meant to put that in the juju discussion up above... my bad...

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Dec 28, 2007 5:11 PM PST up 0 recs

Oh totally

I hate comments that are made in seriousness about this kind of stuff in the negative. That's just silly. Fortunately I think there are relatively few of those around here.

Although if one wants to rid the world, or at least the site, of all forms of silliness, even the mild ones: what's with the sudden preponderance of playoff position counting...in December?

--Dave

by Dave on Dec 28, 2007 6:52 PM PST up 0 recs

ya got me there...

but it would have been cool to have the NW lead for even just one night, but Denver beat the Warriors, so it isnt happening. No big deal. We still have the best win streak in the nba!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO BLAZERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RUDY > MJ

by myemic23 on Dec 28, 2007 10:19 PM PST up 0 recs

Not worth a diary

From Kenny Smith's New Year's NBA resolutions on Yahoo.

"Portland Trail Blazers: We promise that next year when Greg Olden gets back you can call us a legitimate contender."

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AvHhu3yXD7sXNRD6tsnVYmO8vLYF?slug=ks-resolutions122707&pro v=yhoo&type=lgns

Happy Kwanzaa! December 26, 2007 - January 1, 2008

by tominhawaii on Dec 28, 2007 5:39 PM PST 0 recs

Radio Link?

Can anyone provide a URL for the NBA.com internet radio that some folks found during the last game?

Thanks

Idiot's Collective: the only thing not under water in Tuvalu.

by iCollective on Dec 28, 2007 6:56 PM PST 0 recs

http://www.nba.com/

Listen Live, left column.

honkaplayboys.com

by BlueBooYay on Dec 28, 2007 6:58 PM PST up 0 recs

Thanks

Brilliant, I'll give it a try. Guess I just wasn't looking in the right place last time.

Idiot's Collective: the only thing not under water in Tuvalu.

by iCollective on Dec 28, 2007 7:00 PM PST up 0 recs

Getting the Game

you are tuning in to has not yet started message.

Went to Ready and now buffering. ok

honkaplayboys.com

by BlueBooYay on Dec 28, 2007 7:07 PM PST up 0 recs

"This is the type of game

Weve got to get used to playing. We will find ourselfs in this position in the coming years, where we are expected to win." --Nate McMillan

GO BLAZERS!

honkaplayboys.com

by BlueBooYay on Dec 28, 2007 6:57 PM PST 0 recs

Yup!

Hopefully 95% of the teams in the league will look like ants from our lofty perspective in the coming years.

by Dave on Dec 28, 2007 7:02 PM PST up 0 recs

Welcome to the Game Day thread

It's a good day to be a BLAZER FAN!

honkaplayboys.com

by BlueBooYay on Dec 28, 2007 7:04 PM PST up 0 recs

LOL

Mike Rice:

"You've got to come in with your...B+ game to win tonight."

by Dave on Dec 28, 2007 7:02 PM PST 0 recs

BROY

Is Startin'

honkaplayboys.com

by BlueBooYay on Dec 28, 2007 7:10 PM PST 0 recs

Video Link?

Channelsurfing.net not working tonight. Anybody have another link?

by TallTimber on Dec 28, 2007 7:11 PM PST 0 recs

http://atdhe.fr/

ROTUNDITYDOTNET

by damir on Dec 28, 2007 7:12 PM PST up 0 recs

Never mind

It's working now

by TallTimber on Dec 28, 2007 7:13 PM PST up 0 recs

Tone's mike

sound like it is buried in a bucket of crap.

honkaplayboys.com

by BlueBooYay on Dec 28, 2007 7:11 PM PST 0 recs

lolwut

Games decided by 7pts or less is... uhm, 7pts is a lot.

ROTUNDITYDOTNET

by damir on Dec 28, 2007 7:12 PM PST 0 recs

Yeah

A -7 point differential is huge. They're more than -8.

by Dave on Dec 28, 2007 7:13 PM PST up 0 recs

LOL

Wow...an alley oop lob attempt to Martell to start the game. There's a new wrinkle. Didn't work though.

by Dave on Dec 28, 2007 7:12 PM PST 0 recs

Rough offensive start

even with that hit by Brandon.

by Dave on Dec 28, 2007 7:15 PM PST 0 recs

Wow

Another below the waist pass to Przy.

ROTUNDITYDOTNET

by damir on Dec 28, 2007 7:15 PM PST 0 recs

YEAAA

What amazing ball movement!

ROTUNDITYDOTNET

by damir on Dec 28, 2007 7:16 PM PST 0 recs

Tonight's Game

brought to you by Uglyvision.

by Dave on Dec 28, 2007 7:16 PM PST 0 recs

It's

It's like finding out Britney Spears' 16 year old sister is impregnated by one of her tv producers.

Wait, that actually happened.

ROTUNDITYDOTNET

by damir on Dec 28, 2007 7:18 PM PST up 0 recs

Nice offensive rebound!

And flush!

by Dave on Dec 28, 2007 7:17 PM PST 0 recs

Minny's D looks decent tonight.

Bad call on that Roy drive. He was out of control.

- Sam

by Samuelson on Dec 28, 2007 7:21 PM PST 0 recs

The Blazers

all need lessons on alley-oop delivery. No matter who's jumping the pass-delivery equation seems to be "Height of recipient's jump plus six inches".

by Dave on Dec 28, 2007 7:21 PM PST 0 recs

AH!

Some full court pressure, a Roy steal, and just a little off pass that would have been an amazing alley oop.

Can't believe Roy jumped that high!

ROTUNDITYDOTNET

by damir on Dec 28, 2007 7:22 PM PST 0 recs

by Samuelson on Dec 28, 2007 7:27 PM PST 0 recs

Holy crap what a sequence!

What hustle!

ROTUNDITYDOTNET

by damir on Dec 28, 2007 7:27 PM PST 0 recs

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Gameday Open Thread: 'Wolves at Blazers

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