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Gameday Open Thread: Blazers vs. Pistons

Don't forget that this is an early game...5:00 start Pacific time.  I should be here, though given the likely outcome maybe I'll wish I wasn't.  Who knows though?  Stranger things have happened.  Like Shaq to Phoenix, for instance.

Register all of your pre-, in-, and post-game thoughts right here.

--Dave (blazersub@yahoo.com)

P.S.  There's a Jersey Contest Form for tomorrow's Indiana game a couple posts below this one.  There is no form for this game.  Please read the important contest post in between this post and the form.  (Just scroll down.)

P.P.S. As Blazermaniac32 has pointed out in the diaries, the news is official now. Brandon Roy is out tonight due to a death in the family. We offer condolences to and prayers for Brandon and his loved ones.

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Easy win
All we need is for Joel and LMA to both get double-doubles, Blake to go 3 for 3 on 3s, Martell to go for 24 in a quarter (twice), and Travis to have one of THOSE fourth quarters.

Oh, and Jarrett to only step out of bounds once.

Actually, if Brandon doesn't play, it will be interesting to see if ball movement (especially in the 4th quarter) is better, resulting in more open looks.  It seems to me we've got a little too much tendency to watch Brandon do his stuff on the high pick and roll in the 4th quarter, rather than keep moving without the ball.  Maybe without him, we'll see more off the ball screens, etc.  I'd love that.

These guys are human, they can be had, even without Brandon.  It will take one of those games where a bunch of guys play above their usual standard, but it happens, and actually not that infrequently when a star player is out.  Guys go out to prove they aren't a one-man team, and coaches devise a game plan for which the other team can't really prepare.  Chicago won at GS while short-handed.  This could be one of those freak situations where we've got a better chance without Brandon, just because they won't know what we're going to do.

by jscot on Feb 8, 2008 5:04 AM PST   0 recs

You forgot
to mention that Sergio will play the entire fourth quarter  and Raef will get big minutes in preparation for 3 more games against Shaq where we'll use him to save on Przy & Frye's fouls.  
"jksnake99's advice : NEVER give up on a Brandon Roy led team." -- posted at halftime...

by jorga on Feb 8, 2008 4:51 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

I'm scared
To play without Brandon.  I ain't gonna lie.

by leeroyjenkins on Feb 8, 2008 8:41 AM PST   0 recs

we'll be fine
Honestly, we will still play a similar level of basketball. The one thing that is going to change is that we are not going to be getting nearly as many open looks from the outside because they won't be doubling brandon. I predict that Jack will have an ungodly number of assists, and that LA will have another great game against rasheed. This is probably the best game for Brandon to be out of, as they will most likely play man to man defense the entire game which will allow us to get to the hoop and run against this team.
TheOdenator

by TheOdenator on Feb 8, 2008 8:59 AM PST   0 recs

Motivation
In case the Blazers needed more motivation, it seems like Sheed's "not impressed" with Portland.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080208/SPORTS03/802080386/1051

I wonder if he was "impressed" when the Pistons came to Portland earlier in the year and lost...

by OutrageousJ on Feb 8, 2008 9:44 AM PST   0 recs

'Sheed
Sheed speaks his mind, you have to give him that.  Judging from those comments and the ones he's made since coming here you tend to think he really holds a grudge with how his time in Portland shook out.

But you guys should know, that just Sheed.

by PistonsNation on Feb 8, 2008 10:58 AM PST   0 recs

Yep, it's just Sheed calling it as he sees it.
I would be surprised only in the event that he didn't hold any resentment toward the Blazers organization. Any other outcome wouldn't seem to add up, based on both my knowledge as a fan of the Blazers' situation at the time leading up to his departure, and fitting the mental profile Sheed has created for himself.
lickety-brindle

by Billy Ray Bates on Feb 8, 2008 2:34 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Strange things happen
Let's hope this is one of those strange nights.

PistonsNation- we know all about 'Sheed being 'Sheed.  

by jksnake99 on Feb 8, 2008 11:21 AM PST   0 recs

Detroit Jersey contest answers (imaginary edition)
Just because there was no POSTED jersey contest doesn't mean I can't play anyway.

-----

Portland - 89, Detroit - 86

The second technical will be called on Sheed DURING THE PRE-GAME SHOOTAROUND.

Brandon Roy will follow the game by SKETCHY RADIO RECEPTION IN SEATTLE.

NEITHER TEAM will trade for Jason Kidd and a packet of WestJet in-flight peanuts.

AMY WINEHOUSE will end up passed out sulking on the scorer's table.

And TOM SELLECK in that same old Tigers ballcap will be the one to lob a cup of half-Schlitz/half-backwash at her,
setting off . . . well, not a "riot", really. More like a "party".

Blazers have a five-on-three...and they pull it back and wait for help.

by QualityPie on Feb 8, 2008 11:30 AM PST   0 recs

Ha!
And Sheed gives the Oregonian more "N-word"-riddled nonsense about pro-ball players being modern "slaves." (Anyone remember that horrible interview?)
TTFN! Ta-ta-for-now!
RipCity's a state of mind

by Y5k on Feb 8, 2008 1:16 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

We're gonna get owned on the offensive glass
again. It's gonna hurt us really bad tonight.

by jamesjonesismyhero on Feb 8, 2008 12:14 PM PST   0 recs

Brandon being out is our key to victory...
It means the Pistons won't take us seriously.

And it means that their scouting report on our team will be all wrong.

Look for Jarret, Channing and Travis to have big games.

by Majikj0n on Feb 8, 2008 12:57 PM PST   0 recs

agree...
It could be the game of the season... Frye hitting shots, Jack splitting the D... a victory is possible and needed

by hotstuffdb22 on Feb 8, 2008 1:50 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Travis and Martell
Both will go off tonite. Martell will score 30 in the 3rd and Travis will score 40 in the 4th.

by Steve The Hedge on Feb 8, 2008 1:50 PM PST   0 recs

C T C
Detroit down 10 at half and Wallace mails it in.  Without him, LMA goes off for 34 / 16.

Go Blazers!

by TKEskippers on Feb 8, 2008 1:52 PM PST   0 recs

I'm gonna give this one...
.......... the Least Prescient Post Prize before the game is even over.

I'm watching Minneapolis and Celtics myself...

t

"You don't live by the jumpshot, you die by the jumpshot." ---Charles Barkley, 2/7/08

by timbo on Feb 8, 2008 7:00 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

game tonight
Expect to see a ton of the Martell Webster Offense tonight.

I think Martell and Sergio are the X factors tonight

Travis Outlaw drops the sledgehammer on Daequan Cook for a dunk so vicious, it's illegal in 48 states.

by BlazerBandit on Feb 8, 2008 3:01 PM PST   0 recs

Well
Here is something to cheer everyone up:

Possibly NSFW? It's news about an upcoming Woody Allen movie featuring Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansen:

Read Here

by damir on Feb 8, 2008 4:42 PM PST   0 recs

Time to wind up Darius...
... get him hopped up on Pixie Stix, and let him run around like an eight-year-old on Field Day.  I figure we should get about thirty minutes of pent-up freak-out from him, just have him run back and forth on the baseline looking for the alley-oop.  Good for 32 and eight boards.  Book it.

by natopotato on Feb 8, 2008 4:42 PM PST   0 recs

Detroit announcers tonight
George Blaha and Greg Kelser.

by TallTimber on Feb 8, 2008 5:03 PM PST   0 recs

QUALITY PIE!!!
WELCOME BACKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!
"Besides, I met a girl who loves basketball, blazers, and spurs. I'm sorry, you really can't dampen my mood right now :)" -ratbastird(after oden's surgery)

by nateinaloha on Feb 8, 2008 5:03 PM PST   0 recs

POOOOOORTLAND BAAAASSSKETBALL!!!
Will be a toughie, but the Pistons do give away games more than they should.  I got a friend who is a Piston's fan (he's from Detroit so it's okay) and he always always complains about Detroit losing to lesser teams just because they don't feel like playing.

He's scared of this game, because the Blazers are the type of hungry team to take advantage of a Pistons team that doesn't wanna try.

The announcers love LMA.  Evidently he plays with his back to the basket and is a great rebounder!  What is everyone here complaining about then?! ;-) (wink)!

LMA is awesome.

Mortimer

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:07 PM PST   0 recs

Let's give 'em a Hard Game
for the next 48 minutes.

GO BALZERS!

I want "Sheed T'd, just for old time sake. In fact I would like to see him tossed, throwing his jersey and head band into the crowd. Aahh, the memories.

"Lenny Suckerpunch NEVER bet on me!" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Feb 8, 2008 5:08 PM PST   0 recs

Here we go folks!
I don't know what to expect from this game, but then maybe I don't want to know what to expect.  I just hope we don't get slaughtered.

--Dave

by Dave on Feb 8, 2008 5:08 PM PST   0 recs

No Roy till Monday
Per Quick's blog.  He's staying for the funeral, will re-join his other family Monday at Houston.

Let's win it for the Roy-Bot!

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:09 PM PST   0 recs

I heard an explosion!
"Lenny Suckerpunch NEVER bet on me!" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Feb 8, 2008 5:10 PM PST   0 recs

Well, someones got to lose
Hopefully not us.
"Lenny Suckerpunch NEVER bet on me!" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Feb 8, 2008 5:12 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

The keys
It really bothers my boyfriend that the "keys" on  the Ford keys to the game screen are black on a black background.  

by troutfan on Feb 8, 2008 5:11 PM PST   0 recs

So true
agreed. I would like a nice shade of beige, taupe perhaps.

by jgo24 on Feb 8, 2008 5:13 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Is he
Color blind?
"Lenny Suckerpunch NEVER bet on me!" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Feb 8, 2008 5:13 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

No
not color blind.  He is pleased that people responded to that post.

by troutfan on Feb 8, 2008 5:15 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

LMA needs to channel his inner Z-Bo
And have a Z-Bo-in-Detroit type game.  30+, 15+!  WITH 13 BLOCKS.

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:12 PM PST   0 recs

Heh all the stations have the same music
Bothers me a little. I equate the music with the Blazers + Mike and Mike.  

by Dheepan on Feb 8, 2008 5:13 PM PST   0 recs

31-3
We can do it.

I am responding to the Detroit feed, as us league passers are watching.

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:13 PM PST   0 recs

TAKE HIM JOR-EL
Sheed is no match for an offensive giant like JOEL.

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:14 PM PST   0 recs

WEBBY!
Would be nice if he has a nice game.  Nice.

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:15 PM PST   0 recs

A Joel Post up good lord
Timbo is calling the plays tonight!

by Dheepan on Feb 8, 2008 5:15 PM PST   0 recs

Good D Webby!
bringing it both ways!

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:15 PM PST   0 recs

Marty is The Man
of the Moment. Scorin' and Boardin'
"Lenny Suckerpunch NEVER bet on me!" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Feb 8, 2008 5:16 PM PST   0 recs

Good try Jack
Good penetration.  Offense looks off, but we can get on track.

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:16 PM PST   0 recs

What's with
The Palace playing We Will Rock you for like 5mins straight?

by damir on Feb 8, 2008 5:17 PM PST   0 recs

Jack on Rip
Is the weakness they should exploit.  Jack will have to fight thru screens quickly and then be a lot shorter than Rip as he closes out on him.

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:17 PM PST   0 recs

2 and a half
minutes without a foul, for Pryzzy!
"Lenny Suckerpunch NEVER bet on me!" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Feb 8, 2008 5:18 PM PST   0 recs

Nice take, Marty!
He broke everyone's ankles with that Utep-Two step.

And we get a "ball don't lie" off the missed FT.

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:18 PM PST   0 recs

We got our first
"ball don't lie" there!

Everyone drink.

by Dave on Feb 8, 2008 5:19 PM PST   0 recs

Why is Martell such an inconsistent
Foul shooter? I don't get it.

by Dheepan on Feb 8, 2008 5:19 PM PST   0 recs

It's mental
He's Chuck Knoblauching it.

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:20 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Is 'Sheed makin'
his "Angry Face"?
"Lenny Suckerpunch NEVER bet on me!" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Feb 8, 2008 5:19 PM PST   0 recs

Good energy on the rebounds there
AND SECOND FOUL ON SHEED!

by Dave on Feb 8, 2008 5:20 PM PST   0 recs

Two fouls on Sheed!
LMA rebounding good, gets blocked by Sheed, Martell goes for the 360 reverse tomahawk free throw line dunk and Sheed can only foul him helplessly.

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:21 PM PST   0 recs

webfeed
anyone have an online link thats working?

by jgo24 on Feb 8, 2008 5:21 PM PST   0 recs

Wow
That was a foul by Sheed on that LMA attempt.

by damir on Feb 8, 2008 5:21 PM PST   0 recs

JACK A GREAT DRIVE!
But he borks the finish.  Too wide open?

by Dave on Feb 8, 2008 5:22 PM PST   0 recs

Ooph
Jack misses a gimme.  

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:22 PM PST   0 recs

cs.net
isnt working for me. I might have to go downstairs. dang.

by jgo24 on Feb 8, 2008 5:23 PM PST   0 recs

I still got a good feeling
I got a good feeling about LMA and Webby today... they better prove me right.

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:24 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Get on BillyUps
Need to slow that boy down.
"Lenny Suckerpunch NEVER bet on me!" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lowblow on Feb 8, 2008 5:23 PM PST   0 recs

Just going to throw this out there.....
This is going to be a low scoring game

by ppilot on Feb 8, 2008 5:24 PM PST   0 recs

Low scoring is OK
in fact it might be better with us missing our main gun.

High scoring could also be OK.

Just as long as both teams are in the same category.

by Dave on Feb 8, 2008 5:26 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

LMA 5 boards
I guess he IS a great rebounder, like the Detroit announcer said!

(just to clarify, I think LMA WILL be a great rebounder but gets out of position too easily now, so don't think I'm a hater because I ain't a hater maybe YOU are the hater did you ever think of that you dumb jerk?!?!?!)

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:25 PM PST   0 recs

Then again
they also said Jarrett Jack scared them on the break.

I wonder if they're angling for a trade for JJ?

by Dave on Feb 8, 2008 5:26 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

When Martell finally puts it all together
He will be a full in the NBA!

It looks like he just used his great athleticism in high school and was a dominating player.  He is now learning many skills including dribble penetration and boxing out on rebounds.

by OrygunRod on Feb 8, 2008 5:27 PM PST   0 recs

BEE YOU TEE FULL
Nice turnaround by LMA.

by Mortimer on Feb 8, 2008 5:27 PM PST   0 recs

Jack! NICE!
Come on Jarrett.  Make this your night!

by Dave on Feb 8, 2008 5:27 PM PST   0 recs

The LaMa Smoothie
is sooooo Goooood!
"Lenny Suckerpunch NEVER bet on me!" - Elizabeth "The Lizzard" Lowblow

by Lizzy Lo