SB Nation User Blog: blazermaniac32

Aldridge/Roy finish third in voting

blazermaniac32 — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:12:52 -0000

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3371544

Not too bad for the local. He even got 9 first place votes. It's hard to argue against either Hedo or Rudy although strong cases could be made for all of them. I'm just glad we have LaMarcus as he is the best fit for our franchise. Maybe he can get this award next year! Or maybe Martell! Or maybe we can sweep all of the awards. Or maybe I can keep dreaming.

Also Roy finishes third in Sportmanship award :

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3368014

Should Oden suit up against Memphis?

blazermaniac32 — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:48:06 -0000

Now before everyone freaks out, I don't mean play, I just mean suit up and take warm-ups. This is our last home game of the year. Can you imagine the buzz that would be created by doing this? Would you not go crazy if you were at the game? Wouldn't this give Oden a little pick me up to get ready for a long off season of rehab? Think about the effect on his teammates however small it may be. Can you imagine all of the smiles on us as fans just watching him warm-up. Maybe get a little national publicity at the same time. What fun!

Simmons on the Sonics

blazermaniac32 — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:23:44 -0000

Bill Simmons has a nice mailbag devoted to the Sonics potential move to OKC and the fans reaction to that move. I can only imagine the heartache I would go through if that ever happened to my beloved Trailblazers. I think this is well worth the read and makes me sad and mad at the same time. I know the NBA is a business, but it is crud like this that makes you not want to be a fan. Read it and be thankful that it isn't us.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080228&sportCat=nba

Brandon Out

blazermaniac32 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:13:18 -0000

Due to a death in the family. Read Mike Barrett's blog for more information. Obviously our thoughts and prayers are with Brandon and hopefully the team can step up and get a victory tonight to help ease his pain. Martell will start in his place. Hopefully he will rejoin us in Indiana, but no mention of that.

http://mikebarrettsblog.blogspot.com/

Brandon Roy on ESPN Page 2

blazermaniac32 — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:16:20 -0000

Nice interview with Brandon, where he discusses the team, Zach, Movies and a little bit about politics. LZ's Cafe, breakfast with Brandon Roy. At a local Shari's in Tualatin. Fun listen.

Our future as we know is in great hands. Does he ever do or say anything wrong?

Here is the link:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/index

James Jones injury a blessing in disguise?

blazermaniac32 — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 15:46:31 -0000

Let me preface my title by looking back a bit. Remember late last year and early this year when Nate insisted on having Travis Outlaw on the floor late in the fourth quarter. Remember how many mistakes Travis made and how many bad shots he took. Remember how frustrated we as fans were with Nate for having Travis in the game? Now look at Travis! Other than Roy who else do you want shooting in the fourth quarter? Now we have two great options at the end of games.

So thinking about that, and knowing that we have another youngster blossoming before our eyes, does the James Jones injury force create an opportunity for Martell Webster to add to our fourth quarter arsenal? Should Nate force feed Martell into some late game shots irrespective of how it turns out for the team?

I think he should. I think this accomplishes a few things, 1) Nate going to Martell would instill confidence in Martell, which we know to be a big component of his game (being confident). 2) He is a pretty good defensive player when he wants to be. I thought he did a competent job against Carmelo in the last game. 3) Can you imagine if Martell hits a couple of game winners? What would other teams do? Let Roy go to the hole? Double team him and leave Travis and Martell open? Travis for a jumper or a drive? Martell for the same? Oden and Aldridge to clean up any misses?

I know this may be painful for the rest of the year, but let's be honest. Jones isn't our future, Martell is. Jones is a great complimentary player, but Martell could become a good to great player who can carry your team in stretches. I want that person, and I am willing to sacrifice a win or two this year for that opportunity for the next 5 years.

So I say, Nate play Martell in the fourth! Ride him at times. Call a play or two for him late. Forgive his mistakes, let him grow! Imagine the possibilities....

Just back from the game!

blazermaniac32 — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:36:01 -0000

My son and I attended the game today and I thought I would share some of my thoughts from Phillips Arena.

Arrived about an hour early but not early enough to see the Blazers work out. Jack was the only one on the floor and he was getting quite a bit of play from the fans who fondly remember his Georgia Tech Days. Kevin Pritchard was pounding away at his Blackberry (wouldn't you love to see some of those missives!).

Game under way and the starters looked like they had lead in their shoes. Atlanta was very aggressive both on the defense and the offensive ends of the court thus the early lead. We went to the zone defense late in the first and you could see it changing the course of the game. Things still didn't look good for the good guys.

Second quarter was all about the reserves. Travis hitting, Sergio driving and taking a page out of Roy's book, by being patient and taking what was given him, including shooting! Jones was hitting, Channing looked better than he has in a few games and the zone defense confused Atlanta except for Tyronne Lue. Balance restored at halftime with a Blazer lead.

Comparing the Atlanta crowd to ours really isn't a comparison. I can't remember any extended cheers from the home crowd even when the Hawks were playing well. All (and I mean All!) of the chants, cheers etc... were brought on by prodding from the Jumbtron operators. Made me appreciate the Rose Garden even more. Also the graphics in and around the arena were dismal compared to the Rose Garden. Be very thankful of what we have, it is amazing!

Second half started just like the first. The starters were half a step slow, Martell couldn't hit from the broad side of the barn and Lamarcus continued to be abused by Josh Smith. I wonder if Lamarcus has hit the Rookie wall (I know he isn't a rookie, but he missed so many games last year and wasn't a factor in quite a few others). Seeing Josh Smith in person is quite a treat. He needs work on his shot, but he really got into Aldridge's head and blocked quite a few of his shots. His hustle was great as well as evidenced by his 17 rebounds.

Martell found his stroke at the end of the third and we crept back into the game.

Fourth quarter and the white unit lead by Sergio (yes I said Sergio) took control of the game. Roy was Mr. 4th quarter with some strong drives and the game was ours to take. 3:50 seconds to go and we are up 94-87 (I think) and the fans started to leave. Yes they started to leave. Even when we were up 100-96 they were still leaving. This isn't a bad young team and they weren't playing that bad, yet they seemed to know their fate! I didn't and was having Toronto flashbacks....Atlanta ties and we are in overtime.

Travis takes over and we jump out quick. The fans in front of me were amazed at Travis. Super Trout to the rescue! But then Josh Smith rebounds like a fiend, they pull ahead and it is back and forth. When Travis got the ball, I was a bit surprised, but I knew he could do it (really I was thinking he would). He did and we win!

Stayed after the game for a bit and my son was able to get Mike Barrett and Mike Rice's autograph. Both were very gracious and commented on Sergio's strong game. We thanked them and headed home with the sweet taste of victory guiding us through the nightmare of Atlanta traffic. Another beautiful day!

Roy's lost his confidence

blazermaniac32 — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 04:45:59 -0000

So much of the game is mental and right now Brandon is a mess. I have never seen him look so lost and tentative in a game. We had decent efforts and aggressiveness from Aldridge (best game of the year on both ends), Outlaw and Rodriguez. Roy was very deferential and when he drove (other than the one slam attempt) he was ineffective. His body motion spoke volumes. My question is how does Nate and the team get Brandon out of this funk, or is it something he will have to figure out on his own? Do we run clear outs? Spread the floor and let him drive? Give him a game off? Post him up and spread the floor (that's my opinion, we never post him and he is so strong he would overpower most of the opposition and if the doubles come he could easily kick it out). We have had a few games this year where if Roy scored 15 we win. Somehow this needs to be a priority. Get Brandon involved where he can be successful!

Is Brandon hurt?

blazermaniac32 — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:55:23 -0000

This is the first game I haven't seen in total. I caught the last two minutes. Looking at stats only for this game, yet watching all of the rest of the games, I wonder, is Brandon hurt? While his rebounds and assist numbers look Kidd like, I really doubt that he had the same effect on the game that Jason does. I know his basketball IQ is extremely solid, but I am really beginning to wonder if he is hurt. I know that he is being double and triple teamed, but at the same time is he really making his teamates better? I know he can, but does he have the springs and explosion to make this happen. Is this a mental issue, a physical issue (i.e. injury) or is he just not as great as we hope (think) he is. I think (and hope unfortunately) that he is not 100%. I know he wants to do well, he means to do well, he wants his team to do well, but it isn't necessarily happening. Or is it just a sophomore slump? Or is it he doesn't have the proper teammates surrounding his talent. Please discuss and speculate.

Ok what's a realistic win total?

blazermaniac32 — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:40:21 -0000

Our confidence is obviously shot. Our talent isn't where we thought it would be. Our effort is lacking. We are young. We are being properly scouted. Now that we have seen 14 games (5-9) what is our final win total. My prediction is 26 wins. That may be generous. What is your revised prediction?