SB Nation User Blog: blazermaniac32

Serious Question for Serious Times (oh what the heck, make it fun!)

blazermaniac32 — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:03:14 -0000

Yes I get that Oden is hurt. Yes I get that he covers up a lot of our weaknesses. But prior to his injury we weren't playing well. We continued that trend tonight. Is this post a reaction to this game? No, it is more a reaction to how we have been playing the whole season. Here is my main question: Why aren't the Blazers as fun to watch this year as they have been over the past three years?

Is it our expectations? Is it the injuries? Is it coaching? Is it integrating new players? Is it a combination of all of the above or something else?

Here is the secondary question if you are up for it: If you were a GM/coach what would you do to right the ship (if you think it needs it)? There are a ton of thoughtful posters out here and I would love to hear your thoughts (and not just bench Blake or start Miller unless of course you think that will fix the problem and then how would it fix the problem).

Might be kind of fun to put yourself in Nate or Kevin's shoes.

Brandon Roy 9th in MVP voting

blazermaniac32 — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:58:54 -0000

Brandon Roy 9th in MVP voting

Top ten!

Pictures from Portland/Atlanta game

blazermaniac32 — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:32:10 -0000

Travis and Bayless

A bit blurry but good to have him back! We were excited to see him warm up!

The tender side of Bayless

This is how his jump shot looked all night.....should have seen it coming.

JOEY! Temper temper.......

Unfortunately with a low end camera, these were the best of the bunch. The videos he shot were much better. Tried to get some kick pix but they all were too blurry to publish.

Not much of a crowd and saw about another 10-15 Blazer fans prior to the game. Mike Barrett shook all of our hands and remembered us from last year's Atlanta game (or at least he lied about it to make us feel good, either way all good for us!).

Funny moment prior to the start of the game. I assume you can do this at the Rose Garden as well, but they allow you to text messages to the scoreboard that are replayed. Well one of the text message was as follows:

" The lady in purple directly under the scoreboard is hott". The spelling is verbatim.

Any guesses?

Wrote up a little blurb in Dave's recap about game observations.

Better luck next year I hope!

I don't care about the playoffs

blazermaniac32 — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 04:46:23 -0000

Why even bother? To get experience? Too experience a 4-0 sweep or 4-1 shellacking? Not for me.

What I want is a team that can compete in a playoff. How can we compete? By forcing Greg to be the player that he can be. By getting him the ball. By centering the offense around him. By letting him foul out in games. By letting him learn to play by PLAYING him. I don't care if we lose now and don't make the playoffs as long as we are developing Greg. What is happening now certainly isn't helping him nor our team. It's time to get him 10 touches a half. It's time to let him play in the first half. Don't pull him until he has three fouls. Play him in the second half until he picks up five. Play him the last six minutes after that. Give him 10 more touches down low in the second half. Let him make turnovers. Let him get his shot blocked.

Let him play.

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....