SB Nation User Blog: bustabucket18

trades and chemistry

bustabucket18 — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:43:58 -0000

I've noticed a lot of people are saying 'no' to a trade before the deadline. Most people are saying the reason for their 'no' is because a trade would mess with the teams chemistry. My question is, how would a new player change the chemistry any more than injuries change the chemistry? When Oden missed time after opening night, the team was used to playing with joel, then Oden came back, and they had to get used to playing with him again. Then Roy went down and the team had to get used to playing more with Bayless. Then Roy returned and the team had to get used to playing with him again. Now Blake is down and the team has had to adjust to more of Sergio and Bayless. When Blake comes back and Martell comes back, the team will have to again, adjust and regain that chemistry. Now this is a lot of adjusting and rebuilding. And a lot of these guys (oden, sergio, bayless) are young inexperienced guys, which makes it even harder for the rest of the team to feel comfortable with them. Making a trade and getting used to playing with someone new wouldn't be that big of a deal.

The trade would definitely be for an experienced player, likely a veteran. Someone who could contribute towards securing a playoff spot. I don't think bringing in someone like this would throw off the chemistry any more than the numerous injuries have.
What do you think?

Luuuuuuke

bustabucket18 — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:37:06 -0000

Luuuuuuke

He's playing pretty well for the 'ol stampede. I'd love to see an NBA team pick him up again.

What is winning?

bustabucket18 — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:13:29 -0000

As this season approaches, us fans are expecting something great. We have no reason not to expect this, all the pieces seem to be falling into place. Oden is back and looking great, Blake is looking quicker and has done a lot over the summer, Channing is cut, Aldridge has bulked up, Roy will be ready in time, Rudy had a fantastic Olympics, Outlaw and Webster are expected to improve even more from last year, Bayless is coming off an MVP summer league, even Sergio is looking improved, we can expect a solid performance from Pryz and some of the other backups, and they are all good guys. Wait, what? They are all good guys!
They resemble a family, they help out in the community, they are real role models for kids, they LOVE Portland (Channing), they are humble, they put the team first, they are good family men, they are class act guys.
And we put so much emphasis and concern on how many games they will win this year, next year, and in three years. Now, there is nothing wrong with this, I do it all the time. But I started to ask myself, is winning games really what defines the success of this team? I guess by a worldly view, yes, it absolutely is. But I've got to say, the class that these guys have shown over the last few years is awesome. Say for some reason they don't have a great season (knock, knock, knock), that won't stop me at all from talking about what a truly great group of guys we have. When it comes right down to it, I would much rather have a team that works hard and are fantastic role models, than a team that wins a bunch of games, and is being seen in the strip clubs and bars and in the news for marijuana use, or dog fighting, or going to prison. I think we can all agree, that a quality group of guys is greater than a rotten group. Does winning games really even fall into the equation? If so, then we have a quality group that may end up winning a lot of games, but if not we still have a quality group of guys! We call this scenario, win-win.

Physicality

bustabucket18 — Mon, 05 May 2008 04:11:27 -0000

OH MAN! I absolutely loved the physicality of the Hornets in their series against the Mavs, as well as their first game against the Spurs. Now, I didn't watch N.O. too often during the season, but, do they always play this physical?! They are basically man handling these teams! Their tempo and their aggressiveness is outstanding, and I cannot say enough about Chris Paul, Wow. I know the refs tend to let a little bit more go in the playoffs, so maybe this physical style wouldn't really be seen during the regular season, but man it is fun to watch and I hope Portland can be this physical next year!

Is it just me?

bustabucket18 — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 03:09:34 -0000

Over the last four games that B. Roy has not played in, I haven't enjoyed watching the team as much. Now, please don't call me a fair weather fan, of course I still watch the games and root 'em on. I guess I just didn't quite realize or maybe just got used to the amount of excitement that Roy brings to the team. I know he is the best player on the team and an allstar for goodness sake, but I guess I really wasn't thinking about how great he really is. Now that he has missed a few games, I've REALLY noticed how amazing he is and the talent he brings to the team.

Has his absence opened anyone else's eyes a little wider than his amazing play has this season?

I don't think i've seen this

bustabucket18 — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 02:56:52 -0000

posted yet. This is just another reason I'm glad we got rid of Zack...How embarrassing...Did anybody see this game? I'm wondering how much Zack played in the second half. This kind of stuff makes me feel bad for the guys who work super hard in practice to make the starters better, then sit on the bench the whole game and watch Zack practice his "and1" move. Pathetic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lvYf08X6tc

pros and cons

bustabucket18 — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:12:18 -0000

So, Roy ended up playing more minutes in the all star game than we all expected. Is this a good thing, or a bad?

Roy definitely needed some rest, and didn't necessarily get it. Now, the all star game isn't as taxing as a regular season game, but I'm guessing an entire weekend in New Orleans can be. Especially when he played in two games! This hurts a little, having our number one guy not get the rest everyone else did, when he probably needed it the most.

BUT!

What does the game he had...
MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A OREB REB AST STL BLK TO PF PTS
28 8-10 2-3 0-0 1 9 5 1 1 0 2 18
...do for his confidence? Or even the teams confidence? Now, I know Brandon's confidence wasn't exactly lacking, but could a performance like he had elevate it even higher? Is the team sitting at home watching the game and saying, "wow, I knew Brandon was good, but he's one of the best on the court right now."

What do you guys think this performance does for B-roy and the team? positives and negatives

rebounding

bustabucket18 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:27:31 -0000

Are we really banking on Oden being the answer for our rebounding struggles? What if he gets two fouls in the first two and a half minutes like Pryzbilla did tonight, then what? As soon as Pryzbilla went out tonight, Dallas got 3 or 4 offensive boards in a single possession, and Mike Rice says, "that's what's going to happen without Pryzbilla.
Are you serious??
Are we really counting on one player to do all of our rebounding? I hope not. Do any of our bigs besides joel have a passion for getting a board? I wish.

To start the second quarter we start Raef in hopes of hitting the boards a little better. Really? We need to do that? Now, nothing against Raef, I know he stays in shape and plays hard, but when will we be able to count on our main guys stepping up and really hitting the boards without joel?

When we do get rebounds without Pryz in the game, it seems like it's never a solid grab, it's always someone slapping it out to someone...man I'd like to see some good solid block outs on a consistent basis from LA, Frye and Outlaw. Maybe our guys just need to get stronger...what do you think?

the nuggets will be tired

bustabucket18 — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 06:49:39 -0000

The nuggets and rockets are in double OT right now, I'm predicting a very tired Denver team tomorrow night when they face Portland. Also Camby took a hard fall, he continued to play, but he hurt his back. The announcers were saying he is going to be really sore tomorrow, so will see if that affects his play.

4 mins left, will there be a 3rd overtime? hopefully.

old blazer doctor

bustabucket18 — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 15:29:45 -0000

So, right now I work at Cherry Wood Village, a retirement/assisted living facility next to Mall 205. One of the residents there is a retired doctor, Dr. Katsumi Jim Nakadate. He told me he used to be a a doctor for the Trailblazers. Now, most of the residents there have pretty sever dementia. Though this gentleman does not, I was pretty skeptical at first. Then I asked what he did for the team, and he said he and Dr. Bucky Shields, were the team doctors and whenever a player was hurt they would take them back into the locker room. I asked when this was and he said 1974-1976, and then he said "WE WERE CHAMPIONS!" I asked him if he remembers any of the players and he said no.

Is there a list anywhere of former blazer doctors? I'm pretty sure I believe him, but you'd be amazed about what some of the residents make up. I'm only 21, but does anyone who was a blazer follower during the 70s recall ever hearing of one of those doctors?