SB Nation User Blog: ericande

Who is Roy going to endorse in the draft?

ericande — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:54:25 -0000

Who is Roy going to endorse in the draft?

Yesterday on Wheels at Work, Wheels alluded to a PF in this year's draft that Roy has been trying to convince the Blazers need to pick up. Any chance it's not Jon Brockman? I know we had a fanpost on Brock before and the general thought was the community didn't want him, but does Roy's(hypothetical) endorsement change that? This is the same vouching for Batum, that worked out well.

Link to video

ericande — Sun, 03 May 2009 06:12:05 -0000

Link to video

Anyone have the link to the video clip of B-roy's sick fadeaway on Battier in game 6? I can't find it...

Revised expectation = Unrealistic expectations?

ericande — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:47:19 -0000

Revised expectation = Unrealistic expectations?

p(. Before the season started, most fans were expecting somewhere between 47-52 wins and a 7th or 8th seed. Few people expected us to win more games then that or win a playoff series. The team takes us by surprise and not only wins 54 games but secures homecourt advantage. Despite that homecourt advantage, we draw the Rockets which is was the team generally regarded as our second toughest matchup behind the Lakers. Sure enough, we're down 3-1 and now there are criticisms all around. Is this team the subject of unfair expectations or failing to play to their ability and deserve the criticism? I see this kind of thing happen all the time in sports. For example, Coach Romar at UW took the Huskies to 3 straight tourney appearances and then the next two years we finished in the bottom third of the conference for two years. A portion of the fanbase started calling for his head. Last year he surpassed expectations and won the conference. This team has gone from 21 to 32, 41 and how 54 wins in consecutive years. First playoff game they are clearly playing scared and get blown out. Since then, they won convincingly at home (a late flurry of 3's made it look closer but the game was pretty much over,) and lost two games on the road at Houston by a combined total of 4 points. Regardless of what happens this series I'm excited about our prospects. I believe the faults with this team are obvious and if those are corrected, the Blazers will see the WCF next year. -Oden needs stop fouling, I'd like to see him play 30-32 minutes a game next year. If he gets that time, he'll be effective. -Late game lineup needs to be shifted if Blake & Outlaw are going to make silly mistakes. I like our 'big' lineup with Roy and Rudy as our guard and either Martell or Batum at SF. -LA needs to play the game in clutch situations and not think too much about his shot. I'd also like to see him be more aggressive. I think those three things will be better next year. Blazers will win about. 60 games and have playoff experience. Watch out league.

Cross your fingers for me!

ericande — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 07:19:33 -0000

Cross your fingers for me!

I'm THIS CLOSE (I'm holding up two fingers, very close together) to landing a press pass for Tuesday's game. Hmmm.... stay at home watching the game on TV here in Seattle or drive down to Portland with an up close and personal, all-access ticket to watch the game in person! I find out Monday afternoon if I get it.... I'm nervous..... (PS, I promise to supply as many high quality photos as possible for your viewing pleasure if I get it!)

Latest Simmon's podcast - picks Blazers to win in 5

ericande — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 01:02:34 -0000

Latest Simmon's podcast - picks Blazers to win in 5

Joe House, his favorite NBA fan, picked the Blazers in 7

B-Roy show on KJR today

ericande — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:39:19 -0000

B-Roy show on KJR today

Starts at 11:08am. You can go to the link to listen live when it starts. It'll be up on i-tunes and b-roy's site and all that I'm sure later today.

New 'Behind the locker door'

ericande — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:27:07 -0000

New 'Behind the locker door'

Later than usual, think people wanted it reviewed first this time?

Either way, good stuff.

A second look at Nate

ericande — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:11:28 -0000

Back at the end of November I wrote a fan-post looking at what Nate has done here based on the results we can see so far rather than trying to be subjective about his in-game decisions. For me, it's hard to judge a coach unless you are involved with the team so I say "show me the wins." When I wrote the fanpost, I suggested we'd see 51 or 52 wins and now it looks like 54 is most probable.

Here's what I wrote at the beginning of my last post:

It seems (at least after every loss) the criticisms come out and the biggest target is Nate's coaching (unless of course it's Outlaw...) Living in Seattle I assumed this was mostly message board banter as these types of environments typically have a lot of off the cuff type remarks and pretty extreme opinions. But I'm down here in the Portland area visiting some family and catching up with friends and I hear more criticism in person then I do on the boards, everything from his game decisions to player development. It seems many people would be fine with seeing him replaced (although they have no subsitute in mind.) I've always thought Nate was a great coach and thought I'd do some research to see what I could find.

I just got back from another weekend in Portland and I still heard some criticism but not nearly as much. I still find some decisions he makes being different from what I'd hoped he do during games but I'm more convinced then ever that Nate has done an amazing job and is the perfect coach to teach our young team. KP and the players get a high praise as well but Nate is the teacher and I feel like he's guiding the team along a specific path that is working out perfectly.

Here's my previous post: http://www.blazersedge.com/2008/11/29/675142/results-based-judgements-m

Have you changed your mind about Nate either way in the last few months?

Poll

Is Nate the right coach?

Yes, now and forever

82 votes

Yes, but maybe not in a year or two

23 votes

Not my choice but I can deal with it

3 votes

No, we need to look at other options next year

0 votes

108 votes | Poll has closed

Seattle fans: Game viewable tonight?

ericande — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 17:28:29 -0000

Seattle fans: Game viewable tonight?

Anyone know if the game on NBAtv will be viewable for us Comcast subscribers in Seattle? I thought the Blazer games on that channel were blocked out but my buddy said the last one was on. Gotta know if I can record it or need to be home to stream the game!

Brian Wheeler on KJR

ericande — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:00:29 -0000

Brian Wheeler on KJR

I doubt most people outside of Seattle have heard about this but Wheeler is on KJR with Mitch in the morning every few weeks for a segment (he used to work at KJR.) They discuss some Blazer news but also talk a lot about how Wheeler personally is doing (his whatever-band surgery.) You may have to scroll down to find it.