SB Nation User Blog: tweener

I'm sleeping with the enemy

tweener — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:35:44 -0000

I'm a bloodthirsty blazer fan. After seeing Rudy crash into the standard I was screaming for the camera to pan up so I can see someone, anyone bust Ariza in the face. That isn't what this post is about though. While I was seething, my wife kept asking

who is number 5? He is such a nice guy. Did you see how he went right to check on Rudy. He was really concerned! Oooooh there is #5 again keeping them from fighting. What is his name. Farmar?! He is really nice. Is he good?

When we got home I put the kids to bed and then rushed downstairs to get on Bedge as I'm still way amped up about the game/assault. She comes downstairs and tries to talk about the game with me. Realizing that she has taken a strong interest in it I listen:

That #5... what was his name again? He was really nice. I like him.

At this point I do admit that, yes that was really classy.

Tonight I let her know that a friend backed out of going to the 4-10 LA game with me. She wants to go and then informed me that she is going to root for the Blazers and Farmar. I say whatever. She follows by informing me that she

POSTED ON HIS BLOG

Now I do love my wife, but can I let this go? See poll or comment below. I'm torn between my sworn allegiance to hate all things L*ker and totally agreeing with her.

Poll

Can you overlook your hatred of LA and respect or even root for Jordan Farmar?

I don't care if he is Sully the pilot if he is a L*ker I hate him

23 votes

He was just scared of Frye and Outlaw and stayed out of it until it was safe

13 votes

Yes. It was a natural reaction from a compassionate guy.

92 votes

Pritchard must trade for him before the L*kers turn him into an arrogant preening pompous dirtbag

19 votes

Your wife shouldn't be allowed into the Rose Garden.

37 votes

184 votes | Poll has closed

Who is coaching Greg Oden?

tweener — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:26:42 -0000

PLAYER	FG %	T0'S PER 48	FOULS PER 48	MINUTES /GM.
Greg Oden	48.3	3.9	7.9	22.1
K. Perkins	56.0	4.1	6.2	27.9
Al Horford	53.3	2.3	4.4	31.9
E. Okafor	59.3	2.9	4.5	33.9
Ben Wallace	46.8	1.1	2.8	23.4
Erick Dampier	62.1	2.2	5.7	21.1
Nene Hilario	63.3	2.6	5.3	32.6
Kwame Brown	54.9	3.1	6.9	15.5
Biedrins	54.3	3.2	5.5	33.8
Yao Ming	52.4	3.9	4.3	34.0
Nesterovic	50.3	2.2	5.1	23.4
Chris Kaman	57.1	3.7	4.3	35.5
Bynum	55.4	2.6	4.8	29.7
Marc Gasol	55.2	3.6	5.4	29.0
Bogut	53.3	4.1	5.7	31.1
Brook Lopez	47.4	2,7	5,6	26.9
T. Chandler	57.0	1.9	5.5	32.1
D. Howard	57.2	3.6	3.9	37.5
S. Dalembert	45.1	2.6	5.9	25.7
Shaq	58.8	3.3	6.0	27.4
Pryzbilla	81.4	2.2	7.1	23.3
Tim Duncan	52.5	3.2	3.4	52.5
Javale McGee	49.6	1.8	6.5	18.4

AVERAGE	52.6	2.9	6.1	28.3

I looked at 22 of Greg's contemporaries. I was somewhat satisfied with big GO's play until I realized that the numbers tell a startling story.

FG% 48.3

20th out of 23. Only Ben Wallace, Sam Dalembert and Brook Lopez shooting worse. All those missed dunks and blocked shots explain these numbers. We all know that the blocked shots come from showing and holding the ball while he gathers himself unless he gets a predictable jump hook blocked.

Turnovers per 48 minutes

21st out of 23. Only Kendrick Perkins and Andrew Bogut are worse. Stripped balls, shuffling feet and offensive fouls are the story here with a few moving screens. Again he is showing the ball getting stripped on the double team and also regularly clearing out with his left elbow.

Fouls per 48 minutes

23rd out of 23. How many times is he going to stick his arm horizontally out and allow an offensive player to jump into him for the easy and unnecessary foul?

Minutes per game.

20th out of 23. I don't really have a big issue with this. The knee surgery and high fouls are reasons.

Solutions? Well this post may seem negative, but I'm not feeling down about it. So many of these issues are fundamentals that can be taught easily and learned with time. I know big Mo Lucas is out with serious health issues and may return this year. Thing is, we cannot wait for a legit big man coach to work daily with Greg exclusively. This is the year for him to learn and make good habits. I like our coaches, but Nate is a point guard, Monty a guard-forward, Dean a zone and X&O guy, Townsend a shooting coach & Mo Lucas get well soon!.

KP, Nate and Mr. Allen please get another big man coach in there!

via sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Blazer Missionary (I need your help)

tweener — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:05:56 -0000

It may have been the crushing 39 point loss or the infiltration of soft euros. Possibly the taste of Shaq's rear in Kobe's mouth was too much. Maybe Wilt, Magic and Kobe's infidelities finally were enough for this loyal family man. As a general sports fan living in Oregon, the Blazers are unavoidable. They are the only big time game you can see in person. They are making brilliant moves with fantastic likeable young talent. Maybe it was the last 12 months of riding my longtime friend & lifelong laker fan that did it. Whatever it was....... a bona fide laker fan has heard the message and accepted the gospel of blazer basketball!

Before you write this off as another fair weather casual Laker fan following the fair weather...

Please consider the following:

He was born in Magic's rookie year and rooted for every laker team he can remember
He is going against father, brother & cousin(all laker fans)
He has been to Laker playoff games in Portland, Minnesota & LA
He is a former all state forward in Oregon (Class 2A) that knows and loves basketball

I NEED YOUR HELP HERE

To consumate this properly I will be drafting a Declaration of Blazer Devotion that I will ask him to sign. He has already agreed to turn over his powder blue Kobe # 8 jersey for my creative disposal. I invite your suggestions on the Declaration and jersey disposal. I will take video of the jersey disposal and post it here for your enjoyment. A big thanks to anyone who has ideas to help with the big day.

UPDATE The powder blue Kobe jersey has been turned over to my possession until the time of it's demise.

Local Radio Talking Blazers out Their Rumps

tweener — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 05:56:12 -0000

I've about had it with Big Suke & Ropp from 1080 the fan. Today they blathered on for 20 minutes about how dangerous it is for "bloggers" to have media credentials to be in the locker room. Their point is that soon the Blazers will be letting just anybody in and that Bloggers cannot be trusted to use good judgement in reporting. I couldn't help thinking that this must be directed squarely at our very own Ben Golliver.... and that really ticked me off.

1080's recent offenses to Blazer's Edge:

Fired Gavin Dawson

Describe watching BROY All Star game as torture

Only Blazer news and original thoughts come from Jason Quick

Everytime they talk Blazers it seems to be a regurgitation of something I've already heard(and that they may have read here)

Focus on NFL & MLB in a basketball market

They carry every friggin Mariner Game

Define a blogger as someone who writes from their mothers basement

I applaud the Blazers organization for allowing Blazer's Edge the access to the team and Ben for doing it(probably for little or no compensation). I was a little surprised when Ben was introduced with media credentials, but I have only liked our players more as a result of his inside reporting. Seriously, who is going to dislike James Jones because we learned that he watches Dragontales with his kids?

Cmon 1080... it sounds like you are threatened... or you feel that now your credentials are less special because a blogger shares the same access?? The only way you can make it right for me is to get Dave back on the Radio as a regular guest. That was so much fun hearing Dave talk with Gavin on the radio.

Thanks Ben for representing us well & please keep it up.

Worst Basketball Analogy Ever

tweener — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:59:36 -0000

This is from my lovely wife of all people. I was bemoaning the Blazers 9 of 12 and 5 straight losses. Then I was talking about how great it was when they were 25-16.

She compared the Blazers season to the infamous cough-fart.

Now the cough-fart as I understand it is this:

You have enormous.... pressure that needs to be released and you have the idea to make a loud cough while simultaneously making the necessary emission. The infamous cough-fart is when the loud cough is mis-timed so that everybody turns to observe who is coughing so loudly and then a humongous fart happens.

Essentially she meant that the Blazers played so well (loud cough) that they received a lot of attention and proceeded to fall out of the playoff race (big out of control fart).

I apologize to the classy among us, but since my wife is becoming more interested in the Blazers I had to share.

Rudy Tootie..... I just don't get it

tweener — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 08:12:05 -0000

By my estimation over 70% over the blazersedge community is expecting Rudy Fernandez to be a significant contributor next year.

Of course I hope he will be a great player, but I don't expect it. Here are my concerns:

He is very thin with a narrow frame. He is hyped as a great finisher based on his youtube highlight reel. I don't think he will get the easy open court dunk opportunities. He won't be able to strongly finish in the NBA. When he dunks he usually gathers and then uses both hands. He needs a fastbreak or alley oop to finish and we are not headed to that style of play.

His shooting. I really have no idea what his stats are. My concern is that his shot is different each time and he will struggle to consistently hit set shots. I am guessing he is a streak shooter.

Management, Media and fans are all buying in. What am I missing about Rudy. I hope you can convince me, because I would like to share in the hugely optimistic future getting even better.

Poll

What do you expect of Rudy in 08?

10 minutes per game

23 votes

Immediate star he will win the rookie of the year over Oden

0 votes

NBDL

2 votes

Will start & play great alongside Brandon Roy

10 votes

Pritchard won't bother to clear a roster spot for him

1 votes

Super sub

34 votes

Tweener, you deserve a kick in the onions

4 votes

Will earn consistent playing time by the middle of the year

52 votes

126 votes | Poll has closed

The wife is a blazer fan

tweener — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:04:11 -0000

The biggest difference for me this year is how the wife enjoys the games with me. Now, the wife has no interest in sports and generally prefers that I do something productive with my time.

Last year Z-bo had a game winning shot... she didn't care. This year Travis hits the game winner & she almost dropped the baby while hollering. This change for her is that we have likable players.

I've got a long ways to go before she joins blazersedge, but I also never thought I would come home to see her watching the pre-game show.

Poll

Is your spouse a blazer fan?

No

14 votes

I've never asked if they are ... the game is on don't distract me

5 votes

They are from southern cal and a L*akers fan

0 votes

Ummmm.... I live with my parents still

8 votes

They are a bigger fan than me

5 votes

My blazersedge addiction was the final straw in the marriage

1 votes

They root for the blazers to support my interest

33 votes

66 votes | Poll has closed

Is Steve Blake helping or hindering us?

tweener — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:55:42 -0000

Many of us argue that Steve Blake helps us by not hurting us. When he is shooting 30% on wide open threes that is the difference between winning & losing these close games.

I'm afraid he is always wide open because the defense just isn't that worried about him. Because they aren't worried about him they are shutting down the lane.

I expect that Blake will start shooting a little better. My big concern is that he will never draw the defense and therefore he hinders our offense. Am I underrating his great ability to run our offense? I'd love to hear some other options because our offense is somewhat pathetic over the last 7 games.

Right now Blake is hindering us. I hope he can recover and play well enough to not hurt us. I don't think he has the potential to be a difference maker for the future.