SB Nation User Blog: two4larue

A modest proposal: Fire Mike Rice and Antonio Harvey!

two4larue — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:47:19 -0000

A modest proposal: Fire Mike Rice and Antonio Harvey!

(I originally posted this in the "Rebecca Haarlow" thread, but I had some typos to correct and, well, after reading it I'm sure most will agree that it "should've been a fanshot")

Hey, if the Blazers really want to save some money, they should rotate Batum, Outlaw, Pendergraph and Mills as color commentators alongside Barrett and Wheeler. Those injured players are just sitting there doing nothing during the games, anyway--so put 'em to work...on the air!

Just in case you were wondering...there is a precedent for this from Blazer history. Back in ‘74-'75 when Walton was often hurt and always annoying, Lenny Wilkens told him to "leave the bench area!" and go sit next to the Schonz. Dollar Bill put a radio headset on and started commenting on the game action—and a broadcasting career was born! Now, are you going to tell me that Travis Outlaw can’t do a less "horrrible" job behind the mic than Bill Walton? Nico Suave already has some parlez vous francais TV experience from the all-star game weekend, and Patty Mills has that Aussie accent and a face made for radio. By all accounts Jeff Pendergraph is well-spoken, and the Blazers could even do a "sounds of the game" segment with Dante Cunningham wearing the hidden mic on the bench and inside the huddle! (C'mon now, who doesn't want to "accidentally" overhear what Brandon and LMA are grumbling about, as they're watching the lead slip away?)

I firmly believe that a huge opportunity is being wasted, here—and I thought that those wise guys over at Blazer broadcasting were innovators? All that’s standing in the way of this new-wave in cutting-edge NBA commentary is a senile TV color guy and a blockhead ex-jock radio analyst—both of whom are just hanging on and contributing so little to the overall fan experience!

So, cut out the deadwood! Downsize. Show 'em the door! Don't we all want to hear more of Travis screaming "Oh my, ’dere go da game!!!" when Rudy drops in a last-second, game-winning bucket? And, who knows? Perhaps #25's exclamation of unbridled joy could eventually become the new signature "happy ending" slogan for Portland victories, replacing Wheeler’s "...it’s a great day to be a Blazer" and the Schonz’ "Rrrrip city baby, all right!" We're talking T-shirts. Bumper stickers. Toy basketballs. The marketing possibilities are endless!

So now, it's time to kick those old dogs over to the curb...and release the hounds!

"The Scout" is back, on Wheels at Work

two4larue — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:44:21 -0000

"The Scout" is back, on Wheels at Work

A couple of things I remember from this interview at noon was "the scout" saying that Portland is really missing Batum's defense, and he mentioned (twice) that he thought Portland's coaching staff was really good. He was also asked about KP (hypothetically) acquiring T. Prince and said that Tayshaun "wouldn't be a difference maker" for the Blazers and that Nic (when healthy) is "already a better defender than Prince"

download the podcast and have a listen, if you want

You can have everything, but everything doesn't win it all

two4larue — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:00:58 -0000

You can have everything, but everything doesn't win it all

It figures to be the undercurrent of the Blazers season: Will players be willing to make individual sacrifices to help the team reach its potential?

[Steve] Smith was a central figure on the last Blazers teams to be faced with the same question.

In his first season, 1999-2000, the talent and depth blended nicely and nearly got the Blazers to the NBA Finals.

The next season, with even more elements added, it all exploded in one of the most inglorious late-season collapses in team history.

"These Blazers remind me so much of those teams," said Smith, a shooting guard who was the second leading scorer both seasons. "It was like we were a video game: We had three point guards, three shooting guards, three of everything. Defenders. Shooters. Experience. But the thing they need to understand: You can have everything, but everything doesn't win it all."

Playing as many as 10 players means fewer minutes, and probably fewer shots, for most players in the rotation. That can often spell trouble in a variety of ways: On court chemistry is tough to establish with so many players shuttling in and out; and unhappiness with statistics easily can erode the team concept.

"When you have a deep and talented roster, you are always putting out fires," [former Blazer coach Mike] Dunleavy said. "Every game, it was like, 'OK, who hasn't gotten their numbers in a while? Or is there anybody who is having an issue? Let's get that guy off tonight.'"

Still, McMillan said he agrees the key to success this season will be whether his players will buy into the team concept.

"That's always a challenge, always a concern," McMillan said. "The way I can manage that is to communicate. My door is always open, and the players know that. I can't help you unless you tell me what's bothering you."

What? Me worry? Thin the herd KP, show us that you're a better "chemistry major" than Trader Bob

Quick talks with Miller

two4larue — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 03:46:31 -0000

Quick talks with Miller

(I'm kind of surprised that no one has mentioned this article in the last few hours. I guess everyone else has a life and hasn't been over at O-live, tonight. So far, 'Dre Miller is saying "all the right things" about not being the starting PG:)

(FWIW, my "comments" are in parentheses)

"I think I've handled it fine," Miller said. "I haven't made a big fuss about it. It hasn't affected how I practice. I mean, it's just different. I didn't think it would happen at this point of my career. I think I'm still peaking. But that's part of the business. I'm not making a big deal about it."

"I think it pretty much comes down to how well the team played last year," said Miller..."You know, they won 54 games, or however many games they won last year. So if I was a coach, I probably wouldn't want to change that either."

(Roy's take...)

"Coming into the season, a lot of people had their doubts about me and Andre, and I wondered too," Roy said. "But I didn't think it would happen right away. And that's why I'm not panicking that it hasn't happened yet, or that we haven't clicked yet. To be honest I expected it. Because we are similar. I've come to realization that I'm better with the basketball, that's my strength. And I'm looking at it, and Andre's strength is with the basketball. So, I think it will work ... I just don't know how soon."

(And Nate's way of thinking...)

"(Miller) is still trying to learn our sets and how we want to attack, and basically playing the style we play," McMillan said after Thursday's exhibition game. "I want the ball in his hands. Him creating with that ball in pick-and-roll situations. He's still getting a feel for how we want to play."

When it was noted to McMillan that Miller appeared to be one of his better players during the preseason, the coach didn't disagree.

"Yeah, he's good. He's a pro," McMillan said. "He can really help us. We want him attacking, being aggressive, and doing the things he does."

(Here's the scary part, for those of you who want to see the second "unit" running the fast break, a lot)

Miller said that idea is fine, but during the preseason he never felt an emphasis or the ability to run much. Instead, Miller said McMillan "pretty much controls how the game goes from the bench."

"The same type of style they play here, I played in Philly, but we wanted to get the ball out in transition, whereas (in Portland) it's more of a controlled tempo," Miller said. "You know, play late in the shot clock. We can (fast-break) here, but that's not the style they want to play. I played this style in college for four years, so I think I can adjust to any style, it's just going to take a bit. Then everything will be all right."

(OMG, Andre is going to run the bench unit like they're the Utah Utes!? McMillian's Jedi mind control tactics seem to be working...)

"Actually, I feel like I'm a rookie right now," Miller said. "I'm still hungry, still motivated. Just a different situation. They have a way they want to play, and I feel I can play that way. You know, Coach has made a decision and I have to roll with it."

Miller called his preseason play "decent," mainly because he felt he should be in better shape. And he said he is already over the oddity of not being an opening-night starter.

"If anything, I'm going to play," Miller said. "If I don't play, I guess there is something wrong with me, or I'm not good enough. But I'm here to contribute and help the team. I'm not here to cause conflict."

(What? Me worry?)

Quick said Outlaw is at risk of NOT being in the rotation

two4larue — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:27:07 -0000

Quick said Outlaw is at risk of NOT being in the rotation

Jason was on with Wheels and Vance this afternoon and said that Nate is trying decide between a 9 and 10 man rotation. Outlaw will have to show Nate something in the last two preseason games to be that "10th" guy. They speculated that Juwan Howard may have moved ahead of Travis as the backup PF...

Rudy had acupuncture today to relieve his back spasms, Quick now expects Rudy to either play tomorrow or in the last preseason game.

Jason's latest projected starting lineup

Blake
Roy
Batum
Aldridge
Oden

George Karl says Andre Miller is "top 7 PG"

two4larue — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 04:18:17 -0000

George Karl says Andre Miller is "top 7 PG"

Miller has also earned the praises of George Karl, who had the opportunity to coach him when he took over the Nuggets coaching position.

"For me, Andre is a wonderful point guard. I am a huge Andre Miller fan," Karl said. "I think he is a top 7 point guard in the league, and has been for many years. He is quiet and doesn't get the recognition that he deserves. I think he will be better the more familiar he gets with these players and the more familiar he gets with their offense."

When Karl became the head coach in Denver, it was Miller who helped make the transition easier for both Karl and the team.

"I have always joked that when I came to Denver in the middle of the season, my name was the head coach, but Andre Miller really coached the team for about two weeks. He called the plays. He would call plays, and I would go 'what's that?'. He knew the playbook and he knew the concepts. We ran one play tonight for Chauncey, and we called it in the 4th quarter, and he (Andre) knew it. Our guys don't even know the play and he knew it. So that's the type of quarterback and leader you have."

BT Smith's article on Travis

two4larue — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:34:14 -0000

BT Smith's article on Travis

According to Outlaw, he was told by Portland’s coaches he needs to sharpen his focus, primarily because the Blazers have so much offensive talent, and touches might be hard to come by. They reasoned that if Outlaw can add another asset to his game, he can become even more valuable to Portland — and further define his role on the team.

Steve Brandon at the Trib: Wheels versus the Schonz

two4larue — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 04:53:29 -0000

Steve Brandon at the Trib: Wheels versus the Schonz

Finally, a local writer dares to write a comparison of the pbp styles of the current and former Blazers radio broadcasters.

(My favorite quotes)

It's a matter of taste, to large extent. Listening to Schonely is like going to a Sinatra concert and an NBA game breaks out. Listening to "Wheels" is like going to a pro basketball game and WWE breaks out.

...the "marketing" plan with Wheeler is the more modern, i.e., intense: "You had to be here to believe what just happened! ... ," and here's the number to call for tickets ...

Schonely, on the other hand, comes at you more like a Little Leaguer selling cookie dough ... he makes you want to support a good cause, which in his case, is the Blazers.

Listening to Wheels, I get the feeling that when the Blazers win, it's one big party, but when they lose, the world is a cold place — or else it was just that the refs screwed the good guys or the opposing superstar got the calls or some other explanation.

With Schonely, it feels to me like, hey, we're having a good time, aren't we, and it's great to be here with you all again ... and, oh, by the way, Brandon Roy just scored and now has 16 points, how about that?

Good stuff. You need to read it all.

Saturday practice report from BT Smith: LMA and Rudy are "out" of Sunday's game

two4larue — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 03:44:14 -0000

Saturday practice report from BT Smith: LMA and Rudy are "out" of Sunday's game

Lot's of good stuff that's not up at O'live.

Blazers guard Rudy Fernandez (back spasms) and forward LaMarcus Aldridge (knee contusion) will miss Sunday's game according to the team. Both are listed as day-to-day.

Fernandez, who missed Thursday's game against the Utah Jazz and did not travel with the team, watched Saturday's practice from the bench. Aldridge did not practice Saturday, either.

McMillan on Aldridge:

He's got a sore knee; right on that patella. It was sore in the Utah game.

On when Aldridge injured the knee:

He fell on the floor two games prior to that, and that's when he hurt it. I think there's — I don't know if there's much swelling — but there's a lot of soreness there. So, he didn't go today and he won't go tomorrow.

There's another article and video where Nate talks about uptempo style versus turnovers. Check it out

http://columbian.com/article/20091017/BLOGS05/910179990/-1/BLAZERBANTER

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2371636

Has Comcast blocked the Blazers' plan to stream games?

two4larue — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 23:30:07 -0000

Has Comcast blocked the Blazers' plan to stream games?

Canzano's article seems to indicate that they have!

"People in large areas of Oregon still can’t get the games. Throw in that Comcast SportsNet blacked out the Blazers games on DirecTV’s NBA season pass. Throw in, too, that the regional network blocked a plan to have the Blazers games delivered over the internet."

Is that BIG news, or just old news that John is rehashing? Somebody needs to email Sarah Mensah and get to the bottom of this