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Thursday, December 29, 2005

We played hard.

 
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The Blazers are getting serious.

The game last night was fantastic! It was as if there had been no "dead air" at all. Everyone at the Rose Garden was taken back in time to a place where basketball was fun, exciting. It was loud. It was dramatic. It was simply a good time and a good game.

The Blazers fought for rebounds, chose good shots, defended, moved the ball, moved their feet, and took the ball to the rim, over and over and over again. The Blazers wanted it more, and they got it. I don't think there is much more I can say. It was a great game.

My section won free cheeseburgers from McDonalds and we managed to fight our way through the herd to get Martell Webster bobbleheads. When we got there there were long lines at every door. We knew then it was going to be an interesting night. I don't know if the draw was the MW bobblehead or the Sixers. When they opened the doors it was like black Friday at WalMart. My stepdaughter and I managed to fight our way in and then we watched as my husband, mom and friend struggled and luckily managed bobbles from the last box. Crazy.

Anyway, all in all it was a really fun night. Everyone is hopeful. I sure liked what I saw. Now that I know they can do it, I expect to see more improved play on a regular basis. Perhaps the Blazers have turned a corner.

Blazers WIN!

 
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Great job guys!

 
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John Nash on the edge of seat.

 
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I wanna play! I wanna play!

 
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How can they do this without me?

 
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Pick and roll. Is that you Zach?

 
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This is not what I was hoping for.

 
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hustle hustle hustle

 
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Ruben back on D before anyone even looks.

 
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Where in the world is Ruben Patterson?

 
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Brick

 
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Zach getting it done.

 
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I've got you, under my skin....

 
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More paint.

 
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Blaze

 
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All Ruben, all the time.

 
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The almost slam.

 
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Face it Chris, you 're too slow.

 
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Chris, let me spell it out for you...

 
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Beating them in the paint.

 
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Point to Point

 
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Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Telfair, Blake and Dixon, a new drama?

I have to mention that the Blazers have managed 2 road wins in a row, something they haven't done in a very long time. Zach Randolph attributed recent good play to "good guard play". This would be Steve Blake and Juan Dixon, not Sebastian Telfair. Sebastian has been on the IL for a few weeks with a hurt thumb.

Sebastian is saying that he plans to return Wednesday night against the Sixer's. Nate says he wants to stick with what he is doing right now, starting Blake and Dixon. Personally, I think Sebastian's starting job is now in jeopardy. It may not seem fair but the reality is, the Blazers are now better and they are becoming consistently better. Sebastian had best be ready to fight for his job, something he hasn't had to do. I don't see it as a bad thing. There should be more of it in the NBA. We'd have better players as a result.

Also, tomorrow is Martell Webster bobblehead night. Recently Martell did a fun little chat at NBA.com. Check it out. I sure hope this kid becomes a long term Blazer.LINK
*note that this youngster is willing to earn a starting spot. He isn't expecting to have it handed to him. Travis Outlaw is the same way. In time, these will be the NBA elite players.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

From where will the focus come?

I read an article today that quoted both Theo Ratliff and Steve Blake as saying, in a nutshell, "we lost focus" and "we didn't stick to the game plan". I'd say these are keys to winning any game. If this were a once in a while situation it wouldn'tbe so bad, but how is a team of guys supposed to find a focus when they are emotionally defeated? Emotional defeat is what I refer to as "blazerized". Our guys have been put into a situation that few players would ever handle well in the short term, let alone the long term, as in a full season. How much defeat can these guys take? It goes beyond losing games. The Blazers are losing fans, losing their pride, losing hope, and yes, losing focus.

I think this is a direct result of the so-called "youth movement", the "grand experiment" if you will. John Nash, Steve Patterson, and Paul Allen have been so focused on image that they lost focus of the team. They forgot that the players are human beings. They forgot what happens to people who are continually beaten down. It has been no secret that we need to make key moves and bring in key players, players that are game ready. They have ignored this need and tinkered with trying to create a "cinderella" team by trying to save a few bucks by investing in "hopeful" talent rather than "proven" talent. Now that I think about it, I would say that these things were not forgotten but rather they were never known.

Enough is enough. Moves have to be made, they must. If for no other reason than to give the guys that are left something to focus on. With new proven players those that remain Blazers could at least spend the second half of the season focusing on getting better rather than looking back at all the losses. How do you build team pride by not sending the message to your players (and fans) that you are playing to win and not evaluating? I wish I could get what I am feeling across better, perhaps you get what I mean...

Game plan? What game plan? Playing the game knowing that you are being "evaluated"???

Monday, December 19, 2005

It's about time!

For a team that has no cohesiveness to speak of, I can not believe it has taken this long to play Dixon and Blake together. These two won an NCAA championship together for crying out loud! Nate has tried several combinations but for whatever reason last night's game against the Wizards caused him to finally allow the two Turps to start. Perhaps it was because we were playing their former team. I don't care at this point but I sure hope Nate sticks with it. Suddenly there is a calm in the storm. Of course, it is only one win, but clearly, there is a difference.

Sebastian Telfair is a nice kid, with a decent game, but he simply should not be starting. His day will come. I say let Telfair and Jack fight for the back up spot and let Blake have the starting job. He's earned it. I'd like to see the Blazers look at building their game around these two guys rather than Zach. I think using Blake and Dixon in this manner will make Zach better. I think Blake will be better at getting Zach the ball at the appropriate time. Why Dixon? I say play Dixon with Blake simply because I think it helps to have someone you "know" on the floor. This team simply does not "know" each other yet. Other combinations can come in time. Nate needs to solidify his line up and he has two clear options before him.

Saturday, December 17, 2005

Scrap Happy.

 
Is Zach lifting VK up? Posted by Picasa

Nice shot

 
Charles should see more PT. Posted by Picasa

The future.

 
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