BLAZERS DEFEAT SONICS!
What a GREAT game! Exciting. I am very pleased with the Blazers this morning. I have purposely stayed away from the news and have not read any other blogs or statements regarding the game. I wanted to make my remarks based on my own observations.
1. IME UDOKA. I think this guy is a difference maker. When he snagged that missed free throw, he won my heart.
2. TRAVIS OUTLAW! Travis is all grown up and I want to see him on the floor a lot. The kid hustles and makes good decisions.
3. BRANDON ROY. Fun fun fun player to watch. Great D on Ray Ray and sweet feet to the basket. He seriously could mature into a really fine player.
4. JUAN DIXON. I think this group of guys may be a great environment for Juan. He seemed relaxed and let the shots come to him. I hope to see more of this and less desperation shooting.
5. ZACH RANDOLPH. I saw a more mature player last night. Zach still made some mistakes but overall he played a fine game. If the Blazers can win some games like this I can see where a healthy respect can develop between Zach and his team mates, something we have yet to see. If we do, we will see a new Zach Randolph and perhaps, I say perhaps, the all-star we have hoped we'd see.
6. JOEL PRZYBILLA. Where was he? Sorry, but he needs to step it up.
7. JAMAAL MAGLOIRE. Better than expected. Had some nice blocks!
8. JARRETT JACK. JJ is getting better and I am comfortable with him running the point. I'd prefer to keep him as our starting PG rather than Roy (if that is something they are considering, I don't know). Good rebounding and good assists. Solid.
9. MARTELL WEBSTER. I can't help but wonder how his back injury has affected him. Would he have started without it? He did well in the few minutes he played and nailed his trademark 3. I'm anxious to see how he does this year.
10. RAEF LAFRENTZ. He is still a stranger to me. He moved well.
Last night's game was exciting and certainly got my attention. I am very proud of the Blazers and I know this win will pump up the fans. How lucky were the Blazer fans that were at Key Arena? I needed a shot of Blazermania and I got it. It's been a long time since being a Blazer fan was fun. For right now, I am enjoying every minute of it. I toted all my bobbleheads to work today and have them all standing proud. I'm still waiting for a certain Sonic fan to come to our office. Yes, this is what makes basketball fun. I hope it continues all season long.
What if the Blazers had lost? Of course it wouldn't be the same but there is one thing to note. When the Blazers were down in the 4th, they did not give up. This is what makes this win so great. Last year, we would not have won this game. Free throw shooting, playing smart, remaining cool, and staying the course the coach has set, all these things have been missing from Blazer basketball. Last night may well have been a rebirth of Rip City. Overly optimistic? Perhaps, but certainly possible. Hey, we snagged a game against the Sonics. IT MATTERS! Rivalries are good things and we are up 1-0!
I'm looking forward to a MUCH better season than last.
GO BLAZERS!
1. IME UDOKA. I think this guy is a difference maker. When he snagged that missed free throw, he won my heart.
2. TRAVIS OUTLAW! Travis is all grown up and I want to see him on the floor a lot. The kid hustles and makes good decisions.
3. BRANDON ROY. Fun fun fun player to watch. Great D on Ray Ray and sweet feet to the basket. He seriously could mature into a really fine player.
4. JUAN DIXON. I think this group of guys may be a great environment for Juan. He seemed relaxed and let the shots come to him. I hope to see more of this and less desperation shooting.
5. ZACH RANDOLPH. I saw a more mature player last night. Zach still made some mistakes but overall he played a fine game. If the Blazers can win some games like this I can see where a healthy respect can develop between Zach and his team mates, something we have yet to see. If we do, we will see a new Zach Randolph and perhaps, I say perhaps, the all-star we have hoped we'd see.
6. JOEL PRZYBILLA. Where was he? Sorry, but he needs to step it up.
7. JAMAAL MAGLOIRE. Better than expected. Had some nice blocks!
8. JARRETT JACK. JJ is getting better and I am comfortable with him running the point. I'd prefer to keep him as our starting PG rather than Roy (if that is something they are considering, I don't know). Good rebounding and good assists. Solid.
9. MARTELL WEBSTER. I can't help but wonder how his back injury has affected him. Would he have started without it? He did well in the few minutes he played and nailed his trademark 3. I'm anxious to see how he does this year.
10. RAEF LAFRENTZ. He is still a stranger to me. He moved well.
Last night's game was exciting and certainly got my attention. I am very proud of the Blazers and I know this win will pump up the fans. How lucky were the Blazer fans that were at Key Arena? I needed a shot of Blazermania and I got it. It's been a long time since being a Blazer fan was fun. For right now, I am enjoying every minute of it. I toted all my bobbleheads to work today and have them all standing proud. I'm still waiting for a certain Sonic fan to come to our office. Yes, this is what makes basketball fun. I hope it continues all season long.
What if the Blazers had lost? Of course it wouldn't be the same but there is one thing to note. When the Blazers were down in the 4th, they did not give up. This is what makes this win so great. Last year, we would not have won this game. Free throw shooting, playing smart, remaining cool, and staying the course the coach has set, all these things have been missing from Blazer basketball. Last night may well have been a rebirth of Rip City. Overly optimistic? Perhaps, but certainly possible. Hey, we snagged a game against the Sonics. IT MATTERS! Rivalries are good things and we are up 1-0!
I'm looking forward to a MUCH better season than last.
GO BLAZERS!
posted by KJM at 10:02 AM
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