Wish you were here!

 












It's a good thing we have a microwave!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

2 words: Sergio Rodriguez

Surge-e-oh!

My goodness! Never mind the loss. How about 8 assists and 1 steal in 12 minutes of play!?!

Why has this kid been parked on the bench? I can hardly believe what Sergio Rodriguez did last night in such a short amount of time. From what I am hearing this is no fluke and something that he can do on a regular basis. This guy could easily be better than Steve Nash and it won't take him long to get there. Behind the back passes. No look passes. Quickness. Oh my!

I am really hoping to see Nate use Sergio much more tonight. I don't know how he could refrain from doing so. I think everyone is wanting to see more of what they saw last night.

It's something that it took garbage time to find this treasure. Wow. More please!

The Prophet Speaketh...

Once again, here is a word from our guest blogger, Blazer Prophet:

What a future this team has!

A brief synopsis of the leading characters follows:

PG: Jarrett Jack (age 23)- To be sure he has a ways to go and will learn a lot from Dan Dickau, but his strength & tenacity alone will make him a steady leader for years to come. I’m also very comfortable having Dickau around to mentor him.

SG: Brandon Roy (age 22)- What can be said that hasn’t already been said? Mature beyond his years and hasn’t a true weakness. He can be backed up by Martell Webster.

SF: Martell Webster (age 20, in a few weeks)- He’s still rough, but will be a star for years to come in the NBA. Like Jack, he’s a year or two away from building consistency, but his future is as bright as any young player in the NBA. Udoka & Outlaw are capable reserves.

PF: LaMarcus Aldridge (age 21)- To be sure, as soon as we can trade Zach, we will. Period. Aldridge has one of the top wing spans in the NBA, can leap like a gazelle, has a nose for the ball and has a deft touch on his shots. Add a few pounds of muscle and he will be an all-star PF.

C: Joel Pryzbilla (age 27): A perfect compliment. He can plug up the middle, block or alter shots and actually can score inside 12 feet if need me. Understands the pick & roll to boot.

All the above players are good examples on the court as well as off. Roy, Webster & Aldridge will most likely be all-stars. If they stay together and healthy, this will be a formidable line-up for about 10 years and could provide more than a few championship runs. I truly believe Patterson/Nash/Pritchard/Nate have set in motion the makings of a genuine dynasty.

The Blazers and the Quest for Victory

I am impressed! The shorthanded Blazers beat the Lakers and they beat them squarely. The one thing that stands out to me is the change in fourth quarter play. Repeatedly now I have watched the Blazers execute down the stretch. They are making critical free throws and critical plays. When they've been beaten it hasn't been because of lack of effort. There is a tangible focus with these guys and it's impressive. The Blazers are proving how deep they are. Injuries have the team down to 10 usable players and they are still playing strong. This team has the potential to be scary and I think it's awesome.

Kudos to Zach Randolph. This is the Zach we want to see. I think being around "good guys" is bringing out the good in Zach. Let's face it, Zach is not a leader, he is a follower. This is quite alright, as long as he follows the right people. Right now, I think he is.

It's going to be very interesting to see how Nate manages the team once the injured guys are ready to play again. How guys that end up back on the bench respond will also be a factor in what type of team we will eventually have. I'm hoping that everyone accepts their role graciously.

GO BLAZERS!


The Blazer's efforts in the face of multiple injuries brought to mind a movie scene that has always been a favorite. How many of you remember the Black Knight in Monty Python's "Quest for the Holy Grail"? It still makes me laugh. Keep up the fight Blazers, no matter what! I've a feeling you just might win more than you lose.

This is just for fun. There is a bit of "language" in this clip.

Has Rip City Returned?

WOW! How about the Blazers? Has "Rip City" returned? It sure seems so from where I stand. At least for now. This is a team that fans are quickly learning to love.

What a show they have been putting on! Winning the home opener against Minnesota after being down the whole game has left the fans drooling for more. Suddenly, Blazer tickets are not so easy to come by.

If this pandemonium is to continue, a win over the Lakers on Wednesday is a must. If we fail, the Sonics will have one over us. We can't have this. The Blazers have had the Laker's number for a few years now, I hope our new bunch can keep the tradition going. I am sure if Kobe senses trouble, say, a young guy by the name of B-Roy, he will retreat to his bench whining about his knee. It should prove to be quite a show.

However, I do have a gripe.

Don't get me wrong, I am as excited about Brandon Roy as the next person. However, I am unhappy with Nate's routine of taking Jarrett Jack out and moving Roy to the point. How is this going to build confidence in JJ? I see his face in the 4th and it pains me. Let him be a part of it, he's earned it. I do not like letting Brandon be everything and Jarrett be nothing. I think Brandon needs to spend a bit more time on the bench or they both need to be on the floor. I just don't like it.

OK, that's it for now.

GO BLAZERS!

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!