Tuesday, March 25, 2008
extreme blogging
Talk about crazy ... I'm now blogging from my blackberry. Don't know how long this will last. Blazers look good in first half. Lead wiz by 4. Raef is in. Shoot a 3.ok, raef! This has got to be better thxn last nite, worst day of the season.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Huge Run Dooms Blazers?
Suns use third quarter to break open game; maybe those poeets had something to do with it.
Down by 15 with seven minutes left; do the boys of winter have another counter run in them? That would be impressive but it might just be time to order some chicken wings.
Down by 15 with seven minutes left; do the boys of winter have another counter run in them? That would be impressive but it might just be time to order some chicken wings.
Poets Speak Loud
What do two drunk poets think of the Blazers:
"Blazers need more dribble penetration," says C. Bush.
"My favorite Blazer is William Blake," says Dan R, who went to high school with Maurice Lucas. "At least we dont have to call them the 'Trail Bozos.'"
LeMarcus slams are carrying the quarter. Team stays within six.
"Blazers need more dribble penetration," says C. Bush.
"My favorite Blazer is William Blake," says Dan R, who went to high school with Maurice Lucas. "At least we dont have to call them the 'Trail Bozos.'"
LeMarcus slams are carrying the quarter. Team stays within six.
Here Comes the Suns
Big second quarter by Suns extends lead to double digits; Blazers start to play into their fast game, lose a little control. End of quarter draws team within eight.
Shaq jars with Jack, anyone who will listen.
Roys finds himself in rare foul trouble, three so far.
If this game stays tight, watch out for even more fireworks between players. I'm starting to get the feeling that these teams don't like one another.
Slow it down (a little).
Shaq jars with Jack, anyone who will listen.
Roys finds himself in rare foul trouble, three so far.
If this game stays tight, watch out for even more fireworks between players. I'm starting to get the feeling that these teams don't like one another.
Slow it down (a little).
Physical First Quarter
Blazers match the Sun intensity and speed in high scoring first quater: 28-27. Joel and Shaq going at it; both picking up fouls. James Jones gets three-pointer the old fashioned way at end of first quarter: three free throws. Sergio in and looking good with new beard.
Shaq Also Rises
The Suns are in town and I'll be on the blog spot a little bit later. Let me know how it's going. Shaq and the Suns seem to be finding their on-court connection. This would be a nice win, so long as Mr. Diesel doesn't get inside the young guys' heads. I would pay to see Aldridge posterize the lord of trash. Big test for the guards too; I'll be watching how we deal with Nash. What's up with the 7:30 start?
Monday, March 10, 2008
Final: Cleveland 88, Portland 80
What this league needs is some kind of phony NASCAR-style rule where you get points for leading laps even if it's not the last lap.
Were that the case, the Portland Trail Blazers might have gotten more tangible rewards than they did for three quarters of commanding basketball against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Instead, the got another chapter in a familiar story. Against good teams, and without Greg Oden, the young Trail Blazers have a hard time closing the deal.
Which makes them just the opposite of LeBron James. After a somnolent first half, James set up shop high on the wing and rolled his way to a triple-double, with 24 points (15 in the second half), 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Cleveland's big men were the prime beneficiaries of the assists, as journeyman center Joe Smith finished with 18 points and forward/center Anderson Varejao finished with 16 points on 7-of-11 shots, most of them downhill.
Portland was led by LaMarcus Aldridge's 25 points, while Brandon Roy had 15. But it's the numbers you don't see there that tell the story: The rest of the club managed 40 points -- 10 points per quarter! -- and shot just 32 percent from the floor. Only Aldridge and Roy reached double figures.
Coach Nate McMillan tried staying within his rotation, which was scrambled early on by two quick first-quarter fouls on center Joel Pryzbilla. In the second half, he shuttled forwards and guards in and out in in a futile attempt to find a hot (or at least warm) hand. In so doing, he lost track of guard Steve Blake, who played a very solid three quarters and sat idly watching for the first 10 minutes of the fourth.
Still, Portland led from start until the tail end of the third quarter, and the game was tied going into the fourth period.
Were that the case, the Portland Trail Blazers might have gotten more tangible rewards than they did for three quarters of commanding basketball against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Instead, the got another chapter in a familiar story. Against good teams, and without Greg Oden, the young Trail Blazers have a hard time closing the deal.
Which makes them just the opposite of LeBron James. After a somnolent first half, James set up shop high on the wing and rolled his way to a triple-double, with 24 points (15 in the second half), 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Cleveland's big men were the prime beneficiaries of the assists, as journeyman center Joe Smith finished with 18 points and forward/center Anderson Varejao finished with 16 points on 7-of-11 shots, most of them downhill.
Portland was led by LaMarcus Aldridge's 25 points, while Brandon Roy had 15. But it's the numbers you don't see there that tell the story: The rest of the club managed 40 points -- 10 points per quarter! -- and shot just 32 percent from the floor. Only Aldridge and Roy reached double figures.
Coach Nate McMillan tried staying within his rotation, which was scrambled early on by two quick first-quarter fouls on center Joel Pryzbilla. In the second half, he shuttled forwards and guards in and out in in a futile attempt to find a hot (or at least warm) hand. In so doing, he lost track of guard Steve Blake, who played a very solid three quarters and sat idly watching for the first 10 minutes of the fourth.
Still, Portland led from start until the tail end of the third quarter, and the game was tied going into the fourth period.
4Q: Cleveland 79, Portland 76
3:25 to play.
LeBron drops a three-point bomb on the Blazers. His line, on a very quiet evening, is near triple double: 20 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds.
LeBron drops a three-point bomb on the Blazers. His line, on a very quiet evening, is near triple double: 20 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds.
It's not easy being coach
Things were sailing along for Portland until late in the third quarter. Coach Nate McMillan pulled Brandon Roy ... and the club's offensive energy seemed to go to the bench with him. The Cavs closed with a rush, and took the lead for the first time.
So in the fourth quarter, McMillan's been shuffling the lineup deck looking to recapture the magic. Steve Blake went to the bench at the start of the quarter in favor of Jarrett Jack. Jack's had some good game off the bench of late, but as of now he's 0-for-5 from the floor. Do you wait for him to get going, or bring in Blake, from whom it might be reasonably said that you've gotten everything you might expect tonight.
McMillan's also juggling the foul-prone center combination of Joel Pryzbilla and Channing Frye, though that's allowed him more chances to exploit the hot hand of LaMarcus Aldridge.
And at small forward, you've got cold, cold hands of James (1-for-6), Webster (2-for-7) and Outlaw (4-for-9).
So whaddaya do?
So in the fourth quarter, McMillan's been shuffling the lineup deck looking to recapture the magic. Steve Blake went to the bench at the start of the quarter in favor of Jarrett Jack. Jack's had some good game off the bench of late, but as of now he's 0-for-5 from the floor. Do you wait for him to get going, or bring in Blake, from whom it might be reasonably said that you've gotten everything you might expect tonight.
McMillan's also juggling the foul-prone center combination of Joel Pryzbilla and Channing Frye, though that's allowed him more chances to exploit the hot hand of LaMarcus Aldridge.
And at small forward, you've got cold, cold hands of James (1-for-6), Webster (2-for-7) and Outlaw (4-for-9).
So whaddaya do?
4Q: Cleveland 67, Portland 65
8:30 to play.
Still waiting for LeBron James to take charge ... In the meantime, Travis Outlaw rewards a very patient Nate McMillan with a couple of 15-foot jumpers from the left corner.
Still waiting for LeBron James to take charge ... In the meantime, Travis Outlaw rewards a very patient Nate McMillan with a couple of 15-foot jumpers from the left corner.
3Q: Cleveland 62, Portland 62
Cleveland cranks up some defense. There's more aggressiveness in their play, and Wally Szczerbiak continues his mysterious post-position mastery of LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge has missed just six of 16 shots, and three of those misses have come in matchups against the pudgy Szczerbiak.
The Cavs take the lead just before the end of the period, thanks to another late-quarter freeze-up by the Blazers. Their poise left when Brandon Roy went to the bench with about four minutes to go in the quarter.
The Cavs take the lead just before the end of the period, thanks to another late-quarter freeze-up by the Blazers. Their poise left when Brandon Roy went to the bench with about four minutes to go in the quarter.
3Q: Portland 53, Cleveland 45
8:42 to play.
Portland's been in command throughout the game, with the exception of a 90-second wobble at the end of the first half.
As the third quarter begins, Cleveland subs Joe Smith in at center for Ben Wallace. That leaves Cleveland woefully undermanned against the one-postman wrecking crew that is LaMarcus Aldridge tonight.
Portland's been in command throughout the game, with the exception of a 90-second wobble at the end of the first half.
As the third quarter begins, Cleveland subs Joe Smith in at center for Ben Wallace. That leaves Cleveland woefully undermanned against the one-postman wrecking crew that is LaMarcus Aldridge tonight.
It's quiet out there ...
... too quiet, like the say in the movies. LeBron James has just nine points at the half.
Idle thought
Is there another team in sports that can match Cleveland on a tattoo-to-tattoo basis? You'd have to sign Dennis Rodman to take these guys on tat-wise.
Halftime: Portland 43, Cleveland 39
They're down by four, and the score flatters the Cavs. To Cleveland fans, Portland must look like one of those Western Conference bullys, with big guys like LaMarcus Aldridge clogging the lane at both ends. (Aldridge leads all scorers with 17 points.) The Blazers are outrebounding the Cavs 22-16 ... and with the ball in Steve Blake's hands, the Blazers aren't making any mistakes.
Steve Blake, Superstar
The Blazer point guard is, at this point, putting on a clinic, or at least a half-clinic. He's bringing the ball up quickly and making the first pass decisively. He's got seven assists (out of 19 total baskets for Portland) and no turnovers. He's even knocked down a three from the top of the key.
2Q: Portland 32, Cleveland 28; 5:40 to play
Second quarter highlight so far is a flagrant foul on Blazer forward Travis Outlaw, who manages to get the palms of both hands on the head of Cav forward Devin Brown as he tried putting up a shot beneath the basket. He didn't use both hands at once, but instead reached out and got Brown twice as he hustled past trying to block the shot.
Work in progress ...
LaMarcus Aldridge seems to have gotten out of the habit of drifting outside the key and shooting jumpers. With Pryzbilla in foul trouble, he's playing some center tonight.
And he's working the inside game. Twice in three possessions, he gets great position under the basket, only to twice miss short shots against the non-legendary defense of Cleveland gunner Wally Szczerbiak.
And he's working the inside game. Twice in three possessions, he gets great position under the basket, only to twice miss short shots against the non-legendary defense of Cleveland gunner Wally Szczerbiak.
First quarter: Portland 25, Cleveland 14
James Jones ends the quarter by draining a three from the left side and putting Portland up by 11.
Streakers: LaMarcus Aldridge goes 4-for-5 in the first quarter and leads all scorers -- including that famous guy wearing No. 23 -- with 8 points.
Streakers: LaMarcus Aldridge goes 4-for-5 in the first quarter and leads all scorers -- including that famous guy wearing No. 23 -- with 8 points.
Slam dunk strategy
Interesting vignette on a Cleveland 2-on-1 following a Blazer steal. Cav guard Delonte West comes down the court with the ball. LeBron James hustles down the other side, joining him. Brandon Roy is the only defender back.
What to do? Roy has no fouls yet, so he's got a lot of options. Step toward West and the ball? Step out on West? Take the charge?
Or ... None of the above, it turns out. Roy instead opens the lane for West, sliding over to play any pass to James. It results in an easy, warm-up-drill-style layup for West.
Lazy D or Smart Play? As a superstar, James has to be expecting the ball if he hustles all the way down on a fast break. Likewise, Delonte West knows his job revolves around making LeBron happy.
So by playing the pass, Roy forces West to break out of his pre-programmed pattern for a 2-on-1. And if West goes by habit and tries to force the ball to LeBron, Roy's in position to deflect, intercept or steal.
West isn't buying, though. The easy layup makes it 13-8, Blazers.
What to do? Roy has no fouls yet, so he's got a lot of options. Step toward West and the ball? Step out on West? Take the charge?
Or ... None of the above, it turns out. Roy instead opens the lane for West, sliding over to play any pass to James. It results in an easy, warm-up-drill-style layup for West.
Lazy D or Smart Play? As a superstar, James has to be expecting the ball if he hustles all the way down on a fast break. Likewise, Delonte West knows his job revolves around making LeBron happy.
So by playing the pass, Roy forces West to break out of his pre-programmed pattern for a 2-on-1. And if West goes by habit and tries to force the ball to LeBron, Roy's in position to deflect, intercept or steal.
West isn't buying, though. The easy layup makes it 13-8, Blazers.
Good news, bad news
Very strong start for Portland against what looks for the moment like a very sluggish Cleveland team.
Sluggish except for forward Anderson Varejao, who hustled himself into position on the offensive board and drew two quick fouls on Joel Pryzbilla.
Pryz to the bench with five minutes left in the first quarter and Portland up 13-4.
Sluggish except for forward Anderson Varejao, who hustled himself into position on the offensive board and drew two quick fouls on Joel Pryzbilla.
Pryz to the bench with five minutes left in the first quarter and Portland up 13-4.
Blazers-Cavs: Starting Fives
Steve Blake G Delonte West
Brandon Roy G Devin Brown
Joel Pryzbilla C Ben Wallace
Martell Webster F LeBron James
LaMarcus Aldridge F Anderson Varejao
Brandon Roy G Devin Brown
Joel Pryzbilla C Ben Wallace
Martell Webster F LeBron James
LaMarcus Aldridge F Anderson Varejao
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Failed Comeback
What could have been one of the greatest comebacks in team history was thwarted by bonehead plays and tough officiating down the end. Alas, I guess this is what they mean by living with a young team. What's going on with LeMarcus and coach?
Game Again
I guess that Obama halftime oratory worked. Blazers back in game after strong end to third. Nineteen point lead down to six. Lid is closed for Suns.
Dumpster Diving
Down by 19, the Blazers might want to call in Obama for a halftime speech. Oh wait, he's not doing so well in Ohio.
The rim is closed for the Blazers, who continue to throw up jump shots and not attack the basket.
This could be one LONG night.
The rim is closed for the Blazers, who continue to throw up jump shots and not attack the basket.
This could be one LONG night.
Blazers v. Suns: Shaq in Town
Sorry for the delay here. Went to THE HUTCH, a nice place but they are stuck with Direct TV. No Blazers. First quarter looked ugly. Not Shaq ugly. But the boys better get their heads in the game. David Stern is in the house, touting the Blazers as good league reps. Pryzbilla v. Shaq could determine this game. Big flop from Joel gets foul on Diesel.
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