Brandon Roy goes out in the first half, LaMarcus Aldridge doesn't play, Portland blows out the playoff bound Washington Wizards. Without their two top players, playing against a surging team, tonight's game could have easily been a give away. Instead the bench stepped up and not only got the win, but got it convincingly.
The Blazers have to win out to make the playoffs, and with upcoming games against Houston, San Antonio, and Los Angeles, it is unlikely that they will get one of the top eight spots. That said, next season is on everyone's mind. Tonight's game was a good example of what is possible in the next few years. Imagine Webster getting 23, Outlaw 20, Pryzbilla pulling in 17 boards, and Roy, Aldrige, and Greg Oden also playing. Its unlikely that the Blazers will need their role players to step up every night next season, but its got to be comforting for Coach McMillian to know that when his best players are out his second string can get the job done. Imagine how he feels knowing what's coming next season.
My player of the game: Raef LaFrentz. 19 mins. played, 3 blocks, 7 rebounds, and six points, two on a dunk that brought the crowd to its feet and the Blazer bench onto the court. James Jones also had some good minutes. He hasn't had the same stroke since his injury, but the more he shoots the better he gets. Of the players that the Blazers need to keep going forward, Jones is at the top of my list.
