The month of March has been a continuation of the ups and downs of the months after the 16 game winning streak of January. After switching off wins and losses and dropping five in a row February, last weeks home and home series with the Clippers was a sign that though the playoffs may be off the table, the Blazers are going to finish the season strong. Friday's game, though not spectacular, was a gutty performance, and a game the Blazers, for reasons of pride alone, could not afford to lose. Saturday's game showed that though they may be almost mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, they are going to fight until the end of the season.

Pryzbilla, on Saturday, set a career high in rebounds, and may have tied the franchise record for boards in a regulation game. 

Continue reading "Two For Two"

One of the stories coming out of last night's loss to the Sonics is the blow to the Blazer's chance of a winning record. Another is the Blazer's shooting woes, something that has plagued the team all year, if they don't shoot well the don't win. With Oden coming next year, giving an inside presence that could be capable of easy baskets in the paint, that problem could be solved.

Those stories notwithstanding, the thing I think is most interesting about the game was that it is possibly the last matchup between the Seattle Super Sonics and the Portland Trail Blazers. If Seattle loses the Sonics, which is looking more and more like the inevitable, Portland will be the lone NBA team representing the North West. Having grown up a Blazer's fan and a citizen of the Pacific North West I must say that if the Sonics leave I will be sad to see them go. I never felt that the Blazers and the Sonics were rivals. Just as I've never felt that Portland and Seattle are rival towns. To be a rivalry there has to be a level of contempt between the two groups proposed to be rivals. Boston and New York is a good example of two cities that hate each other and each others sports team. Because Portland and Seattle are the only two cities of their sizes for almost two entire states, because the states are so similar, and because the cities are so different but still similar, I've always felt that Seattle and Portland were allies, not rivals. When it isn't basketball season, the only pro teams I favor are the ones from Seattle. When the Blazers are falling I've looked to the Sonics as a team to support. One of my favorite basketball players of all time is Gary Payton. He went to college in Corvallis, where I grew up, and played his best basketball in Seattle. The best player on the Blazers, Brandon Roy, grew up in Seattle, and played all of his basketball, at every level, in Seattle. If he had a choice of where to play his pro ball, I'm sure he would have chosen Seattle. The two cities and the two States they represent are linked in a way that is more in friendship than in animosity. 

Continue reading "End of the Rivalry?"

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.

Continue reading "What's Possible"

Apparently Greg Oden made an appearance at a 24 hour fitness in Tualatin and showcased some of that talent that could belong to the Blazers next season. The incident got a sweet write up on the internet, which of course made its way back to Blazer brass. Coach McMillan let Greg know that playing pick up games with hacks at a gym wasn't part of the prescribed rehab regimen. I agree, as do the many people that commented on Jason Quick's article on Oregonlive. One thing can be said about GO. He is young. He needs help coming around to what his life means now that he is a professional. I heard that when he first moved to town he was fond of throwing big parties. Obviously someone in charge let him know that sitting out a year doesn't mean that you get to party all the time. If GO learns something from this experience, which I'm sure he will, or if he doesn't it will be learned for him, it should be that everything he does from now on will be seen and scrutinized. GO belongs to the Blazers and the city of Portland. If he messes up and doesn't get to play this city will never forgive or forget. On the plus side, at least he wants to play. GO is no DMiles. We should be thankful for that.

Continue reading "Way To Go GO"

Although I was not in attendance, by reading both Oregonlive and Blazersedge, it is pretty obvious that Saturday's loss to the Charlotte Bobcats was something that doesn't need to be remembered. The good things that can be taken away from it are mentioned in the Blazersedge, so lets just say that without Brandon Roy this team is lucky when it doesn't fall apart. If the win of Washington is an example of what the Blazers are capable of without their leader, the loss to Charlotte is the same example but in the other direction. Lets hope that when GO is back Roy doesn't spend too much time on the bench. Even though he may be a great player, GO not Roy, which remains to be seen. Its obvious who the Blazers need to lead their team.

Continue reading "What Is Also Possible"