The OFFICIAL PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS 2009 PLAYOFFS THREAD
- Thread starter SouthernComfort
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need to do work tomorrow!!! we played a good game. i liked seeing rudy get big minutes. there is talk in the nate mcmillan circles tossing around the idea of starting rudy over batum, and sliding Broy to the 3. i dont think i like that idea, especially down in houston. dont like it cause that means roy would have to take artest on the defensive end, and we cant have him getting any early fouls. i say do the same thing we did last night, batum plays half the first quarter, and bring rudy in bout the 6 minute mark again.
there is all this talk about which team has more pressure on them, and im pretty sure that both teams are feeling some amount of pressure. i would say that houston has to be feeling it a bit more, cause of the past playoff experiences, yao not getting out of the first round and what not. but then again they are the ones who have 2 shots at advancing, we need both to move on. i just think that both teams are feeling the pressure and its going to be another grind it out, slug-fest, that this whole series has been in game 6.
Said Joel after last night "you could tell they were tired in the 4th, playing every other night is wearing on them, us being younger is showing, we might have a bit more energy, more bounce in our step, I'm not tired, and I know all the guys in this locker room aren't tired, we are going to keep having fun, and keep this rolling"
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/04/postgame_videoblazers_88_rocke.html
RIP CITY REVIVAL
there is all this talk about which team has more pressure on them, and im pretty sure that both teams are feeling some amount of pressure. i would say that houston has to be feeling it a bit more, cause of the past playoff experiences, yao not getting out of the first round and what not. but then again they are the ones who have 2 shots at advancing, we need both to move on. i just think that both teams are feeling the pressure and its going to be another grind it out, slug-fest, that this whole series has been in game 6.
Said Joel after last night "you could tell they were tired in the 4th, playing every other night is wearing on them, us being younger is showing, we might have a bit more energy, more bounce in our step, I'm not tired, and I know all the guys in this locker room aren't tired, we are going to keep having fun, and keep this rolling"
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazersbeat/2009/04/postgame_videoblazers_88_rocke.html
RIP CITY REVIVAL
"Q: As we near the two-year anniversary of the Tim Donaghy scandal, is the putrid situation with NBA officiating getting any better?
A: Nah, it's as bad as ever. It's really, really bad. It's "I feel dumb loving this league so much" bad. It's "you lied to us when you said you'd fix this after Donaghy" bad. Let's forget about the consistent incompetence for a second -- it's not like we didn't know the playoffs wouldn't make us want to not punch a wall twice a night, and yes, that was a quadruple negative.
Here's what bothers me: The league promised us Donaghy was a rogue official, promised to clean things up, hired a new leader (the Sarge, Robert Johnson) and promised to get better. The media accepted the league's "investigation" at face value and moved on. (I blame myself as well.) So how can the following two things happen in Round 1?
No. 1: Joey Crawford reffed Game 3 of the Spurs-Mavs series in San Antonio. This guy was suspended for flipping out on Tim Duncan last season. The Spurs are convinced he hates them. Their 2007-08 season ended because of Crawford's non-call on Brent Barry's 3-pointer against the Lakers. There are seven other playoff matchups. How does this guy end up getting assigned to Game 3 in San Antonio? Why even risk it?
No. 2. On St. Patrick's Day, Doc Rivers and longtime nemesis Bill Kennedy got into such a staredown/screaming tiff that Doc was fined $25,000 and Kennedy was fined as well. Heading into Game 4, I was texting my Boston buddies, "The league needs this series to go seven, and they will screw us on the officials. You watch." One of your three officials? That's right ... Mr. Bill Kennedy. It was like seeing Ike and Tina get back together. I mean, why even go there? And that's before we mentioned the Boston Herald's report that two of the three members of Kennedy's Game 4 crew live in Chicago and greeted families after the game who were wearing Bulls gear. No, really."
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090429&sportCat=nba
A: Nah, it's as bad as ever. It's really, really bad. It's "I feel dumb loving this league so much" bad. It's "you lied to us when you said you'd fix this after Donaghy" bad. Let's forget about the consistent incompetence for a second -- it's not like we didn't know the playoffs wouldn't make us want to not punch a wall twice a night, and yes, that was a quadruple negative.
Here's what bothers me: The league promised us Donaghy was a rogue official, promised to clean things up, hired a new leader (the Sarge, Robert Johnson) and promised to get better. The media accepted the league's "investigation" at face value and moved on. (I blame myself as well.) So how can the following two things happen in Round 1?
No. 1: Joey Crawford reffed Game 3 of the Spurs-Mavs series in San Antonio. This guy was suspended for flipping out on Tim Duncan last season. The Spurs are convinced he hates them. Their 2007-08 season ended because of Crawford's non-call on Brent Barry's 3-pointer against the Lakers. There are seven other playoff matchups. How does this guy end up getting assigned to Game 3 in San Antonio? Why even risk it?
No. 2. On St. Patrick's Day, Doc Rivers and longtime nemesis Bill Kennedy got into such a staredown/screaming tiff that Doc was fined $25,000 and Kennedy was fined as well. Heading into Game 4, I was texting my Boston buddies, "The league needs this series to go seven, and they will screw us on the officials. You watch." One of your three officials? That's right ... Mr. Bill Kennedy. It was like seeing Ike and Tina get back together. I mean, why even go there? And that's before we mentioned the Boston Herald's report that two of the three members of Kennedy's Game 4 crew live in Chicago and greeted families after the game who were wearing Bulls gear. No, really."
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090429&sportCat=nba
weak!!! we just got straight out played last night. Rockets wanted it more. once again they manhandled us in the Toyota center. Brandon and LTrain did their part tonight, and once again in this series our role players didnt show up.
At least we have an interesting off season to look forward too. Raef is now off the books, we'll probably get reports about martells rehab, and how he's getting along, we have some draft picks to work with, and we have the attention of the league.
I also hope to hear a lot this summer about how Greg is in the Gym getting shit done, working on that "game" he showed this year. I'm still in his corner for sure and still think he will be a dominant player, but its going to take a lot of work. I almost feel like after he came back from the chipped knee that he just wanted the season to be over. he was playing his best basketball of the season right before he went down in Golden State. and it knocked all the wind out of his sails. I hope to see lots of improvement Greg, get it done.
Brandon could take the summer off if he wanted, lol. I know he'll do the necessary steps to be ready, everyone should be with me there....
Does anyone feel like LaMarcus played a better game this year than he did last year? i thought he looked better. Its funny though, I just looked at his stats, he played about 2 more minutes a game, in 5 more games this year, and had almost identical stats from last year. right down to field goal makes/attempts! the .4 scoring increase came from just making more free throws this year, on the same amount taken. Im not saying this is a bad thing at all, shooting 48.4% from the floor is fine with me. But I think in order for this team to succeed, L-Train has to be one of the guys that takes ANOTHER step this next year.
Travis was supposed to be the third option, after Greg went down and then ended up not being ready to be that option this year. I don't think Travis really knows how to pass....or rebound consistently....or when to shoot and when to drive......lol. i dont know what to say about travis...i mean his stats show that he shot better this year from inside the arc, but his 3 ball which started off money, dropped to 37%. wasnt he leading that category at one point? , but I felt like he was completely average this year, and then disgraceful this playoff series. He better be workin his lanky ass out more, and cat fishing less this summer.
Steve Blake played a great year for us I felt. And had a decent playoffs. I don't know if people understand that steve is as important as he is to this team. When he played a good game, the Blazers generally played well. for example game 5, versus game six for him. I like Blake a lot, but think he would be the perfect back up for a better starter. He'll do the work this summer as well no worries there, I'm gonna be interested to see what happens with the point guard position.
Jerryd will do work over the summer for sure, his crazy ass work ethic, and probably just crazy in general, will drive him to stay in the gym, i have no doubt about that. he has quickness and athleticism, just needs to know how to channel it better. I really hope he can break into the rotation for us next year, if we don't deal him, which I kind of feel might be on the minds of management.
Sergio played his best basketball the last quarter of the regular season. when it looked like he had just said fuck it, and played and didn't over think every fucking play. even though he did improve statistically, i still think we should shop him around, obviously we'd have to give a lot more with him to get anyone worth while.
Ruffin, Randolph, are unrestricted, and channing is a restricted free agent, but I don't see us resigning him. unless it was somehow involved in a sign and trade type thing.
Rudy is the man! love his play, He needs to work on that mid range, and on the move shots. He is young, and real athletic, and can obviously shoot lights out when he gets hot, and has a pretty good knack for finding the open man. He'll get it done, no worries here either.
Joel did work this year!!! can't ask much more from the guy. I just hope he puts in the work with Greg, and helps him get better this summer, but other than that, tip of the cap to Joel for his work and leadership this year.
Batum was a pleasant surprise, thinking he was D-League bound, only to start almost all year. I just don't know where he fits in when Martell comes back. I think an option would be to have Travis just stay at the back up 4 mostly, and have martell start the 3, and have Batum come off the bench. If Nic gets better with that 3 ball, our second unit could REALLY spread the floor and open the lane for Greg. We'd have Rudy, Travis,
Batum all on the floor that can shoot 3, with Greg for defense (if he can stop fouling) and rebounding, and whoever the backup point is. Could work.
It was a great season. I think we all should feel real proud of these guys for what they did this year. We improved by 13 games, made the playoffs, and except for games 1 & 6, made it interesting. We learned and grew a lot. I don't know really what I want yet, part of me wants to keep the team the way it is, see how they grow next year, and another says we might be better if we dealt a couple. Sergio is the only one that I could part with, without a second thought. but he won't get us anything by himself, so the other guys I could part with if the right offer came up, would be Batum, Travis, and fuck i hate to say it but, Bayless, but only if we could get a point that is already established. And i could part with all of our draft picks this year, in the right situation. Just looking forward now. Got a tough, hard fought playoff loss under the belt. We now have a new goal, win a playoff series. and after that, get to the WCF, and after that, NBA Championship. Win a series first...get some rest, but then get back at it boys, you all got work to do.
At least we have an interesting off season to look forward too. Raef is now off the books, we'll probably get reports about martells rehab, and how he's getting along, we have some draft picks to work with, and we have the attention of the league.
I also hope to hear a lot this summer about how Greg is in the Gym getting shit done, working on that "game" he showed this year. I'm still in his corner for sure and still think he will be a dominant player, but its going to take a lot of work. I almost feel like after he came back from the chipped knee that he just wanted the season to be over. he was playing his best basketball of the season right before he went down in Golden State. and it knocked all the wind out of his sails. I hope to see lots of improvement Greg, get it done.
Brandon could take the summer off if he wanted, lol. I know he'll do the necessary steps to be ready, everyone should be with me there....
Does anyone feel like LaMarcus played a better game this year than he did last year? i thought he looked better. Its funny though, I just looked at his stats, he played about 2 more minutes a game, in 5 more games this year, and had almost identical stats from last year. right down to field goal makes/attempts! the .4 scoring increase came from just making more free throws this year, on the same amount taken. Im not saying this is a bad thing at all, shooting 48.4% from the floor is fine with me. But I think in order for this team to succeed, L-Train has to be one of the guys that takes ANOTHER step this next year.
Travis was supposed to be the third option, after Greg went down and then ended up not being ready to be that option this year. I don't think Travis really knows how to pass....or rebound consistently....or when to shoot and when to drive......lol. i dont know what to say about travis...i mean his stats show that he shot better this year from inside the arc, but his 3 ball which started off money, dropped to 37%. wasnt he leading that category at one point? , but I felt like he was completely average this year, and then disgraceful this playoff series. He better be workin his lanky ass out more, and cat fishing less this summer.
Steve Blake played a great year for us I felt. And had a decent playoffs. I don't know if people understand that steve is as important as he is to this team. When he played a good game, the Blazers generally played well. for example game 5, versus game six for him. I like Blake a lot, but think he would be the perfect back up for a better starter. He'll do the work this summer as well no worries there, I'm gonna be interested to see what happens with the point guard position.
Jerryd will do work over the summer for sure, his crazy ass work ethic, and probably just crazy in general, will drive him to stay in the gym, i have no doubt about that. he has quickness and athleticism, just needs to know how to channel it better. I really hope he can break into the rotation for us next year, if we don't deal him, which I kind of feel might be on the minds of management.
Sergio played his best basketball the last quarter of the regular season. when it looked like he had just said fuck it, and played and didn't over think every fucking play. even though he did improve statistically, i still think we should shop him around, obviously we'd have to give a lot more with him to get anyone worth while.
Ruffin, Randolph, are unrestricted, and channing is a restricted free agent, but I don't see us resigning him. unless it was somehow involved in a sign and trade type thing.
Rudy is the man! love his play, He needs to work on that mid range, and on the move shots. He is young, and real athletic, and can obviously shoot lights out when he gets hot, and has a pretty good knack for finding the open man. He'll get it done, no worries here either.
Joel did work this year!!! can't ask much more from the guy. I just hope he puts in the work with Greg, and helps him get better this summer, but other than that, tip of the cap to Joel for his work and leadership this year.
Batum was a pleasant surprise, thinking he was D-League bound, only to start almost all year. I just don't know where he fits in when Martell comes back. I think an option would be to have Travis just stay at the back up 4 mostly, and have martell start the 3, and have Batum come off the bench. If Nic gets better with that 3 ball, our second unit could REALLY spread the floor and open the lane for Greg. We'd have Rudy, Travis,
Batum all on the floor that can shoot 3, with Greg for defense (if he can stop fouling) and rebounding, and whoever the backup point is. Could work.
It was a great season. I think we all should feel real proud of these guys for what they did this year. We improved by 13 games, made the playoffs, and except for games 1 & 6, made it interesting. We learned and grew a lot. I don't know really what I want yet, part of me wants to keep the team the way it is, see how they grow next year, and another says we might be better if we dealt a couple. Sergio is the only one that I could part with, without a second thought. but he won't get us anything by himself, so the other guys I could part with if the right offer came up, would be Batum, Travis, and fuck i hate to say it but, Bayless, but only if we could get a point that is already established. And i could part with all of our draft picks this year, in the right situation. Just looking forward now. Got a tough, hard fought playoff loss under the belt. We now have a new goal, win a playoff series. and after that, get to the WCF, and after that, NBA Championship. Win a series first...get some rest, but then get back at it boys, you all got work to do.
