The Blazers don't gain much ground when Yao is out of the game. That was true during the regular season as well. In fact, today Yao was -1. We don't seem to be able to capitalize. Funny, because if someone told you that a McGradyless, Mingless Rockets team could play us neck and neck at home, you'd think our team sucked. I don't know what it is about this Rockets team, but they just give us fits. I really doubt Mutumbo going out will have any affect.
Some teams just match up better with other teams. The Rockets are one of the only teams in the league with a center that can outmuscle Joel. They have defenders that can stop our three point shooters. They have quick guards who can get around our guards. They have rebounding, defense, and shooters.
This is all bullshit. We should sweep them and blow them out by 20 every night because the Blazers are my favorite team.
How can a guy who played 9 games and 96 minutes all year have been that big of factor? Best rebounder and shot blocker? The guy had 33 rebounds and 11 blocks for THE SEASON. Series ours for the taking? Maybe if Yao left on a stretcher . . . . Deke just wasn't going to impact this series much. You'll get by just fine with Yao, Scola, & Landry. They match up just fine with Joel, Oden, & LA.
It looked pretty bad from inside the arena. But I'm glad Blazer fans stayed classy in the heat of the moment and gave him that ovation. And if Yao gets in any foul trouble throughout the series, I don't think they have enough big guys to handle LaMarcus and Greg on the post. Especially Greg, who can just overpower anyone on the Rockets except Yao.
This does make the series take on a whole new face now. Yao is going to have to play extended minutes now. Portland needs to take one in Houston to return the favor and get back home court. GO BLAZERS!
man, as soon as I saw him go down, I knew it was season ending. I was ust thinking, no..no..no..this is not good. i felt so bad for him and wish injury on no player.
If Greg can stay on the floor, I'll buy this. Problem is, even when he isn't guarding Yao (who can seemingly drawl a foul on Greg EVERY possesion when he tries) Greg is having to pick up Brooks, Wafer, or Lowry who are getting to the basket at will. That put back dunk to make it 89-89 was sweet. Wouldn't mind seeing more of that. Is it possible that last sequence he had in the 4th quarter might build his confidence a little?
Me too. But I have one exception to that rule . . . Kobe. Wouldn't shed a tear watching that guy fall the the floor clutching his knee.
True, those silly fouls trying to defend guards is the one thing that will prevent Greg from being the force that he can be in this series. Greg is having some really good success in this series when he's on the floor, he just needs to stay on the floor. And how great was it seeing Greg and Joel together on the floor? It beats the hell out of seeing Frye jack up 20-footers.
These are my thoughts, too. We all know Oden racks up fouls, but he also draws them... without Deke those fouls are going to be tacked onto smaller guys that are guarding them. Mutombo's injury is terrible for him, but seems like really good news for the Blazers' chances in this series. Ed o.
