Everything they highlited was "this guy is so great" and "that guy is so great" and "phoenix is so amazing offensively." I just got tired of it.
True, and Phoenix is amazing offensively, but they seemed to very complimentary of the Blazers as well. Maybe my euphoria is clouding my memory.
Doug Collins is perhaps my favorite color guy. He's very respectful of Nate and says great things about our team.
What's everyone so excited about? It's not like the team that wins Game One goes on to win the series 80% of the time... Right?
I think Rudy played his way out of town with his act tonight. Please stop drafting anyone from Spain unless their last name is Gasol.
I'm glad Howard didn't play much. Boy was he bad. I know we lose a bit of offense if we play Dante instead of Howard, but I think we're better off in the long run with Dante's defense and rebounding.
I'd like to see the team start Bayless in Game 2 with Miller. I agree with Barkley on one thing: Nash couldn't handle Miller, so they had to switch him off Miller. So have Bayless play the lion's share of minutes and let Nash chase Bayless him around all game. Nash isn't going to be able to keep Bayless in front of him and trying will sap some of his energy. Fernandez just doesn't have any one tool that he can rely on. In some sense, he's a broken-play superstar...when things are chaotic and the defense isn't set, he has space to shoot, pass and get to the rim. He can do it all. But against set, halfcourt defenses, there's nothing he can do except shoot when open and hope he's hot. Bayless currently doesn't have a diverse game, but he can often get into the paint and score or draw fouls. One weapon is better than no weapons. And attacking the hoop is something you can't ever have too much of in playoff games, where referees seem to disproportionately reward "being aggressive."
Holy shit Blazers won? I thought the Suns were going to sweep you guys... You guys just don't quit do you?
I think I heard tonight that this is the first time we have won a game 1 on the road since 83 or 84! I'm too tired to look it up.
Prediction: Blazers won, 104-98 Miller had 32 pts and 7 assts. Actual: Blazers won, 105-100 Miller had 31 pts and 8 assts. 1 off, 1 off, 1 off, and 2 off. Sly, why do you never play the predictions game?
I am one of the larger Nate Haters on this board. That said he did one hell of a job last night. He keeps this up and I will have to rethink my feelings towards Sarge. It was a great win. Portland played exactly how Portland needs to play to beat a team like Phoenix. Ugly up the game a little, rebound like madmen, and attack the rim whenever possible. Phoenix may yet win the series if they get a streak of hot 3 point shooting. But if they don't, the Suns are going to have to count on Portland not giving 100% effort in order to take the series. With Miller, Camby and Howard on the team I am guessing Portland's effort remains at it's current high level. Was I the only person who was said Miller's performance wasn't done in the RG so we could have chanted for him like we did for Camby? He certainly deserved it last night. Maybe we will get that chance on Thursday. As for the national media, it was a mystery why they choose Phoenix in 5 or 6. Didn't they look at the fact that Portland is one of the best offensive rebounding teams while Phoenix is one of the worst defensive rebounding teams in the league? It played out that way last night. Unless Phoenix finds some way to prevent Portland's dominance of the offensive glass, the Suns are in for a long fucking series.
