All I've heard is how GS lost the game, not how Portland won. Sorry, a 32 point beat down, and a player going for 51/7/6 is more than just playing bad. Especially when that team is known to consistently win by 20 points and has a +11 differential. Portlands defense was something to appreciate last night, quick on rotating, attacking the passing lanes. IF Portland continues this kind of defensive effort and intensity, playoff time will be very interesting. IF....BIG-GIGANTIC-IF Portland continues this level of play, I could see them as a dark horse for the WCF. Yeah, I know, a little homerish and overly optimistic, but it's what I believe.
Neil olshey "dame, it will take 2 to 3 years, but ill surround you with the talent to get a ring." Dame "thanks hommie, but I think ill get one now too"
What are you guys talking about? SportCenter last night was all over Dame's nuts for 10 minutes about the game. NBATV was talking about how Dame is taking it out on the rest of the NBA because of his All Star snub and I've read countless national pieces on how much of a great win that was last night.
yet not a peep from the HCP? after that game, your only post was the old, I'm being bullied by a Hollywood star...c'mon dude..drop some knowledge...share some clips..give us some inside stuff!
Sports announcers and fans of other teams are having a hard time believing our roster is rapidly developing chemistry and a winning culture. But when did they ever get anything right? I would bet the players and coaches on the other teams have noticed. My daily large plate of crow tastes better ever day.
Stern dispised the Northwest...the sonics and Blazers didn't fit into his marquee teams scheme...he wanted only top market teams that could draw stars...because stars are what bring the money apparently...he saw the Northwest as fools gold...not enough could be made here and he wanted the NBA out of here...the sonics said yes, Paul Allen said NO...and that was that...Stern hated the Blazers, he called the Rose Garden "inadequate"
Keep in mind the sports writers around the league had us 29th ranked going into the season...bunch of experts eh?
If Dame had only made half of what he did (25.5)... 51-25.5, we'd of still won by 7.... and thats not counting that other people would have gotten some of those points. We fucking destroyed them. National media will play the narrative of "one night, off night, on the road, week off, we ran up the score" bullshit. But we got a W, which stands for Whooped your ass in this game.
I kinda think the animosity really got started back when PA signed Dudley pretty much circumventing the rules at the time. Basically an FU to Stern. If I remember right, Stern voided the contract, PA took him to court and won, they went back to court awhile later and the NBA won that round but Dudley got to keep his contract. So PA in essence gave Stern a couple of black eyes. It was a thing of beauty....
Tip o' the cap. You guys beat our ass good. I heard that some Blazer fans on twitter were pissed because Steve Kerr said that "Lillard looked like Steph Curry out there." Not sure what kind of backward ass primal victory high they might be on, but here in reality land its the most impressive compliment I've heard Kerr give a current player. Kerr is very thoughtful with his words. That quote was pretty exceptional IMO, can't believe some people are twisting it into a slight against Lillard. Guy was incredible.
PA was very active with the CBA negotiations; he personally attended many of the meetings. I have no way of knowing what happened in those meetings. But would bet that anything PA said placed a lot of pressure on Stern.
I've alway felt that the NBA has viewed us as a D league team in all but name. When Portland joined the league the NBA was in competition with the ABA and they needed affiliates. Then the 80's happened and Magic, Bird and Jordan and the TV contacts became $$$$$. Market placement became everything and Lakers/Boston/Detroit/Chicago were prime time draws. A good book to read that era is "Loose Balls" by Terry Pluto, about the ABA. Stern was one the key party in the NBA/ABA merger. I mean, the St. Louis Spirits owners basically got screwed and ended up successfully suing the league. Stern was always interested in TV numbers.
Thanks dude. You classy son of a bitch. It was fun for us to watch and probably really bizarre for you as that kind of thing hasn't happened to you guys in quite some time. I agree with you about Kerr's review of damian's game. He said he reminded him of the mvp of the league. That is glowing. I have no problems with that. I did think klay certainly downplayed our team though. Cheers dude.
Id just like to say harkless as a small ball pf is looking more and more like draymond green, that line up with aminu at center was crazy. Vonleh is really coming on too.
As others have mentioned, the whole emphasis on ESPN seemed to center around Golden State. One guy said they can't wait for tomorrow morning to see writers saying how this proved the Warriors weren't that good or predicting that Golden State would start to slide. Another segment asked if the Blazers found a formula to beating the Warriors that other teams could exploit. I guess Golden State has earned a lot of that with this kind of start, but it wasn't the only team on the court, either. No one said anything about maybe the Blazers just are a better team than they were supposed to be and are playing really good ball right now (to be fair, I did hear this in other broadcasts, particularly when we beat the Rockets and Grizzlies). But, you know, I am fine with that. Keep flying under the radar. It seems to make Damian hungry and that much more driven and that's when he plays his best. So that works for me.
Great post! Did you see what one of your fellow Warrior fans posted here? http://www.sportstwo.com/threads/the-warriors-dynasty-and-the-blazers-mediocrity.296061/
Welcome...you guys have a lot to feel good about...guess last night was our turn for a change..for what it's worth, I've enjoyed watching the Warriors have this amazing season but that made the win last night one of my favorites ever! Steve Kerr is a great guy..even an ex Blazer..a series between our teams would be really fun basketball to watch