Blazers @ Knicks 2/2/2008 Game Thread

When I said Frye should sit for letting Thomas blow by him without even getting into a defensive position, I didn't mean for the rest of the game.

That was a pretty pathetic effort by Channing on that play though, and I guess Nate saw what I saw.

 

I don't mind if Blake starts. I like the Spanish connection getting some minutes together. But I like it a lot that Sergio is getting longer, consistent minutes, and even playing late in games. And he's responded. Is Sergio only 22? He won't hit his prime for 4 more years.

 

Roy and Outlaw the only players on the team with over 30 minutes played. Nice.

 

Washington might be no gimme tomorrow after they beat the Nets by 20 tonight.. but if we can guarantee at least a 3-2 trip, that'd be awesome.

 

I was content with a 2-3 trip before it started. For me, it's all gravy the next three games.

 

roy is a lock for the all star game at this point.

 

Have the Blazers reached the point where they can turn it on when needed?

Blazers played medicore ball for 3 quarters then turn it on in the fourth quarter to win. Previous wins they have been able to maintain composure and the lead when teams went on runs in the 4th quarter . . . . but tonight was another step.

I hope that will not be their attitude but as good as I'm feeling about this team right now . . . it does feel like they can turn it on when they have to.

 

almost guarantee'd we go over .500 on this road trip now...well hopefully lol

 

I think part of it was wearing NY down. They did play smarter, but NY was obviously worn down by the 4th.

 

True. That is probably what made the Blazers look so good tonight . . . but they have showed a lot of composure in the 4th quarter after the initial few games.

 

I don't think they can turn it on at will (or else they'd do it at the start and play the rest of the game in blowout mode), and I don't think the team has that belief. Basketball is played in bursts...good teams don't fall behind much when they other team is on a run, play even most of the time that they're not on bursts and their own bursts are decisive.

I think the team has the confidence that games are rarely out of reach, that they are always capable of ripping off a run to overcome deficits. But they need to play at full speed the whole game for that to be true, and I think they do.

 

.....and the Blazers confidence continues to grow.......

 

This team is NOWHERE near as good as teams from the early 90's (not yet anyway)....but, like those teams, I feel like the Blazers have a chance to win every time they step on the court, and they have the ability to come back from bad starts and big deficits. I feel like this roster can beat teams in so many ways. I didn't have anywhere near as much faith in the 2000 WCF team.

 

brandon roy got screwed by the officials tonight

 

...not possible, winning is ALWAYS pretty!!!

 

The officiating was terrible, and I felt it favored NY more, but the reffing was bad both ways.

 

I used to compare Duhon to Blake back when he was a draft prospect... I still think it holds. Not great athletes by NBA standards, but both play within their abilities, take care of the ball, and possess good all around skills. Both are long, smart, and pretty decent team defenders. Classic overachievers.

STOMP

 

As nice as it is to get a W tonight - if I am Nate I am letting these guys know that they can't just play smart basketball for one quarter.

They were playing the Knicks game for 3 quarters and they need to learn not to do it.