<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span class="template"><span class="body"> Being knocked from the ranks of the preseason unbeaten Sunday provided the Hawks with a lesson that can't be learned when things are going well.</p> Constructive criticism after a win just doesn't digest the same way it does after you've had your nose bloodied the way the Hawks did Sunday, in a 102-89 thumping at the hands of Portland at Philips Arena.</p> The Trail Blazers' big men, sans injured rookie Greg Oden, feasted on the Hawks inside, taking advantage of their size and a poor effort from Josh Smith, Zaza Pachulia and Shelden Williams.</p> Trail Blazers' 7-footer LaMarcus Aldridge pounded the Hawks for 29 points and nine rebounds. Joel Przybilla added 12 rebounds and four blocks and Channing Frye 14 points and six rebounds off the bench as the Trail Blazers pulled away early in the fourth quarter to secure their second win of the exhibition season.</p> "I'll take the blame for this one," said Smith, who finished with 12 points, six rebounds and five blocks before fouling out late in the game. "LaMarcus is a good player and his offensive game has improved tremendously. And he got them off to a good start and got their team rolling and that was it.</p> "I'm just glad this game didn't count. This is a good time to learn this lesson, in the exhibition season, because we need to get it right before the regular season comes around."</p> The Hawks did play without six regulars — Speedy Claxton (sore knees), Josh Childress (bruised forearm), Acie Law IV (wrist), Tyronn Lue (knee), Lorenzen Wright (groin) and Salim Stoudamire (hamstring) all sat out with injuries.</div></p> The Atlanta Journal-Constitution</p> </span></span></p>
Thats okay there was no Law or Speedy in that game or Childress in that game. I hope Childress is okay.</p>
I'm sure it is nothing serious. I mean, the Blazers had their best players and we were missing some key guys.</p>
yea...my only issue is again we had a though time defending their big man, we got killed my Howard, and now Aldridge, this might be a problem.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Master Shake)</div><div class='quotemain'> I'm sure it is nothing serious. I mean, the Blazers had their best players and we were missing some key guys.</p> </div></p> TheBlazerswerewithoutBrandonRoyandGregOden.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gambitnut)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Master Shake)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> I'm sure it is nothing serious. I mean, the Blazers had their best players and we were missing some key guys.</p> </div></p> TheBlazerswerewithoutBrandonRoyandGregOden.</p> </p> </div></p> We didn't have our PG or best bench player. I'm not gonna lie, we had a hard time with big men. Also, we don't know how good Greg Oden will do in the NBA. He will be great, I know that, but still.</p> </p>
The Blazers not having Brandon Roy (the Blazers best player) is much more crucial to there success than the Hawks missing there rookie PG and there key bench player Childress.</p>
