Game of Zones had a spiel about our Locker Room Chemistry, and how it was so great. I thought so, too... until this year. Now I understand that Chemistry isn't just a bunch of guys who like each other, it's a bunch of guys who can depend on each other, in the actual games. Here's some of the things that have happened this year: Lillard goes on huge scoring outbursts. Ant did too, with Denver's coach mentioning that "we're not fireman" in response to Ant's hot shooting. But even on a bad shooting night, he hit a game winner. Grant has also hit a game winner, and he carried us in our latest victory. Grant alone, makes us a better defensive team than last year. He's the player many of us have been waiting YEARS for. Hart leads the team in rebounding from the SF spot, and is nearly averaging double digit scoring without having any plays run for him. JK25 is my favorite Blazer of all time, and Hart gives me the same vibes. The reason I was so happy for Little (who scored 14 big points for us when we needed him last night) is because he's been the forgotten man, left out of most of the rotation, seemingly irrelevant to Blazers success. Little, you're not reading this, but believe me, Blazer fans know your value to the team, and appreciate you! Drew "hey, MM, don't call me BWS" Eubanks has been a f@#$%^ing revelation. I keep expecting this "noname" to falter, but he's been killin' it. He's much more than a local boy feel good story, he's been a real contributor. Really love the broken plays when he's thrown the ball, and he immediately hands it back while setting a screen for that player. There have been times this season when Big Nurk has felt like the best player on the floor. Not the perfect player, and the ire of scapegoat-seekers everywhere, but he's been beasting this season. Sharpe has been a revelation, period. Some Blazer fans, myself included, wouldn't trade him for AD. Winslow has been an important part of what we've been doing. Watford and (steal of the draft) Walker haven't really been important parts of the team, yet. But, few Blazer fans are uncomfortable when they play. They're both very solid. Last, but not least, is the coach. Dude had to deal with all of the "I can't breath" shit, then a season where most of the players were injured. With only Ant and Nurk left, he still coached the team to a 3-game winning streak, to which the GM immediately shut them down. So, he put up with a horrific losing season, and the national media forgetting who we are. His mixing up of zone with man defense has other teams confused at times. Mario Hezonja and his ilk are great guys, but real chemistry is born out of "great guys" who make tangible contributions during critical times of actual games. Our guys are doing that.
Great post. I would say that Trendon showed his value in Nawlins'. For a second year guy, his BBIQ is off the charts. But then again, you can say that about, well...everyone on this team..(Jusuf???) He also causes/gets a lot of 50/50 balls...Another developing trademark of this team. There have been sports teams that really got along and liked each other. But, (at the risk of sounding "mushy") this group "loves" each other. Somewhat reminds me of my all time fav team. The 2001 Colorado Avalanche. I lived in Denver then. That was the team totally dedicated to winning (old man) Ray Bourque the Cup. That team was "connected". They were all in for their brother, not themselves. You mention the Great JK25 as your fav...I see similarities with Watford. Not in style of game, but in sheer desire to just outwork everybody. Another trademark of this team.
The AVS are my team (started with Adam Deadmarsh, former winterhawk. God were those mid 90s winterhawks stacked. morrow, Hossa, Deadmarsh, Zednik, etc) and that was my favorite avs team too. And fuck the red wings.
"Red Wings Suck" Was a very popular bumpersticker as I recall! See it all over town. That was an extremely intense, and often bloody, rivalry.
