It wasn't pretty (at least the parts I could see before the signal went to shit) but it's a win against a team that is probably the "best" worst team in the league. Loving LMA's game lately; just a fucking monster.
Blake had a pretty mediocre night. 6pts 2 assists in 31min just won't cut it. Sergio had 5assists in 12min. This team really needs an upgrade at PG.
The impact Rudy and Lamarcus had at the end of the 2nd quarter was huge. Nate's technical maybe as well. Sergio, God bless him, did some good things (strip Madsen in the 3rd) but also did some bonehead things as well (the reb. goes to him, he taps it ahead for Fernandez but it goes out to a T-Wolve - Just reb. the damn ball!! You're the PG and should lead the fastbreak for Christ's sake!). On the flip side, Blake didn't have an especially radical game... Hmmm... Who else do we have? His name rhymes with Payless. Random observation: I've noticed, even in this thread, that fans are referring to the T-Wolves as an inferior team. If we do, it's only natural for the players to do that as well, especially after an emotional win. (In my opinion, niether the fans or the team are correct, seeing as our playoff drought is I think the longest in the league) Lastly, did Barrett really say you can't go to the movies for 88$ during the game. I mean I know you're trying to sell the prize package, but that's just a horrendous, evil lie. On that note, I bid you good evening.
Just got back from the game. The rebounding was actually pretty good tonight. The Blazers had a 45-38 advantage. LaMarcus had 13, including 7 offensive (those extra possessions were HUGE) and Joel had 9 in only 21 minutes. They held Al Jefferson to 5 boards. The interior defense WAS weak - especially in the second half. Minny just kept dumping it into Jefferson and he would just back his man down and shoot over him. This is where Oden's size and strength would be a real difference maker. Other observations: The refs were terrible. EVERY time Minnesota flopped, they got the call. The kids and I started calling them the Minnesota Timberflops. Edit: The refs in general weren't great, but Zach Zarba was by far the worst. He must be the most gullible ref in the NBA. Rather than rely in his own eyes, he seems to make calls based player reactions. He also has a very late whistle. He waits until the play is over, to see if the shot goes in or not, and then blows the whistle if it doesn't. A foul is a foul, whether or not the shot goes in. Grow a pair and make the call at the point of contact, not 2 - 3 seconds later. It seems like every time we play Minnesota, Rashad McCants has a huge first half and then is a total non-factor in the second half. He had 13 in the first half tonight and zero in the second half. He's had very similar games against the Blazers in the past. He's like the anti-Brandon Roy. Roy often starts slow and turns his game up at the end. McCants starts fast and totally disappears when the game is on the line. Minnesota isn't THAT bad. They aren't as good as the Blazers, and really had no business making the game this close on the road. But, they have some good, young talent. Again not as much as the Blazers, but they improved late in the season last year. They were HORRID through the first two months last season - going 4-26 for November and December. They managed to claw back to win 22 games after going 7-8 in March. They'll probably win 30 to 32 games this season. Thy are still a long way and one or two REALLY good players away from being play-off contenders, but I doubt if they'll be in the bottom five in the league this season. Al Jefferson has become a 20/10 machine and his low post offense will be enough to keep them in many games. Still, this was a game the Blazers should have won - and it should have been easier than it was against Minnesota at home. But, a win is a win. It sure wasn't boring - close game most of the second half. The kids and I had fun. Now we have to wait out this long road trip, before we get to go to two home games (MIA and NOH) over Thanksgiving weekend. Given the schedule and the injuries, 3-3 looks petty good right now. BNM
