Blazers/Celtics Game Thread

[Minstrel]

I can't really understand why people don't realize that evaluating Oden's talent after 20-30 games makes no sense at all. Especially following a surgery that is known to take a year or more to fully recover from. It's like willfully ignoring common sense.

Beyond that, Oden's per-minute efficiency has been very good. Coming into tonight's game, he had a (slightly) higher PER than Derrick Rose. His main problem is fouls, limiting his minutes. Due to minutes, Rose has been more valuable, but Oden has been every bit as good during his on-court time...better, in fact, when you factor in defense.

 

[Kaydow]

90% of those who bashed Oden are now singing his praises without even acknowledging how the doubted him. Personally, he earns the gold star for the night. He was solid, tough, and he didn't back down. He was called for a cheap foul or two, but that's out of his control (hey, come on, it was 8-on-5 tonight). But I saw him throw out a couple hard fouls and be willing to use that big body to throws bitches (see KG) around. Props to G.O. I ain't gonna sleep on ya, fella. You'll arrive soon enough.

I bashed him after the Dallas game. I admit I was wrong. It wasn't just his performances that bothered me (until the last two games) he didn't show any confidence, agression, toughness, or heart. I thought he didn't want to be out there. The last few games he's been smiling and pumping himself up when he makes a good play - I love it. Like I said, I was wrong.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I can't really understand why people don't realize that evaluating Oden's talent after 20-30 games makes no sense at all. Especially following a surgery that is known to take a year or more to fully recover from. It's like willfully ignoring common sense.

Beyond that, Oden's per-minute efficiency has been very good. Coming into tonight's game, he had a (slightly) higher PER than Derrick Rose. His main problem is fouls, limiting his minutes. Due to minutes, Rose has been more valuable, but Oden has been every bit as good during his on-court time...better, in fact, when you factor in defense.

You may well be right about his talent - but many of the concerns/frustrations being expressed about him involve his physical conditioning and his seeming lack of passion.

You have to admit, there have been times this season Oden just seemed to be going through the motions.

 

[oldmangrouch]

I bashed him after the Dallas game. I admit I was wrong. It wasn't just his performances that bothered me (until the last two games) he didn't show any confidence, agression, toughness, or heart. I thought he didn't want to be out there. The last few games he's been smiling and pumping himself up when he makes a good play - I love it. Like I said, I was wrong.

No, *you* weren't wrong. Oden needed to change his mental approach. Hopefully, he has turned that corner.

 

[hasoos]

Enough revamp talk about Oden.

Let's talk Bayless. I thought he did some good things, and bad things tonight. He came out not ready for the speed of the game inially. Also, amazingly enough, where most folks are afraid he will shoot too much, so far, I see him not shooting enough, like he is tip toe'ing out there, trying not to step on anybody's feet. He passed up several good lucks. Fortunately, several of those went for buckets.

Defensivly, I thought Bayless showed he is already one of the best defenders the Blazers have. If you look at the Blazers, and their defensive issues this season, and then consider the possibilities of running twin towers sometimes and Bayless as a defensive stopper, you have a very tough unit to score on. Problem solved.

 

[THE HCP]

Great win! Haven't heard anybody on here talk about Joel hurting his hand though!

 

[SheedSoNasty]

Agreed, hasoos. Bayless has the physical tools and SOME savvy to play for us right now. I know that it's popular to leave Steve Blake as the odd man out, but a part of me would like to see Bayless take some of Sergio's time.

Unlike Oden, he'll get his PT in due time with a little extra seasoning. I can't wait.

 

[BrianFromWA]

i wonder if they replace those beers for free...

My wife used to do the serving courtside in SAC, and she said they'd get free beer right there.

 

[Minstrel]

You may well be right about his talent - but many of the concerns/frustrations being expressed about him involve his physical conditioning

That doesn't seem reasonable. He hadn't been able to play basketball for a year. NBA basketball shape takes a conditioning you can't get merely from exercising on a bike or in a pool. From all accounts I read, Oden was working extremely hard and the team was thrilled with his dedication. His lack of NBA shape isn't a strike against him. If anything, it's a nominal positive; he couldn't be expected to be in shape and he's playing quite well despite that obstacle, too. Imagine once he's fully rounded into shape.

and his seeming lack of passion.

I can't really resonate to this. Different players have different demeanors. It seems too pop-psychology to me ro be analyzing him when one can't even speak to him or see him off the court, when the eyes of tens of thousands aren't on him.

You have to admit, there have been times this season Oden just seemed to be going through the motions.

I really don't agree. Perhaps he was, but I don't think it's at all clear. I trust what everyone's been saying about him since high school, which is that he has great work ethic. I think seeming lethargy is more likely to be an artifact of not yet being in shape and not yet being acclimatized to the game speed.

In any case, I don't like speculating about motivations, considering we can't see into their heads, or even talk to them. I prefer to look at actual production and what, rationally, to expect in future. To me, he's been playing well when he's on the floor and he's looking better and better with experience. This is what I want to see out of a prized rookie. His lack of NBA shape and recovering explosiveness relate to what to expect in the future, and I think they bode well.

 

[Minstrel]

Let's talk Bayless. I thought he did some good things, and bad things tonight. He came out not ready for the speed of the game inially. Also, amazingly enough, where most folks are afraid he will shoot too much, so far, I see him not shooting enough, like he is tip toe'ing out there, trying not to step on anybody's feet. He passed up several good lucks. Fortunately, several of those went for buckets.

He seems to not yet be sure what shots to take and which not to take, which is killing his shooting percentage. That doesn't bother me much. He showed a great ability to get into the paint and to the hoop, which is valuable. All the scouting reports say he has a good outside shot, so I have faith that that will be fine as things progress. I was glad to see that he was successfully driving and dishing. That will be a key for the guard that plays alongside Roy...not the ability to "quarterback" but the ability to draw defenses and find teammates.

He's obviously not an impact player yet, but he shows the ability to be one. And I'd like to see more of his ability to defend.

 

[Entity]

I like the comment about Mike Rice, and then he acts like Tommy Heinsohn, of all announcers, isn't the biggest fucking joke in all of Sports.

Actually, him and the guy for the Bulls.

Here's a quote from Dave at Blazer's Edge:

If you are a Boston fan, I feel for you. The call was obviously blown. Those points also could have affected how the final minutes of the game played out. My sympathy is only dimmed somewhat by the Boston announcing crew (which we got on League Pass) mentioning it approximately every 30 seconds or so in the second half.

Let's call the bloggers' irritation even.

 

[Entity]

What's funny about that inbound play is, that was right after a timeout. So they drew up a play. How the hell did all six of them know where to be? I know Greg waived that he was open, so maybe that play was canned when the ball was passed to him. Maybe Nate said, "Center here, SF go there..." and they each just assumed their roles.

 

[Miksaid]

What's funny about that inbound play is, that was right after a timeout. So they drew up a play. How the hell did all six of them know where to be? I know Greg waived that he was open, so maybe that play was canned when the ball was passed to him. Maybe Nate said, "Center here, SF go there..." and they each just assumed their roles.

I have a feeling (this is just my gut telling me this) that since Oden tends to float towards the outer orbitals during timeouts (he stands a step back while everyone else is in the huddle) and because he was so amped up in the game, he wasn't listening to the designated play and missed Nate's memo to sit down and stayed in. I suppose the center position doesn't require much instruction so maybe Oden doesn't pay much attention. Ha.

 

[Bob Dobalina]

fuck you Garnett!

http://www.celticsblog.com/

check out the comments.

Speaking of comments on that blog, that "cordobes" person is something else. He/She is the one who called Blazer fans "hubris" in another post on that blog. I thought that was interesting coming from a Boston fan.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Mediocre Man is right. I do not like what I see in this team -- another cheap victory. It's time to worry.

Actually what I was concerned about in the Toronto game was addressed. They moved a lot more tonight, they attacked the basket a lot more tonight, they fed the post a lot more tonight, when Bayless was in the game they didn't switch on every fucking play.

Will they do it when Brandon comes back?

 

[crowTrobot]

i'm not about to fault anyone for saying rice is the dumbest commentator they've ever heard.

 

[hasoos]

i'm not about to fault anyone for saying rice is the dumbest commentator they've ever heard.

Well if you knew Mike Rice, you would realize that about 99.99% of the time, he is joking around. Sometimes that rubs folks wrong, as there are some people that don't realize that he is using dry humor on them, it goes above their heads. So hate him if you want. He is just foolin with ya.

 

[blue32]

Mike Rice for president!

 

[Spud147]

Did you hear them talking about KG approaching the Blazer locker room after the game but the trainer intercepted and sent him back to the visitors side? He even backed down when Bob Medina stood up to him.

 

[Spud147]

Well if you knew Mike Rice, you would realize that about 99.99% of the time, he is joking around. Sometimes that rubs folks wrong, as there are some people that don't realize that he is using dry humor on them, it goes above their heads. So hate him if you want. He is just foolin with ya.

I think you have to listen to Mike for a few games before you realize that. If you only hear him once or twice a year against your team it's going to sound like he's serious. I think the 2 Mikes are actually really good about giving props to opposing teams when they're due.

The one thing I'm a little irritated by is that people keep bringing up the 6 man call and that it had some major affect on the outcome. I felt like Boston got a make up call when they gave free throws to Allen on a non-shooting foul when Sergio just grabbed him to stop him from running up the lane... and he made both.

 

[elcap15]

Congrats on the big win without Roy.

 

[julius]

Did you hear them talking about KG approaching the Blazer locker room after the game but the trainer intercepted and sent him back to the visitors side? He even backed down when Bob Medina stood up to him.

Was he going to the locker room in the same way that KJ did in the playoffs against Portland, and congratulated the Blazers? Or was he trying to go Chris Mills on them?

 

[THE HCP]

Mike Rice is an Old School Gangsta'!

 

[Spud147]

Was he going to the locker room in the same way that KJ did in the playoffs against Portland, and congratulated the Blazers? Or was he trying to go Chris Mills on them?

Somewhere in between, KG apparently had a scowl on his face but was not chasing after the team bus with a gun.

 

[crowTrobot]

Well if you knew Mike Rice, you would realize that about 99.99% of the time, he is joking around.

99.99% of the time he has no idea what he's talking about and says stupid stuff trying to sound smart. he may be a nice guy with a good sense of humor, but as a broadcaster he's a moron.

 

[The Professional Fan]

These Portland fans are yelling "Boston sucks!"... didn't know it was this live in the Rose Garden.

Section 306, row H, seats #3 and #4 started that one. And we started the first Roy "MVP" chant last season, and the "Kobe Sucks" chant last season. There will be more to come.

Thank you very much.

We didn't start the "bullshit" chant, though. We were guilty of participating in it, but we didn't start it.

 

[44Thrilla]

I'm so glad I didn't watch this game.

 

[THE HCP]

Great win! Haven't heard anybody on here talk about Joel hurting his hand though!

I told you sucka's!!!!!!

 

[Natebishop3]

Where are they talking about KG going to the locker room?

 

[MARIS61]

Actually what I was concerned about in the Toronto game was addressed. They moved a lot more tonight, they attacked the basket a lot more tonight, they fed the post a lot more tonight, when Bayless was in the game they didn't switch on every fucking play.

Will they do it when Brandon comes back?

Actually, I vividly remember Bayless switching and ending up getting burned by TO's guy (but just one time).

I give Nate props for relaxing and rediscovering the faith he had earlier in the bench, and giving several guys a chance to prove themselves in the final minutes. I hope he noticed that it worked.