Blazers @ Wizards Game Thread

[KingSpeed]

Man, I am so pumped for Boston. They've won ten straight, we've won six straight. On National TV.

It could be a major boost of confidence to win that one.

This was the turning point last season. We were 22-13 and went to Boston and I flew out there to see them. That was the beginning of my road trips but the end for us. We fell out of the division, then the top 8, and that was it.

 

[KingSpeed]

How long until Butler asks for a trade?

3-14 is horrific.

I think Washington will recover. They have two All Stars and one waiting in the wings. I think they'll get it together and get to .500.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

This was the turning point last season. We were 22-13 and went to Boston and I flew out there to see them. That was the beginning of my road trips but the end for us. We fell out of the division, then the top 8, and that was it.

So in other words, you're staying away from Boston on Friday?

 

[Minstrel]

Unfortunately, it's still too early for that. Dallas and SA may go on runs and all it will take is a three game hiccup and we're out of the top 8.

The point is not that the team has clinched, that their magic number is 0. The point is how they've compiled this record. They've looked like a top team, strong in all phases of the game (since Oden returned from injury...before that, their defense was poor). So while they are obviously only a few games ahead of the eighth-best team right now, they look like one of the best teams in the West, IMO. Not a team that will be fighting for a low playoff seed at the end of the season.

 

[KingSpeed]

So in other words, you're staying away from Boston on Friday?

Absolutely. I'm staying away from my TV as well. I'm going to be flying into NYC during the game. I'm tivoing the Boston and Toronto games while I'm in NYC and will watch both when I get in on Sunday night. I can't wait to watch back to back basketball games! Will be so fun. But I'll miss you guys as I have to stay away from you until I catch up.

 

[KingSpeed]

The point is not that the team has clinched, that their magic number is 0. The point is how they've compiled this record. They've looked like a top team, strong in all phases of the game (since Oden returned from injury...before that, their defense was poor). So while they are obviously only a few games ahead of the eighth-best team right now, they look like one of the best teams in the West, IMO. Not a team that will be fighting for a low playoff seed at the end of the season.

We looked pretty good when we won 17 of 18 games last season. But it didn't work out. And we should be terrified of Utah this season. They nearly have the same record as us and they've lost over 60 games to injuries. Also- Denver is playing fantastic ball. It's going to be tough for anyone to make the playoffs this season. Including the Lakers. There are no locks.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Absolutely. I'm staying away from my TV as well. I'm going to be flying into NYC during the game. I'm tivoing the Boston and Toronto games while I'm in NYC and will watch both when I get in on Sunday night. I can't wait to watch back to back basketball games! Will be so fun. But I'll miss you guys as I have to stay away from you until I catch up.

Did you get a gig on Broadway?

 

[KingSpeed]

Oooh! Utah lost! Cool.

 

[Minstrel]

We looked pretty good when we won 17 of 18 games last season.

I don't agree. I thought the team looked pretty lucky and playing over their heads. This team doesn't. They're probably not quite this good, but they don't have to be. They don't have to be a .700 team all year to be a top four or five team in the West.

 

[alex42083]

What's up with the nickname ESPN gave Rudy? The majorcan rocket? wtf?

 

[Minstrel]

What's up with the nickname ESPN gave Rudy? The majorcan rocket? wtf?

Majorca (or Mallorca) is Spain's biggest island. That's where Fernandez was born.

 

[maxiep]

You don't retire every number of every player on a championship team. And you don't do it cuz that's how the game was played in that era. Come on. That's ridiculous. I think you honor the whole team and remind everyone what they did and what they meant, but retire every players' number from the championship team? That'd be garbage. Considering what it takes for other teams to retire numbers, it makes seem like Portland is a bunch of sentimental fans who've seen nothing else in 30+ years that live in the past.

The Blazers' plan is to retire every single number from the starting lineup that season (although I think #16 will be left off as #13 was our PG before injury). That means #13, #14, #30, #20 and #32 as well as #77 for Dr. Jack.

I would have preferred the #77 be retired for that entire team instead and each player be listed on a banner beneath the number. Also, I wish Jack Ramsay would have been honored by hanging from the rafters the ugliest plaid pants the Blazers could find.

 

[alex42083]

Majorca (or Mallorca) is Spain's biggest island. That's where Fernandez was born.

Yeah.. but that's the first I heard of that being his nickname. Eh, no big deal I guess. I just don't like it.

 

[maxiep]

This was the turning point last season. We were 22-13 and went to Boston and I flew out there to see them. That was the beginning of my road trips but the end for us. We fell out of the division, then the top 8, and that was it.

The difference is that we started playing the tough part of our schedule. This year, we're playing the tough part of our schedule right now and are still on track to win 57 games.

 

[Entity]

Nice, NBA.com #1 play of the night.

 

[KingSpeed]

I was just about to post this. Just saw it on NBATV.

 

[MARIS61]

The Spanish Armada!

 

[crandc]

I like the Spanish Armada since it could include Rudy & Sergio collectively.

What I saw on the 3 games of this trip is that they had to come from behind, on the road, in 3 consecutive games, including the second of back to backs. And did.

It's easy to win at home when you build a 20 point lead in the first quarter. It's relatively easy to pull out a close one at home with the crowd behind you.

What this team has done this week is not easy.

Last night was the first time since the Sacramento home game that I spent the last 3 minutes pacing the floor in front of the TV. Not until those last free throws could I go put dinner in.