. I've supported this team and organization through thick and thin. Last night was a real dissapointing turn of events. I woke up this morning worried at what this may become, another missed opportunity. The opportunity to not just be a playoff team. The opportunity for a franchise to get back to the glory days of competing for a top spot in the playoffs. Teams used to fear coming to play in Portland. That is gone!
We make a trade last year for Nurk who had fallen out of favor in Denver. He lights a fire and spark throughout a city, organization and fan base that had not been seen in some time. We've always been a passionate fan base but this felt different. This felt special. We felt it, our players felt it, even the NBA felt it. He's the piece we'd been mising. We were what he needed and he was what we needed. Last night may have done irreversible damage. He was our best player on the court last night. The Nets had no answer for him. For him to sit the 4th quarter is inexcusable. Especially in favor of "athleticism". That is just a pathetic excuse that holds no merit. Last night seemed like a possible franchise changing moment. Paul Allen, Neil Olshey and especially coach Stotts need to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask only 2 questions.
Is Stotts the man for the job?
Can he get us to the next level?