GAME THREAD: ROCKETS @ BLAZERS - 12/12/13, THURS, 7:30 PM (PST), TNT

[julius]

Also, is it just me, or did we really get the benefit of the whistles last night? Houston is used to flopping around and getting any whistle they want. Usually the game plays to their reputation. But our reputation is that we play defense correctly and don't foul often (see Joel Freeland). Last night, the refs played the game to our reputation, and it really paid off for us. This is just an eye test, not based on stats.

I think the Blazers did benefit from a little help (I was amazed at how little Howard went to the FT line), but not Lillard.

He almost needs to flop more.

 

[magnifier661]

Also, is it just me, or did we really get the benefit of the whistles last night? Houston is used to flopping around and getting any whistle they want. Usually the game plays to their reputation. But our reputation is that we play defense correctly and don't foul often (see Joel Freeland). Last night, the refs played the game to our reputation, and it really paid off for us. This is just an eye test, not based on stats.

Yep and I also think Aldridge is getting the superstar calls now. Once Lillard does, I don't see a team able to beat us. Killard will get there probably next season.

 

[magnifier661]

I think the Blazers did benefit from a little help (I was amazed at how little Howard went to the FT line), but not Lillard.

He almost needs to flop more.

He has to take a page from Aldridge and Roy, where he makes a "hey!" When he feels contact. It brings attention to the refs, who maybe looking somewhere else.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I think the Blazers did benefit from a little help (I was amazed at how little Howard went to the FT line), but not Lillard.

He almost needs to flop more.

I'm worried that he has a reputation now of not getting whistles when he drives, so he doesn't get whistles when he drives.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Batum's turnovers seem to always end up being a 4pt swing. Really want him to clean that up, but 15/6/6 and 2 blocks did the trick.

Yeah Nic does need to clean it up. On one hand I want him to be aggressive with his passes but he did get caught in "no mans land" a few times. I don't want to nit pick because he plays well even with his TO's but the one that made me drop a few F bombs was on the fast break when he elected to pass it out instead of attacking the basket. I think it was Parson who was back and I would have preferred if Nic kept the ball instead of forcing a bad pass to the 3 pt shooter.

He had 4 TO's. Two would be much better......

 

[TBpup]

In the beginning of the game, David Aldridge was saying he'll be traded no later than the 19th, and IIRC, Milwaukee and Philly were interested teams, along with Cleveland (Where Vareajo would come to Houston)

I am a little worried that someone like they trade Asik for someone like Spencer Hawes/Sanders/Varejo. That would give them a legit PF and in Hawes case, another deadly shooter from the outside to compliment DHo.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Shockingly, in 15 games, Robin's brother Brook hasn't had a single double double at all this year. I think we have the better Lopez.

Brook doesn't have Batum or LA, so it's understandable.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I am a little worried that someone like they trade Asik for someone like Spencer Hawes/Sanders/Varejo. That would give them a legit PF and in Hawes case, another deadly shooter from the outside to compliment DHo.

Or they can continue to develop Jones. He seems to be the perfect type of PF to play alongside DH. He isn't quite there yet, but he continues to get better.

 

[TBpup]

Great...GREAT highlights from the Blazers. Good job.

[video=youtube;8z-cjhj40b0]

 

[BBert]

LaMonster is MVP.

Harden is a dirty player.

I hate Mo Williams.

LaMonster is MVP.

Does Mo have incriminating photos of Stotts'?

LaMonster is MVP.

Dame needs to stop emulating Mo.

Dame gets no love from the refs. They even gave him a tech for not letting some scrub knock the ball out of his hands after a whistle. WTF is up with that?

LaMonster is MVP.

 

[Boise Blazer]

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I love me some Robin Lopez!

 

[magnifier661]

I live how his hair is blowing back as he dunked strong!

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Are lopez jerseys available anywehre?

 

[magnifier661]

Are lopez jerseys available anywehre?

I wanting me one!

 

[maxiep]

Are lopez jerseys available anywehre?

Forget the jerseys. If the Blazers were smart, they'd sell Sideshow Bob Lopez wigs.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Forget the jerseys. If the Blazers were smart, they'd sell Sideshow Bob Lopez wigs.

I mentioned this to my son last night.

why in the hell are there no FroLo wigs at the games. C'mon Blazers.....at least they should be reading this

 

[maxiep]

Other than the Denver game I saw live, last night's game was the first chance I have had to see this team all year. I was impressed. We're much better--not just our record, but the way we play--than I thought we would be. Our ball movement is tremendous, and we play with much more intensity than we did last season.

If you tell me that Lillard shoots 1-10 and we beat a team like Houston, I would have thought you were nuts. Harden and Howard were magnificent, we weren't our best and we still beat them.

Count me as a believer.

 

[magnifier661]

Portland also broke Dwight's streak of games where he had at least 20/18

 

[maxiep]

Portland also broke Dwight's streak of games where he had at least 20/18

I would have rather he went 20/18 than the 32/17 he did. Lost in how great LA's game was, was just how good Howard's play was.

 

[magnifier661]

I would have rather he went 20/18 than the 32/17 he did. Lost in how great LA's game was, was just how good Howard's play was.

If you look on any highlight, they didn't even focus on Howard and talked only on Aldridge. It was evident that Howard was outplayed

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I would have rather he went 20/18 than the 32/17 he did. Lost in how great LA's game was, was just how good Howard's play was.

Our gameplan going in was to let Dwight get his and not double against him. When you get ahead, having Houston trade baskets with you is perfect because it does them no good, but they see it as a sure thing and keep going to it like fool's gold.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Great...GREAT highlights from the Blazers. Good job.

[video=youtube;8z-cjhj40b0]

Fun watch . . . brought me right back to last night. Thx for posting

 

[rasheedfan2005]

I mentioned this to my son last night.

why in the hell are there no FroLo wigs at the games. C'mon Blazers.....at least they should be reading this

Fuck fear the beard. Loathe the froathe

 

[KingSpeed]

I would have rather he went 20/18 than the 32/17 he did. Lost in how great LA's game was, was just how good Howard's play was.

Not really. His post game was impressive but he let Aldridge/Lopez grab 35 rebounds and his team's defense was awful.

 

[KingSpeed]

Other than the Denver game I saw live, last night's game was the first chance I have had to see this team all year. I was impressed. We're much better--not just our record, but the way we play--than I thought we would be. Our ball movement is tremendous, and we play with much more intensity than we did last season.

If you tell me that Lillard shoots 1-10 and we beat a team like Houston, I would have thought you were nuts. Harden and Howard were magnificent, we weren't our best and we still beat them.

Count me as a believer.

Nice. I'm glad you got to see us play. I hope you can watch more. This is our best season in over 20 years.