Here Are A Few Quotes To Go With Your Morning Coffee..

[ABM]

From: The Columbian

While the Blazers were not short on areas that broke down in Saturday’s playoff series opener against Houston, one problem spot stuck out: Portland’s poor 3-point shooting. The Blazers had four players who averaged at least one made 3-pointer made this season: Brandon Roy (83), Travis Outlaw (89), Steve Blake (140) and Rudy Fernandez. But that group combined to hit 1 of 9 attempts in Saturday’s loss.

But it wasn’t the misses that Roy found unacceptable. It was the number of attempts.

"I don’t think that was enough threes," Roy said. "It’s like once guys missed their first one it was like, ‘Alright, I’m not taking any more.’ I think, shoot, let’s play. We can’t get into thinking about misses. We’ve got to play aggressively. Houston’s going to give you shots. But guys have got to say, ‘OK, it was a good shot, take it again,’ and then be ready to take it again.’"

Here are some somewhat encouraging quotes from the Houston side.....

Trail Blazers fans may be discouraged after a 27-point rout on Saturday doused their playoff hopes. But two people expect to see a much different outcome today: Houston coach Rick Adelman and Rockets guard Ron Artest.

Adelman spoke from personal experience on Monday, pointing to rough series starts he had as a coach in Portland and Sacramento.

With the Blazers in 1992, Adelman watched Michael Jordan light Portland up with six 3-pointers and 39 points in a 33-point loss to open the NBA Finals, only to have his Blazers bounce back and win Game 2. Then in Sacramento, Adelman’s Kings lost by 30 to Utah in their 1999 first-round opener only to recover and win Game 2 on the road.

And Artest doesn’t expect a young team that won 54 games and earned home-court advantage for the first round to roll over early.

"They’ll play better," (Artest) said. "They’re a very well coached team, and they’re a unique team, being so young and making it this far, getting home-court advantage. That just don’t happen. Not with a team that young. That don’t happen. They’re a unique team, a special team. And I’m sure they’ll do special things in the playoffs."

 

[oldmangrouch]

Adelman is a class act, and would never trash talk an opponent.

Artest being gracious? That scares me. He must think the series is already in the bag.

 

[Shooter]

That's a very nice quote from Artest. Raises my opinion of him a little.

 

[durvasa]

That's a very nice quote from Artest. Raises my opinion of him a little.

Ron's been that way all year. He got into a little trash talking with Kobe earlier in the year, but there was nothing hostile to it. Really, the only incident that might have bothered some Rockets fans is he called out McGrady's poor defense publicly.

But he's gone out of his way to encourage the young players on the team, mostly been very respectful towards the vets, and he's been gracious with the opponents.

 

[Kaydow]

Ron's been that way all year. He got into a little trash talking with Kobe earlier in the year, but there was nothing hostile to it. Really, the only incident that might have bothered some Rockets fans is he called out McGrady's poor defense publicly.

But he's gone out of his way to encourage the young players on the team, mostly been very respectful towards the vets, and he's been gracious with the opponents.

That trash talking with Kobe was hillarious.

Ron Ron: "You're not ready Kobe"

(after Kobe had like 31 points in the 2nd half against them)

Kobe: "I'm not ready for you? (LOL) Oh, you're a stand up comedian now?"

Ron Ron: "I'm sorry Kobe. I was only kidding. Can we still be friends?"


Well, at least that's what I THINK Ron Ron said at the end.

 

[Tince]

Friend of mine ran into Artest downtown yesterday, and only had nice things to say about their exchange.

 

[Nikolokolus]

That's a very nice quote from Artest. Raises my opinion of him a little.

Artest loves playing for Adelman and I think he's finally grown up a little (maybe?).

It's nice to see someone figure it out, mature and turn their career around from the shambles he made of it at the Palace those years ago.

Anybody up for a free agent signing this off-season?

 

[alex42083]

Anybody up for a free agent signing this off-season?

I'd take Artest in a heartbeat if he would have the same respect for Nate than he does for Adelman. Take away all the other off-the-court crap about him, and I love his game. And it'd eliminate the one guy that seemingly has Roy's number.

 

[Tince]

I'd take Artest in a heartbeat if he would have the same respect for Nate than he does for Adelman. Take away all the other off-the-court crap about him, and I love his game. And it'd eliminate the one guy that seemingly has Roy's number.

Artest and Rick work because Rick treats him different and just lets him do this thing. I don't think Nate would do that, so my guess is, it wouldn't work.

 

[LittleAlex]

I'd take Artest in a heartbeat if he would have the same respect for Nate than he does for Adelman. Take away all the other off-the-court crap about him, and I love his game. And it'd eliminate the one guy that seemingly has Roy's number.

Artest would be amazing for this team. Every great team has one guy who is a little crazy. I think Portland has strong enough personalities now that he wouldn't poison the team.

No way they get him, though.

 

[ABM]

Anybody up for a free agent signing this off-season?

"They’re a unique team, a special team. And I’m sure they’ll do special things in the playoffs."

Hmmm........can you say a bit of potential posturing on Ron's part?

 

[MARIS61]

Friend of mine ran over Artest downtown yesterday...

I wish.

 

[alex42083]

Artest and Rick work because Rick treats him different and just lets him do this thing. I don't think Nate would do that, so my guess is, it wouldn't work.

Why wouldn't Nate work well with Artest? Seems like Artest has respect for what we're doing here or else is just not trying to say the wrong thing there.

 

[alex42083]

Artest would be amazing for this team. Every great team has one guy who is a little crazy. I think Portland has strong enough personalities now that he wouldn't poison the team.

No way they get him, though.

I don't think we'd get him either, but it'd be sweet though. And KP always said that when we've built a good enough culture that we'd be able to take on a 'questionable' personality. Artest would fit that pretty well.

 

[LittleAlex]

I don't think we'd get him either, but it'd be sweet though. And KP always said that when we've built a good enough culture that we'd be able to take on a 'questionable' personality. Artest would fit that pretty well.

To be honest, I wouldn't mind Portland getting Shane and Artest if only so they never guard Brandon again.

 

[DaRizzle]

That trash talking with Kobe was hillarious.

Ron Ron: "You're not ready Kobe"

(after Kobe had like 31 points in the 2nd half against them)

Kobe: "I'm not ready for you? (LOL) Oh, you're a stand up comedian now?"

Ron Ron: "I'm sorry Kobe. I was only kidding. Can we still be friends?"


Well, at least that's what I THINK Ron Ron said at the end.

[video=youtube;g0-ejjfu-20]

50 bucks...Bitch!

 

[LameR]

50 bucks...Bitch!

That was awesome. Thanks.

 

[Nikolokolus]

50 bucks...Bitch!

Goddamn I love "The Basketball Jones" Skeets, kills me.

 

[KingSpeed]

Shoot more threes! I love it!

 

[DaRizzle]

Shoot more threes! I love it!

famous last words for a playoff team