The only Blazer that seems to give a damn...

[chris_in_pdx]

Martell Webster. Whodathunk?

 

[Shooter]

Yep. At least he was playing hard. I give him that.

 

[mook]

Bayless was busting ass out there too.

 

[BGrantFan]

He could at least play a little defense, though.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Bayless always plays hard and with passion

 

[illmatic99]

LaMarcus also seemed to care a bit, even if he got shut down by double teams again. (I sorta place some of the blame for his ineffectiveness on Nate).

 

[Chuck Taylor]

I agree...Webster had heart tonight. Amazing that it wasn't long ago that he was just as lost as Rudy is now. Lets hope Rudy's late run turns things around for him as well.

 

[alex42083]

I'd say Dante gave some good energy out there. He just didn't get many minutes but I think he was a bright spot.

 

[craigehlo]

Just image if we could get players that posses both "heart" AND "talent" on the roster?

That combination seems to elude KP.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

You gotta throw Howard in there too; I liked that hard foul on Stoudamire!

Although I'm not sure if the problem is really how hard we play. Phoenix has some guys (Stoudamire and Richardson) who seem to have a combination of skill, confidence, fluidity and athleticism that Portland just doesn't have right now. So all they need to do is play just as hard as us and they're usually gonna come out on top.

 

[Nikolokolus]

I think lots of guys on the team give a damn ... unfortunately not enough of them try to take it out on the opposition.

 

[Public Defender]

Hey let's face it - the Phoenix Suns are the better team. The two teams would be close if the Blazers had Brandon Roy, but in a seven-game series, the better team emerges.

Phoenix is better than the Blazers at four positions, without much question: Nash is better than Andre Miller, Jason Richardson is better than Rudy Fernandez, Grant Hill is better than a gimpy Nicolas Batum (or a fully healthy Martell Webster), and Amare Stoudemire is better than Aldridge. Marcus Camby may be better than Channing Frye, or whomever else is in the frontcourt with Stoudemire, but it doesn't matter.

And even if the Blazers' bench might be even - guys like Bayless, Webster, and Howard are at least putting an effort in - it's just not enough to overcome how much better the Suns' starters are.

 

[THE HCP]

I think Bayless is bringing it harder then anybody!

 

[Tince]

I think Bayless is bringing it harder then anybody!

Physically, no doubt.

Mentally, not so much.