Thursday, April 16, 2009

Linkage/Plagerism

Wow, I still can’t believe that we got the 4 seed. Unfortunately we got Houston who is not a great matchup for

us. But I still believe the way we are playing right now we can beat almost anybody. I do not have that many fresh takes on the playoffs right now, just still in awe, so I will leave the words up to some links from around the “inter-web”. (P.S. – “writing” this post kind of makes me feel like I am in college again, cutting and pasting stuff from people who are smarter then me.)


Oh, and I know I most likely told most of you already, but I am doing a NBA playoff bracket for $5. If you are

interested please let me know ASAP so I can get you the bracket as they are due by 9:30 AM Saturday!


First, John Hollinger gives us some love in his chat:


Sudeep (Houston, Tx): Thank you Hollinger for your great articles. Do you think Houston can beat Portland without home court?

John Hollinger: (3:02 PM ET ) Flattery will get you everywhere. I think Houston is the third-best team in the West; too bad for them they're in the same bracket as Nos. 1 and 2. Rockets match up very well against the Blazers but that's a very tough building they're going into and the Rockets' place just isn't that intimidating (sorry, just the messenger) ... so that's why I'm taking Blazers in 6.

Chris (Kenmore, WA): Hi John, any reason to think it won't be a Lakers vs Cavs final?

John Hollinger: That's certainly the way to bet, though I suppose you could make an argument for Portland-Orlando. Those are really the only four teams I can see making the Finals at this point. Maybe Denver, just because of their bracket. But it's a far cry from last year when you could make a case for 8-10 teams.

Here is a link to check out ESPN’s playoff central. Interestingly enough, 6 of the 8 ESPN experts picked the Blazers to win the series.


Mike Barrett details some stuff about the Blazers, and has a nice link to a Rip City mixtape. Pretty coo stuff.

The Blazers end the season 54-28, far exceeding most expectations, and recording the 6th-best record in franchise history. They also finished 34-7 at home, and 22-4 at home against the west. They'll also head into the playoffs on a six-game winning streak. Only one other Blazer team has done that- the 1976-77 Blazers. That playoff run worked out pretty well.

Some Blazer fans are SUPER crazy and spent the night outside to get playoff tickets. But hey, I know I would have been there if I didn’t have job.

The line snaked throughout the Rose Quarter courtyard this morning, a haphazard conga line of folding chairs, blankets, sleepy eyes and bad hair.

The Blazer faithful began showing up around 1 p.m. Wednesday for a chance at 1,000 tickets available for this weekend's first-round playoff game between the Trail Blazers and the Houston Rockets.

Just a heads up, if you are missing the Oregonion’s Jason Quick and his “Behind the Locker Room Door” series (no, creepers not like that. And yes, you know who you are) then you need to catch up. These are by far my favorite articles to read

Fernandez catches my eye because he has opened one of the room's sliding drawers, and is rummaging through a plastic container. He has the look of a kid sticking his hand in the cookie jar as mom is nearing the kitchen.

From the drawer, he pulls out a thick piece of brownie and takes a big bite, closing his eyes in ecstasy as he sits to enjoy the treat. The brownies are courtesy of the Kissell's, longtime fans who have become close to the team.

As Fernandez enjoys his brownie, Outlaw turns on some hip hop music, and Fernandez starts clapping in rhythm. Soon, Fernandez becomes more animated, raising his hands above his head and pointing his index fingers downward.

Sitting in the swivel chair, with a mouthful of brownies, bopping and pointing like a rap star in a video, Fernandez notices me watching him.

[Skip]

Fernandez was the main source of The Garden's energy Wednesday, hitting a career-high 6 three pointers to break Kerry Kittles NBA record for three-pointers in a season by a rookie by one three pointer. Fernandez finished the season with 159 threes, the third most in a single season in franchise history.

"The brownies,'' Fernandez said after the game. "The brownies are good for me to make three-points.''

Finally Dave over at Blazersedge had a game recap

The guys who busted this game open for us were Sergio Rodriguez and Rudy Fernandez. Sergio was amazing. This is what we've waited 217 games to experience. I've seen kids bump full-on into a hornets nest and not cut as hard or run as fast. They were expecting a butter knife. Sergio was a Cuisinart. He passes! He penetrates! He hits shots! Do you like your Nuggets sliced, diced, blended, or pureed? Rodriguez ended up with 12 assists in this game. Denver had to compensate for the havoc Sergio and his moving targets caused, so they decided to go with the percentages and leave the perimeter free. Enter Rudy. Fernandez took 9 shots tonight, all of them threes. He hit 6, putting himself in the record books as the rookie with the most threes hit in a season. He also stuffed the Nuggets so far down a hole that they were looking up at a white rabbit's behind.

All in all I think it is fair to say that this city has Blazer fever and the only prescription is more cowbell. And by cowbell I mean a trip to the 2nd round. It’s definitely achievable, and as Kevin Garnett shamelessly plugged for Adidas last year after Boston won the championship “ANYYYTHINNGG IS POSSSSIBLLEEE!!!!”


What do you guys think?

7 comments:

  1. Go blazers!! I just have to say that i have not been as dedicated as i should be (being the brother of the respected blogger) but i have so much faith in the Blazers.

    I couldnt believe how well Sergio played last night..... i think that him and Outlaw played well, and they helped raise their trade value (hopefully!!)

    I did notice that Oden was not playing well at all... i hope that is not an indication of how he will play the rest of the playoffs, because last night was a playoff atmosphere!

    all in all.... amazing night last night, and i hope that none of our blazers pull a KG and fag out.

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  2. Haha, well said about KG.

    Last night might have been Sergio's best game this season. He looked great out there and that has to be confidence inspiring for Nate heading into the playoffs.

    Channing Frye also looked the best he has looked in a long time. I was blown away when I saw him take it to the hole a could times!

    If those guys play at that level in the playoffs, Portland is going to an EXTREMELY tough out.

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  3. agreed.... the bench came alive last night and that has to be a very scary thing to see while scouting the blazers!

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  4. I love how much love people are startin to give the Blazers. How awesome would it be to have an Orlando vs Portland finals? I cant wait for the game tonight!
    I've been pretty skeptical of sergio and frye all season, but they made me eat my words with the way they played against Denver the other night. they were both great. And I have to agree with justin that upping their trade value for the off season is always good.

    GO BLAZERS!!

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  5. I also like this little clip by Jemele Hill,

    "Also, these playoffs should be a coming-out party for Brandon Roy. Since he's on the West Coast and a prisoner of late game times, people don't understand that Roy has had a season worthy of putting him on the MVP ballot."

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  6. Wait, am I one of the creepers you reference above? Thought so...at least I got E with me!

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  7. pretty sure if you are a real fan, this thing wouldn't go so long without an update for the ending of the season.... ;)

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