Thursday, November 19, 2009

B Roy

I know I might get some backlash on this one, but I am going for it anyways.

B Roy has been off to a somewhat slow start this year. Even the games where he's scored a lot he still looks a little shaky. His handles are suspect, and he seems to be settling for tough jumpshots quite often rather then get to the rim or create better space. I'm not sure if this is because he is saving himself or what? But my question is, what is he saving himself for? He and the Blazer's haven't earned anything yet! We are still in the "need to prove" stage. The Spurs? They can save themselves. The Celtics? They can save themselves. The Blazers/Roy cannot.

Some of his slow start can maybe be attributed to the fact that he stayed away from basketball activities this summer to get healthy. Ok, I understand wanting to be 100% coming into the season, but let me ask you this. Do you think Kobe Bryant would ever take the whole summer off basketball activity? Kobe Bryant, fresh off a 4 summer commitment to team USA, and a NBA finals win, not only did not take the summer off, but added what's looking to be a very deadly post up game. He trained with Hakeen Olajuwan to learn the "dream shake". You could make the case that if anyone in the NBA deserved a summer away from basketball it was Kobe Bryant, yet he took the summer to became even better then he already was, beucase he knows that's how you win Championships.

So what's B Roy's excuse?

Is he satisfied with how things are? Buying into their own hype? He still refuses to commit full time on D, even though it's the first thing he talks about. My question is, how B Roy gets a free pass? How come Aldridge gets to "save himself" for offense? What will it take for them to truly commit on the defensive end? I don't have the answer to that question, maybe just one more playoff elimination? Maybe 2 more, or 3? All I know is our main guy, who we just maxed out for the next 5 years, looks somewhat content and happy doing what he's doing right now. And that is not what max players do (unless you are Shaq). I know it sounds like I am asking alot, but so was B Roy when he asked for a max contract. It goes both ways.

Do you guys agree? Disagree? Am I crazy?

Pistons Game Recap

See yesterday's post.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Salty Blake

I hate Steve Blake.

Not real hate, just sports hate. And I do not feel like I am overacting because I am so close to the team. I don’t have the “backup QB” syndrome. I know Bayless isn’t a PG, he’s a scoring 2 guard.

After the Atlanta game the other night where he missed 3 key shots late, along with a boneheaded turnover, that was too much for me. I understand that he has hit some clutch shots for us at the end of games. But notice that the only time he hits a “clutch” shot, he is wide open? Has he ever made a clutch play or decision? He chokes when he has to make clutch decisions. He plays not to lose, rather then playing to win. Granted that’s why his turnover ratio is good, because he takes no risks. He is scared to mess up.

I felt this last year, when I saw him dribble down and chuck up an airball from 23 feet out in game 5 of the playoffs vs. Houston. He did not need to shoot that, and not only that it was a poor attempt. That in my mind cemented the fact that we will not win a championship with Steve Blake as our PG.

I’m not saying I need Chris Paul. I just need a player who can perform under pressure. Who makes people better, rather then leach off of them. A James Posey, type role player. If he is not going to make people better then I at least need him to play better D. He tries, but just doesn’t have the athleticism needed.

It’s almost as if we were so used to having crappy PG’s that messed up all the time (Telfair, Jack) that the first guy that stopped messing up all the time we jumped on and fell in love with. Now I just think that we got comfortable with Blake. It’s like when you are in a bit of slump so you just start hanging out with a girl who is meh, but it’s better then nothing. Then you get lazy and just stay with her for a long time, next thing you know you’ve been with her for 3 years, and an “in between” girl to tide you over until a better one came along turned into a serious girlfriend. My question is when will the Blazers take the desperation goggles off and see that Blake is nothing more then a solid backup AT BEST?

Monday, November 16, 2009

Troutlaw!

With the recent injury to Outlaw, there has been some muttering that the Blazers are better off without him. First off, I want to say anyone who believes that is retarded. People who tend to hate the most on Outlaw tend to be the people to watch 1 in every 5-10 games while flipping back and forth between the game and dancing with the stars. People who stand around and talk to their “expert” friend. The guy who bought season tickets this year but shows up halfway through the 1st quarter and leaves with 6 minutes left in the game to “beat traffic”.


Anyone that knows basketball can appreciate what Outlaw brings to our team. I used to be an Outlaw hater, but then I decided to stop disliking him for what he didn’t do, and appreciate for what he does do. He is a scoring spark off the bench that can create his own shot and a great option late in the game when defenses are draped all over Roy. I think people downplay his significance as a secondary scorer late in the game. That is an amazing luxury to have. Not to mention the fact that having him allows us the versatility to play small ball with Trav at the 4. Granted he doesn’t play that great of defense and doesn’t rebound, but Nate knows that, and adjusts accordingly.


All I am saying is you are never better off without a guy who can drop 14 points in the 4th quarter shooting 7-10 from the field.


How much do you think we will miss Outlaw? Check out the poll question and submit your vote!