Another Gutty Effort, Another Dramatic Win
posted: 11/22/2006 at 11:17 PM
I give up. I can't figure this team out. The only sure thing at this point is that they have a heck of a lot of heart, and that they've got great leadership. Outside of that, I'm clueless. Another double-digit comeback? Left for dead by the side of the road, once again, and then brought back to life by an amazingly-resiliant, never-give-up attitude. Is this why this team is so likable, and so easy to cheer for?
Before the game on Wednesday night, my TV partner, Mike Rice, and I were in total agreement (that's newsworthy in itself). We both saw all the arrows pointing to a game that would be very difficult to win. It was a very talented New Jersey team, humbled by this young Portland team just four days earlier, coming off a loss in Seattle in which they gave up a fourth-quarter lead. A Hall-of-Fame point guard in Jason Kidd, challenging his team after the Seattle loss, and questioning his team's heart. They were sure to respond, and respond in a big way.
Early in the game on Wednesday, the Nets did respond, and surprised no one at our broadcast table with the way they started the game. They grabbed a 14-point lead, and were in total control. Meanwhile, the Blazers appeared to be having a let-down game, following the close loss on Monday to San Antonio, with a day off, and a holiday coming the next day. Distractions, in the form of family, in the stands, checking their watches, and already thinking about the next day's gatherings. Everything was happening just as if the script had been read by both teams before the game.
Then we came to the second half. We have grown accustomed to this Blazer team fighting its way back into games, so to see them make a few hard charges wasn't a surprise. They got close on many occasions. Every time they would make a run, it would be answered by Vince Carter, Kidd, or Richard Jefferson, and amazingly talented backcourt. The Blazers just couldn't get over the hump.
It wasn't until late in the game, when Travis Outlaw became unstoppable, when Zach Randolph started doing what he does best, and when Jarrett Jack started hitting clutch jumpers, did we start to realize that this Portland team had made other plans.
The Blazers didn't take their first lead of the game until the 2:51 mark of the fourth quarter. We kept saying on the broadcast that "if they could only get over the hump and actually get the lead." And, sure enough, once they had it, they weren't about to let it go.
Nate McMillan, who has injected this shorthanded team with this belief in itself, admitted after the game that "maybe we won a game that we should have lost." He wasn't happy at all times with the performance, but was thrilled with the late effort. He even shook his head several times as if even he was surprised by his team's first-month heroics here this season.
A few stats that jumped out at me, and then I'm off to enjoy Thanksgiving. The Blazers had 18 assists and only six turnovers in the game. Jarrett Jack ended the two-game series against Jason Kidd with 13 assists and 0 turnovers. And, the Blazer starters in this game went 19 for 19 at the free-throw line. You want a plug for the defense? The Blazers are now 5 and 0 when they hold teams under 100 points, and are 1 and 7 when their opponents get 100+.
New Jersey played a very good game. They'll be extremely upset by the loss, of course, but look at their numbers. They shot 54 percent, outrebounded Portland by 5, dished out 26 assists (14 by Kidd) and turned the ball over only 10 times. Numbers like that are supposed to get you a win. It didn't happen on this night.
The Blazers have already surpassed last year's November win total, with three games left to play. They've done this with Darius Miles, Raef LaFrentz, Joel Przybilla, and Brandon Roy, the pre-season pick to win Rookie of the Year, in street clothes for most of the games in this first month. Even though its hard to believe, the best is yet to come.
Happy Thanksgiving.
RSS FEED
wow is all i can say. why is no one at the games. 13000.......pathetic. oh well i have the TV on and the radio on listening to both. What a great game. Zbo jack and aldrige all great. jammal is playing better. I'm proud of the team
Mike,
Thanks for the great article. You hit the nail on the head when you talked about this blazer team's heart. This is something that was duly missing in last year's team-the will to fight and come back against any odds to win a ballgame. The Blazers have shown this on several occasions already this year, even without Roy and Pryzbilla in the lineup. In what is considered a re-building year I think this is a great sign.
I am blown away by the strong play and maturity of Aldridge thus far. I initially questioned the Blazers moves to draft him with the No. 2 pick, but let me just say that those doubts have been erased very quickly since he has returned to the lineup. I now have the long lost feeling of not only having confidence in the players but the front office as well.......I think a .500 season would is realistic and would be a huge step in the right direction. GO.
McMillan said after the game that "maybe we won a game that we should have lost." I disagree. I think that perhaps the Blazers won a game they were destined to win.
Each game, each quarter, each possession this team plays together means something now. And what makes that particularly special is that the players recognize and embrace it. You can actually see the will to win in their eyes. Rice said the team grew up a little tonight. "Matured" is the word I think he used. Sometimes the old coach knows what he's talking about it seems.
It's a special time to be a Blazer fan. These will be the days we look back on with the eyes of a proud parent when we hoist the NBA championship trophy once again in Portland.
And that day will come.
We need to wear those white jerseys against the Nets more often. :)
Just because of this game tonight I made my personal message on my IMing service "These Blazers are for REAL!!!" And that is true. If you don't believe it, now's the time to start believin'. This team comes into the 4th quarter and makes the push to win the game, which is unblike last season, where the 4th was where the game was lost. I think the Blazers are, and will be, a quality team. We are on now, an overcoming team, and will be, when our men come back like ROY, Przybilla, LaFrentz, man we'd have it made. Isn't Joel supposed to be back on Saturday's game against the Kings? If he is, we'll be unstoppable on the defensive end, mostly... with Joel just coming off that injury and all.
Nobody cares about the 1ºrank assists-per-48min Portland player? Sergio is 'terrific' at passing!
The Spaniard (is a Rookie!) also has the 5º rank at assist-per-turnover.
WOW. A great game in the 4th Quarter. The 13,000 of us were so noisy we helped force the clutch 24 second turnover. imagine what 20,999 could do. Yeah I'm a proud sixth man for my Blazers.
It's sad to see so few people at the game when Portlanders claim that they care about having a team with character. If we care so much about character, we need to prove it. Oh yeah, and there's also the fact that we're actually winning. But the Garden was as loud as a packed house in the 4th quarter because the people who actually show up are the ones that care. I'm really impressed with Sergio except he has to get used to the NBA 3-point line which I know can be a challenge. I know it was hard for me going from college to the slightly longer line in Europe. And Aldridge (hook 'em horns!) is an incredible player. I think these guys will continue to compete all year and .500 is not out of the question. I'm already excited for next season.
TRUST SERGIO!!!! just look at the stats, first in nba assists per 48 minutes, that´s unbelievable for 18 years old guy what could he do with 35 minutes per game... I know it´s hard to trust a young european guy and jarrett is doing a good work too, but nobody ever tought that tony parker would run the spurs so well, Popovich couldn´t miss the evidence I hope Nate give SERGIO more minutes.
You're absolutely correct, Mike. I have yet to figure this team out as well. After the first couple of double digit comebacks I thought to myself "I don't mind a little luck every now and again." But now as I see this team fight back from every single double digit deficit they've had this season thus far, I no longer believe it's luck.
They've beaten some very quality teams this season and I think it's safe to say that we would have never seen that from last year's team. But I don't like to talk about the past, only the present and future, which by the way look very promising for the young Blazers squad. Let's hope that the Blazers can go into Sacramento and give them a tough game tomorrow since I think Sacramento's still a little shaken after Utah came from behind to beat them last night.
Oh and by the way, I was watching some random reality t.v. show the other day and I noticed TWO people from New York were wearing Portland Trailblazer jerseys. Looks like a lot more than just the Portland natives are starting to notice and believe in this young and exciting team. Happy Thanksgiving!!
that first comment was one of the most hypoctitical comments i have ever read
great blog mb!
I think the results are bringing to fruition what coach Nate said to begin the year, the team needs to scrap for everything for 48 mins every night. Even with slow starts the never give up attitude is refreshing for a seasoned Blazers fan, who follows the games on the net from Australia!
A happy and fit Zach don't hurt either1
Go Team!
Mike,
I appreciate very much the information in this blog. Its a good way for non US people to go through NBA. We saw last weekend game in Canal + and we really did love to see Sergio again. why don't you suggest coach McMillan to get him play a little more. Unfortunately Portland is not getting very good results so maybe its time to try and leave him playing. ¡Be a good mate and give him additional minutes! Hopefully you will win ...
BY the way, do you know if Sergio has any kind of Blog where we can also write him? Maybe the answer is that he has no time. Only for basket and english.
Kisses from Spain.
spanishchocolate,
Thanks for the comments. I always appreciate hearing from the Sergio fans in Spain. I do pass along the comments to him, and he always loves hearing from you.
Our broadcast of Sunday's game against Phoenix will be again on Canal+ in Spain, so you'll be able to watch it. Our feed will also be shown in France, Hong Kong, Iceland, Mexico, Russia, Turkey, and Philippines.
I'll post a new blog when we get to Sacramento this evening.
MB
Did I miss something here? Everyone is going on about the obvious and no-one has mentioned the defense of one Martell Webster. For me the play of the game was when he took the hit in the last minute of play and RJ took an offensive foul. Webster's minutes 34:46 the most ever and why was that why "D' of course and the fact that his back did not stiffen up, (he was moving better than ever before). Keep the stroke kid, time is definitely on your side.
It was nice to have crowd noise causing (helping actually) the 24 second shot clock violation.
It reminded me of the time when the team was playing someone (LA?) and there was a foul called..but the crowd was so loud that the players couldn't hear the whistle for a good 5-10 seconds after it was blown.
Reminded me a little bit (also) of the time when against the Lakers, we drowned out the "mony mony" song with a chant of "Beat LA".
Mike,
Our team will always have me thinking, what's going to happen at the next game. unpredictable! With so many young threats. This young trailblazer team will go farther this year.
I was at the San Antonio game and when Ime Udoka got into foul trouble in the third. The players moved around so that Dan Dickau could run the point. Dan played more minutes in this game then I've seen so far this season. I think if I had to narrow down why the Trailblazers lost that game, it was because of that decision.
Dan is a talented player, but what the Trailblazers needed was a confidence booster. Someone who can run an offense. Someone who is also not easy to predict. Who you might ask? Sergio Rodriguez! I think Tony Parker would of had his hands full, just like Jason Kidd did.
This is just my opinion. I think if the Trialblazers are going through a cold spell during a game, just put in Sergio Rodriguez and watch the offense heat up. Kinda like a jump start. Not only does it take the players to win a game, but also the Coaches!
Go Trailblazers!
I agree with dlatta. Sergio comes in and gives us a completely different look. The offense seems to flow when Sergio gets the call. I've haven't understood Nate's fascination with Dan, but it seems he may be getting over it.
Don't get me wrong. I believe in Nate, but i have been confused at times with his choice of Dan over Sergio. I understand we can take our time with Sergio, but we need only take our time with him if there is a better option. Dan is not a better option.
To all our Sergio fans in Spain - I appreciate your support and interest. In my opinion Sergio will get more minutes based on how he plays defense and shoots the ball. His assists and assist to turnover rations are great but he has not yet adjusted to shooting the ball as we all know he can do and defense is hard to know if he is doing the right thing just by watching. Jarrett is an excellent defender and a good distributor. Dan bring more offensive skills and more experience in the NBA. All three are important to this team's success this year and in future years. Please keep up the great support.
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