Bucks Survive Blazers in OT
posted: 12/7/2006 at 7:40 AM
It was a shot that Zach Randolph has put down a thousand times. It wasn't an easy shot, as he had Ruben Patterson draped all over him, but with his soft left hand he floated the ball to the rim and saw it take three bounces before finally rolling out. Knowing Zach's touch on those shots, I was very close to calling the shot good, and calling it a Blazer win, before it finally came off the left side of the rim. We were sitting to the right of the rim, and the ball looked to be halfway down.
Understanding that the Trail Blazers were playing the second of a back-to-back, and knowing that the Milwaukee Bucks were due at home, it certainly felt like Portland had just seen its chance to win the game slip by. That turned out to be the case. In the overtime period it was all Bucks, and they beat the Blazers 102-94.
It especially hurt, as this was an opportunity to start this six-game road trip with a second-straight win. And, the Blazers didn't play their best game, yet still had a chance to win it in regulation. They only shot 43 percent, turned the ball over 18 times, and were outrebounded 39-38.
With the Bucks taking note of what Detroit didn't do defensively against Portland, Zach was doubled, and tripled all night. We knew it would be tough anyway, with Ruben Patterson on him in the low block. Randolph had to fight, and shot only 7 for 19, but did end up with 20 points and 14 rebounds. It was time for the Blazer backcourt to step up offensively.
Jarrett Jack continued his strong play as of late, and scored a career-high 30 points, on 12-22 shooting. He also had 10 assists and just 2 turnovers. He did this against a very good defensive point guard, in Maurice Williams. Martell Webster also took advantage of the Bucks' zone defense, and scored 19 points, going 5 for 8 on three pointers.
If the Blazers had won this game, sharing the MVP honors, with Jarrett, would have been Ime Udoka. Udoka is the most consistent player on this team, and for three and a-half quarters, had Michael Redd frustrated and out of rhythum. He is easily Portland's best defender, and draws all the most difficult matchups. Redd had just 10 points at halftime, and 14 through three quarters. He finally broke loose late in the 4th, and in overtime, and ended with 33.
The Trail Blazers were frustrated following the loss, but were upbeat by the time we got to our hotel in Indianapolis at about 2:30 am. On the plane, as always, the DVD of the game was playing. A chance for the players to immediately review things. Nate doesn't tell them to watch, or even walk back to see if anyone is watching. But, they all do. Jarrett and LaMarcus Aldridge were sitting together, pens and paper in hand, watching and discussing everything. Juan Dixon, who just rolled his eyes when he walked past me, frustrated by an 0 for 8 night, went up front to talk with the coaches.
Thursday will involve practice for the team. Nate is letting them sleep a while though, as we're in our fourth city, and third time zone in four days. And, we're just two games into the trip. The Blazers will practice in the afternoon, and then Friday night take on the Indiana Pacers. It's not as cold here as it was in Milwaukee, so that's good. We've got Toronto up following this stop, and that will be, well, Toronto in the winter.
Tonight, on KXL-750 AM in the Portland area, and available anywhere in the world by clicking the link on the top-right portion of this page, it's Trail Blazers Courtside, from 6 to 8pm. Bob Akamian and Jay Allen will be hosting from Portland, but we'll be joining them from Indianapolis. Coach McMillan will be live, as always, early in the show. Wheels will be on at 6:45, Rice at 7:30, and I'll be on at 7:40. Talk to you then.
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I don't understand why Jack doesn't get more love from the fans. He is easily the 2nd best player on this team and a natural born leader. His work ethic is tremendous and he is one of the most unselfish players out there, which is definitely a quality that you would want in an NBA point guard. I'm sick of everyone jumping on the Sergio bandwagon and talking about how he gets no love. Sure, the kid has some talent but so did Sebastian Telfair!!! Now tell me his and Sergio's styles aren't the same! What you want in a PG is a leader, a true floor general, and someone who the team can count on when the game is on the line. Jack proved that he can step up and play big for the team. I think averages of 13.6 ppg and 6.2 ast is pretty decent. What I don't understand is how he didn't get a nod for a spot on the all-star ballot when Juan Dixon did. Can you explain that one???
Hi Mike. Why has Magloire’s minutes dropped. I know at first he wasn’t playing to well but if you look at his stats he’s like that at the beginning of the seasons. I think with more minutes he will get better his stats will tell you that. If Nate isn’t going to use him then the Blazers should trade him to a team that would have more use with him. The other night Magloire got two dunks and Nate benched him ! What’s that all about???
Yes, Jack is averaging 13 points and 6 assist per game in....36 minuts!!! if sergio rodriguez play this minutes, i´m sure that sergio could average +10 asists per game.When you talk about sergio have some talent...i suppose that you are sure if Jack plays 10 minutes as Sergio he will be the best asister per minute of the nba...who´s "the talent"?
I think coach Nate's move to bring Dickau in ahead of Sergio is suspicious to say the least. I have to believe Nate is trying to get Dan some PT so other teams can get a look at him. I would rather believe that over believing he's just a bad coach. I don't believe for a second he actually thinks Dickau is a better option than Sergio. If he does, I guess for us fans who like exciting, creative basketball, it was fun while it lasted. It seems Nate has banned that kind of play like it was a headband. Call me crazy, but watching players make meaningless passes along the perimeter because they're too afraid too shoot or make a mistake is getting old. Without Zach, this team has no idea what to do.
With Joel, Raef and LaMarcus, it's absolutely normal and understandable that Magloire's minutes are so suddenly gone done. The idea of a trade could be a good one, indeed.
In the association there are some kinda rumors that say that Rashard Lewis could be on the block if the Sonics don't improve to 0.500 in their percentage of wins in some weeks, which isn't an easy task. As the Sonics might be interested in catching a good center, maybe the Blazers could be interested in trading Magloire and another player (like Outlaw, Udoka o Dixon) for Lewis. But this is just a "maybe" or even a "could/would be", I mean, a completely hypothetical possibility that I'm just considering at the moment.
P.D By the way I don't think it's fair to compare Sergio with Telfair. They're completely different when it comes to work ethic and Sergio probably has more "team mentality" than Telfair, who was kinda selfish in his personality and this could be seen on the court.
hey, im a new poster. im 15, talked my dad into buying season tickets, and love the blazers.
heres my thoughts:
i dont think magloire is a good fit for this ball club. He doesnt play well with zach, and he takes up playing time for Lamarcus Aldridge, who i already consider as a better player than jamaal. Most of Jamaals points come from free throws, and he is a worse free throw shooter than shaq.
i loooveee sergio rodriguez. he is so exciting to watch, and really ignites our team whenever he gets on the floor. His pick and rool with Lamarcus Aldridge is picture perfect. Steal of the draft.
Jarret Jack is great, and i still think he should be the starter, but i get nervous every time he dribbles it, because he looks like he carries the ball.
I agree with jarretjackcollecter on a lot of points, but sergio and sebastian's play style is completely different. Sergio is more of a steve nash w/o the shooting ability yet. Sebastian is more of a Stephon Marbury.
Dan Dickau and Raef need to go! we don't have enough playing time for them. Nate put Dan in the game for some reasons. I feel much better when the ball is in Sergio's hands. We need to make a some trades soon.
Mike-
During the last telecast vs the Bucks you and Mike Rice had no idea how the refs knew how much time was on the shot clock. You both felt there should be about 17 or 18 seconds left, and that the refs were just making up a number. But I have the solution!!! It was the start of the 4th quarter and the game clock said 11:51. That means 9 seconds ran off the game clock and also the shot clock. Hence, 15 seconds left on the shot clock. It was pretty hilarious hearing you two argue about that.
Go Blazers!
All I'm saying is that both Sergio and Sebastian had a flashy style of play and both were able to pass really well and get their teammates involved. Sergio and Sebastian are both undersized PGs that are defensive liabilites. They are practically the same player!
Well, (or should i say Jarret Jack's mom? sister? girlfriend? cousing? uh? ) , defending is about a lot more than size, speed, anticipation, and basketball IQ being some of the required attributes. Sergio is nothing like Telfair, he is unselfish, true team player, and a really humble guy. I have been following his career for quite a while, to know that. Let's give JJ 5 minutes (or two) per game and see how productive he is.
In any case, i do agree that JJ is a good, solid reliable PG, but just that.
Sergio is barely 20 years old, a newcomer to the states, away from his family and friends, in an completely different culture, living by himself, learning english and still manages to keep his head together and show a strong game in the few minutes he ges on the floor. I have seen Sergio winning. He is definitely a leader and a true floor general. He did that on the World Championship (semifinal against Argentina, he basically won the game for Spain in the third quarter.
I congratulate the Blazers again on having the best Junior PG in the world.
I think the Blazers are lucky to have both Jack and Sergio. Jack is an incredible player and anyone who saw him in college make short work of ROY last year, Chris Paul, would agree.I can see where JJCollector is coming from when saying there is rarely any love thrown JJ's way even after a 30 point game. Sergio is good right now and will be great and to have those two as backcourt teammates is going to be incredible especially when Roy gets back.
Second, seriously Dan and Raef just don't need to get PT unless a foul situation comes up. I would really like to see Aldridge get a lot more PT. Hes putting up better numbers than any big man not named randolph on the team.
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