Finally, the Blazers can get some golf in...

Yes, in a game that I'm almost thankful I wasn't able to watch, the Blazers couldn't beat the Rockets at home so their amazing season is over.  I'm not going to spend too much time on this because frankly I have very little left to say that I haven't already said in previous posts.  McMillian should have been coach of the year.  I don't think I've said that yet.

In almost all of the numerous reports I heard or read about how last night's game was a season-ender for the Blazers if they lost there was a euphemism something along the lines of "If the Blazers don't win it'll be time to break out the golf clubs."  Now I understand this is just a saying, but it still seems kind of stupid to just assume all or even some of the Blazers will be golfing during the off season.  My guess is that the only golf most of them will be playing is Tiger Woods '09 on their gaming console of choice.

One last thing.  Ron Artest flexed for the Houston crowd after throwing down a dunk in game 4.  Then he called for the Lakers (meaning he was already looking ahead to when Houston would play the Lakers in the second round) in an interview.  This certainly isn't surprising; keep in mind that this is the same guy who went into the stands to punch a fan in the face (video here so you can relive the absurdity) and when he got suspended for it decided to use his time productively by putting out a rap album (here it is on Amazon).Well Ronny, now you get the Lakers.  And while I'm not a Kobe fan, I will very much enjoy seeing the highlight on Sportscenter when he flexes in your face after leaving you stumbling over your own feet as he blows by you on his way to the basket.

Ohhmmm...

After being slightly scared by just how devistated I felt after game 4, I have reached a higher plane of understanding and calm when it comes to the Blazers this season.  You just have to keep in mind that all we wanted of them in the regular season was to make the playoffs.  And even that was optimistic of us (they were only a .500 team last season.  And it came down to the last game for that to happen).  We wanted them to continue to build off the success and good vibes of last season.  And they delivered.  And did they limp into the playoffs by barely falling into 7th or 8th place in the uber-competitive western conference (seriously, the desparity between the conferences in the NBA is like watching Brazil's national soccer team play the kick and chase team of 7 year olds I see practicing near our house)?  No, they locked down 4th place in the super-ultra-competative-this-is-the-conference-that-Kobe-plays-in west.  But since the playoffs have started we have forgotten all this.  And I am just as guilty as anyone else.  We suddenly feel that the Zoids will fail us like a housing market if they don't make it out of the first round/beat the Lakers/make it to the Western Conference Finals.  For us as fans to feel that way is just unfair.  So while I REALLY enjoy watching the Blazers win, I am happy that win or lose they're getting playoff experience, which is the one thing the majority of the team needs the most (they are the second youngest team in the NBA keep in mind).  And if they get knocked out in the first round, I'll be carrying the Blazer flag high proud becauses we once again did better this season than anyone expected us too (other than us fans of course).  And of course, I'll be waiting with baited breath to see what we can do next season.

Game 4...Let's win on Houston's floor!

I know, that sounds like something a high school cheerleader would come up with.  Forgive me.  Like I said in the update after the loss in game three, I thin we learned enough to pull out a win.  If L.A. will have a decent night and Big Shot Trav would actually string some makes together that would help a lot.  Yao will get tired in the second half because they don't have a decent back-up for him and then Oden can back him down and get some buckets.  Put that in the game plan Nate.  I'll be watching at the Mission Theater tonight, game's at 6, so c'mon by!

Update on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 9:49PM by Ian Taylor

I can't write about game 4 right now.  Maybe tomorrow, maybe the next day, but right now the wound is still too new, too painful.  I'm going to go to sleep trying to dream sweet dreams of the Blazers winning game 5!

Zoids vs. Houston, Game 3

Tonight I'll be watching the game at Living Room Theaters in Downtown Portland.  They're a great upscale movie theater that will be showing the game on one of their screens (see banner on the right)!  It's free to get in, and they have a great selection of food and drink.  If you want to meet up holla!

 Here's to hopin' the Blazers can steal one in Houston.  Their play on the road got quite a bit better towards the end of the season, let's hope that carries over.  If they play like we all know they're capable of a win in Houston is definitely in the cards.

And lastly, a moment of silence for Dikembe Mutombo's NBA career.  In the second quarter of game 2 on Tuesday he injured his knee and announced the next day that he would be retiring from the game.  He played 18 years injury free, so you know, that's pretty good.  And even though the injury had happened a few seconds before, he still battled Greg Oden for the rebound on the play he was hurt.  Ok, moment of silence over.  Being the rabid Blazer fan that I am, I can't help but think how this benefits us.  Dikembe was Houston's main guy to come off the bench when Yao Ming needed a rest, so hopefully them having to play someone less experienced in his place will work to our advantage.  I feel kind of bad saying that, but not really.

Update on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 2:36PM by Ian Taylor

So...I'll have to save that 'Blazers Win!' headline for Sunday.  It was close game though, and I think we learned a lot (like just wait for Yao to get tired then let Oden work him) so hopefully we can turn that into a win!  Also, Justin pointed out earlier this season that this is the first year the NBA has had someone specifically in charge of overseeing the referees (an retired Army general no less).  I would never blame a loss entirely on officiating, but after some of the call this season all I have to say is that this guy has a lot to review.

BLAZERS WIN GAME 2!

BLAZERS WIN, BLAZERS WIN!  Not by much, but BLAZERS WIN!  We played a solid game last night and managed to keep Yao to a sad 11 points.  Roy on the other hand detonated all over the Rockets scoring 42 points while playing 42 minutes.  For those of you bad at math like me, that averages out to a point a minute.  That is impressive.  Roy was also 10 for 12 from the free throw line, and his attempts probably should have been doubled for all the times he drew contact against Yao and did get the foul.  C'mon now NBA refs, I know the rule technically is that the defender has to leave his feet or be moving for it to be contact, but just because Yao can only jump 4 inches in the air doesn't mean you don't call the foul.

Game three is this Friday in Houston.  If this were the mid-season Blazers a playoff game on the road would almost certainly spell doom, but in the last third of the season our road play has greatly improved and thus I am probably being overly optimistic that it'll be a good game and that we could pull out the win.  I'll have the 'Blazers win game 3!' headline ready to go...