Skip to main content[Looks like we had some technical difficulties to start, but I'm with you now, and I won't leave.] It's that time again, fans. Blazers take on the Kings for what seems like the twelfth or thirteenth time in this young season. The announcer just asked "are you ready?" to which the crowd enthusiastically replied "yes."
Big Greg Oden gets his first start tonight, and it couldn't come against a better team than the Kings, who he has generally dominated in pre-season and regular season play.
But before we get started...CHEERLEADER DEBASEMENT!
Oh, come on Blazer Girls, you're going to have to try harder than that. After all, Sacramento gets DRIZZUNK!
Alright, game time.
In the first few minutes it has been the Brandon Roy show, with Steve Blake in a supporting role for best assists. Big G.O. had a nice looking "C" dunk (you know, the one where he looks like the letter C and then contemplates giving the backboard a little love-tap afterwards? That backboard tap is like the mint on your pillow at the hotel).
8:04
Everyone is having a bit of difficulty finding Oden in the post, even when he runs the court. He can't be hard to see, can he? He's the gigantic 40-year-old with the Hemmingway beard.
6:34
A wild string of missed shots on the Blazers end led to big Greg just missing a gigantic put-back dunk. This building gets so loud when he touches the ball. Brandon ROy continues playing big, scrapping and generally playing aggressive. Score is 14 - 11 Blazers.
5:15
The Kings look good on the break despite being without two of their finest (Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia). Of course, as soon as I type that, they turn the ball over in sloppy fashion.
4:30
Nothing's dropping for the Blazers, and the only thing keeping them around is scrappy play (three steals already). LaMarcus hits a nice hook, then Beno drops a umper on the other end.
3:19
Steve Blake is such a smart player. You can tell that he's really, really hard on himself when something goes wrong—which seems to be a good formula for not fucking up all the time.
2:35
Sergio, Rudy, Channing, Travis and Joel in the game. This is the new second unit. Let's see if they can still capitalize on Przybilla's 80%+ field goal percentage.
Sergio hits a nice three and tries to get the crowd amped on his way back up the court.
1:40
The give and go between Sergio and Rudy is really fun. They're like a team within a team. Sergio dances out beyond the three-point line and his eyes get wide with expectation when he sees Rudy fighting his way out to the perimeter from down low.
Channing connects with a long two, but Przybilla has had a lot of open looks in the post and no one has delivered it to him. You'd think he'd command a little respect from his teammates these days, after the scoring he's been doing. Especially when he's being defended by chopstick-legged Mikki Moore. Channing finally dishes it to him with a bounce pass and it's kicked out of bounds. So close!
2ND QUARTER
Channing with the three. Then Channing with the missed two.
The Kings have turned it over 9 times now. Not good.
Sergio continues dancing, kicking it to Rudy. Rudy kicks it back and Sergio finally gets a nice lob pass to Joel at the rim. He comes down with it and goes back up for the easy dunk. I wonder if Nate said something between quarters about Joel's lack of looks.
10:00
You gotta think it was tough for a young guy named Bobby Brown in school. One has to imagine that there were lots of jokes.
I've heard Greg Oden say that he has learned a lot from Joel Przybilla about playing NBA-level basketball. But seeing Joel throw down his second big dunk from a Sergio pass, I wonder if maybe he has learned a few tricks from Greg, too.
The Kings' Bobby:
Bobby the King of R&B (or, you know, the estranged stepbrother of the King, at least):
7:45
Rudy Fernandez takes a wild three that seems like it has no possibility of going in.
It completely misses the mark. Not even close. But a Sergio Rodriguez steal keeps the Blazers in the game. Spanish Connection!
6:49
Channing steps back for another corner three. There are so many questions that come when a Center takes a shot like that. Is that where coach wanted him? Is he the best guy to be camping out there? If he hits a few, does that make it a good shot, or should he be challenging guys in the paint and be poised to grab rebounds? Channing's first year in Portland consisted of Nate trying to turn him into a post player—his second year seems dedicated to finding his range again. It's very interesting.
Rudy Fernandez's numbers don't look all that impressive, but he and Sergio have brought a liveliness to this game (and this team) that really cranks things up against a team like the Kings that just can't handle it. Most teams' benches are depleted when Rudy and Sergio pick up the pace. It's fun. Fun fun fun.
3:52
This one is going by pretty fast. Greg Oden's game has been unspectacular thus far, though he has set a few screens and just plowed a nice elbow into that whiny Brad Miller's chin. But he sorta looks bored out there. I'm still waiting for him to look pissed, which I think is what a lot of people are waiting for. We want to see him intent on punishing anyone who is trying to guard him. And so far he has been just fighting for position in the post somewhat wildly, calling for the ball when he clearly isn't ready for it (and he's rightly ignored by his teammates in those situations). It's a learning curve, I guess, but I'm looking forward to the day when Greg Oden ompletely shakes off the lingering psychological effects of his recent injuries, gets his conditioning right and decides he's going to intimidate anyone going up against him.
2:30
As if on cue, Greg Oden lets Spencer Hawes take a three-pointer over him in the corner. Why either of them were out there I'm not sure, but Spencer takes another three and it's off on the next trip up the court.
1:36
Maybe it's unintentional, that crybaby face that Brad Miller gets when he fouls someone. I can't stand it, man. I know the guy could beat me to a pulp with one hand behind his back, but I still think he looks like a baby.
49 seconds
Brandon Roy casually slides to the basket with two big strides and lays the ball in around the rim. He is the Isley Brothers of basketball. No doubt.
Joel's shooting 100% in this one. That'll bump his average up just a touch more.
SECOND HALF
eating hot dog. can't type.
beno = good.
8:02
The Kings start the third looking aggressive. Beno Udrih is taking it to the rim with great success, looking really slick while doing it.
Josh Hodges of Starfucker fame just showed up on the big screen. He was giggling and tried to tell his friend to look up at the screen, but I think she was too preoccupied with the gigantic pair of Subway TM dice (part of a pretty ridiculous new game) to see herself up there.
5:56
Travis knocks down a three and the Kings call a timeout, prompting 16 little girls in silver dresses to run out and dance the "Hippy Shake." I wonder if cheerleading will always be with us, or whether it'll be a relic of the past when those girls enter their Blazer Dancing years. Maybe I'm crazy.
Brad Miller drops his second three-pointer in a row. Joel tips in a loose ball on the other end. His season shooting percentage probably just went up to 85%. How long can he keep this going?
5:09
Kings are hit with a travel and Brandon Roy plays floor general, the ball worrking its way around to Travis Outlaw, who gives a little double-pump layup.
LaMarcus dunks to tie things up at 64. But they keep giving Brad Miller long looks (something he has significantly improved on since the team's Mike Bibby/Chris Webber heyday). He takes the Kings up by two. Brandon Roy answers with a three on the other end. Things are getting really interesting. Joel blocks a Spencer Hawes dunk and Travis winds up stealing a rebound. The Blazers have a chance to start stretching their one-point lead, and Brandon does it with an absolute circus shot.
What a turn of events! The Joel P. steal turns into a fast break for Travis and a fancy double-pump dunk. So pretty. The building is ridiculously loud.
1:23
Steve Blake drops the same reverse layup that Beno keeps dropping on the other end. Then he shoots a long jumper with the Blazers' next possession. When Nate takes him out Steve is panting like a sled dog, and LaMarcus Aldridge gives him some friendly joshing.
FOURTH QUARTER
Baby dancing!
11:20
Sergio picks up his third steal of the game, but the fast break slows down into a kick-out to Rudy for three. No such luck. Serge is getting guys the ball in the right spot, and if they were connecting, this would be a great game for him. As it is he has two points and three assists to go with those steals.
10:12
Greg Oden has played less than 17 minutes thus far, and they haven't been very productive. He's out now, as Brandon Roy is injected into the B-team to give it some life.
Sergio drops a no-look pass to Joel on offense. On the other end, when Rodriguez leaves his defensive assignment (Bobby Brown, who drives directly into Channing Frye, who is called for the foul), Joel gets right in Sergio's face, pointing at Brown. He keeps talking to him back on the bench, where Przybilla throws his towel down in frustration. I'd love, for just one game, to have seats down there. To overhear it all from behind the bench.
G.O. checks back into the game with 8:30 left. Bobby Brown makes one of his two free throws, then fouls Sergio on the otehr end. He leaves for Beno Udrih, who now has 17 points. Blazers lead by one.
7:55
Bobby Jackson is getting more playing time this year than anyone probably thought he would get, and makes good on them by dishing out to Spencer Hawes for the easy three-pointer (I guess that's why Hawes is always out at the perimeter).
6:40
Here's the thing, Greg Oden. That guy that just dunked—well, not so much over you...but RIGHT PAST YOU? That guy was Spencer Hawes. THIS Spencer Hawes:
He's like your stringy little malnourished albino brother, Greg. No way that guy should be dunking anywhere near you. If that doesn't piss you off, Greg, there is nothing in this world that is going to make you the superstar we all thought you would be. CRUSH HIM! CRUUUUUSSSSSSHHHHH HIIIIMMMMMMM!!!!!
5:55
Much to the crowd's dismay, Greg Oden and Rudy Fernandez leave the game. It's hard to imagine Greg coming back tonight, as this has been a disappointing outing for him and Joel is playing very solidly. You've gotta hand it to Nate, he's not trying to foster the growth of his youngest players, he's trying to win. So where some coaches would keep Greg in as a learning experience, Nate plays his successful game-closing lineup from last year: Steve Blake, Brandon Roy, Travis Outlaw, LaMarcus Aldridge and Joel Przybilla.
Brandon Roy with the and one. Blazers still down three points (mostly Spencer Hawes' fault).
5:00
Joel proves he should still be the starter with a big block on Salmons. Travis grabs it and gets fouled. He misses the first free throw badly.
Beno Udrih comes in after betting busted in the lip. Looks like a few stitches did the trick. He's a dangerous man.
The camera closes in on Ducks and Beavers fans, and it looks as if the Beavers are more well-loved than my alma matter's team this year. Imagine that, people like winners.
Speaking of which, the Blazers are up three after Joel P. dishes to LaMarcus for an easy layup and foul. He goes to the line and just misses. Free throws weren't supposed to be a problem with this Blazer team, but it looks like they're going to continue to be an issue.
2:56
87 - 86 Blazers.
Brandon Roy, the Big Boss a.k.a. Floor General a.k.a. Smooth B is breaking down Bobby Jackson at the top of the key. He finally picks up the foul from Bobby (who grabs his arm hard). B-Roy connects on both. I take back what I said about free throws.
2:20
The numbers may tell it otherwise, but this game has been Joel Przybilla's. He picks up the double-double with a couple of blocks on top, and he has enabled Brandon Roy's 29 point (so far) effort. I mean, Brandon has made his own shots, too, but Joel has been absolutely everywhere. On the boards, on the floor, dishing out big passes and shooting a perfect percentage once again on his way to 10 points.
2:00
Steve Blake misses a big three that would've given the Blazers some breathing room. Still, Joel is everywhere, grabbing another board or two at the basket, and nearly tipping it in.
B-Roy brings it up court for the timeout with 50 seconds left.
Cameraman focuses on a kid doing the best dance that has ever been done, the "now I'm smiling/now I'm serious" dance. Awesome. Just awesome.
It's at times like these when I turn to the great Steven Seagal for wisdom.
40.6
The Kings foul Blake, and he knocks down both free throws.
I keep thinking it's twin towers time, but no such luck. Beno Udrih back on the bench despite his offensive prowess. Salmons drives and he's met at the rim by our two de facto twin towers, LaMarcus and Joel. Salmons makes his first free throw. Mikki Moore comes in for Spencer Hawes. Blazer timeout. That's how Nate does it. Niiiiiice and easy. Blazers up 91 - 90. No Chalupas for you, Rose Garden, unless things go into overtime.
lake tries to inbound but has to call a timeout. That's the last one for Portland. Dangerous to burn it here. But it's better than a 5-second inbounds call, so it'll do. Brandon Roy looks extremely focused. He's flourished in situations like this lately. Blake gets his second shot, thows to Aldridge. Roy is being fouled like crazy, but no one is calling it. Outlaw is fouled on a shot attempt, but no call. He misses the shot. The Kings will have it with 11 seconds. An absolutely awful Smashmouth song is on the P.A.
You just can't underestimate how much the Kings want to make this shot, and Salmons gets a good look at it, but it bounces in and out. The Blazers remain undefeated at home, winning the game 91 - 90. "Another heartstopper here in the rose garden" our P.A. guy says. B-Roy gives his former teammate Spencer Hawes a big hug, but it's Joel Przybilla doing the postgame interview with Rebecca Harlowe. I guess he missed a shot afterall, finishing right around his average by hitting 5 of 6.
Nice game, Blazers.
I probably won't see y'all for a week or so, as I'm heading out of town for Thanksgiving. I encourage you to blog the games yourself. Rose Garden has free wifi, afterall.
Love,
Casey.
Final score, Blazers 91, Kings 90.
Somewhere the man in the middle of this photo is crying. Or maybe rooting for the Lakers.
WWeek 2015