Did you wonder how Portland would look after Vegas as an All-Star host? "We now go to Kenny Smith live from the aerial tram." I couldn't take more than 10 minutes of the real game - what a joke - but I did follow the rookie-sophomore game for a glimpse of what might have been. At one point Adam Morrison made a crisp pass to Brandon Roy who faked a shot and drove to the rack. The Oregonian has been featuring this as a rivalry for rookie of the year, as if this proves the Blazers were right to pass on Morrison. Of course, the point has always been that Portland could have had both these promising rookies. Morrison's passing decisions are quick and he stays on the court sometimes when he's not shooting, just as a play-maker. He's certainly not out there for his defense, but even that has shown some improvement. Mainly, his court presence is strong. With all the hype, I was wondering if the Oregonian's coverage would include the box score, and there was a tiny little version at the bottom. Morrison, filled it up. He shot his height, 6-8, with 2-2 from 3-points. Brandon Roy shot 2-7, for 6 points. This game was more meaningful than it sounds - it was a big stage for the rookies and they were nervous. The other rookie in the equation - the undeniably pleasant LeMarcus Aldridge - was not invited to attend.

"This game was more meaningful than it sounds - it was a big stage for the rookies and they were nervous." I disagree.
What I saw was Brandon Roy looking really confused as to whether he was playing in a basketball game or something that could be more acurately described as a buch of guys running back and forth on a basketball court showing off their shooting and dunking ability, etc. It was a joke and a total waste of time. Nobody played defense or ran set plays, etc. Brandon had several open lanes to the basket and unselfishly opted to pass off instead. Whatever he did or didn't do in the game is completely meaningless in my book. It was one of the most pathetic sporting events I have witnessed in my entire life.

I'm beginning to see it your way.

The game has become utterly boring and I would love to see the ratings in comparrison to previous years. Either let them play hard or can the game.

Adam Morrison passes the ball?? I've never seen him do that.

You know... I was at a pizza restaurant that turned off some poker tournament for this game. After a few minutes, I was pining for the excitement of the card game again. It's bad enough watching lazy, undereducated multimillionaires playing half-hearted basketball for their own teams, how much worse watching them mill about aimlessly while one of them does a token showboat run down the court?

I think a documentary on how they knot basketball nets would have been more engaging.

Yes, Adam Morrison passes the ball, and he does it with quick decisions. I've got the NBA sports package and I've watched parts of many of the Bobcats games. It's not quite as pathetic as it sounds - I'm usually working on the computer, too.
I'm setting myself up for a real ribbing if he stumbles on March 1st at the Rose Garden. But it's been a long winter - we need something to talk about.

Had me going for a minute there, 'til the laughter set in.

Thanks, Jack--worthy of SportsPickle.

"Shootings, arrests spoil post-NBA All-Star Game party"
No Surprise

What would be a professional basketball game without an arrest or two, and some violence.

That's what passes for professional sports these days. It's a shame it has come to this. They can keep their attitudes and ethics and I will keep my money. AFM!

The game has really lost his potential. The guys dont play, they try to show off. That is not what the game is all about. Play to win and then show off while doing it.