Blazers on the brink
Portland's pro hoopsters fell in Dallas tonight, after a weak third quarter and a fourth-period stretch in which they missed 10 shots in a row. They let Tyson Chandler have 13 offensive rebounds. The loss puts the Blazers behind, 3 games to 2 in the playoff series, with double elimination to start Thursday night back in Portland.
They're not alone in being one game away from the golf course. The Spurs of all people are down 3 to 1 to the Memphis Grizzlies, led by ex-Blazer thug Zach Randolph. And the Nuggets are down 3 to 1 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by the ultimate bitter pill for Portland, Kevin Durant. To see Memphis advance while the Blazers go home would mess with Portlanders' minds pretty badly. And a Griz-Thunder second round would signal that the Western Conference torch has been passed to some new guys -- and passed right over Portland.
This cannot be allowed to happen. Go Blazers!
| Posted at 11:11 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (6)
Oh? The Blazers are in the playoffs? I've been too busy watching the Winterhawks and their playoff run to really care. It's not like the 'hawks are in the Western Conference Finals or anything... wait...
Posted by Christian | April 26, 2011 8:43 AM
The will to win makes all the difference in the world.
Posted by the other white meat | April 26, 2011 8:59 AM
I think it's gonna happen w/ Mavs in 7. Memphis, w/ a very trim Zach Randolph, shows that San Antonio is too old and OKC and youngsters Durant, Westbrook, and Harden should take care of Denver.
Posted by dg | April 26, 2011 10:09 AM
The Grizzlies' success means a lot to some in Memphis:
"'We always try to make the games as entertaining as possible, but for us the playoffs have been business as usual times 50,' Campbell said. 'The games are really driving a lot of traffic Downtown and everybody wants Grizzlies stuff. It's just an incredible atmosphere that's vibrating throughout our entire organization.'"
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/apr/26/the-griz-mean-biz/?partner=yahoo_feeds
But how can a Memphis enterprise be known as the Grizzlies? U of Montana teams have always claimed that moniker (more familiarly, the Griz) -- with justification.
Posted by Gardiner Menefree | April 26, 2011 10:40 AM
"To see Memphis advance while the Blazers go home would mess with Portlanders' minds pretty badly."
Understatment of the year so far. Zebo's revenge is life lived well.
Posted by Steve | April 26, 2011 4:14 PM
Offensive wizard Durant isn't the sole reason the Thunder squad is prospering in this year's second season: in Perkins they have a hard-working, true center. But can Perk's legs last? Meanwhile, the Celts have clearly been missing tearfully traded Perkins. Shaq ($1,352,181) did not play in the sweep of the Knicks; but the other O'Neal, Jermaine ($5,765,000) -- of early 'Blazers fame -- was essential in the opening contest after a dormant regular season. His importance was diminished during succeeding wins:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3120
Posted by Gardiner Menefree | April 27, 2011 12:04 PM