Solstice is over
In the darkest days of winter, the youthful Portland Trail Blazers put together some nice wins. But the days are getting longer now, and the Blazers have dropped six games in a row, including a disastrous defeat tonight at home at the hands of the Washington Wizards. The Wizards are the worst team in the league, but they have beaten Portland both times they have met. The Blazers also lost at home on Saturday night to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Tonight's biggest problem for the Blazers was weak defense. They didn't show up for the first half hour at all, and down the stretch they gave up easy buckets to guys like Martell Webster, who isn't much if you just put a body on him. Statistically, the two teams were even, but given the Wizards' record, that's a bad night for any opponent.
Portland is now below .500 and staring down into an abyss out of which a playoff berth won't be possible. Wednesday night they host Indiana, who just beat Houston and Memphis and currently stand as third-best in the eastern conference. We really like this Blazer team and coaching staff, and we hope that they can suck it up and start getting it done again.
| Posted at 10:00 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (6)
Jack, we had such a blast at that one Blazer game that I took my wife to see them on her birthday. You've got to understand, my wife and I have fun just going to the store, so 2 tickets for 15 bucks in the upper deck was worth it to introduce her to the excitement of the game. Except there was none. The first half against Cleveland was so dead I made involuntary motions with my hand trying to change the channel. I had to explain that usually the crowd was more into it. Unfortunately, the Blazers took the opportunity to reek, close with a furious comeback and then lose.
I did have a little fun before the game by going to the merchandize store at the Rose Garden and asking the sales guy if they had a Victor Claver jersey. When he said no, I said, "Sold out again, huh?" This was my protest against the bench.
I can no longer watch the Blazers. I can only monitor them. Tonight I bounced back and forth between the game and "The Exorcist" and it all started making sense. I still remember when my sister was at Georgetown and she took me down to the house where "The Exorcist" was filmed. The staircase was right there just like in the movie. And somebody had thrown garbage down it as a protest. Critics.
Speaking of garbage time, have you watched the Lakers lately? I am going to make a bold prediction born out of wishful thinking: It is OVER for Kobe. He looks the same, he shoots the same, but the ball no longer goes in. This game against Chicago and the one against the Heat could be a sign that Kobe can pout all he wants - he is finished as a great player.
Posted by Bill McDonald | January 21, 2013 11:01 PM
They are a Blazer team of nice likeable persons. Nice guys finish last.
... I thought you spoke gruff jawrsey, Jack
Posted by Tenskwatawa | January 22, 2013 12:45 AM
I for one am glad to see them losing right now. They're a couple years away as it is, and what good will come of drawing an 8 seed and losing in the first round? We need at least one more good draft, and Olshey needs another off season to build a deeper bench. Next season I'd hope for a 5-7 seed, and then the year after that shoot for a 3 or 4 seed. But this year? I've got lotto fever.
Posted by Dave J. | January 22, 2013 9:24 AM
Well, it started when Barkley and the TNT crew kept repeating that the Blazers were THE surprise of the NBA season (which to that point, they were).
.. And the Winterhawks dropped their third in a row yesterday at the MC as well (curtains open, 3pm start, great atmosphere, not so great result)
Cheers, It's Mike
Posted by It's Mike | January 22, 2013 9:26 AM
The only key to a victory is good shooting from distance. The interior defense has been shaky all year and the bench, well the worst in the NBA.
If they shoot from distance and give decent energy they can hang. I would be inclined to move Meyers Leonard into the starting line-up in the second half of the season and let the kid know he is the future in the post.
JJ Hickson has been very good, but can't catch the ball in traffic or deter drivers to the paint. Leonard is not as skilled right now, but you gotta let him play through those limitations.
Posted by Tim | January 22, 2013 11:48 AM
And, during the six losses, wasn't Meyers Leonard hurt? That further depleted the bench.
It's Mike - was also at the Hawks game - they looked tired, flat and slow, and didn't seem to want to hit anyone in the first period. Perhaps all those trips to major international tourneys, and the energy generated after the WHL sanctions, are starting to take a toll on the team.
Posted by umpire | January 22, 2013 12:01 PM