Well I now know why they call AI the Answer, and I know why they call Carmelo Melo. Because Allen Iverson is the truth. The answer to all puzzles. Defensive puzzles and offensive puzzles. The Answer killed us all tonight in the Rose City. He strolled in with about 17.1 seconds on the clock in OT and then buried it with about 1.1 seconds, leaving the Blazers .9 to shoot.  Melo and AI killed us all night, but it I am making it sound like the Blazers did not put up a fight. Guess what they did. A fight that almost went down into the books. Melo is cool , calm, and collected. He  is truly the definition of a mellow dude.

The Blazers were flat the whole first quarter absolutely played terrible. But the Nuggets were not so hot either. The Nuggets lead 20-14 in the first quarter. At about the 10 minute marker in the second the Blazers made a mind altering push, which in turn made the Rose Garden go nuts. It was like Martell, Brandon, Channing, Joel, Travis, looked all of us in the eyes and said we will not go down without a fight. We all believed, because Martell “The Definition” Webster went off. It seemed like Channing and Marty were dropping everything, which they nearly were. But with about 1.8 left on the clock AI throws a short half court shot to tie it back. We all sigh again is disbelief .

The third starts and it starts well. Both teams are playing incredible basketball. I am in shear awe of AI and Melo. They are truly a dynamic duo that has not even come close to reaching their peak. Melo is the real deal. Words fully cannot be expressed by his stunning ability. He is like an old school big body Benz, but with handling. For a fairly big guy has a great first step, you can just see those twitch muscles balling up and exploding. Something that only comes with a lot of dedication in the Gym. 

Now AI, what can you say about this guy? Not much except legend. He kills us in the 3rd and the 4th. Then he dropped the dagger on us in OT. A dagger that almost killed us all. You could just see the guy rocking out to Thriller in his head after he dropped that oh so beautiful jumper.

Now Blazers fans don’t worry I have not given into the dark side. The Blazers played a great game in terms of personal stats. But team’s stats were just horrible. They had 18 turnovers, they only shot about 41.3% from the field, and a descent 72% from the stripe. But they could not him the free throws in the clutch. Trout had a chance to put it away in the 4th with 2.9 seconds left, he got fouled on a 15 foot corner jumper be Najera.  At this point the Blazers are down by one. He misses the first one and you can here the crowd groan in pain. The he hits the second at ties it up.  Then we head to OT and the hem ridging starts. Turnover, turnover, turnover. The only reason why we stayed in this game is that the Nuggets played just as bad as we did. But stars shine in dark times, and the Nuggets have one more All Star then the Blazers do.

The spread tonight in Vegas was the Blazers by two. After they heard Camby was out the spread changed to 12 favoring the Blazers. I thought it was a done deal with Camby out. But AI and Melo stepped up huge for Denver. 

Brandon looked like he was on track for another triple double, so did Jarrett Jack. They were both so close. Roy had 26 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds. Jarrett had 17 points, 9 assists, and 9 rebounds. But Melo was the overall stat leader with a mind numbing 28 points and 15 rebounds, 15 folks. AI dropped 25 points and 8 assists. 

I was 8 rows back tonight, and I could see the pain in Brandon’s face after his missed a jumper with .9 left in OT, It hurt so badly. I stood their stunned. Awe struck. But I felt that the Blazers have been shot out of their slump. Even though they lost they started to really look like that Portland team we saw in December. I think this game was the turning point. But right now they are going to have to play the hardest ball of their lives if they want to get into those playoffs. Which they will, because they have us, and this town supports all of them. They are our team, and we love them win or lose. Now it is a true time to shine, a time now when boys truly become men. Do you pick your asses up and press  on with a  full head of steam, or do you fall in defeat? I choose the first option, and I am quite sure the  team will choose the first as well.

We are fanatical about these guys, they need to know it. Do not doubt these guys; they sure in hell are not out of it. Not even close. Especially if BRoy has anything to say about it. 

 Blazers Nation lives on, now we are pissed!