This year has had it highs and its lows. We all expected lows, but these guys proved us wrong. Right now we are in a low point, but that does not mean we cannot go without a fight. Lets not play for the lottery, lets not play for business, lets play for the love of this game, and the only thing that matters in this game is WINNING!

Its always easy for a fan to talk this way. None of us really know what are in players hearts and minds, we speculate, we judge, but we never really actually know. People like myself never really know what these guys are like when the cameras are off. I can personally name many players that put on that smiling face just for the camera, and when I have met them in person when a camera is not around they snub me. But it is understandable. They don’t know who I am , I could be some crazy deranged fan looking to stalk them.

But these young players have shown a city hope. A new life, a new breath, everything we have wanted and more, and trust me more good things are to come. Everyone reading this that has a team that are above .600 and are playoff bound are wondering what the hell I am talking about. Everyone looks at our record of 33-31, and they say “what is all the excitement for ?” Well about this time last year we were at about 21 wins.  We are now at 33 and we have now surpassed last years record for wins. If the Blazers can pull off 40 wins without the “Franchise Beast” then I will consider this season a great success.

The 08-09 Season will be a strange season. I still anticipate losses, mainly because none of these guys have played with “The Dude” yet. I also anticipate a lot of movement in the guard positions in the off season. We might drop some folk, and we might pick some up as well. I think Pritch and company will deal their draft pick out with a trade for maybe a veteran guard. I love Jarrett Jack and Blake but we need consistency at that spot. There has been rumors of Brandon Roy moving over to the point when Rudy Fernandez comes along, but no one has staked a claim that “The Natural” will be a PG full time. It makes sense for BRoy to play the point, but with his addiction to injuries I would not think it would be the best place for him. The round mound would be happy as well, because we would no longer have “Midgets” in the back court.

So the lineup of the future is bright. But the big question that I have is the 3 spot. Martell Webster has got to be one of the most streakiest players I have ever witnessed. This guy is so damn good, I just don’t understand why he is so inconsistent. This year he really showed us a lot, but has he shown the Execs enough to hold on to him. Trout is turning into a full fledged baller. This guys game really reminds of Shawn Marion’s game, just a lot more exciting. But I think Pritch sees him as a huge bargaining chip, and that is something I don’t like. This guy could easily be the highest scorer on this team, and their is not doubt in my mind that he should be a starter. The only people I would like to see the Blazers try to pick up in the off season, is a PG, or another 3 guard. Possibly Andre Iguodala who is up for a qualifying offer from the 76ers at the end of this season, which I don’t think he will take. He will shop free agency and see who bites. But my suggestion to Pritch is deal Jack, and find a vet backup for BRoy at the point, and save the cash for the end of 08-09 season and either deal for Chris Paul or Deron Williams.

On that note here is my starting lineup for  the 08-09 season.

P Guard - Brandon Roy

2 Guard - Rudy Fernandez
3  Guard -  Travis Outlaw
PF - Lamarcus Aldridge
C - Greg Oden
So what are your opinions on next year?

BURN, BURN it all DOWN! What a game, Lakers vs. Blazers! This time it was on our turf up in the Rose City. The Blazers are back running on 100% again. Everyone is back off the injured list. James Jones and BRoy are back, and boy did it help. Words cannot explain this game, but I sure and hell will try to put it down. 

Everyone was just straight killing it tonight. Even then newest edition to the team “Cookie” Von Wafer. BRoy has been nursing an ankle injury since the All Star break and has had no time to rest it. He missed the last two games and decided to make his debut back against the number one team in the West, and he was sensational. The Golden Boy was ‘dipsy doin’ everyone from Walton to the Mamba in the City of Roses tonight. I was told after the game that Walton could no longer have children because of the nasty crossover BRoy threw down on him. On a lighter note the world rejoiced as they heard of the news that finally the Walton finally could no longer produce horse faced athletes.

I thought about not writing about the officiating on this game but I just could not resist. It was by far the worst game of officiating I have ever seen. It honestly looked like they were trying to help the Lakers out. Every call went the way of the Lakers, it was just crazy. But who cares? The Blazers beat the Lakers once again in our fair city. The Lakers just cannot seem to get a win in the Rose Garden. The Blazers record against the Lakers in the Rose Garden is 17-6. The Lakers have the second worst record in the West when they perform in the Rose Garden.

When I say everyone was on fire I mean it. So now the breakdown! (You guys have been asking for it, so now I will give it back to you)

-Steve ‘The Turtle’ Blake was shooting lights out from the three. He went 5-9 behind the arch and finished with 15pts

-BRoy, or what I like to call him ‘The Slo Mo Fo Sho’ busted LA up with 20 points, 12 assists and 5 boards. He looked like a fullback tonight just mowing euro trash down.

-Jarrett Jack, the unibrow has them shook. Not to mention this guy looks like a descendant of ET Cassell. Best game of the year hands down for him. 21 points, 10 assists. 

-The Vanilla Gorilla wants to fight; you can see it in his eyes. Kobe didn’t want any; neither did the spokesman for ‘Soul Glo Euro’ Pau Gasol. The White back had the dodecagon on the boards tonight. 

-LMA was moon raking the hell out of everyone tonight. People started calling him the L-Train, but the L-Train is always parked, so Ill stick to LMA. 22 points, 8 rebounds. Ill say it once again, I would much rather have LMA’s 20 and 8 over Zebo’s 20-10 any day. Thank you Pritch!

-The Definition had a ho hum game, but who cares its Martell Webster, his damn name is ‘The Definition’. Still had good contributions from him with 9 points, and some added energy we needed.

-Trout, he is the future. I don’t think I have ever seen such an oxymoronic style of shooting. The form is so damn ugly but the follow through brings a tear to your eye. Trout is my man; I don’t even think they pay this guy with money. I heard he only plays for pulled pork and bbq spare ribs. I carry around a $100 gift card from Reo’s Ribs in my car hoping I will see Trout one day so I can give it to him. The dude loves his BBQ; I mean he is from the Oktibbeha County. BBQ is a way of life there.

-LLCoolJ, ‘Lakers Loathe Cool James’. He played a pretty darn good game for not playing in four weeks. I’m so glad he is back. The Blazers are 21-8 when he plays.  

-Baron Von Nilla Wafer played some good minutes this game and it looks like The General will be keeping him in rotation.

LA your streak is over. But Kobe still deserves another Championship and an MVP to go with it. No haters here, all respect is due to that guy.

This game in my mind is going to have to be the defining moment in this season turns around. The Playoffs are not out of site quite yet, they are far away, but this team is the only team I believe that could make a run for it, the position they are in is tough, but the West is crazy and anything could happen. 

They have this town on pin cushions every night but little known fact about Portlanders is that we are all masochists so we enjoy it!

More! More! More!

I will be at the Garden tonight and it will be a ruckus like usual. Melo is back to full form and he is looking to make a strong statement. I always love watching these guys come into town, the Garden goes bananas. The Nuggets are coming off two wins, and they Blazers are coming off a very hard fought game against the Knicks (Which is weird to say).

But the Nuggets hold the second spot in the NW division at 28-18, the Blazers are right behind them at 27-19. So this again would tie them up for the second spot in the NW division. Nene will not be back for some time, but I fear how good this team will be once they get him back. I honestly think this is where the 8th seed fight will be.

But my predictions for this game are high and lofty. I think Melo, and AI will come out guns a blazing, but once again I think the Blazers will stay close and pull it out in the fourth.

Travis Outlaw is playing at his highest level right now, so look for him to get a lot of touches tonight. I dont suspect LA will have a big game against the Camby Man. Look for the “Vanilla Gorilla” (JPryz) to have some good ol Michigan meat and potatoes for the Nuggets. He usually has big games when he presented with large challengers like Camby.

Obviously BRoy will be fantastic no matter what he does. I think he will be that X-Factor we always talk about. After breaking the barrier with his first career triple double we will see some more of that tonight. Im thinking double, double.

So those are my game predictions. This is the first post I have linked to my new site, and I hope you all like it at the Yard!

I wish all the players the best on both teams, I hope they all stay healthy. I just favor the Blazers tonight.  I also wish my man Melo has a good game, it will be nice to see him back,  and he will be fresh to death for the All-Star game.