More Than A Loss

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More Than A Loss

Written by wendell maxey

Thursday, 15 October 2009 00:08

nate

Somewhere Charles Barkley, Kevin Johnson and A.C. Green stand proud as they did back on May 2, 1995.

They beat Portland in the last game at Memorial Coliseum in the Playoffs. On Wednesday night, it was back to the future with Phoenix victorious, 110-104. Don't let that final fool you either. Phoenix owned the second half.

Some things never change.

The Suns got the best of the new version of the Blazers with the same old results in their old digs. It’s as if Kevin Duckworth got overmatched by Wayman Tisdale in hoops heaven. Or call it for what it really was: Steve Nash drunk off the fountain of youth and Leandro Barbosa claiming an early slot for 6th Man of the Year. Whle he was busy killing it, Portland were a bunch of deadmen walking. Between the constant turnovers and suspect defense – a presumed staunch defense preached all week at practice - they forgot the most crucial part: application.

In this preseason, Portland is learning exactly what this league is about. It’s not about the trip to the playoffs last season. Instead, maintaining a certain level of success in this league must be earned and re-earned on a nightly basis.

That’s hard to do when Travis Outlaw hasn’t returned from the offseason.

That’s hard to do when Brandon Roy isn’t playing aggressive like Brandon Roy is accustomed.

That’s hard to do when you turn the ball over 15 times.

That’s hard to do when the masses rave about depth, yet your bench gets outscored 48 to 16.

That’s hard to do when you are pressing and it’s only the preseason.

And let’s not even get into the lack of touches or playing time for Greg Oden when Phoenix instituted a Mike D’Antoni-esque smaller running five. At some point you don’t match them. You make them match you.

Here's another thing about this loss (and the one prior to the Los Angeles Clippers). It places the other lingering debates right back under the microscope. Should Nate McMillan reconsider his starting five stance?

It's hard to argue against Martell Webster and Andre Miller not alongside Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge right now, especially Miller. Might as well throw Oden in that discussion too. Something tells me Nate isn't about to waver.

Come Thursday morning, you’re bound to hear the following line constantly repeated: it’s only the preseason. But before too much longer – 13 days and four more preseason games remaining for Portland – that dog won’t hunt. Even Roy said yesterday that he’s approaching these games like it is the regular season. Really?

No, it’s not time for the Blazer faithful to panic. But it is time to look at this preseason realistically.

While a “turn back the clock” game helps remind everyone about the beginning of Rip City and was a memorable night all around, it’s right about time Portland starts concentrating on the present.

Because looking back at these last two games sure doesn’t do anyone any good.

Shameless Plug: Better late than never.....this story was slated to run yesterday but got heldover for today at SLAM online - "Rip City Rewind". It's a quick look from Jerome Kersey and Robert Pack who talk about their run for a title back in '92 and a brotherly bond formed on the way their.

photo: trailblazerscentercourt

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Comments (5) Add Comment

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written by stop, October 15, 2009

Please stop channeling your inner Canzano.

hold up
written by wmaxeyjr, October 15, 2009

figured someone would say that.....and i actually felt that way writing the post. but honestly, i'm just being real about what i heard (had to sit this one out).

if portland thinks they can continue to turn the ball over an average of 19 times the previous three games and let the suns go 6-11 from 3 early on, then they are going to be in for a harsh start to the regular season.

besides, john makes far much more bank for me to even get close to touching him.

Roy & Miller
written by mookie, October 15, 2009

Wendell, what is your take on the Miller and Roy co-existence situation? Does it look like Miller being on the court is eating away at Roy's game and his flow? Or are you not buying that?

Roy has certainly said that he is out of rhythm and his numbers would suggest that this is the case. I get the impression however that you think Roy is just not playing hard...?

too early
written by wmaxeyjr, October 15, 2009

hey mookie.....thanks for the line.

i think it is far too early to tell how roy and miller will work in the backcourt together. i've only seen them up close and person once so it's hard for me to get a real vote in right now.

obviously, blake is the kind of point guard who tends to defer to roy, while miller won't hesitate to take matters into his own hands.

it's a tough call, because for much of last year we often heard how roy needed more offensive help and felt the need to carry the scoring load. now that he has miller, that's not the case.

and no.....i'm not suggesting roy isn't playing hard. but whereas he looked aggressively for his shot last season, we haven't really seen that thus far.

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written by mookie, October 16, 2009

Point taken -- there is a big difference between not playing hard and not playing aggressively. I guess Roy has been a bit undecided on his role (he has said as much) and hence hasn't felt comfortable in pushing things too much.

Surely this will all come together as the season goes on however. It's not impossible for a good point guard and a ball-handling 2 guard to play together. It's happened before...