That's a Wrap!
posted: Thursday, March 01, 2007 at 9:16 PM
After calling a Player's Only meeting before the game, Zach Randolph has to be pleased with the results.
LaMarcus Aldridge finished with a game-high 30 points and also grabbed 6 rebounds for the Trail Blazers in what was his most dominating performance of the season, but it was really a team effort for the Trail Blazers.
Portland dished 34 assists, turned in 18 fast break points, including 10 dunks, and hit 11 three-pointers on their way to 127 points.
On the other side of the ball, Portland out-rebounded the defensive-minded Bobcats, blocked more shots (5 - 2) and finished with more steals (8 - 5).
It was bar-none the single most dominant performance that the Trail Blazers have had this year.
Dickau and Morrison sharing some love...
posted: at 9:11 PM
Doesn't look like there's any hard feelings between the two Gonzaga Alums as Dan Dickau has checked in and immediately shared some friendly words with Adam Morrison, who is also in for the Charlotte Bobcats.
It's hard to believe that small school in the middle of Spokane, Washington could produce such a dominant college basketball program, but both Morrison and Dickau are products of Mark Few's brilliant coaching.
Call them TNT...
posted: at 9:05 PM
Because Sergio Rodriguez and Fred Jones are that explosive.
In a normal game, Coach Nate McMillan would probably hesitate to play the two under-sized guards together, but tonight is far from normal. On one particularly impressive possession, Sergio found a cutting Jones, who then tipped the pass to Jamaal Magloire for his patented "Look Ma, No Eyes" power jam.
The Sergio-Jones connection is fast, dynamic and should continue to fill the highlight reel for the remainder of the season.
It's 122 - 78 with 3:48 left in regulation, and that's not a typo. The Trail Blazers have scored 122 points with just under 4 minutes to play.
Look out!
posted: at 9:00 PM
In a game like this, it's easy for an opposing player to get really frustrated, and that's what has happened with Charlotte's Eric Williams.
On yet another alley-oop attempt for the Trail Blazers, Sergio Rodriguez found Martell Webster, but Webster's jump was cut off by Eric Williams, who took the low road and nearly sent Webster into the fourth row of the stands.
Fortunately, the refs saw the dirty play and Webster was awarded two free-throws.
Call up coffee...
posted: at 8:52 PM
Cause the Trail Blazers are dunkin' like donuts.
Sergio found Martell Webster with an alley-oop.
Fred Jones reminded everyone why he is a former Slam Dunk champion with an equator shaking slam.
And then Travis Outlaw provided the cherry-on-top with a huge two-handed, windmill jam that looked like it would've won this year's Slam Dunk competition.
It's 113 - 69 Trail Blazers with 8:39 left in the fourth quarter.
$5 says it's a Chalupa Night
posted: at 8:44 PM
With just under a minute to play in the third quarter, the Trail Blazers lead the Bobcats 98 - 64 and they've all but sewed up the fact that everyone in attendance will be treated to a free Chalupa...
It's Brandon Roy who connects from beyond the arc to make it official! We're all going to Taco Bell.
Roy's three-pointer was only slightly over-shadowed by the Rookies following play, where he caught a Zach Randolph loose-ball and turned it into another alley-oop dunk.
Now that's just nasty...
posted: at 8:39 PM
It's LaMarcus Aldridge's night.
Apparently, the Bobcats didn't get the memo.
After a tough, partially blocked shot by Zach Randolph, LaMarcus Aldridge leaped from somewhere around the free-throw line and caught the rebound for one of the most powerful dunks of the year by a Trail Blazer.
The Bobcats are in such disarray that LaMarcus actually had to dunk the ball over Zach Randolph just so he could finally find some tough competition.
Aldridge has 30 points and 6 rebounds on the night, not to mention at least 8 of the night's "Top Ten Plays from Around the NBA."
Portland's having fun...
posted: at 8:36 PM
Just when Portland fans thought it couldn't get any better, Jarrett Jack juked Brevin Knight out of his shoes and then found LaMarcus Aldridge with an around-the-back pass for yet another dunk.
The Rookie Connection...
posted: at 8:35 PM
Brandon Roy scooped up a Bobcats turnover and started another Trail Blazers fast break with fellow rookie LaMarcus Aldridge filling in the wing.
Roy found Aldridge with a rim-rattling alley-oop.
Just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse for the Charlotte Bobcats, power forward Zach Randolph caught a pass from Brandon Roy to break the Bobcats full-court pressure and then ZeBo threw his first alley-oop pass of the year to center LaMarcus Aldridge.
Let me repeat that, Zach Randolph found LaMarcus Aldridge with an alley-oop pass.
It’s getting ugly here in the Rose Garden as the Trail Blazers are running right over the Charlotte Bobcats. They now lead 79 – 54.
Starters return for Portland...
posted: at 8:24 PM
As good as the Trail Blazers bench has played, it's almost sad to see them sit down but Coach Nate McMillan has sent the starters back to the floor.
LaMarcus Aldridge started the second half scoring with three points the old fashioned way. He took the ball strong to the basket and finished the back end of an 'And-1' to extend the Trail Blazers lead.
Chalupa time?
posted: at 8:19 PM
Knock on wood, but if the Trail Blazers keep up the offensive onslaught that they started in the first half, this Rose Garden arena will be rocking with free Chalupas, courtesy of Taco Bell!
60 down and 40 to go...
WOWZA!
posted: at 8:03 PM
What year is it?!?!
Are these kids still a bunch of rookies and sophomores trying to find their way in the NBA?
Tonight, it looks like this Rose Garden crowd is getting a taste of how dangerous the Trail Blazers will be in the future. Jarrett Jack, Sergio Rodriguez and Brandon Roy have led the Trail Blazers charge from the backcourt despite having only 4 years of combined experience.
Martell Webster and LaMarcus Aldridge have led the Trail Blazers in scoring with a well-balanced inside-outside attack. Webster has a majority of Portland's 7 three-pointers and he has a team-high 18 points heading into halftime. Aldridge, on the other hand, has done it all in the paint. Even against the scrappy Gerald Wallace, LaMarcus has scored 13 points and grabbed 4 rebounds for the Trail Blazers.
His inside presence has also altered numerous shots on the defensive end. Portland has 4 blocks on the night and they've made a concerted effort to challenge every Bobcat attempt.
Although he may not be getting much of the spotlight tonight, Brandon Roy has quietly put in a solid effort for the Trail Blazers. The future R.O.Y. has 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists for Portland.
The uncharacteristically up-tempo offense that the Trail Blazers have used tonight has paid off big-time for their offense. Portland has 18 assists and 60 points in the first-half, and they've even out-scored the Bobcats on the fast break.
Heading into the second half, it's a great time to be a Trail Blazer fan! They lead 60 to 40.
It's the Aldridge and Webster show!
posted: at 7:57 PM
Before the game, Portland fans were expecting huge performances from Brandon Roy and Zach Randolph...
They got Martell Webster and LaMarcus Aldridge.
Webster has 18 points and has only missed 1 three-pointer on the night and LaMarcus Aldridge has done a little bit of everything for the Trail Blazers.
Aldridge has 13 points and 4 rebounds, but more importantly he's done a brilliant job playing help defense and shutting down the Bobcats pick-and-roll.
A little bit better...
posted: at 7:53 PM
Tonight's contestant in the "Shoot for $250" contest did a little bit better than some of the previous contestants but still couldn't cash in.
The participant from Vancouver hit two free-throws but missed the half-court shot for the grand prize.
Better luck next time Trail Blazers fans...
Martell, Martell, Martell!
posted: at 7:48 PM
Another 3 for #8!
That's 6 three-pointers on the night and the most recent was a straight-up "In-Your-Face" shot right in the eye of former Trail Blazer Jeff McInnis.
The Trail Blazers are putting a hurting on the Bobcats and they're up 45 - 26 with 5:58 left in the second quarter.
Bobcats get a taste of Spanish Chocolate...
posted: at 7:38 PM
Beware of fireworks.
With Fred Jones, Martell Webster, Sergio Rodriguez, Travis Outlaw and Jamaal Magloire all getting time in the early minutes of the second quarter, the Rose Garden crowd better watch out...
They've got 4 players on the floor that can throw down from anywhere on the floor and a point guard who has a passion for throwing the alley-oop...
And it didn't take long for the Trail Blazers to turn in an ESPN-worthy slamma-jamma. Sergio Rodriguez picked up a loose ball and tossed a picture-perfect alley-oop to Martell Webster for an extremely high-percentage two points.
This is a sign of things to come for the Bobcats, so get your cameras ready.
Martell for three!
posted: at 7:33 PM
This may just be the best single quarter the Trail Blazers have played this season. They're out-rebounding the Bobcats 12 - 6, they've blocked 3 shots, they've dished 10 assists, and they've hit 4 three-pointers to build a comfortable 31 - 16 lead heading into the second quarter.
Portland tends to isolate the ball and run their offense through Zach Randolph but tonight the Trail Blazers have switched their style up and ran the ball right at the Charlotte Bobcats. They're passing well, shooting well, and defending well, and it just may be a long night for the Bobcats.
To top it off, Martell started the second quarter with ANOTHER three-pointer! It's 34 - 18 Trail Blazers.
Fred Jones checks in...
posted: at 7:26 PM
It's hardly a Portland debut as the shooting guard started his career at Barlow High School and then played for the University of Oregon, but Fred Jones has checked in for the Trail Blazers.
Portland fans have to be excited to see another local boy suit up for the Trail Blazers, especially when it's someone as talented as Fred Jones. Jones is blazing fast, extremely athletic and has great court vision which has already benefitted the young Trail Blazers.
In less than 2 minutes, Jones has contributed to 3 Portland baskets and has 1 assist to show for it.
This new Trail Blazer lineup is threatening to run away with this one as they lead the Bobcats 26 - 16 and we're still 51.2 seconds away from the second quarter.
ALDRIDGE again!
posted: at 7:22 PM
First, he started scoring... Now, he's turning heads with his defense. Aldridge brutally rejected Adam Morrison's first field goal attempt and then made it two-for-the-money as he blocked Gerald Wallace's put-back attempt.
6 points, 2 blocks and 3 rebounds for the rookie out of Texas.
The Trail Blazers lead 23 - 13 with 2:18 left in the first quarter.
What the doctor ordered!
posted: at 7:16 PM
Who is this guy?!?!
They call him Stretch Aldridge but he looked more like Spider-Man as he reached up, absorbed a tough entry pass and then spun around for a 180 degree "Who's-the-rookie-now?" baby hook for two points.
Aldridge has 4 quick points and the Trail Blazers are up 17 - 6 on the Bobcats...
P.S. Adam Morrison has entered the game for the first time tonight and there is a section of the Rose Garden that is determined to hassle him every time he touches the ball!
Ready to Rumble in the Rose Garden...
posted: at 7:09 PM
LaMarcus Aldridge will start in place of the injured Joel Pryzbilla and he immediately made his presence felt by winning the tip-off.
The rest of the Portland lineup is as expected with February's Rookie of the Month Brandon Roy, Jarrett Jack, Ime Udoka, and Zach Randolph all getting early action.
And it's Ime Udoka who breaks the ice for the Trail Blazers with a three-pointer from the corner! The Bobcats look a little overwhelmed on the defensive end with the inside combo of LaMarcus Aldridge and Zach Randolph.
Charlotte will obviously double-team Randolph but LaMarcus Aldridge should be able to make them pay with his dy-no-mite mid-range game.
Pre-game fashion tips...
posted: at 7:01 PM
It may have little to do with the actual game, but the Bobcats as a team are in desperate need of a hair stylist...
Heading into the game, Adam Morrison was expected to have the worst sense of fashion as he continues to rock the infamous 'stache that made him so popular on draft day, but he has some serious competition from teammate Walter "Hair" Herrmann.
If you want a good laugh,
click here to scope Walter's luscious locks.
Tonight's X-Factor...
posted: at 6:50 PM
Like the ol' cliche says, offense gets the glory but defense wins the game.
Tonight is no different as the Trail Blazers get set to take on the Charlotte Bobcats. Jamaal Magloire and LaMarcus Aldridge have the biggest task on the defensive end as they match-up with the 6'10" Emeka Okafor.
Not usually considered an offensive threat, keeping Okafor off the boards and turning him into Emeka "0-From-the-Floor" will give the Trail Blazers a huge boost against the Bobcats.
Mash the 'stache!
posted: at 6:45 PM
From the looks of the crowd, there's a lot of Portland love for Adam Morrison and his somewhat infamous 'stache. Normally the Rose Gardon crowd is full of Jarrett Jack, Brandon Roy and Zach Randolph jerseys but tonight it's almost all Adam Morrison. Sure, he went to Mead High School in Spokane and graduated from Gonzaga University, but come on Portland- show some love for Sergio!
Bobbin' for Bobcats...
posted: at 6:29 PM
It's a game that needs very little introduction...
Co-College Player of the Year and Pacific Northwest sports star Adam Morrison returns to West coast to take on Rookie of the Year favorite and Portland's new shooting guard Brandon Roy in what should be a head-to-head battle for R.O.Y. honors.
Beyond the rookies, however, the Trail Blazers must also utilize the talents of their power forward Zach Randolph. ZeBo scored 40 points in the first meeting between these two teams and he should be even more motivated in front of his home crowd.
On the defensive end, Ime Udoka will most likely draw the short straw tonight and be forced to guard the very dangerous but often overlooked Gerald Wallace. Wallace normally leads the Bobcats in scoring with 16.5 points per game, but he is also capable of leading the team in rebounds, which is somewhat unusual for a small forward.
Wallace had a game-high 15 rebounds in the 108 - 100 Bobcats loss against the Trail Blazers.
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