Former Husky and Blazer Brandon Roy signs with T-Wolves

By Kshell

Former Portland Trail Blazers and Washington Huskies great Brandon Roy is coming out of retirement. Roy has signed a two year deal worth over 10 million dollars to play with the Minnesota Timberwolves the team who actually drafted him in 2006.  For Roy he is hoping to make a splash in the NBA once again like he did with the Blazers. Roy who won the rookie of the year in the 2006-07 season, is a former three-time all-star and has been  all-NBA twice in his career. Roy is going to an upstart Timberwolves team who features good young starts such as Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio. Roy if he returns to form or close to it can lead the Timberwolves to the playoffs. Roy who is averaging 19.0 PPG, 4.7 APG, 4.3 RPG and a full steal a game in his career. However, there is a risk as Roy missed all of last season due to retirement. Roy is a model face for the northwest athletes and there will be plenty of people in Seattle and Portland curious to how he does in his new home. Roy has achieved a lot in his basketball career and some are probably pondering why he is even coming back? Roy has plenty left in the tank and if he is healthy has a ton to offer to a franchise. The Timberwolves haven't made the playoffs since 2004 so hopefully Roy can turn it around for them like he did the Washington Huskies and Portland Trail Blazers.

Brandon Roy is a local product from Garfield High School. As a four-star recruit he chose the Washington Huskies over the Arizona Wildcats. He was the first big time recruit the Huskies landed. For the Huskies Roy led them to the NCAA tournament three times. Roy was honorable mention all Pac-10 as a sophomore and junior when he averaged 12 points a game and five rebounds. He was injured his junior year which was a blessing in disguise as he returned for his senior season. During his senior year for the Huskies he was named first team all-american and Pac-10 player of the year as the Huskies advanced to the sweet 16 for the second straight year. Roy averaged 20.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 4.1 APG. He also chipped in with 0.8 blocks per game and 1.6 steals per game. He shot 50.8% from the field, 40.2% from three point range and made 81.0% of his free throws. After a successful four year career which made him the greatest player in the Lorenzo Romar era still he was then the face of the Washington Huskies. Roy has his number retired for the Huskies as he is the only Romar player to make an NBA all-star game, the only Husky in the Romar era to be named first team all-american and conference player of the year. All that was special as Roy became the 6th pick overall in the NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves the team he has agreed to play with now.

The Blazers traded the draft rights of Randy Foye to the Timberwolves for the Washington superstar in Roy. Roy rewarded the Blazers by winning Rookie of the Year.  Roy won the rookie of the year when he averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG and 4.0 APG. He shot 45.6% from the field while making almost a full three pointer a game. More importantly the Blazers had a "Jail Blazers" image before Roy showed up with the Blazers. Roy made the Blazers winners and during the 2007-08 season his second year in the NBA Roy had made the NBA all-star team as he led the Western Conference in scoring with 18 points on 8-10 shooting in that game. Roy and the Blazers were the new up and coming franchise as Greg Oden was set to make his debut in the 2008-09 season and LaMarcus Aldridge was still developing who was also picked in the same draft with Roy. Roy also was the first Washington Huskies player to win the rookie of the year award. Roy proved the Blazers traded for the steal of the draft as he still is to this date the highest Huskies player picked in the NBA draft in the Romar era. Roy more importantly was poised for a big year for the Blazers in the next two seasons especially during the 2008-09 campaign which most figured the Blazers would use that great season as a launching season for more great things. Come to find out the 2008-09 campaign was the height of Roy's Blazers run with the franchise.

During Roy's third season the Blazers finally returned to the playoffs as Roy made his second straight all-star team and was named second team all NBA that year. During the 2008-09 season Roy averaged 22.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 5.1 APG. He shot 48.0% from the field, made a little over a three pointer a game shooting 37.7% while making 82.4% of his free throws. In the playoffs against the Houston Rockets the Blazers lost in six games but it wasn't Roy's fault as he had a terrific series. During that six game loss Roy averaged 26.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 2.8 APG. He also shot 45.9% from the field, 87.0% from free throws and 47.1% from three point range. Roy was rewarded with a 7 year 84 million dollar deal after that season.  Roy was enjoying another all-star season in 2009-10 where he was named third team all-NBA until he injured one of his knee's forcing him to miss the final 17 games of the season. Roy then missed the Blazers first three playoff games against the Phoenix Suns. As the Blazers trailed the Suns 2-1 in the series they pressed the panic button deciding to play Roy. Roy provided great inspiration as the Blazers beat the Suns in game four to even the series at two games apiece. The Suns would eliminate the Blazers in six games that year as Roy probably should have sat out that series. After that Roy was never quite the same with the Blazers although he provided a great moment in that Blazers comeback win over the Mavericks in game four of the 2011 NBA playoffs.

In short, Roy is going to a division rival which will feel strange when he returns back to the Rose Garden. I expect the Blazers fans to give him a standing ovation as he gave the Blazers everything even sacrificing his own knees. Roy was a class act for the Blazers and their franchise didn't make the playoffs before him and immediately after he retired they missed the playoffs again. Roy is given a second chance for his career and with sitting out that year possibly he can return to his old form. This is a risky contract for the Timberwolves but if Roy resembles anything that he once was this is a bargain deal. Now for fans of the northwest we can finally see our homegrown superstar once again play in the NBA. It doesn't matter if Roy ever makes an all-star game again I'm just happy that is going to go out on his own terms instead of retiring too soon like we had all feared last year.

Blazers select Lillard & Leonard with both lottery picks

By Kshell

The Portland Trail Blazers were picking in the lottery for the first time since 2008 held the #6 selection(from the Gerald Wallace trade to the New Jersey Nets) and the 11th selection(their own) in this years NBA draft. For the second straight year the Portland Trail Blazers selected a point guard in the first round. With the 6th pick overall they took Damian Lillard from Weber St. which plays in the Big Sky conference. Then with the 11th pick overall they took center Meyers Leonard from Illinois Fighting Illini. The Blazers are hoping with this draft and a more healthy season out of LaMarcus Aldridge that they can return back to the playoff picture. This has been a tough year for the Blazers franchise that operated the entire season without a general manager, fired head coach Nate McMillan who had been coaching the team since the 2005-06 season, Brandon Roy suddenly retired(he is making a comeback) and finally Greg Oden was released as he missed all of this year and will miss all of next season. The Blazers who were the up and coming franchise back in 2008 just four years later found themselves back in the draft lottery a place no team wants to be.

The Blazers are hoping that Lillard is thier point guard of the future. At Weber State he played in 104 games in his career. As a freshman playing in 31 games helping his team to a 21-10 record he averaged 11.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG and 2.9 APG while making 1.6 three pointers a game. He shot 43.4% from the field, 37.4% from three point range and 84.1% on free throws. As a sophomore he improved averaging 19.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 3.6 APG. He shot 43.1% from the field, 39.3% from three point range and 85.3% on free throws. He made 2.7 three pointers a game in 31 games as Weber State went 20-11. As a junior he only played in 10 games(one where he played two minutes) and didn't really have a junior season. Then as a senior in 32 games leading Weber St. to a 25-7 record he averaged 24.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 4.0 APG. He made 2.9 three pointers a game while shooting 46.7% from the field, 40.9% from three point range and 88.7% from free throws. Lillard is also 6'3" and appears to be more of a combo guard than a true point guard. With Roy gone the Blazers desperately need someone in their backcourt who can carry the scoring load while setting up their teammates. Lillard although playing at a small college is a consistently good three point shooter and free throw shooter. The Blazers are hoping their search for a point is finally over once and for all.

The last few seasons the Blazers have been trying to find a point guard. They drafted Jerryd Bayless with their last lottery selection in 2008. He didn't work out while the Blazers have tried to go with stop gaps in the middle with Steve Blake and then Andre Miller. Having losing in the first round of the NBA playoffs three years in a row the Blazers decided to shake things up on draft night by drafting Nolan Smith and trading for Raymond Felton. Smith played in 44 games averaged only 3.8 PPG and 1.4 APG while shooting 37.2% from the field. Felton was also a disaster as he showed up fat and out of shape. Felton in 60 games averaged only 11.4 PPG and 6.4 APG while shooting 40.7% from the field. The hope now is that Lillard can finally solve that point guard problem which has been holding this franchise back for over a decade now.

With the 11th pick in the draft the Blazers selected center Meyers Leonard out of Illinois. The Blazers who are in need of a center with Marcus Camby now gone and of course #1 pick overall Greg Oden also gone drafted Leonard. First of all I'll start this by saying I don't like this pick and I'll tell you why in a moment. As a freshman Leonard wasn't a factor at all playing in 33 games he averaged only 2.1 PPG and 1.2 RPG in roughly 8 minutes per game. Then he had a big break out season his sophomore year where he averaged 13.6 PPG, 8.2 RPG and 1.9 blocks in 30 minutes. He also shot 58.4% from the field and was over 70% both years on free throws. He recorded eight double-doubles this past season as well. I didn't like this pick because I think in today's NBA you need to be athletic and I would have liked to have seen Aldridge play center as the Blazers finally run. In the west though with Duncan, Bynum, Utah Jazz, Griffin, Love and Perkins-Ibaka combo you do need some bigs so the Blazers are hoping they finally solved their center problem.

The Blazers last two drafts haven't added up as they passed on Kenneth Faried who made all rookie team in leading the Denver Nuggets to the playoffs in favor of point guard Nolan Smith. Then this year they passed on big man Andre Drummond in favor of Lillard. With the following pick they took a big man in Leonard so the Blazers admitted they needed a big man why not take Drummond who has so much more upside? If you planned on giving up on Nolan Smith after one year why not take Faried who had an elite skill set which is rebounding. I guess that is what happens when you conduct a draft last year without a general manager. Hopefully this works out for the Blazers who are coming off  a disappointing 28-38 season which saw a coaching change and finally a new general manager. The Blazers with two lottery picks I felt could have done more but ultimately time will tell if this was a good draft or not.

Greg Oden faces third microfracture surgery; career could be over

By Kshell

In Portland you have four guarantees in life which is being born, taxes, death and a Greg Oden injury. Sadly for Portland Trail Blazers fans the picture to my right has been seen far too often in Portland. Greg Oden who hasn't played a game since December 5th, 2009 will undergo his fifth surgery and third microfracture surgery of his career. Despite having just turned 24 years old Oden is facing the possibility of retirement. Oden should be entering his fifth season with the Blazers. The Blazers led by Greg Oden and Brandon Roy(Who also retired too young) were supposed to be contending for championships right now. Instead the Blazers are faced with losing two of their main guys they were counting on to win a title in the same season.

When Oden was selected to the Blazers with the top pick in the 2007 NBA Draft he was supposed to be that once in a generation center. He was supposed to be giving the Blazers what Dwight Howard gives the Orlando Magic every night. Oden immediately was injured at Portland missing his entire rookie season. In what should have been his second year in the NBA Oden played in 61 games for the Blazers averaging 8.9 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 1.13 blocks per game in only 21.5 minutes. In a six game series playoff loss to the Houston Rockets Oden averaged only 5.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 0.83 blocks per game in only 16 minutes. Oden's first year of playing in the NBA was a total bust. His third year in the NBA and second full season of playing was finally his breakthrough season. During his first 21 games of the season Oden was averaging 11.1 PPG, 8.5 RPG and 2.28 blocks per game in just 23.9 minutes. Oden was one of the most valuable players in the NBA during those 21 games then on December 5th, 2009 against the Houston Rockets it all came crashing down on Oden. Oden who was coming off of a 13 points, 20 rebounds and four blocks game against the Miami Heat went down early against the Rockets. He only played in 4 mintues and 15 seconds before going down. Oden would finish his last game with the Blazers like his first game scoring zero points and getting injured. There is a good chance Oden is never going to play again as he missed the final 61 games of the 2009-2010 season, all of 2010-11 season will miss all of 2011-12 season. Good chance he will miss all of next season and the start of the 2013-2014 season. What makes this injury to Oden even worse for the Blazers is the player they passed on Oden for is lighting it up in Kevin Durant.

That year in a fluke the Blazers jumped up to the #1 pick in the draft lottery while the Seattle Supersonics had the #2 pick. That year the choices for the top spot was Center Greg Oden from Ohio State who led the Buckeyes to the National title game averaging 15.7 PPG, 9.6 RPG and 3.3 blocks per game in only 28.9 minutes. The other option was the electric Kevin Durant from Texas university. Durant averaged 25.8 PPG, 11.1 RPG, 1.9 steals and 1.9 blocks per game. I thought Durant was the better player and was less of a risk than Oden so I was hoping the Blazers would choose Oden over Durant. Having said that I thought the Blazers were passing on a Lebron James type of talent for Dwight Howard. Meaning I thought both were going to be all-stars. I figured Durant would win MVP's while Oden would win defensive player of the year awards. The Sonics gift of Durant was quickly stolen to Oklahoma City. Durant in his five seasons has been named Rookie of the Year and is going to his third straight all-star game. Durant who led the Oklahoma City Zombie Sonics to the Western Conference Finals last season now has them with the best record in the Western Conference at 26-7. Durant in his career is averaging 26.1 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.2 Steals and 1.0 blocks per game. He is shooting 46.7% from the field, 35.9% on three pointers making 1.4 a game and 87.7% on free throws. He has led the NBA in scoring the past two years and this year is averaging 27.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks. He is shooting 51.6% from the field, 36.7% from three point range making 1.7 a game and 82.9% on free throws. Blazers management ignored their team doctors opinions on Oden suggesting he would break down after three years.  Durant appears headed towards being an NBA superstar while Oden most likely won't ever play a game again. This isn't the first time this has happened to the Blazers either.

In the 1984 NBA draft the Portland Trail Blazers had the second pick in the draft. They passed on five-time NBA MVP and six-time finals MVP Michael Jordan who is perhaps the greatest player to ever play the game. Instead they chose center Sam Bowie who had missed two whole seasons at Kentucky with injuries. Bowie played only four years with the Blazers having played in just 76 games his rookie year, 38 games his second year, five games his third and 20 his fourth. Bowie averaged in those years 10.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 2.67 blocks per game his rookie year. After that it was all downhill for Bowie as he played in just 139 out of 328 games(42.3% of teams game played) in his career with the Blazers. The Blazers would lose to Jordan in the 1992 NBA Finals where he was named finals MVP. The Blazers franchise would never live this moment down and when they had a chance to re-write history instead history just repeated itself.

The anger towards Oden is unfair but I understand it. The Blazers have a great fanbase and they feel like this is unfair. Twice now the Blazers have chosen the injury plagued center who had shown signs prior to the draft of being injury prone. Twice now the Blazers have passed up on a prolific scorer and superstar for the center. The Blazers franchise has nobody to blame but themselves for ignoring the warning signs which was right there. Hopefully in the future if the Blazers do get a third chance to re-write history they take the advice of the warning signs and go with the future superstar. Now the Blazers who already lost Roy and most likely won't ever see Oden play in a Blazers uniform again are only left wondering what if? History has repeated itself once again in Portland which has been a sad pill to swallow for such a loyal fanbase. Even more sad is that basketball fans will have lost out on the chance to ever see what Oden could have done in Portland. Once again the Blazers are left with what if?

Brandon Roy retires from the Blazers at 27 years old

By Kshell

The shocking news today rocked the Portland Trail Blazers as former NBA all-star Brandon Roy has suddenly announced his retirement. Roy who has won the rookie of the year award and been selected to three NBA all-star games will be forced to retire due to his bad knees. The former University of Washington star helped changed the Blazers from a floundering franchise into a team that returned to the playoffs in 2009 when they won 54 games. Now just three seasons later Roy will no longer be playing for the Blazers. At the age of 27 Roy was supposed to be entering his prime years for this franchise instead he is retiring which is a major blow to the Blazers.

When Roy first came to the Blazers they had missed the playoffs three straight seasons after setting an NBA record for making the playoffs 21 straight seasons and 26 of 27 seasons. Roy was acquired on draft day trade which was a terrific move for the Blazers franchise. Nate McMillan was entering his second season as the Blazers were a struggling franchise. During Roy's first season in Portland along with Lamarcus Aldridge the Blazers appeared to have erased the "jail blazers" image they had. Roy won the rookie of the year when he averaged 16.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG and 4.0 APG. He shot 45.6% from the field while making almost a full three pointer a game. The following season saw Roy make the all-star team where he led the Western Conference in scoring that game scoring 18 points on 8-10 shooting while pulling down nine rebounds with five assists.

During Roy's third season the Blazers finally returned to the playoffs as Roy made his second straight all-star team. During the 2008-09 season Roy averaged 22.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 5.1 APG. He shot 48.0% from the field, made a little over a three pointer a game shooting 37.7% while making 82.4% of his free throws. In the playoffs against the Houston Rockets the Blazers lost in six games but it wasn't Roy's fault as he had a terrific series. During that six game loss Roy averaged 26.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 2.8 APG. He also shot 45.9% from the field, 87.0% from free throws and 47.1% from three point range. Roy was rewarded with a 7 year 84 million dollar deal after that season. Roy was going to turn 25 years old that offseason as the future appeared bright for him and the Blazers franchise which featured other young stars like Aldridge and Greg Oden. Little did anyone know that was the peak of the Brandon Roy run in Portland.

The following season the Blazers had great expectations then Greg Oden went down early playing only 20 games(still hasn't played since). Roy was enjoying another all-star season until he injured one of his knee's forcing him to miss the final 17 games of the season. Roy then missed the Blazers first three playoff games against the Phoenix Suns. As the Blazers trailed the Suns 2-1 in the series they pressed the panic button deciding to play Roy. Roy provided great inspiration as the Blazers beat the Suns in game four to even the series at two games apiece. The Suns would eliminate the Blazers in six games that year as Roy probably should have sat out that series.

The next season Roy continued to get injured playing in only 47 games most of which saw him come off the bench. Roy in the playoffs struggled in the playoff series loss to the Mavericks in six games. Although Roy did provide some moments scoring 16 points in a game three win. Then in the fourth quarter Roy led a huge comeback for the Blazers scoring 24 points as the Blazers overcame a 23 point deficit. Little did anyone know that would be the last great moment Roy would provide the Blazers as the eventual world champion Mavericks defeated the Blazers in six games. Now Portland is probably regretting pushing Roy out there in the 2010 playoff loss to the Suns as his career has been cut well short.

In conclusion, I've been a fan of Roy's since his days at Washington. I remember during his junior year the Huskies were the #1 seed and he was coming off the bench telling my friends that the best player on the team doesn't even start. I remember arguing with my friends how Roy is better than Adam Morrison of Gonzaga. I also recall when he went to Portland and it appeared the Sonics were leaving town I adopted the Blazers. It was an easy adoption as I lived 50 miles from Portland and their best player was my favorite player in Roy. Not to mention their head coach Nate McMillan was Mr. Sonic. Roy like the Blazers had such a bright future ahead of themselves in 2009 and now just two seasons later it appears all for nothing.

Now Roy is retired while the Blazers franchise has hit a major wall. Aldridge is a fine player but he isn't the best player on a championship team. Also bad  news for Blazer fans continue as it appears Greg Oden might miss yet another full season. Roy is one of the good guys of the NBA who is a hard worker and never hear about in the offseason. This wasn't supposed to happen to a player like him. The Blazers a franchise who has passed on Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant appear to be a snake bitten franchise who just simply can't buy a break. What appeared to be such a bright future for the Blazers and Roy has turned into a nightmare scenario. This doesn't even feel like reality this is simply a sad day for fans of the Blazers, Huskies and Garfield High School community who will never get to enjoy watching the greatness of Brandon Roy again.

Blazers trade Andre Miller & Rudy Fernandez; acquire Raymond Felton, draft Nolan Smith

By Kshell

Well the Portland Trail Blazers were active yet again on draft day as they made a big trade which allowed them get younger at the point guard position. The Blazers have really improved their roster from the team who won 54 games in the 2009 season if Greg Oden and Brandon Roy can stay healthy they could make some noise. I'll talk about them staying healthy later in the calender year for now I'll focus on what happened today. The big move was the Blazers in a three team trade with the Denver Nuggets and Dallas Mavericks acquired Raymond Felton while giving up Andre Miller to the Nuggets. The Blazers basically gave away Fernandez to the Dallas Mavericks who could be potentionally look at a replacement for Peja Stojakovic. The Blazers then in the draft selected Nolan Smith out of Duke university with the 21st pick overall. The Blazers recognizing that the point guard position is important brought in some youth at the point guard position. The Blazers in doing this move traded away at times their second best player on the roster the last two years in Miller who stepped up big time when Roy was sidelined with injuries.

The Blazers dealt starting point guard Andre Miller after just two seasons with the team. Miller in his first year in Portland averaged 14.0 points per game with 5.4 assists per game. Miller shot 44.5% from the field but just 20.0% from three pointers. In the playoff series loss to the Suns in six games Miller averaged 15.7 points per game and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 40.5% from the field and three for seven from three pointers. Then last year Miller saw his scoring decrease but his assists increase as he averaged 12.7 points per game and 7.0 assists per game. He shot 46.0% from the field but just 10.8% from three pointers. In the playoffs Miller averaged 14.8 points per game and 5.5 assists per game while shooting 49.3% from the field and 4-10(40.0%) from three pointers. Miller who has never won a playoff series before would be 35 entering next season. Miller was getting up there in age plus he couldn't stretch the floor with his shooting but his production will be equal to Felton. The difference is Felton gives the Blazers a guy who can knock down a jumper while being much younger.

For the Blazers they are acquiring Raymond Felton from division rival Denver Nuggets. Felton was part of the blockbuster trade a few months ago that involved Carmello Anthony. Felton last year for the New York Knicks averaged 17.1 points per game and 9.0 assists per game while shooting 42.3% from the field and 32.8% from three pointers as he averaged 1.6 three point makes a game. When he was traded to Denver his numbers decreased as he had to adjust and the Nuggets don't run as much as the Knicks do. Felton for the Nuggets averaged 11.5 points per game and 6.5 assists per game while shooting 43.1% from the field and 45.9% from three pointers making 1.3 three's a game. In the first round playoff loss to the Oklahoma City Zombies Felton averaged 11.6 points and 4.2 assists as he shot just 36.0% from the field and 4-16(25.0%) from three pointers. Felton overall for the season averaged 15.5 points per game and 8.3 assists per game which the Blazers will gladly take. Felton is also playing on his fourth different team since the 2010 season but is a former lotto pick. Felton is turning 27 pretty soon and is able to stretch the floor unlike Miller. This is a move that will help the Blazers offense for now and especially help them in the future.

The Blazers to complete the three team trade gave away Rudy Fernandez to the world champion Dallas Mavericks. Fernandez who was drafted 24th overall in the 2007 draft came to the Blazers with tons of hype for the 2008-09 season. He was a fan favorite especially for the ladies he was supposed to be an athletic player who can hit three pointers. Fernandez as a rookie averaged 10.5 points per game on 42.5% from the field and 40.0% from three point range making two three pointers a game. Many thought Fernandez would improve on those numbers instead that was his best year. In the playoffs Fernandez was terrible in the six game first round series loss to the Houston Rockets averaging just 7.5 points on 42.9% shooting from the field and 42.1% from three pointers making just 1.3 three's a game. His second season for the Blazers saw his numbers decrease as he averaged 8.1 points per game on 37.8% shooting from the field and 36.8% from three pointers making 1.6 three's a game. In the playoffs Fernandez once again was a no show averaging 6.8 points per game while shooting 44.4% from the field and 47.8% making 1.8 three's a game in the six game series defeat to the Suns. Then this past year saw Fernandez play like he did his sophomore year instead of like his rookie year. Fernandez this past season averaged just 8.6 points per game while shooting 37.0% from the field and 32.1% from three's making 1.5 a game. What isn't showing up is Fernandez lack of defense as well. In the playoffs once again Fernandez no showed as the Blazers once again lost in six games for the third straight year in the first round. Fernandez averaged just 2.8 points per game shooting 22.2% from the field and 30.0% from three pointers in the playoff loss to the team he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Now Fernandez hopes to have a fresh start in Dallas as he wasn't going to ever be successful for Portland. The Blazers got rid of two veterans added another while bringing in a high profile college player.

The Blazers with the 21st pick took the four year point guard from Duke Nolan Smith. Smith is 6'2" point guard who in his career at Duke averaged 13.4 points per game and 2.8 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field. He also made 1.1 three pointers a game on 36.9% shooting from the outside. As a junior Smith was a big reason why the Blue Devils won the National Championship as he averaged 17.4 points per game and 3.0 assists per game on 44.1% shooting from the field. He made 1.6 three pointers a game on 39.2% shooting from three point range. His senior season Smith was a big reason the Blue Devils were the #1 seed as he averaged 20.6 points per game and 5.1 assists on 45.8% shooting from the field. He also made 1.5 three pointers a game on 35.0% shooting from three pointers. Smith will most likely back up Felton as the Blazers got younger at the point guard position. The Blazers also have two point guards who can shoot three pointers and make them so defenses can no longer pack in the paint.

In conclusion, this was a big day for the Blazers as they improved their team. Their offense will run better with quick point guards who can shoot from the outside which should open up the middle more for LaMarcus Aldridge. The moves made today won't win the Blazers a championship anytime soon but this might have been the moves they needed to advance past the first round for the first time since 2000(when Bill Clinton was still president). Now the Blazers can only hope Roy and Oden can be healthy with these young point guards. The Blazers can now stretch the floor and with a player like Felton his career appears heading up while Miller's appeared heading down. The Blazers traded away two main parts of their team showing their fan base they are trying to get out of the first round. The Blazers I think with today's moves will finally escape the first round. Having a point guard who can knock down outside shots is huge and the Blazers for the first time in a while will finally have that option.

Missed opportunities

By Kshell

The Vancouver Canucks lost game seven of the stanley cup finals 4-0 to the Boston Bruins. While the nation celebrates the Bruins winning their first stanley cup in 39 years the people of Vancouver who haven't ever won a title in 40 years are left with nothing. Then the aftermath of the loss turned ugly as the city started to riot acting like idiots. Most of those idiots aren't true Canucks fans and knew win or lose they were going to riot. I won't judge Vancouver on the rioting because odds are the people doing the rioting aren't from Vancouver. Instead what I'll focus this blog post on is how northwest teams counting the Canucks typically don't do well when blowing a missed opportunity. While some franchises can lose in the championship rounds and come back the following year to win a title that isn't the case up here. I'm not just talking about the following year there seems to be a cloud that hangs over these franchises. All the teams whether you are a Mariners fan, Seahawks fan, Blazers fan, Sonics fan, Huskies fan or Cougars fan have blown a huge opportunity and still haven't recovered from them. The goal for the Canucks will be to end this trend next season or else Vancouver fans be prepared to have a long decade coming up.

I'll start the most recent team who lost a championship game the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks as we all know lost Super Bowl XL to the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-10. That is a game due to the officiating the Seahawks still haven't got over it. The Seahawks who were a 13-3 team and had homefield throughout the playoffs were easily the best team in the NFC. Yet the following year they only went 9-7. Despite a core which featured Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, Walter Jones, Lofa Tatupu and Marcus Trufant who were all in their prime or entering their prime they would never reach the promise land again. The Seahawks would lose to the Bears 27-24 in overtime the following year in the divisional round. The Seahawks haven't advanced past the divisional round since losing the Super Bowl. The Seahawks also lost guard Steve Hutchinson in his prime and the offensive line hasn't been the same. You'll notice a big reason why our teams never get back to that mountain top is often due to bad moves. The Seahawks are still searching for their first Super Bowl win in franchise history.

For the Washington Huskies their basketball program hasn't been to a Final Four since 1953. The closest they have ever been was in 2006 when they featured the best player in college basketball who was also a guard and a senior. That is a final four recipe right there as the Huskies rode Brandon Roy to the promise land. The fifth seeded Huskies were up seven points on the Connecticut Huskies with a little over a minute to go. UCONN had stunn the Huskies back in 1998 on a Rip Hamilton buzzer beater to deny the Huskies an elite 8 trip. This game was revenge for Washington instead it was the worst loss for basketball or football since I've been a fan. Washington self destructed allowed an UCONN three pointer at the buzzer to tie the game. Then Washington lost in overtime as Brandon Roy fouled out in overtime. The Huskies would miss the NCAA tournament the next two seasons and have only advanced to the sweet 16 just once in five years since that dreadful loss. The Washington Huskies are still searching for their first Final Four since 1953 as they blew the best opportunity in the Romar era.

The Seattle Mariners in 2001 were coming off a season in which they lost the ALCS in six games to the New York Yankees in 2000. In 2001 the Mariners ran away with the division by May as they won 116 games which tied the 1906 Chicago Cubs record. The Mariners were clearly the best team in baseball and the future appear bright for the franchise. The Mariners would lose to the Yankees in five games which including a swing game in game four in which the Mariners blew a 1-0 lead in the eighth inning. The Mariners that offseason would trade for Jeff Cirillo who was a huge bust and sign James Baldwin who was also a bust. The Mariners would also win just 93 games which was a 23 win decrease and miss the playoffs. Just three years after winning 116 games the Mariners would lose 99 games and be on their third different manager in a span of four seasons. The Mariners not only have never reached a World Series they have yet to even make the playoffs. Since 2004 they have had just two winning seasons. The Mariners missed their opportunity in 2000 and especially the 2001 season. The Mariners like the previous teams have yet to recover after missing their opportunity.

The Portland Trail Blazers who had finally overcame blowing their previous missed opportunity have yet to recover from the 2000 Western Conference Finals game seven. The Blazers in 1992 NBA Finals in game six against the Chicago Bulls had a 15 point lead that they blew to the Bulls to lose the Finals. The Blazers would lose in the first round in six consecutive seasons. The Blazers finally broke through in 1999 reaching the western conference finals before getting swept by the San Antonio Spurs. Well after a busy offseason the Blazers who had trailed 3-1 in the series to the Los Angeles Lakers battled back to force a game seven. Then the Blazers took a 15 point lead into the fourth quarter. That year the best two teams were in the West so while no fair to assume this series was for the championship. The Lakers would go on a 15-0 run to tie the score up and eventually win 89-84. For the Lakers they would go on to win the first of three straight championships. For the Blazers well they have yet to win a playoff series since. In 2001 and 2002 the Lakers eliminated them in the first round. Add it all up the Blazers have lost six consecutive first round series. The Blazers also traded away promising young star Jermaine O'Neal that offseason for Dale Davis. This loss still haunts Blazers fans as that franchise hasn't seemed to recover from that missed opportunity.

The Washington State Cougars had finally made the Rose Bowl for the first time in 67 years in 1997. The Cougars took on #1 ranked Michigan Wolverines trying to win their first Rose Bowl since 1916. The Cougars trailing 21-16 and going for the shocking comeback win. The type of defining win that the Huskies had in 1978 Rose Bowl that propelled the program to greater heights is what the Cougars were going towards. All-American quarterback Ryan Leaf spiked the ball but the officials said that spike took two seconds and the game suddenly ended. Although the Cougars had a great season they were denied to get their first national win. The type of win that can turn a bottom program into a contender. The Cougars would take last place in the Pac-10 the next two seasons then have a losing season for the third straight year. Although the Cougars would recover and make the Rose Bowl in the 2002 season they were blown out. The program hasn't been the same after the 2003 season. The Cougars missed out on their best chance to win a Rose Bowl which they haven't done in 95 years.

The Seattle Supersonics actually did the best job originally of recovering from a missed opportunity. In the 1978 NBA Finals they lost game seven at home only to beat the same Washington Bullets in five games for the championship in 1979. In 1994 the Sonics were the #1 seed in a year Michael Jordan wasn't in the league and they lost in the first round. The following season the Sonics again lost in the first round. Finally in 1996 the Sonics broke through and made the NBA Finals. Although the Chicago Bulls were the better team the opportunity to win a title was still there for the Sonics. Instead the Sonics lost in a respectable six games and had they won game two this could have been an interesting series. That following offseason the Sonics signed unknown center Jim McIlvaine to a lot of money. Eventually cause Shawn Kemp to demand to be traded after the following season. The year after that George Karl was fired and the Seattle Sonics never advanced past the second round after that 1996 NBA Finals. The Sonics after firing Karl had advanced past the first round just once(2005). The Sonics eventually left Seattle after the 2008 season having won just three postseason series after the NBA Finals. Safe to say the franchise never recovered from those heartbreaking playoff losses of the 1990's.

Now to the Canucks who themselves didn't recover well from their last missed opportunity. The Canucks in 1994 battled back from a 3-1 series deficit to force a game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals only to lose to the New York Rangers 3-2. The Canucks the following year were swept in the second round. Then were bounced in the first round in 1996 only to miss the playoffs four straight seasons after that. They didn't reach the western conference finals until 17 years later which was this season. Now you have to wonder how the Canucks will respond to such a devastating loss. The Canucks were by far and away the best team in the NHL by all the NHL experts. The Canucks had home ice throughout the entire playoffs and were up 2-0 in this series. The Canucks after being destroyed in Boston 12-1 combined came back home to win game five. Only to be outscored 9-2 including losing game seven at home 4-0. The Canucks in their four losses were outscored 21-3 so there was no specific game which hurt just the whole series. People in Vancouver will wonder all offseason why their team laid four eggs in this series. The Canucks are now 0-3 all-time in franchise history in games in which if they win they hoist the Stanley Cup. Hopefully history doesn't repeat itself like it always seems to do with teams in our region.

In conclusion, you can see why teams sometimes play to win for this year. Like I just pointed out even when the future seems so bright you never know if that is your one and only opportunity. So when you have those rare opportunities you have to win those games. All those teams I just mentioned are still recovering from such devastating losses and in the case of the Sonics they left town. The Mariners and Blazers are going on a decade of dissapointment after tasting a championship. The Seahawks have been nothing more than just average since the Super Bowl. While the Huskies and Cougars have tasted some success since then it was never as close as those losses. Hopefully for the fans of Vancouver the Canucks can reverse the trend. Just take a look at the team who beat the Canucks the Boston Bruins. The Bruins blew a 3-0 series lead last year then lost their first two home games this postseason only to rally to win the Stanley Cup. In sports sometimes the winner is the team who is mentally strongest and in the case of teams who lost the championship it's just about being mentally tough. Why I respect the Buffalo Bills who went to four straight super bowls so that was three straight offseasons they battled back from blowing a chance at the title. This region has had our fair share of opportunities and every time it feels like our teams let us down. Maybe the Canucks can reverse the trend of our teams falling apart after blowing a golden opportunity. For my Canucks friends hopefully for your sake they do.

Mavericks eliminate Blazers in Six games!

By Kshell

The Dallas Mavericks led by Dirk Nowitzki who scored 33 points were too much for the Portland Trail Blazers ending their season in the first round for the third consecutive year 103-96. The Blazers for the third straight year lose in the first round in six games and for the second straight season are eliminated at home despite the series at one point being 2-2. The Blazers in the playoffs have been beat up the last three years which is odd considering the last two years the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks have the "soft" label. Now the Blazers season is over the offseason begins and they are no longer that team on the rise. It appears that window has slammed shut and they must find a new way to be a title contender which will be tough. For the Mavericks they got the first round monkey off their back by rallying to win the last two games after the epic collapse in game four. The Mavericks who had at one point a 15 point lead let it get down to one point but unlike game four the Mavericks held on due to Nowitzki scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks also overcame a hot start by the Blazers to clinch the series on the road.

In the first quarter the Blazers came out on fire playing like a team who wanted to keep their season alive. The Blazers sprinted out to a 27-19 lead in the first quarter behind Gerald Wallace who scored 13 points on five for seven shooting while grabbing six rebounds. The Blazers also got six points from Wesley Matthews and LaMarcus Aldrdige who had a poor game five. The Mavericks had six points from Nowitzki and Shawn Marion as well. The Blazers shot well making 11-20(55.0%) from the field and two of five from three point range. While the Mavericks shot poorly making just 8-23(34.8%) from the field and just one of four from three point range. The Blazers were hitting their shots and the Mavericks weren't. It had appeared that the Mavericks were mailing this game in and going back to Dallas for a game seven. Then something stranged happened as a seldom used player on the Blazers made a foul on the best player for the Mavericks which woke up Nowitzki.

The Blazers had extended their lead to 31-19 on the Mavericks. Then shortly later Chris Johnson committed a flagerent foul on Nowitzki. After leading 31-19 the Mavericks outscored the Blazers 33-12. The Mavericks for the quarter had outscored the Blazers 33-16 in second quarter as Nowitzki scored 13 points to give him a game high 19 points at halftime. The Mavericks who once trailed by 12 points took a 52-43 lead going into halftime. The Mavericks had shot much better that quarter making 11-22(50.0%) of their shots, made three three's while making all eight free throw attempts. The Blazers shot horrible making 8-22(36.4%) from the field while missing all five three point attempts. The Blazers let the Mavericks take over momentum as their season was down to just one half.

For the Mavericks they were led by Dirk Nowitzki who scored 19 points on 8-11 shooting including making all three free throws. Shawn Marion scored eight points on 3-10 shooting with five rebounds. Jason Terry added 10 points off the bench making three of eight shots including two three pointers. While Peja Stojakovic scored six points wihle making a three pointer to give the Mavericks the much needed bench scoring. Nowitzki was too much for the Blazers after that flagerent foul. For the Blazers they were led by Wallace scoring 13 points on five for seven shooting with six rebounds. Aldridge had 12 points on 6-13 shooting with five rebounds but had zero free throw attempts. Matthews had scored eight points on three for seven shooting including making a three pointer. Brandon Roy had also scored six points on three for five shooting. The Mavericks in the third quarter for the third straight game would go into the fourth quarter with a double digit lead on the Blazers.

In the third quarter the Mavericks did their best to end the Blazers hopes right there. The Mavericks had outscored the Blazers 23-19 to take a commanding 75-62 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Mavericks had a 75-60 lead but Wallace was fouled at the buzzer and sank both free throws. The quarter saw once again the Mavericks shooting well while the Blazers still not shooting well at all. The Mavericks made 11-19(57.9%)from the field and overall were shooting 30-64(46.9%) from the field. While the Blazers had made just 6-16(37.5%) from the field and overall were shooting 25-59(42.3%) from the field and just 3-13(23.1%) from three point range. To that point the Mavericks were led by Nowitzki who had 19 points and nine rebounds. Marion had 14 points and six rebounds wihle Terry added 18 points on 7-14 shooting and five assists. The Blazers were led by Wallace who had 20 points and 10 rebounds. Aldridge had 16 points on 8-19 shooting with seven rebounds with Roy scoring nine points on four for six shooting. The Blazers would have one last final push in them.

In the fourth quarter the Blazers made a huge rally led by Wallace scoring 12 and Aldridge scoring eight points. The Blazers had cut a 75-60 deficit down to one point as they trailed 86-85 with under five minutes to go. That is when veteran Jason Kidd hit a huge three pointer and the Mavericks never looked back. In the fourth the Blazers outscored the Mavericks 34-28 but fell short 103-96. Nowitzki was huge in the fourth quarter like he was in games one and two scoring 14 points on three for four shooting but made all eight free throw attempts. Nowitzki had closed the Blazers out in the fourth quarter. The win for the Mavericks snapped an eight game road losing streak in the playoffs. The Mavericks will move on to face the L.A. Lakers while the Blazers once again will be heading home.

For the Mavericks they were led by Nowitzki scoring 33 points on 11-17 shooting and made all 11 free throw attempts. He also grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out four assists. The Mavericks bench came up big again outscoring the Blazers bench 35-14 led by Terry who scored 22 points on 9-16 shooting with eight assists. Stojakovic added six points off the bench and J.J. Barea scored seven points with four assists on three for five shooting. Marion scored 16 points on 7-15 shooting with six rebounds and Tyson Chandler scored nine points with seven rebounds. Kidd who had a big series scored seven points with six assists. Now for the first time in Nowitzki's career he'll face off with Kobe Bryant in a playoff series which is crazy since both have been all-stars for a decade on good teams.

For the Blazers it's back to the drawing board this offseason. The team has changed quite a bit from the team who lost to the Houston Rockets two years ago. The Blazers got rid of Joel Pryzbilla, Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster. The Blazers have brought in Marcus Camby, Andre Miller, Wesley Matthews and Gerald Wallace yet still first round exits. With all these changes the results have actually been worse far as wins go and the playoffs has been the same with another first round exit in six games. The Blazers were led today by Wallace who scored a playoff career high 32 points on 10-17 shooting and was 11-12 from the free throw line. Wallace also grabbed 12 rebounds as he finally had a breakthrough game for the Blazers. Aldridge broke out of his mini slump by scoring 24 points but shot just 11-25 from the field and attempted just four free throws. Matthews scored 19 points on 5-14 shooting and Roy scored nine of the teams 14 bench points. The Blazers will now have to make some tough decisions in the offseason.

Overall, the Blazers season ends in disappointment. This was supposed to be the year the Blazers finally break through. The Oklahoma City Zombies and Chicago Bulls have broken through while the Memphis Grizzlies are on the verge as well. The Blazers the last two years probably got the matchup they wanted the most and couldn't capitalize on it. For the Mavericks they move on to play the Lakers in what should be a fantastic series. Two superstars who have never played each other in the playoffs in Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant should be fun. The Blazers can only wonder what it would feel like to be in the second round something this franchise hasn't done since 2000. The Blazers once again will be talking about next year instead of the season at hand. The Mavericks are moving on this year while the Blazers can only sit and wonder what if for the third straight season.

Observations:

- Want to win a playoff series? I suggest getting a superstar because they win in the playoffs. Nowitzki was a superstar this playoff series for the Mavericks. For the series Nowitzki averaged 27.3 PPG on 52-115(45.2%) shooting from the field while making 56-63(88.9%) from the foul line. Nowitzki also averaged 7.8 rebounds a game. Nowitzki averaged 10.5 free throw attempts a game while making 9.3 a game. Nowitzki was agressive and was rewarded with trips to the foul line.

Speaking of which in the Mavericks four wins Nowitzki shot 52 free throws(13 per game) while in the two losses he only shot 11(5.5 per game) which is a huge difference. Nowitzki in the fourth quarter was dominant in three of the games he scored in double figures carrying the Mavericks. Nowitzki was a matchup nightmare for the Blazers just like Amare Stoudamire was last year and Yao Ming was the year before. Start to notice a theme? The Blazers are soft in the middle and need another big.

- Remember when Dennis Green went off how the Bears are who we thought they were? Well LaMarcus Aldridge is who I've said he is for years. Blazers fans refuse to listen to me but I've said he is a great jump shooting big man who is soft. This series hasn't changed my opinion one bit. Aldridge put up solid numbers averaging 20.8 points per game while shooting 53-115(46.1%) from the field. He averaged 7.5 rebounds a game which is pretty bad for a power forward. The stat that jumps out to me is that he attempted 115 field goals and just 24 free throws(4.0 attempts a game). That tells me Aldridge is just camping outside jacking up jumper after jumper. Nowitzki shot 39 more free throws than Aldridge in just six games and that wasn't because the refs were "screwing" him either.

It could be Aldridge got frustrated by the physical style of play of Chandler and Brenden Haywood as his production went down as the series wore on. Aldridge in games one through three averaged 23.7 points per game on 30-59(50.8%) from the field while grabbing just 6.7 rebounds a game. In games four through six he averaged only 18.0 points per game while shooting 23-56(41.1%) from the field which is horrible for a power forward. He did average 8.3 rebounds a game though. If the Blazers ever wish to win a playoff series with this group Aldridge has to get tougher or the Blazers need to acquire another guy to help make up for Aldridge being soft.

- Gerald Wallace had a huge game today scoring 32 points while grabbing 12 rebounds but for the most part he had a bad series. Before today Wallace was averaging just 11.8 points per game on 20-50(40.0%) shooting but did grab 8.6 rebounds a game. So his series stats are going to be a bit inflated due to this one huge game.

Wallace was supposed to bring a much needed toughness to this team. For the most part Wallace was the Blazers top rebounder but scoring other than game six he didn't do enough. He was supposed to be the missing piece to finally get this team over the hump and win a playoff series. Now the Blazers will search for that next piece. I do think Wallace is a good fit for the Blazers as they need his toughness at the small forward position. Due to Wallace being on the team that makes another Blazer pretty expendable.

- I think if the Blazers were to ever win a playoff series with this group the time is to trade Nicolas Batum. I know Batum will only be 23 this December but he has the most value to other teams. He is also proven now in three playoff series with the club that he pulls a Cliff Robinson like disappearing act. This year Batum averaged just eight points per game on 19-46(41.3%) shooting from the field and even worst 7-26(26.9%) from three point range. Batum scored 24 in the first two games and then just scored six points per game including today where he scored zero points. In the last four games Batum shot 9-25(36.0%) from the field and just 4-14(28.6%) from three pointers.

Last year Batum in the playoffs averaged just 8.2 points per game but again like this year scored 30 points first two games. The final four games of the series Batum averaged just 4.8 points per game including three points in the final game of the series. Batum in that four game stretch shot just 5-16(31.2%) from the field during that stretch. Then his rookie year he averaged just 2.0 points per game and was so unproductive he played a combined seven minutes after starting the bulk of the season. When are Blazer fans going to realize he is more likely to be the next Travis Outlaw than the next All-Star? Now is the time to deal Batum for a big while he still has that "Potential" word. Batum still has value to another team. Trade him now for a big time point guard or another big.

- Nate McMillan now falls to 6-12 in the playoffs as Blazers head coach and overall is 14-20 in his career in the playoffs. He has never had great teams but he has also been a coach in this league for 11 seasons now and has only advanced past the first round one time. At what point does McMillan be held accountable? Losing in the first round three years in a row wouldn't have been acceptable back in 2009 so why should it be now?

The Blazers have changed their roster from the team who lost two years ago. Only Roy, Aldridge and Batum are the only main players who are left from that team. I think the Blazers need to move on from Roy and Greg Oden. Treat both players as bonus players at this point and find suitable replacements so you aren't left scrambling when they do get hurt during the season. If the Blazers don't advance past the first round next season I think McMillan will be fired and there will be a major shakeup. This will be the final season that guys are allowed to keep their jobs after losing in the first round.

In conclusion, the team who once had the brightest future in the NBA back in 2008 appears headed for mediocrity. The NBA is all about getting that franchise top five player. You get those players in the NBA draft lottery well the Blazers like they did in the 1980's passed on that player(Kevin Durant) and will now make the playoffs every year meaning they won't get that chance for another 20 years. That is the problem for teams like Portland you have to hit a home run on your few chances in the draft lottery or you won't win a title. Makes me appreciate the San Antonio Spurs run more when I think about it. Unlike Miami, L.A., and New York free agents aren't taking their talents to Portland. Portland just like Seattle in other sports either drafts stars or trades for them. Stop and think about the last time Portland or a Seattle team signed a "mega" free agent? Okay now that you realized they aren't any you've realized just how hard it is. For the Blazers the team whose future was so bright just three years ago is facing the sad truth of the NBA world. They had their chance and they blew it by passing on Durant. Now the Blazers just like the 1980's will have to live with that mistake forever. At this point the Blazers will just settle for a playoff series victory which for the third year in a row will have to wait until "next year".

Mavs win 93-82 to take 3-2 series lead over Blazers

By Kshell

The Dallas Mavericks led by Tyson Chandler's offensive rebounding held home court advantage defeating the Portland Trail Blazers 93-82 to take a three games to two lead. Now the Mavericks are just one game away from winning the series. For the Blazers this is the third straight year they trail three games to two. The previous two years the Blazers lost game six which they are hoping to avoid this year. The Mavericks got over the game four collapse by rebounding the ball. The Mavericks had 20 offensive rebounds while attempting 35 free throws including 31 in the first three quarters. The Mavericks played physical with the Blazers who couldn't buy a bucket either to prevail in game five. Tyson Chandler scored 14 points and grabbed 20 rebounds including 13 offensive rebounds to keep several possessions alive for the Mavericks. For the Blazers nobody had a stand out game as they will travel back to Portland hoping this wasn't their last game in Dallas. For the Mavericks they hope to close out the series in Portland on Thursday night at the Rose Garden.

In the first quarter the Blazers knew they were facing a wounded soldier in the Mavericks. The Blazers took the crowd out of the game when trailing 15-12 closed the quarter on a 8-0 run to lead 20-15 end of the first quarter. The Mavericks had a ton of nervous energy in the arena from the game four collapse and previous playoff failures. The Mavericks made just 6-16(37.5%) shots from the field while making just two of six free throws. Only thing keeping the Mavericks in the game was Tyson Chandler who scored seven points and grabbed seven rebounds. Dirk Nowitzki scored just four points on two for five shooting. While the Blazers whot 10-21(47.6%) from the field but didn't attempt a free throw. The Blazers were led by Wesley Matthews who wcored six points on three for four shooting. Gerald Wallace came out aggressive scoring four points on two for four shooting. LaMarcus Aldridge came out slow scoring just two points on one for three shooting. The Blazers did want they wanted to do which was take an early lead and try and take the crowd out of the game. Then in the second half the Blazers let a big opportunity slip away.

The Blazers extended their run to an 11-0 run to take a 23-15 lead over the Mavericks. The tension in the building for the fans you could feel just by watching on t.v. The Blazers had a chance to put the Mavericks away with a good run instead the Mavericks made the run. The Mavericks went on a 14-4 run to take a 29-27 lead. Then with the Blazers leading 43-37 the Mavericks ended the half on a 7-0 run to take the lead 44-43 heading into halftime. In the quarter Nowitzki eight points as he made four of five free throw's. Jason Terry scored seven of his nine points in the second quarter as well. The Mavericks for the quarter shot 10-19(52.6%) from the field and was perfect on eight free throw attempts. The Blazers still shot well making 10-21(47.6%) from the field. The Blazers at halftime had just one free throw attempt while the Mavericks had 14.

For the Blazers despite outplaying the Mavericks found themselves trailing at halftime by a single point. The Blazers were led by Andre Miller with nine points on four for eight shooting including a three point. Miller also dished out five assists. Nicolas Batum came up big in the first half scoring nine points on four for seven shooting with a three pointer. Matthews had six points all from the first quarter. Aldridge had six points along with Wallace who also had six points. The Blazers had shot 20-42(47.6%) from the field while making three of eight from three point range. The Blazers had to be feeling good about their shooting but the Mavericks were more aggressive going to the free throw line 14 times to the Blazers one.

For the Mavericks they were led by Nowitzki who scored 12 points on four for eight shooting including four of five from free throws. Chandler scored seven points on two for two shooting with three of six free throws. Chandler had nine rebounds at halftime. Shawn Marion scored eight points on three for seven shooting. Terry scored nine points on four for seven shooting including a three pointer. The Mavericks shot 16-35(45.7%) from the field and two for five from three point range. The key was making 10 of 14 free throws. In the third quarter the Mavericks would go on a run that would stretch into the fourth quarter to put the Blazers away for good.

In the third quarter started off back and forth as both teams scored 12 points apiece for the Mavericks to hold a slim 56-55 lead. After that the Mavericks ended the quarter on a 19-8 run which for the second straight game destroyed the Blazers in the third quarter. Unlike the last game the Blazers didn't have the home crowd to help them back in the game. The Mavericks outscored the Blazers 31-20 in the third quarter. The Mavericks were led by Nowitzki who scored 11 points in the quarter on three for seven shooting while making five of six free throws. Nowitzki after three quarters had 23 points on 7-15 shooting and was 9-11 at the foul line. Chandler was big in the quarter scoring six points while grabbing four rebounds to give him 13 points and 13 rebounds. The Mavericks shot 13-14 from the free line that quarter and scored 31 points despite not making a single three pointer. The Mavericks would extend their run into the fourth.

The Mavericks put the game away in the fourth quarter by starting the fourth on a 14-6 run to lead 89-69. The Blazers would finally start scoring when the game no longer mattered. The Blazers technically won the quarter 19-18 but the Mavericks had already did the damage winning 93-82. The Mavericks as a team shot 32-78(41.0%) from the field while making just 3-17(17.6%) from three point range. The Mavericks won the game due to making 26-35(74.3%) from the free throw line. The Mavericks outrebounded the Blazers 49-37 with 20 offensive rebounds. The Mavericks were led by Nowitzki who scored 25 points on 8-18 shooting while making 9-11 from the foul line. Terry scored 20 points off the bench on 8-18 shooting while making a three pointer. The X-Factor was Chandler who scored 14 points on three for four shooting while making 8-12 free throws. Chandler also grabbed 20 rebounds including 13 offensive. Marion was big scoring 14 points on 6-14 shooting with four steals and two blocks. Then Jason Kidd who shot bad had a good all around game scoring four points but dished out 14 assists with seven rebounds. For the Mavericks they held homecourt and know at the very worst there will be a game seven at home.

For the Blazers they probably felt like they let one get away. The Blazers outplayed the Mavericks in the first half then got run off the court in the second half. The Blazers were led by Miller who scored 18 points on 8-14 shooting with seven assists. Then Wallace scored 16 points on 5-11 shooting with nine rebounds. Aldridge had just 12 points on 6-15 shooting. He has played poorly the last two games. Batum scored 12 points on 5-12 shooting. Game three hero Matthews had just eight points and two points after the first quarter. While game four hero Brandon Roy had just five points on two for seven shooting. Now the Blazers must return home hoping to win the first game six of Nate McMillan's career. The home crowd should help out with the free throw disparity.

Overall, the Mavericks rebounded nicely from the devastating loss in game four. The Mavericks just controlled the glass especially by Chandler who had 13 offensive rebounds considering the Blazers as a team had just nine offensive rebounds. Chandler is keeping possessions alive and the Mavericks needed that as they didn't shoot very well. The Blazers return home knowing just one more loss and their season will end for the third straight year in the first round in six games. The Blazers will have Rose Garden rocking and hope Brandon Roy can play well at home like he did last time. Typically at home you shoot more free throw's and your role players step up more. So far in this series that has been the case. For the Blazers they have to box out better or they'll be going on vacation sooner than they had liked.

Observations:

- Well I had praised the play of LaMarcus Aldridge this series but he has been downright terrible the last two games. Today Aldrdige had just 12 points and nine rebounds on 6-15(40.0%) shooting from the field. He didn't attempt a single free throw either.

His scoring has decreased each game this series. For the series now Aldridge is averaging 20.2 PPG while shooting 42-90(46.7%) from the field and just seven rebounds a game. In the last two games Aldridge is averaging just 15.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG while shooting 12-31(38.7%) from the field. For the series Aldridge has attempted just 20 free throws(4.0 attempts per game) which shows he isn't being aggressive at all. Aldridge started this postseason off hot but lately he is looking like the soft Aldridge of old.

- Where Brandon Roy goes this team goes it appears this series. In the Blazers two wins which were both at home Roy has averaged 20.0 PPG on 15-23(65.2%) shooting from the field. While making three three pointers. In the Blazers three losses which have all been on the road Roy is averaging just 2.3 PPG while shooting 3-15(20.0%) from the field.

Now Roy is a former all-star so he isn't one of those good at home while being bad on the road type of role player. I think Roy at this point in his career will show you flashes of 2009 Roy like he did in game four while also showing that is still not healthy like the three losses. The Blazers will need Roy and Aldridge to play their best game in game six to stay alive.

- Tyson Chandler was the big X-Factor today scoring 14 points while grabbing 20 rebounds. Heading into the game today he had scored just 16 points for the series. Chandler got to the line 12 times making eight of them with his 13 offensive rebounds. Going into today Chandler had averaged 3.8 offensive rebounds a game which is pretty high but not 13 high.

Chandler won't score that much again but when he rebounds the Mavericks win and when he is in foul trouble like he was in Portland the Mavericks lost both games. Chandler in the Mavericks three wins is averaging 7.3 PPG and 13.0 RPG. In the two losses Chandler averaged 4.0 PPG and 5.5 RPG with 5.5 fouls a game. So if the refs let Chandler play he will dominate this Blazers team. If the refs call a tight game on Chandler then the Blazers will have a chance to win.

- Nate McMillan's playoff record on the road falls to 3-14 which obviously has to improve if the Blazers wish to advance in this series. McMillan is also 0-3 all-time in game six which is a bad sign for the Blazers. Today nothing McMillan did was the "wrong" move as the Blazers were just getting dominated on the glass. Perhaps he should have played Marcus Camby more than 20 minutes or Chris Johnson more than six minutes. Ultimately the Blazers couldn't box out or hit any shots. McMillan is hoping to get out of the first round for only the second time in his 11 year coaching career.

All in all, the Blazers will return home where they are 4-0 on the year against the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks are hoping to close out a playoff series on the road for the first time since 2009 when they beat the Spurs in five games. The Blazers will need their stars like Roy and Aldridge to step up to have a chance. At home the Blazers crowd will be into it. Eventually going forward the Blazers know they have to defeat the Mavericks in Dallas which they are now 0-5 against. For now it's one game at a time as the Blazers season is now on the line. The Blazers are trying to avoid being eliminated in the first round for the third straight season. The Blazers have only advanced past the first round twice since 1993 so history is against them. All the Blazers have to do is win at home then play a game seven which anything can happen. No time to hold back it's do or die for the Blazers. Game six at the Rose Garden will be rocking hoping the Blazers will be joining the Mavericks on the flight back to Dallas.

Roy helps Blazers overcome 23 point deficit to win game four 84-82 over Mavs!

By Kshell

The Portland Trail Blazers were getting destroyed on their home floor 67-44 to the Dallas Mavericks then everything changed. That is when former three time all-star Brandon Roy put the Blazers on his back to even up the series at two games a piece. Roy led the Blazers on a 40-15 charge scoring 21 of his 24 points over the last 13 minutes of the game. Roy looked like the Roy of of 2009 hitting one clutch shot after another. This is why sports is so great you just never know what is going to happen. The Blazers looked about as helplessly out of a ballgame I had seen. The Blazers had one of the worst quarters in NBA playoff history in the third quarter followed by one of their best in franchise history. That mostly due to Brandon Roy hitting one tough shot after another in the fourth. Roy after tying the game up with a four point play would then hit the go ahead bucket to put the Blazers up 84-82 with 39.5 seconds left. Now the Blazers will fly to Dallas with the series tied. For the Mavericks this will be one of the longer plane flights home for a franchise who has choked many times before.

The first quarter reminded people of the 2011 college basketball national title game. Both teams were pretty horrible hitting shots especially the Blazers. The Mavericks led 16-11 after one quarter due to the Blazers shooting so poorly. The Blazers had just two guys score with Andre Miller scoring six points and Wesley Matthews scoring five points. LaMarcus Aldridge had missed all four field goal attempts. The Blazers shot just 4-16(25.0%) from the field in the first quarter. The Mavericks were led by DeShawn Stevenson who scored six points while making two three pointers. Dirk Nowitzki for the fourth straight game struggled in the first quarter scoring just three points on one for five shooting. The Mavericks made 6-19(32.0%) from the field but did make four of seven three pointers. In the second quarter would feature more scoring by both teams.

In the second quarter the Mavericks sprinted out to a 33-23 lead on the Blazers determine to put the Blazers away. The Blazers would respond by going on a 10-2 run to end half down just 37-35. For the Mavericks they shot 10-23(43.4%) for the quarter. They were led by Nowitzki who scored six points on three for four shooting. The Mavericks for the half were led by Nowitzki scoring nine points on four for nine shooting. Jason Kidd had scored six points on two for three shooting including two three pointers and two steals. For the half the Mavericks had shot 16-42(38.1%) from the field and 5-10(50.0%) from three point range. The Mavericks had a chance to put the Blazers away but let the Blazers pull within two points.

For the Blazers that 10-2 run gave them momentum going into the second half. In the second quarter the Blazers shot much better at 7-15(46.7%) from the field and were 10-10(100.0%) from free throws. The Blazers saw Gerald Wallace, Miller and Aldridge all score six points. For the half the Blazers were led by Miller who scored 12 points on four for six shooting and was perfect on four free throw attempts. Matthews scored seven points while making a three pointer on three for six shooting. Aldridge continued to struggle scoring six points on one for seven shooting but had three block shots. In fact the Blazers had seven block shots in the first half. Wallace scored six points on two for five shooting but grabbed seven rebounds. The Blazers defense and free throws were saving them as they were 12-12 from the foul line in the first half. The Blazers who had momentum would play their worst quarter of the season in the third quarter.

The third quarter was a disaster for the Blazers as the Mavericks looked to put them away this game and for the series. The Blazes missed their first 12 field goal attempts of the quarter. The Blazers didn't make their first field goal until 1:32 left in the third quarter. The Mavericks came out on a run leading 54-39 then their largest lead of the game 67-44. The Blazers would end the quarter on a 5-0 run including a Roy three pointer to close the lead to 67-49. At that point the game and the series for that matter appeared to be over. The Mavericks had outscored the Blazers 30-14 in the third quarter. The Mavericks shot 10-17(58.9%) from the field and made four of eight from three point range. The Mavericks were perfect on six free throw attempts. To that point Nowitzki had scored 16 points on 6-14 shooting. Shawn Marion had scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Peja Stojakovic had made two three pointers that quarter to give him six points. For the Blazers they had shot just 3-18(16.7%) from the field. They were led by Miller who had 12 points and Aldridge who had 12 points on just 3-12 shooting. The Blazers game four hopes looked done then Brandon Roy took over.

The fourth quarter was pretty magical to see Roy lead the comeback. I had text my friend throughout the whole game. He was optimistic and mentioned how this could be like Celtics-Nets game three of 2002 when the Blazers had pulled within 73-62 and Roy was going off. The Mavericks who to that point were shooting 26-59(44.1%) from the field couldn't buy a bucket. While the Blazers who to that point were shooting 14-49(28.6%) from the field couldn't miss. The Blazers who were trailing 80-72 with under three minutes to go continued the late charge. Then with under a 1:15 left in the game the Blazers trailed 82-78 Roy hits a three pointer and was fouled by Marion. Roy sank the free throw to tie the game up at 82-82. The Rose Garden crowd to that point was going crazy. Then after a defensive stop the Blazers put the ball in Roy's hands once again and he delivered. Roy hit the mid range jump shot just inside the free throw line with 39.5 seconds left to give the Blazers an 84-82 lead. After a Kidd missed three the Blazers had a chance to put the game away. Roy would miss the three pointer but would get back in time on defense to cover Jason Terry who missed the potential game winner as time expired. The Blazers had pulled off the comeback win 84-82. For the quarter the Mavericks shot just 5-17(29.4%) from the field and made just one out of eight three point attempts. For the Blazers they shot 15-20(75.0%) from the field as Roy scored 18 points in the final quarter. The Blazers had pulled off the miracle win to even the series now.

For the Mavericks this loss has to hurt and for the next 48 hours their previous playoff failures will be brought up. To this date the Mavericks have been mentally weak and now they return home knowing they blew a golden opportunity this series. The Mavericks had a 2-0 series lead and a 23 point lead in game four. Now the series is tied at 2-2 which has to be a shock. For the Mavericks they were led by Nowitzki who scored 20 points on 7-17 shooting but had just two rebounds. Then Marion had a good game for the Mavericks scoring 12 points on 6-11 shooting while grabbing 11 rebounds. The key was both Kidd and Terry had bad games. For Kidd he scored nine points while making three three's but didn't make a shot in the fourth quarter. For Terry he had 13 points on 5-16 shooting and had the worst +/- on the team with a negative 15 in his 32 minutes of playing time. For one team suffering that means another team is jumping for joy which the Blazers have to be doing right now.

For the Blazers to pull this comeback off in basically a must win was impressive. The Blazers have all the confidence in the world plus their former all-star is playing like an all-star the last two games. Roy after scoring just two points the first two games has scored 40 points the last two games. The Blazers were led by Roy who scored 24 points off the bench on 9-13 shooting while grabbing four rebounds and dishing out five assists. Aldridge had a nice fourth quarter finishing with 18 points on 6-16 shooting but was three for four in the fourth quarter. Miller continued his strong playoffs scoring 14 points on 5-10 shooting while Matthews scored 11 points on 4-10 shooting. Then Wallace who 10 points on three for nine shooting also grabbed 11 rebounds for the double-double. Now the Blazers will fly to Dallas knowing Roy is back and have all the confidence.

Overall, it will be interesting to see how both teams react to this comeback win by the Blazers. Will the Mavericks give up on the series and let this lose carry over to game five? Will the Blazers have a false sense of hope now? Should be interesting as game five is a very pivotal game especially for the Mavericks. If Roy is playing like this the Blazers might be the second or third best team in the Western Conference. That is the key for the playoffs they are a solid team without Roy now and if he is the Roy of 2009 they are tough to beat. The Mavericks have to be worried as the playoff choke jobs of 2006,2007, and 2010 will be brought up yet again. For one team this will be a great flight to Dallas while for another team they will be in shock as to what exactly happened. Should be a great game five to see how both teams react.

Observations:

- I felt Aldridge had a poor first three quarters but once again still managed to score 18 points. Aldridge started the game off missing six of his first seven shots and six of those shots were long jumpers. Then in the fourth Aldridge managed to score six points making three of four jumpers. Aldridge is having a nice playoff series as I've talked about before. The good news is when Roy is playing well Aldridge doesn't have to averaged 25+ points a game.

For the series now Aldridge is averaging 22.3 points per game while grabbing 6.5 rebounds a game. He is shooting 36-75(48.0%) from the field for the series. The key is unlike the first two games he isn't getting dominated by Nowitzki in fact he is actually outscoring Nowitzki in the fourth quarter unlike the games in Dallas.

- After the game one loss fans called in to 1080 the fan on the post game show and complained how Roy played too many minutes. Then after game two when Roy complained about a lack of playing time again fans complained how he was "selfish". Those same "fans" are probably praising him right now which is nothing new for Roy. While Greg Oden and other Blazers constantly get a free pass those same "supporting" fans seem to do the same for their only all-star in the last 10 years.

Roy put the team on his back scoring 24 points on 9-13 shooting. Roy scored 21 points during the Blazers 40-15 run in the final 13 minutes to win the game. Roy tied the game with his four point play then won the game on the next possession. Roy also made it so Terry had to shoot a tough shot on the final shot of the game. Roy after struggling down in Dallas the past two games in Portland both wins by the way has averaged 20.0 points per game on 15-23(65.2%) shooting from the field. If Roy continues to play like these two games in Portland the Blazers will win this series in six games.

- Nate McMillan improves his playoff record to 14-18 and is now 5-1 all-time in game four's. In game five's he is 2-3 all-time and 0-3 on the road. McMillan got on his guys about the effort at the end of the third quarter and once again trusted Roy. In the fourth when Roy was on fire he didn't even try to rest Roy he let Roy be Roy. Now McMillan can only hope that this Roy comes to play for him down in Dallas. This is the Blazers ace up their sleeve. McMillan pressed all the right buttons at home but now must find a way to win on the road which he is only 3-13 all-time on the road.

In conclusion, I think this game really will come back to win two games for the Blazers. I don't think the Mavericks are mentally tough enough to overcome a defeat like the one they experienced today. The Blazers know all the pressure is on the Mavericks in game five at home. The local media is going to be talking about the Mavericks previous playoff failures for tomorrow and game day. While the Blazers will be relaxed knowing they have nothing to lose this game. The Blazers also know if they win coming back home up three games to two the series is over. The Blazers just have to hope for Roy to keep playing like he is playing and they should be fine. While the Mavericks have to find a way to get Nowitzki involved in the fourth quarter. Nowitzki down in Dallas averaged 16.0 points per game in the fourth quarter while in Portland he scored 6.5 points per game. The series now goes back to Dallas and now becomes a best of three games. For the Blazers they'll gladly take that while the Mavericks have to wonder what happened. Game five should be interesting to see how the Mavericks react. Just remember if Roy is back to being 2009 version of Roy the Blazers will not only win this series but they'll push the Lakers the following series. Now the Blazers just hope Roy can deliver once again down in Dallas.