Everyone I know seems to be panicking about the Blazers. My roommates are freaking out. My best friend was screaming “fire McMillan” the entire game on Tuesday against Atlanta. John Canzano is probably livid (what’s new). But after the first five games, during which the Blazers have played one of the hardest schedules in the league (the combined record of their opponents is 14-5), they have actually managed the exact same record they had at this time last year: 2-3. Still, there are reasons to be concerned. Namely, two weeks into the season the team simply hasn’t figured out how it wants to play. Andre Miller wants to run. I want the team to run. Nate McMillan? Not so much. But tonight the team’s debuting a new starting lineup that could make or break the season. Yeah, say goodbye to AW BRO, and say hello to NATE MCMILLAN IS STARTING THREE GUARDS.
It’s certainly not unprecedented. The Suns often start three smaller players, and so do the Knicks. But those teams love to push the pace, get up the floor, and take quick shots. The Blazers have been outscored 62-19 on fast breaks this year. You can do the math. That’s less than four points per game, or two baskets. TWO BASKETS.
Sorry for the use of ALL CAPS, but I’m pretty intrigued by what this lineup can do. Offensively, I’d guess that Miler will play the point and Blake will do the same thing he always does: stand behind the three point line and wait until his defender cheats off him to double Roy. Defensively I’m not so sure. Tony Parker is probably the fastest (and Frenchest) point guard in the league, and those pesky small guards always give the Blazers a lot of trouble.
But the main problem I have is that it doesn’t seem to solve the Blazers biggest problem: who starts at point guard. Tonight’s lineup is essentially a cop out—instead of choosing between Miller and Blake, why not start them both? I’ve been preaching the virtues of Andre Miller since the first preseason game (look it up, peeps) but everybody knows that Nate McMillan is basically in love with Steve Blake. I like Blake—he’s a good-to-great shooter, and he rarely makes mistakes—but he’s just so, I dunno, mediocre. If you had to rank all 400 or so players in the NBA he’d probably fit in nicely at #200. But he’s basically a glorified YMCA player, and that’s not how teams win championships. Love him off the bench, but Miller’s a better player. Two other big things going into this one.
1). The other word from the locker room is that Jerryd Bayless is going to be the first guard off the bench. You have no idea how excited I am.
2). Will the Blazers back off Manu Ginobili? I mean, he got rabies shots this week. That’s what happens when you kill a bat with your bare hands.
Okay, one more quick pre-game note. The “concert violinist” that just played the National Anthem is wearing a baby blue Argentina shirt. I think he’s actually Manu’s brother. This can’t be a good sign.
FIRST QUARTER:
So the Blazers announcer just introduced Andre Miller—who stands all of 6′2—as a forward. So maybe we’re not playing three guards! Good try, Nate. Also the Blazers are debuting new “throwback” jerseys tonight, even though the team’s never worn them before. Instead of saying Portland or Trail Blazers across the front, it says “Rip City.” That’s a slogan, not a nickname. Okay enough bitching. Guess I had too much coffee today.
11:24 – Steve Blake hits a three off a nice pass from Miller in, you guessed it, transition. I did this on purpose, Blakey. Let me mean words inspire you.
10:28 – Roy hits a three after missing one a few seconds ago. And the team is running. In the half court they better go to Oden a little bit, because he’s being guarded by the NBA’s only ginger starting center, Matt Bonner. Oh man his last name is almost really funny.
9:12 – Less than three minutes into the game and Manu is in for Richard Jefferson. Popovich really must have a lot of faith in Keith Bogans.
8:50 – Oden picks up his first foul, as Tim Duncan just schooled him on the low block. Hey, guess who’s leading the league in fouls? I’ll just say it’s not Kevin Durant, if you get my drift.
8:27 – Oden, who’s also reading my blog in his telepathically from the court, squares Duncan up and hits a 12 foot jump shot. Man if he ever learns to do this with any regularity he could be a best. Of course could is the main word. He just picked up his second foul, which is actually a little big of a star call. Oden just doesn’t get any respect from the refs yet. You know how he does that? Not missing layups.
6:37 – Roy’s looking great right now. The big thing with this whole PG debate is the fact that Roy likes having the ball in his hands, as does Dre Miller. But he could get so many easy buckets if they learn to play together. Blazers up 14-10, shooting 50 percent so far.
5:58 – The guys next to me and Ezra on press row are watching the Boise St. game. I may wear tight pants, but at least I pay attention to the game I’m at. Get me a permanent sports writing job, stat.
5:54 – I think Spurs coach Greg Popovich is trying to make Keith Bogans into the new Bruce Bowen. He’s grabbing, yanking, kicking, basically mauling Brandon Roy. Good matchup on the wing.
5:07 – DeJuan Blair just pulled down his first board. He was the guy I wanted the Blazers to draft this year, and so far he’s backing up the hype, almost averaging a double double off the bench for the Spurs. I’ll be watching him all night.
4:34 – Make that two rebounds for Blair, in less than a minute. Sheesh.
4:17 – Blazers fast break alert! LA with the dunk on a great outlet pass from Miller. I’m sitting in front of Antonio Harvey, and all he can talk about is Miller’s long arms. Hey, as long as long arms get the Blazers a few fast break buckets and I’m happy. 16-11, team Rip City.
2:55 – Rudy’s in, and he just threw a typically beautiful Spanish-style pass (el no look) to Aldrigde, who dumped it to Pryzbilla, who…blew the layup. If only the Blazers centers could finish these easy opportunities, then maybe the rest of the guys wouldn’t want to jack long rang jumpers all night long.
2:40 – The Blazers are still running, or at least trying to. I love it. McMillan loves playing a controlled, plodding game where he can coach and control the paint, but this Blazers team just has too many athletes not to get out a bit. Also of note: Miller’s the only starting guard left in the game. But all three have played well so far.
1:51 – NATE MCMILLAN IS READING MY MIND. he just put in JayBay to guard George Hill, San Antonio’s speedy backup guard. So excited to see Bayless kill someone on the court. His first offensive play leads to a Outlaw layup. The next possesion he doesn’t pass the ball, and instead puts his head down and barrels to the hoop. Love this guy, he’s so fearless. 24-13 Blazers.
0:41 – JayBay just commits his first turnover of the season. Hasn’t he learned anything from Sergio? Oh wait…
0:14 – Shit I love Bayless. Takes it straight to the rim again for an and 1. Sorry about the curse but I can’t get enough of Bayless. He could be the spark the team needs.
0:01 – Bayless with the steal, out to Rudy for the three at the buzzer…it just rims off but Webster comes flying out of nowhere for a sick dunk. Wow, the Blazers look great. 29-14 at the end of one. By far the best quarter of the year.
SECOND QUARTER:
8:20 – Okay, we’re back up. My computer just died in the middle of screaming at Nate McMillan for taking Bayless out after he scored 5 points in 4 minutes and did a great job of changing the tempo. Just so you know, I’m also Tweeting during the game, so if this cuts out, go here. We’re so web 3.0 at WW.
8:06 – McMillan’s going with the lineup that closed a lot of games last year: Blake and Roy in the backcourt, Outlaw, LA, and the Thrilla up front. The Blazers are still playing good D but are down to shooting just 41 percent. Too many jump shots! Still up by 12, though.
6:59 – Blazers going small with the three guards again. Roy’s shot looks off again after a blistering start.
6:08 – Aldridge has been really quiet tonight, but he finally gets an inside bucket and takes advantage of Michael Finley trying to guard him in the post. That has to be a bad matchup. Either that or Popovich is really that crazy. I mean he did let Manu kill the bat and then kept him in the game.
Time outs give me the opportunity to impress you with stats like this: 10 Blazers played in the first quarter, and eight of them scored. That’s gotta be a high during the McMillan era.
5:05 – Ugh, the Blazers are getting killed on the offensive boards. Richard Jefferson just beat four Blazers to the ball. Gotta love the three guard lineup.
3:52 – Oden’s finally back in, which means that he’ll probably wind up playing more in the half than Bayless. But it was getting close. Never thought I’d never see that.
3:30 – Ya know, Oden’s got a nice little jump hook. I’ll give him that. Until he starts scoring more than six points a game, I’m still going to call it “little.” But he’s made two nice moves tonight, and both against Tim Duncan.
3:03 – Jefferson’s been a savior for the Spurs tonight. They’re shooting a dreadful 34 percent from the field but Jefferson’s got 11 points, 4 boards, and a ton of trips to the line. Great offseason pickup for them. Blazers lead 43-31.
2:33 – Manu’s whistled for traveling, but I can’t tell if it’s a good call or not. I’m too busy staring at his bald spot. Dang, it puts Sheed’s to shame. I bet my brother can see it from the 300 level.
1:46 – Oden hits another jump hook, this one from a little farther out. This is the best I’ve seen him play on offense since that game last year (it was at Golden State, right?) where he scored over 20.
1:31 – Juwan Howard replaces Oden for the final 90 seconds, which means 11 Blazers have played in the first half. Come on, Nate, I know you wanna sub Dante Cunningham in.
0:15 – Bogans really is doing a good Bruce Bowen impersonation. His stat line so far? 0 points, 1 assist, 2 fouls. He’s even got the same shaved head. Now he just needs to open a spa in SA with his wife.
0:02 – Hey guys, so guess what play Nate runs as the Blazers have the ball for one last shot in the half? Yep, the ol’ give it to Roy and let him go 1-5 routine. Roy hits the shot, but it’s so predictable. That’s not going to cut it in the playoffs. All harshness aside, the Blazers have looked great in the first half. Definitely the best ball they’ve played this season. 51-40 lead at half.
THIRD QUARTER:
11:06 – Giner alert! Matt Bonner just got an offensive board and scored inside. Oden looks lost trying to follow him around the perimeter.
10:39 – So Tony Parker’s out for the rest of the game with a sprained ankle, which means we’re going to see a lot of George Hill. He’s a good young player, but no Parker.
9:46 – Blake matches Bogans three with one of his own. Little Stevey (oh wait, that’s someone else) is looking tough tonight. Hey, if he shoots the ball as well the rest of the year as he is tonight, then I pledge to stop with the jokes. But I’m just so on tonight.
8:48 – Did the refs really just call an off-the-ball foul on George Hill? Come on, guys, that’s a little ridiculous. I’m not being a homer here, just a journalist calling it like it is.
7:30 – The Blazers, knowing that gingers are weak at post defensive, are going at Matt Bonner on almost every possession. Aldrigde hits two free throws, and the Blazers are up 60-47. Think that’s the biggest lead of the night.
6:56 – Actually they’re just going inside, period. Oden’s really impressing me tonight. He just backed down probably the greatest power forward of all time, and he really looks like he wants it on offense. He’s calling for the ball. Hell, he looks animated out there, like he really wants to make it after a shitty year. Now read that last sentence in the Willy Vlautin voice. Did you see what I just did?
6:15 – Interesting development from this whole three guard experiment: Brandon Roy has stopped passing the ball. Okay, that’s not entirely true, but he doesn’t have an assist yet. It’s nice to see him without the ball in his hands every time down the floor, though. It’ll add years to his career.
5:48 – With Tony Parker out, the Blazers have more point guards on the floor than the Spurs have in uniform.
5:15 – Oh uh. Now Miller’s limping with what looks like a sprained ankle. Just not a good night for point guards. Dre’s not going to the locker room, so he’ll probably be okay.
3:59 – Maybe Blake did learn something from Sergio. That lob was, dare I say it, Sergio-esque. Again Roy gets a bucket away from the ball and it’s gotta feel good.
3:17 – Martell and Rudy are both in, which means Blake is actually running the point for the first time tonight. Or wait, maybe the second time. McMillan’s made the same subs in the first and third quarter, taking Roy out with like four minutes left.
2:40 – The crowd’s much louder then during the opening night. Kinda weird, considering it was the first regular season game in this building since April. Or maybe it’s just ’cause it’s Friday night. Blazers up 68-54 after a sick Aldridge dunk.
2:38 – Bayless watch is officially starting. If Nate’s gonna play him again tonight, it’s either now or a few minutes at the start of the fourth. He looks like he’s in a daze on the bench, dreaming of putting up 50 on the Thunder.
1:14 – Bayless is back in, if only for a minute. That sounds like a Morrissey song title, huh?
0:19 – Eik, that’s an over and back. This second unit isn’t looking good right now. Also, I just realized that Greg Oden looks A LOT like Michael Finley. Only Oden’s five years older 15 years younger. Blazers up 68-58 at the end of the third.
FOURTH QUARTER:
11:58 – Despite starting three guards, the Blazers only have 8 assists in the first 36 minutes. Weird.
11:42 – Roger Mason Jr. with a sweet jump shot. Wait, the announcer didn’t say “Jr.” Did that change in the offseason? Is that even possible?
11:05 – Just like I predicted, Bayless only played the final 1:13 of the quarter. Miller, Roy and LA all check back in as the Spurs cut the lead down to eight.
10:34 – George Hill’s got four fouls, which raises an interesting question: who do the Spurs play at the point if he fouls out? Manu? Theo Ratliff?
10:22 – Man, Antonio McDyess is a baller. Plain and simple. I’ve always liked him, and even at 30-something years old he can still play. Oden’s backing off and he’s killing him with his smooth jump shot.
8:51 – Oden’s quietly having a pretty good night. He’s got 10 points, 5 boards, and 2 blocks in like 16 minutes.
8:05 – Nate’s going with the starting lineup with just over eight minutes left, which doesn’t exactly show any confidence in the bench. Roy’s dribble drive is sweet, though, the the leads back over double digits.
7:24 – Steve Blake just passed it to Bruce Bowen, err, Keith Bogans. So much for that lead. Two quick Spurs buckets and the Blazers lead is down to 75-68. You know who could give this team some much needed energy right now? BAY-LESS.
6:39 – That’s the play you run out of a timeout? The Blazers need something better than a last second Miller three point attempt. The Spurs deserve some credit. That was a great double on Oden, he barely had time to react.
5:52 – 24 second violation. Two straight Miller three point “attempts.” If you can even call his set shot that. Jeezus, change the lineup! This isn’t working.
5:38 – Ginobili’s two free throws cut the Blazers lead to a paltry three points. Roy hits a tough jumper, but this offense is embarrassing. Outlaw’s in for Miller, which might help. Not enough shooting on the floor for Roy to go 1 on 5.
4:15 – Roy’s starting to take this game over. As Ginobili gambles on defensive, Roy drives past him, squares up for a 15 footer—and then drops a beautiful lob to Oden for an easy layup. That’s better. Now the crowd is doing “YMCA,” this really must be throwback night. I feel like I’m at Joel Przybilla’s bar mitzvah or something.
3:57 – Roger Mason hits a three, and all the air is let out of the arena. It got real quiet real quick. Blazers up 80-75.
2:57 – Ducan’s throwing the hammer down asking for a continuation call, but the refs aren’t falling for it. Oh wait they gave it to him? I don’t know about that.
2:39 – Steve Blake for three! I take back every mean word I’ve said about him. Almost. That pass earlier in the quarter is still inexcusable.
2:18 – Whoah, Oden really is talking/barking on the court. He looks MAD. Seriously I want to see him get a technical, or just deck Ginobili. I bet he has so much pent up anger inside of him. Channel your inner Bayless, son!
2:15 – Now the free throws…he hits ‘em both!
2:00 – Dang, Richard Jefferson just dunked his way to a Sportscenter top play. That was ridiculous. This game is getting super intense, it’s hard to blog and watch at the same time.
1:47 – The thing about this three guard lineup? IT CAN’T DEFEND QUICK PLAYERS. Ginobili slices through the lane for a three point play, cutting the Blazers lead to 87-82. McMillan calls a timeout, probably getting ready to draw up a great play that involves Brandon Roy and nobody else. It’s called isolation, and sometimes it works.
1:44 – Of course I’m just a stupid blogger sitting here in section 113. It’s easy to call out the coach. I mean what do I know about basketball? The only time I’ve ever drawn up a play it was for a co-ed 4th grade team at Hillside Community Center. But I watch a lot of basketball, and obsess about it (no joke, I couldn’t sleep the other night wondering if I should pick up Udonis Haslem or Andre Blatche on my fantasy team) and I think I know a few things at this point. As the season goes on I’m getting more and more skeptical about whether he’s the right guy for the job. Oh, and if you were asking, I’d run a pick and roll with Miller and Oden, with Roy waiting on the wing for the shot. If it’s NBA Live, it would work.
1:24 – Oden sets a pick for Roy, which is almost the same thing. Outlaw with the jumper, Blazers up 7.
1:02 – Spurs ball and they really need a bucket. Ginobili misses a runner and it looks like the Blazers have this one, barring another meltdown from the charity stripe. Roy misses the second, leaving the Blazers with a 10 point lead.
0:32 – Ginobili tries to get away with a kickball. What a Euro move. This isn’t fooooootballl, dude.
0:30 – George Hill fouled out! Maybe my predication was right about Ratliff running the show. Ugh, Bogans is back in, this is boring. Show us some love, Pop.
0:21 – Manu misses and this one is over. Big win for the Blazers. Roy finishes with 24, Oden’s got 14 and 7 boards after a good second half, and Steve Blake has 15 points and one big three pointer that basically sealed the game. So game one of the 3G experiment actually worked out. Thanks for following along as I blab, oh, 3340 words about one single Blazer game. Casey will be here on Sunday, so don’t forget to comment and give him shit. I know he loves it. Blazers are back to .500 and looking good for one night. I’m off to try to ask McMillan about Bayless.
Just a tad biased for a “journalist,” but I really do enjoy your writing style. Good luck to you and the Blazers this year, man.