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I think having players pick the pre-game shootaround music is about the best tradition in Portland basketball. Tonight LaMarcus Aldridge picked “Real As it Gets” by Jay-Z and Young Jeezy. He mouths the words as the team lines up to run to the hoop for their layups. Steve Blake can’t help but dance a bit. Joel Przybilla looks perturbed, as usual.

And it’s game night. In the media room it’s ribs and steamed veggies. So you know I’m ready to blog. On the court, Chris “Birdman” Andersen has something to say to a fan in the sixth or seventh row. He doesn’t seem hostile about it. And when he goes to shoot around on the other end, He practices three-pointers (why?) and shares high fives with the button-ups in the front row. There’s a little boy up front who seems especially excited to see Bird, so he tosses him the ball before each shot. The kid passes to Chris, who actually drains a few threes. The ball boys don’t notice him out on the wing, so he waves them down. Birdman proceeds to drop three treys in a row from the right wing. The kid stares on. Birdman jaws with anyone in proximity who will listen. He moves to the left side and drains a few from there. Some kid in a LaMarcus Aldridge jersey yells with approval from the stands. Bird gives him a quick gun-finger. Later he’ll gently shove a ball-boy to the side so he can play ball-boy himself. This man is everywhere at once, and with that mohawk, one can’t help but see him.

On the other end, a kid who looks uncannily like Dan Dickau is kicking loose balls out to Martell Webster in the corner. The Blazer warmups, black with red trim and white Adidas stripes, are super sweet this year.

I’m here on press row, with no one on either side of me. I’m trying to shake a weird story about Mugsy Bogues that I heard in the media room. It was a pretty amazing story, though, so I might crack at halftime and let you in on the joke.

It’s a rainy night in Portland. Most of the folks I’m sitting with would rather be at the World Series. I didn’t even know who was in it until I watched Sportscenter last night. I like basketball. In Chicago, the Bulls have a 13-point lead on the Spurs. They’re not going to let it go in two minutes, so I wish we could just start this game. But this game is on TNT. From my vantage point I’ve got a good view of Marv Albert’s plugs, Reggie’s bald head and the Czar’s nice head of hair (which, until now, I somehow thought was a wig). I envy the people sitting right behind those three—not because they get to hear the same commentary as the home audience, but because they get to hear the banter and the arguments during commercials. I love that shit.

The night’s refs stand in a triangle at center court, laughing and joking around. I hate that it makes me think of this. Not that I buy into those allegations, but now that they’re out there, it’s going to be awfully hard for NBA fans to forget about them. As we often say in journalism, the appearance of bias is just as damning as actual bias.

Linda Hornbuckle gets what might be the loudest applause I’ve ever heard a singer get here for the national anthem. You know, a lot of people hate sitting through the anthem every night. Not because they’re unAmerican, but because they tire of the ritual. I gotta say though, I kind of love that live music has that ritual place at the start of the game. Wouldn’t matter to me, frankly, if she was singing “Disco Inferno”—I consider the anthem a standard, and it’s always interesting to see how different artists interpret a standard—but I like the fact that we all pause for a few minutes to hear a human voice, or a guitar player or a saxophonist or what have you. The fact that we all have to get silent and listen to somebody pouring their heart out. One doesn’t always see that on the basketball court during the game, so it’s nice to see it before the game.

FIRST QUARTER

10:36
Slow going so far. An emphatic whistle (it sounded sharp and rusty from here) gets blown on Carmello Anthony, the second of the game after Greg Oden picked up a call that shouldn’t have been. On TNT they show a long shot of Andre Miller on the bench, laughing with Jerryd Bayless. I’m sure they’re talking about how the reserve role is new for him or maybe how he was once a Nugget, and maybe reading too much into his face as he moves from the giggles to a contemplative expression. These are the storylines we love, and basketball is the game that best tells these stories, with the players’ faces and body language constantly on display.

7:33
These guys are double-teaming Oden. Dunno if they saw his big numbers in the preseason or his turnover count in the last game (was it 7?), but either way they’re really swarming him. It pays off when Greg loses the handle, but the ball winds up back in the hands of Steve Blake. Blake, who must feel pretty confident these days after getting the starting nod over Andre Miller. Miller was a stud with the 76ers.

6:00
No timeouts yet, which is probably not great for TNT’s ad revenue but it’s great for the fans here at the RG, who scream with delight every time Oden grabs the ball and scream for blood whenever a foul is called on the Blazers.

Just when I’m beginning to think this crowd is stupid (they are booing way too loud at perfectly normal calls), they begin to roar not for a slam dunk or a block, but for a rebound. Greg Oden gets a huge standing ovation with 4:49 left because he’s fighting for position and rising up big to grab a board. He looks feisty, even angry, and that’s what Portland wants to see.

4:49
The crowd just watched two solid minutes of a chubby kid doing the robot in the nosebleeds, and they roar with approval at that, too. So they might be dumbasses overall. I mean, the kid was pretty good. I might sweat the technique a bit but the energy was there. I guess I woulda cheered if I were mixed in with the masses.

A Martell Webster Dunk gets it loud in here again. I heard there were a lot of empty seats during the opener the other day, but tonight it’s pretty packed. I guess there’ll always be folks out getting snacks or lower-level season ticket holders whose pugs need emergency surgery, but most of these seats are full.

3:20
The shorter nuggets guards (Chauncey and the guy who looks like but is not Dahntay Jones, as well as Anthony Carter) are doing a great job of pestering Portland’s big men. None of our seven footers can seem to hold onto the ball when the Nugs are swiping at it from all sides. They’ll pick up a few fouls that way, but they’ll also get some steals and resulting fast break opportunities. Nice to see the hustle.

2:26
Did you know that Andre Miller only missed three games in 10 NBA seasons? That’s pretty good. TNT mentioned it. They also showed footage from Miller’s mini-’fro days, and I’ve gotta say, that was a beter look than the shaved head. I’m a barber’s son, whaddya want?

1:42
Tattoos alone don’t qualify one to look like a “thug” in the NBA anymore, but Kenyon Martin is absolutely a thug. Chris Anderson can cover his face with tats and he’ll still look like a nice, if trailer parkish, dude. Kenyon Martin—who, in his defense, smiles and laughs a lot—is not the type of guy you wanna fuck with. Right now he won’t let go of LaMarcus Aldridge’s arm.

0:03
Andre Miller throws up a three (which has never been his forte) and misses. Nice job for the Blazer starters, very ugly game from the back-ups.

SECOND QUARTER

Nate starts the second quarter with the twin towers of Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla, which leads me to believe he saw the Kaman/Camby combo while watching the Clippers game last night. It garners the ‘Zers an easy defensive board, but on offense neither of these guys is great at creating their own shots. Oden does the right thing—he draws the double-team then dishes to Andre Miller, who is fouled and connects on a three-point play. On the other end, Kenyon Martin tries creating his shot over the mountains. His own pride kills him again, and he can’t pull it off. Rudy ties things up 24 – 24 on the other end.

9:58
If I were advising a player on how to be seen as a thug, one oft-overlooked aspect of the game I’d harp on would be crowd-awareness. Think of the “Jail Blazer” era. The worst of those guys yelled at the crowd, spit on the crowd and generaly despised the crowd. Kenyon Martin’s relationship with the crowd is much more playful. He’ll shush an away crowd after making a big shot; he’ll stare at a cameraman and scream after pounding an especially vicious dunk; he’ll talk back to a heckler. Most of the league’s great thugs have a theatrical quality that gains them attention—and therefore disdain—from the crowd. Travis Outlaw might get booed at the free-throw line, but c’mon, no one hates Travis Outlaw.

8:58
It’s announced that the Yankees won their world series game, and the crowd erupts in a huge boo. That’s how I know I’m home, I guess: We hate the shoe-ins. That’s part of the reason the Blazers’ rise has been a little scary. I’m not sure what happens once this team is a favorite to win the championship. That would fuck with Portland’s whole self-image. Which is why I’m hoping for a trophy this season (what? Kobe Bryant could tear his ACL! Tim Duncan could certainly break a hip—he’s 75 years old, after all) instead of two or three years down the line. I’d rather see the ‘Zers win as underdogs than favorites.

6:25
Martell Webster throws down over Birdman on one end of the court, the crowd goes insane. Then on the other end, Carmello Anthony attempts vengeance with a posterization of Joel Przybilla. Martell comes from behind to knock the ball away clean, and Melo (I’m sorry for hitherto adding an “L” to his name, I always do that) is a dazed prizefighter; his eyes grow wide as he looks for the closest ref. The crowd begins to heckle very loudly. Anthony pauses to soak it in. He’s laughing now, the crowd is, too, but it’s an angry laugh. Again, we love to see the golden boy get his. Just don’t be surprised when Carmelo comes back with a vengeance of his own.

5:12
B-Roy gets an all-star foul he probably didn’t deserve; the crowd offers a golf clap.

4:55
Carmelo throws an elbow in Martell Webster’s throat, the refs notice a bit late but give it the call. George Karl is furious. He only gets more animated when a late foul is called against the Nugs on the other end.

Back on offense, Martell is all over Carmelo. Anthony screams so loud I can hear him loud and clear from here. “Come on!!” he tells his team. They throw him the ball and he darts for the hoop, but a Joel Przybilla elbow comes down at him.

3:56
Kenyon Martin gets a T for throwing the ball down to the other end of the court after fouling Travis Outlaw. He’s on close-up and I swear he’s on the verge of tears. Still jawing with the officials, though, which doesn’t seem like the best idea. He takes a lot of pride in his defense, it’s clear, and he takes it personal when he’s assessed a foul he feels he didn’t earn. And actually, I’d much rather see a burst of anger out of a player than a lot of touch-and-go bitching.

Martell is getting way too active on defense–stupidly active, and he’s rightly called for a foul against Nene, who misses both free throws. The Nugs are not doing well in that department. Next time up, Martell gets called for a questionable blocking foul against Anthony, and the crowd freaks. Melo did use the off-arm, so I can see why they’re angry. But Martell was moving, so it’s a bit of a draw, really. I wonder what Reggie thought…

3:08
Joey Harrington comes up on screen, and the crowd is about 60/40 applauding to booing. Idunno, man, that’s a person trying to enjoy a game. I’m not sure it’s cool to boo him even if you don’t like his college team or his anemic play in the NFL. Judging from their responses, though, I’ve gathered this about tonight’s crowd:

They slightly prefer the Ducks to the Beavers. They hate the Yankees. They love chubby people dancing, but they’re indifferent to puppet comedy. They want free things, even if they’re stupid. They know their Beatles trivia. They really want to root for Greg Oden, but also don’t want to cheer for him unless he’s playing with some real guts.

1:09
The theory here would seem to be “spread the love.” When Rudy Fernandez was playing big, Nate put Martell in. Martell started to heat up, so we got Travis Outlaw. Now Juwan Howard and LaMarcus are doing most of the Blazers’ shooting. By the fourth quarter, the Nuggets really won’t see the barrage of Brandon Roy Buckets coming at them.

19.1
Steve Blake runs up court and calls a timeout.

I know Brandon Roy wears Nikes, but doesn’t he seem like he should be rocking Converse? He keeps combing his hair on court with his finger. It’s kind of weird. I guess he’s checking to see if those steps in the back of his head are still there? They are, and they still look cool. Now Roy has the ball at mid-court against Stephen Graham. He breaks him down on the corner of the three-point arch, but is unable to get his long shot to go and unable to get enough contact from Graham to get the foul called.

Craig Sager, in his rad salmon-colored suit, is interviewing Martell Webster. Martell’s the kind of guy who can appreciate Sager’s oft-maligned fashion sense. Craig looks good, man, get used to it. He’s just way over your head on the fashion front, that’s all.

HALFTIME!!!

This game is pretty strange. How often does a team shoot 31% (as opposed to 40% for the Nugs), get 15 less foul shots than the other team and still come out ahead by one point at halftime? Well, they outrebound them by 11, make every free throw, turn it over less (4 for the Blazers, 6 for the Nugs) and run faster. That said, this has been a pretty ugly—if scrappy—game.

Also, Green Day sounds more and more like the stupid rock radio they were once the “alternative” to. Guess that’s why the kids love ‘em more than ever. Kids like everything.

THIRD QUARTER
I’m sure it’s been said (many times, many ways), but the Nuggets’ strength trainer looks a lot like a battle dwarf. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. I think it’s pretty badass, actually. And I’m sure he could murder me with just one of his tiny hands, so I dare not speak ill of… KRA-NAK, THE BATTLE DWARF STRENGTH TRAINER!!!

If he cut his dreadlocks he’d just look like a pretty normal buff short guy. Don’t you evah, Kra-Nak, don’t you evah.

10:12
Saying the words “don’t you evah” reminded me that I’m going to miss Britt Daniel tonight. He’s at Mississippi Studios. I’ve got way too much work to do after this to make it over there.

Nene dunks over Greg Oden, who grazes the former’s jersey. The crowd hates the cal, and it’s the second time Nate has argued hard about ticky-tack calls. On the other end, Nate’s ref gives the Blazers one of their own. In fact, he gives them two. See, the NBA’s not rigged, it just ebbs and flows depending on the amount of complaining coming from coaches and players.

6:46
Everyone out there is complaining. Everyone. Sometimes I think the refs need to impose a two-minute “Time Out Time Out” on the game when it gets particularly bitchy. Everyone go to your corner, put your faces in your hands, and shut up.

The back and forth with Carmelo and Martell is fascinating to watch. The blocked shot Webster had on Melo earlier in the game has given him a defensive confidence that has lasted throughout the game.

5:43
They’re having the Blazers talk about their favorite candy on the overhead, and people are cheering with vigor each time their favorites are mentioned. They love Martell even more now that they know he loves Peanut Butter Cups. And Steve Blake is just that much more awesome now that he has admitted his love of SweetTarts.

Sometimes I forget that there are a lot of kids here, and I get meaner than I should. Sorry, kids. I like candy, too. For the record, my favorites are those Fast Break bars or Peanut Butter M&Ms. Mmmmmm.

5:05
Don’t forget about Juwan, man. He can play. Don’t sleep on Juwan. I mean, don’t put him on your fantasy team or anything but don’t forget about him, either.

Martell Webster has the officials convinced that he deserves the same respect as Carmelo out there tonight, and it’s been a boatload of fun watching him win their respect. It’s like the Kennedy / Nixon debates. Martell is looking reasonably Kennedy.

Brandon Roy puts the truffle shuffle on Carmelo, a quick stutter backwards while driving to the hole. Not many guys can stop on a dime like that. Melo keeps running as Brandon shows why he was an all-star last year, and will be again this year. What a move! Next time up he takes a bold three from the corner. After using Martell and LaMarcus as decoys all night, he’s getting a bit less notice. How is it that a guy like that surprises you when he scores? The silent killer, I tell ya.

1:45
B-Roy’s touch abandons him for a moment and Chauncey winds up with an easy board. Man, Juwan can really run! He keeps up with Billups as he flies upcourt, but can’t block his three-pointer. Two Chris Andersen free throws makes it a 61-61 game.

1:08
As great as Brandon Roy is, I’d like to see the stats on his technical free throw percentage. I feel like he misses a lot of those.

Some of what happens when Andre Miller is on the court seems clunky, like they’re running the same plays for him that they run for Blake. You can’t really kick out to Miller and expect him to drain those three-pointers, so I’m not sure if it’s just a force of habit or actual play -calling or just happenstance that gets him out on the arc all alone. But it’s weird.

29.4
Brandon’s perfect from the line, sans his technical free throw. He winds up with the ball with three seconds left. He runs it up, Lawson in front of him and Birdman coming in from the paint. He lets it fly from deep three-point range, and banks in the three-pointer. I don’t need to tell you that the crowd likes it. What a shot!

FOURTH QUARTER

Is everyone in the world a secret Vengaboys fan? Because when “Hey Now” starts playing, people go apeshit. They clap, dance—one guy looks like he’s being electrocuted—the kids are eating it up, man. Hot, stupid girls let out a hearty woo. Vengaboys.

12:00
Arron Afflalo is a crazy defender. I mean he actually looks crazy. His mouth hangs open, he jitters and shakes when he’s in defensive position like he’s daring his man to make a run at him. He’s nuts out there. But when it comes to Brandon Roy shooting, Afflalo can only timidly raise his hand. Roy misses anyway, perhaps thrown off by Afflalo’s meth-dance.

10:07
Dennis Dixon is also in the house tonight. He’s not sitting anywhere near Joey Blue Skies. He gets much more emphatic reception from the crowd though, and much more positive.

Rudy takes a monster hit from Birdman. Least it looks like a monster hit. Rudy can do that. The replay shows it wasn’t a whole lot of contact. Rudy gets up quickly, which I like to see. The whole writhing on the ground thing was so last season.

Holy cow is he hot tonight when he sees floor time. He steps up for a very bold three against Ty Lawson. Lawson returns the favor with a long two through Rudy’s fingers on the other end. This one, to use an old cliche, looks like it’ll go down to the wire. But the Nuggets are already in the penalty with over eight minutes to go. That’s nice. Rudy shoots two after a minor foul from Billups. This game has been all fouls. What is it, midnight by now? Somehow no one but Joel Przybilla is close to being fouled out. Speaking of gigantic freaks, we’ve been going small for a while now but Greg Oden is set to check in. And Rudy buries ANOTHER THREE after Carmelo is slow getting up court. He’s got 16 points, making him the second leading scorer on the Blazers. Roy has 25 to go with 5 boards and 5 assists. The score is 81-74 Blazers.

7:16
The “Get Loud” graphic is totally unnecessary. Dude in the hunting cap’s “Birdman Hunting Season is Now Open” sign did that. And I just now noticed my favorite sign, “Blaze the Nugs,” is back in action in the same spot it’s always in. Very classy. (Full disclosure: I watched Harold and Kumar Escape from White Castle last night.)

6:21
I’ve always said, this city respects hustle. How else could we have lived with Ruben Patterson for so long?

RUDY FERNANDEZ IS UNSTOPPABLE. This looks like the guy we saw in the Olympics, man. What a shot he’s got tonight. As much as Batum getting injured sucks, it’s sure letting us evaluate the other Forwards who don’t usually get much in the way of PT.

Carmelo Anthony is checking for teeth after being fouled on the drive. The crowd is really screaming at the guy.

With five minutes left, Nate has subbed in most of his starters. Rudy, however, is still out there. I’m glad to see Nate valuing the hot hand, something he doesn’t always do. Then again, Martell looked pretty good for a while there, too.

4:37
The Nuggets have cut themselves back into this one, largely on the back of Carmelo Anthony, who looks real hot out there. Some guys just play better pissed off, I guess. That’s another important aspect of being a thug. Waving a gun around in a music video doesn’t hurt, either—though real thugs wave guns around at nightclubs.

4:21
I’m anti-thug and anti-drug, I came to the party and got anti-love.

Carmelo Anthony and Rudy Fernandez seem to have been involved in an involuntary mind-switch, because Melo is straight bombing ‘em out there regardless of whose hand is in his face.

Nate takes out Joel and Blake, leaving Miller at guard and Oden (who’s a foul away from going out) in. But there’s a foul on every possesion in this game, and Roy picks up this one against Melo. Anthony makes ‘em both (he can’t miss) and it’s 89-87 Nugs. Another foul called. LET THEM PLAY. Roy sinks two and it’s tied up at 89. Intense. Nugs go to Melo. He fades back with Miller on him, Miller puts his arms up to avoid contact and it’s…a foul. ANOTHER FUCKING FOUL. This is the worst. This is really, really bad. Zero contact on that one.

2:25
So are they just fouling eachother twice as much in this game as in a normal NBA game? B-Roy goes to the line next, making one of two. It’s a real stomach-turner. Girl on cell phone walks out of the building.

Carmelo goes to the hole and it’s… well, you wanna guess?

1:56
Somebody tell me what the TNT guys are saying. Is this more fouls than have ever been called? The team foul total looks like 55 now. Andre Miller drives, and… takes a foul. He makes one of two. The Blazers are only down two, but they’re having trouble rebounding at the moment. Nene drives that home when he retrieves the ball after he’s blocked by Greg Oden and tosses in a five-foot hook. Blazers are down 4 points with 1:05 remaining. It’s 95-91. Nate’s probably going to stay the course after this timeout, though personally I’d like to see Steve Blake finishing the game over Andre Miller. The former has to know the playbook better.

Nate does sub in Martell Webster for Miller, so he’s switched it up there. Brandon Roy winds up with it and drives to the hoop. He tries to get contact but can’t get the refs to bite. Weird time for the whistles to stop blowing. The ball bounces in, though, so it’s two points for Roy. On the other end there’s a silly miss and lots of bobbling. Looks like the Nugs have secured it, but Nene is called for a loose ball foul. It’s Blazer ball, down two. LaMarcus Aldridge gets to take two free throws. Wouldn’t want that pressure.

He misses the first.
He makes the second.

Denver ball. They’re up 35.5 seconds. This makes for pretty good TV. Carmelo has 39, Roy 30. Crowd claps nervously. This is fun. You wonder if Nate might put Joel in there for shotblocking purposes, but it doesn’t look like it. He’s trying to gain Oden’s confidence, and Greg has proved he can make big defensive plays. But he’s also proven that he can pick up fouls real quick.

10.8
What did I do to deserve this? Anthony dishes to Chauncey, who fakes a three then sneaks past Roy. He fires from mid-range, the most open shot he’s had all game. It bounces out. Unthinkable that a vet like that would miss that shot, but chalk it up to home court advantage. The Blazers have just over 10 seconds to win this thing. Ball goes to Brandon Roy, and Roy dishes an awkward pass to Greg Oden. Oden kicks out to the perimiter, but he’s fouled first. It’s a huge opportunity for him. A crowd to win over this crowd.

He misses the first.

Crowd is breathless. Greg looks nervous.

He misses the second.

About half the crowd is leaving. Carmelo Anthony goes to the line. Even if he makes both of these, it’s a three-point game. But it’s a mass exodus here at the Rose Garden. 1.9 seconds left. I seriously cannot believe that anyone would want to leave this game right now. You’d have to be crazy. Have you never seen Brandon Roy play? Have you not seen Rudy’s night? Have you never seen a feel-good sports movie?

Brandon Roy runs it into the deep, deep corner. He fires.

He misses. And just like that, they all leave.

Those two missed free-throws from Oden were earth shattering. They were the kind of flubs that tun a crowd against a guy. If he’d missed one? Sure, they’d live with that. Missing two? That’s not going to go over well with a fanbase that already had questions about the guy. I hope he comes back next game trying to redeem this loss rather than coming back feeling defeated. But those are big, big, big misses from a guy who’s pretty decent from the stripe lately.

Gah.

Good night. Thanks for reading.

Driving over from my house to the Rose Garden, I noticed something familiar: The Blazers three main stars, Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Greg Oden, looking intimidating on the side of the grain building as you’re about to cross the Steel Bridge. But though it’s the same three players featured from last year, there’s something different about it. Roy stands in the forefront, clearly the star of the show—as a two time all-star should be—but it’s the big man behind him that look, I dunno, tougher. Also noticeably smaller is the team’s slogan from the last two years, a marketing term that perfectly captured what is was like to get behind a young, hungry team. “Rise With Us” is still there, only smaller, and hidden underneath a simple one word phrase that will go a long way too determining just how good this team is: Together.

Everyone knows the Blazers have a lot of promise. Coming off a year when they exceeded almost all expectations, winning 54 games, tying the Denver Nuggets for first place in the Northwest Division, and making the playoffs for the first time in six years, those expectations have never been higher. Still, there are a lot of question marks, and the biggest one is if this team, stacked with a 10 player rotation that might be the best—top to bottom—in the NBA, can put aside their egos and buy into the coach Nate McMillan’s system. There’s going to be some hurt feelings, for sure, as someone (Travis Outlaw, Jerryd Bayless, Andre Miller, Steve Blake) probably isn’t going to see as many minutes as they did last year. Players are going to have to sacrifice shots, starting roles (I’m looking at you, Andre Miller) and a share of the spotlight. That’s just what good teams do.

Okay, now that I got my John Canzano moment out of the way, I can get to the real matter at hand: making fun of Luis Scola’s hair. The Blazers open the season tonight against the Houston Rockets, the team that eliminated (and in game one, killed) them in the first round of playoffs last April. This Rockets team is a little different, as Yao Ming is out all season with a bruised ego (okay, actually a fractured foot) and Ron “walking into the shower naked” Artest is now a Laker. But Scola’s hair is still long, greasy and dare I say Fabio-esque.

The game hasn’t started yet, but the crowd—relatively sparse until just a few minutes ago—is already booing Trevor Ariza. You just don’t mess with Rudy in this town.

First Quarter:

So Greg Oden is on mike telling the fans to “get loud” just before the tip. And you know, I think this is kind of a big deal. Oden was a disappointment last year, but even more than his up-and-down play on the court it was his mood that really set off my alarm. It was like he was walking around in the locker room, head down, with the Charlie Brown Christmas song playing over and over. But now he looks happy and energized, which can only be a good thing.

11:26 – Scola misses his first shot underneath the hoop and then is whistled for a loose ball foul. Aldridge scores on the other end, which he struggled to do last year against the more physical Scola. Or maybe he was just afraid of getting dandruff on his shoulders.

10:05 – The Blazers are going to LA every time inside and he looks good. Just hit a great little turnaround jumper from 15 feet, a shot that is impossible to block. He looks a lot looser than in the preseason, like a man who just got paid. Oh wait, he did.

9:29 – Welcome back, Martell Webster! Any doubts about his fitting into the starting lineup are erased by a huge swat on Scola. If he wants to keep the starting spot with Nicholas Batum out he’s going to need to play D like this every night.

8:58 – Oden’s first shot is off, but his footwork looks so much better than last year. Ariza hits a three and gets a few scattered boos from the crowd. They can’t be bored yet, right?

7:58 – Oden’s got the smaller Chuck Hayes on him, and even though he’s just 6′6 he’s one of the better post defenders in the league, and the move he just pulled—falling back every so slightly as Oden backs him down—is a total veteran’s trick. Scola hits two free throws and the Rockets have the early lead at 10-9.

6:59 – LA just picked up his second foul, which means Travis Outlaw is now at power forward. Frankly, he looked terrible in the preseason, but he just hit a three from the top of the arc, so what do I know.

5:51 – First Steve Blake turnover of the night. One of the most intriguing early season developments is to see how long McMillan can keep Andre Miller out of the starting unit. Miller is clearly a better player than Blake, but McMillan loves Blake’s “steady play.” Still, when was the last time a championship contender had a staring PG who’s main talent was not making mistakes? I know there are concerns about Miller’s ability to play with Roy, but good teams figure this stuff out.

4:53 – Andre Miller checks in for the first time, and immediately he settles the team down. I say he’s starting in two weeks. 18-15 Blazers.

3:55 – Oden just showed me something he never did once last year: he just made a great pass out of a double team to a cutting Miller for an easy lay-in. There’s just no way Steve Blake makes that play. But then Oden just turns it over for the third time, and he looks a little lost on offense, like he’s trying to make his move one second before he should.

3:01 – So this offseason the Rockets essentially swaped Artest for Trevor Ariza, and it’s looking like a good move so far. Ariza already has 9 points, and though he’s not the most upstanding citizen he’s much less of a character than Artest. Speaking of Ron Ron, did you all see his new haircut? Keep it classy, dude.

1:34 – The Blazers look a little lost on offense, settling for outside shots instead of taking it inside. This team still isn’t nearly as physical as they should be, especially with all the length its got on the wing and size in the middle. But tonight Outlaw’s taking a lot of jumpers—never a good way to get ahead. The first quartet ends in a 23-23 tie, but neither team looks great so far.

Second Quarter:

Okay lost internet for a few minutes there, but we’re back and running. Miller just threw a gorgeous lob to a cutting Outlaw and then took a Przybilla pick and drove straight to the rack.

10:10 – My shittalking to Outlaw a few minutes ago? I’m just trying to motivate him. He actually looks great tonight, active on defense, hitting two threes, and moving around on offense. He’s got 12 points and 3 rebounds and is the main reason the Blazers lead by five. If he plays this well it really takes the pain out of Batum’s injury, which will most likely keep him out until the end of the season. Speaking of that, and I hate saying this (Batum’s my boy) but his injury might be a blessing in disguise. This team just had too many wing players and now the rotation makes much more sense. Rudy still looks hurt, though, as Rockets rookie Chase Budinger just blew by him.

9:12 – Outlaw with his second dunk of the night, on a fast break steal. Man maybe I should pick him up on my fantasy team. This second unit is having a lot of fun, flying down the court and filling the lanes. I like this unit.

8:46 – LA’s back in with two fouls along with Webster, Przybilla, Miller and Rudy. When Roy’s out of the game this is a lineup that can still score and really get up the court, which I think is a big thing for this team. Last year, despite being one of the most efficient teams on offense, they ranked near the bottom in the league in fast break points and easy buckets. I know McMillan likes his controlled pace but if he lets Miller run this team it could be amazing on the break.

7:50 – We’ve got our first RUDDDDDYYYYYY three of the season. He still looks a bit hobbled but the man can shoot. McMillan’s leaving Przybilla in with two fouls, which shows some trust in Oden.

5:42 – Okay I just take back what I said about Rudy. Maybe he just had to get his legs under him after missing most of the preseason? But that pass he just made—a no look from the top of the key to a wide open Webster for a corner three—is a play that no one else on this team can make. He just knows where to go with the ball, which is one reason McMillan wants to put the ball in Rudy’s hands as much as possible. A quick 9-0 gives the Blazers a big lead and the crowd is finally getting excited. Rudy’s suddenly alive, Miller’s got five assists, and this team looks good.

5:28 – Blazers going small with Miller and Blake in the backcourt and Roy at the 3. Kinda a weird lineup, but Blake’s a good spot-up shooter and the Miller/Oden pick and roll has the potential to be deadly. But it’s a little weird seeing Roy just standing in the corner asking for the ball.

3:32 – So I’m a little bummed that Batum’s injury stopped the potential RAMBO starting unit, but AW BRO is still a fun thing to say to strangers on the max line. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you should probably stop reading this blog (hint: think of the last names of the starting lineup).

2:12 – Aldridge has three fouls, but he can blame a terrible call by the REAL refs on a Scola flop. Do they know that it’s not the World Championships anymore?

1:42 – Just under one half in and Oden is still clearly a work in progress. He just got whistled for a dumb five second call and has four turnovers and zero points. Also Aaron Brooks just got an offensive rebound, which should never happen when you’re 5′5. Okay, he’s a little bigger, but you get the point.

0:50 – Are the scab refs still secretly working the game? Lots of fouls called the last few minutes, and not sure most of them warranted a whistle. Blazers still lead 51-40.

0:35 – If there’s one thing Blake is great at, it’s hitting the wide open three. Of course you’re open a lot when you’re the last option on your team, but he’s got two in the quarter. Rudy just stole the ball from him for the last play to take a wild runner, and the half is over.

Third Quarter:

The story of the first half? Surprisingly, it’s the Blazers defense. The Rockets are shooting a ghastly 34% from the field have just 42 points. Or maybe they’re just really, really bad. Ariza makes a great role player, but when he’s your number 1 or 2 option on offense it doesn’t say much. Also, Blake has played 13 seconds more than Miller. Maybe that’s what you get for starting.

10:30 – Webster just posterized Chuck Hayes with a vicious dunk and I’m surprised no foul was called. He looks good so far—9 points, some nice defensive plays, and he’s really moving without the ball in the half-court sets. That’s just what the Blazers need from their starting small forward. Blazers up 14.

8:11 – Oden looks a little winded, but Webster still looks like he’s got something to prove. Batum hurts his shoulder and suddenly both the team’s other small fowards start killing it.

6:35 – Scola picks up his fourth foul, for trying to cut his own hair in the middle of the game. I’m feeling sick, okay? That’s why all these jokes are so lame.

6:10 – Former Duck Aaron Brooks has 12 points and 4 assists for the Rockets and definitely looks like a player. In less than a year he’s gone from a backup to his team’s #1 option but he’s making the most of it. Which is good for my fantasy team.

5:28 – If I made t-shirts with the Blazers pinwheel and AW BRO in all caps would you buy one?

5:15 – Outlaw continues to hit his jump shot, which looks great tonight. It’s been said before, but when he’s hitting his shot his entire game improves. Needs been preaching defense to this team, but playing hard on D is so much easier when you’re in the flow offensively.

3:59 – I’m sure Rudy misses his bro Sergio, but I think separating the Spanish Connection was the best thing this team could do. Besides committing a turnover every 24 seconds, Sergio also had a pretty hideous taste in sweaters.

2:24 – It’s only one game, but Houston looks pretty awful tonight. Defensively it’ll be fine, but how is this team going to score more than 80 points per game? At least new backup center David Andersen could probably audition for American Idol. He looks like the sixth member of ‘N Sync.

1:14 – Outlaw with another three and he’s got 21 points to lead all scorers. The Blazers can beat you in a lot of ways, but when the bench is playing this well they’re going to be awfully hard to stop. Oden still hasn’t scored, but he looked good in the preseason and I’m not worrying yet.

Fourth Quarter:

10:42 – If anyone doubted that Martell Webster has fully recovered from the foot injury that caused him to miss all but five minutes of last season, then the last two plays showed that he’s officially back. He looks good on offense, hitting his jumper and taking it to the basket more than I’ve seen in a while. But it’s on defensive where he’s excelling tonight. On a pick and roll he just picked up Aaron Brooks—probably the fastest player in the league outside Chris Paul and Tony Parker—and stayed in front of him, forcing a tough shot in the lane. If he can do that all year, then the starting spot is his to lose.

8:41 – Oden’s picks up two quick fouls, both more of the “reaching” variety instead of the “you drove into the lane so I knocked you on your ass” kind. He looks unsure on offense, but 10 boards and 3 blocks ain’t bad at all. I’m thinking it’s just first night jitters?

7:58 – JC Chasez for three! Oh wait, it’s just a blonde David Andersen.

7:31 – Suddenly the Rockets look spunky, cutting the Blazers lead down to 11. Przybilla is whistled for his fifth foul, another loose ball call and he looks pissed. At the other end of the court he picks up his sixth and storms off the floor. Which brings up an important question: how sure are we that the refs still aren’t fixing games? Maybe I should be Tim Donaghy for Halloween.

6:12 – Miller break a long Blazers dry run with a tough jumper in the lane and then a three pointer. I don’t want him shooting that every night, but the Rockets basically DARED him to take it. His shot is ugly—almost like a shot put to the rim—but just taking that keeps the Rockets D on their feet. Maybe hanging out with Blake all the time will help his touch.

4:30 – Houston’s on a little run, and the Blazers lead is down to 10 at 85-75. The running, gunning Blazers of the first half have been reduced to a half court team in the fourth quarter, and now the team’s weaknesses are being exposed.

3:45 – ROY just SWATTED David Andersen, who has to be at least five inches taller than him. Now that I think of it, he does look lighter than he did last season, but this scrappy Rockets team just keeps on staying in the game. Adelman’s gone to the end of his bench and is playing two rookies (Andersen and Chase Budinger) who look loose compard to the Blazers who can’t quite seem to figure out Houston in the half court. More running, please.

2:41 – Shockingly Budinger actually looks like a player. Didn’t I read about him being the best high school player at the Jordan camp a few years ago? Blazers lead down to 8, and no matter what you think about the Rockets talent level there’s no doubt the team will battle hard all year.

2:19 – Just saw David Andersen on the big screen, and I take back my pretty boy comment. He’s no Scola, but he’s no David Beckham, either.

1:49 – Say what you will about Oden (and I know I’ve trashed him enough) but he’s making plays on defense tonight. After a block Roy nearly breaks Budinger’s ankles, hitting a mid range J. Welcome to the league, rook.

0:59 – And there’s Oden’s first points of the night, a put back with just under a minute left. McMillan saved this game by subbing him back in with two minutes left.

0:14 – Blake misses a free throw, which means no chalupa bearing a miracle. Blazers lead 96-87, and this is a good first win. Still not sure about the starting lineup, despite my failed attempt to coin AW BRO as the team’s new rallying cry.

Okay this one’s over, Blazers start off the season with a win. Houston’s got no Yao, but it’s still a big moral victory. Outlaw and Webster look great. I’m out, but Casey will be here on Thursday. Give him some love for me.