I was just brushing up on my draft day analysis. Dennis Dixon is nowhere to be found on Chicago's radar screen. Chicago would benefit in a great way having Dixon holding a clip-board for a couple of seasons. I think Dixon would be a strong addition to any team needing a strong QB prospect. He is not ready today to step in today, but with a couple of years backing up, getting bigger and stronger, I believe that he could become a serviceable starting QB in this league. Before he got hurt, please let me know the QB that commanded a team the way he did. Sure there were better numbers else where, but those numbers were inflated thanks to a lack of competition e.g. Hawaii and Colt. Dennis Dixon will be a good quarterback in a league that is lacking those good middle of the road QBs that have strong careers. Will history look at him as a GREAT QB? No, he will have a good career, but only if there is a team that is willing to take a shot on him. I think he is well worth it.

JasonBall.

Wow, bumped into a guy the other day that said Oden's little pickup game was just fine. I feel that if the Blazers are paying him not to play and get completely healthy, then he should abide by those rules. If he doesn't, then he should expect to receive a little talk back from the franchise and the fans. I love GO's attitude and his apparent love for the Pac. NW and I understand that he is just a kid who wanted to play some ball. I will give him a pass and not come down too hard on the kid, but what I want to see out of him in the future is the understanding of where he is within this franchise. I throw a tournament every year in Astoria Oregon and someone mused with me when they suggested I go get Greg and ask him to play on a team. HA, I said. I could only imagine the getaway car I would need to out-run angry Blazer Fans chasing me down for the injured corner stone of the franchise. Heck, I would be one of them. Any how, great stuff on the yard and please check out my future posts.

Normally I'm not one to belittle a coach in the high school ranks. Unless the coach has done something to such a degree that I cannot ignore the indiscretion then I will say something about it. As far as X's and O's, they know far more than I do and thus I should not rag on them and respect them for who they are. Here is my problem with this……….When you team lacks that little something !!Like SHOOTING!! Or any perimeter game what so ever and teams can shut down that great low post player you have with out event thinking about it, its time for action. I'm a fan of situational substitutions to take advantage of what you have on the bench. In today's game the specialization has reached such epic proportions in the fact that you have to substitute in ways that you didn't have to as long as 10 years ago. 5 straight times down the court and all you come up with is 2 points off of 2 trips to the line for your dominating low post player. The wings and guards are all trying to force the ball to the low post and at times seem, dare I say, afraid to shoot the ball from the perimeter. When I coach my city league team, I tell them that if they are open they should attempt the shot. I know I can get caught in a bad situation with that as well, but its always going to give you a better chance to win the game if you can spread the court and create spacing. Being able to shoot the ball even marginally will give you this chance. This brings me to the situation at hand. When you have the weapon on the bench to create this spacing and to keep the defense honest you have to give it more than 16 seconds of tick. Your team will not do anything in the playoffs if you cannot achieve this spacing that you so need. A well rounded team that can play inside as well as outside will have the best chance at winning especially in the playoffs when the defenses get stingier. Its not like these kids expect to start or to play the whole game they just want to affect the game in a good way and help the team to the ultimate goal: a Championship. Hey coach, use all your weapons and do something that will be very challenging in the very near future……win!

JasonBall

I know that it may seem like a repeat of what has been said before, but did anyone see the dunk competition this year? My article is going to be on the use of every weapon in the arsenal on a basketball team. Watching Howard was just an awesome moment for me as I asked myself if the dunk contest was back or if we would have to wade in the muddled mess of non-showmanship and over-used dunks that have accompanied the contest for the last 7 years for the foreseeable future. Can we really say that in the last 10 years we have been treated to the competition that Wilkins, Webb, his Airness in 88 and 89. I will give Vince Carter some major points for his 2001 performance, but he would have won just by simply dunking 3 straight one handed runners in the lane – nothing fancy. The point is, is that there was not the competition for him in 01 and until recently there has been no competition for the Josh Smiths and Nate Robinsons. At least for the last two competitions there were 2 guys who really grabbed your attention with creative acrobatic dunks. The last two years featured a finals that featured Gerald Green from then Boston and the Phenom who is Orlando's Dwight don't call me stretch Howard. Last year Green earned the trophy, but Howard was as equally deserving as well and may have actually been jobbed. Congrats Green wait until next year! This year you could tell that Howard had spent the whole last year destroying his opponents in games and practicing dunks for this years comp. This year Dwight Howard made the impossible possible by collectively and entirely bringing back the event in grandiose style. Magic Johnson even proclaimed to Ernie Johnson that the competition was back. Superman definitely was in the building this February 17th in New Orleans. Thanks Dwight for bringing back the dunk in a big man sort of way.

JasonBall

Trailblazer woes……Kind of

If you were to tell me 2.5 years ago that we would be competitive in the Western Conference I would have scoffed at you. I'm not a negative person, but I do try to find the facts in every situation. Trust me when I say that the facts at that time didn't look to good to a long time Blazer fan. Sure the kids are down right now and probably will benefit largely from the All Star break this weekend. They may loose tonight against a Dallas team that is starting to play like a contender and come back to Portland a beaten and battered club, but have no fear.

You have to understand that the work that has gone on behind the scenes has not seen its end-game yet. This is not the end result of all the draft day moves and small free agent signings. Before the Blazer got real good, Coach McMillan was ready to quit and acknowledge that he couldn't get this group to buy into his system. Pritchard was instrumental in convincing Nate to stick with the program and allow this team to grow. Coach decided to do a little less coaching and allow the team to just have fun and play thus resulting in the; still league record this year, 13 game win streak. As a fan and an avid follow of basketball in general, I have to be patient and allow the fan part of my brain to grow with these exciting group of players.

I wrote in an earlier post that I feel like I can now root for this team by their first names because of the fact that I relate to them just as I did to the 90's era squad. I remember yelling at the top of my lungs "go Buck, Clyde, Terry, Duck, Jerome and even Uncle Cliff." I'm going to allow this great team in the making to grow into the team that I firmly believe will make Portland a professional sports Championship town once again. So, I can handle the losses right now. These guys are well coached from top to bottom, these guys have an awesome upper management, these guys have a desire to win and play hard, these guys have CAP room in 1.5 years to sign anyone they want, and these guys have a wonderful human being and a dominate franchise player of a big man waiting for his chance to shock the world.

The Blazers' woes……I don't know about that anymore.

Jasonball

Its GO TIME tonight. If the Blazers want to make it out of this little funk they are in, then tonight is the night to do it against the Nuggets. The Blazers have a chance to take the season series away from Denver and put some real pressure on A.I and company to put together an A+ second half. In order for Portland to be successful tonight they will have to keep the Nuggets off of the glass, the white unit will have to step it up big time, and someone will have to help out Brandon Roy. I think Brandon Roy is such a great leader for this team and he has a chance to show that again this evening. Its time that this team just goes out there and has fun and forget about the pressures of making the playoffs. If Portland can do this, then the playoffs will take care of themselves.

I have a Win on my prediction log tonight.

Not since 2001 has a Trailblazer been elected to the NBA All-Star game. WOW, I bet you that Baron Davis is pretty mad right about now, but I have to tell you that the coaches in the West recognize what a true all star is. In only his 2nd year, Brandon Roy has emerged as who we thought he was when we first saw him in a Blazer uniform. I always knew that he had the type of talent you need to have in order to be considered as an all-star, I just didn't think it was going to be this soon. Right now, the Blazers are an extremely young team that needs to have a veteran leader – Roy is that leader even though he is not a true seasoned vet. Unlike Zach Randolph (Knicks vs. Blazer tonight) Roy understands that he doesn't have to be only a scorer. Zach feels at times that he is out of the game when he doesn't get his 20 Points 10 rebounds; he hasn't yet mastered the other parts of the game yet. I'm so glad Zach is not in Portland for the one reason is that the Chemistry we have today would have not been possible with Zach on the team.. Roy is a rock the whole team can lean on, in fact I believe that is what makes him stronger. Roy is a person/player who brings people together not the kind that is decisive. Let's see what my trusty prediction sheet has ……….it looks like I'm predicting a win tonight. I still think Portland will be the better team tonight, but this is the NBA and you never know who will catch fire and sink another team. If Portland is to make the playoffs, they will have to improve at almost every offensive part of the game and learn how to play lock-down team defense during the last part of every quarter.

X Factor for tonight's game – James Jones and Martell Webster need to increase the output from the 2 position to 24 combined points and 8 rebounds. Keep Pryz in during the defensive part of crunch times. Keep shooting the ball – get some fast breaks and allow mar. All Star to make his mark.

Jasonball

(Friday, March 16th)

Final Score: Coast Guard 58, Saints 54

Astoria, OR – AMS (NWBIT Sports Network) – Josh Conklin was hitting from the outside going for 18 points and Chris Meyer was Mr. Do everything as he netted a total of 17 points. Conkin and Meyer seemed to have the Saints cruising in the first half even though they were without any reserves for the contest. Bryan Burkhalter decimated the interior defense of the Saints for 14 first half points as he single-handedly kept his team with in striking distance.

Sure and steady was how to describe a good first half for this Saints team as Chris Dalton provided another good performance at the Point Guard spot. Dalton didn't score as much as he could have missing some easy shots, but his defense and rebounding kept the Saints moving and in control for most of the game.

Other than Burkhalter scoring at will against the Saints there were no other offensive threats from his team. The great ball-handling of Steve Barston and Ron Trumain kept the team from too many unforced errors thus reducing the number of chances the Saints had on the other end. The Coast Guard seemed to remain calm even being down by 7 at half time. This game definitely was a tale of 2 halves.

Steve Barston picked up the defensive pressure and ran continually beat the defense down the floor for easy un-contested lay-ins at the beginning of the second half. Other than Barston's offensive explosion, the 3rd quarter ground to a snails pace and the momentum that the Saints had in the 1rst have began to evaporate under the bright lights of the AMS gym. The offense from Barston and a dagger 3 point shot from Aaron Bemis with a couple other buckets from Trumain and Derrick Shemel was enough to take the lead at the end of the 3rd 42-38.

The Saints had no made field goals in the 3rd quarter and only scored 4 points because of 4 free throws, 2 of which were from Jacob Gramhem. The Saints seemed to be flat in the quarter and would never again be any closer than 2 points the rest of the way.

Chris Dalton tried to bring his team back as he drove to the rack several times and hit some nice 12 footers from the corner to cut the lead to 2 points at one point. Jay Jewess and Chad Thompson would not let the game get away as they combined for 12 points in the 4th quarter to seal the deal and propel the Coast Guard into a match-up against Jim's Lawn Care on Tuesday Night at 8:45pm.

A pair of buckets by Adam gave JLC a commanding lead early in the 2nd half. Johnson Oil had some nice offensive sets in the 3rd quarter, but a 10-0 run to close out the 3rd slammed any hopes of a major come-back by Johnson Oil.

The repeat attempt for this group of basketball players from the storied AHS basketball team has fallen short this year as they are now moving towards a date with Johnson Oil in the "Z" game on Thursday night at 6:30pm just before the Championship Game.

Game Notes

This was one of the more entertaining games of the tournament as both teams have a lot to be proud of tonight.

(Friday, March 16th)

Final Score: Jim's Lawn Care 80, Johnson Oil 46

Astoria, OR â€" AMS (NWBIT Sports Network) â€" Balanced and poise was one way to describe the way Team JLC played this game. Having been beaten handedly by Wirkalot Trucking the night before, JLC had something to prove tonight. That they are still a force to be taken seriously in this tournament.

Early and often was the mantra for the speedy Nate as he torched the short-handed Johnson Oil team from Rosberg WA for first half leading 10 points. At one point it seemed as if Nate was every where on the court scoring buckets from inside and outside. The damage could have been much worse by Nate as he missed some easy shots from inside that could have pushed his point total even higher as he finished the game with 14.

Dennis lead all scorers with 17 points and ran the court strong as Tim shook of a bad shooting night against Wirkalot and had 14 points and some nifty passes. The scoring was far more balance this evening as 3 players were in double figures with 2 just missing that mark. Nate said the offense ran good tonight, as JLC was able to get out and run.

Justin Laine continued a strong showing at this year's tournament as he scored 14 points and Neil Wirkkala had 9 for the Saints, who at times seemed out of sync and were missing a presence in the middle. Though this game was disappointing and frustrating to the normally up-beat team from Rosburg they will have a chance at redemption on Thursday night against the Saints.

Not having some key players certainly was a factor in this game for Johnson Oil, but the defensive pressure from JLC was so suffocating on the floor that it looked at times there were 6 players getting in passing lanes and disrupting the offensive flow for Johnson Oil. Absolutely devastating.

A pair of buckets by Adam gave JLC a commanding lead early in the 2nd half. Johnson Oil had some nice offensive sets in the 3rd quarter, but a 10-0 run to close out the 3rd slammed any hopes of a major come-back by Johnson Oil.

The fourth quarter was pretty much a lay-in drill for JLC as they managed to get everyone into the scoring action. Though the game was out of reach, JLC was not going to leave any room for any questions at the game came to an end. This was the confidence building game they needed to get on track in the NWBIT.

JLC now moves on to the on Tuesday night 3/20/07 at 8:45pm against a much improved Coast Guard team that managed to turn around what was a disappointing start to the NWBIT. This game should be a fast paced and physical game, which means FUN to watch.

Game Notes

When asked how team JLC liked the write up about the previous game they said that it was cool. Not cool in the fact that they lost, but cool in the fact that the write up was so extensive. Mel Harper had some sick passes as the game wore on. Its still to be determined if he has another set of eyes on the back side of his head.

NWBIT Game #4 Summary - JLC vs. Wirkalot Trucking

(Thursday, March 15th)

Final Score: Wirkalot Trucking 89, JLC 51

Astoria, OR – Gray Gym (NWBIT Sports Network) –Paul Jacobson appeared to find the fountain of youth Thursday night punishing the smaller line-up of Jim's Lawn Care for a game high 22 points.

Jacobson seemed unstoppable in the low block, and when he wasn't spinning or bulling his way to the hoop he was rebounding and running the floor strong. At one point it was suggested that JLC defend him by fronting, but nothing seemed to work against the strength and overall foot-work of the center. It was nice to see a power player able to impose his will against a normally good defensive team Brooke and Chuck checking the tall Jacobson.

Jeff Harrell scored 17 points and played a solid game as Gabe Brown chipped in 12 points and some steals for Wirkalot, who did not make the finals in last year's tournament.

Dan scored 17 points and Mel Harper had 10 for JLC, who were hoping to have a better shooting night tonight. This team is out here to have fun and win a championship, but tonight's performance was not cut in the mold of a champion. "this team can play better, and will play better Friday night against Johnson Oil" says a dejected Mel Harper. Johnson Oil will not be an easy opponent as they nearly beat the Saints in the 1rst game of the tournament on Tuesday.

The normally sharp-Shooting Nate seemed to be slightly off tonight as he struggled against the stingy defense from Wirkalot. The shots were there, but they weren't falling tonight. You have those nights, some nights your on fire and others your cold. Tonight Nate was cold, but don't expect the city league veteran to stay that way.

These two teams have seen each other before during the regular city league season, but the NWBIT is an OPEN invite tournament and Team Wirkalot has a team that has been built with this one tournament in mind.

A pair of Jacobson's buckets gave Wirkalot an early lead that they would continue to build on early and often. JLC got it to 9 – 8 early in the game but a lack of defensive pressure on Jacobson, cold-shooting and turnovers hurt any hopes for JLC coming out on top of this one.

Tim Harrell hit a jumper, Mat Kaino and Joe Wilson made back-to-back lay-ins to open up a margin as large as 45 points early in the 3rd quarter until Jim Hestner hit back to back learners to stop the bleeding somewhat.

Mid-way in the 4th JLC was pretty much trying just to find something that worked and even at one point seemed to have balance in the offence. Jim even let his team know his displeasure of them standing around the perimeter even with the game out of reach.

Wirkalot now moves in to the 7th game of the 11 game tournament to play the offensive-minded team Cokley who almost put up 100 points on the Saints just missing free food?? (just kidding) JLC now must play Friday Night in the Astoria Middle School Gym at 8:45pm against the Game 1 loser Johnson Oil.

Game Notes : There were no injuries to report as both teams are happy to be in this year's tournament and will be in favor of a 3rd tourney next year.

NWBIT Game #3 Summary - Saints vs. Team Cokley

(Thursday, March 15th)

Final Score: Team Cokley 99, Saints 56

Astoria, OR â€" Gray Gym (NWBIT Sports Network) â€" Ryan Isom virtually couldn't miss all night, going off from down-town for a game high 32 points. -- including 9-of-10 from three-point range -- for a NWBIT career-high 32 points, as Team Coakly blasted Game 1 winner The Saints, 99-56, to capture their first win of this tournament.

Isom, who also made just about every other shot he saw on the floor , has had the top scoring effort of this young tournament so far. At one point Isom was 4-of-4 from 3 point range and the anticipation for a perfect night was looking as if it might materialize. A miss from 12 feet in the 2nd half halted the attempt at a perfect shooting performance.

Nate West scored 22 points and played solid defense as Jesse Morland had 16 points and several boards for Team Cokley, who did not play in last year's tournament.

Chris Meyer scored 18 points and Josh Conklin had 14 for the Saints, who were hoping to have more players tonight than they did in the opening game on Tuesday night. Repeating as NWBIT champions was not going to be easy for this group of players from Astoria High School and now will have to battle it out in the losers bracket starting this Friday night 3/16/07.

Jerry Conklin, coming off a 3-point performance in the Saint's first game victory over Johnson Oil, finished with no points in limited action. The defensive effort from Team Cokley was just suffocating â€" there were no open shots and when the Saints had them, they were not hitting.

These two teams have never seen each other in this tournament, though some of the High-Schoolers are familiar with one another at the JV or Varsity level.

A pair of Nate West buckets gave Team Cokley an early that they would continue to build on early and often. The Saints got on the board and made it 7 â€" 2 but a lack of defensive pressure and turnovers hurt any bid at an upset of a team that is now a favorite to play in the Finals.

Mike Cokley hit a jumper, Jesse Morland and Ryan Isom made back-to-back threes to ignite a very large run that gave Team Cokley a 19-point lead late in the 2nd quarter. At this point it seemed as if the game was out of reach.

A slight run in the 3rd quarter hinted at a possible come-back from a 30 point deficiet only to have it stiffeled by a barrage of 3s from Ryan Isom and mid-range shots from Nate West.

Team Cokley now moves in to the 7th game of the 11 game tournament to play the power-house Wirkalot Trucking team who dismantled Jim's Lawn Care in the night-cap game. The Saints now must play Friday Night in the Astoria Middle School Gym at 8:45pm against the Game 2 loser Coast Guard. Game Notes

When asked why Team Cokley didn't score 100 points NO FREE chalupas was the answer. This game was fast paced with many players relenting that playing in a small gym like gray school was not desirable. "Defense and team chemistry" were just some of the problems that the Saints will have to fix before Friday Night's Game.

NWBIT Game #2 Summary – Coast Guard at Wirkalot

(Tuesday, 3/13/07)

Final Score: Wirkalot 78, Coast Guard 33

Astoria, OR (NWBIT Network) – Anthony Wirkkala threw in 19 points to guide Team Wirkalot past the Coast Guard, 78 - 33, at the Astoria Middle School Large Gym Tuesday night.

Rob Wirkkala ended with 15 points while Joe Wilson scored 11 points in his teams dominating performance. Wirkalot had a disappointing NWBIT last year as the team tired late in the 1 day marathon. With the win, Wirkalot moves to the next round to play in Thursday night's game 4 against a JLC team that is hungry for a finals birth this year at the Gray gym at 7pm.

Gary Wirkkala registered 8 points in a gritty defensive display.

Team Wirkalot looked to score and score they did as they netted 34 points in the first half to the Coast Guard's 12 points. Wirkalot scored in every way possible tonight running the court, finishing plays, inside, out side all the while playing solid defense when they had to. The rest of the field must take note of this team.

Bryan Burkhalter dropped in 8 points for the Coast Guard, and also had some spectacular shots around the key in the second half when he did the bulk of his scoring after a disappointing first half. Team Coast Guard; which has dropped this first game, will now have to wait until the loser of game 4 until they can attempt to put this blow-out loss behind them and salvage this tournament. Derek Scheamer lofted another 8 points, while Steve Barson, and Dave Freney each had 7 points in the losing effort.

Team Coast Guard had some chances when Wirkalot let up and had a span of 3 minutes when they had turnovers, missed shots and scored only 4 points. The Guard didn't take advantage of those key situations and with the lack of size and the bodies to run with Wirkalot allowed the lead to grow into the second half. They will have to step up their offense in the early part of ballgames and take advantage of other teams' lapses if they want to fight for respectability.

Team Wirkalot played the bully in this game and didn't let up all game long. They will have to have the same type of effort in the next game against team JLC if they expect to move on in the winners bracket. It should be a great game to watch on Thursday night with lots of running around on a small court for these fast paced teams.

The winner of this game now moves to play a tough and seasoned city league competitor in Jims Lawn Care. The loser must now work their way through a truly tough bottom round at any hopes of making it to the final game on Thursday March, 22nd at AMS.

Game Notes

There were no injuries to report, but the lateness of the games may be of concern for the planning of this tournament for next year.

NWBIT Game #1 Summary -- Johnson Oil at Saints

(Tuesday, 3/13/07)

Final Score: Saints 49, Johnson Oil 44

Astoria, OR (NWBIT Network) -- Chris Meyer netted 14 points to guide the Team Saints past Johnson Oil, 49 - 44, at the Astoria Middle School Large Gym.

Josh Conklin ended with 11 points while Chris Daltin scored 8 points playing point guard for the saints, who won the first game of their defense of last year's NWBIT tourney title. With the win, The Saints move to the next round to play in Thursday night's game 3 against Mike Coakleys team at the Gray gym at 7pm.

Tony Robinson registered 13 points in a great shooting display.

The saints were patient on offence and played defense well enough to come away with the win. Though they were short-handed, they had some match-ups work in their favor.

Justin Lane dropped in 22 points for Johnson Oil, and also had some spectacular shots inside the key in the second half when he did the bulk of his scoring after a lethargic first half. Team Johnson Oil; which has dropped this first game will now have to wait until the loser of game 3 until they can attempt to put this tough loss behind them and move on in the tournament. Neil Wirkkala donated 12 points, while Carson Engleson had 6 points, some tough defense and reached for some key rebounds in the losing effort.

Team Johnson Oil had the chances they wanted against a depleted Saints team, but missed on some key shots late in the game. Turnovers late in the game didn't help matters either. They will have to step up their offense in the early part of ballgames if they want to fight for the championship.

The Saints played front-runner for the majority of the contest, and closed the first half out on a little spurt to put distance between them and Johnson Oil. Johnson oil would tie the contest at 45 -- 45 with only 2:00 minutes left in the game, but big shots from Chris Dalton and good free-throw shooting proved to be the difference in the closely contested game.

The winner of this game now moves to play a tough and seasoned city league competitor in Mike Coakley's team. The loser must now work their way through a truly tough bottom round at any hopes of making it to the final game on Thursday March, 22nd at AMS.

Game Notes

The Saints were without several key players due to other sports commitments and may have most of the team on Thursday night. Johnson Oil will have to regroup after this loss, but it will have to do so with out the Team Manager Earl Johnson as he is set to be out of town.

Yes I was wrong in my predictions with this Cleveland game in Portland. Yes; like my wife says, they should've had it. Yes; Jack, Jones, Frye and the whole "White Unit" are struggling very mightily right now – what can be done? Roy is great and I believe that he is the one that will lead us to a championship, but he cant do this all on his own – some one else needs to step up and be a consistent in the 4th - that is what needs to be done. Lebron was just too much down the stretch and on the very last drive. Portland just couldn't get to all the loose balls that it needed to – hey , the positive here was that after shooting a collective 33% for the game they still had a chance to win the game. Most of us Blazers fans would have given our left arm to be in this position last year. (Ok maybe not the arm) The Blazers played good enough to win, in the very near future they will have the understanding of how to CLOSE out the GAME!!!!!! This was a game the Blazers should've had – but they're getting there!

Jasonball

My bad…..Again

Yard,



On my season predictions for the Portland Trailblazers had the game tonight with Cleveland being a LOSS for the young blazers….Like I have had to do quite often this year I will explain why I was so wrong with my earlier prediction by changing my predicted L in to a resounding W.

The keys for the game will be Portland's White Unit vs. the Cleveland bench. Portland's white unit averages are compared to most other teams' starters and not the benches thus giving the edge to Portland if they shoot well and stay under control. I understand that the white unit has been in a bit of a slump, but they come to play every night and have a great floor leader in Jerret Jack to settle them down if they get jittery. If this unit plays well it will force James to stay out on the court longer and thus sub come to the tired legs that he may have after the long trip they have been on, even though he got an extra 12 minute rest at the Staples Center. Also Cleveland will be with out key players in forward Anderson Varejao and the speeding guard Sasha Pavlovic. With out these two players for Cleveland, it should make King James work that much harder and not trust his TEAM as much as he should.

On the other hand Portland needs to work as a TEAM and get back to that trust that they had in each other during December and the beginning of January. No body expected the blazers to keep up the crazy winning percentage from December, but now the expectations have changed. One game at a time and play like it your last is the unspoken motto. For the first time in many years its actually starting to feel as if we can EXPECT this team to win or at very least give themselves a chance at winning in every game. This is the mold that we want to have laid for next year to move into the next step on the way to contender status. Beat these tough East Coast teams, make them feel that the top 3 in the east cant play with the 8th place Western team, knock them down and then destroy them – NO HOPE. This team needs to start developing that killer instinct that those Bulls teams had.

There is no science to a good old fashioned chip on a teams shoulder. Just go and get the job done tonight blazers and show the NBA that you are not going to slip away into irrelevance. I hope I don't have to explain why I was wrong with this post!!

Jasonball