Blazer Rally Falls Short
posted: 11/19/2008 at 1:32 AM
So, the five-game road trip ends with the Trail Blazers winning three and losing two. It was basically a 4-game trip, and then a single game to Oakland, but the fact of the matter is, the Blazers ended this stretch of five-straight games on the road with a winning record. That doesn’t make the Golden State loss any easier to swallow, however.
The players and coaches were in a foul mood boarding the plane back to Portland, and certainly felt this was a game they should have won. At the very least, it was a game they could have won. I watched a DVD of our broadcast of the game on the way home from Oakland, and there were so many shots that went in and out, and so many little things that didn’t go the Blazers’ way late in that game. These things tend to balance themselves out over time, and you usually make your own breaks anyway, but the shots that have been falling for this team, didn’t in this game.
The Warriors beat the Blazers 111-106, spoiling a terrific night for Greg Oden, who busted out in a big way, scoring 22 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and blocked two shots. He also shot 8 for 12 from the field, and was 6 for 8 at the free-throw line.
Oden had several monster jams, and was an imposing presence at both ends of the floor. As we discussed on the plane on the way home, it’s incredible that this was just Greg’s 5th NBA game (4th if you leave out opening night in L.A., when he just played a quarter). He’s in the very early stages of learning the NBA game, learning spacing, and learning how to play with his teammates.
There are still rough spots to get over for Oden, and he’s the first to admit that. But again, he’s a rookie who’s in his first three weeks, is facing incredible expectations, and oh by the way, is coming off micro fracture knee surgery. When you think about that, it helps get past the sting of this loss very quickly. Oden was a beast in this game and we’ve barely seen anything yet.
Brandon Roy also had 22 points for the Blazers, and also added 9 assists, 4 steals, and 4 rebounds. He hit several big shots down the stretch, but couldn’t pull off the huge one, as we’ve come to expect, and as he’s done several times so far this season.
It was kind of an odd game, with Golden State jumping out to a 9-0 lead, and Portland quickly recovering to take an 8-point lead. The Warriors built a lead as big as 13 in the second half, but the Blazers battled back, and made it a one-possession game on several occasions in the final minutes. In those closing minutes, Rudy Fernandez had two three-pointers rattle out, and then was called for a controversial holding call with 5 seconds left with the Warriors in-bounding the ball.
Fernandez and Anthony Morrow went after a bad inbounds pass, into the backcourt, and replays showed Morrow pulling Rudy’s jersey and keeping him from the ball, which was bounding into Portland’s end. It appeared that Rudy would either grab the ball and have an easy lay in, tieing the game, or would be at the free-throw line after being fouled. Instead, the foul went against Rudy, and essentially ended the game. After a very mild protest, Fernandez was also hit with a surprising technical foul.
There were a number of big calls in this game that didn’t appear to go Portland’s way, and it’s very easy to get caught up in that. (LaMarcus Aldridge’s 6th foul comes to mind, when he was called for being in the restricted area on an attempt to draw an offensive foul, and replays clearly showed he was a good six inches from having his heels on the line). But, these are things you can’t control, and the refs don’t have the luxury of instant replay during live action. This is, without a doubt, the toughest professional sport to call, and the NBA has very good referees. As Nate McMillan continues to say, if the Blazers had taken care of their own business, it wouldn’t have mattered. I only bring up the calls, because there were some close ones, and I know it’s made for a major discussion among Blazer fans since this game ended.
This game was the first of four games in five nights, in four different cities for the Blazers. Tonight they host the Chicago Bulls at the Rose Garden. The Bulls played the Lakers in L.A. last night, so they’re in a back to back as well.
Following this one home game, we’ll head for Sacramento, and then Phoenix for another back-to-back set on Friday and Saturday. Portland, by the way, leads the league in number of road games played, and also has played the fewest number of home games so far. For that reason, and given who they’ve faced in the first three weeks of the season, a 6-5 record doesn’t feel that bad.
Talk to you tonight.
RSS FEED
MB,
Take a look at NBA.COM's recap of the game. When they talk about the rudy holding foul, the writing states Fernandez getting T'd up for arguing an "obvious" foul. How can someone write something so damning when it "obvious" from even an unbiased perspective that the foul wasn't his: it was him that was fouled?
I'm curious, do all commentators, writers, coaches, players, etc. have to provide some sort of legal disclaimer or risk retaliation by David Stern.
I'm personally getting tired of everybody making excuses for officials who at minimum do a horrible (but honest) job, and at worst actually fixing outcomes.
The press is supposed to keep th government accountable, but it can't even call a spade a spade when it comes to professional sports officiating.
This was a very winnable game in which the Blazers just got caught up in the tempo early. I was pleased to see them battle through it and still compete at the end. Some of the Blazer teams of old would have imploded and this would have been a blow out.
I can't wait until Oden and Roy get used to playing together, they showed some great chemistry. Oden looked dominant at times and looked like he was still getting his feet wet at other times. His growth as been fun to watch.
Just until Greg get's going!!
No worries~~
Go Blazers from Korea!!!
Just wait until Greg gets going
No worries Go Blazers
from Korea!
Hi, Blazer fan here in Beaumont, TX! I think it is time to make two changes to the starting line up. Greg Oden at center, and Outlaw at small forward. I want to say have Rudy start instead, but his chemistry with Sergio is too good, and there needs to be something for bench scoring. Portland could possibly do something real crazy and go with starting Sergio at point, Roy at 2, Rudy at small, LA at power, and Oden at center. I could see this team work. I think Rudy would get lots of looks from his buddy Sergio, and from Oden getting double teamed, and from Roy penetrating. It seems Lamarcus is sort of getting lost in the shuffle. I don't know. Lots of options for Nate, I just think its finally time to shake up the starting lineup.
Just a little comment:
The hardest sport for a referee is obviously football. I mean, what you call soccer.
Just one referee and two lines refs for a whole soccer field is just too much.
You may know that the refs problems are bigger in soccer than other sports.
In other terms, i think this is one of those games that you can lose. In doesn't worry me that they felt to the Warriors.
And Oden... well! at least we see what we all want to see ;)
Love your blog Mike. I read it the morning after every game. You write well, your gamecasting is superb. Blazermania is back in our house, and its great to see Paul has surrounded his team with other great talent.
Can't blame the refs for us losing the game last night. When you turn the ball over 21 times on the road, you can't expect to win. If we would have taken care of the ball, we would have won. See everyone at the game tonight! It's going to be good to get back home! LETS ROCK THE RG!!
Fernandez and a controversial call?
I hope the new head of referees takes a close look at this game. This kind of game is why I stopped watching basketball for 10 years and am trying to come back this year to follow the blazers. Much more of that kind of officiating and I will go find other interests again.
Hey Mike,
I didn't get to watch the game. Is there a site or place that I can go catch a re-run?
Mike: As it turned out I only got to watch the fourth qter of the game, so thank you for the fill in.
I of course thought that call on Rudy was awful. But the call that fouled LMA out of the game was the one that ticked me off. It was plain to see the Ref was looking directly at where LMA was and still called the foul wrong. That itself wasn't that bad, but it fouled a very valuable player out of the game and could very easily change the out come of the game.
It appears that Nate is right, we had ample amount of times to put the game away but as you said little tangibles didn't go Portland way.
Enough crying, I have always said that a Win or a loss isn't as important as keeping your head in the game and fighting to give our team a chance to win. I feel we did that and it was a very good game.
Good to see Oden getting better every game. I know there will be some bad games for him, but if he gets a few good games in first the bad ones won't leave such a bad taste in his mouth.
I am not an expert analyzer by any means, Therefore I need to ask what is LMA going through that is limiting his scoring? I know he is a terrific player, therefore this will pass. It appears he is trying to hard, or he hasn't learned to play with Oden yet. Maybe tonight will be his game.
Thanks again for your post. It gives me ammunition to stop from getting ticked off at the naysayer that will be posting, because I already got the word from the best.
hg.
I know it's probably petty to complain about the fouls against Portland in the end of the game, but the two that you mentioned were monumental! I was especially upset at the call against Fernandez - that was definitely a glimpse of an OT period before the ref blew his whistle. After all of that hard work! I couldn't wait for the Sportscenter coverage of the game because I was absolutely certain that they would at least boo the ref that made that call, but it didn't even get a nod! That ref should be embarrassed: not just for his atrocious call, but for his overly angry reaction against Fernandez's startled protest. BOO.
Oh, one thing I noticed in the past couple of games is the passing of Greg Oden. I'm surprised at how unselfish he is. I saw one nice exchange between him and Rudy in the Golden State game where he was posted down low in pretty good position, recieved a pass from Rudy, and then he kicked it back out to Rudy. Again Rudy passed it right back to Oden, who then gave the ball right back to Rudy at the top of the key. Rudy's defender had backed down a little further on the second go around and Rudy hit the three. I like Oden's team first attitude that he is displaying early on.
Rise With Us!
Mike,
I hope David Stern doesn't read this blog, or you might be out thousands of dollars.
You say Rudy had a very mild protest, and the tape suggests as much. I am curious if you were within earshot of him? Did he say anything that could have warranted the tech? To me, it just looked like he said something about his jersey three or four times. I couldn't make out any profanity.
thanks
MB,
I agree that there were terrible calls, but the Blazers should have never put themselves in a position where the refs could determine the outcome of the game. So here are some observations:
1) Greg Oden needs to stop shuffling his feet and getting called for traveling. He also got stripped/blocked twice in the 4th. Other than that though, he played a great game. Those turnovers were costly though.
2) Steve Blake needs to be benched for a while for that bonehead alley oop he tried to throw to Outlaw with 14 seconds left. And if Nate actually drew that play up, he should be benched too.
3) Troutlaw needs to stop taking ridiculous shots and play within his abilities. He needs to learn he doesn't always have to be the hero. And please somebody tell him to not pass up an easy shot for a more difficult one.
4) Brandon Roy is sooner or later going to have to make his first pass of the season to Rudy. It is getting pretty ridiculous at this point.
5) You're never going to win a close game by putting the other team in the penalty with over 7 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Yeah, the Warriors hitting all 18 free throws in the quarter was crazy, but they shouldn't have got that many chances.
6) Aldridge is completely lost now that Oden is back. His role is now completely different and it appears as though there was no planning ahead for this.
That's about it. Hopefully we can rebound and win this one tonight.
Mike, which calls can the refs review in instant replay? Is it just the ones that end the quarter? You would think they could have reviewed Rudy's foul! They should change the rules, give the coaches a red flag and let them challenge calls and be hit with timeouts if they don't get overturned, just like in the NFL. Until that happens the all stars will continue to get their treatment and refs will continue to decide games! When the Blazers went up by 8 they should have stepped on the Warriors and expanded the lead! The Blazers did that last year at the RG and the Warriors just imploded. This is worst officiated game i can remember.
Mike, which calls can the refs review in instant replay? Is it just the ones that end the quarter? You would think they could have reviewed Rudy's foul! They should change the rules, give the coaches a red flag and let them challenge calls and be hit with timeouts if they don't get overturned, just like in the NFL. Until that happens the all stars will continue to get their treatment and refs will continue to decide games! When the Blazers went up by 8 they should have stepped on the Warriors and expanded the lead! The Blazers did that last year at the RG and the Warriors just imploded. This is worst officiated game i can remember.
I feel sorry for Chicago tonight. Our guys are really going to take it to them. We might not win, but the bulls will be bruised and beat up by the time we are done with them.
We turned the ball over way too many times and also gave up way too many wide open shots to win tonight.
The refs did suck it up on this one, but I believe that has become the norm against this young team. The missed call that bugged me the most was on one of Oden's dunk. He clearly got hit across the arm and no call. On our side if looked at a Warrior the wrong way they were on the line...
A couple of things I noticed last night.
First. Greg Oden needs to start.
2nd. Refs were awful last night. On the 6th foul for Aldridge the ref points to the spot where he was supposedly in the circle, as if he saw that. We all know he saw no such thing. The obvious foul on Oden by Turiaf when he dunked the ball. The Rudy foul and subsequent T. I hate that when a ref makes a terrible call and then T's up the player for complaining. That particular call cost us at least a chance for overtime so it wasn't just a bad call but a crucial one.
3rd. LA needs to get his act together. It was said by coach last night that he was not up for the Timberwolves game. Once is ok but twice in two games, not acceptable.
All of those things being said, as the Blazers try to work in two integral new parts, they look pretty good and the schedule is starting to look a little more favorable. They have the look of a team that could be very dominant after the all star break and are used to each other as well as bringing back Martell, which I am sure will banish the young Batum to the bench.
Well lets kick Chicago butt tonight. Rip City!
We make things more difficult on ourselves than need be. This last minute win or lose needs to end. We procrastinate and wait for the final minutes before we really focus. Last night it was too little too late.
Rebounding and defensive intensity is what we need. There is no excuse for us only matching the Warriors for rebounding at 40. None!! We are way bigger than them. The shots aren't going to fall every night but we can always play hard defense, rebound the ball, and have more opportunities to score.
LA has gotta get his act together. It's tough when the calls are going against you but he's had a string of bad games in a row as of recently. I know he wants to be a leader but he sure doesn't look like one.
Let's go Blazers! Beat the Bulls and put the game out of reach early on!
Go Blazers!
Mike-
I get a feeling that d. stern doesn't allow much critisism of the refs. i'm not one to place the blame on the refs for a loss, BUT! the rudy call actually decided the outcome of the game. and for the ref to treat him like THAT? Please answer us this: Will something be said to this guy? will he be reprimanded? do they go back and watch the replays? i think all of us want to know that these guys are being held accountable.
i'm also curious about matthew's question about d.stern.
The coaches can't say it, the players can't say it, even other media can't say it... I'll say it...
I thought the NBA had 'cleaned up' their Officiating crews? That had to be the most OBVIOUSLY blatant garbage calling of any game I've seen this year!
LA just had to check in and he was getting a foul called against him! GS has 4 guys on Oden and Oden gets called for the foul? c'mon...
Bring that game to the Rose Garden.. not even a close game!
I felt like the officials robbed the Blazers last night, but it isn't the first time that has ever happened and our boys had plenty of opportunities to win the game, but failed to capitalize. I was glad to see the technical last night against Rudy, because I think that the Blazers look a little complacent when officials walk all over them. I think Nate should have done it earlier (like when Alridge picked up 3 fouls in a row). I don't want the "jail blazers," but I'd like to see the officials give the same calls they give to Kobe to Roy as well.
MB
I admit that I haven't got to see as many blazer games as I'd like. Usually I listen on the radio at work and in my car on the way home. But lately I haven't seen Channing Frye play at all. It seems that Outlaw is playing the 4 spot more than Frye does. Why is that? I'm not complaining or questioning Coach McMillan's judgement, just curious.
Tough loss last night, but we have to remember that this team is still growing. We saw some good stuff though. Oden is a beast inside, and when he gets some more experience and adjusts to the NBA he will be a superstar. Travis Outlaw has really stepped it up the last couple of games, especially defensively. Sergio is getting better at taking care of the ball, and does a great job of creating opportunities for his teammates. All in all, it is exciting to see these guys play now, but even more exciting to know that the best is yet to come.
I must add my complaints about the officiating last night, but we should worry about the things we can control, like not turning the ball over and staying out of foul trouble. The officiating was horrible in Orlando as well (maybe even worse) but the guys just kept playing their game and we got a win.
I love this team!!!
what I dont understand is why our players have to go out and argue the calls with the refs. Shouldn't our coach stand up for his players. Especially when they called that Technical on Rudy which put the game out of reach, Nate should have just layed into that ref. I really wouldnt have cared if he got booted either, at least then you would see some emotion from him other than just posturing with his thumb under his lip.
No matter how you boil it down the officials blew this game for us. Yes we had 21 turnovers, how many of those were from bogus calls (LaMarcus' 3 offensive fouls, the foul on Greg when hes getting mauled by three guys, etc.) When going back over it about 8 of those turnovers are directly accountable to horrible officiating. Like someone else said, apparently the media is not able to say anything bad about the NBA and keep them in check because everything I have read said that Rudy deserved that technical. Are you serious? He wasnt even yelling, and the ref gave him the T after he walked away. I hope that ref refs one of our home games, because I will sit right behind him with my own whistle calling plays that should have been called and calling attention to him when he makes more horrific calls.
The situation I find interesting is that the NBA doesnt even respond to these allegations. Well HELLO, you guys were caught with a referee cheating and fixing the outcome of games. He also was contacting another referee (Bob Delaney) every time he would bet, yet Bob is still able to referee. A little fishy to me. Basically what I'm saying is there needs to be a checks and balances system in the NBA, that is not ran by the NBA. And if the media is too scared of the big bad Stern to say something, then damnit its up to us fans. I'm just gonna start protesting the NBA. Until they can prove that they dont have crooked refs and until they ticky tack inconsistent calls from these officials stop, I'm done with the NBA. I'll check updates on the Blazers, but I refuse to support a program that is so obviously tainted in so many ways.
what I dont understand is why our players have to go out and argue the calls with the refs. Shouldn't our coach stand up for his players. Especially when they called that Technical on Rudy which put the game out of reach, Nate should have just layed into that ref. I really wouldnt have cared if he got booted either, at least then you would see some emotion from him other than just posturing with his thumb under his lip.
No matter how you boil it down the officials blew this game for us. Yes we had 21 turnovers, how many of those were from bogus calls (LaMarcus' 3 offensive fouls, the foul on Greg when hes getting mauled by three guys, etc.) When going back over it about 8 of those turnovers are directly accountable to horrible officiating. Like someone else said, apparently the media is not able to say anything bad about the NBA and keep them in check because everything I have read said that Rudy deserved that technical. Are you serious? He wasnt even yelling, and the ref gave him the T after he walked away. I hope that ref refs one of our home games, because I will sit right behind him with my own whistle calling plays that should have been called and calling attention to him when he makes more horrific calls.
The situation I find interesting is that the NBA doesnt even respond to these allegations. Well HELLO, you guys were caught with a referee cheating and fixing the outcome of games. He also was contacting another referee (Bob Delaney) every time he would bet, yet Bob is still able to referee. A little fishy to me. Basically what I'm saying is there needs to be a checks and balances system in the NBA, that is not ran by the NBA. And if the media is too scared of the big bad Stern to say something, then damnit its up to us fans. I'm just gonna start protesting the NBA. Until they can prove that they dont have crooked refs and until they ticky tack inconsistent calls from these officials stop, I'm done with the NBA. I'll check updates on the Blazers, but I refuse to support a program that is so obviously tainted in so many ways.
Yep, Nate should have gotten all over the refs earlier in the game. It irritates me to no end when refs walk all over us and we quietly take it. I'm glad Rudy got a T. It could have been prevented if Nate took one for the team earlier.
Mike,
Games such as this make me not want to be a fan of basketball. It makes me want to write off the sport as that which the best players on the most cohesive team cannot win because of internal politics and the ever present NBA "bottom line".
The referees need to be governed by an independant group. I think this game was blatantly called in order to facilitate a win for a certain team. The bias reporting is not helping either. Its absurd really.
I know, as a fan it's hard to accept what I am accusing the NBA and referees of as anything other than the opinion of a sore losing super fan, but it's not the loss that has got me so angry.
I can recognize that the team had too many turnovers, played flat footed for a majority of the game and did a lot of standing around so based on their mediocre to bad play I would say they could lose and I dont feel as bad about it . But the officiating was blatantly and not even subtly in favor of the Warriors.
As a fan, im offended.
Sophia
This is my first time using a blogger so bare with me.
Anyways just want to say first that MB your blogs are very entertaining and interesting to read and a great way to start the day after a Blazer game. Keep up the great work!
As for the game last night, I'm one of the people that say the refs ruined it. We were about to go to OT and it seemed they paniced for the warriors and just called a horrible foul on Rudy and gave him a T to finish it off. Just horrible in my opinion. Not to mention it seemed they had a lot against LA. A lot of the fouls were just flops from Magette. It really sucks when a Blazer fan can't watch some of his favorite players play due to flops or unfair calls.
But like others have said, this was just a horrible night for the Blazers. Too many turnovers and while viewing the game I've heard you say that we average 11 a game and we got like what 21 that game? That's not good, especially from what I've seen the warriors are more of an offensive team and weren't playing all-that-great defense.
As for the team I think some players need to build up more confidence and shoot the ball. Two players in particular are Channing Frye and Travis Outlaw. Both are great shooters, but seem to like to be too generous and give a shot that they can easily make. I remember last year when Channing finally got some confidence and made some amazing shots late in the season like his first 3 pointer. Where'd that confidence go? And T-Law seems to give away a lot of shots that he can make for something that's way harder.
I'd also like to see Sergio drive in a bit more. I was glad he made those 3 pointers, but he seems to take a lot and miss them. He's got the potential to be a great 3 pointer shooter, but I think he needs to get more into the paint and do something that Pryzbilla and Roy were doing.
That brings up another thing from me, I was loving Roy getting down into the paint scoring easy buckets. He needs to do that more. He's an All-Star so refs will call the foul and they do. He just needs to also take his time at the free-throw line.
Anyways I'm probably going over the limit of what to say in a single blog so I'll stop.
Great blog Go Blazers!
Mike: During the game you asked "why the big difference in production between the Florida sweep and the last two games?"
There are several reasons, but I'd like to focus on one. This team relies so heavily on the outside shot. Granted, we have good shooters; nevertheless, some nights outside shots will drop, and some nights they will not.
Roy is not only one of the only players to drive to the basket, he is one of the only players that can do it well. And he draws fouls and gets to the line.
With Outlaw, he either has his head above the rim while throwing it down or it looks like his legs are going to buckle.
Rudy is still getting used to the team, but he definitely can slash to the rim and make things happen.
It seemed like Webster was more intent on getting to the rim before his surgery.
So often there is a lane to the hole and players settle for the jumper. When you cut to the rim, other positives happen...it leads to easier baskets for other players as defenders swing to pick up the ball handler. In addition, it can lead to foul trouble for the opposition and free throws for the Blazers.
Admittedly, there have been other factors. And do not get me wrong...I love that we have a number of players that can shoot.
We'll get it done tonight!
I'm sorry, but the officiating was HORRIBLE last night. 21 turn-overs... SURE, only problem is a bunch of those were due to bad calls against the blazers. The two worst were the one that fouled out LA and the one that cost us the chance for overtime at the end.
The call against LA was just obviously wrong, and as a result of that bad call one of our best players got kicked from the game (definitely a game changing call). And the call against Rudy at the end was again, obviously wrong, and cost us the chance for overtime (definitely a game changing call).
Two BAD calls, both against the blazers, that likely had a direct impact on the result of the game.
P.S. The technical against Rudy seemed unwarranted also. Of course you're going to argue a bad call that directly gives the win to your opponent! I didn't see Rudy do anything deserving of a T, seemed to me that the Ref just has a big ego and isn't willing to tolerate the thought that he might have been wrong.
I'm with Vlad, the NFL has the right idea with the challenge flag. Yeah, turnovers were the factor that lost us the game, but the greatest thing about the NBA is that the game ain't over till it's over, and that game wasn't over. We have the technology to make sure that a bad call can't ruin a game. Let's use it.
Ok, on to the players. Sergio. The other night I left a pretty incendiary comment about his performance, and how I thought his duties should be handed over to Bayless(so good to see him last night, even it was only for a couple minutes). Well, I don't take it back, but I admit that he had a pretty good game. A couple sloppy turnovers, but generally he was making it happen. Good for him, as it will sweeten any trade.
Outlaw. I love the guy, but Mike, after every shot he took last night, you said "tough shot, Outlaw". Why does he do that? I understand taking those shots against the clock, but it seems rare that he takes anything else. I am thinking we would do better to play him as a lead-expander, and a clutch three-point shooter. Get somebody like Batum to come in when we're in trouble and need to force turnovers and block shots(I loved his block on Wade!), then bring in Outlaw to kill them with impossible shots in the fourth. The man is a rabbit's foot for this team in the fourth! What he is not is a pillar.
Oden rocked my world last night. Thank you Greg. For a while there it looked he was going to give Brandon a break and win the game for us. Win or lose, he did great. I can't wait till the rest of the team figures out how to dish to him.
Last, I would like to give mad props to Joel. When did you start stuffing it down it down like that!?! I love it. My only complaint about you last season was that you weren't scoring, but man did you get over that! Good work big guy, you've certainly been getting me out of my seat.
All in all, great game. Now let's show Chicago what their insides look like. Go Blazers.
To anyone blaming turnovers for this loss, and BlazerFANATIC,
How many of those turnovers were offensive fouls? How many of those were obviously bad calls?
Delaney made it obvious that he wanted to get his jollies off of showing Aldridge what a man Delaney is. Delaney's charge calls were bad and, well, gullible and amatuerish, even before his own ego obviously superceded in importance such things as his professional integrity.
In my opinion, the most amateurish charge call was on Oden, vs. Maggette. Golden State plays small ball, and thus gets caught in mismatches. Maggette was in a mismatch, and I knew before anything happened that Maggette's options were a) foul b) watch Oden score or c) fall down and hope for a charge. B & C were most likely; Maggette's ensuing flop was obvious.
Now, how obvious it was is a matter of vision, just like the refs couldn't tell that Aldridge was outside the restricted area (well, Delaney might not have cared). The game is fast, but if the refs knew what they were doing, then Maggette's flop was EXTREMELY predictable. Sure enough, he fell down, and the refs made it a charge. Again, gullible, amateurish and, frankly, stupid. These referees ought to be better than that, and certainly smarter (unless, of course, they were fixing the game).
The coverage by the AP is (obviously) disgusting. That fellow, Greg something, should be embarrassed. His arrogant tone regarding Fernandez, while he was actually embarrassing himself, is Orwellian.
The Blazers made mistakes, but with correct (or even honest) officiating, they win this game by ten. Teams are allowed to make mistakes, and both teams make mistakes every game. It's no excuse for the referees moving the W into the wrong column. Shame on them, and shame on Stern and the NBA for repeatedly handling these things the wrong way. Their casual, patronizing scorn and indifference towards fans and the integrity of the game is a disgrace.
One more thing - was Nate on sedatives? The head coach being ejected with 5 seconds left would at least force the news programs to show that....this thing passed through the media like a non-event, or non-crime.
By the way, can anyone confirm or deny that Delaney and Donaghy would chat before all the fixed games???
Nate - step up. That was WEAK.
This game was one of the worst i've see as far as officiating goes since the 89-90 Finals where the Blazers were screwed out of a championship against Detroit. Thankfully this was only a regular season game, but the loss still hurts. Why wasn't McMillan in the ref's faces, begging and pleading for them to call the game equally on both ends of the court? There were so many times when our guys were blatantly fouled on their way to the basket and no call. I realize that arguing a call after it's made rarely does any good in the short run. But the Blazers have to stand up for themselves with the officials, or they are going to continue to get screwed. I would love to see McMillan argue with a ref on a bad call to the point where he gets ejected. I think you'd see an amazing spark from the team from that, and that's the kind of spark the Blazers needed last night. Final word--Tim Donahey has no business being a basketball official at any level, least of all in the NBA.
Hey MB,
Great blog. I also heard you talk with Canzano today on the Bald Face Truth and I liked what you said about Rice wanting to show Delany the replay on the Aldridge foul on his moniter...classic Rice...I love it.
We lost that game, the officiating was bad yes, but we lost that game with turnovers and crucial mistakes down the stretch. No excuses, lets come back with a win against the Bulls. Oden was great! His performance eased the sting of the loss.
One more thing about the officials. I think they should explain themselves like coaches and players do during post game conferences. Why shouldn't Bob Delany take questions from the media after the game? Coaches and players do right? It would be a great opportunity to find out why an official made the call they made, and it also gives them a chance to say, yeah I missed that call. I think the NBA makes these officials too untouchable, they need to be held accountable for their job performance, just like players and coaches.
Speaking of bonehead plays, what in the world was Brandon Roy thinking when he took the ball inside with 5.9 seconds remaining, down by three, and no timeouts left? The Warriors didn't even to need defend the hoop, just play to keep Roy from kicking the ball out for a three.
And when is Nate going to start letting game situations dictate his substitutions instead of minutes played? He stopped the Blazer's huge momentum in the first quarter by going to the bench by the clock. Then in the third quarter, he let five guys who were not in sync play for several minutes as the Warriors built their 12 point lead.
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