Portland has not typically done well on the road this year, but this road trip (3-1 so far) looks promising. They have sealed a winning record for this five game road trip. I would love to see them beat up the Kings at their place to make it 4-1. If our boys can play tough and avoid being bullied by Brad Miller and Ron Artest, they stand a very good chance of getting some revenge on those thuggish Kings(I know some of you King fans refuse to admit that you are some hackers). I sure hope that Steve Javy isn't officiating that game, if so I sure hope he has money on the Blazers this time!

Next year, nobody will bully us. Greg Oden will dunk on their little tiny heads! Greg flushes bigger items than Brad miller or Artest (just kidding). I doubt we lose to the Kings next year at all! But this year, we still have to sweat them. Go Blazers!

Another tough game tonight. Man, that little Nate Robinson is one heck of a scorer! That dude dropped 45 on us tonight. But in the end there was just too much Blake, Roy, Aldridge and Przybilla. Both Joel and LaMarcus had double-digits in rebounding. Roy looked as clutch as ever putting up 27, 6, and 3.

Two and O on the road thus far. I hope we can build on this momentum and put together a nice run to end the season! Go Blazers!

Who doesn't love Mike Rice? This guy has been the Blazer analyst on the radio and TV for what has to be about a million years now, although it seems like just yesterday when he first began as our radio analyst. When Mike is talking about the Blazers, he sounds more like a fan than he does an analyst, and I love that! This guys is so passionate about his Blazers that he has been known to argue calls. Mike has also been known to get ejected from a game or two.... Once by the hated Steve Javy. I do a lot of crying about officials myself, but Mike does it publicly. He gets on the officials during the broadcast as it is happening live on TV. When I watch a Blazer game on my TV, I know that Mike Rice is talking on behalf of me, the fan. We have had the likes of The Snapper Jones in the past, and I often felt as if he was rooting for the other team. In my opinion the Blazers have had only but two voices and faces as far as broadcasters 1. The Great Bill Schonely (inventor of the term "Rip City") and 2. Mike Rice. Every time he questions a call, complains about how bias an official is, points out the non-call that favors the other team, says that he dislikes a certain few officials, advertises the special treatment that some players get, and even gets called out by David Stern for being a Homer... I love it! Mike Rice you are our guy! Go Blazers!

The Blazers played a gutsy game tonight. They beat the Bucks in their building 103-101. The Bucks had a chance for a half-court three as the buzzer sounded, but missed it. This was an exciting game! LaMarcus was just incredible tonight. He had 29 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, an awesome block and a steal. He also shot the game winning shot, leaving the Bucks just over 2 seconds to try get the ball the full distance of the court and score. It was Portland's night tonight! It was especially LaMarcus' night. Go Blazers!

The Lakers learned a lesson about the Rose Garden last night! The Blazers do not lose there often. This was an exciting game, and the Blazers finally looked like they were playing "the right way" again. The Lakers got lots of help from the officials, but the Blazers won by knocking down big shots and defending! Travis Outlaw looked like a superstar, and Brandon played hurt but with a lot of heart. Great game. Go Blazers!

After watching the no calls and the extremely quick set of provoked technical fouls on Nate, I wondered how much money Javy had on this one. Are Javy and Tim Donaghy buddies? The Blazers lost steam in the end, but the T's that Javy gave Nate were the quickest that I have ever seen. Nate had every reason to be angry, the officiating sucked. His guys were getting hacked to pieces and then called for breathing on Kobe on the other end of the floor. The Blazers don't need the kind of help that Javy was offering last night. I really hate that guy and think he is the crappiest official in history. I thought that Javy would stop hating the Blazers after Sheed left. Oh well, hopefully the Blazers can bounce back from this one! Go Blazers! (I couldn't find a picture of that Javy jerk, but Tim Donaghy is about the same)

Roy is getting an MRI tonight on his ankle. I sure hope he is alright. A chance to rest for a while should do him some good, but I hope his injury isn't too serious. The Blazers are tired. And the end of this season is going to get tougher schedule wise. We still have not even played the hated Lakers yet. Roy's body does need a rest. I just hope that he is alright! Go Blazers!

Gutsy grind out game in the Rose Garden last night. I hope this is the start of some confidence building for them. I would love to see our guys make a push in the second half! LMA looked like a man possessed! He definitely carried us on his shoulders! And Jack's game is starting to come together! He has looked pretty good in the last two games! Go Blazers!

I can't imagine what would happen if Portland was having the same crisis that Seattle is having. If someone was trying to take our team. In Portland there would be rioting in the streets, angry protest, and political pressure. I searched the Seattle Supersonics on Yard-barker and struggled to find fans who even posted articles about their team. My question is..... Does Seattle really care that their losing this wonderful franchise? It seems as if the people in Portland are pretty angry that the I-5 rivalry is in jeopardy, but I am not hearing as much anger as I would expect from the Seattle fans. Maybe they are tired of this struggle and figure that good buddies Stern and Bennett are going to do what they want. They can't bully the City into doing something that they consider fiscally irresponsible, and they will ignore other groups attempts at helping. Bennett has rejected help from Native American tribes and other business men who had some other options that would have helped both sides in this argument. I think this red-necked-business-tycoon just wants to move the team out of town. He has been anything but honest and accommodating to the people of Seattle.

The kings were able to be as physical as they wanted. Pushing, throwing elbows, knocking the young Blazers around like rag-dolls. The Blazers tried to be physical on defense, but were outscored. They also looked lost on offense, settling for jumpers and rarely taking it to the rim. Its easy to defend a team when you can bully them into taking low percentage shots.

The Blazers couldn't get a break, especially from the officiating. Whistles weren't blown even when blood was drawn; B-Roy nearly gets a mouth full of his own teeth from a hard elbow to his grill as he misses a shot. No call from the officials on a blatantly obvious foul, but you absolutely can not blame the horrible refs tonight. (The Blazers did hold a 70-15 win/loss ratio over the thuggish Kings in Portland, but that now drops to a meager 70-16)

The biggest problem seems to be that Portland relies on their jump shot too much. Three after three point attempt was missed, long twos, mid-range jumpers as well. Why aren't any Blazers getting to the rim? Roy, Jack, Aldridge, and Travis should all be getting in the paint. Heck Webster and Joel can get inside and to the bucket too. Is it coaching or are they just intimidated? Because it seems easy to me..... Get points in the paint, take better percentage shots, increase the shooting percentage, and get more wins. The Blazers were missing wide open looks from outside. You can not be consistent if you live and die by the outside shot. Right now, we are dying by it.

This was one of the most frustrating games that I have watched in a while. The refs did totally suck, but the Blazers did nothing to make a case that they had a chance in this one anyway. I hope that Portland figures this thing out soon. It is the second half of the season and even though next season is the season that most people expect the Blazers to contend, I think that settling for performances like this is disappointing. I know our team is better than how they have been playing! Lets go Blazers! We know you can do it!

18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block....... (not that I am a huge stat guy) Great job Brandon!!

Brandon played well in his first All Star appearance! All of Rip City is very proud of him! I hope he has many many more to come. I hope that Baron Davis ends up in there too (way too much controversy by GSW fans when he isn't). Maybe Brandon can get some much needed rest now. It is time to get the home team back on track! Go Blazers!

Did anyone else think that this years Dunk Contest was a little mediocre?? It was ok, I thought that Howard had pretty good dunks, but maybe not great dunks. Have we seen it all, already? Can anyone top Jordan, Spud Web, Dominique, Dr. J, and even Vince Carter? What do you think?

Things have been a little frustrating lately for RIP City residents. I think it is helpful to remember a few things that can keep us grounded and focused on our bright future. We will be great. But, can Brandon do it by him self? No. Has LaMarcus Aldridge played consistently well this year? No. Will he learn to play consistent basketball? Of course he will. What about Blake? Actually Blake has been pretty great this year.

But the rest of the team seems to be going through menopause lately. Lots of hot and cold spells. The thing I keep reminding myself is that they are young and learning how to win. The early preview of greatness that we were treated to in December may have spoiled us. Winning became something that the fans started to expect, but I think those expectations are more for next year and beyond.

Jack still needs to learn how to turn the ball over WAY WAY less than he does now. Martell needs to learn to shoot consistently, as does James Jones. Sergio needs to learn how to shoot the ball a little better and maybe pass a little less flashy sometimes (when it ends up being a turnover rather than an assist). Travis needs the confidence to know that he is the most athletic player in the league and could probably take over any game he wanted to. But most of all, our boys just need time to figure it all out.

They are growing up fast, but our window of a dynasty is still a ways out for us. Brandon seems to have a complete game, but we desperately need to get him some consistent help. Help that will show up every night. With Greg and Rudy coming in to the mix next year, our future looks bright. I think next year is going to be our year to break out of this inconsistency and the lotto as well.

I just want to send my best wishes to Brandon during this family crisis. We will miss having him in the line-up these next two games, but we know he is where he needs to be. I send my best wishes Brandon! You are our All Star in more ways than one! (and way better than Baron Davis tee hee). (sorry I just can't help doing that)

He plays great for some of the game, and then gets way too cute with the ball and make sloppy and silly turn overs that cost us a game that he helped get us into. He seems to make the same mistakes over and over and Nate keeps him in the game for the fourth quater over Steve Blake. I just don't get it. AHHHHHHHHH!