Alright I've been slacking!!

So I will admit it, I did NOT watch the game between Portland and Cleveland, I know, I know, I am a bad fan I guess, but it just didn't fit into my schedule. So anyways I won't be griping about what the Blazers did or did not do in the game, I really have no idea, in fact I haven't done much today at all, including reading the paper or any articles on the Blazers. However, don't fret, Nat sent me a fairly lengthy email about LaMarcus Aldridge, and so I am just going to put that up for you all instead, for Nat it might be good to reread his words, but for others enjoy, good work Nat!

"How bad is LaMarcus? His numbers look like he had a pretty good game last night, but I would beg to differ. Other than his two and-1s in the 1st quarter he was pathetic. And even those seemed pretty lucky – the first one should have been smothered by big Z as it was shot at the level of his armpits! I can see that from a PG, but a goddamn 7 footer!?! As Big Red would say, “Throw it down, big man! One time!” I had to laugh on that fast break where LaMarcus passed off to Webster – he knew that he wouldn’t be able to finish because he’s so soft…at least he had the presence of mind to find Martell to throw it down!

The problem with Lamarcus’ offense is that it’s benign. It never comes at a point in the game where it could change momentum, or put the nail in the coffin. He’s never made a clutch basket. He might get some points – but it’s only when he’s purposely left open by defenders leaving him to focus on Roy. He hardly ever scores when he’s defended – it’s open jumpers or the rare cut to the hoop for an uncontested dunk. (And did you know that Joel outscored LaMarcus in the 4th quarter? Where’s this offense that Nate keeps using as an excuse for playing him?)

But last night the biggest problem was his defense. Was he at home on the couch watching LeBron lay the ball in with .3 seconds on the clock? That’s what it looked like. For some reason Nate put him in (rather than Joel!) to defend the rim. And what’s he do? He steps aside and lets LeBron – a fairly poor free-throw shooter – get all the way to the rim untouched. Was he afraid that LeBron would make a faster-than-light pass to Gooden who would be able to touch-shoot the ball through the hoop before time expired? What a moron! And prior to that when LeBron was drilling 3s where was LaMarcus? He should have been jumping the screens like our opponents have been doing to Roy, but instead he was sagging back giving LeBron 5+ feet to get his shot off. Wasn’t our defense supposed to improve when we traded Zach?

Watching LaMarcus play basketball is like watching a neutered dog lick his missing balls. I think it’s about time someone buys LaMarcus a pair of prosthetic testes to implant in his empty sack.

Anyway - I think our chances of making the playoffs are slim and hinge on other teams diving rather than us doing well. Unless a major injury happens to Houston, Golden State, Denver or Utah - actually two of those four have to sustain a major injury - there's no way we make the cut. Shouldn't be disappointed I guess - we're better than anyone would have thought. We just played better than we're capable of playing during the month of December. Right now I think we're playing at our true level."

I particularly like the part of the neutered dog licking his missing balls....