Sunday
Jan102010
Cavs Too Big, Too Strong, Too Much, Top Blazers 106-94.
Andrew R Tonry | Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 10:05PM
Official team marketing slogans are often more idealized than accurate. But the Blazers' "No Quit In Us" signs that were
distributed to fans at the Rose Garden on Friday--and then re-appeared against the Cavaliers Sunday--were oddly accurate.
After a scintillating start by LeBron James, who made his first nine shots, the Cavs built a healthy double-digit lead as the Blazers followed, somewhat lackadaisically. For most of the first three quarters the Rose Garden felt tired—especially after Friday's raucous Laker shellacking. Portland was playing like Sunday feels. But then, suddenly, the slogan kicked in: "no quit."
Down 13 with 5:16 remaining in the third, the Trail Blazers scored the next 11 straight points. Brandon Roy nailed a three, and Martell Webster knocked down one, then another. The Cavs went cold. An Andre Miller layup brought the Blazers within two at 76-74. Cleveland finally broke their nearly four-minute scoring drought with a pair of Mo Williams free throws, but the Blazers weren't done. They'd soon tie the game, although they'd never take the lead. And for the sixth straight time, the Cavs bested the Blazers. Final score: 106-94.
And as good as LeBron James was tonight—and he was phenomenal (41 points on 13 of 19 from the field, plus 10 rebounds and eight assists)--it was Anderson Varejao who helped Cleveland pull away once and for all. As always, he did it with hustle and defense.
With 4:34 to play and the game still very much in reach, the Blazers—with help from Varejao—fumbled away three straight possessions. It started as Varejao stole to ball from LaMarcus Aldridge. On the next possession, LaMarcus grabbed an offensive board, was fouled, but bricked the two ensuing free throws. Then, guarding Roy behind the three point arc, Varejao tipped the ball, which careened off Roy's foot an out of bounds. By then, the Blazers were out of range. McMillan pointed towards Varejao's tenacity as a major turning point in his press conference:
While LeBron James was simply on fire early—and mostly throughout—the Cavs executed a fine game plan designed to take advantage of Portland's non-existant inside presence. They went inside out, waited for the necessary double team, then made the right passes and hit open looks.
For the second game in a row Brandon Roy topped 30 (this time with 34) though he wasn't quite as efficient (14 for 23, still nothing to scoff at). Roy didn't, however, get a ton of help. Martell Webster (12 points) , LaMarcus Aldridge (18) and Andre Miller (14) all finished in double figures, but no other Blazer scored more than six. Jerryd Bayless, who was terrific against the Lakers, went dead cold (1 for 6) and was mostly a non factor, as was Steve Blake, who played just seven minutes in his first game since recovering from pneumonia. Roy offered these thoughts after the game:
Martell Webster drew the perhaps the NBA's most unenviable defense assignment in James, and unlike Friday when he stifled Kobe Bryant (14 of 37 from the field), LeBron mostly had his way. Asked who's the tougher cover, Webster definitively chose James:
After the game the Big Aristotle left without addressing the media. James however, was quick to take questions (unlike Kobe Bryant, who waited 45 minutes Friday before emerging from his VIP dressing room, although, in fairness, James' oblige came after a win and a solid performance). It should also be noted that LeBron, unlike Kobe, dressed in a regular locker with the rest of his teammates, and the throng of media following him is noticeably bigger than Kobe's. LeBron's Blazer-related comments:
After a scintillating start by LeBron James, who made his first nine shots, the Cavs built a healthy double-digit lead as the Blazers followed, somewhat lackadaisically. For most of the first three quarters the Rose Garden felt tired—especially after Friday's raucous Laker shellacking. Portland was playing like Sunday feels. But then, suddenly, the slogan kicked in: "no quit."
Down 13 with 5:16 remaining in the third, the Trail Blazers scored the next 11 straight points. Brandon Roy nailed a three, and Martell Webster knocked down one, then another. The Cavs went cold. An Andre Miller layup brought the Blazers within two at 76-74. Cleveland finally broke their nearly four-minute scoring drought with a pair of Mo Williams free throws, but the Blazers weren't done. They'd soon tie the game, although they'd never take the lead. And for the sixth straight time, the Cavs bested the Blazers. Final score: 106-94.
And as good as LeBron James was tonight—and he was phenomenal (41 points on 13 of 19 from the field, plus 10 rebounds and eight assists)--it was Anderson Varejao who helped Cleveland pull away once and for all. As always, he did it with hustle and defense.
With 4:34 to play and the game still very much in reach, the Blazers—with help from Varejao—fumbled away three straight possessions. It started as Varejao stole to ball from LaMarcus Aldridge. On the next possession, LaMarcus grabbed an offensive board, was fouled, but bricked the two ensuing free throws. Then, guarding Roy behind the three point arc, Varejao tipped the ball, which careened off Roy's foot an out of bounds. By then, the Blazers were out of range. McMillan pointed towards Varejao's tenacity as a major turning point in his press conference:
Video removed after 72 hours in accordance with NBA Content Policy
While LeBron James was simply on fire early—and mostly throughout—the Cavs executed a fine game plan designed to take advantage of Portland's non-existant inside presence. They went inside out, waited for the necessary double team, then made the right passes and hit open looks.
For the second game in a row Brandon Roy topped 30 (this time with 34) though he wasn't quite as efficient (14 for 23, still nothing to scoff at). Roy didn't, however, get a ton of help. Martell Webster (12 points) , LaMarcus Aldridge (18) and Andre Miller (14) all finished in double figures, but no other Blazer scored more than six. Jerryd Bayless, who was terrific against the Lakers, went dead cold (1 for 6) and was mostly a non factor, as was Steve Blake, who played just seven minutes in his first game since recovering from pneumonia. Roy offered these thoughts after the game:
Video removed after 72 hours in accordance with NBA Content Policy
Martell Webster drew the perhaps the NBA's most unenviable defense assignment in James, and unlike Friday when he stifled Kobe Bryant (14 of 37 from the field), LeBron mostly had his way. Asked who's the tougher cover, Webster definitively chose James:
Video removed after 72 hours in accordance with NBA Content Policy
After the game the Big Aristotle left without addressing the media. James however, was quick to take questions (unlike Kobe Bryant, who waited 45 minutes Friday before emerging from his VIP dressing room, although, in fairness, James' oblige came after a win and a solid performance). It should also be noted that LeBron, unlike Kobe, dressed in a regular locker with the rest of his teammates, and the throng of media following him is noticeably bigger than Kobe's. LeBron's Blazer-related comments:
Reader Comments (18)
A reporter in the mid 1950's once asked Sugar Ray Robinson how he'd feel about the former Light Weight champ stepping up and fighting Rocky Marciano the Heavy Weight Champion at the time to which he snapped back, "Man, do want to get me killed?"
Which was what it must feel like when Lebron comes barelling through the lane, snarling like a starved wolve and holding a four inch and 30 pound advantage over Lawrence Taylor. Good god, Lebron could throw Juwan Howard, our starting center, through a plate glass window with as much ease as a beligerant Charles Barkley. Portland must have felt like the great Ray Robinson when asked about Marciano tonight trying to match up against Cleveland.
It was scary, almost sad, watching the Blazers match up for three and a half quarters. A definite boys vs men scene when Howard shrugged, almost embaressed, after grabbing one of Shaq's arms with both hands, even before he got the ball, for a foul midway through the third....
Which brings us back to Ray Robinson, and our own version of Sugar building his legend even through defeat. Brandon Roy showed again why he may be the slickest, most natural baller to grace this league in a long, long, time. Roy isn't a physical freak, like Lebron, Kobe, or Jordan; but is so fluid, so natural, he dices the court like Ken Griffey Jr swung a bat, at least in Seattle. Roy really is beautiful to watch on the court, every much as Lebron is awe-inspiring. And the one beauty of the national broadcasts is to hear the announcers gush over Roy as if they are all seeing him for the first time...
Indeed, but enough of the nostalgia and B-Roy love, Portland still lost a game it had firmly in it's grasp. And the goat award has to go to Aldridge who let Varajeo treat him like Side Show Bob in the fourth quarter. The weird Brazilian was so far into AD's head, that with 2 minutes left Aldridge passed up on a clear dunk, or at least two free throws, out of nothing but fear and apprehension and proceeded to through the damn ball away. Ah, but one play does not make a game, which is true, but also opens a whole can of baby rattlesnakes as to why Portland never, ever, goes to AD in the post late in games when posessions are crazy important. It reminds me of Rasheed, period, and the never ending agony of knowing you have a 4 who can close out games, and no can really guard in the post, but won't.... Scary thought, eh?
That being said, I would have really loved to see Nate open the Asylum and let the nutter, or Pendegraph, run free. Jeff wants to be a loon and it seems this was the game to encourage it. Varajeo plays basketball like a soccer player, in the dirt, and that's where Portland needed to go.... But what-ever, small ball works some days, and some days it doesn't; it's the nature of the beast, and at this point theres not a whole lot of choice.....
In the end Portland went toe to toe with the two true beasts of the league in one weekend and came out 1 & 1 with a very real chance of having gone 2 & 0. They are certainly tough SOB's, a reflection of their coach for sure. But still, those of us fans have to realize some games it's like matching Manny Paquiao against Lennox Lewis. Skill has a lot of say, but damn, size still matters.....
This blog is great with the post game interviews! Keep up the great work.
I actually thought Webster did a decent job on James in the second half. obviously james killed us but he got sort of stopped a few times down the stretch. i mean there is only so much you can do against that guy. Webster needs to work on those 4th quarter threes though he seems to shoot a pretty low percentage in the 4th
i wonder how easy it would be to guard, LBJ if he was playing with a broken index finger on his shooting hand? Would he take it to the hole with that injury?
Kobe didn't change in a "private locker room" (yeah, I'm SURE the Blazers were happy to provide him a private locker room). No, he went to the have his broken finger and knuckle worked on and changed in there. Come on, at least report the truth.
I mean think about it... who's fault is it really that kobe has a broken finger... and to see him still play with a broken finger?? it's his responsibility for taking care of his own body. You cannot compare what it would be like for LBJ if he had a broken finger... that's just flat out dumb. BTW and even if LBJ had a broken finger, YES i think he would have still taken it to the hole, Maybe even more than he does right now because it'll force him to go for easier shots rather than flat out miss on the jumpers.
Kobe's finger is broken from carrying so many trophies. Lucky for LBJ he doesn't have that problem, and won't while Kobe is under 60 years old.
"Asked who's the tougher cover, Webster definitively chose James:"
"Probably Lebron"
Definitively? You might need to look that one up from the other Webster.
kobe fanboys go anywhere lebron is being discussed
More on "definitively": First, the interviewer asked who's "tougher", and Martell tried to deflect by saying "Who's stronger?", but the interviewer stood firm with "who's tougher" and Martell gave TWO "probably"s in answering "Probably ... probably Lebron". Just the facts, please. Don't unfairly distort Webster's comments for those too lazy to actually watch and listen to the clip.
Lebron is the best and Kobe Bryant is not even good at basketball! Plus Lebron is a nice guy, we exchanged numbers and we'll hang out later. Kobe yelled at me for making eye contact with him.
Yeah man, this indeed was a disappointing loss, and instructive on the enigma that is LaMarcus Aldridge. I mean who on earth would have guessed that the Hoops Family would end up having a more deserving All Star representative that our current "4," and that an evaluation, or comparison regarding the two shouldn't be that close. Zebo has matured through his travels and in dealing with a broad public rejection. AD has, well, I'm not sure what's happened with him. What is clear, sadly (at least to this point), is that he is without a clutch bone in his body. Oh yeah, did I mention soft? He reminds me more and more of a guy who puts up good numbers on a bad team. Without emotion, no 4th quarter wrench down, no killer instinct, tall ball/small ball, this guy had better decide whether or not he is a winner, or just a back seat guy.
Brandon Roy's contract extension was earned and his contributions remain tangible on a nightly basis. Aldridge's extension has a huge question mark attached. Because you know what you're getting from Roy, the Blazers are only as good as AD's performances make them. This is a call to an upgrade in aggression, urgency, and a consistency with both. Championships are not gifted to the casual.
Rather than all this Kobe Vs Lebron crap, how about we chat about no one on the Blazers playing with any conviction in the last 4 minutes. The game was TOTALLY winnable. Anyone? No....NVM....
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