Blazers vs. 76ers - Preview
Ezra Ace Caraeff | Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 7:09PM 
It's cool, kid. I still get the same terrified look on my face when meeting women.
The good news is that Brandon Roy will be back. He's listed as probable, which in Roy terminology means that it's probable that he will play until his hamstring is torn to ribbons, or the Blazers win—whatever comes first. Problem is, the Blazers have not walked out of Philadelphia with a victory since December 2006, when Juan Dixon dropped 17 off the bench. Roy was not in the lineup for that game, which means he's never won a game in the Wachovia Center in his career.
Well, there's no better time than now. The 76ers defied logic/math/God by blowing a 20-point lead to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. They eventually lost 108-103 in OT, to a Wolves team that was missing Kevin Love. How bad was that loss? Put it this way: Brian Cardinal almost scored in double digits. It was the sort of loss that might lead to someone—*cough, Eddie Jordan, cough*—losing their job. Jordan's stint as 76ers head coach is as doomed as this Iverson Grizzlies jersey (currently at zero bids), and much like the Wizards, Philly is stuck in the no man's land between the optimistic future of being a lottery team, or heading towards the postseason. While the Sixers have won more games on the road than at home, this game is far from an easy victory for Portland. With a depth chart this shallow, and a team this inconsistent, the Blazers won't get any easy victories anytime soon.
Remember the ugly 104-93 76ers victory in the Rose Garden on December 28th? Martell Webster certainly does. It was Marty's last single digit scoring effort; since that limp six point performance, he's topped double digits in nine straight games. He'll need to make that an even 10 if the Blazers have any hope of beating a Philadelphia team looking to save face after their worst loss of the season. Since Roy's minutes will be closely monitored, the Blazers will need Jerryd Bayless to offer some relief, and giving up another 25 to Elton Brand is probably not a good idea. Oh, and while they are in Philadelphia, I would not object to a quickie trade to acquire Samuel Dalembert. I love that guy.
Reader Comments (5)
Why can't the Blazer dancers be that HOT! WOW! Mmmmm!
I'm always a proponent of cheerleaders in striped tube socks.
But Ezra - Dalembert is getting 11-12 mil this year and next!! And suffice it to say, that price tag does not match his production. Not even close. As a Philly area transplant in Portland and joint 76ers/Blazers fan, I'd hate to see that albatross of a contract finally untied from my team and onto to my other one.
I've been fiddling with the ESPN trade machine for weeks trying to come up with a way for the Blazers to get a big man. The best things that I could come up with is Blake and Outlaw to the Wizards for Haywood or Blake to Atlanta for Zaza Pachulia. I like the second one the most because Haywood's deal expires this season so there's no guarantee that he sticks around, plus the guy is very moody. Pachulia on the other hand is wasting away on the Hawks' bench and could bring a big body and energy to the Blazers. The guy has a good competitive streak as well, he could be the Vanilla Godzilla Light for us. The Hawks might want some prospects alongside Blake though. As for Dalembert, there's no way we could match his salary without sending someone valuable anyway.
This season = development. Grow Bayless, Rudy and eventually Batum. If were going to trade, I'm ok with Brendan Haywood. I doubt our pocket lint and change from the couch cushions (Blake and Outlaw) will tempt Washington to that end, and I don't see the upside of trading young talent to rent a center for 3 months plus.
This team isn't going to win a championship this year, and it's not worth mortgaging the future for mediocrity now.
Ezra Ace Caraeff you are dumb