Time For a Break

There’s not much that a forty-one point quarter can’t fix. Eight three-pointers made. Twelve assists on thirteen made field goals. Ending the quarter on a 22-0 run.

After notching a franchise low seven first quarter points against the Lakers last night, the Portland Trail Blazers found comfort once again on their home court, exploding for a season high forty-one point first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs. Newly named starter Jamal Crawford went four for four from deep, and Raymond Felton came off the bench to knock down his three attempts from distance as well. Things were clicking.

Yesterday’s abysmal start became a fading, distant memory, replaced with visions of ball movement, falling jump shots, and rebounding prowess.

Unfortunately, tonight’s successes have to be taken with a grain of salt. This was a junior varsity version of the San Antonio Spurs, a team missing their top four players—both Manu Ginobili and Tiago Splitter were out due to injury, and Tony Parker and Tim Duncan were getting some much needed rest. After winning their last eleven contests, Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich decided to punt number twelve.

Proof? Richard Jefferson started at power forward and spent his time on the court guarding LaMarcus Aldridge.

“A win is a win. It still counts, right? We don’t care who is out there,” said Aldirdge. “We need to get back on track, we need to bounce back from that loss we had last night.”

Funny what a home court, some falling jumpers, and a lack of interior post defense from the opposition can do. The Blazers looked like an unstoppable force. Their potential? Reached. When things go well for this Portland team, they go real well.

Well enough that they ended the game with 137 points, easily their highest output of the season, and finished with a forty point victory over the second best team in the Western Conference. The pride Coach McMillan has been imploring his team to play with returned, and did so in inspiring fashion.

There aren’t answers yet, of course. One good game against a team’s B-squad does not wipe away the stench of last night’s loss, nor the past few weeks of iffy play, troubling tendencies, inadequate guard play, and “the sky is falling” proclamations. But instead of limping into the All-Star break with uncertainty, the Blazers at least have something to build off.

“When you have a week off, you don’t want the last thing to happen, you don’t want that to be a taste in your mouth,“ said Jamal Crawford. “It was big to come out here and get a win.”

There was a collective weight off of everyone’s shoulders. That blowout win could not have come at a better time, right before the team disbanded for a week. It was like the last day before spring break—gone were any obligations, it was just time to sit back and relax. There was no need to dwell on any previous frustrations, just look forward to some well deserved time off.

When asked about his lineup change (Crawford vs. Felton) and if he was able to evaluate it, McMillan was quick to pull to the break card. “You know, I’m not going to worry about it. We got this win tonight, and I’m going on break tomorrow. I’ll start thinking about that when we return next week.” He said the team needs to focus and lock in for the second half, but again, that’s another conversation to be had a few days from now.

Gerald Wallace was easily the most vocal, clearly giddy at the thought of eating good food in his home of Alabama. He was shouting across the locker room, making sure to say goodbye to each of his teammates before leaving for a few days. He also said he was excited to drink some soda. It’s the little things.

Soon enough it will be back to the grind and to the lingering questions over this team and franchise. But for now? Time to savor another blowout win and finally relax for a few days.