Subscribe Feed (RSS)This game should be fun. The Thunder Sonics are a fun team to watch in a wacky kind of way and coming off a tough game at Dallas, the Blazers might be a bit vulnerable. However size gives OKC fits and if Portland can pound the ball inside, control the tempo and just keep from coughing the ball up, it should not be a difficult game.
This, in fact, is a game playoff teams win.
The Thunder Sonics come into this off a very tough one-point loss to Denver and has been much better since Scott Brooks took over the coaching reins from P.J. Carlesimo a dozen games into the season. It’s obvious he’s more relaxed with the team than Peejay was and it shows — the Thunder Sonics play freely and with a style that would probably be fun for the players.
The obvious Kevin Durant-Greg Oden matchup will play out for the first time, even though, of course, they play different positions. Durant can score on anybody and is one day going to lead the league in scoring — particularly if OKC continues to flounder in the standings. He’s good and going to get better.
Oden, on the other hand, is a post player on a team still incapable or unwilling to feed the post. It hasn’t exactly accelerated his development.
The game’s a good runup for Portland to the Sunday afternoon tilt against the New York Knicks. Two running teams in a row.
And at the very least, Friday’s game should give us a chance to pause and remember a long-time wonderful rivalry with the Seattle Sonics. What a shame that whole thing had to end.
In fact, why not just — in a tribute to the rivalry – continue to call them the Sonics?
Tags: Dwight Jaynes, Greg Oden, Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers
Really……. Watch the OKC team (Clay Bennetts Toy) run roughshod over TBI…… When will the folks unnnnerstannn that the offense does not run through Greg/SamBowie/Oden……. TBI should have taken Kevin Durant…. TBI had the chance, but blew it, and blew it hard !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Does anyone know how the word “tilt” became a synonym for game? I’ve always wondered about that.
I’m not sure C-Ho but I’m as old as dirt and it predated me by a long time. It’s one of those words that’s so archaic it’s kind of fun to use once in a while. I believe it’s the first time I’ve ever used it in “print” — they’d never have allowed it at a real newspaper… cliche, you know. Reminds me of my days growing up when Don McLeod, the legendary Oregonian sports editor, called a hockey goalie “The padded guardian of the corded igloo” and fans were always “gallery gods” — or GGs, as we later called them.
– Dwight
I believe ’tilt’ hearkens back to ye old jousting days when a mats was referred to as ‘a tilt’ and jousting was also referenced as tilting.
I am looking forward to the game tonight – one thing I want to watch for is how the Blazers are being called (I feel Boston is as good at getting away with slight fouls as they are at actual defense and I am curious to see if the Blazers are making attempts at that sort of play and just being rebuffed by the refs).
Hmmmm… I think I was covering that jousting and didn’t hear it used. Must have missed it while I was interviewing Sir Lancelot.
– Dwight
I thought you were talking about dinosaur jousting dwight
Sorry that was supposed to be ‘match’ not ‘mat’ – I would love to see an archive of that interview Mr. Jaynes!
One thing I have been wondering – what do you think is the fix for the defensive woes (I have had to explain who you are to my son after he heard me lamenting that you are exactly right on the glaring shortcomings I saw in the Mavs game)… I’m still having difficulty deciding if it’s just the coaching or more that they need to learn to play better together as a team on D.
DJ is right. I don’t understand why the blazers can’t get Oden the ball down low. Feed the big fella!!!!!
Half time down 17. Die by the jump shot. pick and roll aint the only problem with Blazers
Right on, Dwight! Looks like the Blazers need to check their egos at the door. Disgraceful play across the board. Where’s the effort and leadership when we need it?? IMO the team has checked out for the All Star Game break. Too bad because we still have games to play. Go Blazers!