Blazermania. | Sig Contest!!!

[Valor]

That Blake screen looks like NBA Jam

So true
tough about the loss, but LMA's been playing good for you (the first game was ridiculous though, hope new sliders are better now haha), I think if you get a little more scoring outside of Aldridge and get some d played you'll be good

[Lamrock]

Martti., I got damn good with Aldridge towards the end there in 2K11, but I was using the game's "Simulation" sliders. While his scoring is incredibly efficient, it usually means Felton's gonna pick up a few TO's trying to get it inside. Wes Matthews, Nic Batum and Marcus Camby are the only other players I've learned to use effectively, so it'll be interesting to see the fates of Crawford, Felton and Crash.

Red Mamba, Blake and Chauncey always kill me. They're a pretty tough team to beat.

Valor, I'm not sure if I've even broken double figures with Gerald Wallace yet, and I think he'll be key if I can get him going.

Thanks for the comments guys.

[deihatein]

That Blake screen looks like NBA Jam.

I don't like 2K12 because it's easy to dominate with big men, regardless of speed or skills. Just spin off the defender for an way two. Wouldn't be surprised if Aldridge averages 30+.

You can also just fake like crazy when your below the rim.

Tough loss.

[Lamrock]

LaMarcus Aldridge Wins West Player of the Week
November 6, 2011 - Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge has been named the inaugural Western Conference Player of the week of November 1-5. In two games, Aldridge averaged 31.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game on 73% shooting as Portland went 1-1. Magic Center Dwight Howard is his Eastern Conference Counterpart

NBA Players of the Week:
Nov. 1-5: LaMarcus Aldridge (POR) | Dwight Howard (ORL)

[Lamrock]

Blazers Collapse In Phoenix
Blown Aldridge Dunk Puts Suns On 9-3 Run To Close Game



November 6, 2011: Blazers (1-2) @ Suns (3-0) | Season Series: Phoenix 1, Portland 0

This loss was extremely upsetting. On the road against a middling Suns team, the Blazers looked sure to pick up their first away victory. They got off to a fast start, utilizing LaMarcus Aldridge early and winning the first quarter 27-20. The second quarter was the inverse of that first however, as Phoenix turned the tables on Portland, utilizing fastbreak points to enter the half tied at 47.

The third quarter saw Portland play better defensively, locking down Steve Nash and controlling the tempo. The Blazers could not get a three to fall, especially from point guard Raymond Felton (who shot 2-14 from the field) and Phoenix stayed in the game.

It looked like the Blazers would hold on despite a strong challenge from Phoenix in the fourth. With Felton missing every shot he took, rookie Nolan Smith played much of the fourth at point, and had a very solid line in 14 minutes. With the score 88-85 in Portland's favor and a minute to go, Aldridge went up for a contested dunk which bounced off the back iron, leading to a fastbreak three for Shannon Brown.

Felton was subbed in for Smith but rewarded Nate's decision by lobbing the ball out of bounds almost immediately. Steve Nash, also shooting poorly, took it in and got the friendly roll on a layup. A Gerald Wallace miss with 20 seconds to go sent Nash to the free throw line where he sank both to put Phoenix up 4. Felton responded with a quick three, and Nash sank another pair of free throws to put the Suns up 3 with 6 seconds to play. With no timeouts, Felton tried and missed a pull-up three to tie the game.

27 20 22 22 | 91
24 30 17 24 | 94

Player of the Game:
Grant Hill: 19 pts, 7 rebs, 6 asts, 8-13 FG

Shannon Brown: 18 pts, 3 rebs
Steve Nash: 12 pts, 10 asts, 4-17 FG

LaMarcus Aldridge: 28 pts, 5 rebs, 2 asts, 13-20
Nicolas Batum: 14 pts, 4 rebs, 2 aqsts
Nolan Smith: 10 pts, 4 rebs, 2 asts, 5-8 FG, 14 minutes
Raymond Felton: 6 pts, 18 asts, 4 TO's, 2-14 FG

[shadowgrin]

dafuq. the players look creepy and shite in those pics.

[Lamrock]

Blame HP Media Zone for not working and me needing to use my phone camera.

[Lamrock]

Big recap coming once I figure out the Media Zone stuff and get around to taking TM out of the PS3.

[deihatein]

Channing Frye looks like Obama

[Lamrock]

Gallinari, Nuggets Pull Away In Fourth
Blazers Squander Comeback By Choking In The Fourth


Moody Fernandez gets his revenge

November 9, 2011: Blazers (1-3) @ Nuggets (3-1) | Season Series: Denver 1, Portland 1

From the beginning, this game was a nightmare. The Blazers couldn't buy a basket and kept turning it over, and the Nuggets jumped out to a 14-1 lead. The Nuggets would go on to finish the first up 29-14. The second quarter saw Raymond Felton take a break from turning the ball over and bricking threes, and take it in for some good looks. Unfortunately, LaMarcus Aldridge could not get going in the first half, and the Nuggets entered intermission leading by a dozen.

The third quarter saw the Blazers tighten their defense and get Aldridge going. LA got Portland back into the game, carrying them to within two entering the fourth. Bench player Craig Smith twisted his ankle badly in the fourth and had to leave the game. That seemed to be the turning point as the Blazers lost their momentum and the Nuggets went on a run led by Ty Lawson.

The Nuggets would hold on to win it 93-79, avenging the opening night loss. Danilo Gallinari led the way with 25 and 10 for Denver, while Aldridge ended up with a very respectable 21 and 8, after scoring just 3 points in the first half. The loss is Portland's third straight. They will return home to face the Spurs next.

14 23 28 14 | 79
29 20 18 26 | 93

Player of the Game:
Danilo Gallinari: 25 pts, 10 rebs, 7-10 FG, 3-4 3pt, 8-10 FT
Ty Lawson: 14 pts, 9 asts, 4 stls
Aaron Afflalo: 16 pts, 4 rebs

LaMarcus Aldridge: 21 pts, 8 rebs, 8-12 FG, 5-7 FT
Wesley Matthews: 14 pts, 5 rebs, 3 asts
Raymond Felton: 12 pts, 7 asts, 4 rebs, 8 TO's, 5-10 FG

[mp3]

Damm Fire Nate lol

Rayray is stinking out the place with his TO's right now.

[dare]

Felton giving some Lin numbers there

[Lamrock]

Felts leads the league in both turnovers and assists here. He's still better than in real life because at least he can hit an open three.

[Lamrock]

Week 2 In Review

The first two weeks of the NBA season have not been terrible kind to the Portland Trail Blazers, who sit at 2-4. With Brandon Roy's retirement, and Greg Oden's return being projected sometime between weeks and never, it has been a transitional season for Portland. So far, it has shown. While LaMarcus Aldridge has been individually brilliant, he has been the Blazers' only consistent contributor. After an active off-season, is anyone safe on the Blazers?

Blazers Collapse In Phoenix
Blown Aldridge Dunk Puts Suns On 9-3 Run To Close Game

November 6, 2011: Blazers (1-2) @ Suns (3-0) | Season Series: Phoenix 1, Portland 0

This loss was extremely upsetting. On the road against a middling Suns team, the Blazers looked sure to pick up their first away victory. They got off to a fast start, utilizing LaMarcus Aldridge early and winning the first quarter 27-20. The second quarter was the inverse of that first however, as Phoenix turned the tables on Portland, utilizing fastbreak points to enter the half tied at 47. Read more...

Gallinari, Nuggets Pull Away In Fourth
Blazers Squander Comeback By Choking In The Fourth

November 9, 2011: Blazers (1-3) @ Nuggets (3-1) | Season Series: Denver 1, Portland 1

From the beginning, this game was a nightmare. The Blazers couldn't buy a basket and kept turning it over, and the Nuggets jumped out to a 14-1 lead. The Nuggets would go on to finish the first up 29-14. The second quarter saw Raymond Felton take a break from turning the ball over and bricking threes, and take it in for some good looks. Unfortunately, LaMarcus Aldridge could not get going in the first half, and the Nuggets entered intermission leading by a dozen. Read more...

Blazers Edge Spurs, Lose Batum, Crawford
Aldridge Hits Game Winning Layup With 2 Seconds To Go



Portland 99, San Antonio 97 | AT&T Center | Season Series: Portland 1, San Antonio 0

November 10, 2011 - The Blazers have ended their three game losing streak with a thrilling win against the San Antonio Spurs. I wish I were celebrating, but this win came at a great cost. Top reserves Nicolas Batum and Jamal Crawford both suffered lower back strains and miss a couple weeks. Batum's injury is said to be slightly more severe than Crawford's.

Anyway, the Spurs were in town, and it looked like Portland might lose four straight. The Spurs came out of the gate strong, with Manu Ginobili catching fire. A pair of key threes got momentum the other way, and Portland managed to tie it up entering the second. Portland jumped out to an 8 point lead, before the Spurs flipped it around with a 20-6 run.

The game continued to be close in the second half, with Raymond Felton having another atrocious shooting night and Ginobili continuing to light it up. Hot three point shooting kept the Blazers alive in the second half, but it wasn't until Crawford went down and rookie Nolan Smith came in that the tide turned. Smith came in and drilled a timely three, and would go on to have the best game of his young career.

Smith and Aldridge led a late comeback that saw the lead change hands multiple times. With 50 seconds to go, Portland found themselves down three. The Spurs committed a defensive three second violation, and Nolan swished the free throw. Wes Matthews then took it to the hoop with a daring drive to tie the game at 97. Tim Duncan missed one of his patented bank shots on the other end, and the Blazers had 20 seconds to win it. Smith dribbled the clock down to 7 seconds, before driving and making a nice pass to Aldridge, who sank a layup to put Portland up 2. Nice defense forced Ginobili to miss a fadeaway three at the buzzer. Portland wins!

"Nolan was huge tonight, and he'll definitely be getting more minutes with the injuries tonight", commented Nate McMillan after the game. Crawford, Batum and Craig Smith are all expected to be inactive for the next game against the Pistons.

24 23 25 27 | 99 (2-3)
LaMarcus Aldridge: 29 pts, 6 rebs, 2 asts, 10-15 FG, 9-12 FT, hit game-winner (PotG)
Nolan Smith: 16 pts, 5 asts, 4 rebs, 3-3 3pt, 19 minutes
Wesley Matthews: 10 pts, 5 rebs, 4 stls, 3 asts
Gerald Wallace: 9 pts, 7 rebs, 4 asts
Raymond Felton: 8 pts, 9 asts, 3 rebs, 6 TO's, 2-12 FG
24 24 28 21 | 97 (1-4)
Manu Ginobili: 35 pts, 8 rebs, 3 asts, 13-26 FG
Tim Duncan: 17 pts, 5 rebs, 7-10 FG
Kawhi Leonard: 12 pts, 9 rebs, 2 asts, 4-6 FG

Pistons @ Blazers at a glance

Pistons Hand Shorthanded Blazers First Home Loss
Gerald Wallace's Struggles Continue

Pistons 82, Blazers 75 | Simmed Game | November 12, 2011 | Season Series: Detroit 1, Portland 0

Led by Rodney Stuckey's 19 points, the Pistons went to the Rose Garden and defeated the Blazers, who were missing three rotation players. Despite another solid night from rookie Nolan Smith, Portland didn't have the firepower down the stretch. J.R. Smith had 15 points and 4 rebounds in his Detroit Pistons debut.

(3-2)
Rodney Stuckey: 19 pts, 3 rebs, 2 asts, 4-11 FG, 10-10 FT
J.R. Smith: 15 pts, 4 rebs, 2 asts
(2-4)
LaMarcus Aldridge: 15 pts, 10 rebs
Nolan Smith: 15 pts, 7 rebs, 2 asts, 4 TO's
Raymond Felton: 10 pts, 6 asts, 4 rebs, 5-9 FG

I never realized how bad of a feature contract extensions would be...

[Martti.]

Nolan Smith is balling!

[Lamrock]

He has. He's rated like 12 points lower than Crawford, but has been gradually eating into his minutes by outplaying him significantly.

[The X]

Just shows ratings don't mean everything. For one person Nolan is a turd, for another he's a great spark off benc.

[Lamrock]

Blazers Streamroll Sixers Behind Huge Nights From Felton, Aldridge
Lou Williams' 27 points not even close to enough

Simmed Game | November 14, 2011: 76ers (3-4) @ Blazers (3-4) | Season Series: Portland 1, Philadelphia 0

Portland 111, Philadelphia 80

Raymond Felton's polarizing play continues: the veteran point guard had a season high 30 points on 10-15 shooting in a blowout win over the Sixers. Aldridge also had a big night with 24 and 15 as Portland improves to 2-3, winning in convincing fashion without Batum or Crawford.

Raymond Felton: 30 pts, 7 asts, 4 rebs, 4 stls, 10-15 FG, 7-9 FT, 3-5 3pt
LaMarcus Aldridge: 24 pts, 15 rebs, 3 blks, 7-22 FG, 10-11 FT
Gerald Wallace: 14 pts, 9 rebs
Wesley Matthews: 15 pts, 3 rebs

Lou Williams: 27 pts, 3 rebs, 3 asts
Andre Iguodala: 5 pts, 4 rebs, 2-9 FG

Crawford, Craig Smith to Return Against Chicago

After sitting a number of games with injuries, Blazer reserves Craig Smith and Jamal Crawford will return for their home game against the Chicago Bulls. Nate McMillan said he would regulate their minutes.

[Lamrock]

Week 3 In Review

Game of the Week

Blazers Escape Milwaukee With First Road Win
Aldridge Ties Career Scoring High With 42

Played Game | November 19, 2011: Blazers @ Bucks | Season Series: Portland 1, Milwaukee 0



Portland 93, Milwaukee 86

It took 42 points from LaMarcus Aldridge, but the Blazers finally have a road win this season. Against the starless but solid Milwaukee Bucks, the lead changed hands multiple times. In a polarizing game that saw the Bucks attempt 31 three point shots, but out-offensive rebound the Blazers 17-1, Portland stayed strong and locked down on defense down the stretch to win it 93-86.

EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND?

In his post-game interview, Aldridge defered credit to teammate Raymond Felton, who has struggled with shooting and turnovers all season. The former UNC point guard hard 9 points and 8 assists to just two turnovers. "Ray's been huge. He may be turning it over a lot but he's come in to a brand new system and led the league in assists."

BATUM RETURNS FROM INJURY

Nicolas Batum returned to play for the first time since going down with back spasms. He was limited to 12 minutes and one point.

19 31 25 18 | 93
22 20 33 11 | 86

LaMarcus Aldridge: 42 pts, 5 rebs, 14-19 FG, 14-20 FT
Wesley Matthews: 13 pts, 3 rebs, 2 asts
Raymond Felton: 9 pts, 8 asts, 3 rebs, 2 stls, 2 TO's, 7-8 FT

Andrew Bogut: 23 pts, 12 rebs, 10-16 FG
Brandon Jennings: 20 pts, 8 asts, 3 rebs
Stephen Jackson: 20 pts, 4 rebs, 2 asts

Other games:

Blazers Streamroll Sixers Behind Huge Nights From Felton, Aldridge
Lou Williams' 27 points not even close to enough

Simmed Game | November 14, 2011: 76ers (3-4) @ Blazers (3-4) | Season Series: Portland 1, Philadelphia 0

Portland 111, Philadelphia 80 - Read more.

Bulls Pull Away In Fourth
Turnovers Hurt Struggling Blazers Once Again

Played Game | November 16, 2011: Bulls (4-4) @ Blazers (3-5) | Season Series: Chicago 1, Portland 0

Despite good nights from LaMarcus Aldridge and Gerald Wallace, the Blazers were blown out on their home floor by the Chicago Bulls. The Blazers were in this game for most of it, but always trailed. A fourth quarter run led by Derrick Rose (who recovered from a slow start) helped carry the Bulls to another victory.

20 25 29 33 | 107
17 25 28 20 | 90

Carlos Boozer: 19 pts, 6 rebs, 6-8 FG, 7-8 FT
Derrick Rose: 15 pts, 10 asts, 7 rebs, 3 stls
Richard Hamilton: 17 pts, 7 asts, 6 rebs

LaMarcus Aldridge: 26 pts, 4 rebs, 3 asts
Gerald Wallace: 20 pts, 8 rebs, 3 stls, 8-15 FG, 3-5 3pt
Raymond Felton: 8 pts, 6 rebs, 10 asts, 5 TO's, 2-8 FG
Nolan Smith: 12 pts, 4 rebs, 4 TO's, 4-8 FG, 4-4 FT

Pacers Hold Off Blazers To Stay Hot
Gerald Wallace's Big Game Not Enough

Simmed Game | November 18, 2011: Blazers (3-6) @ Pacers (8-2) | Season Series: Indiana 1, Portland 0

Indiana 96, Portland 91

Despite what LaMarcus Aldridge called the best first half of Blazers basketball, Portland fell short in the second half as the 8-2 Pacers continue to roll. Portland lost despite a strong game from Gerald Wallace.

Dahntay Jones: 19 pts, 2 rebs, 2 asts, 8-15 FG
Roy Hibbert: 17 pts, 7 rebs
Paul George: 14 pts, 6 rebs, 4 stls

Gerald Wallace: 25 pts, 13 rebs, 4 blks, 10-16 FG
Raymond Felton: 12 pts, 9 asts, 4 rebs
LaMarcus Aldridge: 14 pts, 9 rebs, 4 TO's

Division Standings:

DEN | 6-2 | .750% | GB: 0
MIN | 6-3 | .667% | GB: .5
POR | 4-6 | .400% | GB: 3
OKC | 3-7 | .300% | GB: 4
UTA | 1-8 | .111% | GB: 5.5

[deihatein]

Typo in the Spurs recap. I thought you have a 3 game wining streak going on lol.

[Lamrock]

Good catch. Thanks.

[Lamrock]

BLAZERS SWAP CRAWFORD FOR BLAKE IN THREE TEAM DEAL


^ Incorrect jersey switch.

November 26, 2011 - After just three weeks, the Jamal Crawford experiment has come to an end. In a three team deal that sends Crawford to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Michael Beasley to the Lakers, Portland re-acquires veteran point guard Steve Blake, the Lakers' 2012 first-round draft pick and former three-point shootout winner Jason Kapono.

Crawford played just 13 games for the Blazers, but proved to be a poor fit, averaging just six points a game, and being outplayed nearly every game by rookie guard Nolan Smith. The departure of Crawford will open minutes for Smith, as well as Nicolas Batum, who has been unhappy with his playing time as of late. The return of Steve Blake is a confusing one for some fans, as he is still owed $12 million over the next three years, and is 31 years old. This is Blake's third stint with the team. The ninth year guard holds career averages of 7 points and 4 assists per game, and averaged career highs in scoring (11) and three point shooting (42%). The Lakers' draft pick is lottery protected for the next two seasons and Kapono is likely to be bought out.

The Lakers is the third stop in Michael Beasley's disappointing career. He will provide a much needed scoring punch off the bench. The Timberwolves deal a player that they see as similar, but an inferior product to rookie Derrick Williams and fill a need at arguably their weakest position.

Steve Blake is expected to debut on the road against the Dallas Mavericks. As their roster was full, second year guard Armon Johnson was waived to complete the deal.

[shadowgrin]

The awesome jersey switch brought me here.

[Lamrock]

The shitty thing is Crawford is going to Minnesota

[shadowgrin]

Which makes it even more awesome, he's going to the original Lakers!