blazers over nugs, the 3 best rooks, et al.

a look around the nba... jan 31 07

blazers 100 - 91 denver: blazers win another game that most people probably expected them to come up short in. one win short of last year's tally, learning how to win AND playing their rooks and sophs, that's good stuff. i told my friend cam years ago that i would rather have the young, up and coming nuggets of the time (who had no shot at the playoffs, but were eager, hungry and talented), rather than our early 2001-03 blazer squads (which were surly and selfish individual players, guys who weren't going to get any better and who embarrassed the community) well, we've sure got the promise of chemistry, longevity and possible championships with this group. r.i.p. bob whitsitt.

john hollinger of espn stated that portland has the three best rookies in the league, in roy, lamarcus and sergio. we've got one of the finest teaching coaches in the league, a roster full of genuinely good people trying to make something work. and the genius thing is we could have a really successful year in comparison to the expectations, and we could still land greg oden or kevin durant. (and after the 37 and 23 he dropped on tech last night, i'm not so sure i wouldn't go with durant, the blazer future would instantly include a championship).

another good game for zach, great contribution from aldridge and roy and jarrett hit a couple of big shots that might help his confidence. this team is right on track.

other thoughts -

golden state gets hammered by atlanta, after getting clubbed by cleveland, sans lebron. ouch. maybe stephen jackson really is bad juju...

orlando shines behind darko and carlos. what happened to dwight howard and jameer nelson of late??

toronto takes out gilbert and co, behind big games from bosh and calderon. the raps are improving.

kobe takes out his frustration on the poor c's. how doc river still has a job is a mystery, but at least the kids are getting to play. al, gomes and delonte looking better and better. telfair can't even crack that line-up? another new york pg gone awry...

sacramento outlasts minnesota. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

houston slaps the sonics around, despite huge games from ray allen and nick collison. when tracy is feeling like this, no one is safe.

detroit hammers the nets at the meadowlands. does anyone still really believe that jersey can contend in the east? no chance. webber actually seems to be making the pistons better. go figure.

utah and san antonio grapple to virtual standstill in salt lake. two teams i can't stand beating the crap out of each other, great.

i know it was only the knickerbockers, but it seems like the bobcats are learning how to play. nice to see.

and the mavs do what they do... nuff said.



(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)