The hardest part of the Blazers road loss to the Los Angeles Clippers came in the third quarter when Brandon Roy the Blazer candidate for Rookie of the Year went down with injury.Roy played just 14 minutes before telling McMillan he couldn't go any more. He wants everyone to know, "I didnt get hurt tonight," Roy said. "I have been having some difficulty lately. A bone next to my Achilles' is bothering me.
He injured it at first back in training camp, then against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the home opener, he felt it give, just a little. Tonight, "It just hurt too much to play. The doctor said I needed to rest and get it looked at. I am going to have an MRI tomorrow when I get back to Portland."
Until then, Coach MacMillan will do what he does, get his team ready to play. Nate was impressed in the loss by a few things. Nate was pretty impressed by Zach Randolph's play, saying, ``I thought he was fabulous with his post presence.'' The Los Angeles' victory overcame a 35-point, 13-rebound performance by Randolph, who also blocked three shots.
Randolph thinks he is growing as a player already this year. `I did better in the second half on getting the ball out quick,'' said Randolph, alluding to times when he was double-teamed. ``It's something we work on in practice, getting the ball out quick and finding an open man.'' MacMillan wants Randolph to stay and play at the low post almost exclusively, not only to dish the ball out, but to battle the boards and increase his shot percentage. The outside shot will improve as a result. Zach is buying into this. He is responding, much to his benefit as a player and a scorer.
Ime Udoka had 10 points and 11 rebounds in the loss, doing well to earn a double double. The Portland State star is evolving. and Jarrett Jack finished with 17 points, only seven after the first quarter.
This team is hurting but adapting. Wednesday night we host the Lakers at the Rose Garden. Be assured. We will sell out again, and the team will respond to the 20,000 hopeful fans that cheer them on that night!
Maybe we can pick it up on TNT or ESPN, I have to check the schedule!!
...Meanwhile
At the Oregonlive.com Portland Trailblazer site, the bloggers are unsettled arleady!
Here is a small piece of their recent posts:
from: BIazergod22
Absolute Nightmare!. Both of our draft picks are injured now? Not to mention our starting center (who we gave a huge contract) is bedridden? And Miles is out for the season? Oh and on top of that Webster's back is hurt? Could things get ANY worse?
from:BlazerFan22
So we lost to a better team. Sence when did everyone expect the Blazers to make the playoffs. I mean peaple get down over a loss to a better team like this? It's stupid.
There is always more. This is a very energetic bunch on this site!
I encourage everyone to come in and participate! It is a kick!!
Please. Visit. Then let me know what you think, then, leave me a comment:
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