10 Things That Can Make Trail Blazers 2009 Season a Tale Of Woe...

I was surprised to read in the paper today that even though we lost last nights home game to the New Orleans Hornets, local sports writers said it was an encouraging sign Blazer back up center Joel Pryzbilla almost came to blows against Hornets starting center Tyson Chandler.  

What was so encouraging about it?  Chandler has been ejected three times from the Rose Garden, and I was at the first two.  

That shoving match was business as usual.

Aldridge standing up to Garnett, great!  Anytime the Blazers take on Lamar Odom...pristine!  But if Joel and Tyson are going to have words in the Rose Garden...Blazers need to WIN. 

Otherwise it's wasted heroics.  Or just foolery.

I know we did not have Brandon Roy, but that was no excuse not to accept the fact that a loss like this proves The Trail Blazers are still on the verge of having a season that is a tale of woe.   We are just a little bit better in the win percentage this season than we were last season, and last season we got knocked out of the playoffs. 

Despite beating the world champs, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Houston...all teams that have whooped us for the last four years...it does not mean we are going to make the playoffs. 

I've been to a dozen great games...and they were all early on in the season.  Wait until it gets closer to the finish line...then see if we're the tortoise or the hair.  

Blazer fans, ask yourselves: Is this team the 1999 Sacramento Kings, the 2001 Dallas Mavericks, or are we another 2004 Portland Trail Blazers, just a few games away from valiantly making the playoffs...only to be eliminated. 

The question made me make up a list of 10 things that could happen over the next four months that could turn our season into a tale of woe.

1. Injuries

I know it's cliche, but cliches exist for a reason.  They're true!  Last season we would have made the playoffs and been a legitimate contender, until three-point veteran specialist James Jones went out with a bum knee.  That injury was our season, our three week losing streak, and our playoff hopes all in one. 

2. Revenge of the Texas Triangle

Good veteran teams know that when upstarts give them an embarrassing loss, the response is to dominate them the rest of the season.  The Rockets and San Antonio Spurs will most likely beat us in their arenas (combo 4 games) and are likely to return to the Rose Garden with a chip on their shoulder.  (combo 2 games)  Did I mention Dallas made us look silly on Christmas day?  (combo 3 games)  So that is NINE games where the Texas Triangle can send us crushing defeats.

3. Zach Randolph

Okay, so the Clippers suck...but Zach Randolph still wants to make us suffer.  That double over time performance he put on to give us our third straight loss in a row will be there to face us three more times, twice in his home town.  

4.  That buffoon Shaq O'Neal:

I do not think Shaq takes a personal interest in us, more than he just wants to squash us like bugs.  When Phoenix returns to the Rose Garden...can Brandon Roy really turn into a superhero like that again?

We'll need him too, because Phoenix will bring the exact same game they brought last time...only better.

5. Rasheed Wallace

Another disgruntled former employee.  Hey, when he slammed that ball down at the end of the Pistons embarrassing home loss to the Trail Blazers, he did not just punctuate his disdain...he reminded us that the Pistons will be in our house soon.  When that happens, one better believe they plan to win big time.

6. Buzzer beaters:

When Hedo Turkoglu hit that sloppy back board buzzer beater to give us our first home loss of the season, the Blazers reacted as if they had lost a playoff series.  Losing at home, even at the buzzer, is something we need to let go of quicker.  Regular season is just practice for the playoffs. 

Instead, we allowed the momentum of that game turn into a three game losing streak.  A shot like that should make us come out and trounce our next opponent. 

Which brings me to my next point...

7. Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson, and the Los Angeles Lakers

If you wear the Blazers uniform, part of your job is to remember the pain those three names have caused this city, and take it personal.  I know that the Blazers always play well against L.A., but this L.A. team is a far more dangerous L.A. opponent than any we have faced since 2004. 

We cannot possibly defeat them in Los Angeles, as they are far too powerful.  And when they get to Portland...Kobe is going to be fully prepared to keep a close game in which he finishes us off at the buzzer.  NOTHING could be worse than Kobe sinking our team at home at the buzzer...and he knows it.  Phil Jackson knows it.  They expect it.  They'll play for it...

8. Fatigue on the road:

Just because we played well during a difficult opening schedule on the road, does not mean we will finish well on the road.  Already I have listed a total of 18 GAMES where we have an opponent who wants to give us crushing defeats. 

Add that 18 up with the OTHER 14 games we have on the road...our legs could start getting tired.  The jet lag will kick in.  Crushing defeats by old enemies and buzzer beaters could start adding up to a deadly case of fatigue on the road.

9. Lack of veteran discipline:

All year long the Blazers broadcasters, the local journalists, and even the fans have said we should not make any trades because we are playing so well.  Those people are well-meaning, but I disagree.  

The Pistons were willing to trade Chauncey Billups this season, and THAT is the guy we should have gone after.  I would have given up anyone but Rudy, Roy, Aldridge, and Oden for Billups.  

Still, there are other valuable veterans, leaders, across this league looking for homes.  This young team will need a veteran (or two) if we are to not just to make the playoffs, but go far.

10. Making the playoffs only to get SWEPT!!!

AHH!  What if we land the seventh or eight spot...and face up against Los Angles, San Antonio, Denver, Houston, or New Orleans?  I'll tell you what...we'll probably get SWEPT.  The first game on the road we will lose by 10-15 points.  The second and third games we will lose by 2-3.  And the fourth we will lost by 10. 

Serious.  Because as much as I want to make the playoffs...I do not want to make the playoffs and get SWEPT.  Especially by L.A. 

If we get swept...sorry Blazer fans, our season is but a tale of woe.

So there you have it.

We needed last nights game.  We just because a fight nearly broke out, that does not help.  In fact, it really just makes things worse.

Go Blazers!