Travis Outlaw Jacks the Detroit Pistons for Their Cash

There are two kinds out outlaws. 

1. The outlaw who jacks people for profit.

2. The outlaw who jacks the rich to give to the poor.

Travis Outlaw is the latter. 

Was there a single Blazer fan who, with the Blazers down one point with possession, did not scream "Give the ball to Outlaw!"

I sure did.  It was not even a close call.  The guy beat Memphis and Atlanta at the buzzer last season, plus came up huge in the fourth quarter against Phoenix and Boston this season.  Those are just four memorable accomplishments, but the list goes on. 

Remember when he was a rookie, drafted out of high school, skinny and lanky and kind of goofy looking, not really good for anything except coming off the bench and getting OWNED by whoever he went up against?  Now look at him, he's one of our most dangerous players down the stretch. 

Even though the Pistons were short two all stars (Sheed and Hamilton) they still had Iverson and Prince, and Prince put up one heck-of-a-fight against Portland.  The Pistons had us in their pocket most of the game. 

Luckily, the Blazers got energetic, the Rose Garden got SUPER loud, and the good guys gave themselves  a chance to win. 

The play McMillan ran was perfect, give the ball to Outlaw and let him shoot.  Outlaw jumped, two Piston defenders jumped to block him, but Travis pulled some Jordan 'hang time' and stayed in the air a little bit longer.   The giant Piston defenders returned to Earth, and Travis was left in the air with a wide open look at the basket.  Swish! 

Thus Travis Outlaw came along and JACKED the Pistons for their cash!  And who did he give the money too?   Why, the Blazer fans, of course. 

He stole from the rich and gave to the poor! 

There was still time for the Pistons to win and I do not think any Blazer fan was excited about the Pistons having eight seconds left to shoot.  But the Blazers played great defense and did not allow Iverson to penetrate, draw a double team, and find an open man.  Detriot's best play would have been to have Prince shoot...but Steve Blake played Iverson one on one and forced him to miss.  Blazers nab the rebound and win by one point!

HUGE win for a Blazer team who, if they are going to make the playoffs, will have to scratch and claw their way.  

On the side note, people who are still bashing Greg Oden should take heed from a player like Outlaw.  Sometimes people who are struggling at a task, with enough practice, become one of the best!    The emergence of players like Outlaw is a sign that the Blazers are going to get our big man into better shape as the season, and his career, progresses. 

And hey, anyone remember Yao Ming's rookie year?  What did HE do?

So I have a ticket for Saturday night, and hopefully I will see the Blazers run down the hoodlum Golden State Warriors and jack them for their cash too!