KingSpeed

Oh boy. Great frickin win. Great frickin win. Does that make us 3-1 in OT games? I think so.

First of all, Travis Outlaw.

Second of all, Sergio Rodriguez.

Okay. That's my column.

Just kidding. Oh my lord. I've spent $5000 on this trip. Actually, if you include the Boston trip, it's over $6000. This game made it worth it.

Sergio, Sergio, Sergio. He shot us right back into this game. We don't win without his back to back threes in the first half. Our starters were horrible to start both halves, but Sergio came in and righted the ship both times. It was beautiful to see. Especially since I called for Sergio to be benched in my last column. My bad.

It's a bit disturbing that we keep getting burned by the other team's shooting guard. Ray Allen, Dwayne Wade, and Joe Johnson all got 35+ against us. But we won two of the games so I'll take it.

Now to the important stuff-- Taurean Green got a haircut and the A-Town Dancers, as they call themselves, only have 9 dancers. Cutting cost, I guess. Also- a real live Hawk flies down to the court at the top of the game. Pretty cool. Place was pretty empty at the start of the game and never really filled up that much. Probably the smallest crowd of the 4 games I've gone to but ABM told me it was a huge crowd for Atlanta.

An hour before the game, Jack was the only one shooting. I said hello to Mike and Mike. Oh, and ABM introduced me to Wheels after the game. He knew who I was. That was cool.

Back to the game, what a game. I've said this before and I will say it again. I'm sorry folks, but like it or not, say what you want, but honestly, TRAVIS OUTLAW is one of the TOP 5 clutch guys in the league right now. Period. And I'm not just talking about his TWO game winning shots on the ROAD. He hits big shot after big shot in 4th quarters and overtime periods. He is so focused when the game is on the line and it's amazing to watch. You knew that Nate was going to go to him at the end of the overtime. Roy had his chance so then it was time to give Travis Clutch Outlaw a chance.

ABM and I met in person for the first time before the game and then we went out for a drink afterwards. He's a great guy.

I'm gonna watch the games on TNT now and like or not, Blazer fans, call it sacrilege, but I'm rooting for the Lakers tonight. I figure they can lose all the upcoming games to the Spurs, Cavs, Mavs and on their 9 game road trip, but I want a Denver loss tonight. Our first priority is to win the division and a Nuggets loss puts us back in the lead.

Don't look now but it's the halfway point of the season and we are 25-16. That's halfway to a 50 game season. It sounds crazy to say, but it looks like EIGHT teams may win 50 games out West this season. Maybe even 9. Winning the division is crucial.

Off to New Orleans in the morning. Can't wait for that game. A win gives us the series win. That would be huge.

Hope you are all well.

Go Blazers.

Peace.

OH I FORGOT to add-- I met ....HurriKane (is that his name?) from in here. Nathan's his real name. Really nice guy. Great to meet him. Great to meet you, Nathan!

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BBert

Sounds like you are having a blast, Zack. Thanks for the field reports.

Go Blazers!

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In KP I trust.

lyleb123

A nice report and I am enjoying a wonderful season.

Talkhard

Great report, Zack. It's fun reading your posts after the games. It makes this road trip (and these victories) even more enjoyable.

I can't figure out what got into Travis Outlaw. Last year he still looked like a fumbling, bumbling rookie, but this year he's looking more and more like a real pro and a savvy veteran. I guess the only thing you can chalk it up to is confidence. I have to admit I never thought he would amount to much in the NBA, but boy was I wrong.

It occured to me that, between the two of us, we've covered every game on this road trip. I was there for the NJ game and you're covering all the rest. That's probably a first in the history of this Blazer board.

Keep up the good work. Let's get this next game and go home with a winning road trip under our belt!

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"Damn the Blazers. Damn them to hell. They are working the rest of the league like a speed bag." --Jay, lifelong Pacers fan

TLo

ABM is a great guy. I'm glad you got to meet him!

Perfection

Outlaw is a complete stud. He can't be covered in isolation and has developed a very consistent jumper that is difficult for anyone but the most athletic studs (see Josh Smith) can effect. He will get much more money on his next contract but hopefully he'll take the full MLE from the Blazers to stay and win in Portland.

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KingSpeed

Thanks TalkHard. Unfortunately, we both missed the Toronto game, ANOTHER game in which Travis made a big shot. He's amazing.

Also- I forgot to mention that James Jones had what I think was his first post up of the season. A turnaround jumper. I've seen every game this season and I don't remember seeing that before.

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Driew

On the broadcast Mike and Mike were talking about Segio and how much of a man crush Steve Smith had on him before the game. Steve Smith is a commentator for the Hawks and apparently during halftime he was just in awe of Segio haha.

Dan

6000 bucks?

It's good to be King, ain't it Eric?

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A Buddhist walks up to a hot dog vendor and says "Make me one with everything".

when will the loss of life end?

The world respects the power of our example, not an example of our power.

I'd like to say I made this, but I didn't

ABM

Eric, wow, what a GREAT game/win!

As well, had a lot of fun meeting you and chatting after the game. That was fun, as well. Oh, and yes, we definitely need to work towards planning a Blazer Bash for next year. The timing will be perfect. I chatted a bit with Wheels tonight and he suggest we go all out and get the suite. There are a lot of good plans out there now.

Anyway, thanks again for the beer. Hope you have a safe trip to Nola. Root the Blazers on to another victory!!

SodaPopinski

I was going to actually call you out on this, until I started trying to think of five guys who should be ahead of him. I don't know if I'd agree, because he's not the primary option and doesn't draw the other team's best defender, but dude has been Mr. 4th Quarter. Probably a little overstated on your part, but I understand and respect the gesture.

-Pop

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Dan

Cheese and crackers, what the **** does Wheels think we are, millionaires?

__________________
A Buddhist walks up to a hot dog vendor and says "Make me one with everything".

when will the loss of life end?

The world respects the power of our example, not an example of our power.

I'd like to say I made this, but I didn't

HurraKane212

That's me. It was nice to meet you as well. I'd loved to have stayed and chatted (and not just because your seats were SO much better than mine...) but my family was waiting on me.

BTW I tried to meet the Blazers afterwards but it was "with a pass only." What do I gotta do to get a pass? I am going to try to make the next @ Memphis or @ Charlotte game and I am going to have to write KP an essay on how I am a lifelong Blazers fan in exile.

Again, great to meet you, and great to see a Blazers win!

P.S. I sat by some other Blazers fans and I saw several more. I wonder if Blazers fans would have come to the road games 2 years ago?

~Nathan

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