khandor’s sports blog

This is some of what’s been written in this space:

Jul 1, 2009, Memo to Kevin Pritchard
Jun 23 2009, NBA Double Jeopardy, for $2000
Mar 20, 2009, What the Blazers NEED most heading towards the playoffs
Feb 17, 2009, Ranking the Best Big Men in the NBA today
Oct 8, 2008, Greg, Brandon, Rudy, Travis, Martell, LaMarcus, et al.
Sep 25, 2008, Taking on all comers
Sep 23, 2008, 2nd Coming in the Pacific Northwest
Mar 27, 2008, Educating Greg Oden
Dec 22, 2007, Blazing a New [Old] Trail in Portland

concerning the goings-on with the Trail Blazers, since the 2007 NBA Draft.

Unlike others in the on-line hoops community, nothing which has happened since those entries were first made has changed the perspective of yours truly, regarding the ability of Greg Oden.

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Trail Blazers 93, Memphis 79: Pieces come together; Greg Oden unleashed
More and more, the Trail Blazers are learning just how much Greg Oden means to their success.Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Oden, and himself.

On Tuesday, Oden was the difference for the Blazers as they jumpstarted a five-game trip with a 93-79 rout of Memphis that ran the Blazers winning streak to three.

After playing only four minutes in the first half after two quick fouls, Oden was powerful on offense and intimidating on defense, helping the Blazers break away from a 45-45 halftime tie. Oden had 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks in the second half, and keyed the Blazers’ decisive 14-1 run in the third quarter.

“I was 0-fer in the first half,” Oden said, referring to his statistical line. “I wanted to get something going. And by running and giving energy, I thought it could definitely open things up.”

The emergence of Oden is getting the Blazers close to completing the diamond that coach Nate McMillan likes to make with his hands when talking about this team. McMillan puts his forefingers and thumbs together to symbolize the connection between

Prior to this season, that diamond has never been complete because Oden has been learning the ropes. But now, the team and Oden are getting the picture.

“The biggest thing about tonight is seeing how Greg is a huge part of what we do,” Roy said. “If we can keep him on the floor it makes us a much better team. It opens everything for all of us. So in a lot of ways, it starts with him.”

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It’s only a matter of time, when you have a stud … with the skill-set, personal qualities and physical attributes of Greg Oden … at the very heart of your team, at the Center position.

Sometimes … fully animated pictures do tell the story much better than 1000’s of words ever could.

As I’ve said before …

the Lakers best do their part to win the NBA championship THIS year!

It’s been a stretch of 31 seasons, in Portland, but … it’s safe to say that,

The Mojo has now returned to The Rose Garden … for REAL … with ‘The 2nd Coming’.

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[Please Note: Someone NEEDS to make a Photoshop poster, right now, of these 6 Young Guns, together, in the Pacific Northwest, as they set off on 'the trail', in search of 'The Holy Grail', last seen in this part of the USA when the original 'Mountain Man' walked these hills, at the very apex of his game ... with the Final Destination already determined, in advance ... cause it says right here, that ... It's ONLY A MATTER OF TIME, for a wrecking crew like this.]