X's Blazers Dynasty (NBA Live 06)

[The X]

ahhh nice to be back on the boards...... great to see your dynasty back on track..... i'll be catching up on this one and the others...... keep it up man.....

good to see you back on the boards....you've been MIA for a little bit....good to have you back

[The X]

BLAZERS MONTHLY RECAP - JANUARY 2006

A 2-4 month in January wasn't the kind of start to 2006 that he had hoped for. As the team languishes well back in the Northwest Division with a 5-11 record, you can't help but wonder about many close games when the Blazers have let their opportunities slip away.

Zach Randolph once again led the way and has put himself in a position where he has to at least be in the running for an All-Star Reserve spot. He's been the team's go-to-guy throughout the season, and January was no different. Outside of Randolph, consistency once again remains the problem with this very young and inexperienced squad.

With the All-Star break and only 13 games remaining in the season, the playoffs are looking to be further and further out of the equation with each passing loss. However, it just takes one big win to turn a season around and Portland will have to perservere on. Nate will be looking at February as a key month to hopefully build some momentum after the All-Star break when many other teams come out sluggish. And who knows, there could be a trade or two in the works with the trade deadline fast approaching.


THE MONTH THAT WAS (JAN '06)







Blazers Among League Leaders

F/C- Zach Randolph - 11.3rpg (9th in NBA)
G- Sebastian Telfair - 6.6apg (15th in NBA)

[The X]

AROUND THE LEAGUE (JANUARY '06)


STANDINGS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Atlantic Division
Central Division
Southeast Division


WESTERN CONFERENCE

Northwest Division
Pacific Division
Southwest Division


AWARDS

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Eastern Conference Player of the Month
Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month


WESTERN CONFERENCE

Western Conference Player of the Month
Western Conference Rookie of the Month


MVP WATCH

MVP Candidates


TRANSACTIONS

No transactions for month


KEY INJURIES

No significant injuries during month

[The X]

GAME OF THE MONTH (JANUARY '06)

Each month I will do a quick recap of what I considered to be the best or most significant game of the month. This month sees Northwestern division rivals, the Portland Trailblazers (4-8) hosting the division leading Denver Nuggets (10-6).


Jan 23, 2006 - Portland 83 vs Denver 103 [2nd Qtr INTERVENTION GAME]


The Denver Nuggets jumped out to a quick lead to lead the Portland Trailblazers by 8pts, 17-25. In the 2nd quarter, the Blazers immediately struck back with some good defensive intensity and some good transistion basketball. Unfortunately for the Blazers the Nuggets got hot in the last minute of the quarter to go into the half-time break up by 6pts, 42-48.


Earlier in the 2nd quarter, Darius Miles (above left) tells Andre Miller to go back to grade skill cos that's where he learnt to do that; meanwhile swingman Travis Outlaw (above right) was smart enough on this play to realise that he has an ever so slight height advantage over Earl Boykins as he drills the 3 over the pint-sized Nugget

In the 3rd quarter, both teams traded baskets, defensive stops and runs as the game looked like it might go down to the wire.


If the ref didn't see that blatant shove by Joel Przybilla (above) on Dermarr Johnson, then neither did we

That is until Voshon Lenard and Dermarr Johnson decided to catch fire late in the 3rd quarter to open up a huge 15pt lead, 62-77, going into the final stanza. A couple of ill-fated minutes seemed to essentially seal the game unless the Blazers could dig deep and pull off the unthinkable.

The Blazers tried in vein to launch an unlikely comeback as they threw different lineups at the Nuggets to catch them off guard.


Viktor 'Kryptonite' Khryapa (above) seemed to be causing some trouble for Nuggets' star Kenyon Martin on the low block as Krypto just abused him on this play for the duece

But alas, it was over. The Denver Nuggets had ending up blowing away Portland on the road 83-103. What seemed like a golden opportunity to get a big win in a relatively weak division turned out to be a drubbing.


In the end, Kryptonite was no much for this Superman, as Kenyon (above left) just posterised Viktor on the very next possession. Note the way that Kenyon (above right) shows Krypto who the boss is, and I'm pretty sure he wasn't referring to Tony Danza

Denver (11-6) showed a superiority over Portland (4-9) that will likely lead it to the Northwest Division title. Another failed test for the Blazers, there's always next time I guess.

The Player of the Game was rising star Carmelo Anthony who did what he had to do to get his team the W.


I guess Nate should have let Ruben weave his magic before the game by planting some substances in Carmelo's locker. He didn't so the Blazers lose once again

[The X]

LINE OF THE MONTH (JANUARY '06)

Each month I'll post a statistical line that really jumped out at me during the month. It might be an outstanding performance or a very poor performance by a player. Hope you enjoy.

This month was slightly different from the past as there was 2 fine performances from the team's 2 bigs.


Jan 24, 2006 - Portland 108 at New Orleans 90



Joel Przybilla has been around the league and despite only being in his mid-20s, he was being tabbed as a journeyman so early in his career. However, last season Przybilla emerge as a capable bigman of the future as he posted near double-double numbers for the season, with great promise expected in the 2005-06 season.

To date this season, Przybilla has been a bit of a disappointment for the Blazers who expected to see growth, but are instead faced with the possibility that the 2004-05 season was just an aberration. Hope is not lost though after a great outing in Oklahoma City in which he was awarded Player of the Game.

Przybilla put up his best game of the season against the Hornets as he posted 24pts (on 9/12 FG), 8rebs & 3blks in 31mins of action. The kid even hit a trey. However, it wasn't the scoring that should be applauded, it was the way he played in the 4th quarter to secure the win. Not only did he make clutch baskets down the stretch, but he controlled the paint on the defensive end and used his fouls (5) to maximum efficiency. If the Blazers get more games like these out of big Joel, a fat contract extension is sure to come his way.


Big Joe Country grabs the board, makes the layup and one with the foul


Who woulda thought, Big Joe Country has a couple of moves. Guess he's been working on those in practice


Is it me or is Big Joe Country calling me out (above left). And what has to be the most controversial pic, as Pryz-bizz (above right) shows Juan Dixon what he thinks of all that locker room slagging he's been taking as he shows him the big hand


Jan 30, 2006 - Portland 113 at New York 116



Whereas Joel Przybilla might be tabbed as the Blazers' pivot of the future, it was a shot-blocking vet who stole the show in Madison Square Garden. Ratliff had his 1st 20-10 game in years it would seem as he used his wiry, active body to trouble the Knicks.

Ratliff not only scored big (23pts on 10/13 shooting), but his work on the boards (11rebs incl. 5 off) and with his palms (3blks), and all in only 18mins of action. Ratliff caused headaches for the Knicks' bigmen as he helped to hold newcomer Eddy Curry (10pts, 2rebs) and star rookie Channing Frye (2pts, 6rebs) to sub-par games. His superb play allowed the Blazers every shot of winning the game, which they just fell short in.

The Blazers are hoping Theo can provide a lot more games like this. Not just to help them win games, but to increase his trade value around the league. His contract is a real burden (about 3 years, $12.1mill per remaining), but with games like this, he becomes a more tradeable commodity as opposed to his current low trade value.


Theo Ratliff looked more like the wiry kid out of Wyoming that the overpaid, injury-prone veteran on this night

[The X]

PLAYER CARD OF THE MONTH (JAN '06)



Big Joe Country had a small coming out party during the month. But it was the way he showed Juanny his bit mitts that sold him for Player Card of the Month


That took a while to get done, hope you guys think it was worth it....that's it for this monthly recap....this month was completely quickly, please don't expect the same for February as All-Star Weekend and my schedule should slow me down slightly

cheers
X

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

Big Joe Country, Pryz-bizz, Krypto, Kryponite... you're on a roll...

[Fresh8]

Nice work with the recap X! And btw, Melo rocks my jocks!

[Mark.]

A not so bad month, good games by your pivot men, and good to see Zach preforming well, although I would like to see D-Miles stepping up a little more

[The X]

Big Joe Country, Pryz-bizz, Krypto, Kryponite... you're on a roll...

yep, you shouldn't have prompted me on the names, once I start, it's all over these names just randomly pop into my head as I write the recaps

oh, and it's Kryptonite....I mispelled it in the recap but is all fine now

but I felt like my dynasty was missing something that was integral to my Bobcats' dynasty....that being humour, the ability to laugh at oneself and one's team so will try and keep pic captions fresh....

Nice work with the recap X! And btw, Melo rocks my jocks!

oh boy and I'm guessing you rock Kobe's jocks?!? is that how it goes

A not so bad month, good games by your pivot men, and good to see Zach preforming well, although I would like to see D-Miles stepping up a little more

I would call it a mediocre month, which is probably just about where my team is sitting at the moment

yep, I'm starting to get a little more production out of the big guys, especially Ratliff who looks like he's in a contract year or something

as for Miles, I also would like to see him step up a little more also....I am slowly going to endeavour to make him more of an integral part of the offense....a 1-2 punch with Zach and Darius....he did post a 20+ pt game in my last game and could have been a hero had it not been for Michael Doleac's big head

[Jugs]

Zach is the man! I hope he gets an all-star spot.

2-4 is not bad, but you're only 2 games behind 8th spot. Good to see the biggies getting some biggy numbers

Give Sergei 'Money' Monia some playing time

[The X]

Zach is the man! I hope he gets an all-star spot.

2-4 is not bad, but you're only 2 games behind 8th spot. Good to see the biggies getting some biggy numbers

Give Sergei 'Money' Monia some playing time

you want me to give 'Pneumonia' more PT I would luv to....but I thought you wanted me to give time to Outlaw and Webster and others....I've got a real logjam at the swingman positions

as for the bigs, yep, all 3 seem to be getting into a nice rhythm....Zach's been superb and does deserve an All-Star spot....

[The X]

TRADE RUMOURS SWIRL THROUGHOUT LEAGUE CIRCLES

By 'The X'
NLSC Insider


Updated: Feb. 13, 2006, 6.14 PM ET --

It has been reported from various reliable sources that the Portland Trailblazers are actively shopping forward Ruben Patterson and are frantically trying to get a deal made by the February 23 deadline.

Rumours have been floating around for weeks, but the most serious discussions involve a Portland trade with either the New York Knicks and the Sacramento Kings.

One scenario that has been discussed involves the Blazers sending Ruben Patterson and rookie swingman Sergei Monia to the Knicks for forwards Malik Rose and David Lee. It is believed that Isiah Thomas wants a tough-minded, defensive SF. Since Pacers' forward Ron Artest is out of the equation, Zeke has turned his attention to Patterson.

Once these rumours surfaced publicly, Thomas immediately squashed them and stated that he had 'no intention of trading away any of his promising young rookies'. It is believed that the Blazers aren't sold on giving up their promising Russian Monia either, and would instead prefer to part with well-travelled guard Charles "Spider" Smith and possibly sweeten the deal by throwing in a future 2nd Round pick. That change would probably be a deal-breaker right there.

One trade scenario that has yet to go public, but we believe could be gathering wind involves the Blazers sending Ruben Patterson to the Kings for forward Corliss Williamson. This seems like a strange deal, perhaps there will be other throw-ins. Both player's salaries and contracts match up closely. However, Williamson is considered more a tweener and might not be what the Blazers need. But I've got a gut feeling about this one, and I know that some of the Blazers' management covets Williamson and his scoring ability in the paint. They also believe he will have no problems playing at the 4 once again, as he did at times earlier in his career. The deal actually makes sense for the Kings who really need someone to come in, hustle and play hard defense, especially with Peja starting at SF. Although, the Williamson deal could be a smokescreen and a Brian Skinner trade might be more likely.

Other teams that have shown interest in Ruben Patterson include the Golden State Warriors, who appear not willing to give up much more than a couple of scrubs; and the Washington Wizards, who are trying to get rid of the once promising but often injured Etan Thomas. Wherever the Blazers do or don't do, we will endeavour to keep you up-to-date to the latest news, rumours and words from around the league.

[Jugs]

Zach is the man! I hope he gets an all-star spot.

2-4 is not bad, but you're only 2 games behind 8th spot. Good to see the biggies getting some biggy numbers

Give Sergei 'Money' Monia some playing time

you want me to give 'Pneumonia' more PT I would luv to....but I thought you wanted me to give time to Outlaw and Webster and others....I've got a real logjam at the swingman positions

as for the bigs, yep, all 3 seem to be getting into a nice rhythm....Zach's been superb and does deserve an All-Star spot....

I forgot about Webster

You do havee a logjam. And nice rumours article

[Buckley]

nice x.....hope randolph makes all-star game

[pHLo]

hm...
the recaps are much better than your team, i still hope they'll be more successful until for the remainder of the seaon.

nice job on the rumours

keep it up

[kibaxx7]

Kryptonite is good for Khryapa Tough losses X, that lines of the month are really good

[Fresh8]

Hey X... why not think about gettitng Mo Pete?

[Jing]

haha big joe country. great recap X

[The X]

nice x.....hope randolph makes all-star game

it's iffy....he's putting up great numbers on a losing team....not sure how the other PF's (Duncan, Nowitzki, Gasol, etc) are going....I'm hoping he slides into the 11th or 12th man spots

hm...
the recaps are much better than your team, i still hope they'll be more successful until for the remainder of the seaon.

nice job on the rumours

keep it up

too true....and it's not like I'm tanking the season....the amount of close games that I have lost and continue to lose are haunting me....I guess it's the difference between a playoff team and well, my team....I just need to start making a few more FT's....68% or whatever it is for season is horrid

glad you liked the rumours....tried to add some sort of ESPN-like article/rumours and writing professionalism to the dynasty....who knows, maybe Sit can be a spot NLSC Insider writer for this dynasty too

talking about Sit....

Hey X... why not think about gettitng Mo Pete?

what makes you say that? I know I could really use a bigger SG who brings consistency, but I'm not sure yet if I want to clog up the position anymore....if team is out of playoff race by March, I'll start giving Martell more PT and hopefully develop him into my future starting SG

Kryptonite is good for Khryapa Tough losses X, that lines of the month are really good

yep, Kryptonite's next objective is stopping Shaq

yep, another few tough losses....glad u like the line of the month

haha big joe country. great recap X

yep, name seemed appropriate and cheers


also everyone, would like some feedback on what the NLSC Insider said about potential Ruben Patterson deals....does anyone like them?!? are the legit or are they smokescreens?!?

let me know
X

[H Rock]

The whole West is shamefully weak. You're 6 games under 500, but only two games out of the playoffs. And it's good to see the young Pryz-bizz playing well. I predict he will be a star.

[Fresh8]

Fair enough... who's in ur SF roation? Mo Pete can play the 3...

[The X]

The whole West is shamefully weak. You're 6 games under 500, but only two games out of the playoffs. And it's good to see the young Pryz-bizz playing well. I predict he will be a star.

you like Mighty Joe Young hey?!? a star....don't know about that....but with the dearth of talented big man, it could be one of the best pivots in the league....

and yep, the West is pretty shameful....I honestly thought I was well out of the playoff picture until Jugs pointed it out to me otherwise....

Fair enough... who's in ur SF roation? Mo Pete can play the 3...

at the moment....
SF- D. Miles/R. Patterson/T. Outlaw/V. Khryapa/S.Monia

still think there's more for Mo?

perhaps if I gave away 2 swingmen for Mo Pete....I'll have a look into it though....I won't leave any stone unturned....thanks for the heads-up mate

[Fresh8]

No worries... just thought that Mo Pete sounds more interesting than... Corliss Willaimson.. yuck!

[The X]

I need a PF though and it's thin pickings....might hold out until draft....don't know....but I like Corliss well, at least I did about 10 years ago