I think we are going to have a lot of threads about this team since they are clearly a great team, have managed to be one despite Oden & Roy's problems, have the greatest fans in the NBA, the nicest guys and good individuals who were not expected to perform like this. Personally, I would love to be able to really be a fan of this team but I can't. The Rockets were my first love and I've never been able to support any other team since. There are some teams I love from back in the day but right now, despite all the problems the Rockets have and not having success in playoffs since 97 (09 the lone bright spot), I have to support them. I am not from the US so I have no connection to the city of Houston therefore it would be easy to switch. However, I'm not that type of person and I feel when you make a choice to support a team you do it for life, you cannot just switch because you feel like it. That means you are not a fan, but of course I can appreciate a great team with no media-w**** types and reasons already mentioned. Especially us Rockets fans, we can relate to Blazers fans with the recent injury history and despite some great battles, there's not the kind of rivalry that makes you hate the other team like the Jazz. The games are always good and there's no bad blood, always mutual respect. With the current team, I think it's great that: - Batum is having some good games - the trade for Wallace panning out who is a great defender and I can appreciate since we could've really used him and were in play for him - Aldridge has shown loyalty to the organization and not tooting his horn about not making the all-star team or looking for media attention. Same with Roy, guy was never like Kobe, Chris Paul and them. - Undrafted guy in Matthews is doing great - Nate McMillan is still there - Blazers for keeping Oden - Signing Crawford, just a great performer and quietly doing his thing
Great team, but they need depth and youth badly. They need to trade Batum (probably couldn't sign him back anyway) for solid bench players.
Do you mean specifically upfront? Because they are not an old team and have good depth at the wings and backcourt.
They are a great team, and if the Rockets don't make the playoffs I'll hope for a Western Conference finals matchup between them and OKC/Clippers. That being said, I want Batum back.
How scary good this team would be right now if not for injuries. Of course we've heard that too many times on clutchfans.
I meant the front court. I seriously doubt Camby and Kurt can last this season. Heck trading with the rockets would be a bad idea. We have a plethora of bench role players for contending teams. Rockets trade: Bud, Hill, future 2nd rd pick Blazers trade: Batum
I've lived in Portland all my life and I think this is the most excited the fans have been since the 90's Rip city era. I never would have though this with the retirment of Roy who was like the 2nd coming here and Oden's failures. The fans here are truly the best and loyal fans which was evident even in the Jail Blazer era. Having only 1 professional sports team in the State contributes to that but regardless they're great. This new uptempo, run style of play is fun and exciting. The true test will come in the playoffs when the game slows down and becomes more of a half court game. This is where Roy would have done a ton of damage. Still sad he had to retire. Instead it will be LaMarcus Aldridge who will be tested. He's a great player and is an All-Star now and I'm interested to see if he can take it to the next level and carry a team deep into the playoffs. I personally think he can especially since he's a hard worker and is focused on getting better and winning. It also helps that the core around him is very good and Nate is no slouch when it comes to coaching. I love the Rockets but it's easy to cheer for the Blazers to do well too.
I love the Blazers. I have no prior history with them but they're just an awesome team to watch. They have the greatest fans in the NBA for a reason. The Brandon Roy moments in the last 3 playoffs have been so awesome. The gamewinners against the Rockets (I can appreciate them since the Rockets won the series). When he first came on against Phoenix, the cheer was unreal. The 4th quarter comeback. And now this year they are so much fun to watch. Ray Felton is SO fast for such a chubby looking guy
