Blazers' Fire

Soooo...what? Do the TrailBlazers only find the energy to do it up proper against the Lakers? Does the old bitterness run so deep within the franchise that no matter how bad things get, the Blazers still make an effort to Beat LA?

Come on, that makes no sense. Most of the current TrailBlazers were still in junior high when LA beat Portland in the 2000 Western Conference Finals--when the fortunes of both franchises began to turn around. So why play so hard against the Lakers and so often lackadaisically against everybody else? These Blazers have no emotional stake in the old Portland/LA feud.

That vaguely disinterested play was on full display the other night against the Houston Rockets. Even after Tracy McGrady went out with yet another injury to his back, the Blazers didn't bother with this game--one that was easily winnable had they tried at all after halftime.

It was close that first half and most of the third quarter. Then Portland seemed to just give up, though only God knows why. Houston went on a 22-8 run, Portland didn't respond, and the Rockets extended their lead throughout the rest of the game.

Final score: 102-84. Hint, guys: Don't give up when you're only down six, okay? Wait til it's at least a dozen.

Sidelines: Next game is on Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks in the American Airlines Arena in Dallas. The Mavs have lost a couple of times lately--to top teams like the Spurs and Suns. No way they lose at home to the Blazers.

Steve Blake scored a career-high twenty-three points.

|  Add to del.icio.us |  digg this