Starting Wednesday morning at 12:01 a.m.... Kevin Pritchard will officially be in "The Game".   Afterall, that's the beginning of the NBA's free-agency period.  A time to flirt with prospective players, and gauge their interest on possibly joining the Blazers.   Sure, there's the Turkoglu's, the Miller's, and the Kidd's of the world that will be looking for work.  But, where KP has to be at his best is via trade.   That's where he's gonna make a serious splash.   And, with last week's trade of Vince Carter to Orlando for Rafer Alston and others.... it immediately begs the question, "Is Devin Harris available?"   Why else would they acquire Alston?   He's certainly not a point guard who will come off the bench.   There is no question that the Net's are trying to clear cap space.   If the Blazers offered up Outlaw and Blake and a future draft pick, would you make this move?    I'd do it in a heartbeat (and I'm a BIG FAN of Blake).   But the NBA isn't about making (and keeping) friends.   Harris is a guy that Pritchard has coveted for a few years.   Remember, the Blazers did try to make a play for him a couple years ago.  All Harris did last year is go out and average 21 pts and 7 assists a game.   By comparison, Blake was 9 and 4.   Then, they could address the other holes with their remaining cap space in free agency.   Love the thought...now KP has to make it a reality!

The NBA Draft is now less than a week away and the Blazers worked out six more players at the practice facility.   One of them, Guard Jeremy Pargo of Gonzaga, is back for his second workout in six weeks. 

Pargo is more than just excited about the draft.  "I'm scared," said Pargo, "Oh my god. It's a day you dream of. It's a day you run from. I'm running from it right now.  It's coming and its coming quick.  You just have to sit down and watch it with your family and get throught it.  That's the biggest thing."

Jeremy has worked out 14 times for different NBA Teams.  The Blazers have the 24th pick in the first round and four second round picks.  Pargo is not sure what they are thinking.  "These guys don't give off much," said Pargo, "their body language is the same as the first time and I don't think things are going to change much between now and the 25th." 

Draft Day will definately be exciting...for Pargo and Blazers fans, no matter what happens. 

  If only for a day he is!   College Basketball's reigning 'Player of the Year' will get to strut his stuff for the Blazers brass on Tuesday out in Tualatin.

  I know I'm not only in thinking that Tyler Hansbrough would be the perfect fit for the Blazers second unit.   He brings a championship attitude, mental toughness, and physical play that Portland has lacked as of late.

  Joining Hansbrough for a pre-draft workout will be Darren Collison (UCLA), Jeff Pendergraft (ASU), Justin Dentmon (UW), Derrick Brown (Xavier) and Dante Cunningham (Villanova).

  Maybe one of these guys is the apple of Kevin Pritchard's keen draft eye.   We'll wait 8 more days to find out!

If the last two games in Houston are any indication, fingernails will be chewed down to the nub across the state of Oregon tonight.   The Blazers lost a pair of games by a grand total of 4 points in the Bayou City.   So, the trend is that Portland is closer and closer each game.   In fact, I'm leaning on Portland tonight.   This is THE BIGGEST game to date...and the Blazers gotta come out with some spunk tonight, establish themselves early, and take it right to the rack to draw the Rockets "D" in.   They can't rely on Roy all night....it's gotta be a total team effort if they are to return home on a happy note.   This entire city is gonna go beserk if it happens, and I can't wait to see the overnight ratings of this one in the morning.

Chat at you after the game with my impressions of what took place!

What a great effort by the Blazers in Houston.  They played hard and played well and came oh so close to winning.  They lost two games by a total of four points.

I knew before the season the Blazers would be a good team this year...but I think they surprised a lot of people at just how good.  This team is growing each and every game.  Not many people give them a chance of winning three straight.  The odds are certainly against them.  However, coach Nate McMillan has been saying it all season...one game at a time. 

It's time for a winning streak.  The Blazers are going to be a great team one day...but maybe they are on the verge right now.  I covered the Celtics in 1981 and they were down to the Sixers 3 games to 1 in 1981.  They too were a young team on the verge of something big.

I can still remember game five at Boston Garden.  The Sixers had a good lead in the fourth qtr and appeared ready to close out the series.  At the Garden you have to go down stairs from the Press area to get on the court.  It was late and I wanted to be near the floor to get ready for post game interviews in the locker room.   By the time I was courtside...the Celtics were in the game.  They pulled out the victory.  Then they went to Philly and won to force a game 7 at the Garden which they won 91-90.    

I'm not saying the Blazers are as good as that Celtics team.  What I am saying is Who knows how good this young team can get this season.   Maybe they can do something now that will be part of history.  

Win or lose, this has been a season to remember and a season to set the tone for many great seasons and memories in the future.

The Blazers are hoping to do a little Texas Two Step and earn victory number Two and dance back to Portland with the best of seven Playoff series tied.

Blazers All-Star Guard Brandon Roy is a little under the weather with some congestion...but otherwise he is fine. That's according to Adam Bjaranson, who is covering the Blazers for KGW-TV in Houston.  

Roy is also confident the Blazers can get that much needed road win,  "Sunday is an opportunity to try and beat this team before we go back home, " said Roy.  "We felt like we played pretty good defense(in game 3).  We have to make some minor adjustments offensively, play a little bit harder in our cuts and our rotations, and hopefully give ourselves another chance to win."

You can see the game right here on KGW-TV at 6pm.  It should be another good one.

Game one was not what the Blazers or their fans expected.  However, it is just one game. The Blazers are a young team that is growing...and game one was a learning experience. 

The Playoffs are a whole new ballgame.  The big question now is, How do the Blazers respond?   They can still make this a great series.  Very rarely does the home team win every game in a series.  It almost never happens.  The Blazers will now have to win on the road to advance to the second round.

Climbing to the top takes steps...and sometimes those steps take a year or two or three. Most of the truly great teams take their lumps before reaching the top.  That's what makes winning the championship so great when it does happen.  

This series is not over.    Mental toughness is a major key to the success of winning teams.  The Blazers must remain confident and as Coach Nate always says...take it one game at a time.

The NBA Playoffs are great...and I'm looking forward to Game 2.  

Are you ready?  The playoffs are here.  I write this about 10 hours before tip off of Game 1 between the Blazers and Rockets.  Let's break down tonight's matchup.

<u>What's at Stake Tonight?</u>

A 1-0 lead in the series.  A Houston win helps the Rockets steal home-court advantage.  A Blazers win helps them keep it.  Wayne Havrelly correctly pointed out that in a best-of-seven series, a loss in game one isn't the end of the world for either team.   However, I think a win tonight is pretty crucial for Portland, mainly due to the team's lack of playoff experience.   The core of the Blazers lineup has played a total of 14 playoff games (9 for Steve Blake, 5 for Joel Przybilla).  If most of the players can get over the nervousness, get their first playoff game under their belts, AND get a win, it will be huge in creating momentum moving forward.

<u>What must the Blazers do on offense?</u>

Get everyone involved.  The Rockets are more than happy to admit they plan to D up huge on Brandon Roy.   If the Blazers can get everyone on the floor involved in the scoring, it will help cut down on some of the double teams Roy will see.  Rudy Fernandez, Travis Outlaw, Sergio Rodriguez, and Steve Blake will be key.  They must hit those outside jumpers.  However, I think LaMarcus Aldridge is the most important Blazer tonight.  If he can play well offensively, the Blazers will do well, and perhaps force Houston to change things for Game 2.

<u>What must the Blazers do on defense?</u>

Use their fouls wisely.  Yao Ming can be a force inside.  The last thing the Blazers want to do is have Przybilla and Oden in foul trouble.  They're not going to be able to keep the ball out of his hands all the time, but if the Blazers can cut down on Yao's offensive chances, it will force guys like Shane Battier, Ron Artest and rookie Aaron Brooks to take more shots.  I like the Blazers chances tonight if that happens. 

If all that fails, maybe Greg Oden can sneeze on Yao and share his sinus infection (only joking).  

Game 1 tips off at 7:30pm on KGW.  Enjoy it, Blazers fans.  I'll try and write in on Tuesday, and break down Game 2.

The Blazers have two games left in the regular season and then its Playoff Time.  They don't know where they are going to finish exactly, anywhere from two to five in the west, and they don't know if they are going to have home court advantage. 

I think it would be great to have home court advantage...but the way the Blazers are playing right now, I think they will be ok against any team in the west.   This team is learning, growing and getting better all the time. 

This is an exciting time and it's great to have playoff fever running through the Rose Garden again.

About 6 weeks later, Roy went for 52 in a win over Phoenix.

Then came Wednesday night in San Antonio---a venue that Portland hadn't won in since the likes of Bonzi, Sheed, Sabas, and Pip were donning the black and red.

This, was one of those "gut check" games.   The Blazers trailed the 4-time NBA champs by 19 points midway through the second quarter.   They looked as if this game was already over.... or so we thought.   The one constant element you can take from a Nate McMillan coached team is.... they NEVER quit.   It was a thing of beauty too.   Steve Blake cans a shot from halfcourt, closing the first half on a 23 to 8 Portland run.   It got them to within two.   And the Blazers pretty much dominated the final quarter and a half.   Roy, again the catalyst, pouring in 26 points.   The end result, a 12 point win for the Blazers.

More importantly, at this point in the season, it's all about momentum.   And, their first quality road win was about as big as it gets.   This puts them into a 3-way tie with the Rockets and Spurs for the 3-spot in the Western Conference.   Of course, the top 4 teams get homecourt advantage.   Just 4 games to go... and 3 are at home.   You can bet the Garden will be rockin' on Friday night when the Lakers pay another visit.

The Blazers didn't have to wait for their game with the Rockets this afternoon in Houston.  The Dallas Mavericks rolled the Phoenix Suns 140-116 in Dallas this afternoon.   That puts the Blazers in the post season for the first time in six years.

You can see today's game on KGW Newschannel 8 at 4pm.    The blazers have 7 games left in the season including the one today in Houston.

The Blazers just blew out the Oklahoma City Thunder 107-72.   LaMarcus Aldridge had 35 points and 18 rebs.   The Blazers have now won four straight games by more than 20 points.  That's the first time that has happened in more than 30 years.    The Blazers won five straight by 20 or more back in 1978.

Steve Blake had 14 points and 10 assists against the Thunder.  By the way, the Blazers are now 7-2 in their last 9 games and both losses were in overtime, at home to Philly and on the road to Lebron and the Cavs.

The Blazers are now one win from clinching a Playoff spot and play Houston Sunday right here on KGW-TV.   Game time is 4pm.

Blazers forward Rudy Fernandez was actived for tonight's game at Oklahoma City.  Shavlik Randolph was placed on the inactive list.  Rudy missed Tuesday's game with Utah with back spasms.

What this all means is that the Blazers magic number to make the playoffs is down to 2.   That's with 8 games to play.   Any combination of Portland wins, and Phoenix losses, assures the Blazers their first postseason trip in 6 VERY LONG seasons.   This group deserves everything that comes their way.  

How important is their upcoming 4-game road trip?   If they can win 3 of these (and they certainly could)...they stand a decent chance of getting one of the top 4 seeds...which would give them home court advantage.   Need I say more about their play at home?   Now fellas, just go beat Houston or San Antonio at their house....and I'll be the ultimate believer.   Make it happen Blazers!!

I was sitting behind the Illinois bench on Thursday watching Illinois and Western Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament.   I've been around the country covering the NCAA's over the years....and it's great so see it here in Portland.   

However, while watching the game...it made me think about all the great NBA playoff games I've seen over the years.   The NBA playoffs are just around the corner and it looks like they too are returning to the Rose City.  Sounds great doesn't it.

The Blazers have an even dozen games left in the regular season.  They are closing in on a playoff spot for the first time in six years.  This Blazer team is a special group...and they keep getting better and better.  If they can get completely healthy...who knows what will happen in the post season.  It's another step and another big learning experience.

This is my favorite time of the season for watching basketball...and I'm looking forward to the next few weeks.