GAME#80 LAKERS @ BLAZERS 4/10 7PM KCAL

[DubaLakers]

I enjoyed the game. Yes the refs gave quite a few home calls, even my myopic cousin who was at the game said he was kinda embarrassed on quite a few of the home calls. Not enough to infuence the game, just saying.

The game was played at a slow pace, all half court sets, no easy baskets on fastbreaks. I'm surprised POR can execute with us in the half court set, most of that has to do with Roy. He's soon to be a superstar, and I don't use that loosely, if he isn't already. He did this in college as well, he plays the 2 until he's needed, then shifts over to the 1, and makes saavy vet decisions, so difficult to guard; Crossover and handle is sick for a 2 guard.

Oden setting up his offense directly under the basket was cracking me up.

Steve Blake is a badass, he just battles. He killed DUKE when he was with Maryland, and he does the same to the LAL.

Luke had a bad game, Fish fumbled that three in the corner, Kobe/Pau should be like Stockton Malone when a bucket is needed, Shanny Brown please continue to bust ass, Farmar is a D league prospect.

[DEEP3CL]

I believe your wrong about that Deep. Paul Allen has already said he's willing to pay for the right 'product', and that response was to a question about future salaries. It's probably why Portland made no trade using Lafrentz's insurance-paid expiring contract before the deadline. And if you look at 'committed' salaries this summer, Portland's team salary level will be around 40 million. That's not a bad position salary-wise, with extensions looming in a couple of years. There are also some 'expendable' salaries on the list. Portland won't be broken apart because of extensions.

As to average age, your number is skewed. That number you used for Portland is inflated because of 33 year old Lafrentz, and the late added 32 year old Michael Ruffin. Take those 2 guys out of the equation (and they will be out in a week) and Portland's average age is 24.13. And it's almost certain that Channing Frye will be gone this summer (cap-space casualty) as well as Shavlick Randolph, and Portland's average would drop to 23.87.

Now it's possible Portland will add a veteran to the mix which would pump up their age number, but the point is that Portland's core is extremely young. In portland's case, the oldest rotation guy is Joel Pryzbilla at 29, while the next oldest is Steve Blake at 28. Then it's a 4 year drop down to 24 year old Travis Outlaw. The rest of the Blazers are younger still. Pryzbilla & Blake are two valuable role players for Portland, but probably not irreplaceable, and they still have quite a few productive years left. On the other hand Kobe will turn 31 this summer, Lamar Odom is the same age as Pryzbilla, Pau is soon to turn 28 like Blake, and of course Derek Fisher is a spokesman for AARP.

Substitute Oden as a starter for Pryzbilla and look at the starting units:
Blake is 5 years younger then Fisher
Roy is 6 years younger then Kobe
Batum is 4 years younger then Ariza
Aldridge is 5 years younger then Gasol
Oden is 3 months younger then Bynum (there will likely be some epic battles at center if both stay healthy)

off the bench, odom and pryzbilla are about the same age; Outlaw is 4.5 years younger then Walton; Rudy is a year younger then Vujacic; and sergio and farmer are about the same age, with 20 year old Bayless waiting in the wings.

That's not to say the Lakers will be fading soon, it just to say the two teams aren't equivalent in age. Portland is much younger, and they have 5 draft picks in June and a GM adept at draft day maneuvers and talent evaluation.

It was a great game last night. Being a Blazer fan, I of course was more fond of the outcome then you. But I believe it's probably the beginning of a lot of battles between the teams. The teams matchup well. Aldridge vs Gasol; LA has Kobe and Ariza to throw at Roy, Portland has Roy and Batum to throw at Kobe (Batum is going to be a lockdown defender pretty soon); and of course Oden and Bynum should have many interesting exchanges. Lakers have the edge now, but Portland is steadily climbing closer.

Well Wiz I admitted that I was probably not going to be right on the money issues, and the with the age thing well both teams can remove guys to get numbers down. But we're not as old as many in your fan base want to make it seem. Our oldest guy is Fish at 33. But the way I see it is that hopefully in a few years we start gearing the teams offensive focus toward Drew who's only 21.

Bottom line is this.....as long as both teams keep drafting well and sign a decent free agent along the way the West will be our little battle ground. Everybody else will just be spectators.

[LAKESHOW]

if im paul allen, im gunnin for the title and keeping this team together. they were EXTREMELY close with sabonis, pippen etc... they had us on the ropes, and we put it on 'em. after that, they were never heard from again. until now. they have finally put all the pieces together and with more experience, will be a boatload to handle. when? i say next 1 or 2 years. at 2 years, this team if they stay together, will be travelling the road and killing teams.

i have no doubt that this year, put us in a 7 game, it'll be a hard fought series, but we win. in the following years? we can no longer over look them as some sort of clipper team from the northwest.

[LLcoleJ]

Just as a follow up to this conversation. I have read that Paul Allen is willing to pay top dollar for the "right" product. I don't doubt that. However, our ownership group has said the same thing. So, while the Blazers have a nice young core. The Lakers have some nice young pieces and an some vets that should keep us in contention for years.

[Minhee]

btw can i get in the "I like Shannon Brown club" Minhee?

You have been added and so has Hunter. Welcome to the club boys.

[crazyeights]

Minhee, make that a party of 5 for the SB club. (Sorry I couldn't resist the 90s reference.)