Kidd's hoping the get the party, and the fire, started

Opponent File
Portland Trail Blazers
The Trailblazers play in the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. Their 2006 - 2007 record was 32 - 50 (fourth in the NorthWest). Here's the Portland Trailblazers Roster.

Local Paper:
The Oregonian | Blazers
Team Pages:
CNNSI.com | Trailblazers
ESPN.com | Trailblazers
FoxSports | Trailblazers
NBA.com | Trailblazers
Sportsline.com | Trailblazers

Head Coach: Nate McMillan
2007 Draft:C Greg Oden (#1), Ohio State; F Josh McRoberts (#37), Duke; G/F Derrick Byers (#47), Vanderbuilt (Traded to Philadelphia); G Taurean Green (#52), Florida; G Demetrius Nichols (#53), Syracuse (Traded to New York).
New Players:G Steve Blake (Free agent); F Channing Frye (Trade); F James Jones (Trade);
Season Goal: Rebuild around Greg Oden - oops, that's next year's goal. Learn, grow, be competitive with the youngsters running the show.

Record vs. Nets: 0 - 0

Other Opponent Files

Portland Trail Blazers (4 - 7) - Wednesday, November 21, 2007, 10:00PM EST - Rose Garden
Give Thanks
Well, at least they have a pulse. Give thanks for that, Netsfans. The Nets, in the midst of a six game losing streak, find themselves in Portland for a Thanksgiving Eve festival that may indeed feature the return of Vince Carter. A big thank you for that if its true. After arguably their worst showing of the season against the Jazz, they now face a Blazers team struggling but quite adept at home (4 - 0), featuring youngers LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy. This could be the game the Nets straighten out their ills, or at least start figuring them out by winning ugly. Portland gives up 99 points per game, so if Carter can show something and get the offense moving, well, we'd all give thanks to that as well. Give thanks it's not a tougher opponent...

Why Should You Watch? If Carter returns to the lineup, even part time, you'll want to tune in and see if makes any difference to the offense. Sean Williams vs. LaMarcus Aldridge will be special, and Williams might block a whole lot of shots if he keeps out of foul trouble. Another young buck, Jarrett Jack, at the point, giving Jason Kidd another challenge. Just hang on to the ball, man. Could this be the game that Jamaal Magloire impresses us offensively? Lawrence Frank is looking for anyone or anything to get them going, so how about the defensively challenged Blazers. You're going to stay up late and watch this one, then sleep in, watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, eat turkey and watch football. What on earth could be better?
- Joe

Portland Trail Blazers Cheat Sheet
The Story From Portland: From the Oregonian: Coach Nate McMillan said the Blazers ripped into his team Monday night after a loss to the Bobcats. He was specifically hard on his young stars, Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. "Brandon and LaMarcus are going through that sophomore basketball. . . . They are not ready," McMillan said. "They are going through a whole different year of learning how to carry a team and be consistent and play against the defenses we are seeing. They are sophomores, and just like sophomores anywhere, they are learning."

Pain Game: SF Darius Miles (Knee) is questionable. C Greg Oden (knee) is out for the season. G Marcus Williams (foot) and G Darrrell Armstrong (thigh) are out. G VInce Carter (ankle) is listed as out as of this morning, but rumor is that he will play tonight..

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