These kids are no longer the Jail Blazers

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 - 1
G12: Nets 106, Blazers 101

Other Opponent Files

Portland Trail Blazers (22 - 14) - Monday, January 14, 2008, 7:30PM EST - Izod Center
Youth Shall Be Served
Two losses in their last 19 games? That sounds a lot like the Celtics, but, in fact it's the Portland Trail Blazers, who come into town tonight after a late afternoon, double-overtime loss to the Raptors in which they almost pulled out the game. The youth is leading the charge, with Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Travis Outlaw, Martell Webster and Channing Frye all taking turns making plays and bringing home wins. Incredible, really, when you think of the Jail Blazers of a few years ago (how are you feeling about Zach Randolph now, Knicks?). The Nets know that they have to play better than Friday night's fourth quarter meltdown to the Celtics if they want to be an elite team at some point this season, and at 18 - 18 and a West Coast swing looming, now is the time to get a win under their belts. Won't be easy, but then again, the Blazers are due to come back to earth soon, and why not on the second game of a back-to-back?

Why Should You Watch? With every game, Brandon Roy looks more and more like one of those players who can elevate his game and carry a team for weeks. Should be interesting to see who winds up guarding him (think Kidd at some point) after he was lethal in the first half of the first matchup out in Portland, but was made to disappear in the second half of a close Nets win. Are the Nets over their illnesses? Time for a big showing from Vince Carter, who needs a bounceback game after his sickly showing against the Celtics. The front line, Josh Boone and Sean Williams, could make a difference tonight if they're aggressive (make those free throws, Boonie). This could be a statement game, if the Nets can grab a win and look good doing it. Have anything left in that bag of motivational tricks, Lawrence?
- Joe

Portland Trail Blazers Cheat Sheet
The Story From Portland: From the Oregonian: After all the winning, guess the Blazers don't like losing, especially after their loss in double OT to the Raptors and Chris Bosh: "Defensively, we had no answer for Bosh," Blazers coach Nate McMillan said.

It was the first defeat witnessed by McMillan in 18 games -- he missed the Blazers' previous loss to attend a funeral -- and the coach didn't handle it well. He was short and stern in his postgame remarks, irritated by the Blazers' shot selection and their defense.

"We have played better than this," McMillan said

Pain Game: G Steve Blake (calf) is questionable. SF Darius Miles (knee) is on the IL and C Greg Oden (knee) is out for the season. C Nenad Krstic (knee) is out for the Nets.

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