tlongII
03-10-2009, 11:17 AM
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/john_canzano/index.ssf/2009/03/take_that_you_big_bullies.html
An ejection won't do it. A suspension doesn't cut it. It isn't enough, either, that the Trail Blazers whipped the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night in a convincing statement at the Rose Garden Arena.
This can only end with justice.
So where does Rudy Fernandez get his?
Hold that thought.
The Blazers beat the Lakers 111-94 on Monday. Fernandez left the game immobilized, and ended up in a local hospital, complaining of chest discomfort after being clobbered from behind by Trevor Ariza in a disgusting play by a frustrated and beaten opponent. And none of us should ever forget what it felt like to see Fernandez carried off, or what it means.
Make no mistake, this Blazers-Lakers rivalry is on again.
Even those watching from home on television could tell you there was something extra in Brandon Roy's fourth-quarter dunks. And there was an extra dash of spice in LaMarcus Aldridge's rebounds. Late in the fourth quarter there was a little extra "Ooooooh baaaab-bieee, you've been posterized!" sprinkled on the voice of Blazers radio play-by-play announcer Brian Wheeler, too.
What happened on Monday becomes a sick piece of rivalry lore, and God willing, Fernandez has a quick recovery and gets back in time to stick a dagger in the Lakers' hearts when they meet April 10, same place. Blazers fans will not forget this, the players won't forget it.
The Blazers have won seven consecutive games against the Lakers at the Rose Garden. The 17-point margin of victory was the biggest loss of the season for Phil Jackson's team. And one Laker tossed a ball into the crowd out of frustration after committing a foul, and there was jaw flapping, too, and lots of chest puffing, but in the end, is this what Lakers basketball is about?
Stay classy, Lakers.
Blazers guard Brandon Roy told reporters after the game that he was tempted to break from the game, run over to Fernandez and make sure he was OK. Teammate Steve Blake told anyone who would listen that he and his teammates love each other. "If it came to blows, we'd be all be there for each other," Blake announced. And anyone who has been in the locker room, or seen this team practice, or frankly, watched a game understands that this is a team in the truest sense.
They're in it together. And I'm thinking they're more galvanized than ever now.
I suppose that's the gift the Lakers provided Portland on Monday.
Blazers fans went to sleep elated about the victory, but also, ready to drive across the city, light a candle, and stand outside the emergency room, waiting for word from Fernandez. You've suffered with this franchise through tough times, and tough losses. It's why so many got so nervous on Monday when the Lakers cut the lead from 30 to 20 in the fourth quarter. As if this was that Western Conference Finals nightmare all over again.
This rivalry has had tense moments, and epic finishes. There have been amazing plays, and deep personalities on both sides. We've had meltdowns, and comebacks, and Monday felt like a playoff game, didn't it?
The Lakers are bullies. They've made a season of puffing up their chests, jawing, slapping, shoving and intimidating. They're drunk with arrogance. For too long I've seen the Blazers back down, or sulk away when the Lakers come strong.
Maybe that's what was encouraging about Monday. Because even as the Fernandez injury left some flat, even as it was difficult to get going again, even as you worried the Lakers would somehow roar back, Portland was not intimidated.
The Blazers put the Lakers away.
Justice?
Yeah. It's out there somewhere for Fernandez and his teammates. The Blazers are too classy to retaliate with a cheap foul, on the next trip down the floor, or in the next meeting. So the hope here is that the young players in the Blazers locker room remember forever what it felt like to stand tall, clench a fist and sock the bully in the kisser.
They knocked the Lakers out on Monday.
Wait for a suspension. Listen for an apology. Hope the league handles this act seriously. But while you're waiting, consider that the Blazers (wins over Boston, San Antonio and Lakers) can beat anyone, anytime, as long as the game is at the Rose Garden.
Fernandez was having a terrific game before he got injured. So was Joel Przybilla, who had 18 rebounds. After the injury, and the delay while Fernandez was taken to the hospital, the Blazers felt cold and out of rhythm.
I suppose in that moment the Lakers got exactly what they wanted.
Now, let's hope they keep getting what they deserve.
An ejection won't do it. A suspension doesn't cut it. It isn't enough, either, that the Trail Blazers whipped the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night in a convincing statement at the Rose Garden Arena.
This can only end with justice.
So where does Rudy Fernandez get his?
Hold that thought.
The Blazers beat the Lakers 111-94 on Monday. Fernandez left the game immobilized, and ended up in a local hospital, complaining of chest discomfort after being clobbered from behind by Trevor Ariza in a disgusting play by a frustrated and beaten opponent. And none of us should ever forget what it felt like to see Fernandez carried off, or what it means.
Make no mistake, this Blazers-Lakers rivalry is on again.
Even those watching from home on television could tell you there was something extra in Brandon Roy's fourth-quarter dunks. And there was an extra dash of spice in LaMarcus Aldridge's rebounds. Late in the fourth quarter there was a little extra "Ooooooh baaaab-bieee, you've been posterized!" sprinkled on the voice of Blazers radio play-by-play announcer Brian Wheeler, too.
What happened on Monday becomes a sick piece of rivalry lore, and God willing, Fernandez has a quick recovery and gets back in time to stick a dagger in the Lakers' hearts when they meet April 10, same place. Blazers fans will not forget this, the players won't forget it.
The Blazers have won seven consecutive games against the Lakers at the Rose Garden. The 17-point margin of victory was the biggest loss of the season for Phil Jackson's team. And one Laker tossed a ball into the crowd out of frustration after committing a foul, and there was jaw flapping, too, and lots of chest puffing, but in the end, is this what Lakers basketball is about?
Stay classy, Lakers.
Blazers guard Brandon Roy told reporters after the game that he was tempted to break from the game, run over to Fernandez and make sure he was OK. Teammate Steve Blake told anyone who would listen that he and his teammates love each other. "If it came to blows, we'd be all be there for each other," Blake announced. And anyone who has been in the locker room, or seen this team practice, or frankly, watched a game understands that this is a team in the truest sense.
They're in it together. And I'm thinking they're more galvanized than ever now.
I suppose that's the gift the Lakers provided Portland on Monday.
Blazers fans went to sleep elated about the victory, but also, ready to drive across the city, light a candle, and stand outside the emergency room, waiting for word from Fernandez. You've suffered with this franchise through tough times, and tough losses. It's why so many got so nervous on Monday when the Lakers cut the lead from 30 to 20 in the fourth quarter. As if this was that Western Conference Finals nightmare all over again.
This rivalry has had tense moments, and epic finishes. There have been amazing plays, and deep personalities on both sides. We've had meltdowns, and comebacks, and Monday felt like a playoff game, didn't it?
The Lakers are bullies. They've made a season of puffing up their chests, jawing, slapping, shoving and intimidating. They're drunk with arrogance. For too long I've seen the Blazers back down, or sulk away when the Lakers come strong.
Maybe that's what was encouraging about Monday. Because even as the Fernandez injury left some flat, even as it was difficult to get going again, even as you worried the Lakers would somehow roar back, Portland was not intimidated.
The Blazers put the Lakers away.
Justice?
Yeah. It's out there somewhere for Fernandez and his teammates. The Blazers are too classy to retaliate with a cheap foul, on the next trip down the floor, or in the next meeting. So the hope here is that the young players in the Blazers locker room remember forever what it felt like to stand tall, clench a fist and sock the bully in the kisser.
They knocked the Lakers out on Monday.
Wait for a suspension. Listen for an apology. Hope the league handles this act seriously. But while you're waiting, consider that the Blazers (wins over Boston, San Antonio and Lakers) can beat anyone, anytime, as long as the game is at the Rose Garden.
Fernandez was having a terrific game before he got injured. So was Joel Przybilla, who had 18 rebounds. After the injury, and the delay while Fernandez was taken to the hospital, the Blazers felt cold and out of rhythm.
I suppose in that moment the Lakers got exactly what they wanted.
Now, let's hope they keep getting what they deserve.