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I'm pretty sure that's what I heard Mike Rice say towards the end of last night's broadcast of the Blazers 109-100 rejection of the New Jersey Nets, and if so then perhaps it's also a Victory for In-Game Dewar's (although saying in the 3rd that Batum literally WAS Scottie Pippin might even the score), but no matter--it's a perfect if oddly arty description of last night's game. The downside of showing poise of course, is that you only get to display it when it's required--born of some awkward or unfortunate circumstance that you must rise above. In this case, it was another in a long series of shaky starts to ball games, particularly against lesser opponents. Things did not go well particularly well for long stretches of the game, or rather for long stretches they went well for a moment--then like hell for several moments more. The Nets lead is 11, oh noes! Whew, now all of a sudden it's 5. Dang, back to 9 already? OK, they're holding it around 6-8...what, 12? Maaan. That was what it was like the first 16 minutes of the game--although what I described typically took place in about three--and certain parts of the third quarter as well. Not to say the first quarter wasn't exciting or without some real take-home moments. How about the Pale Primate sending FIVE shots backwards, the first two early on Lopez and Yi? The team registered 10 blocks overall, including two late in the 2nd by Nic Batum, both of which were jaw dropping, to go along with his six early points on a jumper and a sweet layup on a cut to the hole. But it was the blocks, baby: the first was one in which Batum was guarding Vince Carter top baseline. Carter moved around him, but as he went for the reverse jam under the basket, Batum came from--where else--behind and swatted it down...then grabbed the steal/rebound off of LaMarcus' mishandle of the block. The second was off a Roy miss in the lane, and a fast break for the Nets. Not content with rejecting their past superstar, he decided he had to make up about 1/3 of the court on Devin Harris in about 4 strides and blast the ball out of HIS hands from behind. On a break. That he was originally far behind. Unbelievable. {more below}
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