I would like to offer my thanks to the Oklahoman for running an article that seemed to provide some extreme motivation for my beloved Portland Trail Blazers to go out and whip the “Thunder.”
Seems Mike Barrett, TV play-by-play announcer for the Blazers, would like to offer his as well:
During my game-day breakfast with TV executive producer Scott Zachry, we were discussing matchups, and the schedule, and the what-ifs- the usual stuff. Then we started talking about an article in the Daily Oklahoman that we had both just read. He had thrown it on the table, after just reading it. It was nothing terribly offensive, but it said enough disparaging things about the Trail Blazers, and what they lacked, especially when compared to the Thunder, that we were starting to get a little fired up.
There were a couple of things that really stood out to us. One of them said that “Portland doesn’t have that point guard,” and doesn’t “have that superstar player.” It then continued to say that Portland has good chemistry, but that it’s not as good as the chemistry in Oklahoma City. Basically the gist was that the Thunder had perhaps a brighter future than Portland, who was lacking in some fundamental areas.
……
About 90 minutes before tip off, I was in the Blazer locker room and had decided to put a copy of the article on Brandon Roy’s chair. Roy wasn’t there, but LaMarcus Aldridge was. I could see he was curious about what I had, so I ended up giving it to him. I don’t even think Roy ever saw it. But, judging by what would take place a while later, I think the article made it into the correct hands.
Yup, it worked. LMA went for 35 points and 18 rebounds in a 107-72 pasting of the Franchise Stealers.
Thanks for the motivation, Ric Bucher and the Oklahoman!
Sweet…they deserve a spanking.
Lets see…..Blazers: in the playoffs at an average age of 24.5
“Thunder” – Lottery bound with an average age of 25.5
Oh, and 107-72. Jeff Green is really better than LaMarcus and his 35 and 18.
Ric Bucher FAIL