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Portland Trail Blazers News

LaMarcus Aldridge is an All-Star in need of support
February 10
Oregonian
 columnist John Canzano
"So LaMarcus Aldridge is an All-Star. And he deserves it. Maybe you've heard that his mother wanted this honor so badly for her son, and was so disappointed that he was snubbed last year that she threatened to write a letter to NBA commissioner David Stern. No need. The cry for justice this year needs to be delivered to One Center Court. Aldridge has soft hands, and a great outside shot, and good health. He has great feet and runs incredibly well for a 6-foot-11 power forward. He has a $60 million contract. He even has a cool "LA" head-phone marketing campaign that the Blazers designed to promote him for the All-Star honor. What he doesn't have is a sidekick. And if his mother wants to join"
LaMarcus Aldridge becomes 15th Trail Blazers player selected to NBA All-Star Game
February 10
Oregonian
 
"LaMarcus Aldridge is an All-Star. The NBA announce today that Aldridge -- the Trail Blazers' sixth-year power forward -- has been voted onto the Western Conference team for the NBA All-Star Game by a ballot of the conference coaches. Aldridge, 26, is the 15th player in the 42-year history of the Blazers to be picked to play in an All-Star Game. He is the first Portland player picked since his former teammate, Brandon Roy, was selected to the 2010 game as a reserve. The All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 26, in Orlando. Aldridge will join a West team that includes former Lake Oswego High School star Kevin Love of Minnesota, who was voted a reserve for the the second consecutive"
Aldridge: "I kind of didn't believe it'
February 10
Portland Tribune
 
"It seemed like everybody was saying LaMarcus Aldridge deserved to make the NBA All-Star game this year. But when the league announced Thursday that he had made the Western Conference squad, for a moment he wasn't sure what to think. "I kind of didn't believe it in the beginning," Aldridge said Thursday night. "I just had a little flashback of last year, how I thought I was going to make it and didn't." This time, though, he did. He will be one of seven reserves joining the five starters for the Feb. 26 game at Orlando. "It's kind of surreal," Aldridge says of being an All-Star for the first time in his five-plus NBA seasons. Aldridge got the news while with the Blazers in New Orleans,"
LaMarcus "All-Star" Aldridge
February 10
Portland Tribune
 
"LaMarcus Aldridge has cracked the NBA All-Star barrier. The 26-year-old Trail Blazers forward will play for the Western Conference in the league's 62nd annual All-Star game Feb. 26 at Orlando. The NBA announced Thursday that the 6-11, 240-pound Blazer captain is one of the seven Western Conference reserves for the game, which will be televised by TNT. The second pick in the 2006, Aldridge has overcome heart ailments to become the Blazers' leader, especially since the retirement of former All-Star guard Brandon Roy before the start of this season. Aldridge just missed making the All-Star game last season. He was named third-team all-NBA after the Blazers reached the playoffs and lost to"
Houston 103, Portland 96: Blazers crumble late in loss to Rockets
February 9
Oregonian
 
"Saying that he has seen "slippage" in the Trail Blazers, coach Nate McMillan used the last two days to take his reeling team "Back to the basics." It might be time to go back to the drawing board. The Blazers suffered one of their most head-scratching defeats Wednesday night, falling 103-96 to the Houston Rockets before 20,350 at the Rose Garden. One game after losing an overtime heartbreaker to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Blazers started slow, mounted a furious rally midway through and then -- surprise! -- crumbled late. This is hardly the first time such an event has occurred, but it's been a rarity at home, where the Blazers (14-12) suffered just their third loss of the season."
Kevin McHale's handling of bench contrasts that of Nate McMillan
February 9
Oregonian
 
"It would be hard to call Houston coach Kevin McHale's handling of his substitutions against the Blazers on Wednesday something revolutionary or a forward-thinking way of dealing with this season's compacted schedule. But McHale's ability to get great production out of his reserves does have a benefit in dealing with this season's schedule demands. After the Rockets beat the Blazers 103-96 Wednesday, they took off for Phoenix, where they will play the Suns tonight. In Phoenix, they should have plenty of rested starters. Leading scorer Kevin Martin played just 15 minutes, 21 seconds Wednesday. Second-leading scorer Luis Scola went 26:20. Starting point guard Kyle Lowry played 25:16, although"
Players aren't only ones feeling sick after another Blazers loss
February 9
Oregonian
 
"There was a virus going around the Rose Garden on Wednesday night, as Marcus Camby was left congested and coughing, able to play only 18 minutes before calling it a night. And there was LaMarcus Aldridge, stuffy and sluggish, saying he was getting worse before he was getting better. There were also about 20,350 in the stands who felt pretty sick after watching a listless effort by the Blazers during a 103-96 loss to Houston, the second consecutive home loss. And you know what, the fans should be sick. This team is, and should be, better than this."
Reserves make Rockets soar past Blazers
February 9
Portland Tribune
 
"The Houston Rockets had the right ingredients to beat the Trail Blazers Wednesday night at the Rose Garden. Namely, great shooting, plenty of energy in the first half and a band of reserves who played like starters. The Rockets (14-11) jumped to a 14-point halftime lead, extended it to 19 points early in the third quarter, saw all of it disappear and then closed strong in a 103-96 victory."
Rockets 103, Blazers 96: Lowry's injury turns hard-fought battle into costly win
February 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Rockets lost their poise, their lead and their point guard. They could not bear to lose the game too. With Kyle Lowry in the locker room with a third-quarter elbow injury, the Rockets recovered from a thorough second-half collapse, turning to their bench to take them past the Trail Blazers to a 103-96 win at the Rose Garden. Lowry left the game in the third quarter with a strained right elbow, immediately going to the floor and then to the locker room. "I tried to throw a pass to Jordan (Hill) on a cut," Lowry said. "I kind of hyper-extended it, strained it a bit. I just have to do treatment. You know me. I don't want to sit out too many games. I don't want to sit out games at all."
Blazers' forward Aldridge wants to reward his mom
February 8
Oregonian
 
"Cry? Not Georgia Young. Uh, un. No sir. There will be no showing weakness here. Not after what she has been through. Not after the doctor's office that September 2010 day, when the words "breast cancer" hit her cold. In the months that followed, there would be a surgery. And chemotherapy. "I had to get some tough skin with what I went through," she said. So her youngest son, Trail Blazers star LaMarcus Aldridge, never saw his mother cry. Never heard it, either, on the many phone calls from Portland to Dallas."
NBA needs to expand instant replay to build credibility
February 8
Oregonian
 columnist John Canzano
"The call was incorrect. So now what? A lot of you saw it yourselves, and didn't even need the benefit of an instant replay, but a day later, the NBA knew what everyone else did when it came to that critical Kevin Durant fourth-quarter shot that Lamarcus Aldridge reached out and swatted like it was a piece of tiny lint in the air. Not goaltending. Not a basket. NBA official, Scott Foster, got it wrong. When some of you heard the news, then called your spouse or a friend to tell them the NBA was publicly acknowledging the error in the Blazers-Thunder game, you were greeted with, "Does this mean the Blazers won?""
Raymond Felton's status still uncertain; Marcus Camby misses practice with bronchitis
February 8
Oregonian
 
"Raymond Felton said it won't be his call if he will play in the Trail Blazers' game against Houston in the Rose Garden on Wednesday. "If it's up to me, I'm going to play," said Felton, who sat out the Blazers' loss to Oklahoma City with a sprained left foot. "We'll see what Jay (Jensen) the trainer says." The Blazers officially listed Felton, who suffered the injury Saturday against Denver, as "questionable" for Wednesday and said he would be a game-time decision. Felton said he has been rehabilitating through laser treatment, icing and work in the pool."
Goaltending call on LaMarcus Aldridge was bad, but hardly the sole reason for loss
February 7
Oregonian
 columnist Mike Tokito
"Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan was surprisingly blunt about the call. Surely you saw the play – LaMarcus Aldridge blocked Kevin Durant's shot at the basket with 6 seconds left in the Blazers' game against Oklahoma City on Monday. The officials, however, called goaltending on Aldridge. Replays showed that the ball was clearly on the way up, and it had not hit the backboard before Aldridge blocked it. The goaltending call tied the game at 103-103, and the Thunder went on to win 111-107 in overtime."
'Call' goes Thunder's way in overtime victory
February 7
Portland Tribune
 
"There was really no argument about the call. "I didn't think it was goaltending," Portland coach Nate McMillan said. "It was a good block. That game should have been over." Should-haves didn't count Monday night at the Rose Garden, though. And when the final horn sounded, Oklahoma City's 111-107 overtime victory over the Trail Blazers was in the books."
LaMarcus Aldridge falls short at closing time
February 7
Oregonian
 
"LaMarcus Aldridge on Monday learned he got one more vote to strengthen his chances at making the All-Star Game -- Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks being the latest to reveal he voted for the Trail Blazers forward to make the Western Conference roster. But right now, Aldridge and the Blazers would probably trade his certain All-Star berth for another title: Closer. Never has the retirement of Brandon Roy this season been felt so much as in late-game situations for the Blazers, who find themselves routinely in position to win games, but painfully absent when it comes time to do what made Roy a legend around here: closing."
Oklahoma City Thunder, through wise management and some good luck, rise to top of West
February 6
Oregonian
 
"When the Oklahoma City Thunder come to the Rose Garden on Monday, they figure to give the Trail Blazers a measuring-stick game. "They're the top team right now in the Western Conference and playing good basketball," Blazers coach Nate McMillan said. It's a position many thought the Thunder (18-5) -- who despite losing at San Antonio on Saturday, have the best record in the NBA -- would get to this season after they reached Western Conference Finals last season. In a poll of the league's general managers, 67.9 percent predicted the Thunder would be the West's representative in the NBA Finals. The early success this season continues the Thunder's ascension since 2007-08, when in their final"
Trail Blazers' Raymond Felton doubtful against Oklahoma City Thunder
February 6
Oregonian
 
"The Trail Blazers probably will face the NBA's best team without their starting point guard. Raymond Felton did not participate in the team's morning shootaround because of a left foot sprain and he is doubtful for tonight's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Rose Garden. Coach Nate McMillan said Felton underwent treatment and other tests with team trainer Jay Jensen on Monday, two days after he injured his left foot during a victory over the Denver Nuggets, but it remains sore. McMillan was not optimistic about Felton's chances of playing against the Thunder and refused to speculate how much time he might miss."
Batum's record night lifts Blazers
February 5
Portland Tribune
 
"Nicolas Batum woke up Saturday morning unsure if he would be able to play that night in the Trail Blazers' game against Denver at the Rose Garden. Portland's reserve small forward, who had missed the previous two games with a sore left knee, gave it a test during the team's shootaround. "I talked with coach (Nate McMillan)," Batum said. "I was running pretty good, so I said, 'OK, let's try it.' "I think it was a good choice." Indeed. The 6-8 Frenchman enjoyed one of the greatest shooting nights in team history as the Blazers buried the Nuggets 117-97. Batum set a franchise record by making nine 3-pointers and scored a career-high 33 points as Portland (14-10) moved to within a game of"
Raymond Felton calls in private shooting coach Ivorie Manning
February 5
Oregonian
 columnist John Canzano
"It was a high-priority situation. So 44-year-old Ivorie Manning was dispatched direct from Las Vegas to Portland on Saturday. He packed a single suitcase, and from that he pulled a pair of canvas Army-style camouflage tennis shoes, and blue jeans, and a brown shirt and sport coat. This is what he wore to the Trail Blazers' 117-97 win over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night. And then, Manning sat courtside, corner seat, staring at elbows and pointing at shoulders, and looking at little else, and you should know, this is a man with the kind of influence that might just save Portland's season. "I teach a lost art," Manning said. He teaches shooting. Manning was a mediocre high"
Car accident doesn't prevent LaMarcus Aldridge from playing like an All-Star
February 5
Oregonian
 
"It was 5:15 p.m. Saturday and life couldn't have been much better for LaMarcus Aldridge. It was one of those days where everything was going right. He had a great nap. Rick Ross was bumping on his stereo in his "baby" -- a 2009 black Ferrari -- and he was on his way to the Rose Garden, where he and the Trail Blazers play so well. "I was feeling good, feeling great," Aldridge said. "It felt like it was going to be one of those nights where I didn't miss. I felt really rested, had good music going, just in a really good mood. It was like, it couldn't be any better." Then disaster struck. He was on Broadway, a couple of blocks away from the Rose Garden, when a 2003 Toyota in front of him"
Until they can figure road out, Portland settles for dominating at home
February 5
Oregonian
 
"If you're sub-par on the road, then you bank as many wins as you can at home. At the moment, that's the Trail Blazers formula, and they put it into use Saturday, when they beat the worn-out Denver Nuggets 117-97 for their fifth consecutive home win, running their home record to 11-1. The win came two nights after the Blazers suffered a disappointing loss at Sacramento that took their road losing streak to four games and dropped their road record to 3-9. "We're struggling on the road right now, so our biggest thing is to try and win every game at home, and that's what we're doing," said forward Gerald Wallace, who had a solid game with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. "We have to"
Nicolas Batum hits 9 3-pointers on way to 33 points
February 5
Oregonian
 
"Nicolas Batum couldn't dunk. He could barely play defense. And he struggled to make a simple layup. But he could shoot. Boy, could he shoot. After sitting out the previous two games with a knee injury, Batum returned in emphatic fashion Saturday night, draining nine three-pointers and scoring 33 points to lead the Trail Blazers to an important 117-97 victory over the Denver Nuggets before 20,583 at the Rose Garden. The 33 points were a career high, and the nine three-pointers were the most in Blazers history and the most by any player in the NBA this season. "Nic was on fire tonight," Wesley Matthews said, flatly. "That was fun to be a part of." And the most amazing part of it is that"
Portland Trail Blazers beat tired Denver Nuggets 117-97
February 5
Denver Post
 
"The Nuggets' legs weren't completely dead Saturday night, but completing a back-to-back-to-back set didn't come close to translating into a victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Playing their third game in three nights, the step-slow Nuggets (15-9) lost their fifth consecutive game at the Rose Garden, this time 117-97. The snowstorm was in Denver, but it was a blizzard of 3-pointers in Rip City that did in coach George Karl's Nuggets. Portland appeared the much fresher team, even though the Blazers were playing for the third time in four nights. Blazer backup Nicolas Batum — who probably gets guarded closer in practice — did much of the damage with a career-high 33 points, including a"
Trail Blazers center Greg Oden undergoes "successful" knee surgery on Friday
February 4
Oregonian
 
"It had been a little more than a month since Greg Oden increased his work load in his attempt to comeback from a left knee injury, the Trail Blazers having cleared their once-prized center for "basketball-related activities" on the court. According to acting general manager Chad Buchanan, there were some good days. And there were some bad days. But those bad days became enough of a concern that the Blazers recently scheduled a magnetic resonance imaging test on both of his knees, which once again revealed bad news: Oden needed knee surgery. Again. Only this time, it was on his right knee, not the knee that was recovering from a fractured patella and microfracture surgery. Oden had"
Face it, Greg Oden is done as a Trail Blazer
February 4
Oregonian
 columnist John Canzano
"The big charade continued on Friday with the news that Greg Oden was having another knee surgery. This one was arthroscopic, right knee. It was Oden's fourth knee surgery since being drafted No. 1 overall by the Trail Blazers in 2007. And there may be a fifth one, next week on his left knee. Can someone please make this all stop? Oden will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. During games he currently sits at the end of the bench, in a suit, mostly look disinterested. Most of Portland wrote Oden off long ago, when it became clear that he'd rehabilitate on the Blazers' dime this season, and then probably try his NBA career somewhere else. The Blazers said Friday what"
Blazers and fans miss Andre Miller right about now
February 4
Oregonian
 
"It was a little more than a month ago when the Denver Nuggets last came to the Rose Garden, and Trail Blazers fans being the intelligent, passionate bunch they are, gave Nuggets point guard Andre Miller a nice ovation in recognition for his two stellar seasons in Portland. At the time the season was two games old, and there was great hope and promise that Miller's replacement, Raymond Felton, had brought younger legs and a quicker tempo to the Blazers' attack. So the reaction to Miller was a polite and sincere "Thank you" by the Blazers fans. Saturday, when Miller and the Nuggets return to the Rose Garden, I'm guessing Miller will get another ovation. Only this time, I bet it will be a"
Sacramento 95, Portland 92: Same old story as Blazers falter on the road
February 3
Oregonian
 
"Sacramento is a little more than 380 miles away from Los Angeles. But Thursday night's game between the Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings might as well have been played on some studio lot deep inside Hollywood. Blazers fans have seen this movie before. It was the same story on a different day for these maddening Blazers, who blew yet another early lead and suffered yet another road defeat, falling 95-92 to the Kings before 11,740 at Power Balance Pavilion. "We gave the game away, plain and simple," Jamal Crawford said."
Trail Blazers again fold on the road, lose at Sacramento 95-92
February 3
Oregonian
 
"The Portland Trail Blazers lost their fourth consecutive road game, again blowing a second-half lead and failing to find offense late in Sacramento on Thursday night. One night after blowing out the Charlotte Bobcats at home, the Blazers started off hot behind LaMarcus Aldridge but then faded in the second half. Marcus Thornton scored 20 points and John Salmons had a season-high 19 for the Sacramento Kings, who snapped a five-game losing streak by beating the Blazers 95-92 on Thursday night."
Raymond Felton pushes the pace in Blazers' rout of Bobcats
February 2
Oregonian
 
"It would be foolish to make any grand declarations following a blowout victory against the worst team in the NBA. But a subtle, yet important development materialized Wednesday night for the Trail Blazers as they throttled the lowly Charlotte Bobcats 112-68 before 20,608 at the Rose Garden. The oft-maligned Raymond Felton brought the fast break back to the Blazers, and the Blazers brought the fun back to the court."
For LaMarcus Aldridge, blowout win means a rare chance for a short stint in a game
February 2
Oregonian
 
"What's the value of a 44-point victory? For the Trail Blazers, who absolutely walloped Charlotte 112-68 on Wednesday at the Rose Garden, one of the biggest benefits was surely rest, especially for leading scorer LaMarcus Aldridge. Aldridge played 26 minutes, 16 seconds and got his time's worth, scoring 22 points on 8-for-16 field goal shooting and 6-for-6 free-throw shooting. "I don't think I've played 26 minutes since my first year in the league," Aldridge said. "It's definitely going to be big.""
Blazers power up against woeful Bobcats
February 2
Portland Tribune
 
"The lights were on and the public-address system was working, but there was very little electricity in the Rose Garden Wednesday night. A sellout crowd announced at 20,608 – the Trail Blazers' 170th straight – enjoyed the 112-68 beat-down their team laid on the woeful Charlotte Bobcats. There was virtually no drama, though, as Portland (13-9) sent Charlotte (3-20) to its 10th consecutive defeat."
Oft-injured Oden has fan in Lexington
February 2
Portland Tribune
 columnist Kerry Eggers
"During a timeout at a recent game at the Rose Garden, the Trail Blazers paid tribute to Greg Oden's 24th birthday with a mention on the JumboTron. As the camera honed in on Oden to scattered applause, the 7-footer looked up, saw himself on the big screen and looked away, seemingly embarrassed. The camera quickly moved to another subject. When I relay that story to Sam Bowie, I can almost feel him wince at his home in Lexington, Ky."
Blazers deal Bobcats 10th straight loss
February 2
Charlotte Observer
 
"Jamal Crawford scored 24 points in 21 minutes, helping the Portland Trail Blazers rout Charlotte 112-68 on Wednesday night for the Bocbats' 10th straight loss and the worst in franchise history. Gerald Wallace, traded to the Blazers from Charlotte last year, scored 23 points while LaMarcus Aldridge added 22 before Portland sat all of its starters in the fourth quarter. Gerald Henderson led the hapless Bobcats with 16 points. Charlotte's 44-margin of defeat topped the previous franchise-worst in a 120-80 loss at Denver last March 2."
Trail Blazers dodge disaster, but problems remain
February 1
Oregonian
 columnist John Canzano
"Whew. That's all up front. Just whew. If you've spent any length of time around the Trail Blazers you knew that Nicolas Batum's MRI result on Tuesday was certain to end in bad news. Surgery, probably. Torn ligaments, likely. This, followed by hand wringing and talk about curses. Also, cries for the heads of the trainers, doctors and coaches in Portland. Around here, MRI is a three-letter nightmare. Batum out for the season, you were thinking. And I was already pretty much there myself."
MRI results show Trail Blazers' Nicolas Batum has a bone contusion on left knee, listed day to day
February 1
Oregonian
 
"Exhale, Rip City. The results of a Tuesday morning magnetic resonance imaging test performed on forward Nicolas Batum's left knee are in and the news is good: Batum merely has a bone contusion and no serious damage. Batum will miss Wednesday night's game against the Charlotte Bobcats at the Rose Garden and is officially listed as day to day. He is expected to be reevaluated later this week."
Blazers lose lead, lose to Jazz 93-89 as Nicolas Batum suffers knee injury
January 31
Oregonian
 
"On a night the Portland Trail Blazers surrendered 18 offensive rebounds, perhaps it was fitting that the Utah Jazz sealed the game with an offensive board in the closing seconds. Utah's C.J. Miles headed to the free throw line with 4.6 seconds left and the Jazz leading 90-89. He made the first free throw, then missed the second. But the rebound bounced around and into the hands of Utah's Gordon Hayward. The Blazers had no choice but to foul Hayward with 2.3 seconds left, and he hit both free throws as the Jazz went on to win 93-89 at EnergySolutions Arena."
Earl Watson inspires Jazz in win over Portland Trail Blazers
January 31
Salt Lake Tribune
 
"Jazz guard Earl Watson is becoming contagious. He tweets words of inspiration. He constantly says an unproven Utah team can be anything it wants to be. He preaches 100 percent effort and respect for the game, demanding the Jazz not give in to lesser temptations. Anything can happen in a lockout-shortened season. Bad teams can be good. Good teams can be great. And with every victory a scrappy Utah squad collects, Watson envisions the Jazz becoming something few expected."
Missing pieces not a problem in Jazz win over the Trail Blazers
January 31
The Deseret News
 
"The Utah Jazz were without a whole lot to begin their game Monday night. Two starters. An effective offense and interior defense. Spark and team chemistry. All missing. Al Jefferson and Raja Bell , sidelined with injuries, didn't heroically return to the EnergySolutions Arena court to save the day against the Portland Trail Blazers. No problem."
Jazz rally to pick up exciting 93-89 win over Portland
January 31
The Deseret News
 
"The Utah Jazz didn't have two starters for the entire game, and they were missing their spark and an offense in the first half. But they sure brought it when it mattered. Sparked by a massive fourth-quarter run, the Jazz rallied to take an exciting 93-89 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers tonight at EnergySolutions Arena. Backup point guard Earl Watson gave the Jazz a boost in the fourth as the Jazz went on a 13-0 run to take an 87-79 lead."
Blazers sizzle as Suns fizzle
January 28
Portland Tribune
 
"The question wasn't about the margin of victory in the Trail Blazers' 109-71 excoriation of Phoenix Friday night at the Rose Garden. It was this: How could Portland lose 102-77 to the same opponent Jan. 6 at U.S. Airways Center? Gerald Wallace used the last meeting between the teams as motivation for what turned out to be a 63-point swing. The Suns had "embarrassed us in their hometown," the Blazer forward said. "We were coming off an emotional win (over the Los Angeles Lakers) on a back-to-back and they hammered it to us in an ugly game. "We wanted to return the favor, let them know we weren't the same team they played at home. It was more of a statement game for us." LaMarcus Aldridge"
Even after blowout win, Blazers know they won't be a really good team until they solve road woes
January 28
Oregonian
 
"Are the Trail Blazers a really good team? On Friday, they certainly played the part of one, absolutely crushing the Phoenix Suns 109-71. Yes, the same Suns team that beat Portland by 25 points exactly three weeks before in Phoenix. The difference Friday was that the game was played in the Rose Garden, where the Blazers improved to 9-1, tying Chicago for the second-best home record in the league, behind only San Antonio (10-1). The Blazers, though, are still 12-8 overall thanks to a 3-7 road record. The Western Conference, for some reason, is littered with teams that have winning records despite having horrible road records, including the Blazers, Spurs (12-8 overall, 2-7 on the road),"
Trail Blazers get payback, steamroll Suns in Portland
January 28
Arizona Republic
 
"It is hard for anyone who bleeds orange to get over the fact that the Suns are even worse than last season, when they missed the playoffs. But what about how much worse they look than just three weeks ago? In testing the all-time lows in franchise offense, the Suns experienced a 63-point swing for the worse Friday night when they took a demoralizing 109-71 loss to the same Portland team they had beaten by 25 points this month. Only Charles Barkley has a worse swing than that. The Suns routed Portland 102-77 on Jan. 6 at home when the Trail Blazers were coming off a home win in Portland on the previous night. It marked the third worst margin of defeat in Suns history and edged out a"
Trail Blazers, Nicolas Batum fail to reach contract agreement
January 26
Oregonian
 
"The 9 p.m. Wednesday deadline for the Trail Blazers and Nicolas Batum to agree on a contract extension came and went without a deal, raising questions about the small forward's future with the organization and rankling his agent. After weeks of negotiations that included talks throughout the day Wednesday, the Blazers and Batum's agent, Bouna Ndiaye, could not find middle ground, guaranteeing that Batum will become a free agent after this season. And Ndiaye says Batum will explore every available opportunity on the market. "They say they love him but they didn't offer him something fair, so that's it," Ndiaye said. "We tried and there's no deal. On July 1 we're going to look at the market"
Same old story at Oracle: Blazers lose
January 26
Portland Tribune
 
"Nothing much was different for the Trail Blazers Wednesday night at Oracle Arena. Stephen Curry and David Lee had huge games to lead Golden State to a 101-93 victory over Portland. It was the 12th loss in the last 13 visits to Oracle for the Blazers (11-8), who are 8-1 at home and 3-8 on the road this season. The only thing different Wednesday was Monta Ellis' performance. Ellis, who averaged 31.7 points in three outings against Portland last season, scored only four points in 2-for-9 shooting. But the flamboyant guard had 12 assists, three steals and only two turnovers in 41 minutes for Golden State (6-11)."
Golden State Warriors get past Portland Trail Blazers
January 26
Oakland Tribune
 
"Spend enough time around the Warriors and you'll hear talk about how great they are on offense. Wednesday night against Portland, it was the truth. Point guard Stephen Curry scored a season-high 32 points to go with seven assists and forward David Lee totaled 26 points as Golden State bested the Trail Blazers 101-93 at Oracle Arena, rebounding from Monday's embarrassing collapse against Memphis. "We weren't stressing about it at all, we just knew that we had an extreme lapse of play last game," Curry said. "We know when we have the opportunity that we are capable of closing out games.""
Lee outplays Aldridge as Warriors top Blazers
January 26
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"David Lee said he doesn't belong in the All-Star Game and definitely shouldn't be considered one of the elite power forwards in the league. "Not right now. Not with our team not winning," Lee said before Wednesday's game. "If we were above .500, maybe I might deserve that kind of talk. I think winning should be one of the biggest factors in measuring individual players.""
Portland 97, Memphis 84: Blazers on the verge of back-to-back-to-back wins
January 25
Oregonian
 
"After the Trail Blazers' 97-84 win over Memphis at the Rose Garden on Monday, coach Nate McMillan entered the team's locker room. "The first words when I walked in the locker room from Gerald Wallace were, 'Let's not just be happy with two. Let's go get this game tomorrow night.'" The reference was Wednesday's game at Golden State, where the Blazers will have an opportunity to pull off an impressive feat: winning all three games of a back-to-back-to-back."
Deadline looms for Trail Blazers, Nicolas Batum to agree on contract extension
January 25
Oregonian
 
"The Trail Blazers and Nicolas Batum are on the clock. The team and its reserve small forward, who have been in contract extension talks for weeks, have until 9 p.m. Wednesday to iron out an agreement or Batum will become a restricted free agent after this season. Interim GM Chad Buchanan and members of the Blazers' front office met face-to-face with Bouna Ndiaye, Batum's agent, on Monday and the sides continued conversations intermittently Tuesday."
Glue, grit carry Blazers past Grizzlies
January 25
Portland Tribune
 
"The Trail Blazers used their "grit" and their "glue" to full advantage Tuesday night at the Rose Garden. Gerald Wallace provided the grit and Marcus Camby the glue to Portland's 97-84 victory over Memphis. Wallace played suffocating defense on Memphis' No. 1 scorer – Rudy Gay – while Camby dominated the interior as the Blazers (10-7) ended the Grizzlies' seven-game win streak."