From the Oregonian: http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1069506538209410.xml Blazers stay hot at home Portland wins its sixth in a row at the Rose Garden, beating Houston in a game that ends with some angry words 11/22/03 JASON QUICK Love 'em, or hate 'em, you have to give the Trail Blazers this: Nothing is ever normal. That was the case again Friday night, when a seemingly normal 85-78 win by the Blazers was tainted by a chaotic scene between the teams after the final buzzer. Apparently, it started when the Blazers were preparing to inbound a pass with 4.9 seconds left, their sixth consecutive home victory assured. As the teams waited for the inbound, Qyntel Woods told his teammates, "Let's get their (rears) up on out of here." Rockets veterans Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley took offense to the words, calling Woods a "young fella" while criticizing what they felt was unsportsmanlike conduct. After the inbound pass was stolen by Francis, he went the length of the court for a layup, after which he took the ball and bee-lined to halfcourt to yell at Woods. The two exchanged words and had to be separated. Meanwhile, Mobley raced to halfcourt, incensed, and was bearhugged by Rasheed Wallace. Mobley squirmed mightily while yelling at Wallace to let him go, all the while keeping his eye on Woods, yelling to him, "We will see you again! We will see you again." It was a crazy scene, with Blazers scattered around the court trying to keep peace with their heads on a swivel as the Rockets raced around accusing the Blazers of bush-league tactics. "They thought Qyntel got carried away with what he said," Jeff McInnis said. "They kept telling me to tell the 'young fella' they were going to see him again." After the game, Mobley and Francis acted as if nothing had happened. Mobley said: "At the end of the game, I didn't see anything and I have nothing with Qyntel Woods." Francis added, with a chuckle: "I blacked out." [] Regardless, it was another wacky touch to a Blazers game, which for the moment took away from another gritty home performance. The Blazers (7-5) shot 34.1 percent and were tied in rebounding (44-44) yet still won because of solid defense, inspired bench play from Ruben Patterson and Woods, and a season-best game from Damon Stoudamire. "You hold a team to 34 percent shooting and you should win the game," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "But we had eight more turnovers, gave up 17 second-chance shots and fouled recklessly. That's a recipe for a road loss." Stoudamire had 23 points and seven assists and helped hold Francis to a career-low-tying low four points. Stoudamire hit 3 of 4 three-pointers, including a backbreaking three-pointer with 3:50 left that gave the Blazers a 76-72 lead. "Damon Stoudamire played a great basketball game all the way, but especially in the fourth quarter," Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks said. Meanwhile, the Blazers played their best defensive game of the season. Woods had the defensive play of the game, stifling a 2-on-1 fast break by drawing a charge on Mobley with 4:35 left on an apparent basket that would have drawn Houston to 73-72. And Patterson, playing his second game since returning from a seven-game stint on the injured list, made his first impact of the season with seven points and eight rebounds. His presence in the second quarter provided an energy boost to a Blazers team that had trailed by 13 points. "I thought our bench gave us a lot of energy," Stoudamire said. "Those guys came in and set the tone on defense that carried over for the rest of the game." Zach Randolph added 21 points and eight rebounds despite struggling to get the inside shots he likes, and Wallace added 14 points despite foul trouble. Yao Ming, the 7-foot-6 center from China, led the Rockets (8-4) with 21 points and nine rebounds. Mobley added 17 points. Note: The Blazers waived Tracy Murray before Friday's game. Murray played in seven games and averaged 1.1 points. General manager John Nash said the move was made because of Murray's arthritic hip and because of the development of Matt Carroll. Jason Quick: 503-221-4372; jasonquick@news.oregonian.com
I like it, at least the team is showing some emotion. Now, if they could only put the ball in the basket.
The frustration of the loss is understandable. I don't think Francis did anything wrong going for the 2 points but he and Mobley behaved immaturely even though Woods was wrong. If these guys can't handle these situations how are they going to do when the going really gets tough? It's ironic that Rasheed Wallace had to restrain Mobley because he was from the opposing team. I don't know if we are ever going to learn to do anything right but the guys need to calm down and listen to the coaching staff and work hard to win.
man, i love this team. mobley, jim jackson getting steve's back. and how the bench is always standing up throughout the game. i love how before someones shooting free throws, all 5 players on this court get together in a huddle. also, everyones high fiving each other all the time. add in the mutual admiration that cato and yao have for each other. then theres the role players like braggs that know their role and dont try to do anything beyond that. imo, theyve got some great team chemistry.
I can't remember who said it here on the board, but these guys should be treated like our little brothers. Sure, we can criticize and slap them around all we want, but if someone even looks at them the wrong way, IT IS ON!
I'm glad Steve scored a layup at the end. It should be no big deal. It's immature to get into a rough up over it, from either side. Most of all I agree with JVG's comments on the situation "Who Cares"
Steve is so immature! He and Cat are the only players, nay the only leaders of thier teams to ever be involved in scuffles and what not. Hakeem, never threw a punch in his life. Jordan never fought! I mean come on, trade these children!
Man once that scuffle began it was so great to see a Rocket run into it to back up Stevie. We have not had a player on this team who would do that since Charles Barkley. Jim Jackson was in there so fast, it was great to see that. Looks like we finally have the tough guy the Rocket's have been needing for years. I remember when people were thinking that maybe Charles Oakley would be good for the team, since we needed an enforcer.
There was no bump by the Porland player. What it appeared to be was taunting. Such as: "Good job, you got the layup. But we still kicked your *** and took you to school" kind of crap. I am sure he said something like that to SF that pissed him off. I am glad to see the emotion he had after the loss.
Just reminds me of one of the most shocking things I've ever seen on the basketball court, Hakeem delivering an elbow to the throat of someone else, I think it was Rony Seikaly, as they ran down court after a basket.
That's the funniest thing I've read all day, young fella. But even you can probably remember the tender caresses he applied to Antonio McDyess a few years back.
I was kidding, old fella. I thought the roll eyes showed that I was being sarcastic. My point is that some complainers will take this scuffle and make it seem like it is reason enough to trade Steve and Cat by acting as if no "good players" ever get into fights. It happened in here already with people saying that they are immature.
i dont think this has been mentioned, but i was upset at steves immaturity when he threw the ball (not a shot) at the backboard after someone got called for a foul. he almost got a T on both occasions. I can understand if he did it for his own fouls (while still inexcusable) but when his teammates were responsible, it does not show signs of mature leadership.
