Trade Deadline and the Second Overtime Game in two games.

When we thought Portland would stay pat at the end of this season's trade-in, we were in for a surprise.  In a trade that was made at 11:53am, seven minutes before the Noon deadline, Portland made a trade with the Charlotte Bobcats.  In exchange for three player and two future draft picks, Portland got Gerald "Crash" Wallace.  

Knowing that professional sports in a business, it's still hard to see players leave your team.  We lost Joel Pryzbilla who had been with Portland for six seasons, Sean Marks a mid season signing and Dante Cunningham who was in second season in Portland.  There is still a hope that Joel will re-join Portland before the end of the season.

Wednesday brought to town the current NBA Champions the Los Angeles Lakers.  It was great game down the stretch before Kobe got hot and we lost the game in overtime.  This game saw bad calls on both side, Pau Gasol fouling out and the return of Brandon Roy.  It was a game Portland should have won, but per the norm, Portland could not close it down when they needed two.

Friday we played the new look Denver Nuggets, who did not look like a team who had lost two of their biggest players.  Denver played well with the five new players they acquired from New York.  This was a going to be a crazy game from the beginning.  Portland was playing without a true center, but LaMarcus stepped up.  Things only got crazier during a timeout in the second quarter.  A fan was chosen to make a half court shot, if he made it he would win a new ride from Toyota.  After spinning the wheel of cars, James Collier landed on the Toyota Tundra.  He baseball shot the ball and it went in seamlessly.  It was the first time since the 2006-2007 season someone has made the shot. I actually saw James after the game and he was still in shock over making the shot.  Back and fourth scoring throughout the game, and Brandon Roy still showed he has the touch.  He made a three point shot with 5.8 seconds left in regulation, that ultimately sent the game into overtime.  Rudy and Wesley made huge shots, and Portland came away with the win. 

It was a huge win on so many fronts.  The game was on National Television, Portland was playing without a true center and only nine available players, and a division rival.

Up next is Atlanta comes to the Garden and yes it is on ESPN.

Here is a link to the half court shot

http://www.nba.com/blazers/tbtv/video.html?videoID=1162