Jarrett Jack-Ass Choke

Blazer/Nugget could have been won and lost on many plays leading up to OT... AI's steal and miracle 3 at the conclusion of the 3rd quarter was huge and that shot alone to tie the game, made me think that Denver would win this game...

The Blazers were resilient though and still despite losing the momentum going into the 4th and trailed by 6 early on, they would rally to a 6 point lead for themselves... Again, I really question why Nate McMillan left Channing Frye out of the game in favor of a struggling LaMarcus Aldrdige... Just because Frye threw that bad pass to Iverson at the end of the 3rd was no reason to not play Frye in the 4th or Overtime...

Frye vs. Aldrdige

* Aldridge: 4 points on 2-9 FGs in almost 40 minutes (there was a play in the 4th where the Blazers had the 6 point lead and could have made it 8 but Aldridge missed an open jumper and Denver would go and a run from there)
* Frye: 10 points on 4-7 FGS in 21 minutes (hardly played in the 4th and didn't play in the OT)

Free throws played a big factor too... Outlaw missed a game winning FT in regulation and Martell Webster donked 2 of 3 FTs in OT. I swear, whenever I see him shoot FTs, he always seems to miss-one-make-one or miss two yet, he somehow is a 70%+ FT shooter... Thus, he reminds of Bruce Bowen, with the only difference is that Bowen plays (intense) defense)...

Jarrett Jack's breakaway with about 20 seconds left in the game where he could have held up or called timeout (or maybe Nate could have called timeout) and held for the final shot where either you win or have another overtime at worst was a "jackass" of a play as he turned it over inexplicably still mind-boggles me... Although Jack had 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, he had 7 turnovers, none bigger than that one. When you are a point guard, there is no reason for you to have that many turnovers. Nate left him in too long and should have gone to Blazer who was fresh and playing just as well...

Blake vs. Jack

* Blake: 11 points on 4-13 shooting in almost 30 minutes with 9 assists and 1 turnover
* Jack: 17 points on 6-13 shooting in over 34 minutes with 9 assists and 7 turnovers (Jack probably played the final 15 - 18 minutes of the game while Blake was benched)


Sidenote: I guess Nate got the memo from reading the forums and/or Mike Barrett that Joel Przybilla on defense is a smart move... Really, how can this guy be Coach of the Month let alone a Coach of the Year candidate...