FanHouse

Can Brandon Roy get on track? (Probably.) Can anyone stop Tony Parker? (Unlikely.) Will the adidas brotherhood ads continue to improbably outnumber Frank TV spots? (No chance in hell.) Let's find out with the second half of the first game of the 2007 season.

- Actually, we've got plenty of halftime left. Chuck actually puts Wade in his Five... for teams winning the East. Is Ricky Davis really that good? Or is just that we all realize how bad Antoine Walker is?

- I'd like to alert everyone to this irrelevant note: Spencer Hawes was asked which actor he'd choose to play him in a film about himself. He chose Gheorge Muresan. Republicans are funny. Who knew?

- We know the Spurs are unselfish on offense and defense, as elucidated by the Jet. But are they unselfish during the pre-game buffet? Last prosciutto wrap, T.D. and T.P both reach for it. Who gets it? Do they split it? That's what I want to know.
- Ooh, I had the second TV timeout for the first appearance for Kanye West's Stronger. Unless I missed, we first get it coming back for the third.

- Reggie Miller blames Brandon Roy's tough first half on the heel injury. I'm willing to chalk it up to a bad first half and the San Antonio Freaking Spurs.

- Oberto's defense is underrated. He's been really active, coming off Aldridge often and getting his business in all the black shirts' business. And now he gets loose under the rim for a nice pass from Duncan. San Antonio up 61-54.
- The Blazers zone forces a 24-second violation. We haven't actually seen any of those for Portland; I had the over/under at three. The Blazers have taken some bad shots, but at least they're getting them off.

- Roy finally gets on the board. He has Duncan on a switch out at the right elbow, drives to the foul line and hits a fadeaway. 64-56 Spurs. Portland's hanging around...

- Maurice Lucas looks improbably young, considering how long ago his playing career was. I bet Calvin Murphy isn't so smooth looking.

- Roy's gotta wish he had a better option under the rim than Pryzbilla (a terrible finisher) when he gets into the lane. They should really draft a super-athletic post beast.

- When you watch Aldridge's offensive game -- a lot away from the basket, good passing skills -- with his quickness on defense... of course Greg Oden made sense for this team. Aldridge is going to be a high-usage weapon; Oden probably isn't for three or four years. Kevin Durant is already a high-usage weapon. Oden fits Aldridge's game better than Durant would have.

- Aldridge has used that little double-clutch move in the post a few times now. Kid's got a gorgeous repertoire.

- Reggie wants the Blazers to run a bit more... why? Aldridge is getting a great look almost every time down right now; they are better off sealing the defensive rebounds, which they are doing. With a flawed team like this, it's one or the other. They don't have the extraordinary rebounders to run with abandon nor the ballhandlers to press while sending two or three at the boards.

- Good example there: Jack and Aldridge started to leave on a SA three; Duncan beat Pryzbilla for the rebound and the points.

- We have a four-point game. SA 73-69 after Pryzbilla blocks a close Elson attempt. Aldridge has 21! He's unstoppable.

- You know, tonight was suppsed to be Oden's big night. Aldridge has picked up the slack, we should say. Most Improved, here he comes... (Yes, making award decisions based on 3/4 of 1/82 of the season is responsible.)

- Was Mario Lopez the star of Saved By The Bell? I'd say no. Meanwhile, Eva Longoria... that's not an annoying life. Not at all.

- Oh god. Tony went and gave Eva his championship ring after the ceremony? This is getting embarrassing... And I think Marv just said "penetrating" coming back from the Eva interview. I'm trying to watch Martell Webster drill jumpers here people! Brent Barry answers Marv by making the penetrate the net (too much?), SA 77-71.

- Roy hits a three off a broken play. Three-point game! Partially full arena quieted!

- Darius Washington's beard is kinda nice. I need to see the Red Rocket's again for a final decision.

- This might shock some Knicks fans: Channing Frye with a rebound over four Spurs. Tough play from the big softie.

- Bonner's beard is the winner! Matt hits a jumper... but Webster answers with a trey. 79-77 Spurs. This is actually a good game -- both teams shooting well.

- Roy finishes the quarter with a turnover. Boo. 81-77 going into the fourth... and a new thread.