(Attention; see the playoff blog here)
As a onetime above average high school athlete I have casually followed college, international and Olympic sports throughout most of my life. For the most part I find little interest in professional sports because of the overstatement of commercialism and irregularities that come from so much pressure placed upon money and product image.
One exception to this is an interest in the Portland Trail Blazers professional basketball team. Having grown up in the northwest and living in the area of their influence, I started to watch them occasionally about three years ago. Over time I have come to enjoy their style of team play, the relative harmony of the team mates and the organization in general. The Blazers organization generates a community spirit and family friendly package of talent and entertainment.
The Blazers play a fast paced relatively unselfish pass to the open man style that allows for numerous three point shots and encourages sharing among all of the team mates. There is an absence of obnoxious egos, and the team, including the stars, for the most part maintain a level headed and methodically mature attitude toward the game, each other, opponents and the fans. This is in contrast to so many teams with Prima Donna stars that become distractions, head cases, acting candidates and socially challenged. The Blazers style of play is a pleasant scenario compared to the prepubescent antics so common in today’s sports events.
I got to thinking about this recently and wondered how a collective team and organizational behavior might be observed from a numerological point of view. To do this I have decided to focus upon the numbers of the organization, owner, president of basketball operations, coach, five of the starting players, a future prospect and their February 2015 trade acquisition.
THE ORGANIZATION
Portland Trail Blazers
76923154 29193 2318591=90 9 90 9 Accomplished #
6 1 19 1 5 =23=5 5 Inner #
7 923 54 29 3 23 8 91=67=4 4 Outer #
2 6 1970=25=7 7 CLN #
The number of accomplishment for the blazers is a 90=9.Nine is the number of idealism, perfection harmony and group achievement.The pure 90 is an even more intense vibration and this can add to the expectations and desires of the organization to reach a pinnacle of perfection. The downside of this extremely high aspiration is that it can lead to much disillusionment, despair and even depression when things do not go well.
The number nine places emphasis upon the collective cooperation and accomplishment of the team and organization, rather than glory of the individual. If the group does well, then honors come to those individuals who excel.The nine encourages refinement, courtly manners and an aesthetic polish to the product.
The inner number five is the number of freedom, flexibility and fun. It wants to let the kids play and naturally be who they are and do what they do best with enthusiasm and fun. It suggests flexibility and willingness to explore the untried and take the risk to be different. The down side is this that things can rapidly get out of control and become chaotic. The five encourages adventure and enthusiastic fullness of living. It stimulates a fan base that is likely to get excited and easily live vicariously through the team’s ups and downs of performance.
The outer number four wants to put on a stern face and act in a disciplined and orderly manner. Too much of this leads to micro managing and loss of originality.These two numbers are always at odds with each other and it is not an easy task to find balance between them. The four doesn’t want the five to have too much fun. After all you have to work for everything says the four.
The five gets tired of the controlling four and says let me do it my way. Individuality breaks out and team work breaks down.It takes maturity and wisdom to realize that is the discipline of training that leads to the freedom of playing effortlessly and spontaneously. It is the wise mentor who grasps this duality and can establish a dance between the two which brings out the best qualities onto the court.
THE OWNER
Paul Allen was one of the original Microsoft co-founders who has become a billionaire business man and sports owner. Here is his chart>>>
Paul Gardner Allen
7133 7194559 13355=71=8 8 IS
13 1 5 1 5 =16=7 7 S
7 3 7 945 9 33 5=55(1) 55(1) P
1 21 1953=22(4) 22(4) LN
Without going into elaborate detail, the 8 integrated number often denotes the likelihood of management, leadership, power, money and success. With the presence of master numbers in his personality number and life number all of this can be elevated to a almost unfathomable heights of personal achievement in one’s life.
A clue to his make up is the 7 soul number, which suggests a person who is more internally centered and can appear shy and aloof. The downside can be issues of control and imposition of ego over experienced personalities. Billionaires are used to getting their way. Those with 55 personality often show erratic behavior and eccentricity.
With all of the things going for this man, he values privacy, quiet peace and perspective. All of this suggest a person with power, finances and a kind of subliminal charisma that can feed the Blazers number 90 quest for high idealism, and reaching the pinnacle of their potential.
THE PRESIDENT OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS
Neil Olshey 5593 631857=52=7 7 IS 59 6 57=32=5 5 S 5 3 318 =20 2 20 2 P 1 10 1965=23=5 5 LN
Neil Olshey has two 5’s which means he knows how to live and to create an environment where good things can happen. His quiet side 7 helps him have rapport with the owner. The most prominent numerical feature is his pure 20, which is like a higher frequency 2. The number 2 is related to cooperation, negotiations, communications and bringing harmony between two different factions or points of view. With the pure 20 number 2 it suggests a person with outstanding skills at negotiations, a senses of the public and organizational needs along with articulation of purpose.
Another side of 20 is an ability to present smooth talking out the side of the mouth, evasive public relations doublespeak
THE COACH
Terry Linn Stotts
25997 3955 126221=68=14=5 5 IS
5 7 9 6 =27=9 9 S
2 99 3 55 12 221=41=5 5 P
11 25 1957=31=4 4 LN
(Note: June 27, 2015 I have changed from the public name to his birth numbers). You do not have to know anything about numerology to see that these are the same numbers as the Trail blazers (in a different order). It is a good match for the organization, and the 5’s indicate flexibility and willingness to try different strategies. The 9 seeks perfection and with the 4 life number means he is also conscious of the importance of discipline. With disciplined fundamentals comes the freedom to create and improvise on the floor.
(Author’s Note) The reader may be confused that I changed Terry’s numbers having found a middle name. The public name one uses is very important as an indicator, but not the same as the name at birth ( or what I call the natal chart). To better understand understand the meaning of each you can go here and then go here.
THE ELDER
LaMarcus Nurae Aldridge
31419331 53915 13499475=90 0 90 0 IS
1 1 3 3 15 1 9 5=29=2(11) 2(11) S
3 4 93 1 5 9 349 47 =61=7 7 P
7 19 1985=40 4 40 4 LN
LaMarcus has been with the Blazers as long or longer than any other player. He has become the mainstay big who anchors the team and serves as its leader by example and steadfastness. He is widely recognized as one of the best at his craft. He is a franchise player, and fittingly enough has the franchise number. The pure 90 number number gives a near transcendent potential and a refined grace of performance that can be almost poetic. The pure 40 life number suggests a person who will work his butt of to become the best that he can be. The 2 and 7 add a softness and depth of conviction that keeps team mates on course when things start to falter. Some down side traits to the 90 are emotional fluctuations, over sensitivity and a tendency toward martyrdom.
THE PIVOT MAN
Damian Lamonte Ollie Lillard
414915 3146525 63395 3933194=108=9 9 IS
1 91 1 6 5 6 95 9 1 =53= 8 8 S
4 4 5 3 4 52 33 3 33 94=55(1) 55(1) P
7 15 1990=32=5 5 LN
Damian is in his third year and has established himself a a premier guard and team leader. His addition has been pivotal in turning the corner toward becoming a serious contender.The 8 suggests self mastery and willingness to get to the top of the ladder. With the 9 at the number of integration he can become almost too obsessive with perfection rather than just playing naturally good as he is. The 55 master number 1 indicates more than the usual agility and adroitness of intent to set him apart from the pack. The 9 gives vision, inspiration and a touch of idealistic fervor to the melting pot. It is the prime number of the organization, and he has now been identified as the franchise leader (August 2015).
THE NEW GUY
Arron Augustin Afflalo
19965 13731295 1663136=87=15=6 6 IS
1 6 13 3 9 1 1 6=31=4 4 S
99 5 7 12 5 663 3 =56=2 (11) 2(11) P
10 15 1985=30 3 30 3 LN
Afflalo’s numbers have similarities to Wesley, but with more caution and deliberation. The 6 feels responsible for things and works to make the family function better. There is an element of “chippiness” and a seriousness toward getting the goal achieved.The 2 (11) is a coordinator and peacemaker. He will be a good teacher to the younger players. It would not be a surprise to see him someday coaching or in administration.
MOST LIKELY TO DEVELOP ?
Christian James McCollum
389912915 11451 43363333=88(7) 88(7) IS
9 91 1 5 6 3 =34= 7 7 S
389 12 5 1 4 433 33 4=54= 9 9 P
9 19 1991=39=12=3 3 LN
I picked CJ’s chart from the many other developing players as the possible best new contributor based upon the power and potential of the master number 88 along with the 9 and the 3. If he stays healthy, he can become a superior player along with being a great human being. His focus and force are mostly within, and it can take some time for it to be turned outward as external performances and bountiful contributions to the team. Remaining games he is likely to flourish if given time 4/1(13 minutes=13 points), 4/4 (26 minutes=10 points), and 4/11(41 minutes=26 points) (posted 3/25).
To take a look at prospects for 2015-16.
ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS
Nicolas Batum 5936311 21234=40 4 40 4 IS 9 6 1 1 3 =20 2 20 2 S 5 3 3 1 2 2 4=20 0 20 2 P 12 14 1988=34=7 7 LN
Nic came in with all kinds of expectations of super star potential and hopes. His numbers suggest that expectation. Sometimes there is so much power and potential it becomes a burden to the one possessing it. The 20 2 vibration at best is among other skills the ability to see the optimum opportunity between two forces (in this case his team and the opponent). At times he has demonstrated near genius in such situations.The other side of too much 2 vibration is what we call “flaky” or “wishy washy”. Unfortunately he has more frequently demonstrated the latter.
The 40 can be indicative of much discipline and preparation or taking one’s ability for granted and not feeling the need to develop such when one is so good naturally. The 7 tendency toward being reclusive and detachment can make it difficult for him to listen to others and take instruction.
Over the years he has more often drifted off when needed and been unavailable. It appears this is his pattern and will remain. The Blazers might have been better off getting first round picks and other assets when he was such a sought after commodity. Possibly it is not too late.
Wesley Matthews Junior
551357 41228551 135969=87=15=6 6 IS
5 57 1 5 3 96 =41=5 5 S
5 13 4 228 51 1 5 9=46=10=1 1 P
10 14 1986=30 3 30 3 LN
Wesley has the combination similar to a river boat gambler with a big heart, that is channeled into love of the game. He is willing to take the risk and shoot the shot even against the odds. With the 6, there can be a tendency toward martyrdom which fits well with his “chip on the shoulder” mentality. Although perhaps not as blessed with talent as many, with the 30 life number he is willing to work on variety and develop multiple variations of what he does have going for him.
Robin Byron Lopez
96295 27965 36758=89=17=8 8 IS
6 9 7 6 6 5 =39=12=3 3 S
9 2 5 2 9 5 3 7 8=50 5 50 5 P
4 1 1988=31=4 4 LN
Robin Lopez’s numbers suggest a potential loose cannon that has to be constantly kept under control. Bursting with energy and enthusiasm, he has the potential to reach reach yet another level of professional skill if he is willing to take the time and effort to develop himself.
AUTHOR’S COMMENTS
One does not have to believe in numerology to see the how the patterns of this team weave and dance a wonderful tune of coordination and interlocking harmony. The observer can see how the numbers of the team often “fit” together in a wonderful tapestry. As a 50 year veteran of numbers I was amazed to see the similarities of the team and the way that dance of numbers reflects their chemistry and overall philosophy.
I have not been able to get the exact month and day when the Blazers received their NBA franchise. The year was 1970 which was an 8 universal year (1+9+7+0=17=1+7=8). This year, 2015, is also an 8 universal year. This suggests that the blazers meet a crossroads with destiny, and that this year will go a long way to determine the direction and success of the franchise and team.
NOTE: I have kept these pieces of analysis brief and there are infinite other insights to be seen and culled from the numbers. I leave it to you, the reader, to explore these insights as far as you want to take them.
ADVANCE CLIPPERS GAME EVALUATION FOR MARCH 4th (Posted March 3, 2015)
As of late the Blazers have had trouble with the Clippers, and seek to get back a win after giving up two losses in a row this season. The numerical signs look pretty encouraging for them. Indicators suggest that Damian Lillard will be pressing again to put himself beside Chris Paul as an elite point guard. Results are mixed, with Dame around 15 to 18 points (18 rebounds).
LaMarcus Aldridge has two different halves, but comes up big near the end, and will score around 24 points. Wes Matthews plays solid and adds around 16 (close). Nic Batum remains erratic (in a good way!) and Robin Lopez surprises for some offensive punch. Give him around 11 points (exactly). Arron Afflalo has gotten a little more practice time and feels more comfortable by contributing around 15 (nope).
Possible surprises off of the bench include Meyers Leonard, Dorell Wright (partly) and the reappearance of CJ McCollum and Allen Crabbe. The trend says the Blazers pull this one out 102 to 97 (close enough= 98-93).
OBSERVATIONS UPON A TEAM TRAIT
Having watched the Blazers seriously for about three years it is apparent that they do not realize the meaning of the word urgency often enough. Let’s examine the word numerically:
URGENCY 3975537=39=12=3 Total 3 5 7=15=6 Vowels 97 53 =24=6 Consonants
The inner key to urgency is responsibility to self and to all of the team. What allows this to happen individually is trust of your feelings and natural ability in the moment. If you are concerned about the loss of a player, or the fact that you have been overlooked for some award or recognition, or losing your playoff position, etc., you are not truly in the game, or in the moment as we say. You are thinking, worrying, projecting and acting out.
As you attune to your inner feelings and the flow of the moment, you allow for your most creative self to emerge into the game and onto the court. Applied in its purity the individual’s actions would be like an innocent child joyfully immersed in doing what he is doing; and, therefore, just doing it naturally, fully and completely.
In such a state he shares that moment with playmates by allowing them to be fully engaged and participating at their best as well. In the comfort and unified experience of the moment, each participate naturally reacts appropriately to his skills, and to that of the other participants, harmoniously and effectively with the decisiveness and confidence of an adult (good example, Toronto game of March 15, 2015).
Players, coaches and commentators refer to flow or “zone” all of the time, but it rarely happens for any duration or in unison because of all the other distraction of the game and the player individual lives. As soon as ego intrudes into the moment, urgency is lost or distorted and something else takes over (more often than not a form of desperation). Desperation comes from trying to catch up with something missing.
More than any player on the team Wesley Matthews has an unconscious (and sometimes clearly aware) grasp of this. Arron Afflalo has it in a less awakened state that is more subdued and quiet. CJ has it, but has not had the chance to really get in touch and exercise his best presence. While Damian presents a likeable modesty, he is overly preoccupied with proving a point more often than letting his naturalness just happen. LaMarcus sets high standards of self-performance and demanding discipline that has served him well. However, his measurement against perfection can also interfere with letting his naturally poetic and graceful display of power and presence occur as often as it might.
Terry Stotts is often too busy trying to make all of the parts work together that he becomes controlling despite his emphasis upon giving freedom and “flow” of the game. Robin Lopez gets it in his own way, but becomes swept up in team angst more often than just staying tuned to his presence.
The comprehension and application of urgency is an elusive issue and one that is extremely problematical to consistently apply. The team can learn from Wesley’s absence and observing more closely the actions of their teammates who come closest to applying a natural instinct for urgency.
ADVANCE ROCKETS GAME EVALUATION FOR MARCH 11, 2015 (Posted March,10, 2015).
Flushed with the heady success from having very accurately prediagnosticized (see above) the Blazers/Clippers game of March 4th, I have plunged into a second attempt to see if I can do similarly once again. I immediately realized that the numerology dynamics of the date and game are distinctly different and less indicative of a clear outcome as I experienced the first time. Nevertheless, I will see if I can weave my way through the obscure indicators and reach a conclusion. After a devastating loss to the lowly Wolves, there is doubt growing in the collective Blazers minds. My pick is more wishful thinking than good common numerical sense. (Yes, Virginia, wishes can come true!)
The two teams have been western conference adversaries for years and the rivalry heated up last year when the Blazers took out the favored Rockets in the first round of the play offs. They have played each other twice so far this season and split the games resulting in very similar scores. The sequence of numbers and circumstances suggest that Houston will put early defensive pressure upon both Damian and LaMarcus in hopes of creating Blazers chaos and break down.
This appears to work in the early going. The tactic, however, allows Arron Afflalo to go foraging with little obstruction and favorable results (sort of). Nic Batum also benefits from less attention and finds his stroke as the game progresses. Robin Lopez works his customarily hard routine and places timely scoring along with good board work. Chris Kayman and Steve Blake are not large contributors in this game. CJ McCollum can be the bench surprise of the evening.
The game appears tentative and methodical for the most part with one crazy scoring streak in the second half. This game will reveal a lot about the collective psyche of the team and their performance going into the rest of the season. Do they creep into an ongoing malaise or regroup and find a new unity? Many lead changes with a final score of around 108 to 102, Blazers. (close enough= 105-100).
Estimated statistics for the night: LA with 19 points and 13 rebounds (more). Damian Lillard 17 points and 7 assists (very close). Afflalo 17 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Nic 14 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists (very close). Rolo 9 points, 7 boards (better) and 3 blocked shots. Steve Blake nails 5 points (close) and Chris K 7 (very close). CJ gets some playing time and comes up with 11 points and timely defense. Dorel Wright aids with 7 points (short). Alonzo Gee gets some time and shows his defensive promise.
OK, well this has been kind of fun. But I will take a break for a while before deciding about taking on any other prediagnosticizations.
THE PORTLAND PARADOX OF PRIDE, PLAYING TIME AND POST SEASON PLAYOFF POSITION MYTH (posted March 15, 2015).
Having watched the Blazers increasingly from the last days of Nate’s micro managing through the third year of Terry Stotts’s era, there is one reoccurring pattern of Portland play. That is, the over reliance upon the starters and distrust of going deep into the bench.
As a naïve layman observer of professional play it seems to me you need to recognize that every player on the team has gotten there because they do something good enough to have made an NBA team. Yes, there are just so many minutes in a game and so much playing time to distribute among all of the players. However, to under develop the whole team is a serious error in the end.
The Blazers have done well at fighting back and playing hard and showing pride and spunk right up until the end. But, for what? So many times they come from 20 or 30 points down to lose by 3 or 6 or 8 points at the expense of totally draining the starters and perhaps the early rotation players and losing to boot. Kudos must be given to effort and near comeback drama. However, at what cost?
Everyone who knows the Blazers watched the results of this when San Antonio had 11 or 12 big and little sprites running circles around a tired Blazers team in the second round of the finals last season. There is a time to let go of pride and play deep into the bench. How else are you going to know who you reliable alternatives are? Playoff position is meaningless to a team that plays with urgent harmony. If you are to be the best, you must beat the best.
Having watched almost every game for the last three years, I can usually tell within about the first 5 to 6 minutes when the Blazers are going to lose. There are some games when they just do not have it and are not there. Once the coaching staff recognizes these moments, there will be ample opportunity to develop other players (and perhaps win more games that they expected by doing so). Making this decision requires discernment, willingness to let go of false pride and image, and giving trust to intuition and reality of the moment.
A good example would be the recent Utah game. It was immediately clear that the starters did not arrive on the same plane with the rest of the team. Instead of burning them out, it would have been a perfect night to give the bench players 35 to 40 minutes of playing time. That would have been far more valuable in the long run.
That makes it an important part of the coaches job finding what each player does best and having something designed so that he is in the most comfortable position to do what he naturally does best when that moment comes during the game.
To be the best means implementing all the resources that you have available. Putting the best team on the floor does not mean having your starters and early rotation players out there. It means having the exact right play at the exact right moment for the situation. Doing so is an essential part of playing with urgency.
March 24th and a great game by the rotation players and bench. Makes one wish they had been given more opportunities starting 68 games ago.
Here are some potentially draining losses to be careful about between now (3/16) and the end of this season 3/16(L), 3/18(L), 3/24(L), 3/27(W), 3/30(W), 4/1(L), and 4/11(L).
3/27 bench =80 minutes and 28 points >>> 3/30 bench =106 minutes and 33 points
It is not too late in the season to implement the use of more playing time for the bench. Next year will be a good time to release attachment to false pride, and yield to opportunity by playing potentially productive players more profusely.
Sitting here on March 19, 2015 surveying the numerical combinations for the remainder of season, along with various sports writer’s coverage, there is an eerie feeling that the Blazers could end the season with the same record as last year. And then go through the playoffs with almost the same results as last season. That is, they win a dramatic first series and gone, valiant and exhausted. (OK, so much for eerie feelings. I hope I was not right about the first round of the playoffs).
HERE IS A SEMI SAN ANTONIO SOLUTION FOR THE 2015-2016 SEASON
Most likely this will never happen, but makes for great speculation. Ala San Antonio, the Blazers players who are to be resigned next year, each take a cut in pay that amounts to an average of $3,000,000 per player below their market value. The total reduction on the payroll means approximately $21,000,000 extra to find a starting caliber back up point guard, and a starting caliber back up small forward. Assuming that Wesley Matthews returns, this would leave them essentially with a bench rotation second team that could compete with almost any starting five in the league. Requires a total team unity, sacrifice of some ego and in the pay check, and is most likely just a pipe dream. (See plan B and plan C in the following playoff blog.).
RETHINKING THE AFFLALO TRADE
This is not to be a knock on Arron Afflalo. He is a good player and a good person. A look at the statistics and Blazers recent play (4 losses in a row), makes one wonder if they miss their friends Wes and the two Energizer bunnies, along with the one time magical chemistry. Stats can be interpreted many ways, but here are the stats since Will Barton and Thomas Robinson were traded. (posted 3/21)>>
Average Pts Reb Assts Blks Stls Arron Afflalo 10 3 2 .02 .05 Will Barton 12 4 2 .07 1.20 Thomas Robinson 20 16 2 .61 2.72
THE LAST MINUTE ACQUISISTION
Tim Frazier brings the numbers 8 (power), 6 (responsibility) and 2 (finesse) as a late addition for the stretch run. The numbers 2 and 6 can worry a lot. If he comes in with too much concern about finessing his way into the team and what his responsibilities will be, he may struggle more than contribute. If he simply trusts himself and his confidence in his game, he can be a delightful and valuable late contribution for the Blazers. I am guessing that he shows more of the 8 first, and then fits into the team. He and Arron Afflalo may well form a special bond, and AA will be a good mentor for TF (3/31/15).
To take a look at prospects for 2015-16.
Here is a link to my posted article and where you can submit your own sports article>>
http://www.thesportscol.com/2015/04/its-in-the-numbers-numerology-in-sports/
