[外電] A preseason primer on the Trail Blazers

[Iverigma (big 3:Oden-Roy-Aldridge)]

非常強大的一篇外電!
Jason Quick卯起來深入描寫隊上每個人從訓練營開始到現在的狀況

尤其是 Roy 那段
Quick 不是個 homer 所以看他那樣大力推崇 Roy 實在是很爽啊!

(歡迎強者翻譯!!)

A preseason primer on the Trail Blazers
Posted by Jason Quick, The Oregonian October 15, 2008 11:39AM
Categories: Team News

As we head into the final stretch of the Trail Blazers' preseason, here's a
look at who is excelling, who is a disappointing and one take on how Greg
Oden has looked in his much anticipated rookie season. After four of the
team's seven exhibition games, beat writer Jason Quick gets you up to speed
on the Blazers as they inch closer to the Oct. 28 season opener at the Lakers.

THE BEST IN SHOW
Brandon Roy

Just when I think I can't be impressed any more by this kid, he tops himself.
Remember, Blazer fan, how you felt on Aug. 14, when Roy underwent
arthroscopic knee surgery? Talk about unnecessary stress. The guy has been
flat out amazing, from Day One of training camp. His game right now is so
smooth, so confident and so pure that it translates into a palpable
nastiness. It's almost as if his game now carries this aura of an Assassin.
Roy is oozing confidence and I think more and more people are finding out
there's a grit and toughness to him.

I mean, this town was downright concerned/depressed when his surgery was
announced. There was question whether he would be ready for opening night.
Not only is he back and ready, he is better than ever. Decidedly better

I distinctly remember my first vision of Roy this training camp - the team
was scrimmaging for the first time and Roy was guarding Travis Outlaw. As
Outlaw drove right across the lane and elevated near the free throw line, Roy
outstretched and blocked Outlaw's shot. It was the same type of in-your-jock,
totally-in-control defense that produced Roy's game-winning block of Carmelo
Anthony last season during The Streak.

But I really became convinced in Kansas City, when I watched Roy play against
Atlanta in their third exhibition game. For long stretches, Roy went against
Atlanta's Joe Johnson. For some reason, Johnson brings out the best in Roy.
Remember last January, when the game was tied 93-93 with 33.3 seconds left?
With Roy dogging him the whole way, Johnson handled the ball for 23 seconds
of the 24-second shot clock, repeatedly trying to penetrate, jab step and
find some sort of opening. He never found one, eventually having to launch a
21-footer that airballed.

"That defensive hold he had on Joe was as beautiful of thing I have seen,''
coach Nate McMillan said after the game. "Just watching it from behind ... it
was beautiful to see. Joe couldn't go anywhere.''

Last week, it was apparent Johnson wanted some revenge. He went right at Roy,
in what often looked like an attempt to bully/overpower him. But Roy has
added some bulk this season - just take a look at his biceps and shoulders -
and he was able to constantly hold his ground. One memorable play saw Johnson
lower his shoulder into Roy in an attempt to clear space before elevating for
a mid-range jumper. Roy absorbed the initial blow, and as Johnson elevated,
Roy maintained his position and slapped the ball out of Johnson's hands as he
elevated. As the Blazers converted the fast break, Roy proudly stood in
place, almost puffing his chest out. It's probably the most
bravado/showmanship you will ever see out of Roy, but it's yet another sign
of his growing confidence.

Roy also changed that game from an offensive standpoint. The Blazers took
control in the third quarter when Roy began to work a two-man game with
LaMarcus Aldridge. It was pick-and-roll perfection, and the two stars played
brilliantly off each other. In particular, Roy's stop-on-a-dime, cross-over
pull back jumper is a thing of beauty. Keep an eye on this - I think it has
progressed to the point where it has become his signature move.

While his physical skills seem to be blossoming, Roy's mental outlook has
become a powerful thing. As we all know by now, he is extremely mature and
level headed, but what's new this season is an understanding of his place. Of
the Blazers' emerging Big Three (Roy, Aldridge, Oden), only Roy seems
comfortable embracing his emerging stardom. He isn't distasteful or cocky
about it, but he is sure he belongs and confident enough to throw his weight
around the locker room. I really like his aura right now.

THE SLEEPING GIANT
LaMarcus Aldridge.

.
The OregonianComing off a breakthrough season, LaMarcus Aldridge showed up to
training camp in great shape and has played well in the preseason.
Easily the second most impressive player in camp. As always, Aldridge is in
great shape. And more so than last season, Aldridge is confident, to the
point where it almost seems like he's on a mission to prove he's an elite
player.

He was the barometer for which everyone judged themselves early in camp, and
he continues to set the example of dedication by staying after every practice
to work on his craft. His 15-to-17 foot jumper is money, and he has dabbled
inside, although I still think he could go inside more.

Plus, in an unrelated manner, he's joined the club in warming up to the
Portland media. He was never rude or abrasive, but he wasn't exactly the
easiest guy on the team to saddle up to for a conversation. I think I speak
for all of us in the media in saying that. But this year, he's a dream. He's
funny, engaging and thoughtful. He says he is making a conscious effort to be
better with the media. I don't know why, but I think it will benefit fans,
who will find him intelligent, funny and classy.


THE SURPRISE

Nicolas Batum

After watching him in the Las Vegas Summer League there is no way in the name
of Ha Seung Jin I thought this kid would even make a blip on the radar screen
this year. In a word, he was raw. Now, it looks like the kid might break the
rotation at small forward. He's been that good.

He's one of those guys who has a knack for getting his hands on the ball. He
tips passes, he blocks shots, he gets offensive rebounds. On offense, he's
extremely unselfish and runs the floor very well. While he is doing all of
this, he makes it look easy. Smooth. If there was a "Hello, NBA, I'm here"
moment, it was on Sunday when he blocked Utah's Andrei Kirilenko on a drive.
THE GUY WHO MAKES YOU GO HMMMM...
Greg Oden

.
Bruce Ely, The OregonianGreg Oden has shown he's an impressive dunker, but
other aspects of his game remain a work in progress.
There's no question he will be factor, and that he drastically changes and
improves the Blazers. But I've got to be honest: I was expecting to be a
little more impressed. After hearing the reviews from the likes of Roy, Steve
Blake, Channing Frye, Kevin Pritchard, Nate McMillan, Chad Buchanan ... I
thought Oden would be crushing the likes of Ronny Turiaf and Mikki Moore like
16-ounce Pabst tall boys. I thought there would be thunderous follow-dunks,
blocks ending up in row 8, and elbow-flying rebounds.

But quite honestly, he has looked a little awkward, a lot out of shape and
rather nondescript out there. Look, I understand all that stuff about him
being out for a year, and that teams are coming at him and that he is still
out of shape ... and I understand there is obvious, unmistakable indications
that he will at some point dominate. I was just led to believe it would be a
little more obvious to see right now.

Clearly, when he gets the ball down low, it's lights out. He certainly knows
how to dunk with force and how to clear people out of the way. But his jump
hook looks very rough and forced and he is lumbering up the court much more
than I thought he would be at this point.

At the beginning of camp, I guessed Oden would average 16 points, 11 rebounds
and three blocks a game. Today, I would say 11 points, 9 rebounds and 2.5
blocks. All that being said, I will stick to my prediction: Oden will make
the All-Star team this season and be Rookie of the Year.
THE BIGGEST DEVELOPMENT
Martell Webster's foot surgery.

Expected to be the starting small forward, Webster went out with a stress
fracture in his left foot after a solid outing in the preseason opener. He
later had a screw inserted and will be out until mid-December.

I have mixed feelings about this. If there was a starter to become injured, I
think Martell was the best-case scenario for the Blazers because it opens the
door for Rudy Fernandez to play more, if not start. And truthfully, I think
for this team to realize it's potential, Fernandez needs to both start and
play heavy minutes. He's just too special.

At the same time, I really liked the prospects of what we thought the
second-unit would be: Sergio/Bayless at point; Rudy at shooting guard; Travis
Outlaw at small forward; Channing Frye at power forward and Joel Przybilla at
center.

I fully expect the opening night starting lineup against the Lakers to be
Blake, Fernandez, Roy, Aldridge and Oden. I like that lineup.

Still, I was really curious to see what Martell was going to bring this
season. I haven't made up my mind yet on how good he is, or can be. I don't
think anyone, even Martell, knows. He certainly has incredible upside. I
would pay to watch his jump shot. I think he will still have 60 some games to
show that, but it definitely won't be the same as if he started from jump.
LIVING UP TO THE HYPE
Rudy Fernandez.

Some people in the media beat up Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard for
raving about Rudy Fernandez when he arrived. Funny how their tune has changed
now.

The 6-foot-6 guard has been everything Pritchard promised, and more. I'm not
going to say he is a fan favorite (Roy has a pretty solid hold there), but
Rudy has definitely electrified the Rose Garden with his flashy passes,
soaring alley-oops, and fervent overall play. Some turnovers will accompany
that flash-and-dash, but that's OK. And I think McMillan understands and
accepts that.

Can't help but worry about his frail frame, and how that will hold up over
the course of the NBA season.
A NICE RESPONSE
Sergio Rodriguez

At the end of last season, no player had plummeted more than Sergio
Rodriguez. His mind was a mess. His game - what little we saw of it - was all
over the place, particularly his shot, which was so flat it was bordering on
hideous.

But after a summer in Spain, which included some workouts with shooting coach
John Townsend, Rodriguez has been a pleasant development for the Blazers. He
is clearly the No. 2 point guard behind Blake. His shot has shown the most
noticeable improvement, particularly from the corner. I also like his court
presence - he is directing the team with confidence and ease.

SOME DISAPPOINTMENTS

Travis Outlaw. First off, I love Travis. I think everyone who knows me knows
he is one of my favorite people on the team. But I was expecting a little
more out of him this preseason. A little more assertion, a little more
ownership in establishing his place on the team.

Travis wants an elevated role on this team - more shots, more prominence -
but he is not going out and snatching that opportunity. McMillan keeps
dangling that starting small forward role in front of Outlaw, hoping that
motivates him, but I wish Travis didn't need a reason to be motivated. I wish
he was like Aldridge or Roy, both of whom came into camp with a mindset of
dominating and taking a firm hold as a leader. Travis has the talent to do
that. He just hasn't processed the effort needed to become that type of
player. I think Travis is content at letting it come to him whenever it comes
to him. If this was his third year, I could understand that. But this is his
sixth.

I still think he will be an incredibly important piece to this team just
because he is such an incredible talent. But I worry how his approach is
viewed by McMillan and Pritchard, both of whom will have to make long-term
decisions on Outlaw after this season.

Ike Diogu. Just haven't seen much from the former lottery pick. I can't
remember who wrote it, but I thought it was the perfect description - he's
like Zach Randolph without the jump shot. For me, I will pass on that type of
player every time.

Jerryd Bayless. I like the rookie. Love his determination, his scrap, and his
dedication. All of that is going to translate well to the NBA during his
career. But right now, he looks like a rookie. He dribbles an awful lot,
usually because he is not reading the defense correctly or quickly enough.
Teammates have told me they are often waiting - hands extended - for him to
pass it to them, only to never get it. But the worst part for me about
Bayless is it appears he has a little Martell-as-a-rookie syndrome. The
common person will recognize that as a know-it-all. I've seen teammates
approach him out of frustration during a game, only to have Bayless look the
other way as if he already knows and understands what they are saying. Either
that or he doesn't feel like he is ever at fault.

But as far as skills, I like what he has. When he is able to square his body
to the rim and get his feet set, he is money. But I have yet to see him make
a jumper otherwise. I love his defense. He gets right up in the opposing
guard. He will not back down, and that will endear him to McMillan. He is
also a fearless driver, which will result in a lot of jaw-dropping dunks.

--
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