[外電] Notebook: Outlaw goes out, Howard comes in

[and1018 (嘴賤)]

Notebook: Outlaw goes out, Howard comes in
Wednesday, November 18 | 6:48 p.m.


PORTLAND — Portland Trail Blazers forward Travis Outlaw underwent successful
surgery Wednesday morning to address a stress fracture of the fifth
metatarsal bone in his left foot, according to the team.


However, Outlaw is expected to miss 3-5 months, which is much longer than
originally anticipated.

The timetable for Outlaw’s return now falls in line with injured starting
small forward Nicolas Batum, who had surgery on his right shoulder Oct. 30
and is expected to be out through February.

Now, the Blazers could be without Outlaw and Batum for nearly the entire
2009-10 regular season.

"We’ve lost a lot with the loss of Nicolas and Travis," said Blazers coach
Nate McMillan, prior to the start of Portland’s game Wednesday night against
the Detroit Pistons at the Rose Garden.

Outlaw averaged 9.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 21 minutes through 11 games. He
alternated between the small and power forward positions, and was a regular
back up for Brandon Roy and Martell Webster. In addition, Outlaw was one of
the key members of a Blazers second unit that was considered among the top in
the league, and had helped key Portland’s fast start.

McMillan referred to Outlaw as a player who takes "big shots," and added that
he gave the Blazers the ability to spread the floor and create offensive and
defensive mismatches.

The Blazers will primarily turn to veteran forward Juwan Howard to replace
Outlaw. Rookie Dante Cunningham is unlikely to see much of an increase in
playing time, even though he is slated as a back up power forward on the team
’s roster.

McMillan said Portland becomes a bigger — but much slower — team with
Outlaw out of the second unit. Moreover, Portland’s finishing unit is
significantly altered, since Outlaw is no longer available to team up with
guard Brandon Roy during the fourth quarter as Blazers who can create their
own shots.

"It’s a huge change for us, from what we’ve been accustomed to since I’ve
been here," McMillan said.

As a result, Portland will turn to LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden in the
attempt to find another player who can deliver late.

When asked whether the Blazers will try to add a new player through a trade
or signing, McMillan said Portland’s roster is filled with 15 players, and
that the only way the Blazers could pick up someone to fill in for Outlaw and
Batum would be by trading or cutting a player currently in uniform. 

"We’re going to go with the guys we got," McMillan said.

Still starting

McMillan said he plans to stick with a starting unit featuring point guards
Andre Miller and Steve Blake in the same lineup for the foreseeable future.

"That’s our lineup," McMillan said. "That’s where we are right now."

McMillan said he likes what he has seen from the Miller-Blake combination —
 citing improved defensive play and better ball movement — but added that he
wants Portland’s starters to push the tempo more.

Miller was inserted into the Blazers’ starting lineup Nov. 6. Portland has
gone 6-1 during the stretch.

Sticking around

When the Blazers signed Howard during the offseason, it was widely expected
the 15-year veteran forward would make more of an impact in the locker room
than on the court.

However, with three forwards out with significant injuries, Portland has been
forced to turn to Howard early and often this season. And Howard’s minutes
and role on the team should only increase during the next few months.

The former University of Michigan standout was impressive during training
camp and has followed through during the early season. And he has drawn
praise from McMillan for his work ethic, physical strength and mental focus.

"My goal is to go out there and give what I can, and give my best for the
team," Howard said. "That being said, I’m a very prideful individual. I
compete and I’m competitive, and I have passion and love for the game. You
put all that together, and that’s why, of course, I’m still in this league."

vai The Columbian
http://columbian.com/article/20091118/BLOGS05/911189988/-1/blazerbanter


--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) 
◆ From: 114.47.64.242
推 coldcurrent:嘖嘖 6-1歸功於雙衛 Blake更是功不可沒！
→ coldcurrent:不過也希望Webster爭氣一點 不然我們的F有很大問題
推 jeffl0402:希望能快點對到強隊
推 liao1030:這個來的好..朱王剛好補上容易犯規的禁區
推 Aldridge:Howard要爭氣點啊 最近上場都沒什麼貢獻 不要只是吃時間
推 dakkk:Webster的三分不見了  快練回來吧 老是上三衛也不是辦法
推 BeStronger:Webster跟Rudy也要爭氣點...上場的好機會啊