Blog: Blazer Banter
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By Brian T. Smith (Columbian Staff)
April 13, 2010
TUALATIN, Ore. — What comes after change?
If you are the Portland Trail Blazers, the answer is easy: more change.
With All-Star guard Brandon Roy out for tonight’s regular-season finale
against Golden State at the Rose Garden, and possibly throughout the
playoffs, the Blazers must immediately adjust their offense and defense to
compensate for the loss.
The Natural is out. Rudy Fernandez, the Electric Spaniard, is in. And while
Fernandez’s move into the starting lineup definitely will not make up for
the loss of Roy, Portland coach Nate McMillan said there are related benefits.
Roy is the focus of the Blazers’ offense when he is on the court; Fernandez
is just a small part of it. And where Roy thrives in a half-court, mid-tempo
game that is based off ball control, dribble penetration and mid-range shots,
Fernandez is better suited in a full-court system that allows him to either
sprint toward the basket or set up behind the 3-point line and take aim.
“I don’t mind Rudy in that lineup, because we’re playing off of LaMarcus
(Aldridge), we’re playing off of (Andre) Miller,” said McMillan, following
a workout Tuesday at the team’s practice facility. “You want a spreader, a
shooter on the floor. He fits with that unit. If they want to double team,
then Rudy is going to be out there to spread the floor, keep them honest, and
we can run some sets for him.”
Portland did just that Monday during a crucial 103-95 home victory over
Oklahoma City. While Fernandez shot just 2 of 6 from the floor, he finished
with nine points, four rebounds and two assists.
As the game wore on, the Blazers wore Thunder star forward Kevin Durant down.
Power sets run for Fernandez played a part, McMillan said, as did the
second-year guard’s speed. While Fernandez cut through lanes, ran through
screens and crisscrossed the court, Durant and Oklahoma City were forced to
play catch up — and catch their breath.
McMillan employed the same tactic last Sunday, during a big-time road win
over the Los Angeles Lakers. Bulky Lakers forward Ron Artest was assigned to
Fernandez. Soon, Artest was chasing Fernandez all over the court. And by the
time Artest was breathing hard on shaky legs, Lakers coach Phil Jackson was
taking him out of the game.
McMillan said Tuesday that Fernandez will start tonight against the Warriors
— either a Portland victory or a loss by San Antonio to Dallas will give the
Blazers the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs — and he will
likely remain a starter until Roy is activated. So, whenever Portland’s
still-to-be-determined first-round playoff opponent attempts to disguise a
less-than-reliable defender, the Blazers will cut Fernandez loose and set him
free, in an attempt to expose an adversary’s weakness.
“We’ll try and take advantage of that,” McMillan said. “We can make him
make those guys work.”
Notes McMillan said Roy will likely begin to test his injured right knee
Thursday. Roy has a slightly torn meniscus in the knee, and he will undergo
surgery following the playoffs. The three-time All-Star is scheduled to be
re-evaluated Friday by doctors. The earliest Portland will begin its
first-round matchup is Saturday. “We’ll know something before the game, as
far as how we approach playing him or playing without him,” McMillan said.
... Portland forward LaMarcus Aldridge suffered a left-calf contusion during
the victory over the Thunder. The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter,
when Aldridge was fouled hard by Oklahoma City’s Nick Collison during a
layup attempt. Collison received a flagrant foul for the hit. “I don’t
really know what happened,” Aldridge said. “But I just know when I got up,
it was kind of hurting.” Despite the injury, Aldridge expects to play
tonight against the Warriors.
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明天有時間再來翻喔
大意是在說RUDY先發的一些好處
NOTES的部份有提到Aldridge對雷霆時左小腿受傷
但應該還是會打勇士
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