Stotts said Aldridge will join the Blazers on the road trip but refused to give a progress report. Said Matthews: "He looks better every day. It's between him and the staff and his body when he comes back. We're hoping for a recovery, but we want him healthy and 100 percent." … backup center Joel Freeland, out since Feb. 11 with a knee injury, said he doesn't want to come back until he is 100 percent. "Today was the first day I did anything with any movement," he said. "I'd love to get back before the end of the regular season, but I don't want any setbacks. I plan to be back for the playoffs. Anything more than that will be a bonus." … Stotts said when Aldridge returns, he'll continue to use Wright as a backup power forward. … Wright bounced back nicely from his performance against Milwaukee, in which he went 0 for 8 from the field -- 0 for 7 on 3-point attempts. http://www.pamplinmedia.com/pt/12-sports/214696-73969-blazers-shoot-down-wizards-tackle-tough-trip
Lame. I've really been liking what Robinson has been doing - I think we really need to develop him. Last night, I think it was halfway through the 2nd quarter Robinson grabbed a rebound and immediately started taking the ball up-court. The entire time he was looking to get the ball to a guard, but a passing lane didn't develop. As he came up-court he noticed that a lane to the hoop opened up and he took the ball coast-to-coast and nearly got an and-1, but instead ended up with two free throws. Later in the game Robinson got the ball at the top of the key, drove the lane, and shuttle-passed to Claver on the baseline - absolutely beautiful play. Robinson has the fundamental skills (dribbling, passing, rebounding, coordination) to be a versatile PF who can do a little bit of everything. He could be similar to the "garbageman" Z-bo that we had before we centered our team around him - but a high-flying, monster-dunking version, with better defense and passing, if worse shooting and one-on-one ability.
I would assume Robinson would be the backup C in front of Leonard. Still odd to play even more players out of position though.
Freeland doesn't sound very hopeful. We may not see him again this year. If we do then it will only be playoffs imo. I know you aren't being serious but to answer it anyways I would say he is out of the rotation unless Wright bombs which I think has a good chance.
I too like what Trob has shown but the biggest problem I see with him is he doesn't see himself as a Zbo like garbageman. He'll work down low for a while but then he goes away from the basket and starts throwing up those rushed turnaround jumpers. I get the feeling he sees himself still has a SF/PF hybrid who should be allowed to create his on shot away from the basket. I don't think that will ever be his game.
I don't know what he thinks of himself, but based on what I know of Stotts I have to think that he's instructed to "create space" and get away from the hoop. I don't like the rushed jumpers, but he does enough other good things to offset the few jumpers he takes. And again, I think Stotts is probably saying "If you're open - shoot it." Not just to Robinson, but the entire team. Lopez isn't hesitating when he's open from 15'. And Wright isn't hesitating to pull up 4' behind the 3-point line on a secondary break. Terry seems to think that any open shot is a good shot (which, again, is contradictory to his defensive philosophy). Robinson is a young player and with proper coaching could be molded into a very effective PF - but it comes down to the coaches. I do think that he has the agility to slide between both F positions. I like what he's been able to do when he puts the ball on the floor. Zach could/can put the ball on the floor too - but Robinson has better ability to pass off the dribble. So I don't mind him creating for others. In fact, I want an entire team of players that can create for others. With Nic and Robinson at the forward positions we could have one of the better passing front-courts.
I'd posted it in another thread but my best friend ran into Joel at the Blitz in the Pearl 2 weekends ago. He talked with him for a while and at that time Joel said he was gonna be out about another 6 weeks, and that he'd probably be ready for the playoffs. Fingers crossed, we've definitely missed him.
When he plays again, everyone should boo all game. When Canzano hears that a Blazer drinks during long-term injuries, Canzano will certainly crucify the white player.
Hickson's out for the season. http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10655488/jj-hickson-denver-nuggets-season-acl-tear
LA "upgraded" to game time decision tomorrow night vs. ATL https://twitter.com/trailblazers/status/448908350642614272
Denver has lost their starting C, starting SF, starting PF, and 6th Man for the season. I wonder if Nugget fans are blaming their training staff?
