Best Blazer rookie debuts?

[BrianFromWA]

I mean, I'm half-expecting Lillard to drop 40 on Nash tonight. Which got me to wondering...what's the best Opening Night Rookie performance any of you remember?

 

[julius]

I don't know if he'll drop 40, but I personally can't think of any rookie debuts that were great.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I tweeted your question to a bunch of reporters, we'll see if anyone responds.

 

[BrianFromWA]

I saw and almost responded, but I don't know your followers and tend not to want to look super-douche-ish on Opening Night.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I saw and almost responded, but I don't know your followers and tend not to want to look super-douche-ish on Opening Night.

I was just trying to help. I'm curious what it is.

 

[BrianFromWA]

no, it's totally cool, I meant sarcasm on here may not translate on twitter.

 

[Natebishop3]

He might not drop anywhere near 40, but I'll be ecstatic if he gets over 10 assists for the game.

16 and 10 would be amazing for a rookie debut.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Bill Walton's full stat line from his Blazers debut:18 points, 24 rebounds, 4 blocks and 5 assists.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

He might not drop anywhere near 40, but I'll be ecstatic if he gets over 10 assists for the game.

16 and 10 would be amazing for a rookie debut.

21 and 10 so far.

and +20

 

[BlazerCaravan]

23 points, 11 assists.

That's smart!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Trail Blazers PR ‏@TrailBlazersPR Damian Lillard joins Oscar Robertson and Isiah Thomas as only players in NBA history with at least 20 points and 10 assists in NBA debut.

 

[OSUBlazerfan]

Damian Lillard joins Oscar Robertson and Isiah Thomas as only players in NBA history with at least 20 points and 10 assists in NBA debut.

 

[Natebishop3]

23 points, 11 assists.

That's smart!

Honestly, that's just perfect in my book. I don't even mind the turnovers. He'll get better. Can you ask for more from your point guard? He played good D, he rebounded, he played in control...... just awesome.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Trail Blazers PR ‏@TrailBlazersPR Damian Lillard joins Oscar Robertson and Isiah Thomas as only players in NBA history with at least 20 points and 10 assists in NBA debut.

Damian Lillard joins Oscar Robertson and Isiah Thomas as only players in NBA history with at least 20 points and 10 assists in NBA debut.

You're Laker slow tonight.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I'm so impressed. Just so damn impressed.

 

[Natebishop3]

Where are the haters now?

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Honestly, that's just perfect in my book. I don't even mind the turnovers. He'll get better. Can you ask for more from your point guard? He played good D, he rebounded, he played in control...... just awesome.

You know what's even better? It's clear to me that he can play better.

 

[BlazerBeliever]

Has anyone heard that Lillard is going to be a franchise type point guard? LOL

 

[Natebishop3]

You know what's even better? It's clear to me that he can play better.

Oh I agree. His shooting wasn't what it usually is, and he seemed a little nervous for his first game. I think he can definitely play better.... which is scary.

 

[KingSpeed]

Have we found our PGOTF?

 

[Natebishop3]

Have we found our PGOTF?

More like, Point Guard of the Now!

 

[Wizard Mentor]

We've been tortured in the past with misfortune, so it feels good that we...

traded a disgruntled but aging player for pick #6
Identified DL early and passed on HFB (Barnes).

 

[illmatic99]

BRoy: 20p, 3r, 2a, 31mins, on 10-16FG, win on the road in SEA.

 

[ABM]

Dan Patrick playin' up Lillard right now. He's in a select class with that rookie debut game.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Patrick--"Lillard was the most NBA ready player in this past draft, and it showed last night as he had his way with the Lakers".

 

[Boob-No-More]

Lillard's opening night EFF = 22. Of course, it would have been even higher if not for the below average shooting and 6 turnovers, but that's still a pretty damn good start. It's only been 1 game, but here's the 2012-13 top 10 rookies by EFF:

1 Anthony Davis, NOH 24.0
2 Damian Lillard, POR 22.0
3 Jonas Valanciunas, TOR 14.0
4 Bernard James, DAL 11.0
4 Kyle Singler, DET 11.0
6 Dion Waiters, CLE 10.0
7 Kim English, DET 9.0
7 Festus Ezeli, GSW 9.0
9 Harrison Barnes, GSW 7.0
9 Bradley Beal, WAS 7.0
9 Meyers Leonard, POR 7.0

Most have predicted a two man race for ROY between Lillard and Davis, and the two favorites are already separating themselves from the rest of the pack.

BNM

 

[Boise Blazer]

I think (and I hope I'm wrong) Lillard is not going to have as money "even" games like that. Meaning I think most nights it will be either 25 pt 5 ast or 12 pts 10asts. He probably wont be able to consistently do the 20/10 games this year but I can easily see him being able to do that in the future. And as other posters have mentioned I think he has a lot of room to learn and grow, which is scary to think about. He isnt raw by any means but learning the little things here and there he will be able to take that skill and add to it the crafty veteran type things down the road as well get better simply by chemistry and time. I think I counted at least 3 or 4 other pin point passes that his teammates werent ready for that would have easily been assists.

 

[BrianFromWA]

yeah, he seemed to have Sergio Syndrome a bit where the pass would be there and (even good players like LMA) would be "wha?? where did that come from?" I can think of his bounce pass to Leonard cutting baseline (which he should've known not to put him in that position), the laser to LMA on the baseline, and the behind the back to a wide-open Hickson that he just bricked. It wasn't that far at all from a 25/15 game, which would've gotten a lot of panties into a twist.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

Lillard was awesome last night!

 

[BlazerCaravan]

you can take the "Blazers" out of the thread title and it still applies to Damian. Good lord!