Blazers/Kings Game thread

[barfo]

Everything looked so easy tonight.

I disagree. Everything seemed very jerky, the action would stop completely sometimes for a second or two, and everyone seemed to move in sort of a blur. It was like all the players were off-center tonight, as if they approached the game from an unusual angle. And they didn't seem to be having fun, at least sometimes you could almost see a dark cloud over the players, although it usually passed in a few seconds.

barfo

 

[Nikolokolus]

It was good to see Blake and Frye back, it felt like a real team was out there again for the whole game. And Nate's starting to play the main guys big minutes. Aldridge can be flat out dominate. I've said it before and I'll say it again, he could actually turn out to be our best player, although even if he just gets close to that, that would be awesome. And I think he's already there.

Oden looked pretty good. 5 turnovers, but he really seemed to fill the stat sheet tonight and once again, he had no foul trouble, this time in big minutes. That, and his good freethrow shooting are huge. However, for long stretches, he seemed to get no touches on the offensive end. I think they're still figuring out how to play together.

Not to nitpick (picking nits is kind of gross), but Greg took 9 foul shots, had 3 assists (and five TOs) so it's not like guys weren't getting him the ball

What the hell is with Oden/Aldridge doubling Blake/Roy in the assist department... ?

It's called playing the inside-out game, the bigs were kicking it out to the open shooter and they were hitting.

Batum fell back down to earth tonight. Looked like he was in over his head. But he did rebound well. I have no idea why we had him on Kevin Martin, that's just not going to work.

He's still very, very young; struggles were somewhat expected, plus Martin is one of the league's elite scorers -- call it a baptism by fire.

 

[noknobs]

I disagree. Everything seemed very jerky, the action would stop completely sometimes for a second or two, and everyone seemed to move in sort of a blur. It was like all the players were off-center tonight, as if they approached the game from an unusual angle. And they didn't seem to be having fun, at least sometimes you could almost see a dark cloud over the players, although it usually passed in a few seconds.

barfo

Haha, I know EXACTLY what you mean... A few times, I actually heard what I can only believe is God himself, call out the score, as if to take pity on us. I had no idea God hadn't reached puberty yet, good to know.

 

[tlongII]

I actually thought Batum looked pretty good. He's got a much better handle than I expected.

 

[noknobs]

Not to nitpick (picking nits is kind of gross), but Greg took 9 foul shots, had 3 assists (and five TOs) so it's not like guys weren't getting him the ball

Yeah, I understand all that. But I still watched the game, and for stretches he wasn't involved. That is indisputable, but like I already said, they're still probably learning to play with each other. I don't really think it's anyones fault.

It's called playing the inside-out game, the bigs were kicking it out to the open shooter and they were hitting.

This is what we call a rhetorical question. You have to admit it's a little odd, yes?

 

[Nikolokolus]

This is what we call a rhetorical question. You have to admit it's a little odd, yes?

I'd call it a statistical anomaly or outlier; there are always going to be nights where things like that happen. More than anything I think we're seeing what this team looks like in the pre-season with the first time they've had a rotation approximating what they will look like on opening night. It wasn't a perfect game by any stretch, but they looked pretty good tonight, and I'll take it.

 

[STOMP]

Too many weapons. How are we going to be stopped on offense once we add Martell to this lineup too?

Why people are pining for the invisible man is beyond me. He was what??? the 4th best 3 point % guy on the club last year and OK at best at anything else. They were 12 for 25 on 3's tonight.

When Martell comes back he'll be side garnish to the full meal deal thats steaming in front of you today... enjoy!

STOMP

 

[bodyman5001]

Why people are pining for the invisible man is beyond me. He was what??? the 4th best 3 point % guy on the club last year and OK at best at anything else. They were 12 for 25 on 3's tonight.

When Martell comes back he'll be side garnish to the full meal deal thats steaming in front of you today... enjoy!

STOMP

Do you mean with Outlaw or without? If anyone wants Outlaw now is the time to make a deal. Martell gives the team much more IMO and should only get better. I did like Travis getting his man up in the air and actually taking advantage of it though. I just think that if that guy would move without the ball like Rudy he would have ...wait should have five dunks a game.

That alley oop from Sergio to Rudy was the best yet by the way.

 

[Tince]

While we made some careless passes, Rudy and Batum got caught gambling on defense, and we didn't dominate the majority of the game, I was very impressed with what I saw.

1) Our spacing and passing is very good. When you have two bigs that demand double teams and Roy who can get to the basket at will, adding a touch of unselfishness makes us very dangerous.

2) To add to my first point, I think we're going to get a ton of open three point looks. There is no way to defend this team when they put three 3pt-shooters out on the court. If Frye and Oden play together, that eliminates the big on big double team that most teams like to do to prevent a solid passer like GO from turning and looking over the double team to hit the open big man.

3) Once we buckle down on defense, teams should really have to work to get open buckets. Our perimeter players didn't funnel Martin and Salmons to our bigs very often. Martin is simply amazing on offense, so I cut Batum and Rudy some slack.

4) Roy plays hard on the defensive end on the floor and really makes that guy he's going against take tough shots. He also appears to be getting comfortable with the spot up 3pt shot. Those two things takes his game to the next level.

Man, I'm excited!

 

[gatorpops]

I disagree. Everything seemed very jerky, the action would stop completely sometimes for a second or two, and everyone seemed to move in sort of a blur. It was like all the players were off-center tonight, as if they approached the game from an unusual angle. And they didn't seem to be having fun, at least sometimes you could almost see a dark cloud over the players, although it usually passed in a few seconds.

barfo

Yeah! I saw that several times. Even saw some players slip on the rain from that cloud.

Seriouly, I agree with you. Not smooth yet. A typical preseason game.

In the first half I though it was due to Batum and his thinking about the play and where he should go and the others not quit sure of each other as well. Blake was new to the offense and Nic and Rudy too and still Greg getting used to all of them. In the second unit I thought Joel played poorly in the first half but did much better in the second half.

Things picked up when the team went to small ball to match Sac and then the starters/main players put it away. Outlaw played very well in that segment. Suprised me as he actually played defense well.

g

 

[mgb]

Tonite's game wasn't the best, BUT you got a feeling at times of what this team can be once they've played together for a while. And I liked that feeling!

 

[mgb]

Just checked on the game thread over at BBF. 20 total posts and EVERY SINGLE POST WAS BY MGB!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DAMN!!!!

Not true. 1 was someone asking for a streaming site for the game and 1 making fun of me talking to myself. 18 of 20 were mine. Come on, don't misrepresent!

 

[THE HCP]

Not true. 1 was someone asking for a streaming site for the game and 1 making fun of me talking to myself. 18 of 20 were mine. Come on, don't misrepresent!

Well, where'd everybody go?

 

[Bob Dobalina]

I actually thought Batum looked pretty good. He's got a much better handle than I expected.

I agree with this sentiment. Batum looked pretty good, even though a bit nervous. He rebounded well. He also showed his handle a bit, bringing the ball up after rebounding a couple of times. He didn't shoot well, but blew some point blanks (nerves?). They should not have had him on Martin, though I thought he did ok. Seems like he received a couple of "rookie" fouls called against him while guarding Martin.

 

[B-Roy]

http://www.nba.com/video/games/kings/2008/10/20/nba_por_sac_0010800085_recap.nba/index.html

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3654781&categoryId=2459788

 

[gatorpops]

I agree with this sentiment. Batum looked pretty good, even though a bit nervous. He rebounded well. He also showed his handle a bit, bringing the ball up after rebounding a couple of times. He didn't shoot well, but blew some point blanks (nerves?). They should not have had him on Martin, though I thought he did ok. Seems like he received a couple of "rookie" fouls called against him while guarding Martin.

I thought it was an interesting experiment against Martin. Martin is a difficult cover and very quick. I have had this thought since they decided to start Batum. He may be able to play some two on defense at times and especialy if they want a big tall zone defense. If Batum can get his shot to fall at about 40+% he can be a force at the three or even at times the two. Maybe a stretch.though. I like the kid but he does need some offense.

g

 

[THE HCP]

The preseason IS the time you put Batum on a player like Martin. Gain that experience when the games don't count!

 

[mgb]

Well, where'd everybody go?

You're beating a dead horse, HCP. I'd say literally, but I don't want to get Ed O on my case.

But dude it's like you are obsessed with a old lover. Time to let it go.